Duke joined us for his 21st year on the Chairman, sometimes twice a year! John Breen, George Ball, Buddy Burzik, Jim Shimkus, and Don Crockford made up the rest of Duke’s party. Duke has along history at Rainy Lake Houseboats coming the first time with Norm Westerhold and George Schaefer. Norm and George have passed away at unfortunate young ages. We always reminisce about those days and all the fishing stories from those times. These guys with Duke love to fish smallies, all except Don have been on previous trips with Duke.
Water levels were the second highest in Rainy Lake’s history falling short of the 1950 high water event. Fishing was very good, we don’t count numbers but easily had a couple hundred plus fish. We caught them on flies, Skitter Props, Mepps spinners, and an unbelievable amount on plastics. all of the bass came from bays, not main lake structure. We caught plenty of walleyes for shore lunches and a wonderful evening walleye meal featuring my Gramma Blanches famous Kettle Falls Hotel walleye recipe. The recipe left KFH when the Williams family ended its long history at the hotel.
The Chairman provides a special fishing trip, Chef Bernie Lessard provided all of the culinary work, guides Jon Balaski, Kevin Erickson, and my self provide you with the fish you are searching for. Guide boats are 20 ft. fiberglass Lund Pro V’s or Ranger boats, the most comfortable fishing machines in the business.
As you can see below a good time was had by all.
