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

[mike89]

awesome to hear from you again cookie!

2nd that!!!   

[LPS]

Hi Cookie.

[cookie]

hey all Every year is different. This year is started off with a nice cold wave to make a quick 6 inches of ice. A recent satellite pic looks like there is no open water which makes the ice less likely to shift. With more snow and high winds, the next 48 hrs. I would advise no fishing period. Try to stay off the lake.
 It's not a problem for me as I rarely go on lake until I can drive blue thunder.
 We do have some open houses on shore this weekend. I'm looking forward to that first fish fry at JRS.
 Sounds like a crack formed last night. Were not sure if it made it up this way but will know later. Heard of just a few fish caught which a few from a fisherman could mean 12, A few to me is 3, not 12, 2 is a couple not 8, Some is 3 to 5.
 Jonny boy has been working his you know what off getting all the manual, hard work done as I'm transitioning away from all the hard work.
 Not much else to say at this time as we batten down the hatches for the predicted high winds on a grand lake that owes us nothing

[cookie]

Just like that most of the resort are allowing side by side and under out onto the lake. You still need to use common sense. If it does not look right do not drive onto to check it out.
 We do have a full house this weekend and will have some fishing reports from our customers.
 I'm hearing reports of 9 to 10 inches of ice. I'm sure Jonny boy is itching to get out there and wet a line himself. We will be checking in some customers today.
 Darrin and Dan will also be coming up today. They have acquired a few houses and are planning on renting them out this season.
 We have plenty of openings still. You can check out our houses on our web page cookiesonupperredlake.com
 If your a beer drinker plan on buying beer before you arrive in waskish as the store here in town has no beer? Yes no beer. Westwind does have some off sale.
 I've decided to have back surgery this year so Jonny boy and the crew will be running the show for a couple weeks.
We have about 3 inches of snow on the ground so its a winter wonderland here on the shores of upper red lake.. I hear a couple of the trucks running so Jonny must be in the driveway.
If I was a guessing kind of guy, some resort may start allowing 1/2-ton trucks out buy mid december. There is a good chance we will be getting some of the smaller houses out on fishable ice buy mid december also. Mother nature will have a lot to do with that decision.
 We have heard of a few sketchy areas out there so listen to the resorts you go out of.
 I should have a decent fishing report sunday morning as I visit all our fishermen this weekend on a grand lake that owes us nothing

[cookie]

well well  where to begin.  The fishing started off a little slow last week but boy did it pick up as the weekend went along. Yesterday Rizo and his gal figured they caught over 50 fish. Ed arrived yesterday and did well just a little way out. Most of the crews staying down at the lake all went home with limits plus a few had fish frys saturday eve.
 I did see a pic of where a side by side dropped a track into a crack and got hung up. I have seen that before when they drop in the track will get hung up under the ice and make it impossible to drive out. No one got hurt or even wet that I know of.
 I have also heard of some larger areas of only 5 inches of ice so pay attention to the resorts that ask you not to go exploring beyond their boundaries.
 We have gotten 2 to 3 inches of wet snow since yesterday so it is any one guess how this is going to affect the ice condition? Mother nature and time will determine that. If you are venturing out just common sense would be a good thing to have.
 Jonny boy has shuttled a few fishermen out that have come with no machines, Dusty should be arriving for the season so he may be able to help also.  The phone has been busy off and on we still have many nights open for sleepers.
 Our good friends Darrin and Dan have started with a few houses to rent this year D and D fishing. Darrin 218 390 1949 Dan 218 428 8904.
 Jonny boy is doing a fantastic job keeping everything running smooth. Making it much easier on my older bones.
 I'm going to give blue thunder her first work out in a bit.
 The temps are predicted to nosedive in the next few days on a grand lake that owes us nothing but keeps on giving
 

[cookie]

Being superstitious friday the 13th is never a favorite day for me. I learned to accept it as just another day.. At 19 below this morning any issues can be blamed on the weather.
 Shelly and Bob from montana staying in our fishhouse nick named montana started yesterday morning with there side by side in enclosed trailer with a dead batterie. Battling 19 below here on the shoresof upper red lake are always a eye opener. When he tried to open the seat she did not want to budge. After retrieving a batterie charger trying to hand it to Bob I broke the red clamp off the charger welcome to 19 below. They decide the best option would go buy a new batterie in Baudette. They ended up out on the lake buy noon only to get skunked as moving after getting set up was not a option.
 Ozzy and the boys in California did find a few fish. They have been coming for years and might get a surprise if jonny boy decides too get her onto the lake on fishable water for the evening bite. Yesterday morning when I stepped into california there was a snap in the door. It broke a metal hinge. Welcome to 19 below
 Dane and his buddy staying in Chris's Custom fish house also found a few again. Battling mother nature, moving after getting set up is not a great option. Welcome to 19 below
 Our nephew Scott decided to take is small ice castle onto fishable water so we will see how they did later today. His brand new 4-wheeler did not start welcome to 19 below.
  Bob showed up with colorado last night so he will be using his house before he leaves it with us for the season.
 Darrel staying in florida coming up from Indiana lost a wheel on his truck just 7 miles from arrival. The tow truck brought his trailor here before taking it to blackduck for repairs. His john deer tractor would not start yesterday morning welcome to 19 below.
 One of my golden rules was I do not move houses when it 20 below for a reason. Mother nature at her finest.
 Our help rolled in for the season Dusty. Dusty and jonny boy will be taking her on this year as I recover from my back surgery coming up.
 Today the plan will be able to take a couple of the smaller ice castles out too fishable water.
 I have seen a couple of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies with two close friends getting a couple on their adventure.
Today we wave to mother nature goodbye 19 below on a grand lake that owes us nothing.

