Cool Cats sure was a lot of fun!

[DTro]

Big thanks to Borch for hosting it and to everyone for their eager participation and donations.

It was a strange bite this year. In past years, the early birds got the fish, but we struggled mightily this year as the sun came up. Folks stated moving around to find fish and I even packed up and went to a different lake to try and get some fish for the fry.

I missed on my "cant miss spot", but to my delight when I returned the group had found the school of fish and were into them pretty good. I sure was happy to see people having fun!

I started cleaning fish, and before I knew it, they were piling up faster than I could clean them, not only that, but the fish I was cleaning were freezing in process. I think I must have cleaned about 25 fish.

As that was happening I was also trying to also keep track of the big fish of the day as I had some prizes.

Duffman brought in the first biggest one that weighed in at a stellar 2.95lbs. I thought that one would hold, but then Harvey Lee brought in 2 bigger fish, one at 3.27 and one at 3.54. The bar had been set again. A short time later, another contender was brought in and I couldn't believe what happened.... his fish weighed in at exactly 3.54lbs...a tie.

I said, "well someone better go catch a bigger one" and sure enough about 20 min later here comes TomSawyer ...with one that crushed the previous lead at 5.05lbs.

Congrats on the nice fish to all!

After that the bite tapered off a bit, but I think those that put some effort into moving around were rewarded with a few fish while the school was active and the ladies even got into the action!

oh and yeah the Meth Hole is still there.

Thanks again and see ya next year

[Rick G]

Got to see some old friends and made a bunch of new ones.

Early on I have to admit , I was a bit worried when no one was catching them. Good thing Borch went exploring with the auger when all was said and done it was a pretty good day.

[aanderud]

I would have loved to join you guys. Looks like a blast. I ended up working. Oh well, pays the bills. Next time...

[mrpike1973]

thanks guys. got there about miday wow what fun. thanks for all the tips rick g and dtro for showing how to fillet cats. highlight of my winter thanks again. every one there was fun to talk too.

[DTro]

trying to figure out what is causing all the pollution in my house tonight.

The chili

The Beans

or the Bacon wrapped goodness

most likely the combination of the 3

[silverbulletguy]

Thanks Borch for hosting this event and it was good to finally meet some of you. Wish I could have stayed longer and put some more cats on the ice. Thanks DTro for posting the recap and pics.

[Borch]

Thanks for the recap Darren. It was definitely a lot of fun! Also thanks to Brian for bringing the big fish trophy plaque. It was very nice. Always seems like I do a lot more talking than fishing. With such good folks there it seems like the best option.

[eyeguy 54]

good to meet you Rick, we were stuborn and stayed where we were lol

[harvey lee]

This nevent was as fun or more than all the others.

Seemed all I did was fish for close to 10 hours and did not talk much, rare for me.

I took a hard spill on the ice and my shoulder is not good. May have to go to the hospital tomorrow as I can hardly move it and cannot lift it at all.

Oh well, that's what happens when one forgets thier ice cleats. I hope I did not dent the ice when I tipped over.

[Borch]

This nevent was as fun or more than all the others.

Seemed all I did was fish for close to 10 hours and did not talk much, rare for me.

I took a hard spill on the ice and my shoulder is not good. May have to go to the hospital tomorrow as I can hardly move it and cannot lift it at all.

Oh well, that's what happens when one forgets thier ice cleats. I hope I did not dent the ice when I tipped over.

Hope you're feeling better soon Tom. Falling on the ice rarely ends well.

[Papa Grump]

good to meet you Rick, we were stuborn and stayed where we were lol

Same here..Should have moved a bit more north, but had a great time. nice meeting some old friends and making new ones too! Managed a small eye this morning around 5:30. Made it home just now to the freezing rain ..ishta.. can't wait till next year !

[Gordie]

Hope you feel better Tom and I really wished I could have made it sounds like such a great time was had by all.

Looking forward to next years event

[DonBo]

Thought about attending myself, but other options came up I couldn't pass on. Sounds like a lot of fun. Glad you all had a good time. Maybe next year....

[aanderud]

Hey papa grump... your lady friend did not out fish you, did she?

[nsnutter]

Sure wish I could've made it up there yesterday. Like Brian, I was working as well. Looks like you guys had fun, with a few cats to boot. Tom, sorry to hear you took a spill, ill keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

[DTro]

I think Eric's wife outfished him too.

I was actually surprised how many fish everyone caught. I had to put an end to fish coming in to clean. I couldn't keep up and we had more than enough. In fact a few people got to take some home.

Myself?

I put up my house and never drilled a hole.

Hope your shoulder is OK Tom, that was a nasty spill.

[Rick G]

Hope your feeling better soon Tom. That was one of the hardest falls I have seen in quite a while.

[Stick in Mud]

I'm bummed I missed it....between the portable house being up at Mille Lacs, and my general laziness/preference to fish in a super-comfy big fishhouse, I decided to head up nort'.

Next year!

[Papa Grump]

Hey papa grump... your lady friend did not out fish you, did she?

yup.. and pretty much never heard the end of that part of the weekend on the way home

[Crappie Cat]

Since I planned on joining the event I figured I would become a member here (first post). To be honest I had more fun than I thought I would. Thank you to the creators and contributors.

The goods: Arrived a bit late friday night to the meth hole and struggled...

Saturday morning we arrived a bit late and met papa grump looking for a report from friday night. Very nice guy and his lady friend! Brian pointed out where I should go and BOOM caught around 10ish while trying to keep warm in the cold. Decided to move to a quieter haunt for the sunset bite and did quite well!

Sunday we went to spot #3 of the weekend and it was

More fuel for the catfish addiction I can't wait to get back there and I just got home!

[Rick G]

Welcome to HSO crappie cat. Glad to hear you had a good trip I have said it befor, them members here make all this so much fun.

[Duffman]

Looks like I might have to invest in one of those Auqua-Vu micros. The vehicle fobs on my keys were probably worth the price of one, plus the gas money and grief from the old lady for coming and bringing me a my spare.......that wouldn't have been good.

When pushbutton and I were trying to figure out where to drill the next hole to get at them, catfish were swiming by all the time on the camera and then we both said in unison "Oooooo a crappie".

Fun time, even with the mishap.

Bacon wrapped goodness......

Whole canned water chestnuts.

Soak them in teriyaki sauce for a few hours.

Roll them in sugar.

Wrap in bacon and stick 'em a toothpick.

Bake until they look tasty.

[Cheetah]

While cleaning my catfish on Sunday I finally got a chance to measure them properly. The best three between me and my dad were 21", 20" and 19". I didn't weigh them. All the rest were in the mid-teens for length. Haven't cooked any yet, I think we will be having some for dinner tonight.

[pushbutton]

and then we both said in unison "Oooooo a crappie".

Hi-light of the day for me! You know your down with the sickness when you get distracted by a fish swimming next to your truck keys ....and when we both did it at the exact same time it was just hilarious. Similarly, glad you did not have to get "that" look from Mrs Duffman ...we all know that look ....this one would have been extra special

[NKLCOLT1911]

i had a good time as always just with we would have caught some fish but thats how it goes sometimes.