upper red lake Upper Red Lake Fishing Reports by Cookie

[cookie129]

This years opener was a eye opener as mother nature decided to unleash some strong winds out of the north north west with bone chilling temps . Getting on the lake was possible but it had to be miserable if you were out there. Frank and the crew did well in the river and landed enough fish to feed there group two big fish fries for the weekend. They have been coming for years and taking home fish is not a big goal but getting enough for there fish fry and fish boil is what its all about.
Wayne, Jonny boy my son and I did go out sunday as I wanted to send john home with 3 fish. It was not the best weather to fish but we managed to land a 15 fish in the couple hours we fished before we ran out of minnows. Our boat Imagine That needed a new battery this year as the original one finely gave out after 12 years of service. All the family are coming up memorial weekend. Other then that our cabins are wide open this year. I'm a little surprised as I expected we would have quite a few calls this year. jake was up last week Monday and part of Tuesday. We had to battle mother nature a bit but did manage to land 8 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Jake did not keep any and I kept 3 for the hammer and I to have a fresh fish dinner.

[cookie129]

 Was back to the grind yesterday as I started at the golf course is baudett. Oak harbor golf course.  The guys in the grey cabin got there nine fish Tuesday. Yesterday they only managed to catch 6 fish as mother nature roared in and chased them off the lake. They are going to fish a bit this morning before packing up. Bob and crew arrive friday for a the weekend. A lot of people thought it would be a lot busier around here with the Milacs deal but I think its been one of the slower years ? The access have been full on weekends but not overwhelmed? I'm not sure where all the boats come from on weekends for the day? Are they staying at other resorts in blackduck, grand rapids, thief river? They sure are not driving from the cities and driving back home the same day. As far as lodging here in waskish  there not a ton of places to stay. Starting from the north you have beacon harbor, then big bog camp grounds, hillmens has camping. I have our two cabins and very limited camping, bear paw has some lodging and westwinds has the premier resort  here in waskish. I do not think I'm forgetting any.

The hammer and I plan to check out a few crappie spots again this weekend as she loves catching them. I have not caught a pure black one yet but expect if we get any this weekend they will be.

[cookie129]

yesterday while mowing the ball fields here in waskish I came home for lunch and got a call from a good friend Chris. He was in blackduck and wanted to know if I would take it out fishing . I hoed and hummed about 10 seconds and said sure. Pick up some crappie minnows and meet me here at the house around 6 pm and we would go look for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Arriving to the spot there were 3 boats working a half mile stretch. We pulled in started fishing and listening to some jonny cash. The first bobber down was a pesty walleye. Oh well he would be a good eater. A few walleyes later and Chris landed the one and only elusive crappie of the evening. With the water temp at 63 I expected we would do better?  I guess why that's why they are so elusive. We did manage to get 6 very nice walleyes with two coming in just over 18 inches. I made a deal with Chris and he fillet the fish plus I had him cut out all the cheeks. Yum Yum Yum fresh fish for dinner tonight

[cookie129]

Well it was not to bad of a weekend. Bob, Dennis and Greg staying  in the grey cabin arrived to late Friday evening to get out. While they were unpacking I noticed they brought there golf clubs. Greg said they planned on getting a round in, I dropped the ball and should of steered them up to Oak Harbor Golf course where I work. They ended up going to blackduck sunday afternoon when the winds blew them off the lake. I'm thinking they may of walk the course as one of them commented it seemed like it was all up hill. Any way back to fishing .They did come in Saturday late afternoon with there limit for a fish fry. I was hoping for some very calm weather to try for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie but the wind never layed down to my liking. I do have plenty of projects to keep me busy here though. Living in waskish you learn to fix quite a few things yourself. For instance the dryer needs a new hub bearing so that has been taking apart and a couple parts ordered. The bravado  has a antifreeze leak on the intake manifold so I have that half apart with quite a bit more to go before I know what parts I need.  The john deer lawn tractor broke its hydro drive belt I had to remove the deck and lift the thing off the ground to pull a pully to install the new belt plus I had to remove the carb and clean it. I finished making my drag and had to go over to Davids and torch a couple pieces of metal to length. I have some painting to do this summer /fall. I also have a couple trees that need to come down but I do not do chain saws so I'm trying to barter for that. So the last week I have been a small engine mechanic, a car mechanic, a appliance repairman, a carpenter/fabricator.

