Rich Clemens

Have a great one buddy.

It is indeed a Minn Kota. While Wayne was messin' with it, he jiggled the wire near the top and it would kick in and move in the other direction, where normally it would not. I'll have see what my options are about getting it fixed or just by a new one.

OFC get-together in Alabama. Anyone up for it ?

After a year-long (very long) wait, we headed north again for my second Lakair OFC GTG and my wife's first. I must say that I have been looking forward to this, since last year. Met a lot of great folks last year and was really surprised at how many names I actually remembered. For me, that is an accomplishment. One highlight was to meet everyone again and had the privilege of meeting quite a few new members. This is one great get-together and everyone really knows how to make a newcomer feel welcome and part of the group. Another highlight was to bring Patsy and our two girls along and everyone had a great time. We're already looking forward to 2009. This was the first real trip for Kia (my new Airedale), so we really didn't know what to expect. Of course, her first trip down to the dock, she starts carrying on, and right off the side of the dock she goes. Thanks to Joe for helping pull her out. She is a lousy swimmer and most likely scared the living crap out of her ... and me too. Both dogs did very well on the 12 hour trip and and while we were on the boat, typically lying down and taking a snooze. Kia really seemed to open up with everyone and had a great time. Gradually we did get her coached to walk into the water a bit. We caught a few fish here and there, but we spent most of the time in search of the elusive musky. Hit the water pretty hard for 5 days once the season started, but never seen one. Patsy had never caught a walleye/pickerel, so she wanted to catch one. Patsy did manage a 12" Wallye and was pretty excited with her first. We had him for supper our last day. Later on, she nailed a very nice 17 incher (pic included). Of course, this was in the slot, so I had to break the news that we had to let it go. To say I was out fished is an understatement. Two or three of the days, Patsy put more fish in the boat than I did. Oh well, at least someone was catching and I did get to take them off the hook. Normally, at the other places we go on the French, she is lucky to catch just one or two fish. At Lakair, she caught a whole lot more - so of course she wants to come back. I think John was experiencing the same thing with Barb along (great folks the both of them). Hey John ... next year you and I will go out and we'll let the ladies back in camp. See if we can improve our luck. Tuesday, my trolling motor crapped out. Wayne took a look at it (which I greatly appreciate) and figured I had a broken wire in the main cable. I could troll right all I wanted - but could not go straight ahead or to the left. This kinds shot our focused fishing as it was quite windy Tuesday and Wednesday. Spent the days just drifting across the cabbage beds in the west bay. Anyway, if was a great time catching up with old friends and making new ones. I ended up taking about 110 pictures, so I'll just put up a few. Of course - there is only one of me. But - to the better fisher woman goes all the credit. Looking forward to our two weeks on the lower French in September and hope to see you all again next year. You all a fantastic bunch of guys and gals.

A day spent fishing with your dad ... no question there. Do it while you can and as often as you can. Catching is always a bonus.

Same here for what the rest have said. It was a pleasure meeting you folks and I didn't realize you live in the same state as I do. Dawson was on cloud nine with his overstuffed bag of goodies at the end of the day on Saturday. That's what it's all about. My guess is that Dawson already made his reservations for next year. Oh yeah ... he better bring a bigger bag.

You got some amazing shots there. Pleasure meeting you this year.

You're a mean man with a match stick Dawg. Great shots of all the fun .. and that wierd looking fish.

I add too that it was great meeting the two of you. Yes - we did see a very nice pike lying the in the cleaning hut. Congrats on that one. Must be a first for bringing the wives along. Brought mine this year and she really had a great time. Myself, I met a number of new OFC'rs and renewed the friendships I made last year. Truly a great time with even greater people.

So that's what a musky looks like ? Congrats Lew ... glad you were able to trigger a hit. Patsy and I tried for 5 days straight ... never even having a follow.

Great report folks ... good to see the both of you again. Patsy was able to pick up her very first Walleye that week.

Yes - I big thank you to all the sponsors and anyone who made donations to the price table. Keeps getting better and better.

Just wait until GCD gets home and finds his pet missing.

I think it is just you. My wife does all the packing - clothes, food, everything except the boat and fishing gear. All I have to do is haul it out of the house and load up the truck. My work is now complete today. As soon as she gets home from 1/2 of work .... WE BE OFF TO LAKAIR. T minus 3 hours and counting.

Yeah - they even sent one to me in the states. My dad soes some bass fishing in Canada, so he has it while we're at Lakair this week.

Awesome report Mike. Looks like a great time, even for a long week-end. Thanks for taking the time to post your report. Enjoyed it.

Hope to be in by noon on Thursday myself.

Sad day Bernie ... just went through that myself earlier this year. It's tough and I still think of her often. Often enough, she is now my computer desktop and my avitar. I can feel for you bud.

Good times Lew. You'll always remember those days ... fish or not.

Great job Cliff. Sounds like ya had some great fun with that ski, including a nice jump out of the water. Quite the adreneline rush eh ?

Fantastic report guys. Gonna have to try some of that 'pickeral' fishing myself. Nothing like a 40 to make the day

I carry the boat insurance, boat registration, and trailer registration cards in the truck (originals). I also carry a photocopy of each one in the boat itself. I'm never all that far from the launch, so if they want to see the originals, they ain;t that far away.

It looks like we have some "BANTERING" going on here. Ayi yi yi Kids Must be getting close ... oh so very close.

Now those are some very impressive Pike caught over just a few days. Great job guys.

Would that be Crane's Lockhaven Wilderness Lodge ? If so, I'll be fishing in the area come September and looking to better my own PB of 43. Sux about the pic ... but congrats on what must have been a beauty of a fish anyway.