FM gathering in Crookston roll call....

[Wiskers]

The water levels are perfect right now.. River is holding pretty good..

However the water temps are about 67-68* that means the cats are starting to spawn.. they are just buldging with eggs.. The bite has dropped off a ton in the last few days on the Red. Lets hope they do thier thing and are ready to feed up all July.

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Wiskers]

this list is getting mighty fine.. Maybe we should all make name tags to wear so we can relate names to faces from here..

Water is still looking real good.. still able to get the RP up to the dam and smaller boat with outboards. woooohoooo Only 13 more days.......

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Flashman]

10 days and counting!!!

[ibwhnt]

Wiskers,Whats the river depth like from the ramp to the dam. Whats the shallowest you have found so far. Just wondering, it will help me decide if I should bring my boat or not. No power trim on it. Later

[Wiskers]

IBWHNT... Well the river is pretty low right now. some real shallow spots and the rock dams are almost impossible to get over with outboards.

What kind of boat are you bringing? If is is small enough, there will be enough fellas here to haul small boats over the dike and land them on the beech.

I will put you on the list. whoooohoooo...

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Wiskers]

Hey yalll FMers..

I need some feed back from you ASAP.

Check the list on page two of this forum.. If your not on there let me know so you are on there, and if your on there, let me know where you are going to stay when you are here.. Camping or lodging.. I got some real good plans in the works for you all.

Remember there is camping in Central park, RV can even plug in at the Northland Inn. Tenting or campers are welcome.

If I have an idea where you are all going to stay I can finalize the plans for Sat night..

Dance Friday night At Northland Inn.
Sat. we have a hospitality room at the Inn and can even have a bar out side and some fire pits if we want.

Hope to hear back from you all soon.. Its getting closer..

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Flashman]

How late will they keep the room open? Some of us may still be fishing at midnight or even later.

just a thought.

[Dennis Steele]

Canopy Sam will be joining us.He is not on the list.
Not sure where we are staying just yet.Is there any camping right on the river,where a guy can tie a string to his toe?

[hanson]

Dennis -
If you camp in Central Park and we get a lot of rain, you'll be camping IN the river. Actually, the park is on the river, you'd just have to stumble up & over the dike and you'd be there.

Wiskers -
My dad will more than likely be joining in on the fun. We've never put our Lund in the river before. I know shorefishing below the dam is pretty good, are we going to be better off to fish out of the boat? Just trying to put a little game plan together. What do you recommend for tackle & bait? I think I hear Gander Mt. or Cabelas calling my name

[Wiskers]

The rooms will be open for ya if you tell them your with me...

Flashman.. fishing where.. if you get here you can just check in and go fishing. Your staying at my place right?

The park is right by the river like he said. You can tent or camper there. Hanson, how big is your Lund? if it's small enough, we can carry it over the dike right at the dam so you dont have to go over the rock dams. Many people wear chest waders and go out into the river and fish off the sand bar. The sand bar is almost out of the water now.

we can put boats in the river at the park, the water is much higher there but I just cant find fish there.. ???? Or maybe thats just me.. lol...

I will put canopysam on the list and Dad... Im all over it.

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[This message has been edited by Wiskers Guiding Service (edited 07-01-2004).]

[Wiskers]

http://www.crookstontimes.com/articles/2004/07/01/news/01newsa.txt

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[hanson]

This is bad, I just got a cable modem hooked up at home. That means all my posts don't have to come from my work computer. Yikes.

Wiskers, the boat is pretty small. 14 footer with a 9.9 Johnson. Fishing off the sand bar might be a good idea though. If putting the boat in is going to get us into some better fishing, it might be worth the effort.

[Wiskers]

Yeppers a boat is the best option.. Less snags, you can move, and more than likely bigger fish.. I carry my 14 foot over all the time.. Not a problem.

Only a week away.........................................................

we just got a ton of rain.. that mean the river might jump up a bit for the weekend..

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Wiskers]

Less than a week away.. Water temps are around 72-74. Water levels are around 6.5 feet.

Central Park boat landing is nonexitant... Bypass is still ok.

