cookies upper red lake report from the shores of upper red lake

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well well well were still kicking up here on the shores of upper red lake, on a lake that owes us nothing! That keeps on giving.
 I made it through another summer as the bones and body get a little bit more worn out every year.
I saw yesterday all the outfits are saying ice as far as you can see. she looks a little chunking out there as the winds were blowing pretty good when that cold air came ib two nights ago. You can see some piles way out there where the ice has broken and stacked up. She still windy out there again today. Last year after the first big wind it calmed down and we got some pretty nice smooth ice. This year as in every year it's never freezes the same. will have to see what mother nature throws at us the next few days. I myself have no plans of venturing out on the ice any time soon.
 I'm sure some will be walking out with in the week to see what they find. The weather man says we have at least 2 more nights of low teens so that will help. I did see some pics of open pockets of water. they always spook me. as they skim over you could go from 4 inches of ice to one. If a area of ice looks different I would use caution and common sense.
 The dnr fishery has set our limit to 4 fish with 3 under 17 inches. Alot of elusive yet still catchable crappie were caught last year and this summer so I expect that to continue this year. With the live scope them poor fish have less of a chance than ever. I'm no one to preach as we kept many of those fish back in the day when you could keep 15.
 Our fleet of vehicles have also gotten a year older. Blue thunder did get a couple of used doors plus i was able to put in a new heater core. She might have better heat this year but only time will tell. The red rusty trusty blew a power steering line a few days ago. Once it gets cold they all seem to have a couple new issues. Looks like this year is no different.
 We also have a yeti we will be managing this year. We nick named it Tennessee. I be leave it will be arriving some time today. Depending on the ice we may have a few fishermen staying next weekend on shore. I expect you will be able to walk out to fishy water by then. Again mother nature will make that decision for us.
 I pretty much have the same crew helping this year. Jonny boy will help as often as is full time job will allow. He has passion for finding fish thats for sure. Big Tony plans on helping out as well as Darrin and Dan. Dan got  a ice castle this year so there are pretty excited to get out on the ice with her.
 I'lll keep posting more as the days go buy but need to get some chore done today so happy holidays to everyone.
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8 degrees this morning with another night of single digits again tonight.
red lake remote posted a few pics they took out in front of their place. Amazing how the ice can do that.
I have been busy getting our houses a final wipe down and inventoried for the up-and-coming season. The new house Tennessee arrived saturday. Very nice house. can sleep 4. 3 would be better.
I expect most of the resort will be allowing walking by friday. That could change depending on the winds though.
At this time most of our houses on shore are still available .
Jake may come up this week to help work on a few things. We have a running joke when we work on this stuff. It has too be bitter cold and windy. No sense working on these projects when jake can be musky fishing and I can be golfing during the summer.
We did get a dusting of snow in the last 24 hours. Then big winds to create white out conditions yesterday out on the lake. Glad were not out there yet.
Christmas to new year’s has filled up just like every year. Hindsight I should not give my 20 percent discount during that week. But that’s not how I roll.
This early fall I had all the trucks started and running. Then the first cold snap and they show their true colors. Looks like a few new vehicle batteries will need to be purchased.
Thats about all for today here on the shores of upper red lake that owes us nothing and as jiggle said last year but just keeps giving.

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From all the reports I have been reading most if not all of the accesses Plan on letting walkers out by this friday. They are also asking fisher people to get off lake at sunset.
 Two of the resorts up here in wasksh sounds like they are changing their policy on lake access.
 Red lake remote is letting fishermen off their place as well as beacon harbor.
 I have also heard a few outfitters thinking they may have sleepers on the lake next weekend?  Our weather says 44 next week one day? They can be wrong as mn weather can change.

 As soon as the accesses open up for walking with in 1 hour I start getting calls when can we take out wheelers? I also heard there is a outfit giving rides at this time. I can understand how they can do this as most have Been scoping out the conditions since first ice. SO MUCH DIFFERENT THEN  SOME JUST SHOWING UP AND VENTURING OUT .
  I MY SELF VERY SELDOME GO OUT ON FIRST ICE AND WAIT TELL I CAN DRIVE BLUE THUNDER. The way i look at it as once I'm on the lake I'm on the lake just about every day until the houses come back to shore. That can be over a hundred days so I'm in no hurry to get out there. Plus, my mentor cousin Pete always said when working on the lake do not be in a hurry. I could not of ask for a better mentor \ teacher then cousin Pete..
 Our fleet of trucks.  blue thunder, red baron, rusty trusty, black beauty, white lightning and our newest old truck just lake truck al have some ailments. They sure take a beating out there. I had everyone running until the first cold snap. A couple new batterie's today and will see where we're at. Again, not that cold out so I'm hoping they all can be fired up and moved around a bit.
 We do have a few ice castles showing up this weekend to camp down by the lake. We also have guest in the cabin and 2 of our fish houses on shore being used. Next weekend were all full at this time/
 I think Jake still plan oncoming up tomorrow to help with some house Maintenace. Jonny boy should be here Saturday morning Brite eyed and bushy tailed to get to work. He already misses not being here and were not even on the lake yet. He has followed in my footsteps just having a passion too be out there. Plus, he is good at it. 
 After last year's fishing success from all the outfitters it will be another interesting year.
 A new mn state law has been enacted. If you have any garbage, it must be in a container and not just lying on the ice. If your pet does number 2 you are required to scoop it up. No cig butts should be thrown on the ice.
 The keep it clean campaign has really taken off throughout the state.   Littering has been a pet peeve of mine since I was a kid growing up in Colorado.
 We're already seeing fish pictures I expect a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies will show up this weekend also.
 Thats it for now on a grand lake that owes us nothing yet still keeps giving.

[LPS]

I completely agree on the littering/garbage on the lake.  Disgusting!