[LPS]

Thanks Cookie.   

[cookie]

It sure was nice having the weather warm up for the weekend -19 was just a little brutal Just a little.
 A big thank you to all We had quite a few guests the last few days. THE GOOD NEWS THE FISHING WAS REAL GOOD WITH SOME spurts of great fishing.
 Jonny boy took a few different guests to some way points that he has, they all caught fish. He loves those waypoints as they pay off more times than none. I few even got to catch a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
 He also shuttled a few people that had no machine to travel. We did take Cailfornia out on the lake for Ozzy and the crews last night. The been coming for quite a few years and is one of their favorite trips besides the angle.
 We also put Tennessee and Utah on the lake yesterday. Chad and the guys took their wheeler to the house after fishing for a few hours. I have not spoken to the guys in Utah at this time.
 It was nice having our guest this past weekend. I've lost some of my touch with remembering names as my old method does not work as well as it use to.
 Jonny boy and Dustin are working well together as Jonny makes decision on ice and house placement. We do have a opening for our newest house Nevada. This coming weekend. Our friends dan and Darrin that have been helping us for years have decided to get into the business as well so they still have a few openings this weekend coming up. D@D ice fishing.
 I expect all the houses will be on the ice by this coming weekend Jonny went out on the ice to move Utah for the guys as they only caught a couple fish last night.
 Scott a nephew had has smaller house on the lake this past weekend. It started off slow but yesterday they had action from 3 am to 7am then another nice run at 9am.
 Sean Geoff and Jay also had dollied there house out. They figured they caught 25 fish saturday in the house with no heat.
 I did drive blue thunder off the lake saturday. She had a defendant miss so that needs to be addressed. Jake will be rolling in tomorrow night for a couple days of helping out as new door needs to be installed on North Dakota so she will be coming out of the woods onto the ice to get her level.
 Tomorrow, I head to Fargo for my back surgery, getting a little nervous but I sure hope and pray it helps me Walk more then 300 yards at a time as I do not want to give up my summer jobs and golfing. Having passions makes work so much easier in life
 
 It's a busy time as most of the resorts are in the process of getting houses on the lake. I did not make it to church sunday as I always request a prayer for all to have a safe and successful season on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
 
 

[mike89]

good luck with your surgery cookie!!!   

[Jerkbiat]

Best of luck with your surgery Cookie!

[LPS]

Yes hope it all goes great for you Cookie. 

[glenn57]

  same....hope all goes well.....and takes strokes off your golf game!!!!!

besides........someone needs to keep an eye on boar while he's on red!!!!!

[cookie]

This past weekend was the first weekend to have all the houses out on the lake. It was only the second time in over 20 years I was not driving blue thunder with a house in tow. The last time was the year I broke my back and ribs in a car accident. Most are measuring 15 inches of ice. Hillmans are allowing 1/2 ton with single axel houses out at this time.
 Jonny boy and Dusty got all the house's set with no issues. It sure can be nice when things work like a well-oiled machine.
 Due to my back surgery, I had last wednesday. The boys are in charge of anything dealing with the lake, houses, vehicle's etc. I think there was a little issue with the boss plow on blue thunder. It just stops working Dan seems to think there are some wires that are really tight and need some slack.
 The boys have also been helping Buddy Hillman with plowing the superhighway. They had 2 houses to move today then Jonny was going to go help do some more plowing. They have over 6 miles if I'm correct. I tried to drive out there yesterday, but the back was just too sore so the smart thing to do was turn around. There was one crack 1/2mile out that could become a pressure ridge when the weather starts to warm. The south side of the road has a big berm, and water was starting to ooze out from underneath making it a bad idea to attempt to cross. The weight of the snow will crack underneath sinking the berm and creating an open slush pocket hidden under the snow. I cannot count all the times vehicles have been jerked out of it. By no means should a person try and drive across it. She cracks every year.
 Logan and the guys had Colorado, Texas and Utah. We used to rent logans Dad's house kentucky years ago They figured they got over 30 fish.
 Lonnie spent Saturday in old Minnesota they only got a couple fish.
 North Dakota had A friend of Dustin Rick They caught a few fish.
 Montana had Dave they got a couple 6 or 7
Alaska and Tennessee also only caught a few fish.
California did really well with Josh.
Florida was a no show without even a phone call he will go on the do not rent list if there is one. Nevada just had one person not sure how it did.
 I guess it's not always as good as we want for fishing. I can tell you it's not from lack of trying.
 We have a few turn overs today so we shall see if it picks up.
 My back is pretty darn sore at this time as I'm on restrictions of no lifting, bending or twisting. The pain meds make me puke. Driving to Fargo last Tuesday I almost turned around a couple times.
I have to adjust too not having things my way as I'm sitting on the sidelines for now? I look forward to greeting and visiting customers this winter but for now I'm holding down the fort with the reservation book.
Were all full next weekend except Nevada opens up Friday the 28th. We do have a couple houses open through the week of Dec 22 to Jan 1 2025 but not much. Nevada 28th29th Texas 29th 30th Old minnesota 31rst and new years day.
 None of our houses caught an elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. A couple of eelpouts were also caught on a Grand Lake that owes us nothing
 
 

[LPS]

I was curious to hear about your back surgery some.  I will be getting that done soon too.

[Bobberineyes]

It's great reading your reports Cookie, take care of your back! Another surgery LPS,? you'll be a bionic man in no time!

[LPS]

I want it all done before the wife retires.  She may want to raise some he77 like go to Red Lake fishing at Cookies.