FM Red River Cat Gathering

[hanson]

I posted this in the Red River Forum but there hasn't been much response yet. So I'll post it here where my fellow catmen hang out. What do ya think?

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Well guys, I'm trying to see what kind of interest I can get on this. The Sturgeon Excursion was such a blast that I would like to get a group together on the Red sometime this summer.

I'm thinking of a weekend trip, probably somewhere in the Grand Forks to Drayton stretch of the river.

I would really like to make this a camping/fishing weekend so I've got to find a campground/park/city park near the river. On the river would be perfect so folks could tie up their boats at night and maybe even give some shorefishing opportunities for those who are boatless.

So who knows the river up there? Any ideas on a good spot to have this? Anybody interested in doing something like this?

[DTro]

I feel my arm being twisted

[Ralph Wiggum]

Depending upon the date, I'm interested. Can't say I know the river at all, though.

[hanson]

Ryan-

Thats the point. We get a bunch of guys together and tackle the river and try to help each other out. I'm going to fish up there a number of times this summer anyway but its always more fun when you have more people, and especially people who have never experienced the Red before.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Well, keep me posted

[harvey lee]

Looks to be a good time.I know nothing about fishing cats.but with the sturgeon get together,I think I have the right stuff.I could really go for some more action like those dandy sturgeon.Depending on the weekend Iam sure I would be interested.Can you fish from shore or do you need to be in a boat? Lets go.

[Random guy]

If I promise not to breakdown can I come along?

[Papa Grump]

Sounds like "the Shuttle Service " could be pressed into service again ......

[Dennis Steele]

I heard through the grapevine that "Camp Catfish" near Drayton has new owners. I think it was fisky who told me that?

That might be a good place for camping.

My weekends are locked up untill June 17th, then I am officialy done guiding and ready to play!

Lets get her done!

[DTro]

How big those fish get up there?

[harvey lee]

Dennis

If this event does happen and you have room in your boat and think you can put up with me for a couple days then I would sure be happy to fish with you.

Papa Grump

If you have room I would also fish with you and then we could talk about you know what.

[Ihateriversnags]

Hey Hanson,

Like I said on the Red River post, I have my brother and a buddy coming up to fish with Rusty and myself the first weekend in June. Interested?

[HaywardBound]

Hanson,

This is a great idea, I'd love to fish the Red this year. I really like the camping part, that would save so much money for everyone, and IMO is way more fun than a motel...(bonfires, grilling, ghost stories).

I looked up 'Camp Catfish', but didn't come up with much. There are a couple of campgrounds in Grand Forks, but they may be right in town = loading up at the end of the day.

I do know of a campground outside of Grand Forks, right on the Red. It is southeast of Drayton ND, and southwest of Crookston, MN. I don't know anything about fishing in this area, but here is some info about the area:

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Buxton, North Dakota: Belmont Park east of Buxton has a concrete ramp and bank fishing. Camping, water, and toilets are available.

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Belmont Park/Frog Point

State: North Dakota

Nearest City: Grand Forks

Nearest Town: Climax, MN

Cost: $10 or less

Number of Campsites: 11-29

Max days allowed: Unknown

Road: Paved

Miles from paved road: Unknown

Scenery Rating: 4 out of 5

Noise Level: 1 out of 5

Amenities: Water, Electric, Restrooms

Status: Official

Months Open: 6

Description

11 miles east of I 29 Exit 118, 2 miles west of US 220 Buxton/CR 21 intersection. Historical point of first settlement in area, historic Lutheran church, catfish fishing, boat ramp, several picnic shelters, large pavillion shelter and rest rooms. Power at sites and water at central hydrant. Convenience store in Climax, MN 3 miles to the east. Traill County park.

[fiskyknut]

Hmmmm, maybe this year finally eh? I have tried since the early days of FM to get something together on the Red up this way. Now that the Fargo shindig has'nt happened in a couple years the time may have come.

Dates? I think you may wanna hold off till mid/late July thru early September due to possible river volatility with the early summer rains and the rivers potential for unuserfriendliness. The ramp at Drayton lowhead was unusable last year until August!. Also the spawn should be done during this later timeframe too, although I don't think that effects the bite up here too much anyhow. June 24 is the LOTW summer get together so it can't be then, and someone better check with Rusty to see iffin he is throwing something together again this summer in Crookston as we would'nt want this to conflict with that. I'd like to see it happen mid August thru mid September sometime myself, more predictable conditions and the most reliable bite during that timeframe as well.

