Loon Haunt Outposts---2007 newsletter---Tremelo

We enjoy reviewing our season at the end of each year and we hope you look forward to hearing about it in this newsletter.

As we write this summary of 2007, the leaves are falling and the geese and ducks are on their way south. Our shoreline is blazed with brilliant orange tamarack trees. For those unfamiliar with the tamarack tree, it is the only evergreen that changes color and drops its needles each October.
The ice was out of Goose Lake on the 4^th of May leaving us plenty of time to prepare for spring fishermen. There was a little dock damage due to floating ice at Goose Lake and several trees down there as well. A nosy bear had broken a couple of windows but did not enter the cabins so for that we were thankful. Every location had high water levels with Cherrington Lake the highest we’ve ever seen. We readied the outposts at Monroe and Unnamed Lakes first and then flew to Goose Lake on May the 18^th to begin the work there. We experienced cold weather, snow and ice pellets those first days and not much outside work got done except visits to the woodpile for firewood. We observed right away that there were no flickers or pileated woodpeckers in camp and the reason soon became evident when we noticed a hawk’s nest behind our cabin. When the weather improved we were able to fly to the remaining outposts to get them ready. Bill McEwen and Mark Morris made our job at Goose easier by taking time out from their fishing to assist with spring chores. A very big thank you to both men!

We will remember the summer of 2007 as one of changeable weather where rain and strong winds were prevalent. Bill had to keep the chainsaw handy for the many trees that fell during the summer. The only locations spared from fallen trees were Unnamed Lake and Whitelaw Lake. Gene Theisen’s group was at Cherrington when a very bad storm passed through and felled many trees, some on the cabin. The solar panel on the roof was shattered and had a tree limb pass right through it. In late August Tom McCue’s group was in the Monroe Lake cabin on the first evening of their trip when a twister hit. Thankfully no one was hurt but there were trees down everywhere, again some on the cabin. There was damage to the chimney and to the propane system. The propane barbecue was crunched and the outhouse was tossed off the hill toward the lake. Many thanks to Brian Doubek for helping Bill get everything up and running again as well as clear a mountain of fallen trees and branches. Next year’s Monroe guests will find the landscape much changed there. In the end it was easier to cut a new portage to West Lake than to clear the old one of fallen trees.

Also in August, Jim Bell and Bob Moore were fishing on Goose Lake when the sky darkened and they hunkered down for another rain downpour. They watched the rain and wind whip up in a frenzy and then observed two good sized waterspouts twist their way across the lake. With all the rain we received over the summer forest fires were not an issue at all. Dan Polfliet’s group’s departure was delayed a day by a snow storm on September 12^th. Although the fish were biting only a few hardy fishermen braved the elements for a couple of days.

Fishing was excellent this summer with many, many large walleyes and northerns caught at all locations. Just from our experience here at Goose Lake we know that not all fishermen document their catch and we thank those who took the time to fill in the bragging boards.

All too soon it appeared fall was coming. On August 17^th we observed a flock of sandhill cranes on their way south already. We noticed more and more ducks starting to head for the wild rice plantation in Goose Lake so we figured the rice would be ready to pick soon. It was a very late year for the rice however, and the first picking wasn’t until September 18^th, almost 3 weeks later than normal. It was our intention to stay and pick until the end but the weather was a factor once again. Either it was too windy or it was raining. Of the 1500 pounds we did harvest, all of it was picked in the rain. We decided there was not enough rice left to make staying worthwhile and instead pulled the rice picker back to camp. After a couple of days of winterizing the camp we left for Red Lake on September 28^th.

Please send in a picture to qualify for the 2008 draw. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to send in photos.

If you haven’t already made your reservation for 2008, now is the time to finalize your plans. We always have room and we look forward to sharing some good times with you next year.

Check out our website www.loonhaunt.com for more pictures of 2007 guests. With so many digital cameras in use these days posting your pictures is so much easier than the old days. Thanks to everyone who sent photos. It’s never too late to send us your pictures so we can include them on the website. Our email address is: fishing@loonhaunt.com

- Guests reported many, many wildlife sightings at all locations. The Lecos party always sees moose at Goose Lake and this year was no exception. John and Jake Rutoski, Tom and John Butcher, Dan and Kristi Gudeman and some members of Todd Anderson’s group reported seeing moose as well this year. Otters were seen by the Lecos crew as well. Ed Knoll spied 2 pine martin on the beach in front of his cabin early one morning. We also had a pair of resident mink that a few guests were lucky enough to get a glimpse of. One of them was unconcernedly scrambling around on the boat ramp right in front of Scott Stouffer and Tom Clause. Caribou sightings seemed to be on the rise as well. Members of Tom Codak’s group, Don and Zach Slone, Terry Thomas’ family, Tom and Linda Webster and Gene Theisen’s group all saw caribou during their stay. We have a caribou cow that appears to like hanging around close to camp and she trotted right in front of the cabins one evening so members of the Jim Heater, Lon Bernth and Mark Ness groups all saw her. Earlier in June she swam across to the island right in front of the camp.