I will keep begging for the Park landing to get cleaned out but Im not holding my breath for that one.. It would be nice to be able to have that as an option.. for those of you who are interested in fishing untapped waters..

See you here soon............................

Fish on...............................tight lines.............................Ice in the coolers...............................Drags screaming.............does it get any better than that.................

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Wiskers]

Well fellas, With the cold nights and all the rain we have gotten over the past few days the river has went up a bit, Cooled off and the Cats are eating very well. I went out last night with a few buddies. We boated over 60 cats from 6-9pm. I also have nice little treat for you. I cleand up bunch of eaters and they are going in the smoker today for this weekend. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Water temps are down to 62*. the average size of cat is now getting bigger also. Not just the little ones any more. We averaged cats about 5#. Even in the rain we had an awesome time catching fish.

See you on the water.. ......................................

For those of you getting here Friday night I will see you at the dance. Those of you getting here Sat. Either call or meet us at the dam and we will go from there. I have no idea when you are going to show up down there so I will be there early. More than likely I will be out in the dam fishing.

The water has went up enough that I am sure that the small boats can still get through the rock dams. so you can either land them and drive up to the dam or we can still carry them over the dike. I will have my small boat down there as well and the protage wheels.

We are getting some real good coverage. I was on WDAZ 8 last night and KVLY 11 is going to be here today to shoot some more footage. They may also be with us over the weekend. So wear your best Catting outfits.LOL LOL LOL

Ed.. This means that the Bikini Vollyball is out of the question LOL LOL

The sand bar is now under water again also. But with waders you can still get out on it and fish the drops..

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[This message has been edited by Wiskers Guiding Service (edited 07-07-2004).]

[Rookie FisherJim]

Hey there does anyone who's staying at the hotel have any extra space? I'm looking to go down hopefully by myself without the woman with *you know how that goes*. Please e-mail me and let me know I'm planning on heading up Friday.... [email protected]

[Flashman]

BuzzBunny,

You still need a ride? we'll have an open seat but won't be coming back until Monday. Let me know if you are going to need a ride.

[sunnyj]

Wiskers, are you looking for any donations or door prizes? I may be able to provide a couple of multi tools or umbrellas. Give me a call. 281-4646

jim
IBOT #213

[buzbunni]

I didn't know whether to go with the thumbs up or the thumbs down here.

I went with the thumbs down.

Flashman, thanks for remembering me. I get online to post some bad(good) news, and there you are. Thanks for the offer from you and Dennis and everybody.

To all who will miss my presence at the ultimate CatGathering: my rapier wit, my scintillating personality, my lame fishing skills... To all three(or 2, or 1....none?) of you,I must regretfully inform you that after almost one year of unemployment(and fishing-freedom bliss),I am, unfortunately, gainfully employed again, and a respected(um..I think) tax-paying citizen of the U.S.A.

And of course? Correct, I have to work this entire weekend. I feel like quitting, seriously. That would be stoopid though since my savings are kaput.

I wish you all the best in you pursuits this weekend of our fine barbeled(?) friends. Good luck, it was nice almost meeting you all I'm sure.

I can't go.

I have a job.

I have to work.

I want to fish.

Thumbs down.

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SERIOUSLY! It was THIS big!

[Wiskers]

SunnyJ...

Yes that would be great.. I have been working my way around trying to get a few items for some sort of drawing for members.

Anything you bring will be just great.

Watching the weather tonight and I sounds like summer might just pay us a visit over the weekend.. Talk about lucky us... sigh.. I have my fingers crossed.

Buzzzzz.....Man I am so sad to hear that you will not be making it.. I feel for ya buddy... These darn full time jobs are really getting in the way of our fishing...Until next gathering.. Keep your rod tip up and line tight.

The river is still on the slow rise so the fish should be doing very well... and the river is just that much more forgiving in the shallows.

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Flashman]

Buzz,

Sorry to hear you won't be making it but glad to hear you got a job. Dennis is having a gathering this year yet on the MN so hopefully you can make that one. I'm sure there will be some pics taken, and somebody will post them on here so you can see what you missed out on...I couldn't resist rubbing it in a little bit.

