Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

March 4, 2007

After the storm- Well the storm has come and gone. 20 inches of snow here at Lake Iwanttobethere with some serious drifts over 14 feet. Frank the plow driver did a very good job and if is grader had not broken down he would be still at it. Of course he broke down just outside of my drive. After several hours the county sent out another grader and a front end loader to help him out. They got him unstuck and he limped back to his garage with an escort. Of course they forgot to finish what he was doing and I am 10' short of having my driveway open. Lucky for me I had the Jeep out on the road so I have transportation. The Dodge will have to wait another day it looks like. Broke two shovels so I can't clean my wood deck. That will have to wait till I can find a replacement. Earls is out of shovels so I might have to go into the big city.

Tractor is torn apart in the shed, have to replace the starter gear but can't do that till I get the flywheel off and can't do that till I get my impact back from Mel who borrowed it last week, ain't that how it always works. Bud and Barney have been having a blast running through the deep snow. You think they were puppies again. Bud did have a problem with a few of the really big drifts as he is so short legged and has such a round gut on him that he would run up a drift till he could not get any purchase with his feet and his belly would keep him from sinking in the snow so he was swimming. Had to go and dig him out twice as he was stuck. Long legged Barney just hops through the deep snow with out a problem.

My secret is out, the guys staying overnight at the Lodge got bored after awhile playing cards and went on the Loge computer to check on the weather and found my link to Fishing MN They started to read about Lake Iwanttobethere and I thought I was going to hear about it but I have been fielding questions about when I am going to mention there names and of course they have ideas for stories that I should tell. So I guess I will be describing some of the characters here at the lake in a little more detail. They are still reading since the story has gotten kind of long. Hammering Hank kind of always knew and he has given me a few ideas to pass along. Elmer of course has always known and has added his pearls of wisdom. Elmer of course is to old to give a hoot as he says. So anything that I write about him is ok because it is all true and he is long since stop caring what someone else thinks about him. Guess that comes with being comfortable with yourself. As Elmer says he was wearing cowboy hats before it was cool because they work better at keeping your ears from getting sunburned.

Well the snow has pretty much put an end to fishing for awhile. To much snow on the ice and getting slushy. Sunny out today and that is making some of the snow melt and making it even worse. Everyone did get their houses off the ice with out to much problems. Dumpster was full and we thank everyone for taking their garbage off the ice. Going to be quiet around here soon but not till everyone has there fill of riding their sleds. I think there is more gas being pumped at the Gas and Go into sleds and four wheelers then cars. Good for business as we had a slow season for riding. Will be a few weeks before the snow melts and that will sure help the lake level and put some water into the creeks. Will be thinking about smelting here in the not to distant future. Then river trout and open water and before you know it we will be out BBQing and pontoons will be hitting the water. Docks rolling down the hills and.. Well wait here I am getting ahead of myself. We still have a few months to go before that. We should just enjoy all of this new snow and try to remember where we left stuff in the yard before it was covered. I know I have a socket set by the shed somewhere.. From Lake Iwanttobethere, enjoy the snow**** (9768)

March 6, 2007

Hard at work on the honey do list here. Taking a break to jot down a few things and mark off some of the things on the list. Got furnace filters changed and finished up with shoveling. Now have a path to all of the out buildings and of course as soon as I leaned the shovel against the shed it started to snow. Nothing I can do about that I guess. Tractor is still in pieces inside the shed. Got the nut off now can't get the flywheel off till I get my gear puller back from who ever I borrowed that to. Frank was by this morning with his repaired grader and my driveway is now open. When I get the tractor fixed I can go and open the driveway up wider and with the weather rebounding back in to the 40's this weekend it will melt quickly. Trying to get things done as I have a doctors appointment coming up to look at my knee. Pushing that snow blower through the drifts might not have been the smartest thing to do as it has swelled up on me again. I spent some time at the Lodge last night and most of it was sitting on a stool. Mentioned the knee and I spent the night hearing stories of everyone's aliments. Some thing's I really did not want to hear about and some I learned way more then I wanted to.

Hammering Hank was in and sat on the stool next to me for awhile. He was hiding out from the widow Hess. They had gotten in to a little spat over something that he does not remember and he figured if he stayed away long enough she would forget also. Boy does he have a lot to learn. Sometime this summer they have been talking about setting a date to get hitched. It will have been a few years since her husband passed on and she moved into town. Not much is known about her but Hank of course knows more then the rest of us. We have tried to get him to talk about her but he just mumbles that she is a fine woman and makes him feel good. Does not complain about his fishing and staying up late at night. What more could a guy ask for? The wife is always bugging me to ask him this and ask him that. I don't really care. When we spend our winter trip cutting wood she has a hundred questions that she asks me when I return. I tell her to write them all down and I will just pass them on to Hank. O gosh no, she just could not do that! Of course she asks me what we do in the woods for three days, don't we talk? How can you talk over the sound of a chain saw. Or the yelling at mules dragging trees and you by the snagged pants leg down a snow covered gulch. At the end of the day, steam rising off drying clothes around the campfire. Looking in to the bubbling can of stew smashed open by an ax because you can't find the can opener. Your love life is the last thing you want to discuss. Women..

So I said to Hank " Gettin any?" He just rolled his eyes at me and said " Not you now" Just kidding I replied. With that we took a pull on our beers and did what guys do. We sat and shared silence. Silence is good. Alone with our thoughts we thought of nothing that I can remember. We were comfortable, not wet, not to hot and not to cold. We can hear the grumbling of our friends in the Lodge, an occasional laff. A few good natured curse words. No phone ringing, no TV no kids yelling. No wife's asking us what we forgot to do that day. They all have their places. I think of kids and my eyes twinkle, already thinking of summer fishing but right now it is nice just to sit and have a quiet moment. I feel a bump and Bud has come over and is sitting next to me. Leaning up against my leg I look down and scratch him behind his ear. He looks up and me and I swear he is says to me that "This is nice" I pat his head and he gets up to walk over to Hank. Sitting down he rests his head on Hanks leg and Hank reaches down to scratch and pat his head. Just a instinct I guess. Guys always just scratch and pat dogs. After a moment Bud moves down to Elmer and the silence is repeated again. A log falls in the fireplace and sparks rush up the chimney. You take in a deep breath of maple smoke and another sip of beer. I guess I should get back to the do list.. From Lake Iwanttobethere

(9829)

March 9, 2007

51 yup 51 degrees above zero here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Just came in from cleaning the snow out of the back of the Dodge wearing nothing but a tee shirt and pants. Sure does feel good, I know we will still have some cooler weather on tap but it still is nice. Shook the snow of the tarp covering the Puddle Humper and shoveled slush away from the greenhouse and shed doors so when it does freeze I will be able to get in. Got the tractor all fixed but there is to much slush and water in front of the shed to take it out.

Ran into town and did some errands. Was in the Masterbaiters for awhile and watched the water dripping off the roof and listen to the sound of the bubbles in the minnow tanks. Nice sound listening to running water. A few people out on the lake fishing but the heavy wet snow makes going tuff. Most all the shops in town have their TV's and radios tuned into the high school hockey games as we have a few local teams involved. More then a few doors are propped open taking in some fresh air. Earl standing near the front of his general store holding on to his broom and greeting customers as they come in has not moved from the spot since noon when the first game came on the little 12 inch color TV Earl used to play hockey 40 years and a 100 pounds ago. He is an avid fan and supporter. You need to be careful walking by him as sometimes he gets involved watching the game and that broom becomes a stick. A sack of grain used to keep the door propped open has a few small tears in it and grain is running onto the floor. Earl has made a few slashing slaps at the bag after a few calls did not go his way.

Reed the Realtor's door is also propped open and he is sitting behind his desk doing Walt's taxes, But with the game on they are only working on taxes during commercials. Like most small towns things move at a different pace here. Lodge has a few windows open and with no screens on the curtains are blowing out onto the wrap around deck. Elmer was on the old basket weave couch watching the game and drinking coffee. He has his knee high rubber boots on and his rabbit fur bomber hat. I get a wave and a grunt and he goes back to the game. I log in the Lodge's computer and check on my E-bay account. Have been watching a few fishing reels and if I do it from home the wife will see it on my history..

