Mille Lacs Get Together 26th, 27th

[Pitts]

High guys Eddies called me and told me that no one has reserved any of the block of rooms that I asked them to set aside.
They are going to start letting them go because they are fully booked on most of the other rooms in the motel.
If you would like a room you should call as soon as possible to assure one is available.
Lets use this thread to get a head count for the food for Sat noon on the ice, I'll pick it up.
TBO be sure and bring your grill and some charcoal and lighter.
We will for sure meet for cocktails about 7pm in there resturaunt.
See ya all there and hope for good ice:)

Pitts

[TBO/MN]

Is that 7:00 pm on the 25th (Friday) or 26th (Saturday)??? I will be bring the WW beans, and we will bring grills, but they are gas grills, do you need charcoal and lighter for something else??


Pitts, give me an email........ tbomn91847@yahoo.com

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[Dave in Mpls]

Well, that's odd.

I know I reserved a room for Saturday, the 26th, and told them it was for the WC/Pitts deal, so they should have had at least one reservation....Me thinks I best give them a call!

I'll be there with my buddy Gary, who was with us last year.

See ya up there (unless they gave my room away!)

Regards

[Pitts]

TBO that will be 7 pm on Fri and I will probably have coffee in the resturaunt in the morning at 7am or so on Sat which will be a good place and times to discuss stratedgy for the day. And no if your grill is a gas grill we will not need charcoal.
I hope the weather cooperates and at least keep the ice we already have.
See ya there.

Pitts

[Pitts]

Dave did they give you a confirmation #? Use that to check on it.
I was wondering the same thing.

Pitts

[Mike]

I HATE!!! Ice Fishing, how come we don't have a Summer get together? as well as the Winter one?

Mike

[Pitts]

Mike you are free to set up a get together in the summer. I would start about 1 to 2 months in advance and schedule it when the fewest # of tournaments are going on the weekend.
I will attend if I am free.
Just do it.
Ice fishing is a time when friends get together and work hard setting up and tearing down and moving seaching for the bite that is fast and furious. If it's slow there is a lot of laughter and stories told and plans made for the open water season. Not to mention that walleyes, perch, crappie and panfish are about the best eating when caught in cold water and kept cold until cleaned.

Show up I have an extra 2 holes and I will prove that ice fishing is fun.
See ya there.

Go fish.


Pitts

[BFJ]

Pitts, How many people do you expect??..Fished all nite the 12th, little slow, good ice..Count on myself and my partner Opie, see ya Friday nite!

[AquaMan]

OK, I am coming up, but will not be staying over night. I will be there early Sat AM an returning that night. Where are you all going to fish? I realize that you are based out of Eddies so will you stay on that end or are you going over to the reefs, etc? What time can I meet up with you all to join the exoduce to the spot?

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[Pitts]

I will be at the Eddies resturant 7pm Fri until I go out fishing and 7am till probably 8 am having coffee on Sat. We will decide then from reports from people I know and any input from every one.
This post is to get a head count and I will keep sending it to the top by posting on it until that weekend so everyone that is coming needs to post with # of people and when arriving.
I talked to a friend and he is on the north mud from shore and he caught 20 11" perch daylight and 10 eyes at night with 2 at 24" and 2 in the slot.
14" of ice near shore and he is going to move to a flat this next weekend.
Cold temps are forecast for this next week so driving out could be a reality.


Pitts

[Dave in Mpls]

Just checked with Arlene at Eddy's - Good to go for the 26th. She also confirmed that was with WC. Not sure why they said no one had reserved anything.....

Gary and I will be heading up that Sat morning, and will plan on meeting Pitts and whomever at the restaurant around 7am.

Regards

[Pitts]

Look like there will only be about 10 of us so that is how many I will plan for on lunch for Sat noon. I will bring the brats and buns and some finger food for Sat. See ya all either Fri night or Sat morning at the restruant.
I still have not planned the fishing because of the changing ice conditions but we may end up driving all over with the forcast we have for below zero weather all this week.
The last I heard there was 9" of ice out on the flats and ATVs and snowmobiles were all over with vehicles in most of the bays where there was up to 14" of ice.


Pitts

[Vickie]

Hi - We fish out of a small resort just south of Eddy's and if we have some time we may come by and visit. Your Sat lunch is going to be on the lake where ever you are fishing right? Do have any idea yet which direction or how far out you are heading? How about some way I can recognize the group - by ice shacks or whatever? I talked to the resort last night and people are driving but it might get a bit tricky farther out, just because of rough ice. We've been using snowmobiles and ATV's up until now, but am hoping to drive out this weekend. Have a great get together and maybe we'll see you.

