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

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First, I would like to thank all the old and new customers we have had this past week. Last Saturday Jonnny boy took Customers from the houses that wanted to go after some elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Him and Dusty took them out on the search where I think everyone got to catch at least one of these special fish. Sean A few other groups on the internet put the hurt on them the past 10 days. Most are caught outside of the house as you have to work for them to get them. The cheatmaster 3000 fish eliminator has made it a little bit easier, but as they all like to say, "You still have to get them to bite" I just roll my eyes and say "righhht". Jake is just itching to get up as he has a passion for catching these fish as well as Jonny boy plus quite a few others. Colorado did get two out of the house as well a California also got at least one. If any others got any I did not here about it. The walleye fishing did get better as The boys again made big moves with the houses. Tami, Tony and the two boys. The first night they managed to get a good fish dinner. Jonny boy and the crew moved them where they figured they caught a total of 20 fish for the weekend. Ice castle John only managed to catch just a few but they will be back. Florida with Josh and his wife also landed two elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I cannot read some of my notes as the days of remembering names and events are just a little harder. I'm 65 not 80. Dusty house has again been spitting out nice walleyes during the day. 2 of our customers fished in there. They got there 8 fish from noon to 4pm and headed home.
 Alaska had some excitement as one of the guys dropped his money clip down a hole. They were able to land the magnet on it, but the clip was not metal. They were fishing for it all weekend but did manage to get it the last day.
 Rick and his crew in north dakota went home with 11 very nice fish 1 shy of their limit. They were here to redeem them self's from there last trip. Gave the guys a nice tip that was greatly apricated. Les was here with his wife and another couple they drew the short straw when the temps dropped and the wind picked up to gale force. They ended up packing up a day early. I plan on calling them today to see if they would like to come back for a free night.
 We have had a few guests this past week starting sunday. All the house moves started to pay off with every house getting some action. We have Chris and his buddy up from Nebraska they are having a grand time on a grand lake. Paul and Bob? had some action in florida.
 My back has again gotten better than it was last Wednesday. I think maybe pulled a muscle. I was pretty bummed when I woke up friday and she was still hurting pretty good.  I did spend the longest time so far on the lake yesterday I checked in a new couple, visited Paul. Todd, Jimmy B B in California. I also visited Tim and his wife I think this may be their 3rd year. One of the nicest things is spending time with the customers even though I'm struggling a bit with names. With guest out there last night no phone calls are always a good thing.
 Jonny bot had a flat on rusty trusty of course it had to be 5 miles out so we ended up picking up 2 new tires just a heads up there now made of gold, Zoiks!! very expensive. One of my best friends Wayne will be coming up this weekend, so I am expecting some good laughs plus a few good hands of cards on as Dave an old timer that use to host viking players up here. Its A Grand Lake That Owes Me Nothing Nothing in a very loud voice with spit shooting out his mouth while we fished in old minnesota that day such a long long time ago.

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Good report Cookie. 

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Well the guys are out there again today doing what they do. I have no idea where the houses are headed too but will know later when I venture out. Yesterday I did venture out on the lake and made my longest drive. Theres some ruts under the snow that got made when we had that very wet slushy 3 inches of snow earlier this year. Most of the time I was in 4 2-wheel drive in black beauty still being able to go all most anywhere. I checked on a few other ice roads that nobody owns. Never know when you get lost in a white out. Jonny boy and Dusty Did take four of our customers staying in our houses out to chase the mother lode of elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Chris and Kieth from nebraska. Keith landed 7 without any vexlar. I guess he was a good listener. Cody also was with a friend. Everyone else got too at least catch one. They found a nice school but once the noise starts, they will take off. If you can get a couple! Sometimes it can start a flurry/feeding frenzy. Some of the best fishing you may ever have, other times they just swim away. Thats when the cheatmaster 3000 fish elimanator comes into play. It's still fun working as a team catching an sometimes releasing such a beautiful, thick, big, iridescent colored fish. We always keep a couple as the hammer would rather eat them instead of a fresh walleye. I will keep encouraging fishermen to not take ten apiece, but they sure can as that is the limit. 
 Tim and Laura also had a cheatmaster, staying in montana the first night they did get 4 to eat. Never got to see how they ended up but did get to visit for a bit yesterday. I think the boys also had moved them? Texas had Elliot and his crew. I never stopped in but I did talk to him, a little sloww but they enjoyed the stay said they will be back. We only have 4 groups out there tonight so we shall see how they do.  Lots a planning the next few days as a cold windy fronnt will be blowing in. This is the weekend I guy could of rented 50 houses as it martin Luther King Day on  Monday. The guys might get  a chance to catch their wind as we only have 3 houses rented wednesday at this time. Customers are still complementing the guys so they must be doing something right on this grand lake that owes us nothing

