Just got back from the Rainy Lake Gathering...

[Kylersk]

Zap, that was some great chili! When are you going to post the recipe?

[Deitz Dittrich]

All I can say is WOW..

Great meeting you all.. yes the fishing wasn't that great on Rainy but the company far than made up for that.. Meeting new faces and names is what this event was all about. Was a pleaure meeting you all!

LOW was a blast.. my father and I did quite well for the short time we were there. We left with Paul and Rick for URL as well as a few others and did pretty well on URL too... so well that Paul, Rick and Holehooper and Hole JR and myself stayed another night and hit URL again monday.. We also met up with Dan B there as well .. and we really hit them.. it was a blast.. Paul and I had to bust out the ***SECRET WEAPON*** on them, look for a product update soon to know what I am talking about...

Again, to all that attended.. thanks for making this trip one I will remember for a long time!... Anybody got any sunburn meds?

[hanson]

Dietz-

If you are talking about the same SECRET WEAPON that I think you are talking about, it has worked fairly well up there for me also. But I do think I need to pick up a few more. The more SECRET WEAPONS, the better.

[Paul Waldowski]

Chris,

I think you're on the right track Definately the more SECRET WEAPONS the better!!!

I wanted to say a big thank you to all of you that attended all, or part of this event.

I also want to thank Jeff Beckwith, for putting this together and inviting FM along, The Rambler Motel in International Falls, if anyone needs a place to stay there, this is the place to be.

After that, I don't even know where to start. It was great to fish with some old faces, and also fun to meet some new ones. Fishing wasn't the best on Rainy, but it was a lot of fun. Wish we could have got all of you down to Red and have had a fish-off The trash talking was flying down there

BD110 - Nice Northern and thanks for the jerk out of the drift

Holehopper and Hopper Jr. - Hope you guys had as much fun as we did

Dietz - Bring it anytime Buddy. I'm ready for you

Hemlock - Hope to hook up with you this summer on the Woods

and FINALLY has anyone seen Littleperch????

[Deitz Dittrich]

Hanson-not sure, but I am thinking you may be on the right SECRET WEAPON.. I am just getting the O.K. from Rick to release the information on this product... To be honest I was as shocked as anybody that if worked the wonders that it did... but I will eat crow.. it worked wonders.. perfect for a lake like Upper Red Lake!

[Northlander]

Oh man those secret weapons must have beeen the ticket. They worked so well they put fish under my house as well!

There has been a Little Perch 1 E-mail. He says he missed us at Hillmans by about a half an hour and didnt go on the lake to look for us so he left for home after 4pm. He is ok though and thats what counts. Sorry about that LP1! We will make it up to younext year.

[Borch]

I wasn't even there and I know what you guys are talking about. Seems like it would be the ticket on URL. Even if it's a little funny looking.

Wish I could have made it up there. Sounds like a great time. It usually is.

The weather was too nice anyways. It's been nasty cold everytime I've been up on URL. I'd probably just have brouoght the cold with me.

[Surface Tension]

I think I know what secret weapon your talking about. I've been using mine all winter. Your right one isn't enough, six would be better. I've added some tiny black dots to mine to look like hiding bugs.

[Matt Johnson]

If you're using what I think you're using, then I've watched fish on the unserwater camera actually swim up and try to eat mine, pretty funny. Those things work wonders on certain occasions!

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Dan Brelje]

Deitz

Whens the article coming? It was fun fishing with you guys on Red, and, the Secret Weapon seemed to be the ticket. 7 fish in 3-4 minutes without bait, that was incredible.

[ZapBranigan]

While out on LOW I got the scoop on why Rainy was so slow. It really was a timing issue. Even Dave mentioned it while cleaning up his crappies. Need to wait until the run off starts. Now as Paul Harvey would say the rest of the story. The run off starts getting the water all muddied in the Rainy River this causes the Emerald Shiners to head for the Lake's both LOW and Rainy. They have a low tolerance for cloudy water. This triggers the walleye to come into Sand Bay. It's all a chain of events. We are just a bit early on this. So on LOW and Rainy they are still in their winter pattern deeper in the day and they move shallower in the evening.