Vickie

[Big Laker]

Is this event open to anyone?
I don't get up to Mille Lacs very often because I don't like to go up there alone. I'm also relatively new to ice fishing (I'm a transplant from Chicago) so I may actually learn something.

[biofish]

FYI- I have a shack just off 3/4 mile reef, in 21 feet. Last weekend there was 14 inches of ice, and we caught 10 eyes, with 7 in the slot, and about 10 decent perch. Walleye bite started around 4 pm.

[TBO/MN]

Absolutely, this is open to everyone. New, old, or just interested, we don't care. Show up at Eddies Cafe around 7:00 AM on Sat. morning,or Friday night around 7:00, introduce yourself, and you get to be part of this mess.............:+ We have a great time, and we try to catch some fish......

If you see a big fat guy with glasses and a white mustache, that would be me....:7

Hope to see ya, and Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[TBO/MN]

We will leave information on general direction, possible places we may end up, and any other info. at the Bait Shop there at Eddie's. If you have a marine radio, I will be monitoring channel 80 on the radio in my truck, so you can give me a shout on that. Just say "TBO where are you???" and I will get back to you.

Hope to see you there, and Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[BFJ]

Pitts, looking forward to meeting everyone Friday Eve...If you need help with lunch, let me know...Opie and i will see you Friday eve at Eddy's...BFJ:+

[BFJ]

Holy Walleye Fillets!! TBO we may be twins...I'll be the other causally attired large gentleman with glasses, graying beard, chrome topped dome...See ya Friday Eve!! BFJ

[Pitts]

Vickie I have a Lable maker at work I will make some big yellow Walleye Central stickers and put them on the windows of my truck and anyone else that wants then plus I may make signs to point where we went or at a spot on a road close to the flat we are on.
Hope to see ya there.


Pitts

[Vickie]

We were about 3 miles out last weekend and had about 16 inches of ice. We pulled the house out with the pick up on Friday during the day but driving at night could be difficult. There is a lot of rough ice and some cracks that are still working. No roads to follow because there is only snow in patches with bare ice between. Pulled the house back in on Sunday - just to be safe. Thanks I'll look for the Walleye Central signs and yes we have a marine band radio - I'll remember you're on 80.

Vickie

[Xplorer]

Pitts,
Myself and my wife will be coming down from Duluth on Saturday morning and staying the day and evening, plan on having dinner at Eddy's after the evening bite. Will plan on meeting you guys around 7am to head out (the missus says its pretty early on a sat tho!!) if we're late will ask/look for directions and signage.
Have you already gotten the stuff for lunch? If so, let me know and I will bring something to throw on the grill.

Am planning on bringing down the snowmobile/otter to use, is there enough snow on the ice to lube the slides?
Thanks for any info and see you on saturday. Chris

[AquaMan]

OK, My dad is out of the woods and is well on the road to recovery. A buddy and I will be there Sat AM and will check in at the Bait Shot at Eddies when we get there. Depending on what time we get on the road, we will see you all there. Looking forward to putting faces with names.

BTW, should I bring my auger or will someone have one? Just less to haul for a one day trip.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[TBO/MN]

There isn't much snow, but enough to keep the slides cool and lubed. I was out Sat., and Mon. and there is plenty of ice. We should be able to get just about anywhere from Eddies.

See you all Friday night around 7:00 @ Eddies for dinner.

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[TBO/MN]

There will be plenty of augers around, but you may want to have one, just in case you want to fish somewhere other than where everyone is.
Just a thought, remember "Always be prepared"

See ya, Saturday

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[TBO/MN]

Those are the channels I will be running on the marine VHF and the FRS radios. Give us a shout and join us............

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[Pitts]

H2O I have an auger you can use no problem. I am looking foward to putting names to faces also.
Looks closer to 20 people total. I plan to pick up some brats, chips, and a macaroni salad with TBO's beans that should do it I will also pick up plates and plastic ware for eating with please bring your own drink:)
See ya there


Pitts

[AquaMan]

I don't have a Marine radio, only FRS. Will anyone else have them and what channel do you all want to designate? TBO can monitor 13-35. How about 13? Lucky number ya know.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[TBO/MN]

Can't everyone monitor FRS channel 13-35????? My radios have two channel designations, on one mode there are channels 1-18 and the other mode 1-38........that is why I said 13(first mode)-35(second mode)

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[Dave in Mpls]

You just give me a hollar when you want me to come over and unhook your fish, buddy. You won't need a radio for that :)

I'll bring ya a little present Saturday.