Dug had the garage doors open and was filling the outside outboard testing tank with water. Had an old Clinton that he was working on and wanted to tank test it. Had a row of snow blowers that needed work but on a day like today he just wanted to see and hear an outboard bubbling in the test tank. I hung around till the tank was filled and the Clinton roared to life. Water sloshed out of the tank to splash on the still snow covered ground. A blue haze of exhaust hung around the tank and Dug. Yup beginning to smell like Spring. After a few minutes of watching and listening to the Clinton chug away in the tank I was reminded as to why I came into town. Back to Earl at the general store I went. Earl still standing by the front door waves at me as I walk in, brushing me to the side he mumbles something about blocking his view. I ask him if the plastic shovels have arrived yet. "back order" he says. And continues to watch the game. Back out the door I go this time ducking below his line of sight. I walk over to the Dodge and head of in the direction of home. I turn the radio on and start getting into the game. I pull over along side the lake and dig out a cigar. With the window down and the radio on I settle in to listen to the game and look out over the still frozen and snow covered waters of Lake Iwanttobethere. The honey do list can wait. From the shores of Lake Iwanttobethere (9897)

March 11, 2007

It was brought to my attention on Saturday night at the Lodge that we are in somewhat of a lull or a quiet time here at the Lodge. I was asked if we were going to bring back our in house fishing nights. In the past we would pick one night a week where either by signing up or by the luck of the draw a member or if we could find someone. Would give a lecture in something relating to fishing. Now this in the past has serve to make the transition from hard water fishing to open water fishing smoother. It also has serves as a reason to get out of the house and to sample a variety of draft beers as the Lodge also at this time of the year is experimenting with the best prices in kegs. As we know you can't try a new keg with out draining the open keg. Somehow I was nominated to chair this years event and before I could get out of the men's washroom it had been voted on and past. The trouble is coming up with something that will keep the groups interest long enough to, well just long enough to keep their interest. In the past we have had such interesting topics as Fishing with goldfish, proper hooking of four day old catfish bait kept in sealed glass jars on the sun porch. That one really cleared the Lodge. The one pound piranha in the kiddy pool went over good till Hammering Hank tripped and fell in. That became more of a instructional first aid course. It did however give some of us credits towards our first aid requirements.

If anyone has ideas that I can claim as my own please get back to me on this. We were talking about bring in one of the rental canoes through the deck door and having a group sanding and refinishing party on it. The last time we did that we had some really cheap keg beer and we ended up turning the canoe over and using it as a dipping bar for nacho's and cheese. The canoe was taken back out of the lodge the next day and it took several weeks for the gulls to clean it out. Was not all that bad after we got the gray squirrel out of the bow that was sleeping away the winter till Elmer woke him up. Never seen an old guy scream like that before. Squirrel had him by the upper arm and they were both screaming at each other. Elmer was swigging his arm around trying to fling the squirrel off and in his hand he had a bowl of melted cheese which was being flung around the room. Everyone was laughing and snorting beer out of their noses. Then the squirrel let loose and started jumping from head to head around the canoe table. After it was all done and Bud had chased the squirrel out the front door everyone was pointing fingers at everyone else. No one really mentions the girlie screaming or the broken chairs. Reminds me of the night the bat was loose but that is another story.

So we just sat around the fire, every once and awhile someone would bring up something and the did that already line would be spoken. Tuff for a bunch of old guys to find something that one of us had not already tried. But it was nice just to sit around the fire with the door open. Of course after the canoe was mention guys kind of put their hats back on. Best part of the night was when the hoot owl landed outside on the deck and Elmer was having a conversation with it. Elmer was telling a story and the owl kept hooting away, No one was paying attention. We had all heard the story before and we couldn't figure out who gave a hoot. Elmer got to the punch line and all he got was another hoot. That when he looked up and saw the owl looking at him. Elmer got up and closed the door and headed to the bar muttering about not getting any respect. Well time to go and move clocks ahead so we don't forget, This keg is only half empty. From the Lodge at Lake Iwanttobethere, throw another log on the fire and join us. (9937)

March 12, 2007

The Jon Boat- After being introduced to bass fishing by my buddy Chuck I thought it was a good idea that I should have a boat of my own. Fishing with Chuck and his connections were proving to be interesting at the very least. On one of his plan fishing trips we had to walk through the woods to a secret lake that he knew about. There we found an old wooden rowboat and some moss covered oars. After loading up our equipment we pushed off into the small lake. It did not take us long to reach the middle on our way to the far shoreline because everyone knows the fish are always on the other side of the lake. The wood row boat had a raised flat floor made of slats in it. This was the main reason we did not notice till we were half way across that the boat was filling with water. This did bring about some concern on my part since most of our equipment was mine! A rusty coffee can floated back from the bow and now we knew what that was for. Chuck rowed and I bailed and we made it back to the launching area and retrieved our gear just as with a large gurgle the rowboat sank from sight.

Another trip found us on another secret lake that had a men's club on it. I was assured that Chuck's grandpa was a member in good standing and we could borrow one of the sturdy aluminum boats that were beached on it's private shoreline. Just after sunrise we arrived by walking up the shore. We selected a nice 12 footer and loaded our gear aboard. We quietly rowed out into the lake and of course headed to the other side as everyone knows that is where all the fish are. A fog covered the lake and after what seemed like an hour we found the shoreline and started fishing. Back then we were state of the art bass fishermen using bobber's and night crawlers. As the morning went on the fog burned off and we had a few fish on a stringer hanging from the transom. We were kicked back enjoying the day when the sheriff started yelling at us from a nearby dock. We rowed over and found out that gramps had not been a member for 20 years and that the manager wanted his boat back and rental money for it's use. We spent the rest of the day cleaning the beach under the managers watchful eye. We weren't going anywhere anyway, he had our poles.

So with this and a few other incidents I decide that I would get a part time job and buy a boat. I went to work at a car wash and earned 365.00 before I quit. The Jon boat and oars cost me 362.00 the anchor and drain plug would come later. Chuck did his part and bought a old Chevy pickup. With some help from Gramps we built a metal rack that we could secure the Jon boat over the bed and roof of the truck. We were now ready to fish. We had a boat and we had wheels now all we needed was a secret lake of our own. And an anchor and found out from the warden we needed life preservers and a license for the boat and well you get the idea. Boats cost you money. Since it was the very first boat I ever owned I took it hard when we got the first scratch in it, the first dent was a major hurt but after that as long as it floated it was OK.

We found out that a local river was filled with smallies and walleyes and big fat northerners and we could even catch largemouth bass in some of the slack waters. No one ever fished it. Might be because of the rapids, Our first trip took us 10 hours. We got so many fish that we lost count, we were hooked. My new boat took so much abuse when we got done at the end of the summer it looked like it was 20 years old. The new old Jon boat and us had the swagger that only a season of fishing on the river could have provided. I was at Gander today and saw the Jon boats all clean and pretty stacked outside in the snow and it brought back memories of my old Jon boat. From Lake Iwanttobethere. (9978)

March 12, 2007

I had my head under the bar looking through the coolers for a beer can with a fish on it. All the cans had nothing but hunting scenes. Birds flying and pictures of deer and moose and a lot of bear for some reason or another. Can't be seen sitting in a fishing lodge drinking beer from a bear can. Got to be a can with a fish on it. A bass would be the best but if I had to I could hold on to one with a walleye.

Well Elmer was on the Lodge computer and he says out loud. "10,000 visits. Is that a lot?" " Well it depends on what you are looking at, Pamela Anderson?" I replied.

"No this here page of yours has over 10,000 visits to it " Elmer says as he turns the screen towards me.

" Well well, you are right"....

"What did you write about that 10,000 people would read about?" Elmer said as he shook his head.

