Where’s Cookie????

Its a hub bub of activity here on the shores of upper red lake. All the outfits are moving smaller house out for the weekend. They all have different rules for the ice roads so you need to check with the resorts your going out of. If I’m not mistaken Hillmens is still at side by side and single axle fish houses. up to a mile out. There’s a pressure ridge that has been active since it formed so There a good chance we will be dealing with that all year. You hate to wish for super cold weather but its the nature of the beast so that what we could use.
I have been on the lake and augured 2 holes. 1 I measured exactly 11 1/2 inches the other spot a mile away 12inches on the button. That was yesterday before last nights colder temp.

Lonnie was up with Kriag. They managed to take there fish home. I think they tried 3 spots in two days, last night they did go have a burger at westwinds.
I now have all the houses staged in front of Hillmen”s for the weekend. What a great feeling being on the lake again for my 18th season. A few of the houses will be fished this weekend. while a couple others still need to stick close to shore. The houses are set up pretty shallow so will try and be extra quiet with the lights toned down.
We put a new gas tank on the red baron this late summer. I mentioned to my buddy wayne. I should just put a new fuel pump in it. We decided no if we need one we could always take the one out of the other tank as that is also going to be replaced. Well after driving it a round all fall she puked down at the lake this morning. ” dirty dog”. I’m hoping its just a bad connection .
No deer story today

Well the season has officially started for us . Jonny boy and I spent Friday morning getting florida, monatna , old Minnesota, blocked, banked and augured .
Jonny boy then spent the rest of the afternoon hanging with Paul and Quinten. They were here for two days with there snowbear.. They managed to find a few fish but I was surprised they did not do better.
I got all our guest checked in, They all brought wheelers so I escorted them to the house’s. Mike Don and Chris decided to just kick back in Montana and hit it hard Saturday. They managed to get a couple of fish for dinner. Saturday they headed out deeper but did not do that well. They did manage to get 3 more out of the house.
John and Rick checked into florida fish house. They also managed to catch a couple in the house through out the weekend. They did manage to find some good fishing.
Wayne and I fished old Minnesota through out the weekend. We ended up with 7 keepers two of them be over 17 inches, We also figured we lost twice as many so I thought it was good fishing.
Jim and Jarrod tapped into our generator saturdya and managed to get a few fish also.
North Dakota was next to shore as a cabin. 4 younger kids Chris, Austin, Dan, and Drew stayed there. The first day they did not do that well, Saturday was a different story as they did much better.
After saying good bye yesterday. Jonny boy and I proceeded to move florida, montana and north carolina . I checked Lorenzo and his gal Jenel in around 3. When I stopped into to check on them they had 2 and had missed a couple.
I’m not sure why the snow is like it is but I can not remember snow banking like this . Its like perfect, I would say its like a lite sugar sand. That would be cool if it stayed like that all season.
Jonny boy spent Saturday eve fishing With Chris, They did real well some where to the south.
We did gain 2 inches of ice as I measured 14 inches yesterday, We will be digging out old Minnesota today and move it to a new spot. California and North Dakota will also hit the ice in the next day or two.

She was a bit chilly this morning with a brisk -1. I’ll measure the ice where the houses are later today . I expect we have to be getting close to 15 inches but will see.

There been quite a bit of activity on the lake with all the resorts / outfitters getting fish houses ready for the up and coming weekend.. We did have some one cancel florida fish house for this weekend. I’ll be heading out in a bit to dig her out and move it to a new location. I did have Lorenzo and his gal Janel in there for two nights. They had 6 yesterday morning. Lorenzo said the rattle wheels were going off in the middle of the night also.
Last night was pretty quiet out there. Lorenzo did wake up to quite the mess as all the rattle wheel lines were tangled. He said he learned his lesson and next time he will only leave down 2 lines.

Bobby and Darrel spent the night in montana. Very slow even thought it was on a brand new spot. Stupid fish.
Dan showed up to stay in old Minnesota . He had 2 on the ice this morning. I’m hoping it was just a slow day but will see. Dan and his buddy are staying 1 more night.
It going to get down around 5 tonight then its starts to warm up again. Tough making ice but we have to remember its only dec 11th. Its best to check with the resort your going out of if your coming up as they all seem to be on a different page.

I did talk to 2 guys coming off the lake this morning that fished out further. They only got one so Minnesota did twice as good.
I also plan on getting out hunting again, so I’ll share another deer hunting story.
I was walking the fence line of a field when a deer snorted at me. I could not see him in the woods but he was stomping and snorting. I have gotten pretty good of snorting back . Figuring I had nothing to lose I stopped and snorted back, he then snorted again. We went back in forth for at least a minute, Then I heard him storm off going way from me. He ran about 50 yards and snorted again. I again snorted and I heard him come running back through the woods breaking branches, pounding his hoofs. I’m standing in the open with a line of pine trees just to my right and the fence and woods on the left. He then takes off again but this time he gets to where he was before. He comes flying out of the woods jumping the barbwire fence. He runs into the pines trees and coming running down them towards me. When he gets to the last pine tree he runs right up to me. He’s just a small fork horn buck. He hits the brakes about 6 feet from me . I start to pull my bow back and he whirls away and runs off. It was the darnd est thing.

ill , Theresa spent one night in Montana, They managed tow get 2 walleyes under 17. 1 around 20 inches , They also landed a 36 inch pike. So all in all Not to good.
The fishing has been way better out deeper , but with this warm up and my houses weighing 5 to 7 thousands pounds. I need to use common sense and stay on this side of the pressure ridge for now.
When the weather warms the ice expands , the weakest link is the pressure ridges and can become quite active.

