Change of venue - IMPORTANT

Packing of vehicles will now be done at the palatial Couts estate in Gilmore, OH.  I have it on good authority that the mosquito population on Main St. has reached the intolerable level.  2nd only to the place we are packing to go.  Please confirm you are aware by commenting on this post.  Only one West Virginian required since you are all riding together.

I am obviously aware...and thankful.

ONE

No...not the place I will finish for fisherman of the week (although technically correct).  That is how many more days I have to work.  One day of work, one more trip to the horse barn and then make my way to Gnaden.  My Wawa bag is packed...the only thing left is the shower stuff.  I am ready to go.  In fact, I have been ready for 3 months.

Bernie/Cody

I don't care if you get any but I don't want to get up there and hear that I didn't offer to make you guys any jigs.  Scroll back to the beginning of this year if you want to see the product.  1/4, 3/16 or 1/8 oz jigs.  Red, White, Yellow, Orange, Pearl, Pink, Chartruese Yellow, or Chartruese Green.  Also assorted hair jigs if you are into that sort of thing.  Jig heads are 4 dollars for 25.  Hair Jigs are 3 dollars for 4.

Packing Details...

3 days....I have driven to Cleveland for the last time for the month of July.  I do however get to drive to Gnaden on Friday and immediately travel the same path back on our way to Canada but that is another story.  I should just be happy I am getting my pepperjack cheese.  There are no rules about how much cheese you can bring into Canada but there is for beer so here it goes.

Each person of legal drinking age is allowed 5 cases of beer so if we assume 3 adults in Bob's Truck, 4 West Virginians in Larry's, 2 in Steve's truck and 4 in Troy's:

Bob's truck should be packed with 12 cases allowing three duty free purchases.

Larry's truck should be packed with 16 cases allowing for 4 duty free purchases

The van should have 8 cases allowing for the 4 duty free purchases and then some.

Dad's truck, housing the non-compliant passport holder, will have only the duty free purchases for those adults. 

This is the method I suggest that would cause the least chance of hassle at the border.

OK...Here's the skinny...

So, in the event of future dumbassery.  Here is what is required to get into Canada and back home in the event that you lose your passport the week before the trip.  This is purely hypothetical.  No one has ever done this but just in case, I'll let you know how to get there and back.

Getting into Canada...Yeah, they don't care.  They just want your money.  Photo ID (or expired passport) and Birth Certificate.  Then fish to your little heart's content.

Getting into the United States from Canada:  You need to have a copy of your submitted PP paperwork with receipt of payment, expired passport or DL, and birth certificate.  This will get you back in to the states and looking forward to entering with a Passport the very next year...or the year after that.

This information was gleaned by calling Canadian Border Security Agency and the Soo US border patrol.  Also, Theron notes that it is a good idea to keep your expired Passport as it has come in handy for him a couple of times previously. 

One last thing on this.  When we get to the border don't start handing stuff out the window.  Answer the questions asked of you and give them everyone's stuff if they ask for it.  The vehicle Theron and the boys are in should have the least amount of Alcohol required to make the other vehicles legal.  We have rock solid confirmation but no need to give them a reason to hassle.

Last Minute Details...

Now I know this won't mean a lot to some of you but just a reminder...

Socks
Towels
Wawa Bag
PASSPORT(OR OTHER REQ. DOCS)
Sunglasses
Money (I have singles to make change for fish pot, groceries, etc.)
Shoes (I almost forgot this)

I am packed and ready to go.  Got me a new boat cooler last night.  My boat partner is going to love the temperature of their beverages.

I also have this big wooden box with a generator, trolling motor, battery charger, batteries, etc.  It is pretty heavy but I am sure you guys won't mind.

6:00 AM between the white fences.  If you are going to Canada, be in a packed vehicle by 6:30.

Longest week of the year.

And all is right with the world.

The Everett boys are in.  Couple phone calls to the Soo Border Crossing and got all the requirements and then Theron called to confirm.  Done.  I just got three votes in my favor when the official vote goes down.

Brotherly Love Challenge

I'm a liar, Trent's got a drinking problem, and Bernie's still getting pushed around by his older brother. We got some issues to work out. I called a dozen counselors, explained all our situations and asked if they'd go on the trip to fix what's broken. They all said no and advised me to get a few more WTF awards and one referred me to a hit man. After hearing Ryan's audio from last night, he offered to work for free, but he's poorly reviewed on Angie's list. Probably going to pass. Anyway, I propose we settle this like fisherman. Simple challenge. Who wins more pots? Younger brothers or older brothers? By weeks end, we'll definitively know if its better to be an older brother, younger brother, or not a brother at all. I like the way our YB team shapes up. Me, Steve, Trent, Bernie, maybe Will.

Sharpen your hooks fellers, we got pots to win.