As I look at the screen I shake my head to,

" It's not all me, there are others who have written also. And it is not 10,000 people, probably more like 30 who just have nothing better to do then read about our little town on the lake and the problems we all seem to get into. You know the lake reminds people about their lake. As a matter of fact several of them live here on Lake Iwanttobethere. I'll bet a lot of them have drove past here and even some of them have sat on our stools. Heck you might have shook their hands or said something about them behind their backs. Elmer said something about tourists and continued to read from the screen, I could tell cuz I could still see his lips moving.

Elmer remember last season when you would set up the umbrella and lounge chair down by the launch. You would come up here and get cold beer for the cooler and talk about who was launching. You gave us regular reports on them tourists as you called them. I can remember stories about the couple that put their boat in the water then took the truck battery out to start the outboard then had to take the battery back out to move the truck so they could park it. Then had to take the battery back out of the truck to put back in the boat so they could go fishing. How about the guy who backed his boat in the lake, beached it then went and parked his trailer only to come back to the beach and see his boat backing away from shore as he had left it in reverse. You both sat there drinking beer and waiting for the boat to finish backing around in a big shallow circle. How about the four guys who loaded their boat on the trailer then forgot to secure the bow. In a big smoke show they tore up the launch only to leave the boat high and dry 30 feet from the water when it came off the trailer. Or the family from the city that unloaded their car at the launch and started the bbq on the dock and had their blanket spread across the access.

Elmer looks at me over his glasses and says " So is that all in here? Did you write about that here?"

"Well No " I say. " Why not?" Elmer replies.

"Well I was writing about other things."

"You mean there are things in here better then that? What are 10,000 people reading here that is better then my boat launching stuff, that's good stuff !"

Elmer gets off his chair and reaching under the bar, opening a cooler he pulls out a beer and pops the top. He takes a pull off the beer and sets the can down on the bar. A picture of a bass on the can looks back at me. " Kids " I should be writing this thing, let people really find out what is happening here, we have some hot bingo nights here and Ma and Pa's grocery has some really good, smooth cottage cheese. The stories I could tell about the lake and it's fishing. History I tell ya , there is a lot of history out on that water. Elmer shakes his head picks up his beer and walks over to the big picture window. I quickly go over to the cooler he was just in and open the door only to find a bunch of bears looking back at me..

Well to the 10,000 readers or to the 30 thanks for reading about Lake Iwanttobethere We Elmer and me, will try and keep it enlightening and exciting, well maybe we will try and at least make it a little interesting. From the main room of the Lodge at Lake Iwanttobethere (10,000)

March 14, 2007

Sitting at the Lodge's bar I am going over some paperwork that my doc had given me to read after my visit. Figure I could read this stuff here at the Lodge just as easy as reading them at home and I could taste what was new on tap. So I am sitting there and out of the corner of my eye I see Elmer and Walt kind of jogging/trotting across the now disappearing snow in the rear of the Lodge. A few minutes later I see them again this time heading the other way. I continue to read not thinking to much of it. A few minutes later Vin the area's one and only taxidermist comes up the Lodge stairs. He comes over and asks what I am doing there. I tell him about the insurance reading and he just nods and starts looking over the mounts on the wall. Every spring Vin comes and cleans the mounts for us and repaints and touches up the ones that need it. I don't think much of it till I see him watching me in the bar mirror. Then as I put my head down I see him slip out the back door.

Elmer shows up wearing his hunting vest and goes behind the bar He comes out with a couple of cans of pop and gives me a hello. Before I can say anything he is back out the door. Now I am starting to get just a tad suspicious here. The final little thing was that Buddy comes in the front door and walks right past me to go out the back door. Well now I have to get up and see what these guys are up to. My own dog just walked by ignoring me, and there is only one thing that would make Bud do that. I open the back door and slide out quiet like. Gliding around the Lodge with my back up against cedar logs I work my way around to the side of the Lodge. I can hear muffled laughing and Bud's soft yelping. Now I know what is up.. Hidden under the big pine tree and behind a make shift snow wall Elmer, Vin and Walt like little kids are hiding with their daisy air rifles. As I look up I can see a flock of pigeons just coming back around in a big lazy circle. As they get close to the Lodge the group stands and let loose a volley of pellets from their riffles. Buddy shaking away and yelping is waiting for one or more of the birds to fall. They continue on their circle away from the Lodge, no damage done.

I step out away from the Lodge and they see me. They jump up and start to scatter.

"HEY" I yell,. they all stop and look back at me. "Just what are you doing"

They look at me and scramble back into the brush, laughing away like a bunch of teenagers. I yell after them " I know your parents" I think about giving chase and then I stop. Who made me the adult? I walk over to the make shift blind. Bud comes back down out of the brush and stands next to me. I reach down and see that Elmer left his Daisy pump leaning up against the pine. Picking it up I slide the pump a few times and memories come back. I hear Bud wine and I see the pigeons just coming back around from the access. I ease down behind the snow wall and Bud and I wait for them to circle back. From the blind at Lake Iwanttobethere (10066)

March 14, 2007

Great stuff Mr. Bass! I always enjoy reading about "the lake" Thanks for the excellent reading! Please keep on keeping on dude!

March 14, 2007

Long before paint ball and designer camouflage clothes there was the sling shot. An advancement over the sling it was a weapon of choice for all 12 year old boys and a few girls to. After getting dressed in the morning that was the first thing that was put in your back pocket. Next was any ammo that had not been used the day before. This was not any store bought stuff but hand picked from the gravel road. After breakfast and any chores that needed to be done or put off till later you and your weapon of choice set off on the never ending search for the perfect ammo. Might be why young boys walk with their heads always down. We were always searching for that right ammo on the ground. After finding the right ammo which in my case was a walk of over a mile to the railroad tracks. There one day I discovered that the night train was hauling something my dad called taconite pellets. These round pellets were perfect ammo and soon I was trading them to my friends for other needed items. Fishing hooks and bobbers were high on the trading block. I had the secret for most of the summer till my friend Chuck discovered the tracks on a search for a missing cow. After that everyone had the pellets, they were just laying there by the thousands.

Since I was to young yet to use the old 16 gage shotgun all my early hunting was done with the slingshot and then for my 13th birthday I got the Daisy... A daisy single shot lever action bb gun. There was nothing better. The slingshot was retired to hang from the closet door handle and my newest companion was me and miss Daisy. Bottles were no longer shot at with the slingshot but collected and turned into ammo for Miss Daisy Chuck got his three weeks after I got mine and together we were now providers of game. Of course a lot of practice was needed as they did not shoot that straight or maybe it was us. But after awhile we got pretty good with them. Together we could hunt rabbits and squirrels, that is if we got really close. It did not take long till everyone in our group had daisy's and after awhile it was no big deal anymore. Now having a .22 that was the next step up in hunting and after awhile I finally got the 16 gage for bird hunting.

A few guys were in the lodge having a beer and they were wearing these fancy clothes and had dried paint spots all over them. They had been out with some friends having a paint ball war game and were talking about how bad they were. They drove through town and decide to stop for a beer and check out the lake. Chuck and I sat at the bar and could not help overhearing there conversation. Chuck sipping on his beer said " Remember the Daisy's" I nod..

Chuck says looking over his glass "I wonder how them city boys would play if they got shot in the hinney with a 10 pump bb from Miss Daisy"

Smiling over the top of my glass I chuckle at the memories of Miss Daisy and how we played war games deep in the woods of Lake Iwanttobethere. No claim of "I got you" and "No you didn't, you missed" when you got shot in the leg by Miss Daisy you knew it.

