June 30th, 2011, Thursday
Happy anniversary to Joyce and Fran, 49 years ago today. Tim fished early on - some bass and crappies in Mud Lake. Most of the day was spent sanding the back deck, with a quick trip to Menards and WalMart. It was hot in the mid 90s. Thompson's sealant went on before dinner, which was fish, corn on the cob, salad, and cold beer. I took mom out fishing while Levi and Jenni wanted to stay back to scrape the old shed, ready for painting. Right before sunset they took a quick tube ride around the bay. "Shoot the Moon" ended the day, with anticipation of everyone else coming tomorrow to Floyd. Another great sunset!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
June 29th, 2011, Wednesday
Fishing in the morning with Levi - slim pickins. Egg & sausage breakfast, followed by back deck work most of the day, reversing the boards and sanding. It was windy and temps in the 80s. We also put Thompsons sealant on the dock and front deck, but worked on the back deck most of the day, but had time to visit the Olsens and a few rounds of "Shoot the Moon" in the evening.
Fishing in the morning with Levi - slim pickins. Egg & sausage breakfast, followed by back deck work most of the day, reversing the boards and sanding. It was windy and temps in the 80s. We also put Thompsons sealant on the dock and front deck, but worked on the back deck most of the day, but had time to visit the Olsens and a few rounds of "Shoot the Moon" in the evening.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
5:30 a.m. fishing with Levi and dad - a bit slow, but some nice bass on topwater poppers. Upon returning to a pancake breakfast, news that the Check-Mate was being delivered. Jenni and Levi put on the boat canopy and the boat was returned. The kids cleaned the paddle boat, cleaned the sailboat, then Bob (neighbor) helped us put together the sailboat components. Mom and Jenni worked hard on the rocks and weeds by the cottonwood tree. Jenni power-washed the deck and shed. We put the canoe on the lift, trimmed some branches, cleaned gutters, put on the tire swing, filled the Check-Mate with oil and gas, fixed a bouncy dock, worked on the back deck, and more. After a fish & home-grown salad plus watermelon, we had an afternoon nap. Levi got up on skis in the afternoon and is now a pro. Brats for dinner, then a campfire with mega-marshmallow smores with a spectacular sunset and a few rounds of "shoot the moon" cards. The weather was great - sunny, calm, with warmer temperatures to follow.
5:30 a.m. fishing with Levi and dad - a bit slow, but some nice bass on topwater poppers. Upon returning to a pancake breakfast, news that the Check-Mate was being delivered. Jenni and Levi put on the boat canopy and the boat was returned. The kids cleaned the paddle boat, cleaned the sailboat, then Bob (neighbor) helped us put together the sailboat components. Mom and Jenni worked hard on the rocks and weeds by the cottonwood tree. Jenni power-washed the deck and shed. We put the canoe on the lift, trimmed some branches, cleaned gutters, put on the tire swing, filled the Check-Mate with oil and gas, fixed a bouncy dock, worked on the back deck, and more. After a fish & home-grown salad plus watermelon, we had an afternoon nap. Levi got up on skis in the afternoon and is now a pro. Brats for dinner, then a campfire with mega-marshmallow smores with a spectacular sunset and a few rounds of "shoot the moon" cards. The weather was great - sunny, calm, with warmer temperatures to follow.
Monday, June 27th, 2011
Fishing cancelled at 5:00 a.m. (rain) but went back out at 7:00 a.m. The Johnson 25 hp did not start (recoil again); neither did the back-up old 5 hp. Levi and dad took the trolling motor out to the weed bed and caught a few panfish, northern, and bass. Eggs and sausage for breakfast. More rain, so we drove to J & K Marina to check the status of the CheckMate and to take the disabled Johnson in for repair (also with the intent on shopping for another motor). After some searching, they had a 9.9 hp 1997 Johnson for sale which was purchased with the intent on fixing the Johnson 25 hp for a back-up. Mom made a deal with the dudes at the shop and they agreed to deliver the Check-Mate to Floyd Lake free of charge the next day. We shopped again at WalMart, then off to Papa John's for some free cookie dough. Home-made vegetable soup from mom, an afternoon nap, pot-roast dinner, then evening bass fishing with Jenni, Levi, and dad. We kept six dandy bass and a northern, then fried up some for an evening snack.
