Camp Director Said....

I spoke with Richard,Saturday morning. Next years trip of Fine Fishing,good food,and companionship and a little bit of beer drinking will be July 10 thru July 17th.
One reservation has been confirmed so far,we have room for 13 more. Don't wait to long or you will
miss a great week of fishing. Call me or Blog me now and make your reservations.

Big Fish Taken Care Of

I took my fish to the taxadermist today. He said he could get it done for just under $300. I immediately had an idea. Since I let you guys witness one of the most dominating years of fishing by a single man, I was wondering if you could all pitch in about $30 dollars to help cover the cost of my fish. Now, I know that some of you (Ryan) are still a little upset about me being named Fisherman of the Year, but I think you can all (including Andy) cough up the money. You all know it is the right thing to do. Cash or checks will be accepted. Thanks.

Angler Reviews

It seems that Ryan is just going to leave us hanging on the reveiws for the rest of the camp. My guess is that since he has already backed out of next years camp he just doesn't have the heart to keep this blog going!

So here we go. Larry, Dad, and Uncle Steve all kept up there normal status. No pot winners. They did have good years for them. I mean there was only one day that Dad didn't catch a walleye. Thats down from 5 last year. Aaron C. caught a lot of fish but in shocking fasion did not win a pot. I think some of Uncle Steve's Mojo rubbed off on him. Aaron H. was the Rookie of the year and won more than his share of pots. Bernie had another outstanding week of fishing. I can't explain it because if there is anyone else who gives a shit less more than Bernie I haven't seen them. But for the past several years he has done very well. Andy did pretty well for himself. He caught a lot of fish and didn't miss any of mine with the net. That's more than I could say for Trent in years past.

Now for Ryan. He caught a lot of fish. That being said, have you ever heard a man talk so much and deliver so little? I mean talk about a let down! Don't worry Ryan if you behave yourself Sandy will let you try again in 4 to 5 years.

Angler Spotlight Review: TRENT (I have put it off as long as I can)

I don't even know what to type. My guess is it'll be another year of him holding up the other end of someone else's stringer but here it goes...

The miracle of birth caused Trent to miss his first trip last year since the age of 6. He will tell you at one time he was a couple votes shy of becoming Camp Director (a failed takeover on his own father I might add), and that since the vote didn't go his way, he named himself co-camp director.

You would think a person with a self-important title like this would have the river mastered and be bringing in quality fish left and right. Not so. I think it was 30 trips before he ever boated a walleye over 20 inches.

Missing a year puts a different perspective on this trip, though. I think Trent is refocused on relaxing and not putting so much pressure on himself to deliver or deserve his self-appointed title. I can't go all crazy and say that Trent is going to win Big Walleye of the Week but I think there are big things in store for him this year.

Prediction: If he can overcome the talent of his boat partner, and the pressures that will surely be placed on him to keep up, I think Trent is a serious contender for Fisherman of the Week.

Where to start? The first part of this review is the wrongest of all that has ever been wrong. One word DOMINATION...well unless you ask Bernie.

Trent absolutely dominated the camp this year with one minor hiccup (The funniest hiccup that ever was [I am chuckling to myself as I think about it now]) He boated walleye of 28, 25 1/2, and 24 inches and a 41 inch pike. Took home several pots to include big walleye AND big pike of the week. This is total domination.

A vote was taken for fisherman of the week, although some members were not present so we may have to revote at a later date. It wasn't unanimous. "How could that be?" You might be asking yourself. On a river where Helen Keller could catch 100 pike a day, Trent failed to put one on the stringer during our yearly Virtue Classic. He only needed one. ONE.

Oh, he caught one. But whilst knowing the tournament rules, he got so excited he threw it back in the river. (He is now jumping up and down in the boat screaming "What did I just do? What did I just do?!" [I am chuckling now again- presently. At that moment, I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath])

All this takes place within 15 minutes of the tournament ending. We rush to another spot (it could have been any in the entire river) and he ties on a silver spoon, he didn't have, and I quote, "no time for a damn leader". The following is the sequence of events:

Cast
Pike hits and misses.
Pike swims away.
Ryan points out fish
Trent throws spoon
Pike takes a swipe at the spoon.
Pike cuts line like he is carrying a knife.
Spoon wobbles harmlessly to the river bottom.
Trent puts his pole down
Trent proceeds to weigh-in pikeless
Ryan shares story with the other 4 boats
The other 4 boats laugh
Trent's partner (Bernie) is crowned the individual champ
Unfortunately this is a team competition and Bernie finished dead last right along with Trent
Trent Cleans all fish

Trent had a week better than any week has ever been had. But he had one REALLY bad day that Bernie would soon like to forget.

Angler Spotlight Review: Aaron

If he waits as long to catch fish as he did to submit his passport card application, he probably won't catch a fish until Thursday.

There was a day when you could pencil Aaron in as a contender for fisherman of the week. Those days have passed him by. I am not sure what altered the tide of his fish catching abilities; marriage, parenthood, or a treble hook down through the thumbnail but sometimes I get the feeling he is just tying his line to a twister tail with an overhand knot and tossing it out there yet still cussing and smacking his rod tip to the water when his hook set comes up empty.

Truly a heart-breaking story for an angler who, at one time, beamed with promise of leaving all others behind in the ability to consistently boat nice fish.

Prediction: We leave on Friday the 19th and he will be standing by his mailbox every day until then waiting on his passport which will arrive on Thursday the 18th. This is a lot of pressure and stress to have to deal with. It will take him a few days to get into a groove but by Tuesday or Wednesday, the Aaron of old should make an appearance and make a run at a few fish pots. A serious run at Angler of the week would be a real long-shot.

Anchored in about 6 ft of water and casting for pike, Aaron found his groove right around Tuesday or Wednesday. He was 2/5 of the 5 fish for 4 people record. This spotlight isn't that far off with the exception of his passport arriving on Tuesday rather than Thursday. It was about at the Soo when I think he finally left work and life troubles behind him and from that point on it was all about keeping people hydrated and having fun. High point - Euchre Tourney Champ Lowpoint - Tie: Traveling without socks and Dumping a Motor in the river.

