No longer Orphaned...

As many of you know I got orphaned when Cody decided to make the trip.  Pete and Repeat just couldn't be separated for a week and Cody would not know what to do with that extra lotion he has for Larry while Larry was away.  So I considered not making the trip (for about 30 seconds),  and I thought about fishing 3 to a boat.  (Can you imagine Pete and Repeat all day long??)  I even considered fishing alone,  which might be sad ... a guy orhaned and crying in his beer.  I really knew the Couts boys would help me out no matter with another boat and motor.  Then I thought .... WWRD..(What would Ryan do?)  Screw his brother..So after a long and heated discussion with his brother...Big Fish is in.  Three cases of Bud light and a gallon of milk  and he's good.  I'm glad  I read back though these posts and was reminded that I too have a younger brother that with a little inspiration from Ryan ...I could screw!

2 weeks til Dinty Moore

in 2 weeks we will be enjoying some Dinty Moore over rice. Its the only time I ever eat that stuff and I'm looking forward to it. Mostly it means almost everything is up the hill.

Angler Spotlight - Cody R.-D.

This is obviously out of order but he pulled a Bernie and decided he really doesn't need that 9 days of summer pay that bad.  He can just drink cheaper next semester.  This is Cody's third trip.  Now, I don't like to make assumptions or accusations but I have come to the conclusion that we now have a gauge for just how awesome this trip is.  This is trip is just better than it is hard to put up with Larry.  How many times have the people Larry invited begin to waffle about their ability to go on the trip only to commit when it comes to brass tacks.  Anything that is good enough to convince a guy to put up with Dillon has got to be good.  But these two yayhoos will be too busy cutting people's trolling lines, catching ducks and beavers, and God knows what else to really be feared for FOTW.  Cody, you have two weeks get your mind right.  Don't forget your passport card.  Oh, and don't forget the special cream that Larry likes rubbed on his back at bed time.  Glad to see you on board.  Welcome back.  Also let me know if you want any jigs.  Rushed orders require and additional handling charge but I'll let you know what that is later.  I wouldn't worry about it, you have already given up a weeks pay for this trip.  You'll be alright.

Revise the menu

Just spoke with the camp directer (   the real one,not Trent)\-Cody is in- Anybody have a cot for him?
That will make 15. Glad to have Cody along. Anybody have one more guy to put on board, 16 will even uo the boats

To avoid panic

I know from time to time I look down at Ryan's checklist while I throw a few things in the corner as I start to get ready for this trip. One thing Ryan left off this list is something that had AC and I in a bit of a panic last year.. Might I recomend that you locate you passport now because getting one at the last minute can be very stressful and expensive. Lucky for both of us we did not have to.

So Beers up fellows only 14 more days

Two weeks

This is getting serious now.  Only three spotlights left.  One of them has a real chance at FOTW. One of them has an outside chance and one of them has no chance at all.

Our rediculously long range forecast for fly-in day: 78 and Sunny.  The rest of the week looks to be pretty cool.  I am gonna go ahead and wait because it may change once or twice between now and then....and then still be wrong.

If anyone needs a dry bag for their rainsuit or layers they peel off during the day, Walmart has one for 6 bucks in the camping section.

I started getting some stuff together and organized.  I have a few more jigs to tie and I think all the orders will be filled.

I don't think Trent and the family are getting any fishing in today. 

Angler Spotlight - Steve C.

Or, Dad, as I like to call him.  There have been some lean years of fish catching for this guy.  But in recent vintage, things have been looking up.  A lot has changed through the years; he is now in a boat seat, has an ugly orange hat, never fishes with the same person in consecutive years (I think we should explore why), handles gin like a right cross from Mike Tyson, and walks slower due to some tenderness in the nether-regions.  He has a lot going against him this year.  He will, at any point, be fishing with Connor, Will, Aaron or Ryan.  One of these people has never operated a net before.  One of these people needs concrete evidence of a net worthy fish before getting down off the boat seat.  Then there is me and Connor.  If he can catch his big fish while fishing with the right people, I really think he can make a run at FOTW.  He is due.  He knows where all the fish are and he even stands up to fish every now and again.  But if Aaron won't net his fish or Will can't get the Hibernet open...or he gets over-served before dinner...or his nether-regions hamper his ability to get out of the top bunk...or somebody puts his hat in the burn barrel...or he just generally reverts back to his "I haven't caught a walleye all day." years, it is going to be a long week...and it will still be the best week of the year.