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Mother nature decided enough was enough and reared her ugly side Starting Friday. The winds came in with a relentless fury. The drifts started to build around each house throughout the day right into the evening. After two days There are 3-foot drifts that you can drive right over with a truck the snow is packed so hard. I do not quite understand the science of how the wind can do that.
 I was out friday evening fishing with our good friend Wayne. A pulled the plug around 10 pm. I had to have Jonny boy escort me off the lake blazing a trail with rusty trusty and her v-plow.
 We did have two no shows that really put a sting on us. I have always done a handshake over the phone rather than have most customers send a deposit. But having 2 full time guys. Me not doing any of the manual labor. From here on out we will be having a new policy. We do take Venmo at this time as well as mailing deposit. The future we shall also plan on taking credit cards. The part that really stung is MLK weekend has always filled fast with many many many calls that I refer out.
 Wayne and I probably had the worst of the fishing. We did miss some bites. I lost a nice keeper at the hole as I did not want to take any chances with my back so tried to hoist it out. We did have a grand time laughing, playing cards, reminiscing having a couple cocktails with diner in old Minnesota.
 Tennessee had the owner Elvis he did go home with his 4 plus released quite a few fish.
 Florida had Terry, Sarah, Ken and Carl They have been coming for years. They also had a grand time. They went home with almost there limit plus let some bigger one go. They always bring me a few homemade breakfast burritos and venison sticks. They said thanks are headed home already planning on coming again next year.
 California had Som Courtney and Oliver their dog. The figured they caught 15 fish.
Andy, Andy, Sam the rest of the crew caught fish plus had me over to try some eel pout and Venison, the eelpout was good but the venison back strap was cooked to perfection so so good. They had Colorado and Utah again they have also been coming for years.
Our granddaughter Asley poo her Hubby Justin and our newest great grandchild Wesley 7th generation on the lake fished in North Dakota They also caught some fish but released them for another day as they don't eat many fish. I guess next time I make fish I will tell them it's chicken.
 Momata had Ryan and his crew. They also did well even though quite a bit of time they were fishing for a phone that they did manage to get back.
 Texas had Kaiti hubby Jake? plus the kids they also got some fish, but they also had a slower house. 
 Our houses never had the chance to release a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie the weekend as none were caught. If you happen to get one where we are fishing more than likely it will be over 15 inches and a loaner chasing some shiners, once there that size, I assume they would be hard to eat from any fish looking for a meal. We do have a couple guest we are waiting for today. They drew the short straw as We have not started to again move houses do the cold. The high for today has been -19. We can give them a couple options with one being a house further out that our friends D and D ice fishing that did well on some elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies on a grand lake that owes us nothing