Its just getting light, but from what I have heard through the grape vine the lake was gowning and popping last night with a couple new breaks so if your coming up please check at the resort you plan on accessing. There crews are out there everyday and know more about what”s going on with bridges ,cracks and areas that should be avoided.
Right now the temps are just to mild to make much if any ice. I was surprised to measured 13 1/4 where I have old Minnesota. I imagine there’s a bit more snow closer to shore so were seeing a inch or more further out where’s there’s less snow. We have guest coming today with a few not coming tell tomorrow.

Cookie, what do you mean by a lake “gowning”?

Probably groaning.

Well it was along 3 day weekend to say the least..
We had a few hick ups. Plus mother nature had to throw in her 2 cents.
Two of the dvd players would not work, even though they worked before the houses hit the lake.
The warm weather. 46 on Saturday made water puddles all around the houses. Then Saturday night they all turned to ice. So sunday was a no brainer, Jonny boy and I put it into high gear and moved the whole fleet . To deeper greener pastures.
North Carolina did the best catching there 8. plus eating a couple fish.
Old Minnesota had our grand daughter Asley, Devon and Our great grand son Bentley, they got 5 before we moved them deeper where they only caught a few more, Devon did get to battle a big pike for a bit. Our great grandson Bently. That’s the 7th generation wetting a line. He also got to real one in.
Larry and Dan were in the new ice castle Kentucky. They managed a few fish . We also moved them yesterday.

Boar and his wife were in florida. They were out in there portable all day Saturday into the evening, They went south and caught fish all day.
California’s heater would again not stay lit, even after I replaced the orifice. I have to work on that again today.
Montana got a couple fish last night so we will see how everyone did this morning when we say good bye.
Denny and his buddy checked into old Minnesota they also had a couple last night.
Pat his son and grandson got 3 in florida and went to westwind last night to have them cooked for dinner.
Craig and his dad were in north Dakota they also had a couple when I swung in last night.
The guys in the cabin. Ryan, Joe and Dan had a snowbear. They caught fish but never hit the mother load.
We will get things dialed in a s we push further out the next few days.
The warm weather played havoc on some of the pressure ridges around the lake. The one out of hillmens a mile out did not look like it has moved so that’s a good thing. I drove over the bridge last nice .she seems pretty solid right now.

nother busy day is in the books.
Got out to Kentucky fish house to say good bye to Dan and Larry, They had a grand time, on a grand lake, in a grand ice castle. Dan was so impressed he says he may bye one. There goes another customers? Darn ice castles.
They ate like kings. They had a couple ribeyes that had to be 2/1/2 inches thick.
The fishing could of been better. I still think I was to deep at 8 feet. The problem with that is when someone drives 4 hours plus, then drives out on the lake 1/4 mile and sees all the shacks out in the distance! It just does not work. Now if we drove all the way across the lake and set up 1/4 mile from the north shore in 7 feet of water it would be a whole different story.
Old Minnesota had Bill and his buddy one more night. We are going to have them fish in montana while we move there house to greener pastures. Jonny Boy did pretty good last night so that’s kinda where were headed.
Will also be saying good bye to Craig and Bill. They have enjoyed there stay in north Dakota. Of course the fishing could of been better but they will be taking home 8 fish I think. We did visit last night for a bit. It was a hoot playing some texas hold um and having some chili and crackers.
Today Lyle and Greg will be arriving. We had to bump them into Kentucky as I’m still working on the heater in California.
Time to hit the lake

Lenny 1 and 2 headed home yesterday after a 3 night visit in Old Minnesota. Jonny boy and I moved them after the second day so we had them fish in montana while we moved where they picked up 2. Another great couple of guys. They ate fish, as well as took there 8 home.

I got Greg Lyle and there buddy checked into our new addition Kentucky . They were getting a few fish, Lyle got 3 mid day when the other two went to get ice. We will be saying good bye to them this morning, then its back to high gear after a good nights rest.
Lacy and Kyler had slow fishing in there wheel house and made a move. Its sounds like they may of found the mother load.
Lonnie was up for a quick trip. They had there 8 before dark. I see a pattern here Its much quieter during the mid week,with everyone spread out the fishing seems to pick up. Then by Saturday morning the bite slows as augurs are fired up ,traffic is traveling around making the ice pop and crackle.

I think I got the furnace fixed in California which is good . It kept going out, We determined it was rusty from moisture after sitting 9 months of the year.
We also had another spectacular, stellar sunset last night as I came off the lake.
Today is another moving day as we set up for the weekend. Kentucy and North Dakota are still open for the weekend. Then the day after Christmas it get crazy busy up here. I think I could of rented 30 houses between the 25th and 30th.
We still have some weekend stuff available mid jan through feb. I also offer 20 % off sundays through Wednesdays.
Yesterday I had over 50 phone calls. The best time to call me is early morning before my mind is going a mile a minute.
Hillmens road is again a highway. The speed limit is under 10 mph plus slower over the bridge. They are still only allowing 1/2 ton trucks with tandem axle fish houses as we are around 15 inches of ice give or take a inch.