[Jbob]

I will be on the norht end of the lake out of the Myr Mar.We can run down and see you on Sat. morning. We are on channel 69 on the marine band in the fish house. What do you need us to bring?

[smiley]

Hey Dave, feel free to just go right out on the ice and fish this year. No need to hang out on shore for a half hour first. ;) hee hee

I hope you all have a great time. I'll miss seeing everyone.

Catch a bunch and have fun.

Lisa

[Pitts]

I think we will have the food covered for Sat noon just bring something to drink.
Call TBO on the Radio or stop at Eddies bait shop to find out our plans up to noon at least.
See ya there


Pitts

[bttt]

bttt

[Dave in Mpls]

Lisa, I only waited a half hour for you and Bob! We'll miss you :)

[TBO/MN]

Give us a shout on channel 80, we will let you know where we are.

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[AquaMan]

One more question.

Are you all driving your trucks out there or sleds/4-wheelers?

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[TBO/MN]

I will have both, the ice is good enough for trucks. I was out to Blue Jug, and Boot on Monday, with my truck(suburban) and had plent of ice. The is about 16 inches thick out there. I will only use my snowmobile to jump, hop, and skip around (if needed) to find fish.

See ya Saturday,
Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[Pitts]

Hey TBO thats my favorite flat we anchor on the west side and slip bobber in that little nook tucked into the side of Bluejug and we kill the 5,6,and 7 lb fish consistantly.
Are you saying that there is no reason to bring an ATV because the ice is thick enough on most of the lake right out to all the flats on the north end.


Pitts

[TBO/MN]

I don't think there should be a problem with driving all over the lake. I went out of the east side, both on Sat. and Monday, and they had roads out to Boot, and Blue Jug. I would guess that means almost every place should be accessable by truck. I always take my sled, so I don't have to keep loading my house, just pull the string and drive away. I would like to go to the fingers on 8 mile next weekend, should be a good place to check out. 7 mile and 9 mile are easily reached from the west side, with other reefs to try....I guess I would rather be prepared and bring everything.....but that's just me..:7

See you Friday night......
Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[Hookmaster]

I'm about 90% sure I can come up for Saturday. I'll be at Eddie's before 7:00 am if I can make it.

Formerly John in MN

[Dave in Mpls]

Everybody knows where the restaurant is, right? For those that don't, it is on the lake side of the resort (not physically connected to the motel), across the frontage road from the landing.

Hope to see ya there, John

Regards

[Pitts]

We will probably be there at 7 but by the time coffee and a bite are done it will be closer to 8 am by the time we get done and go fishing just because it will be our major planning time until noon.
See ya there.


Pitts

[Converterkid]

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to let you all know Ken & I were up at rocky reef from the 19th to the 21st. We had a great time I caught a 26 1/2 in Walleye. And lot of 20 inch walleyes. We did bring home a nice cooler with some nice walleye and perch. I'm looking forward to seeing you all next summer. Have a great time wish I could have came when you all were there.
Doug

[TBO/MN]

I made the beans tonight........they are to die for........hehehehehe

see everyone on Friday night/Saturday

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[bttt]

bttt

[Fish-on]

Looks like my saturday has opened up and I'm seriously considering coming down for the day. I'm just over an hour from Garrison which makes me about 1:45 from Eddy's. If you guys are going to fish on the north end, I would meet you there rather than drive all the way around. How will I know?

I do have FRS radios, but that doesn't help much on a lake the size of Mille Lacs.

I'm not much of an ice fisherman although I'm trying to get started, so I don't have much equipment, will there be people I can mooch from? All I've really got is a couple rods, a Vexilar and four Aqua-Vus to share. Don't have any kind of a shelter or an auger.

I can bring some Polish sausages I hade made from bear this year and they are really excellent. I'll just throw in a dozen and if we need them we'll use them.

How am I going to know you guys when I see you?

[Eyecrosser]

Do you guys have any idea where you will be fishing? I would like to stop by. I'll be spending Friday night on the lake(SW side). Hope to see some of you. If not, I hope everyone has a great time!