Post Script - Now I know this isn't our style on this blog and I think he already knows, but I don't say it enough...Thank you Dad for taking me on this trip when I was 8 years old.  Some of my best childhood, and adult for that matter, memories are of this trip and I look equally forward to it every time I get the chance to go. 

Post Post Script - The above is in lieu of me getting you something nice in order to show my gratitude.  This trip is expensive.  Aaron knows what I mean.

Communications

I am bringing 3 hand held 2-way communication devices- we will need 4 more-

Odds and Ends....

It looks like our part of Ontario is set to get some pretty warm weather this week.  Let's hope this is the hot week and we get the 75 degree temps.

I just checked the radar and Trent seems to be having dry first day.

If the exchange rate keeps progressing at the current clip we will be back up to the good ole' days of 1.25 before our trip.

Theron made his final prep purchases this weekend and seems to be ready to go.

Aaron seemed really grumpy this past weekend.  I think he might need a vacation.

Angler Spotlight - Aaron C.

You know how sometimes the timing of things couldn't be worse?  This is probably one of those times.  I couldn't get a good read on him yesterday to really tell if he was still mad or not.  I am pretty sure he was just joking when he referred to me as "not family" yesterday.  Anyway, it is time for Aaron's spotlight and I should probably tell you what a great chance he has for FOTW and how this new found anger and resentment towards his "ex-brother" (as he likes to refer to me now) is going to help motivate him.  But I have to believe that the stress of knowing he is going on this trip 400 dollars short is going to weigh on him.  Let's be honest, (and I think we all are now) he hasn't been exactly raking in the fish pot money over recent years.  If he is going to contend for this week, he is going to have to put his hatred aside, raise another 400 bucks, and get serious once again about fishing.  I originally thought he and I would be fishing together a couple of days throughout the week but now I am not so sure he wants to nor am I sure if I want to.  I am sure it will be OK because I would imagine his energy will be best spent trying to get me in trouble when we get home.  I hope he is just able to enjoy his week.  Let's not get ahead of ourselves on the FOTW talk.  He has a lot going on. 

Here is how it all went down...

My wife and I were talking about the money we made for the garage sale and what percentage of the Canada trip this money actually paid for. She may have, and I can't say for sure, coaxed it out of me that it has been a running joke that for years she and another Couts wife (unnamed) could have been misinformed as to the actual cost of this trip. Now, my wife has known for years, apparently, the other wife has not.

It all went down Saturday night when my wife started a conversation like this...hey! Did you know there is an ongoing joke with this Canada Trip group about us thinking for years the trip cost xxx dollars!? Well apparently the joke was still going because "a day late" was mighty pissed and so was his wife. They were mad at two very different people.

Well, it snowballed from there because I told Sandy I should take 1500 with me knowing I would bring money back. Well Dad says "it has never cost that." Now my wife is pissed at me because she thinks I am a liar and am trying to get extra money. I got that straightened out. I am not sure how things got spun in Zoar but there is a pretty good chance I am going to have to buy Aaron something nice at Young's.

Three Weeks

New Fish Finder in this week.  Picked up a few other odds and ends.  Time to start slowly putting a clothes pile together.  Aaron C, this includes socks.

Trent, have a great week.  I don't know what you are going to do without the rest of camp carrying you all week but I am anxious to find out.  I think your goal for this week is to still be married when you return.  Everything else is just a bonus.

I have some hair jigs to make before we leave (still no order from the Camp Director) and a garage sale to run this weekend so I don't have to borrow money from Larry.

Get some new line on those reels, and get out the duffel bags.  We are getting close.

3 WEEKS!

Angler Spotlight - Ryan C.

I am not sure who has more trips me or Aaron but I know you have all probably been chomping at the bit to read this so here it goes.  I just don't see it in the cards.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I am not questioning my ability.  But 2011 was a banner year.  I am not sure anyone has ever won FOTW on back to back trips.  That 31 inch walleye (on an 1/8 oz jig) was a sight to behold even if only two people were able to behold the sight.  The pressure of living up to the bar you set is a lot.  Couple that with what will most probably be multiple boat partners, part-time captaining, full-time camp feeding, part-time Gin rationing, part-time alarm clock for Aaron, part-time motor instructor so Uncle Bob doesn't have to paddle back from the minnow traps.  Whew...the camp directors think they have a lot to deal with?  How am I supposed to repeat the performance from 2011 with all that going on.  I will give it my best shot and my name will be in the discussion at some point during the week but it just seems like a lot to expect that type of repeat performance.  Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha....you are all a bunch of suckers.  Of course I am going to win.  I actually feel a little bit bad for you and the disadvantage you start off with.  Hell, I feel a little bit bad for myself taking the award away from Senior Citizens, family and the occasional cripple.  But I am going to do it anyway and the way I figure it, there is only one person in my way.  We'll see who that is.