Angler Spotlight Review: Troy

From year after year of being anchorman in the front of the boat, he is now joined by his son Andy who has assumed those responsibilities. Thus, he moves to the back of the boat as Captain and is in his second year of this duty. His first year in this role was on unfamiliar waters where the captaining would play less of a factor. How will he handle it up above where the pressure to produce will be exponentially greater? We will see.

I would put his number of trips at around 28 which make him an elder statesmen of the group and his knowledge of the area will serve him well. However, his production in the past may have been more pronounced due to the lack of production from the other half of his boat. With a new boat partner to actually boat some fish he may have to work harder to show up on the leaderboard at the end of the day.

Integrity has been an issue in the past with false claims of how fish were landed, but with an example to set for impressionable young minds and the added responsibility of getting the boat in position to catch fish, this should not be a problem.

Prediction: Troy will have a good week but, for a change, will be cast into the shadow of the production of his boat partner.

Troy did have a great week - Their boat arguably brought in more walleye than any other boat, probably caught more walleye over 20 inches than any other boat. Troy probably gets the unlucky fisherman of the week award for the number of times his big fish was beaten out for the big fish of the day. He wasn't exactly cast in the shadow of his boat partner but his boat partner caught a lot of fish as well. Sometimes probably too many if you ask Troy. He was a busy man. :o)

Hall Of Fame

I have been thinking that over the years we have made this trip with lots of people. Some have come and gone, some have left there mark. But I think that a few have done more than that, some have made this the trip what we all love. In honor of that I would like to nominate a few to the Chutes Hall of Fame. First of all the Man who started it all. Andy Reightman: Over 80 trips, probably hundreds of people turned on to the trip. He has taught all of us Little Joe and the fact that you don't drive all that way just to fish. Jerry Virtue: Jerry shared Andy's belief that fishing was not the main theme of the trip. He would wet a line in the afternoon and was always ready for a good hand of showdown. He was also your man if you just wanted to stay up late and shoot the bull. Jerry was always the ultimate host. Bob Couts: He has not missed a trip since 1977, and has made two trips at least 4 years. Dad has become the driving factor of this trip. If not for Dad I'm not sure that this trip still exists. He also has made this trip a major part of Me and Trent's life. Now with Andy Couts making a couple trips, a third generation has begun. Steve Couts: He made his first trip in 1976 and brought Dad up the following year and the rest is history. Although Uncle Steve missed a few trips over the years, he has been a constant factor in the long term success of the trip. Uncle Steve fishes harder than any of the previously mentioned Hall of Fame'rs and is always in good spirits and very helpful to anyone who needs a hand including Anchor Boy. Uncle Steve also has burned this trip into the souls Ryan and Arron so he has a legacy of his own that will keep the trip alive for years to come. In my mind those guys were shoe ins, But I have one more that may create some controversy. Trent Couts: Started making this trip at the age of 6 and has just completed his 31st trip. I think he is more passionate about this trip than anyone else in the HOF and I would say He also fishes the hardest. I think he is our best chance to keep this trip alive years down the road and as I mentioned in earlier postings I think he is the best boat captain in camp with Aaron Couts a close second. But here is the part that is not going to sit well with the older guys and Ryan. After the year that Trent just had I think that he may be the best fisherman in the history of the trip. If not Trent than who? He catches more than his share of fish, but had the rap of not catching any big fish. Well those days are behind us. I mean I think that Ryan, Aaron,and I all catch a lot of fish and you can't leave Bernie out of the conversation. Even though Bernie looks and acts like he does not have a clue he has caught a lot of nice fish over the years. But in a argument over inches our fish are left wanting. I can't wait to see the comments over this one but before I end this posting I just wanted to thank all of you for treating Andy so well this year. He had a great time and is looking forward to going back, but I know kids can be trying and can even be a wet blanket on every ones fun. You all were very kind and showed great patience. Thanks again.

Just finished my last project

These next 5 hours are going to be excruciating.

Bug Report

I see on the report that the bugs have slowed down and have been down graded to medium for most of the week. I prefer to use Timmins as my city of reference, Chapleau is just too civilized. The Timmins report looks even better. Check it out!

<------ Only Hours

The Day After Tomorrow

Last minute items.

Haircut - Check
Aaron's Passport Card - Check
Wawa Bag - Check
Worms - Picking them up Thursday night. Will call to make sure they are delivered today.
Screen - Also Thursday night
Mentally Check out from work - 2:00 today
Physically Check out from work - 4:00 tomorrow

A couple friendly reminders for whomever needs it:

Towels - I almost forgot to pack em
Trashbag - To line your packed bag. It WILL rain on the trip to or from the Chutes.
Rainsuit packed on top - See reason above
Glasses case (preferably rigid) - I think you know who you are
Paper Towels - For nose blowing on the way up
Pillow - Trent is kind of a wuss
Earplugs - If you are staying in the front cabin, I would highly recommend this
Lie - Tell your wife how much you are regretting sending that deposit because you just don't feel like going anymore
Mark your bills - You may just want to take a pen and write "Ryan" on some of your cash. Just to save you time later.

I look forward to seeing most of you on Friday. This will come to an abrupt halt somewhere around Navarre.

I see the blog is now complete since Anchor Boy and No Pulp finally got aboard. Just finished packing. Am only taking one necktie and no sports coat. Weather forecast looks good. Van should make it unless Bernie drives over some bricks. New tires and shocks and bearings repacked. Lighter does not work so don't plan on recharging your cell phone in my vehicle. Hope the air conditioning is okay. Haven't tried that yet. Driver window does not work either, so somebody will have to jump out at the toll booth to get the ticket then again to pay. See you all Friday. ring the bell if I'm not up.

I see a pattern

It seems to me that Bernie has a pattern he likes to follow every year.

