Good morning RSL Family! Week 14 Wrap-Up!
We blew through Week 14 and with Bear Hunters in camp the pace was set at record speed! Some family (Julie my better half, son Max, Katie), and some of their friends were able to make it up for a week to a long weekend! What a blast as I was able to get out a little bit and fish while still assisting the Bear hunters. We also were able to have an impromptu fish fry as Dean and Len decided to cook fish for anyone who brought their fresh catch!
The Original Rich Award winner might be considered a bit of a stretch however, I’m awarding Mark anyway from C-2 since he almost forgot his crossbow. Granted he and Aaron had not left the country yet and Mark was preoccupied with a family event but I’m deeming him a winner. Basically, Aaron picked up Mark but not at home with all their gear. Aaron asked Mark if he had his crossbow (thankfully) and Mark said oh its at home which was 30 or 40 minutes the opposite direction of where they were headed. Potential crisis averted and thank goodness Aaron knew enough to ask the question as I was told Mark has a tendency to forget stuff! As the season wanes, I hope this portion of the blog continues to have winners and guests fess up to funny things that happen during their stay. Please keep the incidents to a minimum, maybe one minor hiccup a week would be beneficial to the writing of this blog every week!
Our Bear season fired up Friday evening and before we got back to Rocky Shore Lodge the text message came through saying Bear Down from Brian! Brian told us he was in the stand for about 30 minutes when a couple bears came in and started to feed. He had three bears at his barrel after he harvested a bear.
The bears were continuing to feed and if it wasn’t for the posse arriving and scaring off the bears he might still be up in his stand. The following day Witt got the biggest bear since Steve, and I took over from Mike and Chris! His bear weighed in at 350lbs dressed and let me tell ya getting it out of the bush was quite an effort! Great job hunters! All in all, the hunters sighted about 25 Bears in total while hunting! Although we didn’t hit 100% we had two bears and a clean miss due to a branch impeding the arrow.
Apparently I need to own stock in trail cams since everyone I touch seems to be irresistible to Bears. I have the culprit on camera this time though so I'll be on the lookout for him! I'm placing him on double secret probation! I know where you live buddy!
Walleyes are on the move and transitioning to fall spots. Our anglers are seeing them moving 2 to 3 feet above the bottom. Bills point is where we found them when Max, Wyatt, and I were out fishing. Seems Hopeless is starting to produce, and of course I’d be fishing on the sandbar in the evenings. We all fished the sandbar and although Julie and I didn’t get out much while she was up here it was great having her out and catching fish off the sandbar with me and the family. Max’s buddy Wyatt started off his week with a 28.5-Inch Walleye to start his first Canadian vacation! He also ended it with a very nice 25 or 26-Inch Walleye to end his week! Overall Walleye fishing seemed to be in a flux with all the movement.
Adam and Moose were up again chasing Muskies. Adam boated a 48.5-Inch Musky on their first day! They had some very solid follows in the 50+ and upper 40-Inch range! Moose had lots of follows and caught a ton of quality Pike while throwing lures for Musky! Amy from C6 also threw for some Muskies as the Girls Gone Fishing crew was back for their 20th season!
Week 14 Monster/Micro Fish tournament results: Another Sunday and another tournament. We had a two-timer win the Micro and Walleye trophy this Sunday as Luke (family friend) from P2 pulled in a 9.5-Inch Walleye to grab the Micro prize, and followed up with a 21-Inch Walleye to seize the Walleye trophy! Pauline from C6 boated a 23.75-Inch Pike to grab the Northern Pike prize! Congratulations everyone!
Dennis and his wife Sue from C-3 finally made it up to RSL after three failed attempts due to Covid and other circumstances.
Loved the shirt he was wearing! They took Bill out a couple times and enjoyed catching walleyes and not having to drive the boat around.
This weeks recipe: Len’s Bear Stew Yield: 6
§ 2 lbs. Bear Meat - 1 ½’’ Cubed
§ 2 Tbsp. Oil
§ 4 Cups Boiling Water
§ 1 Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
§ 1 Clove Garlic, Whole
§ 1 Medium Onion, Sliced
§ 6 – 8 Carrots Sliced or Baby Carrots
§ 6 Medium White Potatoes, Quartered or Cubed
§ 2 Bay Leaves
§ 1 Tbsp. Salt
§ ½ Tsp. Fresh Ground Pepper
§ 1 Tsp. Sugar
§ ½ Tsp. Paprika
§ Dash Allspice
Thoroughly brown meat on all sides in hot oil, turning often. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onions, bay leaves and seasonings. Cover and simmer (don’t boil) for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking. Remove bay leaves. Add carrots and potatoes, cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes or until done. Remove meat and vegetables and thicken liquid (corn starch and water) for gravy, if desired.
Hard to believe we’re through another week, and as we start staining and doing some small projects just looking around and seeing the leaves turning already is a quick reminder that fall is upon us and the end of another Great season isn’t too far away. Sun is setting at 802 p.m. today as we are now losing almost 4 minutes of sunlight a day up here. A little trivia in case you were wondering. Tight Lines everyone! Go Hawkeyes!