Hahahahahaha....

Aaron can't figure out how to post from an identical device to the one I am currently using.

A stressful week afoot

For Theron anyway.  You see, the one thing he was sure he could count on was his passport being where it should be.  It's not.  We are pursuing all the avenues.  Long story short, he may be driving to Detroit on Monday.  Also, Canada says you don't need a passport.  I will just say this....there is a lot of stuff going on to believe I have this WTF locked up.

Message from Big Fish..to Troy

This message is to Troy from Big Fish...Big Fish says he's got saugeage gravy biscuits covered so don't buy the stuff.  He has beans and corn bread covered as well, just in case Walleye Killer doesn't catch enough for dinner.  He's back in the game.

Random thoughts...

Walleye Killer must be the epitome of efficiency.  A model for us all...as I look at my pile I figure I just might not get to eat or drink.  Another thought,  I know the beer ration must have been adjusted and probably the food, but what about worms?  I figure about 25%  to 50% more (Larry and Cody will only use half a worm...Pete and Repeat) so there goes at least 10% waste.  That and with 4 more guys, worm usage could add up in a hurry. Bob's minnow trapping skills might be tested mightily.  Another thought,  this has got to be the longest week of the year.... only to be followed by the shortest!  Now to try to find things to keep me occuppied for the week...fishing is out...everything is muddy as hell!  Reading this blog is about the best I can do!

I Like It

70

All my gear: 

Ruck sack: clothes, rain gear, seat cushions, chair, mat for cot, shoes....37 lbs.

Cooler with misc goods, tackle box and reel case...33 lbs.  

Think my groceries weigh less than 30?  My beer is 54 lbs so I guess not.  Fellas, (you may want to sit down) we are going to be overweight.

See you in a week.  

Angler Spotlight - Bob C., Camp Director, Texas Bob

"Bob! Get down off that tractor and come read your angler spotlight!"

What a fitting way to end this run of spotlights as we come up on being a week away from heading on this trip.  He hasn't missed a year since Lincoln was president.  He ensures this trip runs like a well oiled machine, has his wife (the current one) do his blog posting, has his brother update us on the status of camp, and has his son drive him all over the river.  Delegation is the key to being a good leader.  He seems to have this down pat.  The problem is, you can't really delegate the ability to catch fish.  Especially with his boat partner.  This could be the year he takes that responsibility on himself.  Less hedge trimming and grass mowing and more fish catching.  If he gets a couple of pot winners early in the week, look out.  He could be on his way to making the magic happen.  If not, well, those paths don't make themselves wider.

A big thanks to the Camp Director for hosting the meeting, keeping the trip running smoothly, and keeping the paths wide enough for 16 people to get up the hill.  We all appreciate it.  Now go finish your yard.  It looks terrible.  

Predictions

1. Rick and Hunter will do the most fighting among boat partners.
2. Big Walleye for the week will be 28 1/4 inches.
3. Big Pike will be 34 inches.  The big ones are still not biting.
4. Larry and Cody will be the first boat fishing.
5. Theron's hands will look like hamburger at the end of the week.
6. There will be a disagreement over the FOW award but a clear cut WTF winner.
7. At least 2 broken or lost rods, and 3 lost pairs of pliers.
8. The big walleye of the week will be netted by a Hiber Net.
9.  Trent will not come in last in this year's Virtue Tourney.
10. Aaron Couts will finally win at least one fish pot.
11. Bernie will be bitching at Aaron H. every time something go's wrong for talking him into coming.
12. We won't get on the road to come home until at least 6:00pm.
13. I will not drink my whole bottle of Bourbon on Tuesday.
14.  Andy will win the big Pike of the week with his bum finger.
15.  This will be a trip we are talking about for years.

Angler Spotlight - Trent Couts

...and the moment you've ALL been waiting for...

Forget everything you thought you knew about predicting winners for FOTW.  Forget using an entire history of information as a basis for future performance.  Forget that Jillian's first walleye ever was over 20 inches.  Forget that it took Trent an eternity to reach that bar.  Forget all that and just look at recent history.  2009 is a well documented, and frequently revisited year for Trent.  29 inch Walleye, 41 inch pike (Not on the day of the Virtue.  Bernie knows what I am talking about.)  2011 saw his boat bring in 3 fish over 24 inches on the first day.  Trent is not only one of the best boat captains in camp but he is also quickly becoming the guy people look over their shoulder for in the fish catching department.  Is this year?  Put it on your calendar boys.  July 3rd, 2013, the day Trent is publicly named the odds on favorite (after me, of course) to win FOTW.  His challenge?  Staying on the water long enough to catch the big fish (that place doesn't landscape itself, ya' know.) Not to mention the fact, this is a full camp.  The co-camp director, while a self-assigned title, still comes with responsibility of ensuring each member of the camp has what they need to enjoy their week in the bush.  I think he is up to the task.  Time will tell.  Trent, this is the opportunity you have waited your whole life for.  Don't screw it up.