Group at the Chutes?

I was so busy at the meeting trying to make sure Trent didn't screw anything up I don't remember what Richard said.  Is there a group at the Chutes the week before us?  I know we can't fly-in until Saturday but I am thinking that is because there is a group at Pine Lake.  Anyone remember?

These spotlights were constructed with surgical precision...

Andy is really trying to cut into my accuracy on these predictions. (the surgery puns just keep coming). I am wondering if he is trying to cast (whoa, a double. Fishing and broken bone) a shadow on the whole thing. I will try and stitch the rest of these together as best I can. Andy, good luck tomorrow and heal quickly. Your dad is counting on you for that anchor.

Troy...I won't lie. This incident is going to wreak havoc on your chances for FOTW.

Angler Spotlight - Rick B.

From here on out is what I like to call...The meaty part of the bone.  Sure I spent time writing the other reviews but here is where it starts to get fo' real.  I sat here this morning (sure I could have been doing something productive) thinking about the last time Rick and I were in camp together.  I don't know what the answer is.  I think it has been 11 years.  I wasn't there last year so this review is mostly based on a previous millennium.  Rick does three things extremely well.  1.  Consistently drinks the amount of beer he is allotted at the meeting and will never shy away from helping others.  Pure. Selflessness.   2.  Stumbles upon big fish - Big Walleye, Big Pike...doesn't matter.  He always seems to find a couple.  3.  Throws tantrums like none other upon missing a strike.  He also gets more strikes than anyone else in camp because he will slap that rod on the water on average every 23. 4 seconds.  We can't change #1.  And lets be honest, who would want to?  If it weren't for that we would all have missed out on Rick, Sr. berating a barely coherent Rick, Jr. in Elsas.  Good times.  If he can continue #2 and limit #3, Rick is a serious contender for FOTW.  The real hurdle is going to come from the smack talk that could come from the front of his boat.  There is a real possibility that at the first rod smack on the water that Hunter could get up in his kitchen and do some cookin'.  Actually, I think it might be fun to list in the comments the one liners Hunter could use after the infamous slap of the water and cussing.  If Rick stays focused, he will be in the conversation.  If he let's Hunter get to him (and Hunter, I think you should try) it could be a long week in that boat.

So I will start with an example,   Rick feels a bump, sets the hook and comes up empty. (probably due to using 1/4 oz jigs.)  Rick smacks the water, drops a couple of F-bombs.  Then Hunter, from the front of the boat with out stopping what he is doing says "maybe you just don't have it anymore."

(insert descriptive word here) Spotlight - Larry D.

I don't even know what to write.  Is there anything that hasn't been said before?  Larry will sit in his boat seat, a boat seat I have never seen him get out of by the way, and pitch that Erie Dearie out with a ker-thump as it hits the water.  He'll reel it back in and every once in a while he will have a big pike on the end.  He seems to catch a lot of big pike but I don't know I have ever seen him fish for them.  Which tells me he doesn't have a clue what he is doing.  If he spent as much time figuring out how catch fish as he has perfecting the art of pissing a person off, he'd be the favorite every year.  Yet he isn't.  Strange.  He will get to camp first, have his boat all set up and ready to go fishing by the time we get to camp and it still won't help.  He will win a pike pot or two but there is no real danger of Larry winning FOTW.  I'll bet he'll have some recommendations for fixing Andy's finger though. As well as tell 13 strangers on the way to Canada lies about how Andy hurt his finger.  Each of them will end with ...and boy was he pissed.

4 weeks...

Well we are officially under 30 days. The next two weeks will fly by and then things will seem to take forever. The Everett's are back from Disney, Mudslinger leaves in a week for Rays, Fishfinder is on the mend...we are finally within sight. I am thinking a new portable fish finder might be in order for fathers day.

Angler Spotlight - Andy C.

It seems like every time I have gone to write one of these and figure out who was next, Andy seemed to cross my mind.  It seems like just yesterday he got screwed out of his first trip to the Chutes and had to stay at Pine Lake.  But alas, he is now a wily veteran.  He is actually kind of a throwback to the good ole days of sitting in the fish market with your feet up and dropping a minnow over the side of the boat and waiting for the magic to happen.  He is getting older and bigger now.  It is about the time he stops dreading pulling the anchor up, doesn't mind trolling as much, and starts to believe in the power of the jig.  I am not ready to make him the odds on favorite for fisherman of the week yet but beware, he will be near the top of my confidence list.  His success will really be determined by how far he makes it into the week before going into vacation mode.  If you pull up to Troy's boat on Monday and you only see the bottom of Andy's shoes then please, by all means, discount this notion, but if it is Wednesday, and Andy is still frothing up the water, look out.  So there it is, the first person with any outside chance at FOTW.  There are a few more to come...maybe even one from the same boat.