Any way back to fishing it sounds like the fish are starting to scatter a bit. I may get out later today as its looks like its going to be a gorgeous day here. The grey cabin is open for the weekend at this time and both cabins are open the rest of the summer    

[cookie129]

My guy canceled the small cabin for the weekend.  Said the weather is going to be to hot plus thunderstorms on Friday. Accu weather say sunny and pleasant Saturday with a high of 82. My buddy Wayne will be up and I plan on wetting a line and get in on some of the great fishing going on out there. I also talked to a few golfers at work yesterday in baudett that have been down fishing this week. They live on the edge of lake of the woods and come down here to fish? I counted over 50 boat traliors at the access Tuesday when I was mowing the ball fields. When the weather is nice they sure show up from somewhere.

[cookie129]

wow its been all most 20 days since I last posted a fishing report. I guess I will share one of the reasons my reports are far and few between? When we went to a 4 fish limit on the 14th  it was a windy day so there was not much action at the public landing . However on the 15th it looked like opener. I was up mowing at the park/public landing and there were areas I could not mow as there were trailers parked on the grass. Again please do not be offended but where do they all come from? yes some stop and have breakfast or lunch at westwind, or buy bait in town. But most come for the day and never spend a penny in town. I realize that it is a fishing destination with no other activities golf, water park etc.  I do not think I have ever seen a boat in tow stop at Sandys little antique store at the edge of town.  Its never a bad idea to stop and buy a gift for the sweetie for letting you go fishing.  I also realize that they are spending hard earned money to get here so there helping the economy somewhere. Sandys and north country sell locally grown wild rice. Hillmens ,westwind, north country all sell bait and tackle.

I had Ken and his two daughters here for a week from fathers day until the 24th . They have been coming for quite a few years staying in the grey cabin. Ken likes pulling crankbaits and they caught fish every day they went out. They brought the bicycles and went for a couple bikes rides. I never did see the girls go down to the lake and swim though. They had a couple fish fries and went home with there 12. Pat came up with Nate and Nate for a couple days Monday through Wednesday and stayed in the little green cabin. The wind was a factor in there fishing. I did take them out in my boat "Imagine That" after work on Tuesday. We headed into the wind to the north shore and were able to get out of the four foot rollers and do some trolling with spinners. Nate got to catch his first ever walleye which was nice. We only caught a few fish but did have some action. They headed out to the same area Wednesday and did much better as the wind had finally laid down. Marty and wayne were up on the 10th and 11th We all went fishing. I had to run the big motor with the wind conditions but we did real well trolling spinners. I had the hot hand and out fished both of them. I would guess we caught 50 fish for sure. We used up 3 generous scoops of minnows for the day. I had to stop in westwind harbor to get gas. When I was coming back on the lake I was just about to the last channel marker when a boat came from behind me full speed I never saw him coming ,He did not hit his horn that he was passing and man am I glad I did not turn left as I never saw him coming. Not sure why he was in such a hurry.  Must of heard they were biting good? Who knows? Wild Bill was up also with his wife and daughter. They camped down at the lake for a couple days. They caught fish everyday drifting  with leaches. Both cabins set open last weekend. I did go down to Rodgers Saturday  and picked up a family Paul, Amanda, Br ady and Cody. they were friends of Joe Flak a old customer. They were camping there. He did not have room  in his boat for everyone so I took then fishing. We drifted a area I like and had at least one bite or landed a fish every drift. I'm sure Joe marked that spot as he said it was not on his lakemaster chip? Oh well I better get off to work sounds like The golf course Oak harbor got quite a bit of rain Saturday. Both cabins are still wide open the rest of the summer.