[Boar]

Thanks cookie cant wait to get out ther. But i gota be ready for the new Boarlit Gen 3 comin in dec. Bet we will get ther!!

[KEN W]

I'm due to go there on Dec 18 for 2 nights. Hope the sleepers are out by then.

Thanks for the report Cookie.

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well we managed to make it through the first weekend of having guest here at cookies on upper red lake.
 Jake did make it up too help with some carpenter work. We got old minnesota siding repaired where it got damaged last year. Jonny boy and Jaked  also were able to replace  the large window on montana with a new slider window. That turned out really well. I was the gopher since I'm have minimal carpenter skills. I did pay the price as my back was hurting big time saturday eve. I know that this year I will have to cut down on the manual labor of our operation.
 Back in the day I could dig out a skid house break it loose move it reset it in about a hour depending on how far I move. Last year 1 skid house took me closer to 3 hours, this year the crew will be moving them all. I do not plan on trying to move any on my own. We do have a young guy coming up this weekend so I can give him a interview.
 we also got some more work done to the fleet Jonny boy was able to replace the power steering line on rusty trusty. i was able to install a new batterie. I need to pick up a new master cylinder for blue thunder. Install another new batterie in the old truck. The red baron has a issue that we have to figure out she fires right up but as soon as you put her in gear and give it gas it sputters and die.  Then it fires right back up. Maybe fuel pump?
. The fishing for all our guest was a mixed bag with some doing real well, some so so,  some struggled to find under 17s.  The lake had a couple hundred hubs out there saturday  from westwind the "premier resort here in waskish" all the way around to beacon harbor.
 I also saw that a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies were caught. One gentlemen had a 15 he let go to keep the genetics in the system. I also had a friend send me a pic of a big pike he caught saturday.
 I still have not been more than a hundred feet on lake. I may have to do the no snow but cold dance. Looking at the long-range forecast were looking at possibly getting the houses on the lake a few days before Christmas. we do have a few weekends completely booked but still have quite a few rentals left. Remember I offer 20 percent off sunday through wednesdays. On a grand lake that owes us nothing yet just keeps giving.

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Mother nature is not cooperating with us .  All the resort have been suggesting boundries at this time. The pot holes that glazed over have not made much if any ice in the past week. Please everyone use a lot of commonn sense. Most of the fishermen have been staying with in 3/4 mile from shore which is plenty far enough to find fish. Anything that rattles will draw them in. A second line set up with a red plain hook and bobber tip with a minnow.
 Tony boy walked out and got his 4 with in the last 2 hours of day lite and was able to get back to shore before dark.
 Bob went out yesterday again not that far they were biting before he could even get a second line down. He also was able to come in before dark. I talked to a gentleman that did really well yesterday in front of the beach . Seems everyone has been reporting good fishing.
 With tony boy here we have been able to get quite a few to do things done.  I got new batteries in all the trucks. They have all been started and moved. We do have a issue with the red baron as it will not stay in 4 wheel drive. Plus it will not stay running when you put her in gear.
 Blue thunder has a couple little thing I am addressing.
 I'm hoping any snow stays away at this time. We do not need any insulation as they lake struggles to make ice. Plus the frozen potholes will be impossible to spot. I have heard they are around 3 to 4 inches. Again, I personally have not ventured out on to the lake so all I can go buy is what others say and what I've observed over the years.  Please again everybody be safe, Fish with the buddies, if it does not look right, it probably is not. Have a rope, ice pics" a having a vested life jacket would not hurt if you're riding any kind of machine.

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oday will change it up this morning and talk about the fishing first.
All our guest that were here caught fish. Some walked some had wheelers. Some struggled to find fish that were under 17 inches. Getting the overs was much easier. The guys that got out yesterday morning had a nice morning bite before they packed up.  Buddy figured we lost an inch of ice with Friday night drizzle and warmth. We should have gained some of that back last night. Bob arrived with the Colorado house and fished a couple days his best bite was with a bobber and secret lure. Alaska and Utah also so arrived so we now have most of the fleet here. They are both open this weekend for on shore lodging... We also committed to another ice castle that will be named Texas as its big with a slide out.
  We also had a good week of preparing for when we hit the ice. Big Tony was able to get all 8 generators running.
 Jonny boy got the red barons tank off. She had a pretty plugged up in tank filter.  with some clean gas she fired right up but this time it moves when you give her a little throttle. Now we still have to figure out why it will not stay in 4-wheel drive.
Big Tony and I were able to adjust the pressure on the boss plow. We had a little mis hap but scathed through without a scratch "Knock on wood" Blue thunder also got a new master break cylinder That shored up the breaks.
 I did see a few more elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Plus, a couple pics of some big pike.
We are again going to have friends help us throughout the winter. Jonny boy will be here as much as his job will allow.
we only have one guest at this time so will see how they did. They were walking so we will see.
 Tony boy is heading home for a few days so I'm pretty much on my own to keep plugging away.
Again, We do have Alaska and Utha open for some lodging this coming weekend. Dec 15th

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we have had a few guests this week. The guys staying in alaska did well yesterday. I told themw I would be sending all our customers over in that direction.
 Luke and his dad struggled the first days but finally found them yesterday a little closer to shore I be leave.
 Paul and Quinten are here. They figured they have been staying with us 7 or 8 years and are the only place they have ever stayed.. That was nice of them to say. They got there 8 yesterday fishing out of there snowbear.
 I did not get to talk to Ron and his buddies they have fished here before so I'm sure they  found some fish.
 We did have a cancelation last night for our montana house. 2 double beds. stove. oven, heat, indoor biffy, electricity.
 Hillmans is now allowing side by sides up to 2 miles out. They also have some live music saturday eve.
I still have not gone out on the lake in blue thunder. We're getting closer. I'm hoping we will be able to have the houses in fishable water by Christmas? The long-range forecast is not great, but we may keep making a little ice every evening. Paul and Quinten said they saw a fleet of sleepers out on the ice?
 Today I'm going to fart around with the red baron here on the property to just run it some more. Darrin will be up this weekend so I hope we can figure out why she jumps out of 4-wheel drive.
I've seen some more pics of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Seems they have all been loaners.
 Well lets hope for some more cold weather on a grand lake that owes us nothing.