EDIT:  BREAKING NEWS....BREAKING NEWS.....(See what I did there?)  Vegas just pulled the odds for Andy off the board.  I have it from a quality unnamed source (Troy), that an injury occurred during a sports camp.  Initial reports are a broken finger.  Until word breaks with regard to which hand the broken finger is on, the severity of the break and just how his mentality is affected, please read the initial spotlight with some reservation.  Thank you and I apologize for any misinformation.

Angler Spotlight - Aaron H.

When I started thinking about this trip, I was fully prepared to make Aaron or Bernie the odds on favorite for FOTW.  Then the meeting happened and I learned Bernie is not making the trip. Some quick, camper math told me Aaron was most likely fishing with Larry.  Thusly, the days of him being the favorite ended.  Fishing with Larry brings a whole new set of challenges that will be very difficult to overcome.  If the most recent Erie trip is any indication, they will fish about 2 1/2 hours each day and call it quits.  Aaron will get tired of using the bad end of the worm, taking Larry's fish off the hook, hooking the umbrella, not to mention, who is Captaining that vessel?  I have written off the possibilities of FOTW for Aaron.  Heck at this point, I just hope he comes back next year.    Aaron always seems to catch decent sized fish show I can't discount the fact he will have some fish pot money at the end of the week, but fishing with Larry seems like a lot to deal with to keep it at a consistent enough level for FOTW.  Good luck, Aaron.  I think I speak for the camp when I say, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

5 weeks

I got new socks.  Time to set the old ones aside and thus, the Canada pile begins.  I have also been instructed on what shirts not to bring home with me.  I agree with some of the choices, others will make the next trip as well.

Trent, who has been noticeably absent from this blog, has a trip coming up in a couple of weeks.  That report should be a good one.

5 weeks, boys.  

Angler Spotlight - Theron E.

This marks Theron's third trip to the Chutes and he has now been to Disney more often than Canada.  That ratio needs to change.   Anyway....Is this the year the follies stop? Because this is about the time they start being remembered and will win you WTF award pretty quickly.  In his first trip he tossed two pair of pliers into the river...in the same spot in the river...on separate days.  In his second trip (grab some coffee, this is quite a list), he cut a pot winning fish in half to make two 13 inchers.  He broke 3 rods, buried a hook in his hand, and lost a net overboard (without knowing it...Bernie found it on a beaver hut).  I guess here is to hoping his second year of boat captaining comes with less hiccups than the first.  To his credit, his first year of boat captaining also brought in some nice fish and anyone who has ever done that for the first time knows there is a learning curve.  He knows what he is doing now but I think the energy it will take to keep everything in the boat keeps him from being in the running for fisherman of the week.  He will win a pot or two and whomever his boat partner is for the day will not go fishless but I think this is the year Theron really concentrates on making the week in the boat uneventful.  That takes a lot of focus off the fishing. 

A quick update....

Don't worry about the tractor...AC and I are just going to run everything up the hill. After that warrior dash on Saturday, nothing can be as bad. Although, neither of us will be able to climb in a boat the rest of the week but the stuff will be up the hill.

Secret bait arrived safe and sound. I put them in our fire proof box.

We are officially into the month of June and this trip just keeps getting closer and closer...fishfinder has been on an ordering spree, the Everett boys left for Disney today so they can get that trip out of the way to focus on Canada.

Next up for the Angler Spotlight.....Theron Everett.

Angler Spotlight - Hunter B.

This year marks Hunter's second to the Chutes and he is with a guy that knows all the spots, and could put him on the fish.  He has obviously had a pole in his hands before and seems willing to run to the cooler and back without too much hassle.  Let me tell you why he isn't going to win fisherman of the week.  Do you know who his teacher was this year?  Trent.  Do you know who he lost a bet to this year?  Trent.  Hunter will spend so much time making sandwiches, icing down coolers, filling up gas tanks, bailing out boats, filling up minnow buckets, etc., how will he be able to focus on fishing? He will be a reason the camp directors are able to make this such an enjoyable trip for everyone.  They won't have to do anything in their boat.  Hunter will have a couple lunchtime pot winners but in the end, if any of you win a fish pot, some of that money is bound to be Hunter's.