Hunting bottles and pop cans got old after a while and we started to see who was the better woodsmen. Shooting each other got old real quick to. So we started to have teams and would get together in the woods behind the Lodge. We learn stealth before we even heard the word. Found out that baggy clothes were better then tight Levi's and if you could get your hands on a motorcycle helmet or gramps world war one helmet you were one up on everyone else. Sitting or crawling through the brush became the thing to do. Walking down the center of the trail was an invite to getting a bb in the back. No one ever got hurt, well not really bad. No one got their eye shot out. As a matter of fact all those things that my mother use to say never happen to anyone that I knew. No one ever got their eye shot out or fell and broke their arm or caught pneumonia. No one ever got cramps and drown after eating and going swimming. Of course I never tell my own kids about Miss Daisy never tell them about playing cowboys with real bows either. Sipping on our beer we both just look at each other and nod. " Kids" From the safe stool at the end of the bar at the Lodge, (1087)

March 16, 2007

I don't know about you but I am having a hard time with this new daylight saving time. What is a guy suppose to do with all of this extra light? Now I have dinner and there is still light for another hour. It is bad enough that we are gaining a few extra minutes everyday but getting that hour all at one time. Yesterday here at the lake the temperature hit 61 running water everywhere. Snow drifts from last weeks storm, well you can watch them melt before your very eyes. Of course with the melting snow comes the bare ground and the mud. The part of the year I hate the most. Having to wipe paws off every time Bud or Barney go outside. Pepper's only goal in life seems to be walking through every puddle of water she can find and then finding the mud to just stand in. I did find my socket set out by the shed. The snow melted away leaving it right where I thought I had. Was almost tempted to take the cover off the Puddle Humper but there is snow in the forecast so cool weather will make a return.

Been spending time looking through catalogs, fishing stuff of course and then gardening ones also. I should start some plants here this week but I have not figured out where I can put them that the cats will not treat them as their salad. If they don't eat the seedlings then they treat them as their bed laying and rolling on them. To early to put anything in the greenhouse, that and the fact that it is still buried in a snow bank. Well in between doctors visits for my knee. Doc Burriem send me off to the city and I saw that doc only now to be sent to another. All I care about is being ready for fishing in a few short months. Chuck was over looking for a dent puller. Seems last night on the way home from the Lodge he hit a doe. Took out his headlight and put a big dent in the passenger door. Doe got up and ran back into the woods. That time of the year when we have to start watching for deer again. Kind of a daily thing out here at the lake. We live with the deer we just kind of forget that they are here. Actually I think the deer in the city might be a bigger nuisance then what we have out here. All them city gardens must be just like drive through for them.

Mindy and Mandy were here this morning. Borrowed my big trailer to go into the city with. Time to start getting the root beer on line so the first batch will be ready for smelting. With all of this runoff we should have a decent amount of water in the stream. Hopefully the smelt with be there in numbers. Might be a little muddy down at the access but it won't be long till we smell them little donuts cooking and have the smelt fry tent up. Saint Patty's is on a Saturday this year so the town hall meeting will be on Friday. I know that we will be going over some pressing issues here. Some permits will be discussed for events planned for this summer and a budget will be proposed for the town. A lot of stuff that I don't get into as I have more then enough going on with the Lodge. Elmer has taken and interesting in the writing here and has been offering me ideas for some stories that he would like written about. I just might let him write them himself. Trouble with his stories is they take so long to tell. He has to get himself sitting just right, a cold beer with a few sips taken. A cigar burning just right and a good enough pull going that you can blow a ring at any given time. And of course the moment has to be just right so that he can be reminded of a story fit for the occasion. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy Elmer's stories. He has taught me how to tell my own. It just might take awhile to get them on paper. If I have to have work done on my knee I might just let him write a few cuz I will be working the injury for all I can get from the wife and grand kids.

Lodge will be having a get together for St.Patricks day. No green beer will be poured after the event from several years ago where we had a miscommunication about kegs. In what we thought was green beer for saint patty's was actually some really old beer. That is why we have the current rule of all kegs must be drained before another is open. We will be spending the day getting ready and trying to find a better coney sauce for our hot dogs. We were to do that but kind of forgot about it. Also have a cleaning guy coming for a bid today to. Well have a good day from Lake Iwanttobethere. (10148)

March 17, 2007

Well town hall meeting went as planned, a few permits OK'd a few questions asked and few more answered a few ignored. Everyone agreed that the late snow was a blessing and help put a few dollars in the towns business. Frank reported he was right on the money with his budget. Even though his grader did break down during the storm he had money in his budget set aside from sand he did not have to buy because he has a good pile from last year still.

Earl sent his cousin over to give us a bid on spring cleaning at the Lodge. Hammering Hank is somewhat busy and we thought we would look elsewhere. Earl's cousin Louie arrived while we were busy testing out new coney recipes for our St. Patrick's day dinner. Louie is a knock off of Earl. Louie stands about six foot four and must go an easy 300 pounds. He came in wearing bibs and an flannel shirt carrying a clipboard. He introduced himself and said he would just make a quick look around the place and then talk business with us. He pulled a swifter duster from his back pocket and started going around checking the ledges. Well we had a hard time not letting him hear us laughing. Soon as Elmer started talking about how the dainty Louie was dancing with his duster we kind of lost it. Louie came over with his clipboard and was jotting down numbers. Looking over his board he asked what we were doing.

We had several of them little hot dogs cut up and we were testing them in different coney sauces that we had all brought in. We were trying to get the same taste and texture as that place down in Da-luth has. But we were having a hard time. Willie thought we should get some sauce from town and then send it off to one of them CSI labs. If they can find out where dirt came from they should be able to handle sauce. Louie asked if he could take a taste. He went down the dipping sauce and soon he had gone through all of our sauce and our of our hot dogs. " I like number three " he said. " But it don't taste anything like them coney's down in Da-luth" We looked at the empty platter and Willie headed back to the kitchen.

Elmer and I went with Louie to a empty table and started talking numbers about cleaning the Lodge. We asked Louie how many people he had and he told us it was just him but he had a special truck and he could do the job in a day. Going outside he showed us his truck out in the parking lot. Elmer said "That looks like a septic pump truck" " Well it is" said Louie. "I just clean her out good in the Spring and then I lite a fire under her and I make her into a steam cleaning machine" Elmer looked and me and we both rolled our eyes at the same time. " No problem with odor" I asked. Louie looked at his clip board and said " Well I can give you a deal on some Lilac scent if you like, I can add that in to the tank" Elmer and I nodded at each other and Elmer said ' Well Louie how bout you just mail us that bid and will get back at ya." Louie nodded back and he handed Elmer a business card. " If you need any septic work the number is on the other side" Louie walked back towards his truck and Elmer and I went back into the Lodge. Lets get Hank in here and what ever he wants will pay, agreed. I nodded my head " agreed"

Off to Ma and Pa's for more hot dogs and to Amy's for buns. Sun is shinning and snow is melting. If you are out and about you should come by the Lodge and enjoy yourself. If you bring your better half you can pass it off as a date. We will be having beer of course and Coney's. The TV will be on with some basketball and some new sawdust on the floor for whoever wants to do some dancing. We even found a box with some either very old or green decorations. Just stay away from the lower side of the parking lot, it is a tad soft there. From the Lodge at Lake Iwanttobethere (10175)

March 18, 2007

bobby! you gonna share the winning recipe for them

coneys?

randy

March 18, 2007

Enjoying some quiet time here at the Lodge. Last nights Saint Patty's day was a success. But it seems anytime we have a gathering where you don't have to clean up after yourself and there is no admission is a success. Having new sawdust on the dance floor helps in cleaning things up later. Just a good going over with the push broom at it looks good. Another sunny day and the water has pretty much stopped dripping from the eves. No snow left on the roof and it is drying nicely in the morning sun. Other then the large ruts in the parking lot where the guys with the four wheel trucks found the soft spot the Lodge looks pretty good for the middle of March.

Snow has melted away from around the trap house out back and there was some talk last night of a few of the guys wanting to get in a few rounds today. I'll have to see if we have any targets left over. Other wise that will be something else I'll have to order on Monday. Give me an excuse to go down and see Vicki at the Masterbaiters shop. Can never pass up a chance to go and spend time listening to the sound of minnow tanks bubbling away. I know they say any time fishing is not wasted time I will say the same for time spent in a bait shop. Can there be a better job? Well getting up at 5 am might not be so much fun, especially if you are dipping minnows instead of pushing your boat off from shore to head out into the early morning fog. Maybe a fishing guide would be a better job. Fishing everyday at the crack of dawn, meeting new people, catching fish or watching other people catching fish, baiting hooks, cleaning crushed potato chips from the carpet, cleaning fish, getting bait, washing the truck talking on the phone making schedules. Well maybe not a guide. Perhaps owning your own resort, having a fleet of boats at your disposal, a dock boy to handle all the chores a cook for all the meals and a maid for all the cleaning. A desk person for all the scheduling, guides to handle the clients. Yup that is the life, Hmm that sounds like a job though. Someone would have to be the boss, and someone would have to answer the questions and OK things for the dock boy, and the guides and the maids and the cook and the desk person. Is there no end? What is the perfect job? This Lodge job is sounding pretty good, all I need to do Monday is order some clay targets.