1. get to camp

2. complain

3. Say he will never come back

4. end up having fun

5. repeat

Poll Question

Where is the first place you want to fish on Sunday Morning?

Weather: An unexact science

Good Lord, I really wish the weather predictors would make up their mind. I may have to repack. Looks now to be pretty warm for us next week. Who knows.

All Good News.

Tractor is running - This is a little shocking to me I must say. That tractor has been up there a LONG time and not run very much the last couple of years.

Water in the back cabin - Good - Having that bathroom is nice.

I think the only question we have unanswered at this point is, "How many nets do we have to take with us?"

I am picking up the worms and the screen on Thursday. Trent and I are going to transfer the worms to the worm cooler on Thursday night.

Also, I noticed in the comments section of Troy's Great White North post there is a comment from one "No Pulp". Wow.

A few predictions for this year's trip

After some careful thought, I believe the followingthings will happen during this year's trip.

• We will stop twice before we get out of Ohio for Dad to piss.
• Bernie and Larry will be caught spooning in bed.
• Bernie will have the ugliest suitcase on the trip.
• Larry will use two rolls of paper towels blowing his nose.
• The tractor will quit running half way up the hill.
• Someone will catch a 24 inch or bigger walleye.
• The day someone runs to the pines for ice it will rain like hell.
• Andy will tell Troy to pull up his own damn anchor by the end of the week.
• Troy's ears will swell up to the size of oranges from the black Flies.
• Dad won't catch a walleye all week.
• Aaron H. will throw Bernie out of the boat for not netting his pot-winner.
• There will be a black bear sighting.
• My wrists will be sore from catching so many fish.
• Ryan will be sorry he didn't take extra rod and reels after he breaks his on a snag.
• Aaron C. will remain hook free.
• Andy C. will win more fish pots than everyone, except me.
• Last but not least, everyone will have another outstanding trip.

A call to the Great White North

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Groceries are bought and packed. I think they came to around $160.00. Not too bad. I did remember the popcorn this year. Went out to see Dad today. He said he called Richard Saturday morning at 8:00am. I mean why call Saturday at 8:00 am? He might as well have called last Wednesday night. What is Richard going to tell us that we didn't already know? I think the report went something like this. Camp is open. Still no ice. Be at Red Pine by noon. Water hooked up at back cabin. End of report. Not that I don't trust Richard, but he is the same guy that forgot to tell us that our cabin had blown up until we drove 860 miles last year. I think some of us were hoping for word from the guys flying out. Something like is the tractor really running. Did the pump start. Was anything out of order at camp say like the fridge or stove. How were the bugs? You know stuff like that. I guess the surprise is still half of the fun. Dad did call Rodney Sunday afternoon. He told us that they did catch some fish last week. The tractor and pump were in working order and water was hooked up in back cabin. Dad said that since we don't have to be to Red Pine maybe we could go to Young's and get our License and get something to eat before pulling out of Wawa.

Ahem. Don't say I didn't warn you when you go unprepared.

Quote from a message board yesterday:

just got back today from kingfisher,cold thru wed. afternoon , then the wind died down and the temps warmed up and the head nets came on.we wore head nets last night while pumping gas in gogama on the way home.

Fishing Weather

Here you go. I am sure it will change some more but here is the first look at the whole week. I don't know why it laid out like this. Just click on the image and it will open up like it should.

One Week From Now

Troy, Trent, Ryan, and Aaron will be complaining to Bob and Steve about the promptness with which they want to leave Wawa. Somehow they always think is takes 5 hours to get from Wawa to Red Pine Lodge. That is assuming the White Fang will accept Bob's credit card. We may just have to end up driving straight through if we don't have a place to stay.

I was down at Dad's last night. I put line on all my reels, got some new stuff stowed securely away in my tackle box. Reels packed. I am ready to go.

Poll Question

How much money will it cost per person, driveway to driveway this year. I know that Ryan and Aaron would prefer their wives not to read the answers to this question.

One Week

It is one week (to the minute as I type) until departure. Time to make a list of everything you need to get done this week.

Pack
Haircut (for dance night at the Pines.)
Pick up last minute items.
Get all your items (Last minute kid)
Get to the bank (Trent)
Get groceries
Organize your tackle box for 11th time
Pick up worms (I'll see if I can remember)
New line on your reels
Tell your wife you are thinking about staying home
Start a hydration regiment

LAST BUT NOT LEAST - If you do not live within the city limits of Gnadenhutten, or on the way to the Soo, BRING YOUR PASSPORT. I am not riding down to Monroe County to pick up somebody's passport.

Posters or Commenters to Date

So far everyone with the exception of Larry and Andy have posted on this blog. Andy may have some internet priviledge restrictions so that is understandable.

Larry may not even know the internet exists. Monroe County isn't exactly Silicon Valley.

Aaron has even made it on with Dial-up access.

Bob even made a comment to say he wasn't going to comment. I applaud that effort. From what I understand he has a crucifix and garlic to protect him from the evils of the internet.

I just got to thinking....

Is there anything we bank on being there when we get there? Matches, toilet paper, sugar, etc? I can't really think of anything but I was just thinking, there has only been 1 group in there for the last 2 years so we may want to take that into consideration.

Format Change

I changed the format so all the posts from the beginning til now can be seen on one page. Last minute kid is on dial up and has started to get serious about this trip now that he knows he is able to go. Hope this helps.

RC

Some of my Favorite Things

Here are some of my favorite parts of our yearly trip.

-Hearing Dad's diesel fire up when it's time to pull out of the driveway.
-A hot hamburg at the upper deck.
-The drive from the boarder to Wawa.
-Getting off the plane at the Pines and giving Rodney a hard time.
-The boat ride to the chutes. (this is my favorite time of the whole year)
-Seeing some of the familiar scenery on every turn of the river for the first time of the year.
-Coming around the last turn and getting the first look at the Chutes.
-The feel of a hook set.

Here are some other thoughts I've had today about this years trip.