[cookie129]

No takers on the play and stay yet. I have not been fishing as of late but will be putting the boat back in the water this week. My buddy Wayne helped me give her a good cleaning.  I changed the oil in both motors and also installed new plugs.
Looks like this weekends weather should be good for fishing upper red lake. Light winds. Talked to a couple locals and there still catching fish. Were still wide open with the cabins the rest of the summer. I have plenty of projects around here to keep me busy. Going to check the blue berry patch down the road as I would like to can/jar some this year. Also dong some work on the river lot  and dock

[cookie129]

Well she been a little quiet around here as of late. My buddy Wayne made it up for the weekend of the 15th.  We did get out and do a little fishing but after all those days of wind the bite was a little tough for sure. We only managed to land 4 small walleye with the biggest just over 15. I was a little surprised as we hit a couple of my go to spots. I spose there's plenty of food for them to eat out there this time of year so maybe trying some leeches may be the ticket. Sunday Wayne was not feeling to well so we skipped the fishing. We did go  check out a few blueberry patches, I ended up picking about two quarts. Wayne is possessed with those small wild strawberry and was on the hunt for those. We did stumble on to a  juneberry tree that had so much fruit on it, it was bent over all most touching the ground.  Tuesday I got out fishing by my self and with leeches managed to get 4 for dinner but it was tough. Friday Boar and his wife Laura camped down at the lake. Boar and I went out Saturday morning and again managed to keep 4. Jeff did loose 3 fish and I missed a couple bites so the fishing was quite a bit better. Sounds like Boar will be up again this weekend and we plan to wet a line. Were also going too do a little scouting as he may come up and do a little hunting this fall. Lee and Nick came up Sunday and the wind kept them off the lake. They had a very small boat, but they had a plan B and brought the golf clubs so they headed to Blackduck where the played 27 holes. Marty and Shelly showed up late Saturday as they were at a wedding in grand rapids. we all set down at the lake for the sunset and then set in Boar and Laura's Clam screen house when the skeeters came out. Wow is that thing nice and goes up easy peasy. Sunday we all set down at the lake and just chilled. Jeff and I went for a swim  while Kellie and Laura got a little to much sun.  Monday Nick and Lee got out fishing .Again the wind got the best of them and they showed up at Oak harbor golf course where I work to play another 18. I told them we could go fishing in my boat Tuesday morning so they just pulled there boat Monday evening and we went out  early morning where again we managed to catch a few fish. Lee left me two jars of home made maple syrup .Thanks Leo.

This weekend is Hillmens 31rst annul Billy Hillmen  softball tournament, with festivities starting Friday evening. There still looking for more teams. Saturday after softball they play a mean game of 4 man tackle football in the mud pit and its always a big turn out. August 6th Westwind is having a 32 team Kornhole tournament, You can check out there website for details. 

Paul and his two boys are coming up fishing this weekend and Jeff, Wayne and I plan on wetting a line also

[cookie129]

It was such a beautiful morning today. I decided on the spur of the moment to wet a line. I never have my plan until I pass the last marker buoy. I decided to fish for  some pike. I started with a bucktail. With nothing to show for I switched up to a jointed salmo, again nothing then I switched to one of my favorite lures and bam 3 fish in a row with in a few minutes of each other. Fun Fun Fun. One 37, One 38 and a 28. roughly. My tape measure was not in the boat so I had to use my 20 inch walleye board.

[cookie129]