I've made my list and I'm checking it twice, I should get everything loaded up over lunch. Coots and I plan on being up there sometime around 10pm...might head right to the river, might go to the dance. I guess we'll decide on that when we get there.

Looking forward to this and I hope the fish cooperate for all of us over the weekend.

[Wiskers]

Flashman.. You better show up for the dance or you will sleep in the shed.. LOL...

That cost me too much for you to miss out on it.. I got a lot of door prizes for the dance.......

See you all here..............

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Wiskers]

Ok update for attendance of FM dance and fishing on Sat. * means the ones that showed up.
Members..... Every one that showed up got at last 3-4 door prizes.. You missed out.

Wiskers, *
Flashman *
Cootz *
Rick *
Dennis Steel *
Ruffygrouse
Hanson & Dad *
Ed Carlson
Scoot
timdogg & girlfriend that out fishes him all the time.. ** She also won the Fishing contest.. $180. fish.
Boar
computergeek
troy
Jason
Red River Valley Catfish Club members
Marc *
Chudley *
Buzbunni
Codeman
Rookie Fisherjim *
Bayoubill
Schmalls
Jason
Holmer
Jobe
Ryan
CanopySam *
Scubohuntr **
Catfish Hunter**

Few nonmembers.
Marc Cardinal
Mark Edlund
and a few more.

Local support was very Lame.. I guess locals are not interested in tourism..Even the local tourism board, "Chamber" offered NO help or support.

The local paper did a great job of putting the word out. Local TV, KVLY and WDAZ also did some awesome coverage.

Local businesses gave some awesome prizes.
Taco Johns
Ceasons Bait & Tackle
Northland Inn
Larson's Super Value
Hugos
Anderson Beverage Awesome banners and Prizes.
Carquest
Auto Value
Noah Insurance
Subway
Advanced Tire & Auto
Mark Edlund was an awesome cook "Lost River" !!!!!!!!!!
M&H
Kum&GO
Happy Joe's

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River, Red Lake River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[This message has been edited by Wiskers Guiding Service (edited 07-11-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Wiskers Guiding Service (edited 07-12-2004).]

[hanson]

Rusty,

All I can say is you organized one heck of an event!!! My hats off to you! Thank you for your hard work.

Little background on me... I was born & raised in Crookston, spent my first 18 years there and never fished in the river before. I'm a little disappointed in that... was I ever missing out. I think I might be making trips back up there now for the sole reason of fishing the river, and visiting my parents.

I also think I might be a converted catfisherman now. I can't figure out why I spend so much of my time fishing chasing walleyes. Cats fight better, their size is bigger, I caught more of them, and I'm afraid to say that they taste better than a walleye (No bones either!)

And I've got a question for you-

Where can I get some of that "Lost Rivers" Catfish batter?????? Would I have to contact Mark to get some or is there a store that carries it up there??

Oh yeah, thanks for letting Catfishhunter and myself take your little boat out. We probably wouldn't have gotten into the cats without it.

Some pictures to follow, once I shoot up the rest of my roll of film

Can I mark my calendar for the 2nd Annual FM Crookston get together?

[Rick]

WOW,
talk aboutr a great time and super well organiozed event!!
Wiskers (Rusty) you did one heck of a job.

The catfishing was superb. Nice consistent bite.

The best part were the guys and gals who attended. We had three gals who stayed for most of the event.

They were Rachel, Bridey (sp), and Liz. You guys that have the admiration of these gals can be very proud of them. GREAT PEOPLE!

You guys were a whole lot of fun. I felt like I was in the guys bonding league. I go to a lot of gatheirngs and this is one of the best I've been to.

You were very informative allowing us to move up the learning curve very rapidly. Timdog it was especially great of you sharing your Goldeye secrets. Sorry for spooking your Goldeyes. I had no clue Dennis was moving through where you were casting. I'm sure he didn't either. He's really very courteous on the water (unless he's doing dare-devil stunts in the RP).

I want to thank Mark Edesvold and Liz Miller for the tasty fish fry.

Rusty, thanks again for making it possible to meet all the fine folks who attaended this event. Those of you who didn't make it, it was your loss.