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There is no way I can remember who were in which houses the past 8 days. I will try and share some of the highlights and lows of the past week. Sean and Jeoff were up staying in Florida. There uncle Paul were in nevada fish house he had two friend’s relatives from sarsota florida. Very interesting guys to visit Both had raced boats plus one was a boat mechanic the other now a captain that transfers boats up and down the eastern coastline. The stories they could share. I could have visited for hours but it did not work out. Sean and jeoff had some friends catching walleyes and elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies 2.7 miles from us. They ask if it was possible to move the house. Thats quite the distance to move a skid house cross country with no plowed road so we gave them a option that we could bring a wheelhouse utah out there as the house was no show. They decided to go out with their hub. The next morning, they decided to head home a day early. We did get his uncle paul moved in Nevada to a new spot where they did manage to catch a few more fish. But no elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Bob the owner of colorado was also her for the weekend .After catching a couple walleyes wher we had a couple houses the moved out to a area they would have a chance for a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. They did manage to get a few plus a few more walleyes.
Alaska had the owner John here. They did manage to catch some fish and had a grand time on a grand lake.
Old minnesota had Brian and his gal Sarah here for her birthday they also had there 2 friends Eric and Amy staying in montana. They had a riot figuring they caught well over 50 fish between to the 2 houses there were already planning to come again. That has always been my goal, good fishing or bad to have clean comfortable houses, on fresh spots even if it just the cookie shuffle in a fishy area, Nice and warm when they arrive, spend a little time visiting with them. being a good host. possible moving if the fishing is horrible depending on conditions, vehicles, weather etc. The guys Jonny boy, dusty, and Dave have been getting nothing but compliments from our guest which makes me feel real good.
We had Travis and his family in Texas it was a little slow but they did get some fish.
California and cabin were a no show as well as Utah and Tennessee. The guys we had for Utah and Tenn. They were here last year, we gave them a heck of a deal as they came from Oklahoma with some vets. They did not even bother to call. North Dakota had Josh they also caught fish and had a good time. We had a few guests the last few days, Jonny boy offered to take a couple of them out the chase elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. One that came along was a 12 year old that got to have some if not the best fishing ever as he landed 10 of these special fish. The 3 of them ended up catching 27 total in 25 mph winds. We again had some crazy winds that again have made some good drifts around the houses you never stop battling mother nature here on the shores of upper red lake.

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Good to hear Cookie!

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I thought it would be cool to show a report from 2016 so here ya go
Just like that and another season is in the books. 79 days and nights on such a grand lake. Every year is different and again this year was different. With the late ice watching all the outfitters and resorts coming up with plan bees to accommodate there clients was very interesting. I had to start right in front of my place as that’s the only place I could find over 14 inches of ice. That shallow water bite can be fantastic and we did have a few nights of great fishing in 7 to 8 feet of water. Getting the houses out to buddy Hillmens highway was a challenge, but with my good friend Marty,s help we were able to improvise and get them over there with out going through Buddys southern berm. From there it was off to find the mother lode. Finding a good late night bite was brutal. Being we rent sleepers I would like the rattle wheels going off all night . We had some nights that the rattle wheels had to be pulled up but not what I have become accustomed to? I found some good fishy areas and the fish would refuse to bite? We slowly migrated out to deeper water driving over millions of fish to catch a few? The sunrises and sunsets never get old and again my phone is full of morning and evening pictures. The red barons v plow got a whole new face lift and was much needed as I demolished it last year chasing the very elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappie. Blue thunder two’s 2nd year on the lake and I could not be happier with its performance. What a great truck.” knock on wood” I expect to get a good ten more years out of her if not more. My good friend Wayne was able to come up every other weekend and we had some good laughs and epic cards games. Mother nature was very kind to us this year as every year is different. The houses flooded just about every ware we set up. Working on the lake everyday was a joy. there were a few cuss words now and then but that’s nothing new. I again met some great people that will or have become life long friends. My goal has always been to have repeat customers .That has worked out real fine as it sure is nice to see them year after year. I never stop learning new things on the lake and Buddy Hillmen taught me a few more things about running a ice road. Helping with Hillmens highway is a treat for me and its sure is nice being part of the team. I had a couple brain farts? One that really sticks out was when I pulled a truck out of the southern berm and then gave the guy my new tow strap and told him to drop it off at hillmens store when he was done with it. I learned a lesson there and will never offer my strap to another fishermen un less they ask. Marty has helped me two years in a row now and still has not experienced the wrath the red lake can produce. She sure can be a eye opener as Randy can attest to when we tried to get off the lake in a white out. We made the right decision and went back to the houses where we hunkered down. Wayne was totally amazed at the wife Kellie” the Hammer ” as she could come out to the houses day or night with all the confidence of a seasoned professional . My working vacation was just that as I went on the search for the mother load of the very elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Randy and Tammy ended up getting 14 which was pretty darn good. All the houses managed to get a few here and there as I kept moving them . I never managed to land on the mother load like last year when the hammer and I got 27 in a hour and a half the last night old Minnesota was on the lake. Oh well there is always next year. This year I changed up gears and kept my mouth shut in preparation for my crappie hunt. The crew were all rolling in last Thursday and I did not want to be over whelmed with fishermen like last year. It could not of worked out better as the fishing was outstanding with over a hundred elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies caught and released to fight another year. Jake and Gabrial kept 4 for a meal. Ole kept 5 to take home. The hammer and I kept 7 total since the end of walleye season. Brady, Shawn, Wes, Joff kept a couple for a fish fry Saturday night. Florida, North Dakota and Montana all caught some elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies after dark which was great to see. Old Minnesota had Don and his buddy and even after moving it Saturday it still did not produce a elusive upper red lake crappie. Don did land a dandy pike on his rod and reel and that may of been the reason there were no elusive upper red lake crappies under the house. Adam / Ginger ended up with only 4 and is still looking for that wall hanger. Tim and his son Leon managed to get 11. The guys in the white ice castle got 6 after I talked to them and gave the suggestion to move. Randy fished the exact same holes he fished where they got the 14 and got skunked. It sounded like Buddy Hillmen found the mother load with some clients / friends and caught 70 while his other group got 45 Saturday into the evening. Yesterday morning I headed out to bring the fleet home. The timing could not of been any better and it is such a relief to have them home and on shore. I slept like a baby last night as all the worries associated with having the houses and fishermen out there were gone for another year. The liter I picked up last year has been nothing like this year. Thank you fishermen as the word has got out that it will not be tolerated. All the outfitters and resorts are on board and not afraid to make a phone call if need be. It may sound kinda of funny but I’m hoping I can spend a few more days out there in blue thunder policing the lake for liter. There is nothing worse then seeing that crap floating in the water and washing up on the beach. I huge thank you goes out to all my customers as with out you I would have nothing to write about . As Dave the old timer said it a GRAND LAKE AND It Owes Me NOTHING! NOTHING!

