Portable Fish House Modification Get-Together - Sat. Aug. 6 !!!

[CRAPPIEBAIT]

Quote:

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Who has a decent size yard and is located somewhere in Central MN?

Maybe we can all meet on a Saturday or Sunday in August and set-up in someone's yard. A little BBQ too maybe...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

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I have a pretty large back yard.All the tools we would need,

2 grills,3 smokers,deep fryers B U T !

I live in Columbia Heights,how central would this be for fellow FM'ERS ?

[H2O]

A summer gathering sounds awesome! I know that I'm definitely interested and have a buddy or two who would be willing to road trip there too! Early August would be ideal.I sold my old Voyager last winter and upgraded to their newest model. I haven't did any modifying yet and need to get some fresh ideas. Hope this event can become reality.

[woodyjdh]

I'd offer up my yard for this, (have a lil over an acre in town) but I am 20 miles west of Alexandria on I-94. I'd prefer to see it held in/near St. Cloud or Brainerd. Matt, if you want, e-mail me, I have some ideas on this.

[Kylersk]

Depending on when and where, I'd love to attend.. I havnt modified my house, but would love to get some ideas.

[Rick]

I'll see what I can set-up for the St Cloud/Brainerd area in August sometime. I'll let you know when I have the location set.

What timeframe works best for you all?

Saturday - 8/6/05 or 8/13/05?

[nytelyter]

as far as i know both w/e s work for me i like the st cloud area best

also means i have to get my port down from the cieling of my garage and do some tweeking welll at least its an excuse to set it up and dream a bit heheheh see you all there this could be fun and i hope that someone contacts one of the news channels to see if they want to show up i am thinkin that they would jump on a chance to see a hundred or so portables set up in the grass with US diehards wishing for ice soon hehehehe

[Matt Johnson]

Wow! Looks like the interest just keeps growing and growing. I think we could turn this into a pretty exciting get together!

Saturday, August 13 would work the best for me. Time doesn't really matter...

If the area is large enough, maybe we turn this into a camp-out of some sort? That way those who have to drive a little further can just crash in a tent or something like that, or even those people who only have to drive 10 minutes can stay too...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Eric Wettschreck]

Camp out sounds good to me. Easier to make a weekend of it than a long day.

I have about 2.5 acres that is open. However, I'm in SW MN. Pretty long haul for a lot of fellas. Central MN would seem better for everyone.

[Dan Thiem]

August 13th is good for me too! Now just where?

[CRAPPIEBAIT]

Game fair runs around the middle/end of August.Some could come for the mod party Saturday then hit the game fair Sunday for those last minute deals.I think a camp out would be cool.

[Matt Johnson]

Ok, a date has been set...

Saturday, August 6 (and POSSIBLY Sunday, August 7)

We are going to set something up in the St. Cloud area and hopefully we can find a campsite so we can all crash someplace for the weekend or whatnot. That will give us plenty of time to make sure all the modifications are up to par

This will also ensure (if we can get a place to camp) that if some people can't make it on Saturday then they can maybe make it on Sunday. We might be able to make a weekend out of it and light up some BBQ's and maybe even get in a little fishing somewhere

If all works out I'd like to make this an annual event...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Dan Thiem]

Any updates? Just curious.

[Matt Johnson]

You're too quick Dan, look back one post

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[hawkeye43]

Alot of people are waiting to get in on this you watch and see.

[ivegottabite]

matt, i will mark this down on my calendar. geez, just think of the looks we are going to get for being hardwater freaks

oh well, let em talk-they're just jealous anyway

[nytelyter]

matt i still say that you should shoot kare 11 a line on this i am sure they would cover it would be great publicity for thr FM family too

[Matt Johnson]

nytelyter,

Already done

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Matt Johnson]

Ok, a location has been set...

Mississippi River County Park, Stearns County

Just North of St. Cloud just off the river. Rick will post directions...

There are three campsites within reasonable driving distance of the park...

Benton Beach - 612-393-2420

St. Cloud Campground - 320-251-4463

Fishers (Sauk Rapids) - 612-252-8300

Benton Beach is the closest and I would say is the number one choice. Any of the campsites will work and it would be nice to get as many people at one campsite if possible, or else we can all just meet up at the park for the get together. As far as I know there is no camping available at the County Park, so that's why the other three spots have been listed as places to stay...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Scenic]

I sure wish this event was on the 13th. I will be in Canada until the 12th...business you know...so I will have to miss this one this year.

[Gissert]

Doh! I'm gonna miss this one too. Our Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chapter is having a sporting clays shoot that day and I have grill duties.

Please take good pictures!

[hanson]

Matt-

Camping: You planning on arriving Friday night, having the modification pow-wow on Saturday, and then BBQing/hanging out/camping Saturday night? OR Arriving sometime Saturday morning or so to have the mod get-together, and then doing the BBQ/campfire/talk session Saturday night?

Portable Mods: My suggestion for those who wish to do some modifying would be to bring their portable and ice fishing gear. You need to know what you are going to be carrying in your sled and the sizes of the stuff to effectively design around it.

Large sheets of cardboard will also be useful. It is much easier to trim and cut cardboard to make templates than it is to work with plywood. So I would also recommend cardboard, a sharp utility knife, duct tape, tape measure, pen or pencil, and your imagination.

I'm not sure about utility hookups at the park but if we have electricity available, we can really get down to business and cut some plywood once some designs are established.

Publicity: I think this event has the makings for a story that could really get some attention- A bunch of ice fisherman getting together in the heat of summer to play with their icehouses in preparation for this upcoming winter. Its a crazy enough idea that it would turn heads. I know I've seen alot of, for lack of a better word, "stupider" stuff on the news and in the papers.

And I will be bringing both of my houses so folks can look at them and get some ideas going.

This should be fun!!

[Matt Johnson]

I was thinking you could either camp Friday night or just arrive Saturday morning and camp Sunday, doesn't really matter to me. I figured Saturday would be the day where we make the modifications and such. Then Saturday night we can all have a BBQ afterwards and show off what we did to our portables.

Good thinking about bringing your ice fishing gear, that would probably help in making the modifications. And plus, a little show-n-tell and tinkering with ice fishing gear can be a little fun too

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[PERCHJR]

Boy I wish I was a little closer or had the time to come and join you guys, this really sounds like a blast!!! I suppose I should modify my trap also, it looks to me that I am the only one with it in stock form!!! Maybe next year will work better, anyways you guys have a good one, and I will be at home dreaming of the Hardwater season!!!

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING!!!

[Matt Johnson]

Just to add a few things...

If anyone can bring portable generators, invertors, etc for portable power that would be great. I'm not sure what the power situation is like at the park, I'll check into it. Also, battery powered drills and tools are great too

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Rick]

Here are a couple maps to the locations Matt mentioned:

Note I94 on the lower left.

Directions to Mississippi River County Park from I-94 coming from Twin Cities...

I-94 West.

Take MN-15 North (Exit 167B) towards St. Cloud.

Turn Left onto CR-1.

Follow CR-1 all the way to Mississippi River County Park which will be on your right.