Fishing cancelled at 5:00 a.m. (rain) but went back out at 7:00 a.m. The Johnson 25 hp did not start (recoil again); neither did the back-up old 5 hp. Levi and dad took the trolling motor out to the weed bed and caught a few panfish, northern, and bass. Eggs and sausage for breakfast. More rain, so we drove to J & K Marina to check the status of the CheckMate and to take the disabled Johnson in for repair (also with the intent on shopping for another motor). After some searching, they had a 9.9 hp 1997 Johnson for sale which was purchased with the intent on fixing the Johnson 25 hp for a back-up. Mom made a deal with the dudes at the shop and they agreed to deliver the Check-Mate to Floyd Lake free of charge the next day. We shopped again at WalMart, then off to Papa John's for some free cookie dough. Home-made vegetable soup from mom, an afternoon nap, pot-roast dinner, then evening bass fishing with Jenni, Levi, and dad. We kept six dandy bass and a northern, then fried up some for an evening snack.
June 17-21
.
Joyce Schubkegel came up with the Markgrafs to Floyd Lake. Trip summary by Mr. Markgraf:
I thought that I would give you an update of our time at the lake. I was not successful in catching crappies, but managed a few others fish - 14 nice bluegills, 8 small northerns, and four small bass. There was an east breeze quite often which may account for my slow fishing.
I spent the quite a bit of time slow trolling for crappies along the weed lines and into deeper water in Mud Lake just as you come out of the channel. I mostly used 1/8 ounce beetle spin and a split shot sinker with various colors/sizes of twister tails. I didn't catch one crappie. I never did get any minnows.
I found some bluegill spawn beds in about 3-4 feet of water just on the edge of the reeds on the west side of Floyd Lake several blocks to the left of the channel entry into Mud Lake. So, the before the next time out I picked up some panfish leeches and did some bobber fishing. I only got 9 bluegills out of these beds, so there should be some left for you! I didn't find any eggs in them when I cleaned them. In case you look for the beds, they are out from a small light colored fallen tree on shore. The distinctive feature of the tree is that three of its larger branches protrude toward the water at the lake's edge. There is a fairly large rock on shore not just too far to the left of the tree. I caught the bass and a few bluegills while casting the edge of the reeds along this same shoreline.
I trolled back and forth in deeper water off this shoreline hoping for crappies or walleyes, but I only caught 3 small northerns. One day there was a good walleye chop so I dragged a jig with a Berkley Power Bait 6 inch pearl colored minnow around, but I didn't have any strikes.
I caught the other northerns in Mud Lake - three of them while trying to catch crappies and two of them when I switched over to a larger jig and twister tail. I fished a dare devil and a Rapala for a while, too, but no luck on those baits.
Dave and Jeff caught some bluegills in 2 feet of water way down to the right on the west side of Mud Lake where a creek enters the lake. I think I found the spot. I didn't have live bait along but I tried a few casts with the Beetle Spin. It was breezy so I couldn't hold the boat in a good position to fish amongst the lilly pads. Another day I made my way toward the public boat landing one day to check for spawn beds, but a boat was anchored and two guys fishing in the place I had expected to find some so I backed off.
Battery
I was not able to get the trolling motor battery to take a charge. I tried three nights using the 10 amp setting. I put 3 gallons of mixed gas in the motor gas tank before we left so it should be good for you to go for a while.
Boat Motor
There was a coat hangar-like wire hanging along the right side of the boat motor just behind the shift lever. I discovered that if you pulled the wire to the left, away from the motor, I was usually able to shift the motor into to neutral. Because of my lack of arm strength I was not always able to get the motor started in gear. I usually had to have the throttle wide open and that was a bit unsafe because the boat took off like a shot when the engine kicked in! So, I was glad to be able to start it in neutral.