Ole ,Marty and I are headed off to low to do some pike fishing tomorrow. Wish us luck

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Well here we go again. Last week we had Tim staying in old minnesota he was by himself and caught fish every day. Jimmy was here again with Todd they also caught fish. We have been doing much better for sure.
 Cole with Matt and Dan were in utah for the weekend.  The weather was all most short sleeve with the sun and no winds. I pointed them in the direction for a chance at the always elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. With there cheatmaster 3000 fish eliminator, they put the smack down on the fish and took home a limit. They also did well in the house with walleyes.
 Rick was here again also they were in north dakota where they had off and on action both days with slower fishing after 9pm.  I enjoyed some biscut and sausage gravy with them saturday morning, a french dip saturday eve. so so good. Thanks again for the lobster tails and steak. The hammer and I will enjoy that dinner.
 Lucas a nephew was here with friends. The were staying in montana. They also took home some fish.
 Eric his wife Amanda plus there 4 boys seemed like they were having a good time. I tracked down some poker chips for them so I hope they played some fun poker. Always fun to see kids playing poker, brings back my own card playing memories as a kid. Again, the old short time memory haunts me as how well they did.
  The hammers sister Shellchick and Grandma stayed in old minnesota they took home their limits. Elvis was here again in his house Tennessee he also went home with his four.
 Colorado had Steave his dad and another. The guys checked on them throughout the weekend I never did make it to their house. They did go home with some fish.
 Nevada had Adam a friend and 3 younger boys. They also caught some fish.
 Eric was here with his family in Texas. They also took home some fish. Sorry about the poor fishing numbers but just lost track of how everyone did. Mark was in california they also had good fishing. It was nice to see all the houses had action. With some doing better then others.
 It was a busy week as sunday we had a few turnovers. Again the guys are doing a tremendous job without me dictating what or how to do things. I have my way and will always do it the way I've done for over 20 years slow and patience. Never be in a hurry.
 Banjo Mike showed up sunday for north dakota they did real well taking home 16 with their  4 overs.
 Les his wife and their two friends were in  florida. We offered to move them the second day but they were good. Les really wants them elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. They were here earlier this year but the brutal cold and wicked wind got the best of them. Matt was here with his daughter we did move them the second day and Zoie got her first ever walleye a nice plump 19 incher. Tuesday and wednesday the guys got a break with nothing rented so they banged out getting everything on fresh spots for thursday on.
 Matty our grandson went out to old Minnesota on a spot I liked. We did well with 13-year-old Mathew catching a 20 a 16 1/2 and a 16 3/4. plus i got a 18 we also lost a few in the 3 hours we fished.  The whole team had a fishing contest from 4 pm to 9am as everyone was scouting out new areas. Mathew went to bed with the lead with dusty a close second with three fish all in the 16 range. We screwed up should of stuck it out as 8am the next morning Dusty went out to catch his fourth fish to win it all. It made for some good memories, ribbing,camaraderie on a group chat, on a lake that owes us nothing nothing

