Friday June 20th
Today is the day!! We dropped the little one off at school at 1:00 and by 1:30 we were on the road! It was bright and sunny when we left, but there was the threat of rain up at Lakair every day we were to be there. We wouldn't let that dampen our spirits...we had raingear packed. As we approached our exit close to hwy 64, we saw this up ahead.
We arrived by 6pm and went down to see the familiar Lakair sign.
After walking around and saying hi to all that were already there, we docked the boat and went off to find a campsite. We ended up between Kickingfrog and Lew and set up our tent.
We went out for a quick fish, in search of some Walleye, but since we are pretty unfamiliar with the lake, we had a tough time finding them. This was to be our only skunk of the weekend!
We headed back, docked the boat and chatted the rest of the night away......
Saturday June 21st
Ahhh...Bly was up at 6am and started the coffee going. I crawled out of the tent at 630, had a quick bite to eat and we headed down to our fine vessel....
We headed out and decided to pre-fish the Pike tourney that was starting at noon. After heading into a few shallow bays, we saw this guy hanging out....I think he tipped the Pike off, because we didn't catch any!!
Bly caught a few panfish, but she also landed this nice Walleye....too bad it was in the slot, so back it went....
We headed back in so we could have a bite to eat before the tournament. I decided to throw a spinner off the dock, right in front of the docks and I landed my first fish of the trip...a smaller pike, but a scrappy one!
Ok...we were registered for the tourney, and Bly was busy making sure everything we needed was in the boat....including a makeshift livewell, since live fish got an extra inch for the results!
The fishing was tough....while I was blanked in the morning, she had that happen during the tourney. I managed 3 pike....all around 18"...for the fish fry and my tourney entry.
Here's a pic at the "measure" in. TJ made his daughter do all the dirty work...I believe I heard TJ say "Ewwww...I'm not touching those things....they stink".
After the results were in, TJ got busy cleaning all those Pike..I took the opportunity to take some candid pics of some OFNers.
Bill Parker
Irishfield
Roy
Greencoachdog
Finally, at around 5pm, the tourney results were to be announced...and we all gathered to see the great prizes! I came in a respectable 7th place...good enough for a new tackle bag, baseball cap and a lure or two.
Here's a few more pics of the results and fish fry...
Here's Rick, relinquishing the trophy from last year.
Lew, Irishfield, Pointed, BITEME and Deg
Some of the American contingent.....the Plumma's and GCD.
Spiel...picking out his prize...
Irishfield's wife Leah and Bly...
And this tender moment between TJ and his daughter......
And if you've ever wondered what the secret ingredient is in TJ's fish fry...here's an indication...I didn't eat any fish after seeing him do this....that's not oil he's pouring in....LOL.
After dinner, Bly and I headed out again....and only a few perch were caught...but I got a pic of this storm that was forming to the east of us....luckily it never hit Lakair. I thought it was kind of cool that the clouds almost exactly mimicked the tree line....
After we got in, we found a bunch of people partying in a near by cabin. Rick, douG and I supplied some live music and a great time was being had by all. Here's a nice shot of Leah...I guess we know where Wayne gets his attitude from.....see how sweet and innocent the smile is as she flips the camera off??? LOL
Here's a pic that I wont bother explaining....only to say that TJ was half naked and that's on of the Plumma brothers straddling him.....
Sunday June 22nd.
Most of the crew left today, but Bly and I decided to make this an all fishing day. After saying bye to a few that left early, we headed out at around 730 to a different part of the lake that a few people mentioned. The morning was perfect...a nice cool breeze and comfortable temperatures. Both Bly and I caught our fair share of smallish pike that morning.
We headed in around 1pm for lunch. After that, Bly decided to take it easy for a while and went back down to the docks and caught a few more pike. Here's a pic of one of them on the way in.
We went back out again after dinnner...this time the target was Walleye. We followed Spiel and Joey out to a proven producing spot and we got into a few nice ones. Two were given to Joey for a future meal and one went back that was in the slot. The winds were howling as we headed out, but shortly after, they calmed right down and it was just beautiful out there.
Well, that's about it for this year. It was GREAT seeing everyone again....as well as meeting a few people for the first time as well. The weather ended up perfect...the only rain we saw was at around 5am on Sunday....and I slept right though it. On the way home, we hit a severe thunderstorm, but it lasted only a few minutes.
Can't wait til next years G2G.....
Thanks to everyone who was there....hope to see you all again soon!
Edit: Totally forgot to add one of the most exciting things to the report....doh!! On Sunday morning, I was throwing some big spinners for muskie in a bay that Lew was telling me he caught a few the day before. I had one follow right to the boat. I excitedly said to bly "Hey..come see this!!". My heart was pounding as I started the figure 8. I paused for a second and the muskie lurched forward. My lure disappeared and I waited for a little tension on the line. I then set the hook and my heart sank as my lure flew out of the water and the muskie lazily slinked away. Bly followed up with a quick cast, followed by me, but he lost interest.....oh well...maybe next time!!