I was getting myself all worked up there for a moment. I am so happy I have my silent Sundays. I can sit here on the computer and no one pays me no mind. The guys all know I don't talk on Sundays and leave me alone. Gives them an excuse not to say anything either. I think guys enjoy the quite time, It is a proven fact that women talk more then men. I like to see a few ladies I know have a quiet day, I'll wager they could not do it. They say they could but they would be sitting side by side at one of them cyber cafes e-mailing each other. Or texting each other. What ever happen to calling someone on the phone and just talking. Now today they send these text messages. My kids do it all the time. I have a rule no cells on the boat, we are there to fish not text each other. Maybe I should have a no talking, no texting, no computer Sunday. But I think I will have to wait till fishing starts before I try that. Other wise what would I be doing if I am not doing this? From a quiet place here at Lake Iwanttobethere.. (10218)

March 18, 2007

Quote:

bobby! you gonna share the winning recipe for them

coneys?

randy

Randy we have the recipe but it was divided into three parts. I have one, Elmer has one and Willie has the third. Lets face it, in a Lodge if you want to be useful you have to be valuable. Holding part of a secert recipe makes you feel needed. I can tell you that in my section there is lard involved, skinny wieners and ya got to steam the buns. I'll see if I can find out more for you though...

March 18, 2007

ok, i can relate to the secret recipe.. i got a few myself.

maybe you can go under cover and find the other 2 parts!

there was a place on rice st. in st paul called coney king

that had the best coneys, been trying to find a decent

recipe to try to get close.. thanks bobby!

randy

March 18, 2007

OK this here cost me two rounds at the Lodge this afternoon. I did manage to get the rest of the sauce recipe. You may have to doctor this to your taste but it is what we like here at the Lodge.

2 lb ground beef

1 cup onions; finely chopped ( sweet onion )

1 1/2 tablespoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

16 oz tomato puree

1 cup water

1 tablespoon salt

1 Cup Lard ( if you like a real oily tasty sauce. ) We do

Brown ground beef then add all ingredients to a crock pot and let simmer on high till bubbling. Then reduce to low and let simmer. You can start to use it after an hour or so or just let it continue to simmer and use as needed.

Assembly:

Grill hot dogs. Preferred bun size skinny casing wieners. ( Geo Forman grills work great for cooking your dogs)

Steam your buns ( can be done by just putting them in the microwave in the plastic bag ) and then storing them in the top of the Foreman grill.

Remove and lightly brush with butter

Brush with yellow mustard

Place wiener

Two to three spoonfuls of sauce

Two to three spoonfuls of finely diced sweet onion

Lightly salt

Left over sauce can be stored in small plastic containers and micowaved as needed.

From the kitchen of the Lake Iwanttobethere Lodge.

March 18, 2007

you are the man! knew you could do it!

will try this week.

thanks again

randy

March 20, 2007

Growing up here on Lake Iwanttobethere in the summer I did not get to do things that city kids did in the summer. But I think I had a better summer in the country. But I do think that things are different from small town to small town. When I was twelve I spent part of the summer on what my parents refereed to as a vacation. I along with my sister were dropped off at grandma's for two weeks. Grandma lived about a hundred miles away in a small town of maybe 600 people. I don't remember everything that happen that vacation but some things do stick out and I was just thinking about them. Of course having had time to reflect on that vacation some forty some years later makes it all the more interesting and raises some questions. Like where did my parents go with out us for two weeks?

Anyway being twelve and not a man of the world yet this of coarse was a great adventure for me. I knew who grandma was of course, she came every Christmas and would send me a card on my birthday. I would receive a crisp dollar, which was a big deal 40 years ago. She was divorced from my Grandfather which is no big deal now but I guess was back then. My Grandfather had heard I was coming and in the garage I found a fishing pole and a metal tackle box filled with hooks, bobbers and a few lures. Grandpa owned a tackle shop in another town 60 miles away. A note told me to enjoy my vacation. With no bike I had to walk to the nearest water which was about a half a mile away. That is where I met the gang. Like every town this town had a gang of boys my age who did the same things that I did with my buds back home. Of course I had to join this gang and in doing so I had to go through a few dares or what I was later to find out was called an initiation.

The first dare was to sit in an old wooded station wagon that was parked in a pasture and smoke cigarettes till you could not see each other in the car. I was doing good in this challenge till the sheriff drove up behind us. We of course could not see him because we could not see out the windows. As luck would have it he open my door and I was the only one he grabbed as the smoke and other guys came tumbling out. I got to see more of the town in my ride back to grandma's house.

I woke up to the screaming of my grannies voice as she yelled up the stairs at 6 in the morning " Daylight in the swamp" I still to this day have no idea what that means but I have used it to wake up my own kids when they are in trouble. The rest of that day was spent doing chores for grandma, including taking the garbage to the dump. Something that only really small towns did. By 7 that night grandma was in bed for the night and by 7:30 I was out the window and in the backyard. I caught my sister who was 16 coming off the porch roof. Without saying a word we bonded that moment and both headed our separate ways.

My next dare or adventure as I prefer to remember them by was a ride down main street in the front bucket of a back hole. With the bucket fully extended I was able to see quite a distance. I saw the sheriff coming before the other guys did. I got to see more of the town from the back seat of the sheriffs car. His name was Sheriff Ricks and we were on a first name basis now. The next day I weeded grandma garden and beat rugs.

The rest of my vacation was pretty uneventful. I was in.. I played baseball, dived from a pretty high tree into what I was told was going to be a much deeper swimming hole and was shown how to avoid the bull in getting to and from this pond that had monster fish, only they were not biting that day. With my parents coming to get me the next day my vacation was at an end. The guys had something special for me my last night. As I climbed out from my window I saw the flitting glimpse of my sister ducking around the garage. Meeting up with the guys we headed for the lumber yard. Here I was told was a my last challenge. Hiding behind a pile of lumber we waited for the lights in the office to go off and the last employee to drive off. Here I was told about the Crow Call. Seems this town has a crow call that they use only on special occasions to call all the crows in from the field. They can't use it very often or it would not work. On the side of the big lumber yard barn was a big black button, you have to push the button in and hold it for a five count. If I did this I would be a life long member of the group...

Well I did stop and think about this for awhile. I never really heard of a crow call before and we did not have one back in Lake Iwanttobethere. Maybe this is something I should look in to and we should have one back home. Well a little more pressure and some daring from my new buds and I decide I would do it. I slowly worked my way around the pile of wood and slipped across the yard. Heading for the wall I could just make out the button in the now darkening night. Looking back I saw my buddies walking backwards away from me.. I reached out and held down the button. Counting One... Two... Three... Four.... A humm started from somewhere above me.. Five..... Now the humm was started to become a louder and louder scream... Gee it sound a lot like our fire siren at home... O shi....... I started to run after my buddies who were no where to be seen... The siren was now wailing behind me and lights were coming on all around me.. The church bells started to ring joining the noise that the siren was now pealing out all around me.

