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Minnesota’s Ruffed Grouse Population Is Up!

Posted in Hunting, Outdoors, tagged Grouse, Mille Lacs, Minnesota, Pheasant Hunting on June 29, 2009| 1 Comment »

Hikers enjoying this years fall foliage will not be alone!

Drumming counts increased 44-percent over 2008 numbers. Last years average drum count was 1.4. This year the state average is a staggering 2.4!

When I was 14, my dad gave me a single-shot 410. We’d travel north to Central Minnesota’s, Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Area just south of Lake Mille Lacs, hunting Grouse around clearcut logged fields and clover lined hunting trails. (more…)

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BWCA 101, Part 4: Take a Good Tent

Posted in Camping, Canoeing, Outdoors, tagged Boundary Waters Canoe Area, BWCA, Camping, Canoe, Canoeing, Minnesota, Most Popular Tents, Paddling on June 28, 2009| 1 Comment »

Chris Walden continues his quest to help others plan and prepare trips to the majestic waters and rugged lands of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

If the canoe is not the most important piece of gear on a BWCA trip, your tent is. Anyone who has sat inside a tent during a rainy night understands this completely. Whether you were wet or dry, you understood the value of a quality tent.

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BWCA 101, Part 3: Choosing the Right Canoe

Posted in Canoeing, Outdoors, tagged Boundary Waters Canoe Area, BWCA, Camping, Minnesota, Paddling on June 18, 2009| Leave a Comment »

By Chris Walden

canoetypes

(Shown left to right) Aluminum, ABS and Kevlar canoes.

Continually renting from an outfitter is like golfing with rental clubs. It’s OK the first few times, but you end up needing your own custom gear selected for your own needs. The first – and arguably most important – piece of equipment is the canoe itself. Let’s discuss some of the materials and lengths to consider, and a few other important features to keep in mind. (more…)

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Exploring the BWCA with U.S. Congressman Erik Paulsen

Posted in Camping, Canoeing, Canoeing Videos, Outdoors, tagged Boundary Waters Canoe Area, BWCA, Camping, Canoeing, Minnesota, Paddling on June 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »

On this trip — Avid outdoorsman, Erik Paulsen and I, along with our two daughters, planned a three-day weekend on Lake Four within the BWCA. We enjoyed all kinds of weather from 50-mph squalls to sunny 60° blue skies. In the BWCA you have to plan for just about everything. The week before it snowed!

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BWCA 101, Part 1: How to Plan a Canoe/Camping Trip

Posted in Camping, Canoeing, Outdoors, tagged Boundary Waters Canoe Area, BWCA, Canoeing, Minnesota, Paddling on June 11, 2009| 1 Comment »

bwca1 By Chris Walden

A few summers ago a friend invited me on on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for a six night trip. I had not been camping in twenty years, and never in a wilderness setting like BWCA. Reluctantly, I agreed. Fortunately, I loved it! I’ve been there a few times since and am eagerly awaiting my next trip later this summer.

Having a good plan is paramount to a successful trip.

I’ve learned a lot about what to do (and not to do) while in the BWCA — some thing’s I wish I would have known before heading out. Having a good plan is paramount to a successful trip. In this series of articles I will to share some tips about wilderness camping.

Articles will include how evaluating your group and planning a route. How to choose a canoe — including: materials, types of canoe, sizes, and just enough technical information to understand rocker and weight distribution and even a video about paddling basics and what do if you capsize. We will talk about tents, tarps, and other necessary equipment. I will discuss choosing a good campsite and how to pack enough food without having too much.

With good plans and correct expectations — you can have great trip. A bad plan can ruin a vacation quickly. Fat Man’s Landing wants you to enjoy your wilderness adventure and we are here to help. Check back soon for the next article.

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The BWCA Finds Lunker Northerns and Big Smiles

Posted in Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, tagged Boundary Waters Canoe Area, BWCA, Canoeing. Huge Northern Pike, Ely, Lunker Northern Pike, Minnesota, Two Fish Caught on June 2, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Two Northerns On One Line?

I felt a bite – or so I thought? I was reeling, when the line pulled tight. I jerked on the line, “I’m snagged,” I called out. As we prepared to backup the canoe, I felt
a tug. “Wait! —No? It’s two fish and boy is he big! Get the camera!,” I shouted as
Erik Paulsen, U.S. Congressman and avid outdoor enthusiast, prepared the net.

With Erik’s help we got some great action shots!

We’ve all seen pictures of large Northerns, but catching one trying to eat the other is an incredible sight!

The big one we let go to fight another day.

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Lake Minnetonka Northern Pike Action

Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, tagged Big Northern, Fishing, Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota on June 2, 2009| Leave a Comment »

grandpamadeline_mtka It was a slow Crappie bite…all of a sudden, this 28-inch Northern Pike came along! If I were a Crappie, I’d hide too.

Pictured Left: Grandpa and Granddaughter Madeline Nelson
on Lake Minnetonka, MN

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Buckets of Walleye’s from Lake of the Woods

Posted in Outdoors, tagged Big Walleye, Ice Fishing, Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, Monster Fish on March 28, 2009| 1 Comment »

Tim's pics_Lake of the Woods

“You’ve gotta love Lake of the Woods!”