Well another weekend has came and gone and its back to the grind today. Our friends Wayne came up for a little fishing as well as our friend Boar.  Paul, Nik and Nate were in the grey cabin for the weekend. They arrived Friday evening and  the hammer checked them in while I was still at work. They got the boat launched and got out for a bit where they landed 2. Adam called out of the blue friday eve. and wanted to know if he could come up with Justin and pitch a tent down at the lake. They rolled in around 10 30pm. Wayne, Boar and I headed on the lake about 730 am as I wanted to troll for a big pike for a fishing contest I'm in. We made 1  1 mile pass with 3 lures out  and nothing. The wind was blowing pretty good out of the south . Off we headed to one of my go to spots this time of year. We all decided a dollar for the first fish, a dollar for the biggest fish, and a dollar for the most fish. The first drift and it was fish on for Boar. A nice keeper walleye was in the live well. Wayne got snagged and broke his line. the second drift and again Wayne snagged his line again. The third drift and again wayne got snagged while I put a fish in the box. There were lots of yucks as we made drift after drift landing a fish here and there.  We had our 3 over 17 in the live well and a couple under when wayne landed a nice fish well over 17. Because we had our three over wayne threw it back before measuring it. It was to funny as we agreed it was not measured and did not count as the biggest fish. Wayne got on fire and took the lead with most fish at 11. I ended up with 9 and Boar ended up with 7? I had took a pic of my biggest over 17 on the measuring board for the contest I'm in and through it in the box. When we pulled off the lake we had our twelve with boar winning first fish, wayne winning most fish. We decided that the biggest was a tie for wayne and boar at 18 1/4 inches.  Later in the day Boar was looking at our pics and took a closer look at my fish for the contest and it turned out It was 18 3/8th. I won the biggest fish after all. Man did we have some good laughs. Paul ,Nik and Nate ended up with 10 fish and were happy. Justin and Adam/Ginger did not do well and only landed a couple smaller fish. We did a fish fry Saturday eve, and all ate like kings. Sunday boar had to hit the road  so wayne and I headed out and placed the same bet.  Wayne landed the first fish, the biggest fish and the most fish. I on the other hand could not buy a fish and at one point got snagged 4 times in a row and all 4 times broke off my gear.  Wayne ended up with 9 fish and we kept 3 . I did have a fish all most to the boat when it got off and again we had some good yuks about that. As of now the cabins are wide open this up and coming weekend. Ted and his crew come up on the 11th and my sister and nephew are coming up on the 10th for a little r@r

[cookie129]

Well it was great to have family up this past weekend. My Sister Lavon, her friend Cindy, my nephew Larry jr. and my niece Karmon arrived Wednesday evening. We did get out for a bit Thursday but it was a tough bite with only landing 4 fish in a couple hours. My brother and his friend Shannon arrived thursday late afternoon. After dinner us guys went for a ride so I could go over the boat with warren as I had to work Friday and he could take the boat out. They ended up trolling spinners in 7 feet of water and kept 8 fish. Saturday was a bit windy but we trolled for big pike for a bit and landed one smaller pike. Saturday eve we attempted to get out . With the winds out of the west just over 10 mph it was a little rough out there and we gave up after a bit. The guys in the grey cabin only ended up with 7 fish for the weekend. So to sum it up the bite was a little tough. We did manage to have a great fish fry but know one went home sunday with fish.

[cookie129]

Fall is in the air that's for sure. Fall fishing for me here on upper red lake has not been the great fishing you always here about. I guess I have to think about pulling the boat and getting here put away for the year. I have been bow hunting this year  after skipping a couple years here and there. I was treated to a rare occasion as this weekend I had 3 of my best friends here. The greek came up for a couple days. He moved to Alaska a few years back and started a new business. If you ever want to go to Alaska near Homer give me a shout as he is a outstanding host. From here he is headed to Florida where him and his sweet pie spend the next 5 months living on a 30 boat he purchased last year. Bob and the greek were high school friends and I have known them both for 39 years. Bob  will be up for deer hunting next weekend as we prepped our hunting spots this weekend. Wayne comes up just about every other weekend. I have known him since the mid 80s when I  painted cars. He is one of the best fishermen I know. He's not into hunting at all.  I had two good nights hunting out of my new used ground blind that the greek gave me this weekend. There's good sign where I'm hunting so time will tell as I try and stick one with my recurve bow. The reservation books are starting to fill up which is always a relief. Having return customers has always been my goal so looking forward of seeing some of them again this year.

 

[Brian Peterson]

Just wondering if Cookie is still on the site and renting houses this year? Looking forward to heading back up again!