I also noticed the south berm is starting to seep water, Busting through it to go north or south is always a bad idea.

Jonny boy was able to install the water pump in white lightning yesterday so I’m looking forward to driving that as my old back is taking a pounding in the plow trucks. Plus the heater works real good .
The red barons fuel pump is still not working, We need to figure if its a connection or the pump went out. Of course I had just gassed it up so the tank is full. Being a 1 ton it will be a while before she goes on the lake.
I made a bone head mistake Monday morning. I was checking the fluids in Blue thunder .The oil was a quart low so I grabbed a gallon of oil and a funnel . I stretched out to dump some oil in and gave blue thunder a good shot of antifreeze instead. I wanted to change the oil any way so we ended up changing the oil. I also noticed the batterie box had broken and the batterie was fraction away from grounding out on the fenderwell. It always pays off to pop the hood and give the trucks a once over every morning.
Looks like its time to hit the lake.

Just like that mother nature throws a big monkey wrench it the whole operation. With a good inch of snow, throw in some wind, then another inch of snow. Plan a turns into a scramble as we say good bye to Garret and Brian today. We had them in our new ice castle Kentucy. Friday night into yesterday morning was a bust so Jonny boy and I moved them to what we expected to be better fishing. Last I had checked they had started to catch a few.

Andy and Andy were set up off in the distance all by them self’s. They also brought Sam’s wheel house up for Sam as he has a diesel. They always bring there own generator so they can be off by them self . They totally beleave in the further you are from any one the better the fishing. Sam and his wife set up a good 500 yards away where they been pounding the fish for two days. Andy and Andy are doing all also doing all right with a nice batch of fish.

Wayne rolled in for old Minnesota yesterday. Today we will be moving him as that spot was a big bust. Brian and Stacy arrived for Florida and proceeded to put the smack down on the fish. They had 7 when I stopped in last night. They are set up less the 2oo feet where Kentucky had horrible fishing in Kentucky.
Paul and Jason arrived for 1 night stay in north Carolina. I will find out how they did later today,
Jonny boy and I have a lot to do today . The winds have piled up the drifts around everything which throws in a whole bunch of extra work.
Rick and Gordy arrive for montana so I would like that on a new spot. North Dakota needs to be set up for Joes one night stay, Dave also will be arriving for one night in north Carolina.
Then California, Old Minnesota and North Dakota all have Shela’s family arriving tomorrow.

Duke and his wife in there wheel house also landed on the honey hole. Duke figured they got over 50 fish.
Randy Rum and his dad did real well the first night but it slowed down for them yesterday.
With this 2 inches of snow and the winds blowing it around the lake has become a land mine . There are quite a few areas of broken ice fields that are now hidden under the snow. bah hah ing cross country will be much more difficult now.
Hillmens Highway has 7 miles of road to clean up today and tomorrow. Today is going to be one long day. She should be a challenge as we battle mother nature on such a grand lake that owes us nothing

I hit the lake Saturday morning around 730 am. I called her a night about 1130pm . That was a long day. Yesterday I hit the lake before lite to top off the generators. I also had coffee with Wayne as he wanted to hit the road early. Traveling on the lake with the new edition KIa sportage. I took a few chances as I drove up to the generators with no 4 wheel drive. It was a good test but I better throw in a spade shovel and tow strap. I’m also going to get a set of chains. That should make a huge difference.
Wayne defiantly had the worst fishing?
Wayne always lets the first one go. He released a fat 16 1/2, I missed a nice fish while we were playing cards ,he caught couple little scuffits.

Mean while Stacy and Brian had pretty good fishing in Florida. They managed to eat a bunch of fish, shared some left overs with me and headed home with 8.
Joe,Sandy and Scott were here 1 night .They managed to get 8. Dave was also here 1 night .he got his 4.
Rick and Gordy were up to 5 last night. All under 17 but over 16 inches.
Shela, Richy and Family arrived Just as Jonny boy and I buttoned up moving old Minnesota, North Dakota and California. We moved them all to a new location. We set them up in a triangle with a small Christmas tree in the middle. I meet them on the lake and escort them out there. When we arrive they have a 6 foot blue spruce to set up, which makes my little tree look like a stick.
Last night making the rounds, California was the hot house. Followed by north Dakota with old Minnesota falling further behind on the fish catching.
There here one more night so will see how they did over night.
We will say good bye to Rick and Gordy. Then Montana and Florida need to be moved before Bobby Darrel and the crew arrive. With the impending snow I need to be smart about where we move the houses. I have two fishy spots in mind . I’ll have to decide when I get out there this morning.