-With limited freezer space, maybe we should wait until later in the week to keep our walleye to take home. Also this would give us something to fish for later in the week.

-Since I don't buy a licence for Andy we can only bring home 36 walleye. I say we keep every perch big enough to fillet. Then we will have enough fish to give everyone to take some home and still have enough for a fish fry.

-On the same note if you want to we could keep the pike the day of the Virtue tournament. Heck we could just keep the tail meat if we want and still have a lot of good meat.

- If you think we should take a roll of screen up for the windows let me know. I can get it the day I buy the groceries.

Here are things I think Bob needs to find out this weekend.

Tractor Running?
Cabin Explosions?
Flies? Headnets or Bugspray?
6th Boat?
Back Cabin Habitable?
Water level?

Worms

How about an update on the status of the worms. I do have a full bag of bedding at home. Last year one was plenty.

Holy Cow!

Aaron's Passport Status now reads
Thank you for submitting your application for a U.S. passport card!

Please Note: The U.S. Passport Card is not valid for international air travel.

Your passport application is in the final processing stages.

Your passport application locator number is xxxxxxx.

When you applied, you requested Routine Service.

This means you should receive your passport on or about 06/15/2009.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the National Passport Information Center with the above locator number. It will enable them to update you on the status of your application.

Poll Question

Who will be the top producing boat this year?

Troy and Andy
Trent and Ryan
Larry and Bob
Arron and Steve
Bernie and Arron H.

This is how I am going to roll this year

Trent, you can have that Bionic Blade back.

Favorite Fishing Memory?

I can't decide.

Dipping minnows in the fish market with Ultralights?

Having a pike come out of the water to get a red hair jig on a rod that was leaning against the boat?

Or Catching my biggest walleye on that same jig at the moose stand.

<--------Single Digits

The countdown shows single digits. I won't report on the weather forecast today. It isn't favorable.

Did Bob talk to Richard this weekend?

Any thing of interest to report?

EDIT: Nevermind, thought the group flew out on Saturday but they flew in.

Poll Question

Who has been the biggest asshole to make the trip with us?

A new voice heard from?

I beleive we have had our first comment from Aaron. I think that's him commenting on the Poll Questions.

The Tide is Turning

The stars are starting to align.

The weather report looks better. By the way, the forecast for fly-in day has been available for two days and it has changed twice.

The exchange rate is going the right direction. It has gone from 1.08 to 1.12 since Thursday.

Aaron is going to call and expedite his passport today.

This is my last full week of work....er....this is my last full week of GOING to work.

I got an email back from Capt Joel at Air Ivanhoe. The plan is to get us started around 12:30. The upside to that is that there is no one in the Pines that week. 1,2,3 fish might still be a possibility for Saturday night.

My bag is packed. Still need my Wawa bag packed, need to put line on my reels, and do one more run through of the tackle (need to make sure nothing has been vandalized). Don't act shocked, it has happened before.

Report from Chapleau on one of the Walleye message boards is the Black Flies are thick but the Mosquitoes are yet to show up in full force. Water temps are down about 10 degrees from where they were this time last year. It has been very cool so far but it looks like a warm up is on the way.

Poll Question

Train or Plane?

Poll Question

If you had one hour of fishing to catch a pot winning walleye, and you could have your boat on any spot on the river, Where would you fish.

I think I would chose, the mouth where the channel opens up. I have seen 3 wall hangers from there over the years.

Trip Trivia

How many years did it take Trent to catch a walleye that broke the 20 inch barrier?

First Glimpse at Fly-in Day

Absurdly early forecast for fly-in day: High 67 and occasional showers. Subject to change daily between now and then.

In the words of the great John Denver: All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.

A tribute

Here's to a lot of guys we have shared the chutes with us. They all taught us something(good bad or indifferent). Nelson Glazer, Andy Reichman, Jerry Virtue, Dale Brick, Carl Fivecoat, Dip Jester,Punk Morton, Steve Smith, Paul Beitzel, Jim McConnell, Charlie Homan, Don Altshouse, Jerry Skidmore. I'm sure I've omitted some others. Feel free to add them.

Trip Trivia

Disclaimer - I don't know the answer. Someone is going to have to help.

How many species of fish other than Walleye, Pike, and Perch have been caught on this trip?

I can think of three: Smallmouth, Sucker, That wierd pre-historic looking fish.

Angler Spotlight: Ryan

I know you guys probably feel pretty beaten up by your Angler Spotlight. You also probably think that after ripping you guys, I am going to give myself a glowing review. I would like to think I have a little more integrity than that.

But I don't. I just don't see myself having a lot of hurdles to cross. The competition isn't all that great. The waters haven't changed. I am the only person taking this trip even remotely seriously. To top it off, I have the combined skills and instincts of Babe Winkleman and Al Linder. I would say everyone else's chances are slim to none outside of any hi jinks by my boat partner.

Prediction - I suppose there is a chance someone could stumble upon some fish a few days in a row, but I am going to declare myself the odds on favorite to come out on top in two weeks. Anything else could be considered a huge upset. Good luck to all you fellas...Imagine the fish you will have caught to be in second place. No one will be able to take that away from you.

2 Weeks

Carry on.