[gunner55]

I've never ice fished URL but if I was going to Cookie is who I'd call. Have been fishing URL out of a boat since the early 60's though. I sent you a PM

Edited December 7, 2016 by gunner55

[cookie129]

On ‎10‎/‎30‎/‎2016 at 10:09 AM, cookie129 said:

 

 

Just like that and we now have ice here on the shores of upper red lake. I've walked out on the lake Friday to look at some ice  that had piled up in front of our place. It in real shallow there and I should be able to plow right through it. With the snow that drifted around it  was not frozen underneath at all. There is also quite a bit of it in front of Hillmen's we will have to smash and move that asap as it will catch snow all year and just keep making a mess. Buddy has the road started and has been dragging it since Thursday. He all ready has it staked out quite a ways. I have not talked to him but I will assume wheelers will be aloud out this week.  Adam was up yesterday with a few buddies and they only went home with 7 fish. I would guess there were 20 portables out there Saturday. Sounded like there were quite a few fishermen out of jrs. I stopped in westwind yesterday to check out the new bait shop. Wow its huge they sure know how to keep upgrading there resort. I guess that's what makes them the premier resort here on the shores of upper red lake. Chris the owner of  Rodgers also keeps upgrading and have put in a restraunt. I'm pretty sure they will be frying your catch and will be looking forward to having them cook up my catch .
Two of our trucks blue thunder and the red baron are ready to go once we can drive on the lake. Of course there are a few bugs to work out. I started blue thunder and moved it a half dozen times this summer. Fired up every time. 5 below Thursday morning hit the key and click nothing. Bad/dirty connection I would assume. We rewired the plow lights yesterday and I cleaned up the battery connections so we will see if that was the problem..........
I'll be putting  fresh propane's on all the houses this week and getting them ready to come out of the woods. We have some guys coming for the cabin Friday, Saturday. I also expect Jake to be coming up with in the next ten days . With the cold weather sticking around were looking real good here on the shores of upper red lake.
I also have tried to create another face book page so check it out. cookies on upper red lake. Maybe this time it will work?

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

4 hours ago, cookie129 said:

Just like that and we now have ice here on the shores of upper red lake. I've walked out on the lake Friday to look at some ice  that had piled up in front of our place. It in real shallow there and I should be able to plow right through it. With the snow that drifted around it  was not frozen underneath at all. There is also quite a bit of it in front of Hillmen's we will have to smash and move that asap as it will catch snow all year and just keep making a mess. Buddy has the road started and has been dragging it since Thursday. He all ready has it staked out quite a ways. I have not talked to him but I will assume wheelers will be aloud out this week.  Adam was up yesterday with a few buddies and they only went home with 7 fish. I would guess there were 20 portables out there Saturday. Sounded like there were quite a few fishermen out of jrs. I stopped in westwind yesterday to check out the new bait shop. Wow its huge they sure know how to keep upgrading there resort. I guess that's what makes them the premier resort here on the shores of upper red lake. Chris the owner of  Rodgers also keeps upgrading and have put in a restraunt. I'm pretty sure they will be frying your catch and will be looking forward to having them cook up my catch .
Two of our trucks blue thunder and the red baron are ready to go once we can drive on the lake. Of course there are a few bugs to work out. I started blue thunder and moved it a half dozen times this summer. Fired up every time. 5 below Thursday morning hit the key and click nothing. Bad/dirty connection I would assume. We rewired the plow lights yesterday and I cleaned up the battery connections so we will see if that was the problem..........
I'll be putting  fresh propane's on all the houses this week and getting them ready to come out of the woods. We have some guys coming for the cabin Friday, Saturday. I also expect Jake to be coming up with in the next ten days . With the cold weather sticking around were looking real good here on the shores of upper red lake.
I also have tried to create another face book page so check it out. cookies on upper red lake. Maybe this time it will work?

Looks to me like the page is working!

[JbuZZo]

Man, reading this makes me happy, happy and happy!!! 

