Last day of the trout season.

Rod shown for reference purposes only

It has become something of a tradition in recent years, to spend the last day of the trout season at our fishing camp on the Escanaba River.

A photo essay of this years excursion.

Fall color on the road to lil camp...




Lunch...

Venison jalepeno salami sandwich, Harlan's dilly beans, Two Hearted ale

On the river...





The fish...

A nice brown

Biggest fish I've ever pulled out of the Escanaba

The road home....

I was hoping for rain before Dad saw his car.

Dinnertime...

19"+

Needed two planks and the entire grill

Wild rice pilaf, peas, and perfectly planked German Brown Trout

Fall Peak Color

With the brilliant sunshine this morning, I am officially declaring today the U.P. Fall Peak Color Day. It is also the last day of the trout season, and I will heading out to lil' camp this afternoon to take a stroll down the Escanaba. I expect to have more luck taking pictures of the foliage than catching brookies, but one never knows.

Shag Lake Sunrise

It's a new dawn for America

Not a cloud in the sky. All is right with the world.

We are fishing in the rain

We don't know why.

Good morning read

Kind of a cool fall morning. Perfect time for Dad and me to relax, enjoy a cup of java, and get caught up on the news with a few midwest newspapers.

I can't recall such an enjoyable morning read since nephew Roy's 21st birthday in '07. One story dominates the news, of course, as the Bears continue to humiliate the dog-ass Packers - now winning 7 of the last 11 match-ups. I wonder how much longer the Packers will continue to be considered real competition for the Bears? They are just embarrassing themselves now. We could be witnessing the end of the most storied rivalry in the NFL. Of course, it is not too early to start talking Superbowl, but it may be a bit too early to speculate on whether this team can rival the 1985 Bears, generally accepted by knowledgeable football fans as the greatest team in the history of the NFL.

My favorite headline: The Bears Aren't Who We Thought They Were

"There are three undefeated teams in the NFL after week three. One has already taken down two Super Bowl contenders. This same team has played mostly without their starting left tackle, free safety and number two wide receiver. Yet, this group is treated like an aberration among NFL pundits. They're brushed off with a flick of the wrist like Christine O'Donnell in The New York Times newsroom. The Chicago Bears are 3-0. So why are they treated like they're the opposite? I'm not sure who the Bears have to beat this year to get some respect. The '72 Dolphins?

The root of this question is based on Chicago's week one performance. Facing the woeful Lions, the Bears blew chance after chance until Detroit's Calvin Johnson pulled in what looked like a go-ahead touchdown pass in the final seconds. The referees correctly ruled that Johnson "did not finish the process of the catch." As good as it looked, the touchdown was voided. This was certainly an ugly victory, but an old Al Davis quote summed up the Bear mentality following the game. "Just win, baby, win." It doesn't matter how you do it.

The Bears last two opponents, Dallas and Green Bay, were picked by most analysts to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year."

Watching MNF at Jack's Hideaway...

... since the local cable outlet is not broadcasting it on basic cable.

But a serendipitous outcome, as I learn the best way to watch the game is accompanied by six acoustic guitars and a harmonica. (will try to add video clip later)


Old Style on tap adds to the ambiance.

Oh... an undefeated 3-0 Chicago Bears sitting alone on top of the NFC North for dessert makes it all the sweeter.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Good morning

Just another Sunday sunrise.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Fish Fry Grill

The Catch

We had 12 blugs in the basket. While I was cleaning them, our intrepid fishing threesome were sent out with a mission. We needed eight more bluegill for dinner - the rule: one perch equals two blugs. Mission accomplished.

Big perch

Big blugs

Fishing in the cold and wind until dark?

No problem.

Psycho Cleaner.

Pretty as a picture.

"Mom! Don't play with your food."

The grill

The plate

Grilled bluegill, planked perch fillet, campfire potatoes, mashed butternut squash, spinach salad, grilled sweet peppers. Yum.

Laser measuring camp level...

...or not.

This is our foundation/masonry guy Ben. He is also a Muay Thai boxer.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

late dinner

After a marathon camp addition planning session, Robyn and Katie had a gourmet meal ready. Beets and broccoli stems from the Gwinn farmers market steamed and dressed with a garlic oil, accompanied by wild rice pilaf with onion and celery. Delicious and healthy.

Which was good, as the appetizer was venison pepperoni sticks that Jerry brought by. She also came to camp bearing gifts - a selection of Wisconsin craft micro-brews. I chose the Sasquatch Stout.
An excellent pairing.