Top Ten Lures in Chutes History

Here are the top ten in the history of our trip. Brought to you from a man who has caught more than his share of walleye. I'm embarrassed to say that I had to go look in my tackle box to remember some of these. If I forgot one of your favorites than that lure must have sucked anyway. 10. Dynamite. Nelson didn't have all day to wait for one to bite. 9. The Swim Wiz. Thanks to Tom Rose, everyone bought one of these. I do not carry one in my tackle box anymore. 8. Thunder Sticks. While I did not fall in love with this lure, I know Steve has a soft spot in his heart for this one. 7. Wally Divers. I still have about 5 of these in my box but haven't tied one on in years. But this could be the year. The walleye have probably forgotten these by now. 6. Fenwick's Wobblin' Minnow. One of my all time favorites. This was the tail dancer of 1995. They no longer make these, but you can still find them on eBay from time to time. I guess not everyone liked them as much as me. 5. The Erie Dearie. I know this sounds like me trying to kiss up to Larry, but this is for real. It wasn't that long ago that I wouldn't leave home without 4 or 5 red and white Erie Dearies. If fished PROPERLY, these would probably still work, but I would rather use something that won't twist my line into knots in ten minutes. As you know some older fishermen are finding different yet less effective ways of using this lure that time passed by. 4. Tail Dancers. These have been hot for 7 years now. Who could forget "Tail Dancer 2002". I left it at 4 for a couple of reasons. One it is made out of wood. These things don't last more than a couple of trips. Secondly, I think they cost about $19.95 each. 3. The Silver Spoon. I know this is a pike bait, but I bet you all have a couple packed for the trip. It is the most reliable lure in your box, It will catch fish any day, time, weather, or fisherman. They are indestructible, and inexpensive. If you do the math of how many fish you can catch on one spoon, this thing pays for itself in know time. 2. The Husky Jerk. My all time favorite. This is the one plug I wouldn't leave the house without. It can be fished a few different ways, and walleye and pike will both hit it. It is not as expensive as a Tail Dancer and is made of plastic so it can be fished for years. And now our top lure of all time. 1. The Jig. Simple, cheap, versatile, effective and fun. Everyone can use it, but some are better at using them than others.

Now I have seen everything.

Bob comments on this blog before Aaron. Just sad, A.C.

As an aside. Aaron did not get great news when he called about his passport today. I think he got a "maybe, maybe not" answer. Nevertheless he may be slightly detained on the way back.

Trip Trivia

Yesterday's Answer: 25 miles. Trent won with 43. Troy lost because he didn't guess. Steve lied, his original guess was 60. What did we learn here?: I drive faster to work than the plane flies to Pine Lake.

Today's Question - What was the price of camp in 1999?

Angler Spotlight: Aaron H.

Well, well, well. What do we have here? A new guy you say? I normally don't say anything negative about people I have never met but here it goes.

I have no first hand knowledge of this, but word on the street is a boat is a somewhat nauseating place for Aaron. I mean his boat partner isn't gonna want to stay in the cabin if frog lake gets a little chop. I hear he bakes a mean pie though. At least we will get some good Bernie stories out of this mess.

Lets hope Aaron is less tolerant of Larry than Bernie is. Bernie has let him get away with stuff for years. Maybe it is time someone keeps him under wraps.

Between this job, not throwing up, baking pies and being the new guy, I just don't see how anything good can come from this week for him, fishing wise.

Prediction - He will perfect some techniques this week to take home with him and in the long run he will see the value of this trip. But most importantly, the people at home are going to reap the benefits of these techniques as they continue to say, "I have never tasted a pie like this in my life."

How to tie the knot!!

Tired of tying the same old knot. Here is a link to a variety of fishing line knots.- http://www.tnoutdoorsmen.com/knots.htm

I am adding this video to your post - Interesting

New Feature: Trip Trivia

Today's Question: How many miles is it as the crow flies from take-off at Red Pine to touch down at Pine Lake? No cheating. Your best guess.

Angler Spotlight: Bernie

If anyone has ever deserved an award more, I don't know who it is. The mere fact that he is even able to fish, let alone catch any, is a miracle in itself. Don't get me wrong, he is not completely innocent of the goings on in that boat but lets be honest, he is not quite influenced properly.

There have been a lot of groups of brothers fish together in the days of this trip:

Ryan and Aaron - Aaron performs surgery on himself
Troy and Trent - Trent nearly gets thrown out of the boat for not netting his brother's fish
Steve and Bob - "I haven't caught a walleye all day"
Bernie and Aaron - I can't hardly wait to see what goes here.

Bernie will have a lot on his mind this week. Do I miss Larry? Have I caused the camp enough anguish? What stories is my brother revealing about me that I haven't already shared? I don't think he can overcome all this.

Prediction - There could potentially be fishing disaster for Bernie this year and the Week's Worst isn't completely out of the question.

Angler Spotlight: Larry

How he ever finds time to fish with the amount of energy he devotes to being a pain the ass to the rest of the planet is beyond me. But, oddly he still finds time to drag that damn Erie Dearie around the bottom of the entire river.

Larry is pretty unpredictable in terms of what he will catch from one year to the next, but one thing is certain; His boat partner will contemplate jumping ship several times throughout the week. With as much crap that spews from Larry's mouth the rest of us may not have worry about the flies, they'll find him.

Somehow though, year after God Bless-ed year, Larry manages to stumble upon one or two big fish while never getting up from the back-side protecting donut he carries with him. I have theories on why that is but we'll save that for another time.

Prediction: I don't think Larry can be counted out of anything...unfortunately. But as I said earlier, if he fishes with Bob, they are both out of the running. He won't win, he'll cry foul, he'll say he isn't coming back, and we'll do it all again next year.

Temps and Bugs

I have been keeping a pretty close eye on the weather situation in Chapleau. (Weather sites don't provide forecasts for The Chutes or Pike Lake.) The good news is the weather looks like it is warming up. That bad news is I don't think there will be enough warm days between now and then to get rid of the black flies. Keep an eye on this. Head Nets might be considered....Are we back to the days of duct tape around the cuffs of shirts and pants?

Inches from taking Rodney's Job

Yesterday I came within inches of having to stay in Canada and become Rodney's apprentice. You see, there are certain things you are going to want to avoid as this fairly expensive and selfish Canada Trip nears.

1. Don't complain when your wife wants to buy a swingset for the kids. "I don't think we really need to be spending money on a swingset right now." is an inappropriate response to this request.

2. Don't put off things she would like done around the house to reorganize your tackle box.

3. Don't post to this blog when there is a baby crying. That really wears on her.

4. Keep the "I just thought of one more thing I need" comments to a minimum. It is best just keep a mental list and say it just once.

