Week 11 - another fun-filled week

Not much time to take a breath as we have a full camp this week. So here is a quick recap...

The fishing  was a bit slower this past week but still plenty of nice ones caught and no shortage of 'cheezers'. The weather made the fish a little less predictable. We had lots of rain with was often accompanied by thunder and lightning. The pics below show some of the variety of weather. 

Thanks to all of the groups who joined us last week, my family and I truly enjoyed having you and we look forward to seeing some more pictures of your trip. Travel safe!

Jason with a nice whitefish.

So this is what a burbot looks like.
And no, it does not require a rainbow to catch one. 

When you see this...do what this fisherman is doing...head back to camp.

Another double rainbow!

Nice finish to a great week.

As the heat way moved out, the rain settled in. I am not sure what the total amount was, but, Thursday I had to bail the boats 3 times. And not because I was being picky and didn't want any standing water in the boats. I am talking about near boat sinking amounts of water. i am not complaining, however, because we really needed the rain to bring the fire hazard down. There are still many active forest fires burning throughout the Providence, none that pose any immediate danger though.

The rain didn't stop are brave fishermen/women from catching some more nice fish to finish out their week. The group boated good numbers of eater size walleyes and pike. The larger walleyes were tough to locate this week. I believe the biggest was 25 or 26 inches. Lindy rigs with worms and leaches seemed to be the hot method.

The big surprise this week was the number of white fish and burbot that were caught. Eric and Dave said they boated more than 30 borbot and are each going home with a limit of whitefish (12)!
The Fuzzy-does-its were the hot lure for those species. Every guest who tried that lure caught either a whitey or a bot. We even spoiled ourselves a few nights when we boiled up some of the burbot and walleye and had some delicious 'poor mans lobster' snacks. Yum!!

The big fish of the week honors went to Jim Anderson. He boated a monster 42 inch lake trout. It must have weighed 30+ lbs. I am still waiting for a picture of that one. I lost count, but I bet the small group of fishermen caught more than a dozen trout this week.

Nice job gang! Drive safe and don't forget to send those pics.

Walleye Cheezer

It is really hard to believe, but some people still do not know what a "cheezer" is yet. What a shame! 

Well, for you lost souls who keep inquiring what this sandwich is all about, I am re-posting it again. 

This is, in my opinion, one of the best sandwiches in the world.

Two years ago, with the help of Brian Waugh, we perfected my

walleye grilled cheese sandwich into what is now known as

"The Cheezer".

It has quickly become one of the favorites here at Black Bear Lodge.

How to make a cheezer...

                                                  - 1 freshly caught under walleye (13-16")

                                                  - Canadian rye bread

                                                  - 2 slices of American cheese

                                                  - 2 slices of bacon

                                                  - a couple of tomato slices

                                                  - a drizzle of hot sauce (for flavor not hotness)

Put the walleye fillets into a pot of boiling water for approx. 5 min or until they are white and flaky.

While the fish is boiling, grill the bread and cheese on a pan(open face grilled cheese). Reheat the bacon (we always have a bunch pre-cooked just for our cheezers). Once the walleye is done, put fillets on a paper towel to dry off  a bit. Then put all of the parts together and enjoy.  Works well with small pike or perch as well.

Try it, you will thank me later.

Also...there is no mess. I can make the sandwich and have the dishes cleaned in under 10 minutes.

Walleye Pickle Poppers

This is our new tasty treat of the year. It is a variation on poor mans lobster.
If you don't know what that is, here you go...

Poor Mans Lobster is basically any fish that has been boiled and then dipped in butter.
Typically they say that Burbot is the "real" poor mans lobster, but I have done it with perch, walleye and pike.

Our "poppers" are similar...but better!

Get 2 cups of water to a boil, then add 1 cup of sugar and bring to a boil again.
Next add the fish (walleye is preferred but any fish will work)
It will only take 5-6 min to turn the fillets white and flakey.
Remove from the water and lay them on a paper towel to dry them a bit.
Next melt some butter in a small cup or pot.
Add a dab of garlic powder (to taste), dash of black pepper, dash of paprika, and a dash or 2 of salt.
Stir this butter concoction.
Finally, thinly slice some dill pickles and cut them into 1/2 inch squares. We use the pre-sliced pickles, it is easier and saves time.

Take a chunk of walleye, dip into the butter and place it on the pickle slice. EAT.
These are also really good on saltine crackers or just eat the walleye straight up out of the butter.

Enjoy!

Week 10 is starting off strong!

Even though we are dealing with the warmest temps of the summer, the new arrivals are catching plenty of fish. Jim, Jen, Eric and Dave have already caught many walleyes (including some nice overs), whitefish, lake trout, burbot, pike, and perch...and its only Monday. This afternoon this crew boated dozens (yes 20 +) burbot and whitefish. Guess we are have "poor man's lobster" tonight. See the next Blog as to how we prepare our newest treat. All of the whitefish and burbot are being caught using Fuzz-e-does-its. I have added a picture for those who do not know what it is. It is a vertical jigging lure made of a flat crescent moon shape of metal. The fisherman pulls up hard and fast and then lets it drop to the bottom, then repeat...again, and again, and again. 

Eric with a huge 37" laker

Dave with a jumbo 31" Burbot

This was their haul on the first night!

Dave with a nice laker of his own.

This afternoons bonanza!!!!

The Far Dock is done!!

Another project off the check-list for 2015.

Before...

During...

After!!!

Another fun week!

Just want to say thanks to the couple of small groups that we had last week. Normally when we have a smaller number of people in camp, the week seems to drag along because we are so used to running non-stop. But this past week seemed to fly by. That's because the guys in camp made it so fun. Plus, we got to do a lot more fishing (which always helps). I hope everyone had a safe and uneventful trip home. If you guys come across some good pics please send them to us...I know you caught some nice fish :)

Our 4th of July was quite uneventful this year. We were planning on boating over to see some fireworks but Mother Nature decided to provide some of her own "fireworks". Just about the time when we were to head across the lake, a pretty good storm, including thunder and lightning, popped up and that put an end to any fireworks. Oh well, we just made the best out of a bad situation...I got to sit on our new front porch with my family and watch the lightning across the bay and listen to the rain on the roof. There are worse ways to end a day ;) I hope everyone at home enjoyed their holiday weekend.

The boys had multiple shore lunches this week because
of stringers like these!

Josie is on the Big Fish Wall!!!

Josie caught her first lake trout tonight! She fought the big fish for nearly 20 minutes. Although she wanted to give up a couple of times, we kept encouraging her and told her to be tough and she stuck with it till the end. It was a very thick 32 incher. Once she got sight of it,  Josie kept screaming "It's a grown up! It's a grown up!" Then she realized she could actually put her name on the Big Fish Wall like she has watched 100's of guest do for 6 years. The shouts then turned into, "I made the chart, I made the chart, I MADE THE CHAAAAARRRTTT!!!" Yep she was a little excited. It was a beautiful fish and it swam away without any issues. That's my girl! Way to go Josie Mae.

Josie's first ever lake trout  -  32 inches

Name this type of spider...

We found this spider in our boat this evening. I have never seen one like it before.
Anybody out there have any idea what this is?? Email me with your best guess.

How old was this tree?

Can you count the rings on this huge pine tree that fell during a storm earlier this summer?