The Moose Hunt Trailer.......Blue Lantern Hunt Club 2010

The anticipation is building!

Gord's Moose Hunt 2010.........Movie Trailer

Once again I ventured south in search of the elusive moose, joining my brother in law John, and an eclectic group of "merry men" in pursuit of this "ghost of the forest". Stay tuned for the riveting movie by Director, and avid sportsperson, Will Lamb.

Professor and Missus Welcome a New Bundle of Joy Into the Family

Well, the dirty deed is done. I went into the marketplace and found a replacement boat. This was done strictly for medical reasons. My wife has been unhappy about the ride of my Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk, the Nanjo Minnow, for several years now. She complained about big waves causing her neck to become tender. Plus, there were problems with wind and rain that she found disconcerting. I did my best to make her comfortable, but nothing I did proved satisfactory. Finally, I realized that the only solution was a different boat--one that was longer, wider and with a windshield. More powerful, too. I hoped to find a deal on a used WWII PT boat. But these things are hard to locate and might be difficult to dock at VBL.

What I settled on was a Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk. This has been named Nanjo II. I believe this boat will cure my wife's medical problems. Unfotunately, it is producing much anxiety for me. I have spent decades controlling a boat with a tiller handle while fishing, socializing and entertaining. Now, I have to learn how to do all of this with a steering wheel.

It is not going well. The missus and I went for our first ride in the Nanjo II last week. Within two minutes I found a rock that saw fit to reconfigure the geometry of the prop. TWO MINUTES! I was so pissed off at myself. After many deep breaths and considerable cursing, I composed myself and remembered that I loved my wife and was grateful for the new ride.

Anyone out there looking to buy a used 1650 with a Honda 50?

Let me close by acknowledging your kind thoughts concerning my smashed fingers. Neither finger got infected from the surgical proceedure performed by Gord and both are healing nicely. The many well wishes, cards, flowers, chocolates and bottles of Canadian Whiskey are deeply appreciated.

50+ inch Muskie

So as to not give away the secret spot, I have removed all background from the pic.

Here is the beast. 50-52 inches. Ernie Hull is the proud fisherman.

It was caught and released. Thanks Gord!

Operation "Rubber Glove".........

At VBL I like to think that we are a "full service" lodge. From cleaning your fish, to removing hooks from your head, to giving you the Heimlich Maneuver......we do it all. This summer I was called on once again to perform an experimental procedure on the Professor after he foolishly slammed a car door on his fingers (well, that's the story he tells). In order to relieve the pressure and throbbing pain there was only one alternate.....get out the drill!

The Professor was pretty brave after the first finger.......actually pretty cocky would be a better description.

On to finger number two..................do I sense that the "bravado" has seeped away?

Oh, yeah................

Someone grab him.......he's about to keel over!

Is it the sight of blood........or the eerie feeling of the drill bit going in?

The pressure is relieved.........the patient lives!

The aftermath........the Professor in an orgasmic state! Another Happy Ending at Vermilion Bay Lodge!

Fall is here

I have again enjoyed watching everyone's post from their visits over the summer to VBL. My father and I visited this year in July and the walleye bite was great.

Dad caught a 50 inch Muskie while reeling in a 20 inch Pike. Gord took us to Clear Water lake and then on up to Rock lake. It was breath taking and pristine. The small mouth bass were everywhere, and Gord taught us some new techniques that even us old dogs enjoyed and are implementing back home for more success. Overall the fishing seemed to be even better than last year and we limited out just 5 days into our visit.

The lady of the house (lodge) was out for the week and Gord was out of control in the Gin room every night. He was always bushy tailed and bright eyed in the morning though. Well, except for the morning that he realized that he forgot to put water back in the minnow tank and had a hundred dead minnows in the morning. :-) He blamed it on the drain pipe falling down, but we all know it was the whiskey.

Mike was busy building a traditional log cabin style building down by the entrance to the lodge. It would be nice to see some finished pictures of that.

MNR even visited this summer, but I'll let Gord explain that one.

I'm posting some pics of of our trip, and will eventually get around to posting more as it gets cooler this fall and the bite stops.

I'll put in a shameless plug for my new brew blog at http://letshomebrew.blogspot.com/
Since the fishing in Kansas sucks I have rededicated my time to perfecting the art of brewing beer at home. I'll take some to VBL when I visit again next year.