- Don and Zach Slone found that trolling with plugs produced bigger walleyes than by jigging with live bait.

- Tim Stahman’s group of 6 reported catching 10 walleyes between 24 and 28 inches during their stay.

- It pays to have sharp hooks. Keith Beauchamp snagged a minnow on a super sharp hook and then proceeded to catch 2 fish on that freebie minnow!

- Richard Hancock and Scott Pugsley caught the same 40 inch northern at the same time at Monroe Lake. Other notable doubles were a 34 inch northern caught by both Phil and Brad McKee as well as a 31 inch northern caught by Gary Santori and Arvid Pasto at Unnamed Lake.

- 8 year old Kyle Ferris bested his dad Greg’s 34 inch northern by reeling in a 40 incher at Goose Lake this August. Ken and Greg Ferris returned to Goose Lake to experience another fishing adventure after an 8 year absence and were very impressed with all the improvements we’ve made over the years. First and foremost had to be the communication room with free internet and free Vonage phone calls home. They also mentioned how much bigger the fish were since we instituted our strict catch and release policy in 1994. The roomy new fish house was a hit as well.

- This was the year of the military for us. We had a general and a colonel at Goose Lake the same week but in different cabins. And what are the odds on 3 C-130 pilots in camp at the same time? Air force members Jon Falch and Rich Thorpe, just back from Iraq, enjoyed some downtime at Monroe Lake.

- We really appreciate it when our guests take the time to fill in the bragging boards with their catches. Even when they don’t we still hear about it, right Dr. Joe?

- Talk about beginner’s luck, Austin Sparrow’s first fish of the trip was a 31 inch walleye caught on a Wal-Mart Rapala knockoff!

- Austin’s 31 inch Goose Lake walleye and Rich Thorpe’s 46.5 inch northern from Monroe Lake took top honors this year for the largest fish caught.

- Within minutes of each other brothers Mike and Dave Stanford caught matching 25 inch walleyes at Goose Lake.

- The first fish of her trip to Poirier Lake for Nel Abramajtys was a hefty 30 inch walleye! She also proceeded to catch another beauty – a 28 incher as well. She has named herself “the eye queen”!

- Congratulations were in order for Bill Lichtfuss and Heather Ortiz. Bill popped the question during their fishing trip to Monroe Lake!

- Twice during his stay Ralph Gudeman was reeling in a small walleye when a much larger northern latched onto it and wouldn’t let go. He was able to land 30 and 34 inch northerns for free! Aaron Siegel also was able to net a 32 inch northern the same way.

- We hear many reports of large northerns following smaller hooked fish but Amy Anderson had a huge lunker walleye at Poirier Lake follow her smaller hooked walleye to set her heart racing!

- Jerry Bly introduced us to a new fish recipe – 7-up walleye. I bet the makers of 7-up never thought of this use for their product. To make you need to pour several cans of 7-up (has to be only 7-up and no other similar drinks) into a deep fryer pot. For each can add 1 teaspoon of salt. The salt is to stop the foaming process. When the 7-up is boiling add chunks of walleye fillets and cook briefly until meat turns white and is flaky. Then enjoy with melted butter or your choice of condiments. The walleye tastes slightly sweet, quite different from anything else you’ve ever had. Try it!

- Gerry Zvara’s group used a solar light on the dock at Whitelaw Lake to guide them back to the cabin after dark. Good thinking!

- Stan Kosiewicz and Amy Anderson always schedule their fishing trip to Poirier Lake to coincide with the Perseid meteor shower in early August. This year’s shower was supposed to be spectacular they told us so 8 members of Ken Smithson’s party, Rick and Renae Luck joined us on the dock at Goose Lake for the viewing. Under ideal conditions we were able to observe many meteors, just as promised. Stan and Amy stayed up much later than we did – they said the truly “big show” was between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.