[cookie129]

On ‎10‎/‎30‎/‎2016 at 10:09 AM, cookie129 said:

 I guess its the old adage careful want you wish for. We wanted cold and got -10 this morning. Mother nature reared her ugly side  yesterday. The winds picked up out of the west and  a few times it was white out conditions out there. From the looks of it winds out of the west and nw for the next 5 days at least. With the way the ice is building I expect I will be getting the houses on the lake with in the next 7 days. I guess I better put the golf clubs away. !0 below this morning and blue thunder clicked for just a sec and fired right up. The red baron also fired right up so those are good things for sure. I'll be spending the day putting propane on all the houses, Old Minnesota, North Dakota, Florida, Montana and North Carolina. Still have openings in Jan. and Feb. has plenty of weekend dates open. I think I'm ready for all the hard work and Fun, Fun, Fun, on such a grand lake.  I Know Wayne can not wait to play some poker in old Minnesota while on the lake and The hammer not only fishes well but is a darn good poker player. I'm looking forward to seeing my repeat customers and meeting new ones.
 I also want to run the generators again and fire up number one and two augers.

 

Just like that and we now have ice here on the shores of upper red lake. I've walked out on the lake Friday to look at some ice  that had piled up in front of our place. It in real shallow there and I should be able to plow right through it. With the snow that drifted around it  was not frozen underneath at all. There is also quite a bit of it in front of Hillmen's we will have to smash and move that asap as it will catch snow all year and just keep making a mess. Buddy has the road started and has been dragging it since Thursday. He all ready has it staked out quite a ways. I have not talked to him but I will assume wheelers will be aloud out this week.  Adam was up yesterday with a few buddies and they only went home with 7 fish. I would guess there were 20 portables out there Saturday. Sounded like there were quite a few fishermen out of jrs. I stopped in westwind yesterday to check out the new bait shop. Wow its huge they sure know how to keep upgrading there resort. I guess that's what makes them the premier resort here on the shores of upper red lake. Chris the owner of  Rodgers also keeps upgrading and have put in a restraunt. I'm pretty sure they will be frying your catch and will be looking forward to having them cook up my catch .
Two of our trucks blue thunder and the red baron are ready to go once we can drive on the lake. Of course there are a few bugs to work out. I started blue thunder and moved it a half dozen times this summer. Fired up every time. 5 below Thursday morning hit the key and click nothing. Bad/dirty connection I would assume. We rewired the plow lights yesterday and I cleaned up the battery connections so we will see if that was the problem..........
I'll be putting  fresh propane's on all the houses this week and getting them ready to come out of the woods. We have some guys coming for the cabin Friday, Saturday. I also expect Jake to be coming up with in the next ten days . With the cold weather sticking around were looking real good here on the shores of upper red lake.
I also have tried to create another face book page so check it out. cookies on upper red lake. Maybe this time it will work?

I guess its the old adage careful want you wish for. We wanted cold and got -10 this morning. Mother nature reared her ugly side  yesterday. The winds picked up out of the west and  a few times it was white out conditions out there. From the looks of it winds out of the west and nw for the next 5 days at least. With the way the ice is building I expect I will be getting the houses on the lake with in the next 7 days. I guess I better put the golf clubs away. !0 below this morning and blue thunder clicked for just a sec and fired right up. The red baron also fired right up so those are good things for sure. I'll be spending the day putting propane on all the houses, Old Minnesota, North Dakota, Florida, Montana and North Carolina. Still have openings in Jan. and Feb. has plenty of weekend dates open. I think I'm ready for all the hard work and Fun, Fun, Fun, on such a grand lake.  I Know Wayne can not wait to play some poker in old Minnesota while on the lake and The hammer not only fishes well but is a darn good poker player. I'm looking forward to seeing my repeat customers and meeting new ones.
 I also want to run the generators again and fire up number one and two augers.
 

[cookie129]

so still trying to get this to post the right way? talked to buddy hillmen. He has measured 5 1/2 inches of ice under snow cover and a solid 9 on the clear spots. He is allowing sleds and wheelers out at this time. Lonnies is out there fishing but have not heard if he has landed anything.

[cookie129]

so still trying to get this to post the right way? talked to buddy hillmen. He has measured 5 1/2 inches of ice under snow cover and a solid 9 on the clear spots. He is allowing sleds and wheelers out at this time. Lonnies is out there fishing but have not heard if he has landed anything.