[cookie]

I'm not sure why but as you get older time fly's buy.   None of our guest got skunked last weekend. Jonny boy was able to shuffle a few [people out that did not have transportation..
 Jason, melissa, Barb and Andrea had another great time on such a grand lake. They did go home with fish.
Paul and Quinten had there snowbear. They had good fishing in some spots and not so good in others. They commented that most of the ice was at 10 inches. Friday was their slowest day.
The guys that went out sunday morning did well as the fish put on the feed bags. JD and his son were disappointed thay could not stay in Tennessee. I never got to see how they did. Jd sure had a nice machine.  Was more of a 4-seater dune buggy. Boy have those machined changed.
 Someone named Richard was a no show with not even a phone call. What was weird a s he was so excited when he set his trip up? Duwane and his buddy had a blast and are already planning on coming up again in a week. I never got to see Bin but did message him they did not do so well. They walked out both days. Don and his crew did well. Shawn and his boy left before I could visit them.
Darrin was also here he rented his sleeper to two guys that had called me. Allen and joel. They never paid him. He thought they paid me. We had a few other guests that camped down on the lake shore, with their wheelhouses. I think everyone had a good time.
 Jonny boy did get to get out and scout a little bit Saturday. He caught a few. Working out of town is driving him crazy. Just like I was when I first started doing this. When you enjoy what you're doing its not work it's just fun.
 I'll be venturing onto the lake with blue thunder tomorrow. Not out to far but just looking around close to shore. I will then have to decide what or if I can get out to at least fishable water. The little cold snap we just had probably made another 1 inch plus.
 This darn crazy weather? It warmed up overnight. Buddy Hillman plans on having couple of his smaller sleepers out for the weekend. We do have a couple of our sleepers open on shore again this weekend. If we start getting some houses out customers may have to be shuttled out.
 Will play that by ear right now.
 Dan and Mel are excited to get up here with their new ice castle.
 Some high winds came roaring in late sunday afternoon. A few fishermen got stranded on the other side of a crack that opened up.  Sounds like the news made it sound like people were floating around on a hunk of ice. One of my old customers Pat was one that got helped back to shore. The resort was going to collect all the gear that had to be left on the ice and store it for the customers. No one fell in the water that I know of. Just could not get back to shore.  The old adage ice is never 100 % safe. With this 48-hour cold snap we had. Hopefully it has locked up all the open water on the lake. We do have some snow that drifted in down at our shoreline so I can give blue thunder and her plow a little work out.
 I have also seen a few more elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I did have a call from a gentleman in Iowa that heard they were slamming the crappies. Not sure where he heard that? He was a little disappointed when I told him that was not true at this time. Well time and mother nature will determine what we can do the next couple weeks, there was a year we did not get the houses out tell new years. All the owners of the bigger wheel houses are going to have to be patience this year.

[cookie]

Big Tony
  and dusty took Utah out yesterday afternoon with a fish house dolly and dans 4-wheeler. I think Jonny boy gave them a way point that he had saved from previous scouting/fishing They figured they went out about a mile. I had tony give me accurate ice thickness readings. He found anywhere from 11 1/2 inches too just a tad over 12. Everything went smooth. I had talk to them around 7 last night with Tony sending a pick of his four fish and a bonus elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappie. I not huge tech guy when it comes to saving way points, but Jonny boy has it dialed in and can go to any place that we have had good fishing for at least the last 5 years. I'm such old school thinking I can line up looking straight up the river with the biggest tree to the left and the fire tower over there.
 Mike and Joany were here for 2 nights they had real good fishing Tuesday getting there keepers. Yesterday was the complete opposite and the fish were finicky. If you moved the bait they were gone.
Darrin was also out there but said it was slow for them when I talked to him last night.
 With mother nature not being kind to us I see no possibility of taking and of the bigger houses on the lake any time soon. We do have a 4-wheeler dolly that can take out our two single axle fish houses Utah and Tennessee as long as we stay on our own path and not wonder off willy nilly in any direction.  Other than a few cracks that could possibly become pressure ridges this end of the lake has been pretty stable. We may shuttle Brad and his grandpa out Friday, as long as the lake stays stable on this end.
 I have been calling all our customers in the books for after Christmas day to see if they would like to bring portables and wheelers and stay on shore. Buddy Hillman has recommended to only go out 3 miles at this time. Sounds like there may be some active cracks at 2 miles Since we team up with him on the ice road I stick to his guidelines with our guests.  I was really hoping to get a couple of the sleepers just out in front of our place but not feeling comfortable about that until I see over 13 to 14. It makes it tougher if the customers cannot drive their vehicles out also..
 We now have the ice castle we nick named Texas here. We had some guests use it last night on shore to work out any issue that may arise.
I'm going to have to come up with a come on cold cold dance. I'm not a good dancer. Just ask the Hammer.
 Christmas to new year's has always been our busiest week, along with all the other resorts and outfitters up here. It never changes you are always battling mother nature up here any time of year.
 Well, its that time of day to get something done here on the shores of upper red lake. That owes us nothing but keeps on giving.

[JohnWester]

seen any cesnas flying around lately cookie?