- Scott Dieter caught 22 inch and 24 inch walleyes on back to back casts at Unnamed Lake.

- Gary Santori reported catching a 20 inch northern and a 12 inch walleye at the same time on a Wally Diver at Unnamed Lake.

- What a treat for us to see families coming to our camp and making memories for all. 3 generations of the Beauchamp, Oler, Fleming, Ferris, Hancock, Graves and Welch families fished with us this summer.

- Matt Stouffer and his party caught numerous larger northerns while trolling artificial lures in “walleye alley” in Nechigona Lake. They told Lee Visker’s group and Bryon Johnson’s foursome about the hot spot and these fishermen duplicated their success.

- Mark Grohe and his brother Matt were fishing “the wall” at Goose Lake when Mark caught something big that he fought for 15 minutes but could not get it to come off the bottom and then the line snapped. Determined to tie into it again they fished on. Two hours later his brother Matt also caught something really big that took off line but would not come off the bottom and then his line snapped. Surely the same fish, but what kind? Perhaps a sturgeon? We think we have these monsters in the lake but until one is actually seen and a photo taken we don’t know for sure.

- Each year we thank so many of our guests for their acts of kindness. This year Curt Hulett supplied Bill with some excellent reading while Ralph Gudeman brought along a book for me. We enjoyed the books and put them in the guest library for others to read as well. Tom Samuels brought along a handy jig tie gizmo and Gary McKee left telescoping rods for both Bill and me. Thanks guys! Fresh veggies and fruits are a special treat here in the bush and we happily munched on Illinois tomatoes and sweet corn brought along by Terry and Brenda Cummings, Bob Rupel, Steve and Nina Milliner, Sherm and Julie Sweeney. Mike Hubbard brought Iowa sweet corn, Vidalia onions, coffee, toffee candy and Bailey’s. Dave Stanford’s crew shared their fresh cherries with us and made our day! One thing we crave in the bush is chocolate and candy and we thank Bill Lichtfuss and Heather Ortiz, Stan Kosiewicz and Amy Anderson, Brian and Betsy Doubek, Tom and Linda Webster for bringing some for us.

- Dave and Carol Bennett gave us “beer bread in a bottle mix” that looks very interesting!

- We will be better dressed in the t-shirts Craig and Bailey Fleming and Jim Welch brought along for us!

- We appreciate Lon Bernth’s group including us in their spaghetti night as well as the pot luck invitation from the Leppert/Pearson/Knoll/Carr/Keller/Hagen/Ripol party. Renee Leppert brought along some tasty pickles. Terry Miller shared his pickles and well as pickled beets (a special favorite of mine)!

- It sounds like all we do is eat but there’s more! Brenda Reed and Kelly Courtney baked us a chocolate cake complete with icing!

- Todd Anderson and Jeff Dewane brought along some Wisconsin cheese for us, thanks guys! Paul Nearing donated a bottle of his homemade wine – does it get any better?

- This year Bill did a lot of our flying and we have many parties to thank for helping out on the dock with unloading heavy gas drums and propane cylinders. Thanks to the Zvara crew, the Knoll, Keller, Pearson, Carr and Hagen parties, Tom Webster and Bob Schwartz and Bryon Johnson’s group for all the assistance.

- It is hard for us to believe that we have reached a milestone - our 30th year in the resort business! It seems like only yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our very first guests. We are humbled to annually welcome parties that have been guests for many, many years. Thank you all for your patronage, we sincerely appreciate your business and your friendship. Because we are not getting any younger, we have been looking for an enthusiastic replacement couple to take over as stewards of Loon Haunt Outposts. This spring we thought we'd found just the team in Kim and Duane Riddell. Some of you met Kim and she spent a good part of the summer at Goose Lake with us learning the business and meeting many of you. In the end, Duane and Kim decided not to purchase our camp. Our mission continues to find your future hosts.

Thank you for taking the time to enter your catch on the bragging boards. We enjoy reading about your success and often feel we were in the boat with you! We can imagine the thrill of catching these fish and the satisfied feeling of releasing them so they can swim away unharmed.