I’m also going to do a no snow snow dance. I do not expect it to work, but with mother nature and the size of red lake some times the storms split around the lake?
Looking at the calender getting out for one last deer hunt may not be in the books.
I’ll share another story of one of my hunt.
For 3 years a chased a big buck in a creek bottom. Every time I would still hunt into the area he would bust me. You never new where he was bedded down. Some times he would be laying in the tall grasses next to the creek where he could lay in the sun all day long. Most of the time he would slip away from me and run across a a big opening and go into a small thicket. I had jumped him more then once. He had a beautiful rack and was all of 10 points. No matter which way I still hunted he always ran or snuck out to the north. The dairy Queen was to the south. The freeway was to the west highway 61 was to the east.
This day I was determinded. When I got a glimpse of him, he was coming out of the river bottom heading to the thicket. 1/4 mile away. I hiked over to the thicket, circled around and still hunted in. It was so thick I would never have a shot with my bow. I again pushed him out and he ran full speed back to the river bottom.
I again hiked back across. I started still hunting again. It was not very long when he jumped the creek ran east jumped the creek again and headed across the open field to the north. About half way he stopped and stood there, Majestic as a buck could be. He Stood there with his head held high, his chest puffed out, Steam coming out of his nostrils and mouth. I stood there admiring him. To far for a bow shot. He just stood there just starring at me. He then spun around, he headed east where he ran across highway 61 and left the area.

I hope cookie is ok!

The week between Xmas and New Years is the craziest week of the year for the URL outfitters. Hopefully he is just so busy with the snow and customers that he hasn’t had time to post.

The snow and wind on URL can keep these guys going 24/7 trying to keep a road like Hillmans open for fisher folks.

PS. Or maybe he hit the “mother Load” and is keeping his mouth shut LOL.

Talk about a whirl wind. All I can say is Wow, what a week it has been.
The fishing has been all over the board. Do to the storm that was about to blow in I had decided to retreat closer to the main road. There’s know ay I can even get close to figuring out who was in what house, when they were here. What we moved,
I was on the lake when the snow and wind picked up. We had Pat, Ryan, Richy and the kids in Kentucky and North Dakota. I can say they had a hoot. I never had a chance to play a game of cribbage with Pat. Hopefully next year. They did manage to get enough fish for a fish fry at westwind after the storm but it was terrible fishing.
We had the Arkansas boy in Montana and The owatana boys in florida for the storm. They were here for 4 nights. They road out the storm with wind blowing 40 miles a hour after the 10 inches of snow. The fishing probably could not of been much worse. When I placed the house there I had such high hopes as the spot looked very fishy. After we dug out. we were able to move back to the area we had much better fishing at. Jonny boy and I were humping our butts off to move the whole fleet back to better fishing. I had cut a new trail with blue thunder, with 4 foot drifts around every thing I have been basically living in the truck for 3 or 4 days. Twice I had the hammer aka the wife bring me food ,while I was plowing. I have been running on a average of 4 hours of sleep for a week. We got The Arkansas boys set up with the owatana boys right behind, then the rest of the fleet. Just as we were in the process of moving the 5 th house a caravan of wheel houses decide I had the hot spot and came in like they owned the area, @ of the 28 foot ice castles came around north Carolina as we were setting it up on the road I had plowed for the house’s. They then got back on the road and proceeded to go in front of Florida and montana, with in 2 feet of the houses. If some one would of came out the door they may of gotten run over, It was that bad?
Jerry of the Arkansas group was so livid they left a day early and cost me 250 dollars. Hunter his son did get to catch a fat 18 inch walleye before the circus moved in.
One of the wheel house set up right in front of California . We could of plugged in the power off there generator with less then a 100 foot cord. Then they got there strobe lights going. So dave and his crew looked out the windows at there houses for 24 hours. They had to pull down the curtains that night as the lights were so bright flashing in the window the thought they were at a pink floyd concert with light show and all. They still had fun but the fishing was not that good. They were here for 3 nights as we had moved them down there after the first night. They did apricate the effort though, Another great group of guys that were very understanding.
The 7 wheel houses all pulled out the next day? I had to jerk 2 of the 7 out . They all managed to get 4 fish per house so they decided to go invade another area.
That night Dave and the owatana boys had much better fishing , When I stopped in they were having a hoot. They had a cooler full of fish and Dave even Managed to catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Now back up to the snow and wind storm. I was out there taking care of everyone when the winds got dangerous so I had to make the call and stay out there . Danny and Bradly were in California so they had a extra bed for me. Frank, Shwags and Dave were in there wheel house next to them so I was able to hang out with them. I even recouped some of my texas hold um money I have lost over the many years they have been coming up.
It was a pretty rough night sleeping in California. My boots were wet from working out side in the snow storm all day, my jeans were wet up to my knees, my socks were damp. I had 2 jackets for a pillow and blanket for my feet. To funny I just thought I should of went and got one of the comforters from florida or monatna? Hindsight oh my.
Matt and his guys rode out the storm in old Minnesota, Matt is a superintendent at whisling strights golf course. He brought me 2020 ryder cup stocking cap that I will cherish and have tell they plant me.
They only managed to catch a half dozen fish but enjoyed there adventure, Matts dad wants to come up in the summer and stay in one of our cabins. He was a very interesting gentleman. He flew choppers in Vietnam. We visited .If I remember right he was shot down 3 times. The choppers all had bullet holes. Wow.
That’s it for now. I should be able to get back on track with my blogging as Jonny Boy and I enjoy working on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.

On a side note my galaxy phone crashed, You want to see some one frustrated. That would be me right now. I had to go get a new phone yesterday. I’m horrible with technology as I’m old school. All my pics, all my contacts. Then to boot I have no clue how to even operate the new phone at this time. The best way to contact me at this time is to call. Messaging on face book or any other way will be basically futile at this time un tell I learn this new phone.

Happy New Year Cookie!