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Searching back in my archives 2015 was the year we did not get the houses on the lake until after Christmas. Was fun reading my reports from 8 years ago. I did share one on facebook.
Darrin rolled in with his boss and 2 boys a couple days ago. Darrin headed out with his small homemade sleeper. The first night was on the slow side. Thursday they took the wheeler and portables out a little further and did much better. They did go home with some fish but no elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
 After tony and Dustin took Utah out with Dans dolly 2 nights in a row. I decided I would let them set it up for Braad and his grampa Rodger. They then took Tennessee out there to spend the night close to them just in case any problems arose. no phone calls last night so everything must have been fine. I really don't like that I cannot go out and check on the customers. Tony and Dustin head home today so I will be going out later today on a wheeler to know exactly where they are for tonight. Dann and Mell also arrived yesterday with the new to them single axel ice castle. They were pumped to get her out on the lake. With Darrin's help they took our customers, a trailer with all the gear, while tony towed Tennessee .
 With this late start to the season mother nature has again showed us who is in control. The way I have always looked at these problems and other problem throughout the season it happens for a reason. I may not know why but that's the way I try and look at it. If something breaks on one of the trucks, customers cancel, mother nature picks on us. It all happens for a reason.
 It sounded like a few fish were getting caught out there last night Will Mell getting the first fish inn their new house. I'm sure there were a few other first things in their new house last night. I'll find out how everyone did later today.
 We have a lot of open houses for camping on shore after Christmas as I had too juggle all the reservation that had to be canceled. A couple are still coming with portables and wheelers with a couple still on the fence.  It was quite the task trying to change everything especially with my short time memory interfering.  I say I forgot every day and it is very frustrating. I imagine all the outfitters had too do the same thing to their reservation books.
 Anyway, We wish everyone a merry Christmas and hope you all get everything you want for ice fishing. Give us a call if you want to camp and get out with the portables and all that new equipment.

cookie and the hammer plus Jonny boy and the rest of the crew Merry Christmas

[cookie]

The conditions have not changed a whole lot in the last few days here on the shores of upper red lake. As far as I know Hillmans is still allowing side by sides and smaller out to the major crack at 2 miles. Mother nature is not cooperating at all. Saturday eve night we got a hard rain with a steady drizzle all day sunday. I met Dan out by the houses to get Brad and Rodger off the lake. They caught quite a few fish over the slot but managed to take a few fish home. Rodger was here all the way from Huston. He is Brads grampa. this was his second ice fishing trip and he said he loves it. they said they would defiantly be back as they enjoy our service very much. last year they fished Winnie.
 Big Tony did manage to get a fat 14 1\2 inch elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. He saved it for the hammer to eat as last year he remembered we wanted a crappie or two for dinner table. It was delicious.
 Dan and I got Darrin's house our Tennessee house and their new ice castle back in front of our house in the steady rain. I never have liked working in the rain after 3 1/2 hours I still do not like working in the rain.
 The lake seemed to take the rain pretty well. There was water draining down the holes. I did see one hole that was a 8-inch hole and it was now a 11-inch hole as the water whirlpooled into it.
 I did just get off the phone with Buddy Hillman. They are allowing side by side and under out to 3 miles.  There is a stretch of open water the goes as far as you can see north to south. The strong ne winds last night have open up a giant stretch of open water. That is one of or the reason they all have been recommending no night travel or being off the lake by sunset.
 We do have houses open for lodging on shore at this time. I may be able to take Utah and Tennessee back out once I look at the area we want to fish. If we do the customers will have to be shuttled out there on a trailer at this time.
 This year is not looking like any other year we have had. Mother nature must have decided upper red lake needed a break from the onslaught of ice houses. Well I need to go get the ice rain off the vehicles. If your headed this way the road is very slick with overnight ice rain. Darrin will be up later today soo we will take a good look at things.
 If you follow all the resorts facebook pages I'm sure they are all being updated at this time.

[LPS]

Be darn careful Cookie. 

[cookie]

Dan and Mel did not do so well out if front of our place they did get 2. Yesterday Darrin rolled in with his cousin. Thay took his smaller homemade house out him and Dan went to try a different spot. They are towing their houses with a wheeler and dolly. If they had no luck last night, I expect they will go look around out further.
 Were still not making much ice. I have most of our sleepers still set up on shore and available this coming weekend do to all the cancelations. I would have to imagine most of the other outfitters are also getting cancelation left and right.
 Sounds like Jake is headed up for a couple days. We have a door we need to replace on North Dakota. It has become a tradition to work on these projects when it's cold out. Our corner of the lake still seems to be ok. 11 inches of ice and holding at this time. Hillmans is allowing side by side and under to travel out 3 miles with a open crack at 4 miles. I would not recommend driving around after dark. I'm going to have to go on the lake with Darrin's wheeler again today. Getting the itch but still waiting to drive blue thunder on the ice. The first year I have good heat and I'm going out on a 4-wheeler.
 Mother nature looks like she might be letting up on her cruelness. Only time will tell.
 I have seen some reports of good fishing. She has been pretty quiet up here compared to most years.

