CLUTCHCARGO - that’s the name. He was a funny cartoon seaplane pilot character from a TV show that aired here back in the 60’s. --- It’s a Chicago thing.
From Kodiak Lodge in Minocqua, we have now relocated the to a new base, further north to Mercer Wisconsin, on Lake of the Falls, which is the headwaters of the Turtle Flowage. We are at the end of the road, on over 40 acres of woods and marsh, with Moose Creek meandering through the property, all completely surrounded by timber company and state forest land.
Located in the region of the north arm of Rainy Lake
near the famous "Little Canoe River" - in Ontario, Canada
Ducks and grouse,
pike, bass and walleyes,
moose and bear.
Valhalla Island - land of paridise, where the rest of the world disappears.
Landed last Wednesday afternoon, Danny and Dad, but the weather was not as in the above picture. Winds exceeding 30 kts out of the northwest which made for a tricky landing. A quick slip in the tiny bay did the job to the safely at the well protected dock on the island's eastern shore. All were happy to step ashore and begin the adventure.
Our fine host - Smiley.
Day 1 - Driving wind and rain ruled the afternoon and evening. But that didn't stop us from taking to the boats with pole and gun. Some ducks fell, and the guys caught about 8 nice walleyes!
Phipps proudly shows the catch to the gawking crowd.
Early in the dark the next morning, we were all up for ducks. Danny and Dad went with Smiley and Phipps in the Big Brown "Toon Barge". Sure was fun to just be there in the tranquility, with a small pack of wolves howling to a lonely loon.
Danny and Sadie sitting on a very active beaver dam.
Smiley, Phipps and Danny pulling out. Breakfast awaits all good hunters.
Back to the cabin we went, all boats converging for one reason - Minn's famous breakfast!!
Never have you had pancakes like this. Minn's secret famous recipe. Plain or with freshly picked blueberries.
Sausage links, crispy Canadian bacon and fresh fruit plates. Hot java to wash it all down.
Look at those eggs, they are PERFECT.
"Young Gun" Dave Jr. starts the ball rolling.
Phipps can't wait; he's whistling Dixie.
Videos
Wayne's world of pancakes.
Then it was time to kick back and work off the food comas, tall tales were told over and over (below).
Stories were told of past hunting escapades, including Holly's "Moose Boy" experience:
Several years ago, three of us left here for an overnight trip to hunt black bear. We left by Beaver for Zup's Camp at Lac La Croix to get a bruin. When we were all together finally in position with game coming towards us, the big bull moose of record size almost trampled Holly, who was seated on his game trail.
Shorts were almost changed.
The trip ended when the 20 horse Merc quit 8 miles from camp in the bush. The guide had a glum look on his face when he told the us that "WE" had run out of gas.
We were very resourceful, including rowing a couple of miles and then breaking into a ranger station shed to siphon weed-whacker gas. It was just enough fuel to make it home.
You talk about focus...
The following days found the weather improving. The group went to a neighboring island to hunt grouse. Spectacular trails winding all parts of this 200 acre island, breathtaking. Videos below:
More action, more fishing, more grousing, and an Annie Oakley game, go go go. Then some down time. Dad crashed in the hammock, Danny and Sadie made up for it.
Danny with Sadie outside bunkhouse
"Dixie Licks"
Can you spot Billy Hayes? At the mouth of Rat Root Bay.
Then Danny and Dad went on an afternoon adventure, exploring the Little Canoe River, all the way north till it ended at the bottom of the waterfalls at Vane Lake. The water was low this fall and the falls mostly dry, but our one year old lab Sadie still almost couldn't help falling aff the side cliff as we climbed the trail up. She didn't fall off luckily...just her back end you can see in the video.
Then the last night some low bush flying over the boys who were duck hunting. It was a beautiful sunset, calm with the half moon on the rise.
Credit and thanks to Dave Ronning Jr. for capturing these above 4 images on my camera.
Back for more dockside sauna, ice cold dunking’s off the diving board in the lake, followed by the world class dinner of the most succulent roast beef, with baked potatoes and baked bread, followed by a huge bonfire. A few drinks were had....
Up at 7am Sunday, time for all to go. A group picture of the gang below. A fine collection forming the 2012 hunting and fishing crew.
Here is a simulcast video - one taken from inside the cockpit, and at the same time - outside outboard on the left side of the elevator stab. You can watch them at the same time - start the top video first and wait exactly 60 seconds, then start up the action from inside the cockpit (lower video). Then you are synchronized.
Just recorded these 3 test videos yesterday. Testing the new bullet camera located on the outer left side of the elevator, mounted on the outboard vertical stabilizer fin. Will get better footage from Minocqua in northern Wisconsin soon. Also lowered and moved forward the interior Hero2 GoPro camera mounted in the cabin between the front seats. I think this will yeild a better angle to see whats happening outside front.
By the way, synthetic vision in amazing. One can spot obstacles much easier and it is reassuring to see the runway coming in on a precision instrument approach.
View from inside cockpit of N888BH DeHavilland Beaver - Take off from Lakeland Airport runway and "Touch and Go" on Fence Lake near Minocqua Wisconsin, Memorial Day weekend, 2012.
Also have an HD camera now also mounted on the tail. Working on the remote cabin mounted monitor. Once complete, we will be getting some good action from outside. By end of June hopefully.
Video from inside the cockpit of DeHavilland Beaver N888BH - Memorial Day 2012 weekend in Minocqua area of northern Wisconsin.
Landed last Wednesday afternoon, Danny and Dad, but the weather was not as in the above picture. Winds exceeding 30 kts out of the northwest which made for a tricky landing. A quick slip in the tiny bay did the job to the safely at the well protected dock on the island's eastern shore. All were happy to step ashore and begin the adventure.
Sausage links, crispy Canadian bacon and fresh fruit plates. Hot java to wash it all down.
Stories were told of past hunting escapades, including Holly's "Moose Boy" experience:
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg){kind=link}