I made it back to Grannie's I was through the window and in bed just as Grannie came in the door. "Come on out here" she said. I pulled on a robe and went out into the living room . Grannie was standing on the front porch looking towards the Lumber yard. Talking out loud she said "someone pulled the lumber yard fire siren but I don't see any flames" I acted interested and said " I was wondering what that noise was" the next morning my parents arrived and as I loaded up my suitcase they were talking to Grandma about my visit. And if anything happen. Grandma just looked at me and smiled and said " No just a nice quiet vacation"

As we drove out of town we were pulled over by Sheriff Ricks. My dad got out and they shook hands. All I could see is the Sheriff patting my dad on the back, some laughing and then Sheriff Ricks pointing at me and my sister. My dad nodding his head and then shaking sheriffs Ricks hand again. Dad got back in the car and with a wave we continued out the two lane road leaving the town behind us. Looking back at me in the rear view mirror all my dad said was that we would talk later. We never did, later I found out Sheriff Ricks and my dad played ball against each other and my Ma used to date him. I was pretty good for the rest of that summer, just waiting for the talk.. From Lake Iwanttobethere (10305)

March 22, 2007

Mindy and Mandy were by today and returned my trailer. They had been to the big city to pick up an order of supplies for their root beer business. With Spring here it won't be long now and this years batch of root beer will be available. Had a few flashes of lightning off in the distant out over the lake earlier. Another good sign of Spring when we get some showers. Ice is starting to be unsafe in places a good rain will keep people off. A few pot holes are also showing up and we are not talking about the kind you go fishing in. Those deep holes filled with water that tear your front end off and leave your coffee all over the ceiling of your truck. Even Bud and Barney lean back into the seat when I drive this time of the year. They give me the look, as we bounce through the pot holes. Of course it might be a good idea just to go down to Dug's and have him put some new shocks on for me. After this winter they don't seem to be there any more, Just kind of flatten out. Always something to fix when Spring shows up. Never fails you put something away working and it is broke when you take it out. Of course you can put things away broke and they don't fix themselves either so there is nothing fair.

Have had a few telephone calls over the past few days as a few of my customers that I have guided for over the years are calling and confirming their annual fishing trips. Have not advertised for years but I stay just as busy as I want to be with repeat customers. I consider most of these guys as friends and it is sometimes hard to take their money but it sure does pay for my fishing and a few bills around the homestead. One time I had the Dodge broke down and my customer towed the Puddle Humper because he did not want to miss the day. Now those are the kind of customers you want to keep once you find them. We have talked about doing a bed and breakfast but don't want to mix to much business with pleasure. So that does not look like it will happen for awhile. Elmer was going to do that but after I saw his house rules I don't think he was going to get many repeat customers. I don't think Elmer had the grasp of customer service.

In Elmers bed and breakfast the customer would make the breakfast and serve Elmer. They also were required to make their own beds and change linen before they left. He would include boat rental if they cleaned fish and there was some real fine print about the outhouse. He would cater pizza from Del's but they would have to take the boat into the bay to catch their dinner. Because Del can't get a straight shot to Elmers with the pizza cannon. Then there was an issue with a license and taxes. Elmer to his credit didn't think that the guest should have to pay them, of course he did not think he should have to either. He went to a B and B on the other side of the lake and he did not like it. They would not let him cook in their kitchen and words were said when he washed his swamp boots in their washing machine. He had the other guests wading in front of their dock looking for oysters and telling them there were pearls in them. Elmer had them catching the crayfish and saying they were small lobsters. Elmer of course took home all the crayfish and mussels at no charge. Cutting up frog legs in the dinning room was the last straw and Elmer was asked to leave.

On the bright side I did buy a new ten foot crappie rod when I was in the big city. Had some time between doctor appointments and there was a bait shop between doctors offices so I thought I would check it out. That crappie rod was calling my name so I thought I would bring it home so it would not be a distraction to anyone else named Bobby. I have it in the back hall with several other rods so it can't be over heard by the wife. It did have to stay behind the seat of the Dodge for 24 hrs till the wife was not home to see me bring it in. In a few weeks I am sure it will be quiet enough to bring it out to the dock and test it. The receipt and packing material has already been put through the shredder. Part of the family now. From Lake Iwanttobethere (10376)

March 23, 2007

bobby, boy does that bring back memories!

we got shipped to grandmas too. except for the whole summer!

we were on a lake tho, so fishing even got boring after a few

months. thats all we had to do. had a resort next to us so we

would hang out with the boys there. and watch the girls

sun bathe. yep that was the life!

randy aka bbqhead

March 24, 2007

Hey Bobby, it's the lighter of the nights birthday today!

Happy Birthday Paul! Hope it's a good one and you are at the lake pretesting some root beer.

March 24, 2007

Happy Birthday, Paul! Enjoyed hearing about "the Green Fog" during Chili/House-slinging Season. I'm bringing in a case of Pig's Eye from the city for ya!

March 24, 2007

The sweet smell of Maple syrup is coming from over at Chuck's. He has been out the last few days checking his buckets and the sap is starting to run. He has a business in the garage that he has had for several years and just in the past few he has been making enough that he can do some bottling and he has an agreement with Ma and Pa's for selling. The Dew Drop buys a lot for their pancakes and the Lodge will be having a pancake day later in the spring and we will also feature the syrup. Chuck has been spending a lot of time trying to come with a catchy name for his product as that is half the battle. Nothing yet, so for now it is just Lake Iwanttobethere Maple Syrup. Sure does smell good at night with the smell of Maple smoke and Maple syrup boiling away. Don't hurt that Mindy and Mandy are over to help out either. I think Chuck is trying to get the girls to sell some syrup on the island this summer to.

With warm Spring weather coming and the ice starting to get thin in places the talk around the table at the Dew Drop has been about Smelting. Getting that late snow sure will help with putting some water in the streams. Was looking pretty bleak there. A little rain here yesterday, not a lot but anything is better then nothing. Would like to see a few all day drippers before fishing starts. Of course Spring has just got here so we have lots of time for rain and maybe even some more snow to come. Snow is all but gone on the south side of the cabin but on the north side I still have two feet under the trees. The same way out in the woods. I was out walking yesterday and a few of the gulches are filled with snow. I am not walking to fast so I am spending more time looking around then putting ground behind me. Knee is feeling better everyday, at least I think it is. Might be that I have been to the Drs. twice this week and the thought of having surgery and being laid up for awhile is not something that I am looking forward to. Have to go into town and get an MRI tonight. They run them machines at all hours of the day and evening. Guess they are so expensive that they can't afford to have them sit idle. That should be an experience. Guess I will find out what it will feels like to be a minnow in a minnow bucket.

Well I felt like a really big minnow in a really small tank. All in all it was a good experience. Some good looking techs took care of me and I was in and out in an hour. Now I just have to wait around and hear what the doc has to say. I might have to spend some time in town and away from the Lodge. This might be the chance for Elmer to take my place and write a few stories. Staying in town will be ok as I will have the daughter and grand kids to pamper me for a few days. The old dogs Sadie and Lady will give me some love I am sure. Bud and Barney and especially Pepper are to ramie for me to be trying to get any rest with a banged up knee. Just like when you hit your thumb with a hammer you bang and bump that thumb for the rest of the day. Having knee work will be like painting a big target on my knee. On more then one occasion they have ran me over coming in the door. Not to mention the cats like to lay on it for some reason.

With Spring here the birds are making a return and all three cats are in the window sills. Tails flicking away as they look at meals on wings flying by. Does not help to have the gray squirrels out in the feeder either. Should have gotten a picture the other day of all three dogs and all three cats sitting by the deck door looking out at a plump gray feeding in the bird feeder. Talk about a group united for a single purpose. Dogs are kept in the house this time of year. To muddy outside and the cats are never let outside. They just get to watch.

Going to be a little get together at the Lodge this evening, one of our members is celebrating his birthday. Well he is having a birthday and we are celebrating. I have been doing a better then average job of actually getting paperwork for Lodge membership filed. We noticed the other day that NYTELYTER was having a birthday and we decide to have a little get together. Since it is not a normal lodge night we had to spread it word to mouth about the gathering. Going over the records I wrote the birthday down on a yellow post it note and stuck it to the side of the cash register. Elmer saw it and passed it on to Chuck. Chuck mentioned it to Mindy and Mandy in the garage and they of course passed it on at the Dew Drop. Gus picking up buns passed it on to Amy and she told Ma and Pa's when she went to get her order of beef.. Hammering Hank over heard Ma talking on the phone when he was there working on the back door and the Hank told Dug when he stooped to get his saw back. Dug told Del when he went to pay for this week's pizza orders and Del told Mark when his mail came in, After that Mark just mentioned it in passing to everyone when delivering the mail. Beer guy called me at the lodge and asked if I wanted to add a keg or two to today's delivery. So I guess we are having a party.