5. Last but certainly not least; Don't forget your anniversary. Especially when it falls in the same month as the trip you have been obsessing about all year. This could potentially be bad.

My only saving grace, other than charm, is I wasn't the only one that forgot. She forgot too. We really love each other.

There is only about two and half weeks left but if you can put any of this advice to use, I would recommend it.

Enjoy it while you can!

I know everyone is looking forward to this years trip. Why not there is a lot to look forward to. Just like the Olympics seem to sneak up on you when you lease expect it Ryan and Aaron are making there every fourth year return to the Chutes. The last time they went with us on this trip I think Dad was still married to wife number 3. Also Larry and Bernie have talked another sucker into taking this trip by making promises of a good time and then spending everyday in camp making his life a living hell.

But for me the trip has taken on a more serious tone than in years past. Long gone are the care free days of sun, fish, and beer. I now have the added responsibility of watching over Andy. And I don't just mean not dumping his butt in the lake, cause you know it's just a matter of time before that happens. But also trying to keep him from being influenced by the wrong sort of people. I need to make sure he understands the following is not acceptable behaviour.

1. Taking a nap while you have a line in the water.
2. Drinking more than 32Oz's. of Black Velvet in one evening.
3. Coasting your vehicle across the boarder.
4. Letting Larry hold your wallet.
5. Peeing on the floor in the corner of your bedroom.
6. Hooking a duck just for giggles.
7. Trading fish for beer.
8. Forgetting to bring the popcorn.

As you can see, I will be lucky to do any fishing at all.

Angler Spotlight: Andy

There is a lot of pressure on Andy. Not only does he have the responsibility to look after his Dad, he is wholly responsible for keeping this trip going 25 years from now. There is a lot to learn. There were a lot of lessons learned when we were young guys (most of them ended up in getting in trouble of some sort). We'll show you the ropes. Sadly, there is no need for the ice tongs anymore. Maybe there will be some wood you can split.

I have never been on a trip when young guys went along and they didn't win a fish pot. Early on it was Troy catching a big pike or Aaron and I with a walleye here and there. I think even little Dan and the Garrett boys won some fish pots. I would assume this year will be no different. Andy will win a fish pot or two and if the rest of us don't watch out, or pay his Dad to work some net magic, we could be starring at the youngest guy in camp winning Angler of the Week.

Prediction: Andy makes a serious run at Angler of the Week and goes home with more money than he came with. His Dad will be proud for his son and embarrassed for himself.

Your Canada Trip Related Video of the Day

Watch closely Andy.

What Canada Has Taught Us

Over the last 30 years I have learned a few things during my trips to the great white north. Here is a list of the ones that stick out the most.

1. Not everyone is capable of driving a boat while standing up.
2. Not even a hook in the thumb can prevent a bowel movement.
3. Pike are slimmy, and even more so once you get them in the boat.
4. There is no sense in buying good pliers, they all end up in the river sooner or later.
5. Ice at the chutes is over rated.
6. The older you get the less fish you catch.
7. Green poker chips do look green after a few drinks.
8. There's nothing better than a hot hamburg.
9. The bigger I get, the smaller the shower seems to get.
10. Bob will never stop trying to smuggle Black Velvet into Canada.
11. Rodney is a unique individual that I would never mess with in an ax fight.
12. Troy sure does get pissed when you don't net his fish.
13. Steve can only handle gin and tonic in moderation.
14. No matter how many times you sweep out the cabin, there is still going to be sand in it.
15. My wife will never stop giving me shit about going on this trip.
16. I'm really good at blocking out my wife's voice.
17. The hill to the cabin keeps getting longer and longer.
18. If I try really hard enough, I believe I could fly the plane.
19. This trip wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if it wasn't shared with friends and family.
20. There will never be another Nelson, Andy, and Jerry.

White Stuff on Radar

It has about 3 weeks to knock this crap off.

Stringer? We don't need no stinking stringer.

Capt Joel from Air Ivanhoe shows what to do when you are fishing from the pontoons of a float plane without a stringer.

Court Case

My God, if this were a pot winner, who gets credit? I have the feeling it would turn into flat out fisticuffs in my boat.

Angler Spotlight: Bob

Most of Bob's angler information can be found HERE.
There is almost no difference.

The difference is this year he will have a new fishing partner. This will go one of two ways. He could end up fishing with Bernie, which would be a pretty laid back boat and some fishing might get accomplished. This is best-case scenario for Bob's contribution to fish dinners.

The other possibility is he could end up fishing with Larry. This would put A LOT of pressure on the rest of the camp. That boat may do more drinking than fishing. This doesn't do much for eating fish but it will be a nice donation to the fish pot money.

Prediction - Bob is almost never a concern for angler of the week, but fishing with Bernie may eliminate the worry of the other end of the spectrum. If he fishes with Larry, mark it down. The rest of you can stop worrying about getting that title.

3 WEEKS

It is time to get serious. Aaron, you may want to curtail the seriousness until you confirm with the Department of the State on your ability to get back in the country.

It is time to get the reels lubed up, air out that duffel bag, get the worms on order, get your last minute tackle, get your reels lined, and most importantly, watch an instructional video. I would like to be able to eat fish a couple of times during the week.

I am really getting the feeling I am the only one taking this trip seriously.

Your Canada Trip related video of the day.

3 Weeks.

Angler Spotlight: Steve

There was a day when he would just sit down at the chutes until dark and win a lot of fish pots. But raise your hand if you have seen him catch a walleye up above outside of Pike Lake. We have tried everything; calling him on the walkie talkie to let him know what they are biting on, heck at one point after one of the infamous "I haven't caught a walleye all day" comments, we even tied their boat to the end of ours and not only did they not catch any but we stopped catching them all together. It is like he is cursed.

I don't think he really works hard enough. I think the turning point was when he started using that boat seat with the back on it. Fish know when you don't care anymore and I just don't think he has the desire. If he were a pro athlete, every talk radio show would be calling for him to retire his rod and reel and just bake pies in the cabin or something.