Eyecrosser

[Pitts]

You might as well drive down because if you miss us you won't be fishing with no auger. We will meet 7 pm Fri night at Eddies Restruant or between 7am and 8am Sat morn. TBO has a radio and I will have some WC signs pointing to where we went and on my trailer behind either a 91 burb (grey and white) or a Yammy ATV.

See ya there

Pitts

[Dave in Mpls]

We'll be the ones catching all the walleyes, of course!!

Eddy's is about 20 minutes south of Garrison, especially at that time of the day. I'd suggest meeting us at Eddy's for ease, as it's hard to say where we'll end up.

Certainly don't worry about an auger, we'll have more than enough. If you know you are coming for sure, I have an extra small portable house I can throw in, if nobody has an extra hole for ya in there's. Lets see if anybody else replys and go from there.

Regards

[AquaMan]

Given the weather reports, houses might not be required anyway. I have one and was not planning to bring it. Sometimes ice fishing turns into this insane collection of stuff and I seem to be graduating to the "less is more" philosophy. Too many years of always being the one who has it all and I am then the only one spending all the time packing while the rest of my party...well....parties.

Must be getting older or something. I can tell you the wife loves it. :-)

See ya'll SAT AM......Dave, ya know the truck, so if you see it wondering around aimlessly on the ice, hail me down.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[Dave in Mpls]

I agree, a house may not be necessary when it warms up, but may be nice in the morning (it's 16 degrees in Onamia right now)!

Are you gonna plan on meeting us at Eddy's?

[AquaMan]

Gonna try. Buddy is meeting at my house first and it depends on how much his wife yells whe the alrm goes off. So....depending on his timing we should be at Eddies between 7AM and 8AM. If we miss you guys there, we'll try and raise TBO on my Motorola talkabout. Since I can only broadcast on one channel at a time, I will start at 13.

I have good info on Indian Point. But we will hook up with the group first and wonder if the bite is slow there.

Catch ya'll up there!

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[Pitts]

I have a Motorola talk about also so I will have it on when we are traveling. I have 2 extra spots in my house which means 4 holes because my youngest son is not comming with. No problem with someone using them morning and evening or all the time. I do like to fish on the open ice if the temps are above freezing unless there is a considerable wind which will make it seem colder.
I just picked up the chow and packed the truck:)
SEE YA THERE

Pitts:7

[bttt]

bttt

[eyewitness]

Fish-on. Where are you coming from? I am seriously thinking of meeting up with everyone as well. I live in Grand Rapids and would ride share if you want to. I've been out on the big pond 4 out of the last 7 days. It has been a hoot. Friday we pulled 56 fish between 5 guys from 7Am till 5PM. Most being too big to keep. Sat. I pulled an even dozen. Tuesday/wed. we pulled only 9 fish between 4 of us, all were 22"+ fish but one, which went 17-1/2". I will need to know sometime by Friday night. I'm just guessing you're a neighbor by the locality and time reference you gave. Email me at bob_bombardier@munters.com.

[Vickie]

Hi Again - We'll be heading up first thing Friday morning. I'm planning on finding you guys sometime on Saturday. We'll be on the ice most of the weekend - usually just go in for an hour or so on Sat so I can get showered up. I'll look for the Walleye Central signs and/or I'll monitor channel 80 on the marine band to find out where
you are.

If for some reason I don't find you - Have a great time and I know you'll catch your share of the walleyes. Just remember - measure carefully - 14" - 18" with one over 28".

Sounds like a great time.

Vickie

[Big Laker]

Ok, I'll see guys at the cafe around 7am. I'll be wearing my Chicago Bears cap.
Is the lake safe for driving a truck on? I don't have a 4 wheeler or sled.

[Fish-on]

I'm 35 miles north of Brainerd on 371. I'm having second thoughts now as my daughter has a basketball tournament in the Twin Cities which will put me home about 1 a.m. Getting up at 5:30 to be at Eddie's by 7 is not looking as attractive as it once did. I have a buddy in Cohasset that would probably like to share a ride.

[Goldpig]

Is anyone going to be fishing this afternoon and evening? I am going up real soon and fishing for the remainder of the day. I would like the opportunity to meet some people, but not real sure if I will be staying over night.

[MNStarfish]

eye-witness
Where are you fishing at, I will be out Sunday and would love to get into them like you were. Thanks for any info you could share!