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With only 12 days left of big game fishing left we had another busy week. with the way we have been making ice we will be crappie fishing well into april. At 20 below this morning she going to be a tougher day just slow and easy, don’t be in a hurry as my mentor cousin Pete taught me..
Again, it’s easy to blame the weather for the bite but sometimes it’s just the spot, the best depth has had the better fishing?
We had a huge cancelation for this coming weekend with two of our biggest houses open thursday friday saturday. North Dakota and Alaska. Jonny boy said if someone takes either house he will take them out on an elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie adventure while there here. Yesterday he did find the mother lode.
Kevin and Rollie were here for their annual trip this past weekend. They rent florida every year. They had a grand time on a grand lake and took home their limits. They have been coming for close to if not 20 years.
We teamed up with northwoods and bearpaw and offered a free night if you brought a kid or kids fishig. The first guy I picked it did not work out, so I ended going with a gentlemen named Floyde and his son of course I forgot his name.. They also had a grand time on a grand lake with the young man landing a few walleyes.
We had a nephew Bradly and his gal Mekenzie in Tennessee. They also had a grand time. Jonny boy took them on a crappie adventure where they landed 27 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Wayne and his two buddies one from Nebraska I be leave. They were in Utah,they

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With only 12 days left of big game fishing left we had another busy week. with the way we have been making ice we will be crappie fishing well into april. At 20 below this morning she going to be a tougher day just slow and easy, don’t be in a hurry as my mentor cousin Pete taught me..
Again, it’s easy to blame the weather for the bite but sometimes it’s just the spot, the best depth has had the better fishing?
We had a huge cancelation for this coming weekend with two of our biggest houses open thursday friday saturday. North Dakota and Alaska. Jonny boy said if someone takes either house he will take them out on an elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie adventure while there here. Yesterday he did find the mother lode.
Kevin and Rollie were here for their annual trip this past weekend. They rent florida every year. They had a grand time on a grand lake and took home their limits. They have been coming for close to if not 20 years.
We teamed up with northwoods and bearpaw and offered a free night if you brought a kid or kids fishig. The first guy I picked it did not work out, so I ended going with a gentlemen named Floyde and his son of course I forgot his name.. They also had a grand time on a grand lake with the young man landing a few walleyes.
We had a nephew Bradly and his gal Mekenzie in Tennessee. They also had a grand time. Jonny boy took them on a crappie adventure where they landed 27 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Wayne and his two buddies one from Nebraska I be leave. They were in Utah, they also caught fish taking home a couple limits. Plus Jonny
 boy pointed them in the right direction to land on the mother lode with their cheatmaster 300 fish eliminator.
 Kevin and Rollie were here for florida they have been coming for close to 13 years. They went home with their limit and plan on coming same dates next year. Connie and her family were in alaska they caught a little of everything perch walleye pike and 1 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. 
Rich in the cabin plus his son and brother used a couple houses as a day houses plus jonny took them and a couple staying in nevada out looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. They found the motherload. Mathew and I drove out there but with the temps and wind we just stopped and said hi.
Our grandsons Jacob and Jason came up with a few friends and stayed in Texas. They did terrible so we moved them only to still not do that well. They did have a good time though.
 Anthoney, Beth Coltan and Casey were in colorado  for I be leave there third year. The first night was no good so we moved them to a new spot but the fishing was still tough for them.
 Texas had Mark and his buddy in texas after we moved it again they caught 18 walleyes and a pike.
  Montana had 2 phones go down Dusty was able to get one of the two back. Florida had Jesie and Austin he was so excited to be back again. he caught his biggest fish ever a 28 inch pike. plus they caught walleye and the second night she said the rattle wheels went off every 2 hours. we then had Greg and his crew in montana where they also did well.
 We did get our hoodies in its best to call if you want one we have a limited amount of pink, orange and red they are 60.00
 Its been a very busy week here so I have lost track of all the fishing reports. My short time memory is still bothering me. Back has its days but I be leave its better. I' ve lifted a few generators and a couple gas cans where I kinda had no choice.
 As that Old timer Dave Said to me Its A Grand lake and it owes me nothing