This year it looks as though he will be fishing with his youngest son Aaron who, according to his aforementioned spotlight, has lost the ability. I am dubbing this boat the "S.S. Can't and Don't Care" and I haven't ruled out the possibility of having a sticker made to make this name apparent to everyone who comes near their boat.

Prediction: If the fish have moved into Pike Lake by the time we get there, Steve will be free and clear from the weeks worst fisherman award. If they haven't, mmmmmm.....pies.

Next Up: Bob

Your Canada Trip related video of the day

This is why you don't spend too long washing your hands.

Angler Spotlight: Trent

I don't even know what to type. My guess is it'll be another year of him holding up the other end of someone else's stringer but here it goes...

The miracle of birth caused Trent to miss his first trip last year since the age of 6. He will tell you at one time he was a couple votes shy of becoming Camp Director (a failed takeover on his own father I might add), and that since the vote didn't go his way, he named himself co-camp director.

You would think a person with a self-important title like this would have the river mastered and be bringing in quality fish left and right. Not so. I think it was 30 trips before he ever boated a walleye over 20 inches.

Missing a year puts a different perspective on this trip, though. I think Trent is refocused on relaxing and not putting so much pressure on himself to deliver or deserve his self-appointed title. I can't go all crazy and say that Trent is going to win Big Walleye of the Week but I think there are big things in store for him this year.

Prediction: If he can overcome the talent of his boat partner, and the pressures that will surely be placed on him to keep up, I think Trent is a serious contender for Fisherman of the Week.

DISCLAIMER: IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ANY AWARD PREDICTIONS; LOANING OF EQUIPMENT, SERVICES, ETC. HELPS. I ACCEPT Tail Dancers, gas tank fillup, cooler stocking OR THE LIKE.

Week Long Tourney?

I know we have the daily and weekly fish pots and the Virtue, but is anyone interested in a week-long total walleye inches tourney?

This is what I propose:

Each person throws in 5 bucks. Winner take all. You measure and total two walleye of your choice for each day. Here is the catch - Once you determine you want to count a fish, there is no culling. For example, if you catch an 18 incher and make it one of your two to measure, you can not replace it with the 24 incher (19 for Trent) you catch later in the day. Inversely, if you catch an 18 incher and don't make it one of your fish, and you don't catch anything over 15 the rest of the day, you can't go back to count the 18.

The only way this will work is if you and your boat partner are both in the wager. If you guys think we have enough stuff to keep track of and pay out, that is cool. Just something I was thinking about and wanted to put it out there.

Your Canada Trip related video of the day

I'm thinking about catching one this size this year.

Ontario MNR Strikes Again

Well the cost of your fishing license just went up. Actually, the license is 43.50 but once you tack on the extra 9.00 for the Outdoors Card you have to apply for, the price goes up to 52.50...plus tax I am sure. I am not sure how they came up with this but I imagine it went something like this:

MNR Guy 1 : I'm bored with this same routine.

MNR Guy 2: Me too. Taking people's fish and fining them to keep our country going is getting old.

1: What can we do?

2: We can raise the price of fishing licenses 9 bucks.

1: Are you kidding!? People will revolt.

2: What if we gave them a card for their extra 9 dollars.

1: What kind of card?

2: A fishing card.

1: Well aren't we going to charge an extra 9.00 for hunting as well?

2: Fine. A hunting/fishing card.

1: That's too long a name.

2: What aboot Outdoors Card!?

1: Awesome. Does this mean we can't take peoples fish anymore?

2: Of course not, as a matter of fact, here comes a truck and van right now...

Not to fear however, we just apply for it when we get our license and they give us a temporary "paper" card to keep with us until ours arrives in the mail in 4-6 weeks. Rest easy, Aaron.

Nice Little Warmup and Some Questions Answered

Troy, Steve (Dad), and I went fishing on Sunday evening and if that trip was any indication...Troy is in for a long week. Steve was the winner on the quality side of things with 3 really nice fish, I was the winner on quantity with 12. My 7 year-old daughter and and Steve were second with 6 a piece, Troy and his daughter tied with 2 a piece. Make whatever determination you wish with the facts I place in front of you.

As for the depth finder question:

Trent has 1, Steve has 1, Bob has 1, Larry has 1, and Aaron has half and I think will be taking Rick's screen to make a total of 5.

One more item of note: There is no refrigerator in the back cabin this year. We may need to take some extra coolers to keep some things cold. Which also means we are gonna want that 6th boat to make the ice runs to Pine Lake.

Angler Spotlight: Aaron C.

If he waits as long to catch fish as he did to submit his passport card application, he probably won't catch a fish until Thursday.

There was a day when you could pencil Aaron in as a contender for fisherman of the week. Those days have passed him by. I am not sure what altered the tide of his fish catching abilities; marriage, parenthood, or a treble hook down through the thumbnail but sometimes I get the feeling he is just tying his line to a twister tail with an overhand knot and tossing it out there yet still cussing and smacking his rod tip to the water when his hook set comes up empty.

Truly a heart-breaking story for an angler who, at one time, beamed with promise of leaving all others behind in the ability to consistently boat nice fish.

Prediction: We leave on Friday the 19th and he will be standing by his mailbox every day until then waiting on his passport which will arrive on Thursday the 18th. This is a lot of pressure and stress to have to deal with. It will take him a few days to get into a groove but by Tuesday or Wednesday, the Aaron of old should make an appearance and make a run at a few fish pots. A serious run at Angler of the week would be a real long-shot.

Next up: Trent

Angler Spotlight: TROY

From year after year of being anchorman in the front of the boat, he is now joined by his son Andy who has assumed those responsibilities. Thus, he moves to the back of the boat as Captain and is in his second year of this duty. His first year in this role was on unfamiliar waters where the captaining would play less of a factor. How will he handle it up above where the pressure to produce will be exponentially greater? We will see.