Where? Yep Dennis 'twas I who mentioned the MNDNR not winning the bid on "camp catfish" and turning that spot into a public access, the name is actually "Catfish Haven" btw, lol! I am not sure what the plans are for this place but will do some snooping once I get out that way fishing in the next few weeks. A ramp, campsites and shorefishing at the Haven, it's off the beaten path too, that place could work. Camping right at the lowhead in Drayton could be an option. Campground also in Drayton near the ramp on the upstream side of the dam. GFKS could work as well, nice big campground there in EGF near the ramp and the confluence of the Red and Red Lake rivers.

Lot's to stew, ponder and plan! Plenty of time.

fiskyknut

[hanson]

Hey Fisky-

I think I remember chatting with you about how a gathering was never able to work out. I think we can "get-r-done"! More and more people are finding out how much fun these gatherings are so that helps. And also, previous catfishing knowledge is not required either. It may help but hopefully there will be a few folks around willing to give a few pointers. I guess thats the entire point of this. Lets get a bunch of guys/gals/kids together and fish a stretch of the river and see what we can learn from each other. The Sturgeon Excursion went over very well. Lots of new sturgeon anglers and lots of new folks catching the biggest fish of their lives.

I was thinking mid to late summer as well because of the water levels. I'm positive Rusty will have his gathering in Crookston so we shouldn't plan that weekend or the weekends around that weekend.

Got plenty of time to work the details on this but I know it can be a blast as long as the weather cooperates on that weekend.

[rushing]

We should have a gathering on the MN in June. The flats seem to be very active then and it would give any cat newbies some info for the rest of the summer. Any thoughts when and where on that?

[fiskyknut]

That sounds like something that I would actually consider wandering down south for Mr. Rushing. I've caught Mudcats in NC, SC, and GA but never fished 'em in MN. Whether it be a Flattie get-to-gether or not I would like to have a go at them 1 of these summers for sure.

Perhaps one of our Flathead NASA guys could educate me too!

fiskyknut

[Dan Thiem]

Chris and Normy, can I come and play too? Sounds like fun to me. I was already planning a trip with fiskydude anyways so I think this could work out great. Especially if we could round up some more S.E. guys to share the price of gas.

[CatManLee]

If ya'll have a get together on the Red this summer, I'll be there. I'm still itchin' to get on the Red for the first time this year...Come on water, drop!

As far as camping locales, I'm not sure. I think you can camp in Pembina? I would think Pempina would be good, but it would be strictly camping, I don't think there's much for hotels up that way.

I'm open for anything. Just make sure you don't schedule it on any Tournament weekends (Cats Incredible in August or Catfish League Tournament on July 22nd).

[fiskyknut]

Yepper Dan you would be allowed to attend, all fishin folks would be welcome, kids, dogs, whohaveyou, and yes you too Dan! As tickled as you were to catch that 14 inch Burbot this past winter I can't wait to see you wrestle in that 25 pound Red river puddy cat!

Depending on just where it goes down there are ample shore fishing spots too. Of course some areas/spots are better than others though. 9 outta 10 times when I head that way Catfishing I don't bother with a boat, more hassle than its worth, and I catch plenty off of the shore no problemo.

Looks like we may have all kinds of scheduling problemos with Catmanlee's summer itinerary though! Is that your only league tourney or what?

fiskyknut

[CatManLee]

Thats the "Big" or Final tournament of the Catfish League in GF, others are Wednesday Nights, And well Cats Incredible...that's the cats meow! I wish there were more Tournaments on the Red, I would enter every last one of them.

I'm up for any weekend ya'll set it for. I do agree that we need to wait till we kind of know what the river levels are going to be like before we set a date in stone.

[hanson]

Looks like some good interest so far.

We'll definitely schedule around all the bigger events up that way. I would definitely like to do it either in Grand Forks or to the north. As Fisky says, the cats keep getting bigger as you go further north. I'm not sure if we all want to drive to Pembina however either.

Someone asked "how big?" I dunno but there are lots of kitties in the 15-20 lb range with a few every now and then going 25-27lb. Is that big enough?

Here's a photo of a "decent" Red River Channel Cat. I think this one was a 31" weighing 14 or 15lbs.