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We have had a few last minute cancellations for two of our best houses: North Dakota & Alaska (Ice Castle). All come standard with augured holes, heating & generator! Only two weeks remain for the game fish season! If you act now, we will throw in a free GUIDED trip for the elusive yet highly catchable Red Lake crappie ($200 per person value)! Sitting on the couch is easy, you can't catch fish if you aren't on the grand lake that owes us nothing! Call Cookie now at 218-556-6197

Come out and make memories that will last a lifetime!

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 This is from 10 years ago march 2015
Good morning the story continues. Jacob my grandson caught his first upper red lake crappie as well as my daughter missy. Old Minnesota was on a new spot but never turned on like I had hoped. Jakes move over by Joel paid off big time and they all caught the elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies into the evening until they went to bed. Jake had his magical moment at 5 30 am when he started catching them as fast as he could get his minnow down. I think he said he caught 17 in a row, since he was releasing them all it well could of been the same fish over and over? Sunday afternoon I moved old Minnesota one more time so Marty,Kellie and I could spend the night out there for the final night. We had a great toco dinner, caught just a couple elusive upper red lake crappies and had a couple of drinks as we reminisced about such a great season on such a grand lake. We stayed up way to late waiting for the mother load and Marty headed over to florida around 3 am. Marty started catching fish as soon as he walked into the house and never went to bed. I set up my bobber line and my dangler with the line going through a can it would fall into the hole and wake me up. I woke up at 5 am 2 hours later and both cans were floating in the holes. I grabbed the cans re lized my bobber was gone and started reeling it in and had a fish on. I bounced the fish off the bottom of the ice and snagged the lure a small rattle flyer on the bottom of the ice. I set that rod down and reeled in the other line with no minnow. I put on a minnow dropped it down and a fish came charging up. Yes it was a elusive upper red lake crappie. As I was removing the hook there was another big red line down there. I re baited and sent it down and Bam here came another. 2 in a row and another red line on the vex at the bottom. Now I was excited and ran my minnow down and wham again another as that fish was clearing the hole another would fill in the void. I said honey wake up and caught another, and another and another, I was not even counting as it was one after the other as fast as I could get the line down . Then I lost a fish with my blue phelps jig. The vex was still showing fish down there so I grabbed the hammers rod and reel with a blood line demon put on a minnow and ran it down and wham another fish. The next one was my big one and when I landed it I said honey wake up dangling my trophy in front of her. She set up, rubbed her eyes and turned on her vex and said where’s my rod there’s one down there. I handed her rod all baited up and she dropped it down, now I had no rod and reel set up. I started to try and un hook my flyer with my back to her when she said Crappie. I grabbed the fish threw it in the cooler as we wanted to take a couple home for dinner Tuesday night. I re baited her line and thought oh the rattle wheel it has waxies on it . I rolled it up, peeled off the waxies and put on a minnow as I ran the line down the hammer again said crappie. I dropped the line went to land her fish and the rattle wheel just kept ringing as a crappie hit it on the way down. I landed that crappie threw it in the cooler. By then the hammer had re baited and had another fish on. I grabbed her fish re baited the rattle wheel and ran it down while my sweetheart caught another and another. I landed another one on the rattle wheel as she kept catching fish . Then just like that they were gone. She caught atleast 7 in a row and I have no idea how many I caught. All I can say is Wow what a treat, Truly amazing ,all that hard work looking for the mother load for the houses and it happens the last morning old Minnesota and Florida would be on the lake.. It was bitter sweet as we packed up as I had to go do chores at the farm. Marty stayed out on the lake and cleaned up florida for the move home then went and fished in old Minnesota where he landed 5 more elusive upper red lake crappie’s during the day while I was gone. We ended up keeping 11 fish for a fish fry last night for Ole, Marty, the hammer and I. I cooked up 6 fish 12 fillets ,kept my trophy and Marty is taking two home and I have 3 fish in the freezer for another dinner for Kellie and I