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Dan, Darrin finally found a good spot. They did really well wednesday night with Mel catching fish all day thursday.
Jake and Laken fished in our utah house not 30 yards away and caught one big walleye and a little scuffit. Jake is obsessed with the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and landed on the mother load, catching 26 during the day using the cheating live scope. He did only keep 4 for a family meal. He did not want to go home.
 We moved utah for spence and his buddy and I will be checking on them in a bit.
 with everyone staying down at the lake keeping track of names is almost impossible. I know that none have been skunked with some doing better then others.
 We still have some lodging on shore for this weekend. Our two biggest house  the new ice castle Texas and North Dakota.
 I did travel on the lake again yesterday with dan. We toured around so I could get a lay of the lake. Alot of portables out there for sure Dan and Darin shuttled a couple of our guest out the last two days, one couple staying somewhere else had trouble getting the outfit to come get them. After calling 5 times they gave up and started walking when another fishermen gave them a ride in. Let's just say we have a new customer, and these people were not happy.
 Darrinn had to take his cousin home but plans on coming back to celebrate new year's here on the shores of upper red lake.
 My back has gotten to the point where some kind of surgery could be in the near future as being on my feet more then 15 minutes create extreme pain that causes me to have to sit down to get the pressure off my back.
  With mother nature slowly starting to add a little ice we might start seeing 13 possibly 14 by the tenth of January.
 we have been finding 11 inches almost everywhere. There have been some of the potholes that froze around 8 or 9. There was also a healed crack less than a foot wide that was 3 inches.
 You want to go over them at a 90-degree angle. I have not been down to the lake this morning to see what kind of room we have left. we may be able to start parking a few on the ice edge just over the sandbars. There is a chance that utah will be open tonight and tomorrow on the lake in a fishy area. Having a side by side or wheeler would be a plus to get to the house. A ride could possibly be arranged.
 Jonny boy finally got to come home from working out of town. Its driving him crazy not being here. He should at least get his fishing fix the next few days.
 I sure would like to go over the lake in a airplane to get a better prospective of the crack and how its shaped and moving around. It will be a while before we start seeing vehicles' om the lake as once you open that fishermen think they can go anywhere. If you try and tell them where not to go it's like it goes right out their ears as they are so excited to be here.
 Everyone have a happy new year I believe we will on a grand lake that owes us nothing but just keeps on giving..

[Leech~~]

Cookie, might be time to pick up a drone to check on ice conditions.  Cheaper then a plane! 

[cookie]

was a hint to someone that owns a plane. I would crash a  :thumbs:drone with in minutes

[cookie]

well it has been a interesting last few days here on the shore and lake the past few days. Putting a ban on all motor vehicles had to be done as to many issues with the ice sheet moving around. Up here on this end we have not any issue yet. all though I take my rentals out of Hillmans and follow buddy hillmans guidelines. He ask do not go out more than 3 miles yet when I went out on the lake with dan there were many fisherpeople well beyond 3 miles?
 Buddy has been doing this for a long long time. His dad Shorty worked on ice roads in alaska I believe. He also worked with my dad's brother Wayne up there. If fishermen will not play buy the rules or guidelines it can cause more problems. I say if it does not look right do not try and cross it without a further look. Winds and warm weather can cause the ice to do different things. As tigger says the lake is not singing yet, he also has years of experience on millacs.
  We do have the permission to shuffle clints on and off the lake at this time.  Big tony and dusty both are set up with trailers.
We also have 2 ice castles out on the lake at this time., Nicky and Zack spent 2 nights out there in Tennessee. They did get a few fish with Nicky catching her first walleye. They are from Michigan so they have a long ride home. from the sounds of last night was pretty slow out there in the area we are fishing.. The boys are going to check some ice to see what other options we have at this time.  Curt and his son did not do that good yesterday they did get a couple keepers plus curt got a true 15 1\2 inch elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie They also had a big eelpout on up to the hole before it snapped the line.
 The guys took a group out yesterday with their hubs and dropped them off they ended up keeping 10 or as fisherman say "We Got A Couple"
 We had a quite a few fisherman staying down at the lake front last weekend for new year's The wheeler Bann was bad news as everyone were catching some fish . With quite a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.  Alot of people headed home a couple days early. She been pretty quiet since with very limited action out there.  I may be able to drive blue thunder on the lake buy thursday then we can think about getting the fleet over to hillmans highway for the last of the late start to the season.
 Dan and Mel are packing up and heading home today, Dan is so much help. They plan on coming back on friday.
 Jake set up some younger guys on hos spot he got 26 crappies. The guys gave him a ride in when  darrin wheeler would not start. He asks if they catch any try not to keep them all but 50 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies are no more elusive.
 Jake will be back in 2 weeks to help move houses and scout for good fishing for us.
 Darrins sister also got a 15 1\2-inch crappie. We still have some fish house lodging on shore this coming weekend. Everyone is hoping this cold weather coming will lock up the lake for the winter. We are allowed to transfer fishpeople out to fishing grounds, but they are not allowed to bring machines out on the ice at this time. We can take some fisherman out but they need to contact me first. 218 556 6197.
Well, it's time to go to work I have a predator generator I need to pull and clean the carb plus a couple oil changes.

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Well, its been a interesting start to say the least. With the sheriff closing down the lake last week most had to improvise to get clients on and off the lake. At first it was no vehicles un tell they surveyed what the conditions exactly figure out where the open water was. This end of the lake has not really had any issue knock on wood. After a couple days they decided outfitters' resorts and their workers would be allowed to shuttle customers out onto the lake. That kept me my help super busy. Dusty Handed most of the potables going out for the day with Tony also helping off and on when he was not shuttling our customers to the houses we have on the ice. Dan and Darrin were also able to haul a few customers out as she was just a little hectic. I even took Barb out with my car when she arrived. Her and melissa were in california fish house. The first night the rattle wheels kept barb up most of the night. The second night was just the opposite? Barb did bring me a chocolate cake for my birthday. somehow they found out my favorite is German chocolate but she said she stopped at 3 places and could not find one. They did go home with a couple fish.
 Monatana did not do so well so Jonny boy was nice enough to move them for their second night. They did much better landing and missing quite a few fish taking home 8.
 Utah also had a couple days of good fishing.  Florida was a little quiet. But they hired the snowbear all 3 days getting spoiled. My cousin and his two buddies came from Colorado. They are avis walleye fisherman. There plans also got changed due to the closure. We were able to get them in there portable to a couple other spots. Where they had good action even catching a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. They also had action on tip ups away from Tennessee . Minnesota has Shawn and his son we also moved him yesterday so will be checking with him in a bit. We're hoping to get the rest of the fleet out on the ice in the next few days. The sheriff said they will be making a new evaluation today. on a grand lake that owes us nothing.