Happy new year,
Yesterday was another frustrating day for me, Oh well will push on. We had some heater issue/propane when it was 25 below. The owner of Kentucky said last year he put a heat magnet on the 30 pound tank. I would rather have a full 100 when the temps hit that low so going to see if we can adapt a 100 pounder.

My report yesterday upset a few people so I’m sorry about that. My phone crashed the day before and my frustration level hit the highest it could hit. After 10 days of grinding, hustling, digging out , plowing the main road,riding out a snow storm/wind storm, spending the night on the lake with damp cloth from the knees down, bad fishing, moving houses, checking customers in and out. I think Ringo stiffed me? He was in north Carolina 1 night. Having 7 wheel house go around me after I moved 1 mile from the main road, racing to Bemidji for phone on icy roads, still trying to recover pics ,contacts,learning a new phone, repairs on the red baron, fuel pump, wheel baring on the hammers vechicle etc. etc etc.

I absolutely love doing this work . Its a natural high for me. I still consider every fishermen a potential customers and not a googen cidit, sqatters or and other derogative comment. If you need a plowed spot its 50 bucks for my time, and ware and tare on truck. That’s just the way it has to be, Once we become friends it could be cheaper the next time? There’s plenty of spots you can back right into off of old trails if you do not need help?
Rant over. Now for the fishing report. It has gotten much better.
Tim and Amanda were in north Dakota and manage to land 21 fish, plus they fished outside where I had such terrible fishing? They got a 38 inch pike and 2 keeper walleyes during the day.
Bill and Jackie were in Old Minnesota, They caught a couple but saw fish on there camera all night long.
Jonny boy fished in montana with Roman, they managed a few .
Paula, Tom and Adam are in florida, For some reason I left it there instead of moving it. Oops now as I re read my blog I see why I did not move that house? On a good note they were up to a dozen fish caught.
Jeff and 3 of his kids showed up for 1 night in Kentucky, They only had one last night.
Well that’s about it here on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
Jonny boy and I plan on moving the whole fleet before Friday morning

Sorry your week got all mucked up with craziness! Just remind yourself that there’s some people out there that wish they had your job! Even with the craziness!

Well not sure where to begin. My embellished story? About the wheel houses turned very ugly, The only time I talked to any of them was the second wheel house with Dustin? I tried to shake his hand? Any way the next day I talked to Cody as I jerked him out when I saw they were stuck. On the other hand Jonny boy did talk to them? Oh well life goes on.
My frustration level has dropped which is a good thing.. Its still best to call me as the new phone is confusing to say the least.
I’m still sticking to helping out fishermen as much as possible. If I plow any off shoot roads they are plowed to get to my rentals. I do not own these plowed roads, there plowed to get to my shacks. No one owns public waters. That’s a printed law. You can not impede fishermen. Again its a statue law. If there’s a rental in the road , and you have to go past a little common sense goes a long way. Most time my rentals are at the end of the road. That’s seems to be the biggest problem as the fisher people always want to go to the end of the road?
Ringo called me to thank me, he did pay me. I was so busy and rattled I could not remember. He called to say they hammered them In north Carolina. It was the first rental on the road to funny. You can not make this shiiii up. I have always said everyone drives over a million fish to get to the end of the road.

Jonny boy and I have been humping away, As always plan A turns to plan B and sometime plan b turns to plan c. Then throw in murphy’s law. . As My good friend Wayne says. I say its not my first rodeo? He says. What’s it like in the clown barrel. You can not beat the laughs and comradery .
Tom From Duluth rented North Dakota as a day house for his crew, They fished in north Dakota, The fishing could of been better but they sure enjoyed the house . They even spent a night out there. They also rented 2 day houses and a cabin from westwind, Where John got his first elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie yesterday. I still have not seem Tom to settle up. I expect he will call me when I ‘m out there moving Kentucky this morning.

Duwaye and Dave spent the night in florida. They only got a couple but Dave liked the house and said he would come again.
The hammer, I and Jonny boy had dinner and a movie in old Minnesota. I cooked up the steaks we had planned on eating new years eve. I out fished the hammer again. I got 1 walleye she got a perch. We spent the night where I enjoyed a evening off. I even watched a movie Thursday morning. She did tie it up Thursday when she got a nice keeper at 10 am.
We have a busy morning today as we have to get Kentucky and California moved asap.
We have a full house starting today with something rented every day tell next weekend.
Looking at the books all our 5 deluxe houses are booked every weekend the rest of the season. I do have California our 3 man and north Carolina our 2 man open a few weekends at this time.
On a side note I have to take a peek at blue thunder as yesterday I hit a hunk of rough ice that pretty much stopped me in my tracks. The hammers trail blazers belt tensioner went out also. I opened the hood and the sparks were flying. After we get everyone checked in today we have a wheel baron to do, a belt tensioner, and a fuel pump on the red baron. I guess you could say busy busy busy on a” Grand lake that owes us nothing”.

One reason everybody goes to the end of your roads is it’s posted all over the internet to get away from the crowds.

If you wanna have some fun plow a BIG circle road and let the guys go round & round.