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With just 6 more nights for keeping big game fish I may have to see if I can land a couple to save for walleye dinner this April. we have been quite busy battling mother nature. The fleet has been towed this way that way up down over etc. Our grandson Mathew has been helping grampa with any lifting
  shoveling etc. he is learning a few hard knocks along the way. Jinxei Dave broke my lite number 2 shovel, so I told him make sure and bring me a new one.
The fishing has again been up and down with the better walleye bite just under 10 feet. I had the treat of having my brother here for a few nights with our niece Amanda and My sister bonzo as I call her. We had a lot of great laughs, caught a few fish, no elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies this time which I was quite surprised as the house was put into a fishy area. We did go down to jrs for a fantastic fish fry as always. I got a chance to say hi to Adam.
 Jimmy was in california and his parents were in florida. they did not do to well but did manage to take a couple fish home.
 We offered a free outdoor elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie trip to try and rent alaska the last minute Chris and his gal took us up and were not disappointed as Jonny boy and trusty dusty came through finding the mother lode for a few of our guest that were willing too battle mother nature.
 Florida had Brian and Becky they took home 7 keeper walleyes. They said they will be back.
 Dave and his Family Were in was in Montana when I stopped too visit I timed it just right has they had a pile of fish to eat. They were so good with just a little bite to the batter cooked to a golden perfection.
 Andy the owner of texas was also here. They joined Jonny and Dusty in the brutal elements and also were rewarded with a nice bunch of fish to take home. Elvis the owner of Tennessee was here again. He caught quite a few walleyes over but also managed to get 4 yes 4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies out of the house..
Nevada had jake and his two buddies. Jake did go with the crew and also managed to take home a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Remember some is 3 or 4 a couple are 8 to 14 and a few are close to 20.Not sure why but when you ask a fishermen how many they caught they always say a couple like it was 2 or a few like it was 3? Most times if the houses do not do well, they always offer you, their minnows? but if they do well, they either chuck them or take them home? Natalie and the girls spent part of the day in Colorado where I think they took home 4.
Tim and his buddy were in california. Tim tagged into a big big something. He said it was just like it was snagged on the bottom, the same thing has happened to me twice over the years both times my bobber went down when I set the hook it was like a log that would not budge. I imagine a big sturgeon, Pike just no idea.
We had Josh and his daughters in Utah both the girls got to catch their first ever walleye on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
Well, it's been quite some time that I've mentioned our fleet. Rusty trusty has been our work horse since the red baron broke the transfer case. I sure do miss driving that beast. Due to my surgery, I've only driven blue thunder on the lake once. Just as I was ready to start running her, she may have broken a timing chain. The boys are going to check.  Black beauty has only had 1rst second and reverse. Which is fine for a lake truck. The little red trail blazer was or is going to be my ice vehicle this year but the flapper in the gas tank needs to be addressed as she only takes 25 cents of gas at a time.
 Mathew and I have also drug out a couple of my old sleds to try and get running. We did get the 440 running for a second its beengreat bonding with him .I plan on picking up a fuel pump next to see if we can keep her running. I told him once he gets good sledding experience, I will also give him my old ultra The Rocket.
 Old minnesota is still open for the weekend. If we do not get it occupied maybe me, The hammer and Mathew will spend a night or two out there this coming weekend. Its time to check the fluids and make the rounds the boys are out moving a few houses out to the crappie grounds. As every year when most are counting down the days our fleet will still be out well in to march we still have plenty of dates available to go after the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie cookie 218 556 6197

