Stokes Bay 2011

[Fawkinnae]

This years Stokes Bay trip has come and gone (sadly). It always seems to go by way too fast. Just thought I would mention some of this years highlights. And by the way if you are unfamiliar with Stokes Bay it is a bay and a resort on the very east end of Rainy Lake in Canada. What is unique about the area is that it is about as far as you can get from the Falls and Fort Francis yet is relatively accessible because of the boat portage at Kettle Falls.

A few highlights (or lowlights) to mention:
Hot with little or no wind - that meant a lot of swimming to stay cool (and in fact I devised a sophisticated cooling system which will probably need a topic all to itself), and a lot of beer drinking.

Good numbers of fish where caught but at least in my boat nothing particularly noteworthy. I think the biggest walleye in my boat was 21" or 22" and biggest pike about 33".

Sadly one member of the crew missed the boat shuttle and I believe arrived just in time to see a fleet of boats departing at breakneck speed. Unfortunately I did not realize there were 2 visitor centers on Kabetogama - I do now. But it all worked out just fine and our guy was rescued and delivered to our camp. I think he also hit two bars on the way.

Ron Gardenhire joined us for the week. He just said he needed to get away, the Twin's season has been especially hard on him. He was great to have with us and caught a bunch of fish.

Ricky Bobby dazzled us everyday with a new cocktail shirt for the occasion.

Despite his pleading one turkey was sacrificed.

[Fawkinnae]

Gardy with decent walleye.

[Lee Borgersen]

Nice photos Fawk. I know what you guys went through with no wind as Borgie and I struggled with the same thing. No wind makes for a long day on the water with limited action. When the wind picks up so does the fishing :fishing2:

You'll just have to schedule another trip soon

[DDSBYDAY]

     A couple of more pics.  RickyBobby has been kickin Doug's a$$ since he was 6 years old.   

[wildlifeminnesota]

Look like you all had fun!! 

[Fawkinnae]

Look like you all had fun!! 

Wildlife it was a blast. As for DDS's comments regarding RickyBobby, it's all true, he has been a pain in the a$$ since he was 6 years old. But it's always a good time hanging out with Mr. CocktailShirt.

[HD]

The "new" boat in action..... 

[Lee Borgersen]

The "new" boat in action..... 

Glad to see that all that hard work on your boat is paying dividends for you guys.

[The General]

Looks like a great time.  I'm going to have to make sure I get in on the fun next year.

[DDSBYDAY]

  Rainy Lake walleye with Babe Winkleman.   I just happened to see this on Comcast on demand.  VS channel fishing, ends 11/9.

     The Kettle Falls Hotel was purchased by Bill Dougherty's Great grandfather for 4 barrels of whiskey and 1000 dollars back in 1918. (Thats huge $s back then).  He ran it from 1918 to 1956.  Bill's grandfather took it over in 1956 and ran it until 1977.  That's when Bill's parents took over.  Bill started guiding out of the Kettle Falls hotel  in 1965 at an age of 9.  In 1978 Bill's parents, Bill Sr. and June moved to Rainy Lake to manage a house boat operation consisting of 4 boats.  In the fall of 1984 Bill's parents bought their partners out.  Rainy Lake houseboats still remains a family operation.  They are up to 29 houseboats now.

      My first visit to the hotel was this summer.  They had some old pictures on the show.  The place has not changed. Had a couple of cocktails with Dan Houle and his wife.  We had to leave right before the topless volleyball game started  .  I took a couple of pics of Ladies wearing  Fawkinnea bumper stickers in precarious places.  After seeing the show I feel I am part of history.  The whole time I was there with the Houles Dan kept stabbing the ground with a sharp pole.  When I asked what he was doing he said looking for the barrels.    I get it now.     

[jigglestick]

any crappies this trip doug?

[Fawkinnae]

any crappies this trip doug?

No not many. HD got a big one in August, I think it was 14" and I got one in September that I think was 14". Other years we have caught more crappies but always while fishing for walleyes.

[HD]

Yup, I caught a couple...I got one in the freezer that I'll prolly get mounted.

[jigglestick]

man I love fishing crappies. especially through the ice.