Well its pretty much been non stop . Just when I thought I could never get frustrated like I did when my phone crashed.
Friday morning I meet Rick ,Matt and Mike at 7 am and my new phone decides it only want to ring when it wants to ring. I have Larry calling in around 10 to check in. Elvis rolling in with his wheel house around noon, Larry’s crew rolling in around noon for montana and florida,. Matt rolling in some time for California with his 4 kids, Justin call ing with his wheel house for a plowed spot. Dan checking into the cabin, Another Dan checking into Kentucky for the day. followed by Dave and his crew spending the night in Kentucky. Then throw in 2 more wheel houses with 2 different lee’s.
Jonny boy and I are again moving houses, getting ready for the weekend where I expect I may get a little rest.. Every time I look at the phone I have missed calls. Now I’m getting voice mails, trying to figure out who’s who by calling the missed calls checking the voice mails.
Some how I was able to get every one checked in through out the day but again it was not a smooth easy day as expected.
Matt and his kids did not roll in tell around 10:30pm that night so I had another 16+ hour day. Jonny boy was frustrated because every time he looked up I’m on the phone. I did finally get home around 6:30 where the hammer spent a few minutes and fixed the problem .
With all the houses scattered about I expected much better fishing when I was making the rounds. All the house’s had a little action but all in all very slow with many lookers that refused to bite.
Rick, Mike and Matt were in north Dakota where they took home 7,3 over 4 under,they also ate a couple fish. Rick got a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie a 14 1/2 incher that he let go for good karma. He also brought the hammer and I 4 lobster tails plus a couple steaks which I cooked last night for our 41rst wedding anniversary. Thanks so much Rick,Mike and matt.
Larry was hosting some client’s to a fishing trip ,we had old Minnesota, montana and florida set up in a triangle. He would be making them dinner Friday night. I stop in making the rounds , he had a buffet set up in old Minnesota where he had cooked a 7 pound tenderloin with baked potato ,chive, cheese, bacon bits ,corn oriental salad, bread, mushrooms@ onions. Talk about impressive. I did have a piece of the tenderloin. It was the best piece of meat I have ever had in a fish house. With the 3 house I think florida with Brian and Nick did the best with 12 walleye landed. Larry missed quite a few fish when he was cooking and cleaning. The guys in monatana Brian and Collin? also got a few. Our night bite has been pretty quite with 1 or 2 rattle per night around 3 or 4 am.
The guys in Kentucky only got a couple, when they left Dave and his 2 boys checked in for the night. They were fishing from sleds all day . They fished 5 spots, they landed 21 fish for the day keeping 11. I think they caught a couple in Kentucky.
Matt with his kids did not do so well ,only landing 4 fish. It just kills me when we do not get fish, He left us some pots, pans, etc for California which was nice. I did get to show the kids the 4 j”s Jamison, Josiah, Jasmyn, Josilyn my disappearing minnow trick when they were all loaded up to leave so that may of been a interesting ride home for Matt.
We moved Kentucky Saturday morning to the end of the road where it was a bust sunday we moved arron and his crew back by the fleet where we knew there were a few fish swimming around.
Jonny boy got the new fuel pump in the red baron I came off the lake Saturday around noon to rest and decide I should warm her up and go to the gas station. I made it a bout a mile onto the lake where she died. Jonny boy came and towed me home where we now have to figure out why the new pump in the tank is not working. With the little snow last night and high winds out of the south east it sure would of been nice to bring her onto the lake today. Oh well I would guess its gods intervention to not have her out there yet .
Yesterday there was no time to work on her as we moved Kentucky, Montana, and north Dakota before all the new guest arrived. I’ll see how they did this morning as I clean up the mess from the high winds and snow last night. We have to get old Minnesota dug out as well as florida, califrnia and north Carolina. All 3 need new fishing spots prepped before I dig them out, Very, very busy here on the shore of upper red lake where she’s a grand lake and owes us nothing.

I’ve kinda done that in the past, Then I go see how there doing? Of course there hammering them. LOL

If I ever make it to URL, I am definitely looking up cookie.

To my surprise the winds howled all night sunday but the drifting around the houses were next to nothing.
The fishing was not to good. Larry staying in old Minnesota one last night caught 5 fish all over 18.
Banjo Mike and his wife did horrible? I offered to move them yesterday after we got all our other houses moved and customers checked in , they decided it was to much work.
I sure do understand why the fishing was so bad in that spot. The whole area had been fishy in the past. I guess they swam away. My other theory is they are so plump and healthy they really do not need to eat unless its a treat. I’m thinking some one should try a strip of bacon?
The new spot we picked for Aaron and his crew only got a couple,, Jerry and his crew were in there last night and did get a couple so far. The plan will be to move them for there third night at this time.
Keith and his wife got 3 but did not have any rattle wheels down.
We did move caliofrnia, florida, north Carolina, and old Minnesota yesterday. I would like to get it dialed in where we could move all 7 in one day? Prepping spots takes so much time not sure if its possible.. We had guest in 4 house last night so will see how they did today, I’m done expecting good fishing as there just not biting that good?
We did have a cancelation for the weekend so old Minnesota has opened up.
1 fish ,2 fish ,no fish 3 fish is my new saying.
Its so frustrating to not see the guest not catching fish. None of my tricks of 17 years is working.
Last week Justin did try fishing outside away from the house and picked up 2.
Fishermen/ guest will some times blame the weather? The only problem I have with that is you always here a report some where on the lake we hammered them?
Tim and amande that were here a week or 2 ago caught 21 fish, the year before they did well. They went and fished where my guys from Arkansas got next to nothing during the blizzard and picked up 3 nice fish, I’m guessing they are pretty good fisher people. She did say they are tight to the bottom and were biting super lite.
So earlier this year the snow was like sugar sand and was the easist, best snow I have ever banked houses with, Yrsterday the snow had turned to the worst, wet, heavest snow I have ever banked houses with, I knew I was go to pay for that beatiful banking snow. The last house we banked I had Jonny boy do it my back was shot.