[cookie129]

Never have I been that savvy when it comes to computers. I'm never good with change. For some reason when I go to post here it shows me a box with what I last said where I want to write ? anyone no what I'm missing? I'm not clicking on Qoute

[cookie129]

Still trying to find my groove but had a pretty good day yesterday. I'm haunted with being a perfectionist so I fired up the heat in a florida and old Minnesota so I could give them another once over. Today I will do the same for the other 3 houses  so there warm for tomorrows agenda.  Man did the winds blow yesterday and accu weather is saying gust to 32 today. Zoiks is all I can say and happy the houses are still tuck in the woods at this time. 80 percent if not more of the snow on the lake is now on the shores of upper red lake. I expect there is some massive drifting  around the stacked ice out there. sounds like a few fish are being caught but theres no way I would of wanted to be out there yesterday. Still trying to dial in our Cookie's on upper red lake page so if you have time check it out and feel free to leave a comment so I can see if its working  Thanks everyone and have a great day

[eyeguy 54]

4 hours ago, cookie129 said:

Never have I been that savvy when it comes to computers. I'm never good with change. For some reason when I go to post here it shows me a box with what I last said where I want to write ? anyone no what I'm missing? I'm not clicking on Qoute

 

i have noticed this once in a while also.  just a glitch 

[BringAnExtension]

And just like that.  We are back to the hard water season and daily updates from Cookie.  Greatly appreciate your stories Cookie.

[cookie129]

Thanks I do enjoy  sharing them,

Still working on the new face book page. I guess its a work in progress.
Yesterday after the bug blow for 30 or more house I spent 2 hours helping Buddy Hillmen clean up his landing. A good work out for blue thunder and the red baron. Had a little panic type attack as I was finishing with the v plow/red baron. It felt like I was over revving it and the tranny was slipping? Zoiks. I jumped out but everything looked good other then 5oo pounds of snow was stuck on the plow . I got her on the highway and everything shifted and felt fine so it must of been all that snow.
I then spent the next couple hours doing some work in old Minnesota and running my new generator from last year hooked up to the extra 5 gallon berg system? After 4 hours she stopped running? ERR. It fired right back up and I loosened the cap on the generator. I left it running and when I went down there at 8 pm it again was not running. Err again. Today I'm going to loosen the cap on the berg and again run it all day and night. If it dies again I will try raising the tank above the generator. If that does not work I may take it to acme and throw it through there window? just kidding but frustrating to say the least.
Put a new 32 inch tv in old Minnesota so that's a nice upgrade. With this cold weather coming tonight and tomorrow the plan is to heat all the houses and make sure everything performs before there on the lake for the season. Were counting down the days and if everything goes as planned they will be coming out of the woods and onto the lake starting Monday morning. Then the real fun will begins as I come and go off this grand lake for the next 100 days or so.
I have heard of a few better fishing report from 2 very reliable friends? The first time I drop a line in, I will be in the comfort of old Minnesota if everything goes as planned.
Last night Westwind the premier resort on the shore of upper red lake had there customer appreciation. It was nice wishing a lot of locals merry Christmas and the drinks and appetizers were awesome. I have a couple friends and fishermen coming up to day brave the elements and do a little scouting for me to boot.

 

 

[Jmlsmp]

Hi cookie. Really enjoy reading your post everyday. I have the burg system for my generator and I had to use Teflon tape on all of my fittings to make it work. If there is any air leaks it will not work. Hopefully that will help you and thanks again for your Posts

[Jmlsmp]

I just went and looked at mine. I also took those clips off of the rubber hose connection and replaced them with small hose clamps to make sure that there was no air getting in. 