I would put his number of trips at around 28 which make him an elder statesmen of the group and his knowledge of the area will serve him well. However, his production in the past may have been more pronounced due to the lack of production from the other half of his boat. With a new boat partner to actually boat some fish he may have to work harder to show up on the leaderboard at the end of the day.

Integrity has been an issue in the past with false claims of how fish were landed, but with an example to set for impressionable young minds and the added responsibility of getting the boat in position to catch fish, this should not be a problem.

Prediction: Troy will have a good week but, for a change, will be cast into the shadow of the production of his boat partner.

Next up on Angler Spotlight: Aaron C.

Seriously

Nice work walleye killer. You make it sound like a fishing paradise, Next year that camp will be booked solid and we won't be able to get reservations. You might want to mention the sparrow sized mosquitoes and the bears the leave their deposits outside the cabin. And the fact that we hardly ever catch any thing but perch.

Four Weeks

Four weeks from today we will gather in the gravel drive way to pack up and ship out for another trip to the second best place on earth. (The first being home, of course, with our wives and children. In case any spouses stumble upon the blog) We will set out for a 9 hour 10 minute drive to the Soo and make the ever important stop at the duty free. Measures have been taken by the camp director to ensure wait times are kept to a minimum. 6 am sharp departure.

After an incident free cross of the border, we make our way to the Upper Deck Lounge for a late lunch/early supper and hit the road again up Hwy 17 for 140 miles to Wawa, Ontario for a plush 0 day/1 night stay at the White Fang Motel. The first stop in Wawa however is at a neat one-stop-shop for all things needed on your Canada vacation - Young's General Store. We get our fishing license here and a few souvenirs to smooth things over when we return home. And if a $20.00 pack of twister tails is your bag, they have that, too.

Once the visit to Young's is complete and you have seen the chipmunks dart in to steal the peanuts out of the burlap sack they are securely stored in, it is back to the Motel for B.S'ing, a couple of pops, and a good nights sleep before getting up at the crack of dawn to head a 140 miles east just shy of Foleyet, ON to Red Pine Lodge.

From here we catch our 25 minute, northwest flight to Pine Lake Outpost on the Nemegosenda River. Our Air Foleyet flight is serviced by Air Ivanhoe and lacks any type of flight attendant or in flight movie. What is does have is a beautiful view the entire way. If you have never been in a float plane, it is the smoothest take off and landing you can imagine.

From there, the plane is unloaded and boats are loaded for an hour and a half slow ride up the river to The Chutes - An outpost that sits a top a rushing rapid for one of best overlooks anyone can ask for. (Pictures coming soon) Coolers are unpacked, Groceries put away, ice chopped up (to keep the milk cold :o) ) , Rods and reels put together and the traditional dinty moore beef stew and rice begins to cook. If you are new to this trip you might ask "why Dinty Moore beef stew?". The cans are the perfect size to use as worm containers for the rest of the week. We have a system - don't mess with it.

After dinner it is out on the water for a couple hours of fishing just to get our line wet. The business end of the fishing doesn't start until Sunday. Sunday to Friday of fishing, lies, and more lies.

Odds are I will win a lot of money in four weeks and the other 9 guys will have to hear about it for the next 52.

Your Canada Trip related Videos of the day

Two things:

1. Turn your rod over and reel the right direction.
2. GET THE G.D. NET AWAY FROM THE FISH UNTIL HE IS READY!


This one is cool.

Do we have enough?

A question has been raised as to whether or not we will have 5 depth finders to take with us. This got me thinking of a few other things as well. So the list is:

Depth Finders?
Nets?
Minnow Buckets?
Little Debbies?
Extra pulp OJ?

Post in the comments if you know the quantity of any of the important items.

Your Canada Trip related Video of the Day

4 weeks from Saturday this will be us

Predictions for 2009

It would seem there are some high expectations for this years trip. Trent thinks a 24" walleye is in his future. Bob thinks we are leaving at 6 am. Both of these situations in my opinion have the same likelihood of happening. With that being said, here are my predictions for this year:

Big Walleye of the Week - Andy

• Back in the early 80's we made a trip in June and a youngster, not unlike Andy, caught a 25 incher at the moose stand. I think this puts destiny firmly in Andy's court.

Big Pike of the Week - Larry

• In all my minutes of blogging, this was the hardest thing I have ever had to type. I figure no matter who is forced to have him in their boat is going to suffer through the hardship of watching him drag those Erie Dearies all over the bottom of that river and he is bound find one of the larger ones.

WTF Award - Aaron

• I have no reasoning other than:

1. This gives me a 20% chance of being correct
2. One of them has already won the award in the past.

"The Give a Kid a Fish" award for the weeks worst fisherman - Trent

• Ordinarily this award automatically goes to Steve or Bob in the "I haven't caught a walleye all day" boat, but they are getting split up this year and I think this lessens their odds.
  
• Why Trent? - Do you remember throwing pennies into the bottom of the pool and just wanting to dive down to get a penny but there was always a kid who was a better swimmer who got all the pennies? That is kind of how Trent's boat will be this year. He won't be able to get any pennies.

Fisherman of the week - Ryan

• I started the blog...and I have mad, crazy skillz.

Other predictions? Let's have em.

Your Canada Trip related Video of the day

River Map

Click on the map to see a larger image

Let The Countdown Begin

A blog about the yearly trip? Nelson just threw up in his mouth a little bit. This will satisfy the requirement to do something about this trip while we wait for these next 30 days to go by. Maybe we can solve some age-old riddles composed by this trip in the past.

What IS trump?
How do aluminum boats drive on land?
I've got this hook down through my thumbnail. Any advice?
Can you net a fish floating on the water and win the fish pot?
How do you fish 20 plus years and never catch a fish over 20 inches?

I am sure some of you will have a lot more questions than answers so post them in the comments.

Tomorrow I will bless you with some predictions for this years trip. Here's a teaser, I don't think the trucks pull out before 6:30.

If you have any requests, stories, or other BS you want me to post, send it to me in an email. Creative license belongs to me. I will try and get some pictures loaded this evening.