Today the winds are howling out of the nw. Working out there today could really be a chore to say the least. The snow had turned real wet now with the temps dropping and the wind howling off road travel make get a little tougher.

tten down the hatche’s ! Oh My, Seeing we had a big wind storm coming Jonny boy and I worked tell dark prepping. . With the warm day the snow became very wet and heavy. As I drove off the lake that night I felt comfortable that we were in good shape.
Waking up yesterday morning to a dusting of snow , winds howling at 30 plus miles and hour, it was pretty much white out conditions all day. Once I reached the houses the drifting was amazing.
I spent all day in blue thunder checking on our customers, moving some snow away from the houses and marking the road. Coming off the lake I had stop too make sure every one was hunkered down as the side roads are pretty much gone.
I’m home less then a hour when I get a call . Dominiks dad is stuck? Making the trip back out after dark time was spent tugging there truck out of the snow bank.
The good news is a couple fish were being caught. At least no one was getting skunked.
Jonny boy stayed out there last night in north Dakota where he got 4 after Mike and his crew caught 1 in two days?
Jonny boy will be in in a bit as were still trying to track down the fuel pump problem on the red baron, It seems like it may be a ground issue so time will tell. Today and tomorrow will be spent digging out and moving the whole fleet before Friday morning, Plus we have hillmens road to work on, Never a dull moment on such a grand lake that owes us nothing

So a little venting is in order.
Yesterday I’m coming back from the gas station , there’s a truck and wheel house behind me, there’s a car behind him. There’s a double yellow line all the way through waskish, yet people think they can pass? Its a double line for a reason .There are drive ways all the way through waskish. What is the big hurry. If your pulling out of a driveway look left, right, left and right again.
The whole fleet is going on the move again today, Our good friend Lee was here with his gal Bonnie staying in old Minnesota. They had a grand time on a grand lake. A few fish were caught and eaten.
Jerry and his crew got to experience a move yesterday as we pushed out further, looking for better fishing.
Steve has caught a couple in California and was commenting how peaceful it is out there.
Mitch is fishing in florida with about the same results.
Jack and Al are in north Dakota. We plan on moving them this morning. They did have a 16 and 19 last night but very slow.
Jonny boy was staying in montana last night. With all the plowing I never got it moved. Once there on new spots I have a pet peeve about being fished .Fishing in the house on the same spot after the guest leaves is nice to see if the good bite continues on that spot.
Now for the red baron. We have a fuel pump problem and could use a good electrical guy. Its got to be a ground. It seems once the gas tank is bolted back up the pump stops working. I’m willing to barter or pay for someone that could fix the problem as the red baron is a very important piece of equipment. Once the snow drifts get hard the red baron becomes the work horse of the fleet. Plus the next snowfall with over 7 miles of main road to help on she needs to be ready to go.
Blue thunder has gotten a work out so far this season. The hammer picked up a new battery. She has 2 and one broke loose and cracked, finding a little time to replace it will have to wait for now as working on it outside can be a bear .
With such a busy week all the house’s need to be moved toady as mother nature threw a wrench in things when that dusting of snow came. Followed by the high winds. I basically lost a whole day. Its nothing new here. I sure do not understand where all the snow comes from, you would think after a hour or two it would all be on the shore line. The only thing I can figure as there must of been snow squalls that day. Or it was so windy the snow was coming from Canada. I have a new dance its the fish dance so were going to give that a shot today.

Cookie, is your phone still not ringing but you find that you’re getting missed calls and voice mail? It may be that your phone is set to not ring when it’s in a moving vehicle.

Ryan

Roy wrote:

Cookie, is your phone still not ringing but you find that you’re getting missed calls and voice mail? It may be that your phone is set to not ring when it’s in a moving vehicle.

Ryan

really
is there such as setting?

I know that iPhones have the “do not disturb” feature that disables notifications like ringing, texts, emails etc if it senses you’re in a moving vehicle. I don’t know specifics of other brands but might be worth looking into.

Its been so crazy busy here for Jonny boy and I.
We had guest all of last week right into Friday,. Its been non stop go go go.. Trying to remember events and names after a 5 day run can be tough to say the least.
First things first a couple in fishing can be any where from 2 to 12, a few can be any where from 3 to 19. One is one I think?
We had Jack and his buddy in north Dakota for 2 nights midweek , we did move them the second day. They caught a few.
we had Mitch in montana where I never even got to visit much .I think he got a couple.
Steave was in California mid week he also got a couple?
We had jerry and his sons in Kentucky mid week, we moved them the third day. They never did that well but enjoyed there stay and all ready said they plan on doing it again.