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Well, the shrieff made the big announcement that the lakle was being opened for motor vechicles. Each access has their own agenda on what they will let go on the lake. There all pretty much different. I have to concentrat on Hillmans as thats where we take our houses out of. Thats the road we help on as it has been nicked named the Hillman highway, makes a highway in california look small. You could lane a 747 on it. It's a big job to take care of but Budddy takes alot of pride in that road. You never want totry and gosouth off his roal or you could reget it.
Just like jonny boy has the passion to find the fish. I love all of it most of the time but a more than a few cuss words of been said over the years.
 Tony bot and Dustin had to head home for a week as they do drywall and have aproject to take care of. Darrin, Dan, and Jonny boy will be headed up today to replace them for the weekend.
Darrin is a farmer so he gets things done so he can fish as that his passion as well as Dan.
 We did make it through the first week on the lake and all and all it was very successful. We now have all the houses on the lake with the ice castles going out from the shoreline today.
 Dan and Allen were here monday and tuesday in florida. They ate 7 fish the first day. They had portaables so Dustin tookk them out to another area where they did get a few more fish. I think as my memory is still bothering me.
 Scott and is 2 son inlaws were in tenneessee, they only got one fish so we let them switch out to utah,they did have better action there. Dustin was puzzeled why teneessee was slow so he fished in it tuesday and landed 4 before dark. We then let our good friend Lonnie fish it yesterday and he caught his 4 and many many more, Lonnies wife Lisa sends up homemade soup for us so lonnie takes care of us out there. By the way her soups are better the Campbells soup. I think they got there reciept from her.
 I have all the houses scattered all over the lake, so it should be a interesting weekend.
 Mother nature is still picking onus and now gave us another 2 inches of fluffy snow to deal with.  I guess atleast it was not the wet heavier snow. Never saw it coming so I was not able to do my no snow snow dance. Last I read it was going to be less than an inch.
  We will have roughly 80 holes to augar. I do not plann on doing any of them as the old back is getting old. 
 Budddy hillman will be allowing our customers drive to there rentals as long its a 1/2 ton or less. Then they have to follow us to the rentals. He is also allowing single axel towed out by dolly. Dan and darrin said they will tow a few houses in and out for a fee. They just need to call me to get on their list 218 556 6197.
 We do have 3 bigger ice castle rentals to take out today with a heavey duty dolly and side by side. I have no idea when bigger rigs we be allowed out as that again is buddy hillmans decision.
 My guess could be sometime next week after we see how the weekend goes. There are cones at the end of the highway so that means go no further on such A Grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing! Nothing! as the old timer Dave screamed it out at me. While we were fishing. 

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I guess we can start with how the houses did this past weekend and go from there. First some fish means more than 5, a couple can be anywhere from 7 to 12, a few can mean over 15. Anthonys crew were in Texas, she had her first outing on the ice, she is a big heavy house, but she caught a few fish with the first 24 hours better than the next 24.
 Old minnesota had our great friend Wayne he had a couple nice runs of perch taking home a couple 9 nice one. Plus, he got his 4 walleyes plus a couple extra released. He thought he had a big big elusive upper red lake crappie it turned out to be a big sheepshead.
 Florida had our crew for their 10th year from Iowa. Sarah, Terry, Ken, Carl.  they were sharing a generator with a new guest Elibeth and her hubby in montana. She had a camera and saw fish the whole time they were here but could not get them to bite. Carl had a big pike on he said the head was 4 inches wide before it snapped his line, they had a chore after as the fish had gotten all the lines in the house, so they had quite the mess to untangle. Both houses only caught some.
 Colorada had mike and I want to say Steave. This was not there first-time fishing together they caught quite a few fish 40 counting some nice perch they also went home with their 8 walleyes. Mike made another reservation in February.
 Lisa and her family were in alaska. They caught some fish and took some home but not sure how many as they left early.
 Tennessee had his two boys with the 4-year-olds birthday to boot. He wanted to go fishing for his birthday. They left early Monday morning but I did get a thank you message as the boys had a blast catching fish.
 Utah also had a couple fish but did not pound them by any means so the first weekend all the houses caught fish.
 Darrin and Dan took out about 7 houses out with a dolly. Of course, they all did well. That seems to just be a given Maybe when they get set up the noise is much less then the rentals with all the vehicles activity. Dan and Darrin also got all the house ready Friday. I could never have done any of it without them they busted butt.
 Jonny boy did a podcast a week ago so we were able too watch that. He did a great job considering they never went over what they would be asking. It was episode one of many many more it was called On The Road With Ice Castle Ep 1.
 Mother nature finally gave what everyone wanted with a nice cold snap. Then she took a deep breath and has blasted us with high with white out conditions. We had a turnover with colorado and north dakota so the guys were out there getting her done.
 I had to get wayne off the ice we then spent part of the day putting his car under the parachute with the torpedo. Our 2 set of guests arrived so I escorted them out to meet jonnny boy so he could get them to the houses in such nasty conditions. Buddy hillmans road was doing what it was designed to do. The winds were howling down the road. With no obstacles and so wide. She was pretty clean. Now around all the houses is a different story as I do not want to even see how big the drifts are getting around them. The boys will have to work as a team today to get our houses out of what buddy calls their nests. Sitting up here in the house you would never know how nasty it is out there. I will worry about all the houses tell the boys can get them moved. I'm sure there's 3-foot drift around them all.
 I'm sure it looks like the moon surface out there this morning.
 As I'm trying to have all the help do any lifting, shoveling, and all the manual work etc. it's very hard to go out there and not have some type of issues. Turning a generator, turning a box, lifting a generator out of a box. lifting gas cans, stringing out a extension cord it's all very hard for me and my back. It's also very frustrating I'm really not sure how I use to do it all other then adrenalin.
 Of course, we have to mention the fleet. we will be needing the v plow as the wind packs the drifts rock hard. rusty trusty did not want to start yesterday. Blue thunders plow stopped  and started working. black beauty is my driver as I cannot spend all day in blue thunder like I use to and now it has heat. time to check the fluids and fire up the fleet.
 
