LOTW 2019

Lake of the Woods 2019.  Headed up Monday morning, June 10th, came home Thursday morning June 13th.  Stayed at Birch Point Provincial Park.  Sweet campground.  Great people, great site, great fishing right out front. Arrived and fished first day, caught 10 fish between the two boats on spinners/cranks.  Day two was shut down by a thunderstorm.  Day 3 was a great day with Shane and Josie both catching walleyes all on their own on cranks.  Josie notched two over 18" and Shane reeled in a nice 19 that came as part of a double with Jadon.  We tented and friends Mark, Ty and Tatum slept in their camper.  Weather was great, no hotter than 70 and just a little bit of rain that second day.  The morning that we left, the wind blew hard into Buffalo bay and fishing was bad.  Talk of the Natives taking over the campground and shutting it down next year so we may have to look for a different spot for spring trip.  Kids had fun.

Jadon caught most of the fish.  Was really helpful with the little ones.  Last trip for him most likely for a while as he's off to see the world.  

Campground was amazing.  Will be sad if it's shut down as it is enjoyed by many.

Excel boat and 65 horse two stroker exceeded expectations.  Handled well in big water.  30 mph easy at 3/4 throttle.  Need a trolling motor.

Shane's first legit eye.  19".  Then he text his mom the message below.

Lots of snacks and drinks.

Josie the eye slayer.

Two good young men. 

Can't we just smile?

Freaks

Grilling and chilling

Driftwood and photo bomb

Day 2.  Both out cold. 

Bonus photo from Chase lake.  Worm and bobber. 

Fishing report: Have been out 3 times by May 28th.  One time on el Meche by myself.  First time I failed to catch a single fish.  Water very high and very dirty hard to get on fish. Went with friend on lake with limit of 5 sunfish.  Caught 13 eyes in 1.5 hrs in 15' of water right where the weeds stopped and the sand began (south end).  Very fun night.  Cloudy and cold, with a little rain front moving in right when we left (north wind).  All fish caught from 545-715 pm.  Size range from 14-18.  Next night, same spot similar weather, but a little colder.  9 fish, same size range though a few more in the 17-18 range.  May 26 & May 27.  Haven't been able to get out much at all because we've been getting house ready for grad party.  :(

PIc Updates

 Shane and newborn Elsie Elaine

 Kids under our oak at river property

Shane reminding us of cousin James in arm definition

Catching up with some photos since Deer Hunting

Campfire on the Deer River

 Beastie Boy

 Kid's Cave

 Josie after long day at LOTW with Morrisons

Brought back 12 or so eyes from LOTW.  Went out of Dale's Resort right by Arnesens.  About 3 miles out.  Caught 4 eyes between 18 and 22, buncha little sauger and Mark's first pout. 

Jose during a basketball game 

Red fox.  Trapper friend saw this photo and told me never to hold by the tail. 

Sausage love.  80 lbs of sausage i think. 

Catching up on some summer/fall photos

Rifle Season 2018

Jadon and I hunted the first weekend at BC.  Had some shooting that first morning that was close.  Maybe that was our buck.  Only thing we saw that opening weekend was a tail running north of Dan's swamp through the poplar.  Found some sign in that area that would be a good place to look for bucks in the future.  Hunted the 2nd Saturday and don't think I saw anything.  There was no one in the woods that 2nd Saturday and hardly any shooting.  Found two old portables that hadn't been used in years, one a climber.  They were located on the north central area of the 40 that we hunt.  Second Monday of season about 8:15 was having snack in the stand (peanuts) and buck appeared about 80 yards straight out north of me, came from the swamp, same place as Rick's 10.  With NW wind was sure it wouldn't wind me.  But it was wary of something.  Took off to the SW.  Stopped and gave me broadside shot through thick.  Didn't think I hit it.  Moments later doe and fawn appear.  Shoot doe.  Get down from stand and see I hit buck with a good shot.  Jadon shoots huge doe (estimated 140) at the J&N A plantation on last day of season.

Made 50 lbs of sausage with seasoning from S&S.  Added 5lbs of high temp cheddar per 25 lbs of ground meat (30%ish pork).  Made a bunch of plain ground burger and alot of roasts/steaks.  60 lbs of grinder sausage meat yeilded approximately 180 good size sausage links (brat & breakfast).  Really good stuff.  Next time, cut back on cheese % by 50%.  Also, freeze extra casings as the will not keep in the fridge.  Also, remember to add nitrate pack to anything that will be smoked (as smoking process inhibits bacteria growth [exposed to certain temp for certain time]).

All in all, a fun season with good results from BC for 15 straight years.

Buck above appeared to be bigger than a fork.  Comparing it to the last 3 bucks we've shot there (7,8,8) it is a much wider rack.

 Jadon's doe above.  Estimated 140 lbs.

 30.06 hit this twig above.  About 5 yards in front of buck.  Below is the blood trail.  Hit deer in lower half of heart.  Rand about 85 yards.  Same as last year. 

LOTW 2018

Birch Point.  Awesome campsite.  Arrived to strong wind/rain in big lake.  No fishing.  Day 2 went to Moose lake in afternoon caught 8 kept 3, Jadon caught a 23.  Day 3 kept a nice limit including Josie's first walleye.  Day four caught three small fish.  Fishing below average.  Canp site really fun.  Kids had alot of fun.  Moose lake nice weather escape option.  Spinners on Moose by inlet.  Cranks on big lake in 6'.