Thursday and friday we busted butt getting ready for the weekend, All the houses were put on fresh spots, My good friend says I’m the master of confusion when it comes to plowing trails to the houses. I ruin areas as I go one way or the other. Up,down . This way, that way. Its all in the grand plan on a grand lake.
Our good customers Andy and Andy made there second trip of the year. Andy inspired me with some constructive criticism years ago about gassing the generators. We now fill the generators instead of putting some one in charge. If we have bad weather they may have to get a lesson in filling them but by the most part we take care of them with our system.
They were in Kentucky and montana the other Andy’s favorite house. They caught some fish in the new location we moved to, but quite a few smaller fish, which is good to see. I think Andy his dad Brad and brother Alex may of went home with 6? They caught more then a few though.
Sam there friend came up with his wheel house They only got a couple.
We had Jim’s friends in old Minnesota Dan and Stacy. I plowed a spot for his wheel house. They ended up with a few between old Minnesota and Jim’s.
Leroy his grandson Quinten and Christen made there annual trip again. It sure would be nice if we landed on the mother load on one of there trips. They did get a couple over a fat 21 and a fat 20 plus a couple more. We did move them Saturday as the house had been fished 2 days in a row with so so fishing.
Ringo rolled in Saturday morning for 1 night in north Carolina. They went home happy with there catch. I also had to plow 2 spots for there friends wheel house’s. I came off the lake Friday night at 6 only to turn around and escort a uncle out and plow him a spot where he gave me 10 dollars? Wow, I just told him my time was worth more and drove off. I got home at 7 where I rested and ate before heading back out with the other wheel house around 9:30. Talk about a long day.
We also had Dale fish in California as a day house with his buddy Wally and there wife’s. They fished tell dark and I know they got a few.

Jonny boy and I worked on all three vehicles Saturday into yesterday. The hammer got her new wheel bearing thanks to Jonny boy. We also trouble shot the red baron where we found a bad ground and 2 fuse’s for the ecm module? What ever that is. We also added a new ground. I did warm it up last night a filled her up. I ‘m going out on the lake today to test her. What a relief getting her going. It has a terrible wobble we need to figure out. If you look it up its common and is called the death wobble “ZOIKS”
There’s more matianace on the fleet. We do get a bit of a break after our guest we have now leave on Tuesday.
Of course mother nature plans on stepping in mid week with temps closing in on -20.
Even though I baby my trucks they still take a beating, 3 or 4 tranny’s in the red baron, drive shafts, belts, batteries. wheel bearings. u joints, radiators. Both plows have been completely rebuilt.
I litterly ran blue thunder 1 into the ground over the years. When we retired her she was worn out. Over the last 4 years we have robbed many parts off that truck, including the whole front differential last year.
Sometimes the frustration level hits the roof, its all worth it when you enjoy your work on a grand lake that owes us nothing

Well here we go again, Its been addressed I need to state our prices for plowing. We would like to get 50.00 for a spot plowed. 100 if we have to rescue a house that has been drifted in.
My intension while writing in the morning is not to offend anyone ,Its just a way of letting fisher people know some of the ins and outs of being out there every day. Yes I have grand days and bad days as I take on more then I can chew some times. I try to help when ever possible. Yes I do expect tips as I’m trying to scratch out a living.
I truly love being out there watching the spectacular sunsets that mother nature provides. Having fun with customers, getting to know them, where they live, what they do for a living. The great thing is you have something in common as soon as you meet. Fishing? Do I have a passion for fishing ,maybe not, but I enjoy the comradery of fishing, seeing fellow fishermen catch fish. Hanging out with customers/ fishermen. Maybe playing some cards,some cribbage, yesterday even some dice games. Laughing yuking it up, how can you not enjoy that. Laughter make’s you younger.
We got the red baron going with a little help from our friend / mechanic Tom. Jonny boy got frustrated as would be expected when your laying on the ground in the cold,snow dropping a gas tank more then a couple times.
I had her on the lake yesterday feeling her out, its such a sweet truck as it pretty much idles through the snow. I did get hung up yesterday but that was my own fault. Its not the first time I’ve gotten stuck and I expect not the last. I did forget to put the number 2 spade shovel in the truck. If you own a wheel house ,purchase a number 2 steal spade shovel. They work a lot better then a plastic snow shovel or aluminum snow shovel. It seems every year I pick up parts of broken plastic snow shovels.
We will be saying good by to the guest this morning then its time to decide what area we want to fish. I have a good feeling the area I’m at is getting fished out and do not want to gamble with bad fishing this coming weekend.

There’s some areas of broken ice that are now hidden so I have to be carful when we cut any new trails.
Old Minnesota had Jon and Mike, the house had not been fished very hard so I took a shot and left it there. The guys got 4 nice fish ,They also lost a big one at 3am. Will see how they did last night later.

California had Rick and Al. They were up to 6 and rick also lost a big fish.
Tanner is here with a big group of guys and his dad, Tanners Dad brought our truck white lightning here from Denver we had bartered for a couple nights fishing. They have north Dakota and montana, a few fish of been caught but they were having a hoot playing dice games yesterday.
I never made it out there last night as fog had moved in .My plan A turned into Plan B as it was as they say thick is pea soup.
Today we plan on getting as many house’s moved as possible as the colder weather is about to come down upon us,
We have Jon v coming today with the rest of the guests rolling in Friday. It was good timing as I hate to say I was getting a little worn out going 16 hours a day.