 

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she was a little busy out on the lake this past weekend.  For some reason just like most years when we help a wheel house they always seem to do better then the rentals. it has to have something to do with the noise?
  We hosted operation freedom outdoors out of Oklahoma. They had 4 houses for the weekend. North dakota, florida, montana, and utah. With all the houses on fresh spots we sure expected better fishing They did get to take home some limits but it was a tough bite. There host plans on bringing another group next year.
 Alaska had John the owner of that house and his buddy Alex, Alex did get his personal best a fat 24 inch walleye. They also had slow fish maybe landing a half dozen fish.
 Colorado had andy and two red lake rookies. They took home 11 plus a few dandy perch.
 Tennessee had Elvis the owner of that house and his cousin they did not do well at all so we did move them to a new location where they had a little better action but only took home a couple fish.
 Texas the big ice castle with the slide out also had the owner and his family. Not quite sure what happen there? as my friend Rod I had set up just to the south did real well. Saturday night and sunday morning was excellent fishing catching and releasing fish.
California had Ben and his two boys they did manage to catch a few fish.
 Old minnesota was a no show so me and the hammer had dinner out there and fished for a couple hours. I lost a nice fish halfway up om a rattle wheel, the hammer my wife lost a fish on her rod and real then we had a couple more bites on the rattle wheels then packed her in for the night.
 Preston rolled in with their wheelhouse later friday night. I gave them a general area to go to. They had real good fishing both nights.
 Jonny boy worked on rusty trusty as we broke a cv joint axel. Of course, Napa sold me the wrong part. I even told them I just drove 70 miles are you sure it's the write one. Oh yea they assured me. Not the first time and not the last.
I think the big rumble saturday night was a new crack that formed along buddy hillmans road on the south side. There were a few spots where the ice heaved up 3 feet. Never ever try to cross that south edge of the road. There were a few trucks that tried this past weekend. They had to be pulled out.
 Not many elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie caught this weekend that I have heard of.
 Ashly came up this weekend with our newest great grandson.  That makes 6 generations that have been on such a grand lake.
 

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It's already been a week since I got to write a report. On the 22nd we spent the day getting all the houses cleaned and pulled out of there spots. My brother Warren from Indiana arrived monday evening. It's been over 2 years since he has been able to come enjoy this grand lake the still owes us nothing. We had a lot of great laughs. He is very smart and very witty. Jonny boy found the crappie mother lode so we moved old minnesota right where he found them.
 Warren checked into old minnesota. Jonny came a knocking and said get out here. Warren got to stand in one hole and catch 11crappies in a row using the  strikecheating 3000 fish eliminator. Yes that is what i call the live scope the poor fish do not have a chance. We also went and got our customers from Tennessee so they could enjoy the mother load. With chris running the stikecheating 3000 fish eliminator he called out which hole to drop a line in or auger another hole. With 6 guys running around warren stood at the same hole with no bait landing a few? 11 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies while sipping his expensive whiskey. I also got in on the action getting some? 4. Warren and I kept 7 for a dandy fish fry. We also fished in old minnesota 3 nights in a row catching very few fish and no crappies 30 feet away from where warren caught the 11 and I caught the 4. Crazy lake.
 Jale rolled in tuesday. Again, as always, he is possessed with also finding the elusive crappy mother lode. He again found a smaller group of fish. Then they then did the same thing Chris gave direction while everyone else caught fish. I think I may have gotten my biggest ever, but I did not measure her. We did get a great pic and let her go a little more educated. Jake kept a couple so we had a second crappy fish fry.
Barb was here in california where she only caught a couple keeper walleyes.
 Norm and his crew came wednesday thursday and the only caught a couple walleyes.
 Bingo was here for one night and only got a couple. Ole also spent one night having terrible fishing. Thursday was all hands-on deck as we had turnovers plus new guest coming in.Joe and his dad were here in montan plus chris and his wife and baby were in utah. There friends so we kept them together. Chris and his family caught quite a few perch, Joe and his dad just got a couple fish so we moved them to a new area that had good fishing a week ago. That move also did not pan out. With all the houses on fresh spots for the weekend she was pretty slow with none of the houses having the hot hand ERRRRR,
 Jonny boy did take Bob and his crew out with there side by side and portables They just hammered the fish where you can only get to by wheeler or sled due to a nasty pressure ridge.
 To all our guest coming the rest of the year if you can bring some portables, and machines we can direct you or possible take you to some possible outstanding fishing on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.
 This coming weekend we still have old Minnesota, Utah, and Texas open feb 2nd 3rd. We also have Montana open saturday night.
 Jonny boy had his appendix removed monday so he is out of Commision for at least a few days.
 Darrin,Dusty possibly jonny boy? may be able to shuttle customers out over the pressure ridge to unfished territory as getting over it with trucks may not even happen this year.
 

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Those big crappies sound like a blast.