I figure that if Nytelyter is in the area he will find out about his own birthday party and will be here when it starts around 8 tonight. So not anything left for me to do but take the coney sauce out of the freezer. I love it when you have a system and it all comes together. So Nytelyter happy birthday to you. May you find sweet smelling wind in your sail, a pull on your line and a jingle always in your pocket. May you wake up in the morning and not ache and remember where you are when you go to bed at night. May your friends be many and your troubles few. And like all men, all of us here at the Lodge don't care how old you are. I'll even go so far as to buy the first round and since it is just me and Willy here I'll buy it now... Happy birthday.. From Lake Iwanttobethere (10451)

March 24, 2007

thanks guys. been a nice one so far. ... paul

March 26, 2007

Another sign of spring here at Lake Iwanttobethere, skunk! Not that unusual but mix the smell of skunk with the sweet smell of maple syrup cooking away and it does have it's own special odor. I decide to go into town and have some breakfast at Amy's this morning. There I ran into another sure sign of spring. Tinker and his sons Dirk and Duncan were having breakfast also. Tinker and his sons run a flyin fishing service on the lake. They had come up over the weekend and were in town picking up supplies. Normally they would flyin with their old float plane but with ice on the water they took the drive around the lake. Tinker has been on the lake over 30 years that I know of. He once had a flyin resort way up there in the tree line but when his wife insisted that they move in closer to civilization. She didn't want to have to fly somewhere to get groceries and baby clothes. So he found a nice quiet bay on Lake Iwanttobethere and built a resort and put in a few cabins on some of the out lying bays.

The first year he kept the lodge full and the cabins did good business to. The Lake has all kinds of good fishing so it was not to hard to put the guys who wanted walleyes in the walleye bay and the Northern guys in the northern bay. Bass are every where and there is a few streams with good trout fishing. By accident he had found his dream fishing lakes all on one lake. The old float plane spent most of it's time tied to the dock bobbing in the wake of boats heading out to the cabins. One day a client wanted to go up and take a ride. Tinker took him up and they flew around the bay some. The client mentioned that this Lake Iwanttobethere was really a very big lake and that is when Tinker had a brain storm. He started to fly his clients out to their cabins and just left the boats there. The clients now thought they were getting flyin trips to secret mysterious lakes. Tinker was happy, he got to fly everyday. The wife was happy she could drive into town and it was not to long after that Dirk and Duncan were born. Once Tinker had a client that wanted a real wilderness experience. He and his group wanted to be way out in the middle of no where. Tinker took them up an flew in circles for an hour and then landed them 10 minutes from the resort. When he returned to get them five days later they could not stop talking about their life altering adventure. Tinker was going to show them on the map where they had been but decided to let them keep there dream.

Chuck, Elmer and I took a day trip fishing with Tinker many years ago. Tinker was bragging about how he had this great small mouth spot on the lake and when we asked him where it was he said he would fly us in to it. Well we took him up on it. With a game of paper, rock, scissors I won the front seat. If you have ever flown in a float plane the front seat is not where you want to sit. These little planes don't actually fly level, they have a tilt upwards. Sitting in the front seat you can't see anything in front of you. You can only see where you have been, not where you are going. My goal of scouting the lake was not going to happen. Elmer and Chuck were busy in the back seat nipping on a flask that Elmer had in his vest. Didn't know they had never flown before. Of course once Tinker found that out, a quiet level flight was out of the question. As we were flying I had nothing better to do then watch Tinker fly and look over the instrument panel of the plane. I notice off to the side was a cluster of three fuel gages and they all were resting on E. Tapping Tinker on the shoulder I asked him which gage shows the gas. He just yelled over the engine noise that we can go farther if we carry less gas.. I siched down the seat belt a little tighter and grabbed a pull from the flask.

Coming over a bay that I had never seen before we started to drop like a rock. The tall Pines around the shoreline were getting bigger and bigger by the second. Tinker yelled at me saying he likes to see how close he can come to the tree tops. We dropped over the last pine and I swear we brushed the top as we set down on the water of the bay. In a moment we had coasted to a stop and the waves in a big vee rolled away from us rolling up on the shore and all was quiet. Tinker hopped out on to a float and pulling a paddle from behind the seat he got us to shore. He had a boat tied to the shoreline and ten minutes later I was doing battle with a very nice small mouth. He was right we had some great small mouth fishing and I forgot where we were and soon lost in the experience. We did the whole bit. Shore lunch, pictures, crackling fire and when dusk came it was time to leave. The boat was pulled up to shore and we loaded up the plane. Before pushing off from shore Tinker pulled some pine cones from around the tail and climbed in. A moment later we were zipping across the lake headed right for an island of thick pines not 300 yards away. Acting cool and calm I patiently waited for Tinker to pull up. Tinker continued to gain speed and looking out the side window I don't think he was aware of the island that was filling what little I could see out the front of the plane. With no room to spare Tinker stood the little plane on it's wing tip and we flew past the side of the island. All I could see was water a few feet away from me and hear the screaming of Chuck and Elmer in the rear, but they will never admit it.

The trip was not over yet. Calming myself by using a yoga trick that my wife taught me and I thought I would never use. I sat back in the chair and try to enjoy the rest of the flight. Looking down I thought I could see the bay that Elmer, Chuck and I live on. Turning in my seat I could see the town. Quickly I tried to get some bearings as to were we were. I was going to be able to get back to Tinker's little hide away. Tinker either seeing what I was doing or as a matter of routine flipped the little plane on it's back and then into some kind of a roll and about then I was having a hard time keeping my lunch down. I lost all track of where I was till I saw the lake coming up fast. No trees in sight so I was feeling good till we hit the water and instead of pulling the throttle back he was pushing it forward. With nothing but the tail end of the floats in the water we were ripping across the lake doing 90 and twin roster tails of water were shooting up behind the plane. Tinker smiling said "You can troll if you like" and just like that our fishing day was over.

We have fished together since then of course but I like to bring the Puddle Humper over to the resort and take Tinker out. His sons have both grown up now and are some of the best fishing guides on the lake, they have kids of their own and the resort is really family oriented. I joined them for breakfast and we talk of the wilds of Lake Iwanttobethere. (10527)

March 26, 2007

Amazing! What a cool story! Thanks (again)

March 26, 2007

Seems to be one of them days. You know where one thing just leads to another. Went out to the road to pick up the mail and took my time coming back to the cabin. Had my head up watching bald eagle after bald eagle soar above the tree line. Check the temperature and it said 72 out. Well that called for opening a few windows so I set off to find screens. Can't have an open window with the cats. Put in a few screens and open up some windows. To nice to be inside so I headed out to the deck. Thought as long as I was out I would put a few deck chairs out. Went to the shed and got some chairs and decided to open the back of the shed up to get some air. Have not been in there for awhile and was not happy at what I found. I had a 50# sack of grass seed up on the shelf and the dang mice got into it. Seed all over the floor, but the bad part was the wife's cloth screen for her outside lounge was laying on top of the grass seed. The mice had chewed right through the screen to get to the seed. There might be a small discussion when she gets home tonight as I told her with complete conviction that it would be just fine there over the winter. I hung it up figuring I could just put the missing part towards the rear and she would not notice. Dang mice chewed both the front and back panels. I tossed it in Elmers garbage can. I will just act innocent as to it's where abouts until I can order a replacement. I hope Earl can find me one or I may be taking a trip into the city.