Edit #1:  screw it.  Trent wants to take the other side.  I always say, you can't win all the awards if you don't win the first one.  I will take my WTF award and add it to my shelf along with fisherman of the week.  You have all been up there with Trent long enough to know this prediction wasn't all that realistic anyway.  I think that is where I went wrong.  You have to make it a little bit plausible.   Also, Trent and Aaron C., you had better pray to everything holy you don't draw my name for the Virtue.  There is not a lure in my box that will get wet that day...and I am not bringing a filet knife.

Official Disclaimer:  If this were the TV show survivor, this is what would be referred to as trying to form an alliance.  You see, the backstabbing of my brother is bound to come up at some point (read: every day) during the week and I am going to need to drum up some support.  I don't think I am going to get it from Troy after his spotlight, so I have drifted into uncharted waters.

Where in the world is Mudslinger....?

I rely on Trent to keep things stirred up on this blog.  No such thing happening!  It's like trying to find Waldo.  Is he hiding or still lost in the wilds of the north? We need a little report on the Cannooks, the weather, the fishing etc.  There should be a non-participation penalty for not stirring up things before we all trek off to the great far north!

Note from camp directors little brother

Spoke with CD today who had called R.Glazer to see about fly in time. Well, apparently it is way to early to get an ETA or ETD. However we will have enough boats.  Regarding the concern for crowding at the table, I think we will be fine. The little table that holds Andy's magazines can be pulled out and will seat 4. I can eat while sitting on a beer, I mean pop, cooler. There are no real problems in paradise. (edited for a better grade-hoping for a C minus)

This makes for a nice trip up the river....

Lets hope it stays just like this....

Post Script:  I wouldn't want to be flying in this Saturday...Feels like temp is 93.  Yuck.

16

There are now 16 on this trip.  Theron has two nice, compact cots in carry bags.  I don't know that the meal stuff needs increased any but we may want to look at the bread and beer.  Let me restate:  We MAY want to look at the bread.  I KNOW we need to look at the beer.  I think we should determine ahead of time who is sleeping on the cots.  They may want to bring items to make the cots more comfortable.  I am willing to sleep on a cot but if one of the older guys wants to avoid a top bunk in the front cabin and take a cot, that is fine too.  I really don't care either way.  But there is enough whipper snappers going that I should be able to avoid a top bunk in the back cabin.  That is where I draw the line.  :)

The only other thing I can think of that would be nice is a couple of extra chairs.  Also, shift dinners?  16 people around that cabin table is next to impossible. 

Man this is going to be a good time.  It will be great to have everyone up there all at once.  This will be a rock picture for the ages.  See you all next Friday!

Angler Spotlight - Troy C.

First, let me apologize to Troy.  I intended to get yours posted after mine but things keep getting sprung on me at the last minute and I have to write last minute spotlights.  I am not pointing any fingers but if I were, they'd be pointing directly at Bernie and Cody.  Now, to the business end of this spotlight.  My feelings on Troy's chances changed dramatically once Andy went under the knife.  My god, the things Troy is going to have to do in that boat.  Sweet Brown, of YouTube fame, said it best when she said "Ain't nobody got time for that!"  (If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and watch the original clip.)  Troy was finally getting to the point when he didn't have as many duties in the boat.  Now he is right back to when Andy was 10.  There is almost a zero percent chance he can keep a line in the water long enough to win FOTW.  That isn't to say it won't be a good week.  They will have a good time.  They will catch fish.  But man, motor...anchor...put the stringer over the side....hand me a rod...can you get me a worm...I can't tie this knot with this finger...I got one can you get the net...go ahead and take that off the hook....put it on the third hook of the stringer...I need another worm...whoop, got cleaned on my other rod, need a minnow...I got one can you get the net...For six days straight.  Ain't nobody got time for that.  Keep him busy, Andy.  It is his job.

Angler Spotlight - Bernie H.

WTF?  I mean that in the best sense of the words.  I am no longer a mortal lock for WTF anymore.  I can now make a reasonable argument for someone else.  Bernie "the flipflopper" can boat big fish.  I honestly thought this was going to be a two or three horse race but because Bernie was nice enough to make us an even number in camp, FOTW just got a ton more interesting.  Not only does he become an immediate contender but he makes his brother one as well.  Bernie, you have just over a week to get your mind right, find your pink shirt and get everything packed.  Don't forget anything.  I would hate to see you take the lead on any other awards.  Glad to have you back, Big Fish.  By the way, Somewhere, Andy is sitting with his middle finger appropriately extended by a splint saying "I told you so."