Name	Date	Species	Length
Bill Lecos	May	Walleye	26
Mark Johnson	May	Northern	37
Phillip McKee	June	Walleye	26
Gary McKee	June	Northern	36
Jeff Maynard	June	Walleye	24
Claude Rhodus	June	Walleye	23(2), 24
Anthony Newton	June	Northern	26
Jesse McKee	June	Walleye	24.5, 27(2)
Gary McKee	June	Walleye	28
Phillip McKee/Brad McKee	June	Northern	34
Jesse Jackson	June	Walleye	22
Ken Barrett	June	Walleye	23
Ken Barrett	June	Northern	30
McKee pty.	June	Walleye/Northern	1000+
Paul Keller	June	Northern	31
Jim Keller	June	Northern	30
Tyler Ferguson	June	Walleye	27
Zach Slone	June	Walleye	24, 25, 26, 28
Zach Slone	June	Northern	31, 36
Kim Bujold	June	Walleye	25, 26
Ted Bujold	June	Walleye	25
Bujold pty. of 2	June	Walleye/Northern	200+ in 2 days
Eric Bereta	June	Walleye	25, 27
John Kastner	June	Walleye	24.5, 25
Don Slone	June	Walleye	25
Eric Bereta	June	Northern	37(2), 40.5
Tom Codak	June	Walleye	26
Rich Kastner	June	Walleye	27
Ryan Stahman	June	Walleye	24(2)
Tim Stahman	June	Walleye	24.5, 28
Tim Stahman	June	Northern	36
Michael Kruse	June	Walleye	25
Barry Kruse	June	Walleye	26, 27.5
Barry Kruse	June	Northern	35.5
Jacob Beauchamp	June	Walleye	23, 27.5
Mitch Beauchamp	June	Walleye	22, 23
Keith Beauchamp	June	Northern	35
Keith Beauchamp	June	Walleye	24, 24.5
Stu Beauchamp	June	Walleye	24
Stu Beauchamp	June	Northern	34
Andrew Beauchamp	June	Northern	35
Cody Welch	June	Walleye	23.5
Steve Welch	June	Northern	34
Craig Welch	June	Northern	29
Rick Flaherty	June	Walleye	23
Trevor Porter	June	Northern	30
Mark Beauchamp	June	Walleye	25
Jake Rutoski	June	Northern	30
John Rutoski	June	Walleye	23
Jake Rutoski	June	Walleye	24
John Rutoski	June	Northern	29
Terry Miller	June	Northern	33
Gary Beede	June	Northern	35
Carl Novak	June	Walleye	25
Brian Bernth	June	Walleye	29
Scott Schaefer	June	Walleye	25
Jim Heater	June	Northern	38
Brian Bernth	June	Northern	35
Austin Sparrow	July	Walleye	31
NSSDF	July	Northern	33
Scooter Courtney	July	Northern	33
Kelly Courtney	July	Walleye	24, 24.25
Doug Thomas	July	Walleye	24
Austin Sparrow	July	Northern	34
Rhonda Thomas	July	Walleye	22
Terry Thomas	July	Walleye	25
Rosemary Wilson	July	Northern	34
Rosemary Wilson	July	Walleye	25
Dave Stanford	July	Northern	35
Harold Stanford	July	Walleye	24, 25
Kurt Amos	July	Northern	26
Mike Stanford	July	Northern	29
Dave Stanford	July	Walleye	25
Charles Graves	July	Northern	36.5
Mark Graves	July	Walleye	26
Blake Graves	July	Perch	12.5(3)
Abby Keith	July	Walleye	22
Matt Keith	July	Northern	29.5, 31
Bruce Bertzyk	July	Walleye	23
Kay Bertzyk	July	Walleye	24, 25
John Turini	July	Walleye	22.5
Mike Newell	July	Walleye	27.25
Scott Bauman	July	Northern	32
Greg Ferris	August	Northern	34
Mike Newell	August	Northern	34
Kyle Ferris	August	Northern	40
Kyle Ferris	August	Perch	11
Greg Ferris	August	Walleye	25
Mary Ripol	August	Walleye	23
Joe Kellar	August	Northern	29, 30
Joe Kellar	August	Walleye	26.5
Jessica Knoll	August	Walleye	21
Bob Pearson	August	Walleye	24.5
Scott Noltensmeier	August	Walleye	29
Kristi Gudeman	August	Northern	32
Kristi Gudeman	August	Walleye	11 fish on 1 minnow
Kristi Gudeman	August	Perch	9(2), 12
Linda Schwartz	August	Northern	40
Scott Stouffer	August	Northern	31
Mark Grohe	August	Northern	32
Tom Clause	August	Northern	32
Terry Otremba	September	Walleye	22
Jared Visker	September	Walleye	23.25
Kyle Visker	September	Northern	33, 34, 38
Julie Sweeney	September	Northern	34

Name	Date	Species	Length