Having done all that I decide it was time to just lite a cigar and sit on the deck and watch the eagles soar. Air is heavy with moisture as the snow is melting still and the aroma of Buddy, Barney and Pepper is being revealed as the snow melts. With woods all around me you think they would search out a more private area and at least get away from the cabin. I have my handy clipboard at hand and from time to time I make an entry for something that needs to be done. Can't sit to long with out seeing something that needs to be fixed or something that needs to be added to or taken away from. I guess I should have finished roofing that shed last fall, little water on the floor in there. Should have packed them wheel bearing on the puddle humper to. Have to make a note of that. Now I have to go out to the shed and vacuum all that spilled grass seed and then run it through a screen. Don't want the dropping in with the seed. Of course I could just go and toss the seed on the ground but then I would just attract more of them sparrows. Think I'll just practice my smoke rings on the deck instead. Hmmm I see Bud is lifting his leg on the wood pile for the fire pit, better make a note to change that wood before I start a fire. From a sunny, smelly, warm day here at Lake Iwanttobethere. (10551)

March 28, 2007

I must be getting good or something. I kind of predicted that we would have a few good rain days before fishing started up and we are in store for a week of foul weather. Nothing wrong with that we need the rain and I would rather get it now when things are already a mess then let it all dry out and start all over again. Snow is all but gone and there is a ring of water around Lake Iwanttobethere. Ice is not safe at all to be out on now. A few days ago it was in the low 70's and we will be lucky to hit 40 today. Winds are pushing what leaves I have left in my yard into Elmers. Think I might have acted in haste bring out the deck chairs but they are wet now and I am not about to put them back into the shed. Chuck is still cooking sap and the smell clings to the ground. If the winds shifts just right it blows across my deck and I can get a whiff of it. Otherwise it is all blowing out over the lake. He is just about done cooking and from what I have seen he had a very good year.

With all the snow pretty much gone now we see what has been left behind. People have been very good removing everything off the lake and it looks good. Frank the plow driver did tell me about one of the smaller access areas on the lake where someone had dumped shingles along the roadway and it looks like a pickup load of junk in the ditch. The Dickerson's have that stretch of roadway and have pretty much already cleaned the ditch and roadway up. They were going through it trying to fine anything with a name or address on it so the sheriff could follow up on it. To bad people are so lazy that they just dump that stuff like that. I will be keeping an eye open for any roofing that was done on the lake.

The furnace if off but I have a nice fire going in the fireplace. Dogs are stacked on top of each other laying in front of it. Cats have taken to laying on top of the mantle. Had to take the pictures down as they kept knocking them off. Everyone smells like Maple smoke. I'll bet a guy could make some money on a cologne with that scent, could call it Woodsmen or something like that. Could come up with a 10-30 oil tanning lotion to. I'll bet we could sell it to them city boys. Spent some time down at the General Store with Earl this morning. No luck on a replacement screen for the swing. So we sipped coffee and looked out the at the coming and going of customers and towns folks. Talked some Twins baseball and even talked a little Brewers. While I was there I picked up an order of Balsa wood that we need for the Lodge tonight. Willie will be having a lure carving class. I will of course attend and see if I can learn anything new from the master. Several years ago I tried my hand at making top water lures but I was bored with the time it took to hand whittle them with a knife. It didn't take any time at all to just cut the balsa in to small blocks and the take them over to the drill press. By putting 16 pd finishing nail in the press I could stick a block of wood on the nail and with some sand paper I could shape a plug in under a minute. I still have some of them around here somewhere. They are painted in some wild colors as we got bored with the hand painting. I'll try again tonight but I am always looking for a quicker way of doing things. Which reminds me I better check in with Vicki at the Masterbaiters shop and see if our order of hooks and props are in.

Last week of March here but I am already starting to go a little stir crazy here. I thought that snow we got would delay things for awhile but it melted pretty quick there. Now we have rain which is welcomed but with the windy weather can't really do to much outside. Should get my walk in but hard to hold my hat on my head. Maybe I'll just go down to the Lodge early and see what the guys are up to. I am sure there are stories being told. There was a bear in the dumpster the other night. Even that is a little early for this time of the year. All he got was a few coney buns and some cake crumbs from Nytelyte's birthday party. After Dan's man dog Gracie got into the cake there was not to much left. I think we have Nytelyter convince into giving us sailing lessons this summer. At the very least he can show us knots and how to wear them fancy sailing clothes. I think I could rig a sail in my old wood row boat. When we were kids we would put our rain poncho's between paddles and then let the wind push our canoe across the water. Found out it don't work so good when you have to go back the way you came. But them sail guys have some way of making their boats go against the wind so we need to figure that part out. Well I better get going here, from the windy, rainy shores of Lake Iwanttobethere. (10607)

March 29, 2007

yup was a lookin at the hobie cat just yesterday and plannning on the course of things to do before she hits the water this spring. the ice on the lake is as dark as a summer thunderstorm. and i know open water is very near. have to finish getting the hulls polished this spring and a few mends made to the trampoline and we will be in business. i would love to give a few lessons on how to sail a catamaran. but am bu no means one of dem experts. and i am always lookin for a trap man on those real windy days.in case ya didnt know bobby. a trap man is the one that hangs out over the side of the boat on a wire that connects towards the top of the mast and acts as a counter balance to keep the boat from going over on real windy days. i see the guys from the cat club doing it. but i am not sure if that darn wire is fa tass load rated for me. im tellin ya tho you can get those ol hobie 18s a moveing with a guy on the wire. i aint quite figgered out how to put some rod holders on the craft for some trolliing. but i would bet elmer could rig something up for me. welll i am off to the shop to meet up with a few vendors before i get my shift started. see you at the lake. ... paul

March 30, 2007

"the ice on the lake is as dark as a summer thunderstorm" Great line Nytelyter and o so true. Sitting here in the lodge looking out through deck doors down at Lake Iwanttobethere that is a perfect description of the view. Ice pellets bounce of the Lodges glass windows and the creaking of branches and trees can be heard over the howling of the wind. From time to time a branch can be seen blowing across the deteriorating ice of the lake. Guys take turns going over to the fireplace and give it a stir. The fire after being adjusted crackles and gives of a few flares of light. Several member are in the Lodge this afternoon. Scattered about sitting at the tables or like Elmer on the wicker couch watching some spring baseball. The bottle of aspirin is sitting on the bar top and from time to time someone will shake the bottle and take a few. When we get into these weather changes that last a few days the old bones start to ache. Of course we tuff it out at home in front of the wife but when we are in the company of our peers we don't have a problem reaching for the aspirin. Of course with every ache there is always a story behind it. From football to basketball even some of the guys will talk of softball injuries. The best ones are always stories of the sore shoulder from landing that Musky or paddling so long through the waves that the back will never be the same. Carrying that buck a mile or wading through a frozen pond.

Good to just kind of sit and do nothing. Plenty of time later for the honey do list. Trouble is the more time I sit here doing nothing the more I am mentally adding to my do list. Even here at the lodge we have a do list and not much of it is getting done today. But that is ok. The heat from the fire and the changing view from the bar looking out over the lake is restful. Soon we will be seeing some big holes in the ice and then there will be more open water then ice. After that the ice chunks will be floating around and that is what we will be talking about. The trees will start to bud and things across the lake will start to take on a green haze. Then one day there will be leaves on the trees and the grass will be more green then brown. The dock will get rolled in down at the access and the port a potties will be installed. Garbage barrels will appear and our pile of orange barrels will be picked up by the county and be gone. In there place will just be and open parking lot with a bunch of round rings in the dirt from the barrels. Won't take any time at all after that and there will be a trailer in the lot, No one will see when it came but if we grab the spotting glasses and we will find a boat out on the water. Someone will be out fishing for open water crappies.

Chairs will find there way out on to the deck and windows will be opened. More of the guys will be sitting on the deck with a beer in hand and cigar smoke will be drifting skyward before the wind catches it and blows it away. More trucks will appear in the lot and a variety of trailers behind them. A tent from no where will be in the camping area and just like that fishing will be here. Smelting will start and then the lot will be filled in the evening and Hank will be selling firewood from the back of his truck. The mini donut trailer will be here and the smelt fry tent will be put up. The Lodge will get busy as locals and out of towners come in looking to use the washrooms. We will start ordering extra boxes of chips and candy bars for the kids. Spring will be here and summer will not be far behind.

As for now none of that is going on. Just a bunch of friends watching a little baseball, playing some cards and looking out the window at rain falling and wind blowing. Plenty of time for doing stuff later. From Lake Iwanttobethere (10671)

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Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

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