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Fishing Spring Slab Crappies After Ice-Out

Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, tagged Early ice-out crappies, Lindy Little Nipper, Minnesota, Spring Crappies on March 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Black Crappie

Crappie Action

Well, It’s that time again! I just got back from scouting to see if the lake ice has gone out and it has! Most of the ice and snow is now in the middle of the lake. This is the best time to fish spring crappies!

My favorite fishing technique for early ice-out crappies is to slip on a pair of waders and fish the shoreline. It’s a great way to enjoy fast black crappie action! (more…)

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40-inch Lake of the Woods Northern Pike

Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, tagged Arnesen’s Rocky Point Resort, Big Northern, Ice Fishing, Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, Monster Fish, Northwest Angle, Ontario on March 16, 2009|

Picuture of 40-inch Northern Pike

Picuture of 40-inch Northern Pike

Congratulations Kevin! This was his first trip to Arnesen’s Rocky Point Resort.
Of course, it’s always the new guy who lands the biggest fish!

This Pike was exactly 40-inches with plenty of battle scars. He was blind in the left eye with a bite on his back and the top tail fin was missing.

Picture of Real Roach Chubby Darter

The Real Roach Chubby Darter

Incredibly, this huge fish was caught on a small #3 Real Roach Chubby Darter! Both treble hooks were nearly bent straight! The fish was released for you!

Click to video.

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Preserved in My Memory Forever

Posted in Hunting, Outdoors, tagged Abby, Christmas, Little Falls, Minnesota, Pheasant Hunting, Snow, Willow Creek Kennels on December 9, 2008| Leave a Comment »

Willow Creek Pheasants

Willow Creek Pheasants

It was -10 degrees with white confetti falling all day

It was Sunday, December 7, 2008. Matt and I agreed to meet at Willow Creek Kennels in Little Falls, MN.

As planned, I prepared to leave early before the snow started. The radio that morning was playing for travelers like me — warning of the hazardous road conditions that lay ahead.

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The Grand “Old” and “Young” Days of Pheasant Hunting

Posted in Hunting, Outdoors, tagged Belle Plain, Granddaughter, Grandpa, Minnesota, Pheasant Hunting, Young Girl Hunting on December 3, 2008|

It was a picture perfect day! We had fresh snow on the ground as it continued to season us all afternoon.

We started near our home, where I knew there would be at least one bird— if not more. As long as the area had not been hunted too badly, we should have some good action!

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Monster Fish Caught on Video — Lake of the Woods, MN

Posted in All Videos, Fishing, Fishing Videos, Outdoors, tagged Arnesen’s Rocky Point Resort, Big Northern, Big Walleye, Huge Perch, Ice Fishing, Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, Monster Fish on November 26, 2008| Leave a Comment »

A compilation of big fish caught on our annual ice fishing trip to Arnesen’s Rocky Point Resort. I hope you like it!

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A Hop, Skip and Jump Away: Hunting Ontario’s Big Bucks is Not Easy.

Posted in Hunting, Outdoors, tagged 9-pointer, Big Buck, Bow Hunting, Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, Northwest Angle on November 26, 2008| 1 Comment »

It was the week of Halloween 08 and Matt, Tim, Ryan and I traveled to the Northwest Angle of Lake of the Woods, about 450 miles from the Twin Cities to Ontario, Canada. This is serious big buck hunting country!

Pictured below: Tim and his 9-point buck!

Tim’s Big Minnesota Buck

Tim’s Big 9-Point Buck

We had a little problem Saturday morning trying to get our hunting license, but once we found someone who would sell us a license, we quickly packed our boats and were on our way. The first day was simply scouting and putting up tree climbing stands.

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Phat Pheasants of Windom, MN

Posted in Hunting, Outdoors, tagged Hunting, Minnesota, Pheasants, Windom on November 26, 2008| Leave a Comment »

It was a great trip last weekend! I can’t believe I was still able to travel after being up most the night for my 40th birthday party! That too was a wonderful time and I appreciate everyone’s partake in the celebration.

Scott K. and I traveled to Windom, MN last Saturday as we always do this time of the year. It’s pheasant hunting at it’s prime. We met-up with Adam, Derek, Eric, Josh, and Tony at a little motel near the end of town. It takes about an hour and forty-five minute to drive from the cities. That first cup of coffee and the excitement of being in the field kept us awake.

pheasant

After a bite to eat at Micky D’s we were off to one of the local Wildlife Management Areas. We didn’t get too far out of town and I spotted a rooster in the ditch. We pulled off the road and quickly got out our guns. Abby and I walked to where I saw the pheasant. As we drew closer, it launched in a flurry of feathers and laughed with a cackle, as I got three quick shots off. It didn’t look like I hit it, but as the bird flew away it hit one of the power lines and fell to the ground. I couldn’t believe it! I walked over and picked it up — my first pheasant of the day!

I ended up shooting six rooster, but only recovering three. It was a great trip and we’ll do it again next year!

Oh, by the way…we didn’t hunt Sunday, because most of the crew was hung-over from parting the night before at the Phat Pheasant Steak House and Saloon. Hey Derek! Did you have the Phat Pheasant? How was it?

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