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This year the big game fishing ended on a high note with good fishing, warm weather plenty of limits.
 AT big thank you goes out to all our customers. As in most years a few hic ups but the team handle everything with high standards which was great. I have always tried to be a good host and treat customers like I would like to be treated. There were many many compliments about our guys from our customers which make me feel really good. Jonny boy, Dusty, Dave,and Mathew could not of done any of it without you guys giving it your all.
The back is doing ok I still have not made the motion of a golf swing. Our grandson Matty has been helping me in-between his online schoolwork with any heavier lifting etc.
 We added a newer vehicle to the fleet as blue thunder 2 sits sadly down by the lake. The newer vehicle is called casper the beast. Another chevy 454. Just like every year we have a list of repairs building as we push on chasing the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
 Speaking of these special fish I do not want to be a hypocrite if a customer wants to keep 10 fish that is completely up to them. We are keeping our houses out as long as conditions allow. We did have jimmy here for two nights, he could of went home with 10 if he could have landed them in the house as he said he missed more then he caught he went home happy with 8.
 This past weekend we were full for the final weekend North dakota had Tim and his crew they landed 11 of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies in the house. Plus 3 limits or close to it of some nice healthy walleyes.
 Florida had Tom and his gal they managed 3 elusive yet still catchable red lake crappies plus a few walleyes in the house.
 Jt had montana and tenneessee. They were way happy with the walleyes they caught and also plan on coming back next year.
 Alaska had Tarha and her guy they had landed one nice elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie in the house. They also ventured out looking for the mother lode with no luck. They did take home a pale of fish.
 Colorado had the owner of the house with his friends in Utah. They went crappie chasing both days. All caught at least 1 including bobs daughter? They never landed on a big school but managed to take home a couple.
 Cal had Dave and his buddy. They had no interest chasing crappies but did easily take home there 8 walleyes. Dusty did say they are coming back for a chance to chase the mother lode. Jeff and bethany were in texas  with beths dad and sister in nevada. They did some serious partying. Sleeping late into the morning both days. I have no clue if they managed to catch any fish at all. Old minnesota had Beth and brian I stopped 3 times to visit and managed to miss them all 3 times. I know they went crappie hunting and when they came back to the house, they did get at least 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie's.
 We do have a couple guest tonight and tomorrow.
 The plan is to get all the houses out into areas that we have a chance of a night bite into the morning. I'm also going to offer 25% off the rest of the season. Our plans are to stick it out until the 17th on a grand lake that owes us nothing

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This past weekend we had a few houses with customers plus the owners of Tennessee, Colorado.
Tenneessee was he hot house with Elvis landing 14 of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
  Bob the owner of colorado had some guest up for the weekend, the first night they landed 15 from the house.
Utah did all right landing 10. Texas had ryan his wife they got a got a couple North Dakoata had Ryan kids they also landed a couple.
Mathew fished and stayed out in minnesota where he landed at least one every night. He also visited the kids in north dakota as they were the same age..
 Jason Mellissa and barb stay in alaska where they landed 4 out of the house.
 Kevin Max and Cam went hunting for the mother lode and had a adventure as they went over a crack 8 miles out, they had a heck of a time getting back across with Cam damaging a rim and tire. The area they crossed was a wide crack that froze over and was only 8 inches thick.  If you come up crappie hunting be aware that that crack is to the west of rocky point.
 Everyone that stayed last weekend went out on the hunt during the day using there cheatmaster 3,000$ fish eliminators. They were skittish and elusive when you found them, but they were still catchable. with lots of fish kept plus released.
 The Lamser crew showed up for a day of fishing Steve, Megan, Bob, Theresa, Stephanie, April, Tony, Kristi, John and my helper one year James.
 They all used to rent from me and come up for our crappie hunts back before the cheatmaster. They took home 39 and 2 sheephead. It was good seeing them all. I checked in on them a couple times as they were enjoying such a grand day on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
 
 Jonny boy and Dusty have done a great job figuring out where to catch them. They have seen some patterns but keep that tight lipped for the customers only.
 Ashley and Justin came up for just saturday eve, they only landed one, but she said they did not fish that hard. They also came to take Matty back home. It was bittersweet as me and him really had some fun out there learning how to work on the lake, checking on customers trying to sell hoody's, fishing, he got to check in on customers, he also went out fishing with the guys staying in the cabin all on his own. He called them his customers. He was also home schooling. Which he may have dropped the ball a bit on that. He wheeled and dialed for a sled he got us to trade our red and silver truck for. We also worked on the hammers old sled we did getting it running briefly but never got it running good enough to ride.
 We still have most of the fleet on the lake. we plan on at least sticking it out another week but will keep a eye of the weather. The ice road is in great shape the access is still ok. At this time we have houses in crappie grounds still open for this coming weekend. I'm sticking to the 25% off. We also have some on land lodging. Cookie 218 556 6197