[cookie129]

perfect I will look at it I thought they had all the quirks worked out of them

 

[cookie129]

Wow where to begin.  Cold, Cold, Cold! Mother nature reared her head and cost me a little Christmas/ start up money as most of my fishermen and friends bailed at the last minute. I can't blame them ther'e no way I would be out there 28 below with out  transportation and a warm cozyhouse. Looking back though  the greek and I suffered the wrath of mother nature a few times over our hunting and fishing  when we were younger. Getting older either your wiser or its just to much work. I did have 3 guys show up. Gus, Joe and Dan stayed down at the lake. Younger guys and very nice. They have a buddie that has a hard house out of jrs and since it was not out they did the portable thing. Friday they did not fair well but Joe said they had a Blast and found some fish saturday eve. when it was 20 below to boot. Dan and his group were going to stay on the river lot so I got that all plowed and then they canceled. I think they were able to get there ice castle towed out on the lake.  Just as I expected the fishing reports were much better, but that should be expected when there's well over 2000 fishermen on the lake. I did hook up with ty tish and did a short video with him. If I was computer savvy I could put a link on here. T TISH Outdoors on facebook. Great guy and I get a kick out of his reports. I gave the generators a good work out and got them dialed in a both ran the houses all  weekend with a load on them in the elements with no issue. I had to go back to what worked last year a blanket tucked around them, exhaust down wind and The burg system thrown in the shed for now. I went out side at 2:30 am when it was 28 below and fired up blue thunder. I left it running until 730am. The red baron must have 2 weak batteries as she did not start. I guess it should be a he since its the red baron. I put the trickle charger on it and di d not try and start it until late in the afternoon yesterday when he fired right up. So I put 2 batteries are on the Bemidji list.
The good news is all our deluxe houses are full for the weekends of januray . Our 2 man North Carolina  is not rented much but will becoming out of the woods today and be the first one on the lake 3 years in a row. Then it will be florida, montana, north Dakota and following up the rear our heaviest house old Minnesota. I'm going to have to pace my self the next few days as my mentor cousin Pete taught me  do not be in a hurry, be patient. My back is also bothering me and I'm looking for a helper for the season. They will be fishing a lot in the evening and morning as they have to float around in the houses through out the winter. They do get weekends off though. If any one knows a young buck that would like that give me a call and we can talk. Some of the duties. Driving the red baron ,auguring, holes, cleaning and  vacuuming houses. moving the houses etc. knowing how to operate a shovel is huge lol. That's about it other then still farting around with the new facebook page. Cookie's on Upper Red Lake I also will be talking to Buddy Hillmen later today. I expect 3/4 tons out by this Wednesday or Thursday but we will see what he has to say. I know he has rentals out and may have some houses still open the weekdays after christmas
 
 

[cookie129]

Busy Busy Busy! It took two days  but all the houses are now on the lake. The few mishaps were to be expected but I guess it is like riding a bike. Dropped the front wheel of the red baron into the ice in 6 inches of water.  The thing about it was I all ready had my route. But I  wanted to see if  it froze where I had cleared some of the snow that had drifted there?  Had to have the hammer come down with Blue thunder and drive while I pulled her /him out. After I got Florida out there and checked one lite bulb had vibrated loose and was shattered on the carpet. North Dakota could of maybe came out a little easier but it was sitting in a small depression. Blue thunder never revved over 3500 rpm so no big deal there, Some times you have to give its a little power.
I had a taker on looking for a helper. He is showed up yesterday morning. I Real nice Kid. His name is Jim but he might end up with a nick name if he stays around to long. I put him on probation and told him we would be in training all day. Things went well and we came off the lake just at sunset.." A Tid Bit" He pounded on the fish the night before.
I did have a cancelation for one of our houses. Jan 6th ,7th for old Minnesota 2 double beds.
Today we have Cody and his buddies fishing in north Dakota for 2 nights and Jess and his crew in florida. A good friend Pat may also show up to do a little fishing and give me a helping hand if need be. Nice to have good friends. I will be pre fishing old Minnesota. Its something I do not do to often but Wayne is coming  and he does not care. I don't like fishing In a house before the customers arrive. Some time it does happen but I go out of my way to not let it happen. Funny
I'll be touching base with Buddy Hillmen and get the scoop on vehicle traffic  this morning. Gotta go  its time to auger 9 holes and do a final prep before the guys arrive. Itching to get out there  on a grand day on a "Grand lake that owes me nothing"