Kylersk I'll get a posting out tonight on my chili recipe. Sorry about the delay but tons of stuff to do when you get back. Just a note the chili didn't survive the trip back home. You guys needed to eat more. Needed those Canadians to get in there eating with us. Hemlock and his crew might have made the difference on polishing it off. What say you Hemlock? Slipping off to the bar instead of eating to the point of gluttony.

Har Har. Missed you guys completely. Chili would've gone great with a couple of Blues.

All I got is the blue's with the imported sticker on them heard that that's just not the same. I may never find out. I was thinking of slipping over the border and picking up a case but found out I needed to stay 48 hrs to bring back alcohol. Not an option.

Hey maybe next year. I could do this again that's for sure.

[Hemlock]

Zap, sorry we didn't hook up. I came up empty handed as far as the "Blue's" went. The duty free in Fort Frances was closed at 8:10 PM as I came through on Friday. Not a happy camper.

The Blue with the import sticker isn't quite the same, IMHO. What room were you guys in? WEre you down at the "other hotel" I'm sure seeing a lot of posts from guys I didn't even know were there. Wierd.

Well, I hope we can make this trip an annual trip. Who cares about the fishing. On a weekend like that it's tough to fish it too hard. Gotta have a goof off weekend every once in a while, eh?

[Kylersk]

Hemlock, where did you dissappear to on Saturday night? Thought for sure you'd be around for the fish fry.

[Hemlock]

I was there! I had a peice of fishnutbob's lake trout, then got talking LOW/maps with Paul down at their room. When I came out to visit, everyone was gone. There were a few still up and at'em at Jeff Beckwith's room, but that didn't last long. A rather dissapointing night. I can't believe how serious everyone was about the 4 AM wake up call.

What did you guys do?

[Kylersk]

We figured everyone was heading to bed, so we just went back to our room had a beer and called it a night.

[ZapBranigan]

Hemlock that's got to be a miss of the century I was in cleaning Crappie with the guy who went into Canada when you were eating trout. Then when I came out you snuck into one of the rooms and didn't come out till we busted up. What are the odds. Yeah I was down the road at the Days Inn.

The chili recipe:

2 lbs of lean hamberger (10 oz ground white turkey for a healtheir choice)

1 medium onion diced

2 - 1.23 oz pkg dry chili seasoning (1 spicey 1 reg)

1 - 28 oz can of diced tomatoes (large)

1 - 15 oz canblack beans rinsed

1 - 15 oz can fat free beef broth

4 stalks celery diced

2 green peppers diced

2 medium zucchini diced

2 medium yellow squash diced

4 cloves of fresh garlic (not in that batch you had)

1 can red kidney beans

1 can spicey chili beans

1 large can tomato sauce

1 can tomatoe paste

In large skillet saute onions and garlic then brown meat.

Add everything in a large soup pot and bring to a simmer with medium heat setting. Continue to simmer for 30 min or until the vegetables are tender.

[cluelessfisherman]

What a fun weekend - I am still trying to unwind!

It was great meeting some fellow FM'ers. I didn't get to socialize and meet as many folks as I wanted, but it was still great to meet the folks I did. Old Guide, Hemlock, Deitz, kingfisher, & walleyejon to name a few.

The Nebraskans had a great time - it's not all about catching fish, it's about the time spend with good friends.

We started the weekend on Red on Friday afternoon/evening, and got completely shut out. We then got shut out on Rainy on Saturday (after sleeping in a little)

But Sunday on LOW, we were able to bring home a nice cooler of fish. We were the white dodge that blew by everyone at the landing. Anyway, we set up in 20 feet next to the ridge right away and put 5 eyes in the cooler in the first half hour. Then the fish all but disappeared in shallower.

We moved out to 32 feet and set up for the day. We just put the poles in the holders and had snowball wars and got sunburns. We had enough action to keep us in the spot - ended the day with a nice cooler - 14 eyes (biggest 16 3/4"), 5 sauger, and 5 fat perch. Also released 3 small pout - was hoping for a few larger ones to take home, but at least the pout virgins got to catch some.