Sail Boat
The screw holes were stripped out for the screws that hold a metal collar that the mast pole goes through. I purchased four dry wall anchors and new screws at L and M which worked great to secure the collar. There were also some stripped out holes for screws that held two brackets in the sailboat cavity where you place your feet. I bought screws a size large than what were there, and they tightened up pretty well, too. When I tightened them I had a screw driver with a fairly short blade. Later, your mother found a screw driver with a longer blade that might have allowed me to get an extra turn on the screws, but it was just before we left and I didn't get to try it.
Although I could have used your services of a guide, we really enjoyed our time at the lake!
Thanks much.
Dale Markgraf
.
Joyce Schubkegel came up with the Markgrafs to Floyd Lake. Trip summary by Mr. Markgraf:
I thought that I would give you an update of our time at the lake. I was not successful in catching crappies, but managed a few others fish - 14 nice bluegills, 8 small northerns, and four small bass. There was an east breeze quite often which may account for my slow fishing.
I spent the quite a bit of time slow trolling for crappies along the weed lines and into deeper water in Mud Lake just as you come out of the channel. I mostly used 1/8 ounce beetle spin and a split shot sinker with various colors/sizes of twister tails. I didn't catch one crappie. I never did get any minnows.
I found some bluegill spawn beds in about 3-4 feet of water just on the edge of the reeds on the west side of Floyd Lake several blocks to the left of the channel entry into Mud Lake. So, the before the next time out I picked up some panfish leeches and did some bobber fishing. I only got 9 bluegills out of these beds, so there should be some left for you! I didn't find any eggs in them when I cleaned them. In case you look for the beds, they are out from a small light colored fallen tree on shore. The distinctive feature of the tree is that three of its larger branches protrude toward the water at the lake's edge. There is a fairly large rock on shore not just too far to the left of the tree. I caught the bass and a few bluegills while casting the edge of the reeds along this same shoreline.
I trolled back and forth in deeper water off this shoreline hoping for crappies or walleyes, but I only caught 3 small northerns. One day there was a good walleye chop so I dragged a jig with a Berkley Power Bait 6 inch pearl colored minnow around, but I didn't have any strikes.
I caught the other northerns in Mud Lake - three of them while trying to catch crappies and two of them when I switched over to a larger jig and twister tail. I fished a dare devil and a Rapala for a while, too, but no luck on those baits.
Dave and Jeff caught some bluegills in 2 feet of water way down to the right on the west side of Mud Lake where a creek enters the lake. I think I found the spot. I didn't have live bait along but I tried a few casts with the Beetle Spin. It was breezy so I couldn't hold the boat in a good position to fish amongst the lilly pads. Another day I made my way toward the public boat landing one day to check for spawn beds, but a boat was anchored and two guys fishing in the place I had expected to find some so I backed off.
Battery
I was not able to get the trolling motor battery to take a charge. I tried three nights using the 10 amp setting. I put 3 gallons of mixed gas in the motor gas tank before we left so it should be good for you to go for a while.
Boat Motor
There was a coat hangar-like wire hanging along the right side of the boat motor just behind the shift lever. I discovered that if you pulled the wire to the left, away from the motor, I was usually able to shift the motor into to neutral. Because of my lack of arm strength I was not always able to get the motor started in gear. I usually had to have the throttle wide open and that was a bit unsafe because the boat took off like a shot when the engine kicked in! So, I was glad to be able to start it in neutral.
Sail Boat
The screw holes were stripped out for the screws that hold a metal collar that the mast pole goes through. I purchased four dry wall anchors and new screws at L and M which worked great to secure the collar. There were also some stripped out holes for screws that held two brackets in the sailboat cavity where you place your feet. I bought screws a size large than what were there, and they tightened up pretty well, too. When I tightened them I had a screw driver with a fairly short blade. Later, your mother found a screw driver with a longer blade that might have allowed me to get an extra turn on the screws, but it was just before we left and I didn't get to try it.
Although I could have used your services of a guide, we really enjoyed our time at the lake!
Thanks much.