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Will try and make this short and sweet. Dusty was able to take his relatives out over the pressure ridge and catch quite a few different species of fish. We had off and on guest all week with very limited results.  We mark fish and see them on the cameras, but they refuse to take anything we offer. The schools of crappies we were catching became very skittish. As soon as you pinpoint them, they race away? All those releases have educated them. We may have to get in on the action by keeping more for the frying pan and wall?
 I have spent every year the last 20 years targeting the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Some of the nights have been amazing over the years.
 I do not remember the year. The hammer and I were spending the night in old minnesota. Jake had the motherlode go under his house the night before. The hammer and I had caught a couple that evening while we were having a nice dinner. I set up one of my rods with a pepsi can that would tip over if I had a bite. The hammer had her hole with the vexlar. I had the corner rattle wheel tipped with a waxie and the hole next to the pepsi can set with a bobber and a open bail. About 4.30 am I heard the pepsi can fall. I got up in my underwear. The bobber was gone also. I set the hook and pulled up a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I walk over to the hammer and said honey there biting very quietly. I grabbed her vex put it down the hole and it lit up like a christmas tree. I reeled in the one that the bobber was down. As I fought that fish the line broke. I grabbed the first rod , tipped it with a minnow I drooped it down. it just kept going. I set the hook and another crappie was out of the hole. I again said in a low voice honey there biting. The third one hit the minnow as it was going down. As I brought that one in he was a huge one he had ingulfed the jig. Trying to get the hook out I broke the line now I did not have a rod. I went over to the hammer and in a louder voice I said honey there biting. As I held the fish in front of her. She opened her eyes looked at her rod started reeling it in and said. Hey where's my vexlar. Then she said I need a minnow. I grabbed the vex grabbed a minnow . She dropped her line in while I turned and thought shoot I do not have a rod ready too go. I looked at the rattle wheel. As I stepped to bring it in and switch to a minnow she says I got one. I quickly took care of that got her another minnow. She got her line down while I took the waxies off the rattle wheel line. Just as I put the rattle wheel back in the water and as it went down she again said I got one. As I dealt with that the rattle wheel never stopped and I had another top side while I also helped her again. It was just crazy fishing! At some point I was able to get another jig on my rod. I had been throwing the fish in a cooler full of water. It was nonstop action one after the other until I said I better see how many we have as the cooler was packed!   We were closing in on 20 fish. All this happening in my underwear and the hammer in her jammies at 4.30 in the morning. I will never forget that action as A grand lake that owes us nothing gave us one of the grandest times. Ice fishing in old minnesota.
 The crew is out on the ice moving all the houses for the weekend, maybe someone else will have that magical moment.
 We will keep moving the houses looking for good fishing.

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Well it was a very good weekend for fishing. Making the rounds Saturday evening was a treat to check into every house as the fish were finally cooperating in a new area we had reached.
 The whole crew came together saturday morning to get the whole fleet over the active pressure ridge. With the warm temps the ice has been expanding causing the pressure ridges to heave up. Sunday morning was all hands-on deck as we gathered chippers and chainsaws to knock her down. We first thing we had to pull the bridge, then it was manual labor as the crew chain sawed and chipped her down level. It now sounds like we will be heading out this morning to find another place to cross. At this time buddy Hillmans is not allowing wheel house to go across. That could change but mother nature needs to cooperate and give us some colder weather to lock things up.
 There were some fish caught in the houses, some means more than 5? Other houses caught a couple which means over ten? Then there were others that caught a few which is over 15?
 Old minnesota had the hammers sister shell chic. Plus we were able to get the wife's mom out Sandra. The hammer joined them to spend the night on the ice. They did get some the first night with a mix of walleye perch and a some crappies. The second night I joined them for the bewitching hour. We broke out the fish call, set it on nighttime crappie, within less then 2 minutes the hammer had a nice elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The shell chick got in on the action also landing one. Sandra got a beautiful 18-inch walleye.
Shell chick spent the night out there. and had a little more action over night. They went home with a mess of fish.
 Elvis was in Tennessee. He had a fantastic night as the motherlode of elussive yet still
 catchable upper red lake crappies came through. He figured in two days he landed 24 He kept 3 for a fish meal and also kept a couple more for our fish fry saturday eve,
 I had the whole crew trying to get enough for our fish fry.
 Luke and his crew only landed one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. They did get enough walleyes for dinner saturday night. They decided to spend another night and caught some more walleyes to take home.
 Florida had Rollie and Kevin for I be leave the 11th year, same house, same dates. They took home 6 walleyes,12 perch and released a 40 inch pike.
 We kept that house on this side of the pressure ridge.
 Montana was a open house so Heather and Jonny boy spent Saturday night in there. They only fished a bit but got 4 nice keeper walleyes.
 Mike had alaska  with his crew they also had good fishing plus they went out exploring and landed quite a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie's. We try to encourage our customers to not take limits of these elusive fish. These fish have a special place in my heart as a well as Jake, Jonny boy and the rest of my crew. I never stopped chasing them and have always kept our houses out after walleyes closed. I think every year our houses have been the last to come off the lake. I have had some crazy nightmares over the years. I have dreamed more then once going down to the lake and its wide-open water and all the houses are out there floating around on a sheet of ice somewhere.
 Colorado had Colby , Eric and there 3 boys. I showed them how to eat a minnow, the one said ahh I'm going to puke. Zakia yells give me a minnow. He put it in his mouth sucked it in like a spaghetti noodle and swallowed it. His dad recorded it and we all cheered when he opened his mouth with no minnow. they all had a blast catching a few fish.
 Utah had Jason and his 2 boys they went hole hopping and got a nice mixed bag of fish.
 Texas had Lisa, Darrin's sister she had a few kids with her. They also got a couple fish to take home. Dan and Mel had real good fishing as well as mike and Wendy and Darrin.
 There was a horrible accident sunday east of shooks. Prayers to all the family's. Please if your going through waskish slow down and do not pass over the double lane there are over 40 driveways and roads through town. Drives me crazy.
 Our big ice castle Colorado canceled for the up-and-coming weekend. Feb. 8 9 10. We also have old minnesota open at this time.