It was a great weekend, and I can't wait to do it again!

[HoleHopper]

Hey Gang,

Is everyone rested up yet? I had to take a day and not do anything. Here are some things I will never forget!

Saterday night cookout- Thanks to everyone that contributed, and a special thanks to Jeff for the batch after batch of fish and BD110's pickled pike... MMMMmmmm! The socializing was great!

The FM Train- What a sight!

Channel #7 -

The Deitz Crappie Dance- After he cought 5-6 Crappies in under 5 minutes useing the 'Secret Weapon' and without bait! Deitz, You are the 5 fish king! Come to think of it, I believe I seen Paul doing the dance too all the while singing the hot bite vidio song! It was sure intertaining watching you guys.

The Look On Jr,s Face- When he pulled up his first URL crappie. Thanks Rick, Paul, Deitz and your dad for letting us tag along. Your dad is a very nice guy with some storys to tell. Was a pleasure! That was a great time for both of us!

The Peaple- Will never foget all the great FM'ers we met and spent time with. Hopper Jr. will not stop talking about all of you and now talks like he has been on the forum for years. (Dont you know, he knows everything at 16) LOL

Glad to here you made it home safe, Lil Perch.

BD110, thanks for the sticker, and yep I got the "FM Feeling"........... "OOoH OOOhhH.....that FM Feeling".......! AAhh, Just a little pay back for the "Hot Bite Fishing" song I cant get out of my head Fisherking 01, Was nice talk'n and shareing a room with you and would welcome it again in the future. Thanks for the magnets!

We had a great time and look faward to doing this again. What a Trip! Im "POOOPED"!

[BD110]

Hopper,

Glad to here you and Jr. had such a good time. Each time we meet at a get-together it seems to get even better. On our next outing I plan on bringing two quarts of pickeled Northern. I can't beleive how fast it went. Next time just keep me away from it after it's opened.

Hopper Jr,

These times you are able to spend with your father will be times you will never forget. You are one lucky young man but I'm sure you already know that. It was great to see you out there fishing with the crew.

Don't forget to say hi to Mrs. Hopper for me. Thanks again for the great time. And I look forward to meeting up with the Hoppers again.

Take care,

Tom

[Deitz Dittrich]

O.K. BD.. dont make me beg for that pickled northern recipe!!!.. fork it over dude!

[BD110]

Deitz,

Thanks for reminding me. I have to leave for volleyball soon. I'll try and put it up when I get home.

Tom (BD110)

[Surface Tension]

BD110's Pike

[hanson]

Nice Fish Man!!!

Thats what I'm talking about!

Its big pike time everybody.

[BD110]

Recipe For Pickeled Northern

1st. step:

3lbs. of Northern chunks (remove rib bones Y-bones are ok)

4 cups water

1 cup canning salt

I use a 5qt. ice cream pail. Mix water and canning salt add fish. mix up well with spoon. Keep cold in frig. or cooler.

(THIS STEP TAKES 48 HOURS)

You can stir this once or twice during the next two days.

2nd step:

Drain and rinse Northern chuncks. Place back in 5qt. pail.

Cover with white vinegar.

(THIS STEP TAKES 24 HOURS)

Note: If chuncks of Northern are from a larger fish with a larger Y-bone add another 12 to 24 hours to the 2nd step to soften the larger Y-Bone.

3rd Step:

Make pickeling solution & cut 1 large onion into half slices.

Bring 3 cups of white vinegar and 3 cups of sugar to a boil. Stir this a little bit while bringing to a boil. Allow this to cool tell it's on the cool side of warm.

Drain a rinse Northern chuncks from soaking in vinegar. This recipe will make 3 quarts of Pickeled Northern.

Add 1 Tablespoon of Durke pickeling spices to each quart. Start layering in Northern and onins until full. Fill each quart with the pickeling solution cover and put in frig. You should be eating Pickeled Northern in about (10 DAYS)

Good luck and let me know what you think.

Take care,

Tom (BD110)

P.S. The Northern from Red lake went back in the water.

[Surface Tension]

Tom makes a wicked Pickled Smelt too.