Dale Markgraf
June 2011
Dave Biedenbender and Jeff Schoenherr opened the new cabin. Dave and Jeff came up on Friday, June 3. Jeff Schoenherr cut the lawn while Dave B. got the new cabin up and running by getting the water going and turning on the water heater and electricity. After that, they tried to get the Checkmate up and running. While trying to attach the battery, something went wrong and there was some smoking near the motor. Dave called J and K Marine and a guy named James came out and took a look at the motor. He determined that something was wrong with the voltage meter. He said the Checkmate would have to be taken in for repairs. Dave and Jeff went into town to get a bite to eat. On Saturday morning, Dave pulled the Checkmate to J and K Marine and left it there to be repaired. Late Saturday morning, Dave and Jeff went out fishing in the Lund. They didn't have much luck. However, they went out fishing again in the early evening and caught tons of fish in the back lefthand corner of Mud Lake. They came back and Jeff cleaned the fish with his electric Rapala filet knife. Dave and Jeff left on Sunday, taking some tasty fish home with them. Dave went over the lawn one more time to clean it up a bit on Sunday.
Dave Biedenbender and Jeff Schoenherr opened the new cabin. Dave and Jeff came up on Friday, June 3. Jeff Schoenherr cut the lawn while Dave B. got the new cabin up and running by getting the water going and turning on the water heater and electricity. After that, they tried to get the Checkmate up and running. While trying to attach the battery, something went wrong and there was some smoking near the motor. Dave called J and K Marine and a guy named James came out and took a look at the motor. He determined that something was wrong with the voltage meter. He said the Checkmate would have to be taken in for repairs. Dave and Jeff went into town to get a bite to eat. On Saturday morning, Dave pulled the Checkmate to J and K Marine and left it there to be repaired. Late Saturday morning, Dave and Jeff went out fishing in the Lund. They didn't have much luck. However, they went out fishing again in the early evening and caught tons of fish in the back lefthand corner of Mud Lake. They came back and Jeff cleaned the fish with his electric Rapala filet knife. Dave and Jeff left on Sunday, taking some tasty fish home with them. Dave went over the lawn one more time to clean it up a bit on Sunday.
Labor Day Weekend, 2010
Biedenbenders, Reiners, and Joyce Schubkegel closed the cabins up. Everyone arrived late on Friday night and got settled. On Saturday morning and afternoon, the Biedenbender and Reiners kids did some skiing and tubing. Dave B. cut the lawn one last time. Mitch R. and Dave B. started closing down the cabins on Saturday. They started by closing down the new cabin (Swiss chalet). While doing that, Mitch decided to make some alterations to the plumbing near the water heater in the new cabin. Once that was taken care of, they blew the water out of that one and closed it up. On Sunday, Mitch and Dave took care of bringing in the boats, adding stable to the gas in the Checkmate, and changing the oil in the lower units of the motors. Also on Sunday, the dock pieces were brought in along with all of the outside furniture, toys, and stuff. On Monday, Mitch and Dave blew the water out of the pipes in the old cabin and the big cabin. Then, everyone headed home. We all stopped at Applebee's in St. Cloud for a celebratory meal. The 2010 Floyd Lake season had come to an end.
Biedenbenders, Reiners, and Joyce Schubkegel closed the cabins up. Everyone arrived late on Friday night and got settled. On Saturday morning and afternoon, the Biedenbender and Reiners kids did some skiing and tubing. Dave B. cut the lawn one last time. Mitch R. and Dave B. started closing down the cabins on Saturday. They started by closing down the new cabin (Swiss chalet). While doing that, Mitch decided to make some alterations to the plumbing near the water heater in the new cabin. Once that was taken care of, they blew the water out of that one and closed it up. On Sunday, Mitch and Dave took care of bringing in the boats, adding stable to the gas in the Checkmate, and changing the oil in the lower units of the motors. Also on Sunday, the dock pieces were brought in along with all of the outside furniture, toys, and stuff. On Monday, Mitch and Dave blew the water out of the pipes in the old cabin and the big cabin. Then, everyone headed home. We all stopped at Applebee's in St. Cloud for a celebratory meal. The 2010 Floyd Lake season had come to an end.
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