Good Day Happy Campers, Catfish Chris here with a Brief Update. Friend, fellow Bushman and just a Good guy was Celebrated recently. Great to see some of the old Chums who made appearances and contrary to the rumors, Happy Camp is alive and well! While Rook has stepped in for the beloved Magoo, plenty of room always for our friends to the south!
As life spins for all of us, we lose more often then we win. When I do, it is odd how the same old crutches I turn too for a lift up, so here are a couple for Rooster! I hope one day my friend, we reunite and reminisce on all of our travels, GOD SPEED in Eternity!
The bush is starting to come alive, birds and critters are busy getting ready for winter. Grackles have showed up in force, soon a Bird Pie will fill the air! Also, Shaggys, and Grouse will be a tasty treat! Leaves are changing quickly and soon they will be falling, our guess is about 20 days at most.
Anyone wanting to get in touch with us needs to call/text the Cell phone as Bell has still not figured out how to get our service back! That number is 715-630-4444, leave a message we will get back to you!
Bear Hunt 2027 is filling fast, we have 1-2 spots for Spring, otherwise we are FULL, thanks ALL for making our Hunts Special, you are the BEST!
Rook lost his voice the other day from barking at the fish, we are headed out to check the marsh now, so maybe he has got some sound today, time will tell!
Is there any better smell than a wet Labrador or hearing them snore after a day hunting, I think NOT, take care folks!
Happy September Happy Campers! We have Finished the Bear hunt, always an Adventure! Meeting new people, hunters, fishers and outdoors people is always Awesome! First, Special Thanks to Lori Leahy for being an excellent cook, helper and all around wonderful part of our Bear Hunt! Although Lori did not hunt with the WTA Crew, she certainly was involved in every part of it!
The Group of Joe, Shawn and Brad Leahy along with Jeremy Defendi hunted joined us on August 22, 2026. The weather continued to be rainy and cool for most of our hunt. Saturday we hung stands in a torrential storm, so we began our hunt on the 23rd. Hunters were in their stands around 3 p.m. Shawn saw 2 Bears and the others did not see any Bears that night, but were entertained by Grouse, Squirrels, Chipmunks and other Critters of the Wilderness. Shawn’s first Bear came into the Bait but left too quickly to pose for a shot. Later that evening, this Bear came into the Bait, Shawn shot and drew blood! After dark we went in to find a little blood, but decided to leave the woods and get after the Bear in the Morning.
Jeremi, Shawn and I set out to track in the morning, little blood led to a little more, then nothing. But as you look at the chap below, his eagle eyes kept us going!
Take a Look at this Tracking Machine! Jeremi was able to spot a droplet of blood it seemed like 40 yards away. Honestly folks, without Eagle Eye or Ray I doubt we would have been able to continue tracking. Last blood left us in search of something, Jeremi one way, Shawn another. I marked and left last blood, headed north and as I peered out in the dense brush, I thought I saw something white surrounded by Black. Yes, DEAD BEAR! As I yelled Shawn hurried over and there was Shawn’s Bear, a beautiful 205 pound Boar with a gorgeous Spirit Mark!
A little chilly in the morning, glad I have my chook! Needless to say a total Team Effort, without any one of us, we would have never found the Bear, Thanks Guys!
Monday evening brought more adventure as Joe drew blood on a large Bear on his stand up near Little Johnsrud creek bed. While the blood trail seemed pretty good, we found the broadhead and portion of the arrow. Last blood was marked and we left the bruin for daylight. Next day we all tracked, tracked and tracked for hours, little blood was found. But we did find the rest of the arrow and the area where the Hermit is living. After this, no blood was to be found, so hopefully the Bear is eating Blueberries fattening up for Winter! Brad sat the night, no activity although his bait continued to get hit while he was not in his stand.
Jumping Joe walking back to the truck in his coveralls
Jeremi and I headed out to hunt Wednesday as the others stayed back to take the kids fishing, but first they need to eat, right!
Sorry for the blurry photo, but Rook is quickly finding his way near people. Rook is usually very photogenic, but I guess he had found a piece of pancake or bacon to spur his interest instead of the camera!
Perch, Walleye and Pike all tugged on the Happy Camp Anglers lines as they fished near Happy Camp. All of the fish were let back for another fight, Aren’t the Smiles worth a Million Bucks!!!
Rain hampered Jeremi’s hunt on Wednesday and after an hour of steady, hard rain we left the woods. That was to be it for the Fall hunt as the group decided to depart Happy Camp on Thursday. It was an anjoyable hunt, weather could have been better, but you can’t control that! Thanks everyone for a wonderful hunt, can’t wait to do it again!
After a delicious meal of Bear Tenderloin, Rook and I spent sometime gathering some Blueberries at a nearby patch. Bucket full, we got back in the truck and headed back to Camp. Turning the first corner, a Wolf was in the road. As I closed the back windows, Rook lunged out of the moving truck and landed on the gravel. The Wolf ran towards us and missed the door as I opened it. Wolf ran around the back of the truck, I went to Rook, got him up and put him in the truck. Bleeding from his mouth, cut on his head, I tried to stop the bleeding with napkins. My pants were speckled with blood as I drove quickly back to Camp. I got Rook into the porch, got him cleaned up and let him rest. After a few hours, I got him up, he ate dinner and seemed like he was ok!
Rook slept through the night, morning came and he was out of his bed. Getting the bird food ready, I thought he will be sore, but as I opened the door, he waited, then lunged out the Lodge north entrance like he has done for 2 years! Needless to say I am quite relieved with this knucklehead. But as anyone can attest to, he sure is coming along nicely isn’t he!
With that folks, Bear hunt 2026 is a wrap. Wonderful hunts, both Spring and Fall, lots of priceless memories not only for Rook and I, but hopefully for everyone who came along for the ride!!
Looking to 2027, I have one hunt booked, but room for plenty of more. We hope to run 3 weeks of Spring Hunts of 4 hunters each starting May 22, 2027. If you are interested in coming in on a hunt, get in touch with me today, don’t delay!
As for 2026, Rook and I will get after hunting some birds, host some fisherman and a few Moose hunters. Moose hunt certainly has changed, few tags leave to few hunters and of course much quieter woods! But alas, Rook is ready to rumble chase Ducks, Grouse and maybe something else.
Have a wonderful Labour Day weekend all, take care and keep in touch!
Hey Hey Shit Kickers, sounds like a lot of Hot air to us! We hit the Motherload yesterday, can’t wait to go back. Soon we will be headed east to meetings, we shall see how these unfold? We anticipate no worries, but where have I heard that before?
So, as you can see, Mr. Wonderful continues to Impress all including himself. During the last week he actually got hoarse from practicing too much on the boat. But today, he romped over by the Tepee, then swam like a Tadpole, he is nothing short of a Sugar button, don’t you think!! Drum Roll please, and here he is Mr. HollyWood!!
Water levels seem to be going up, with Fall on the Horizon that is a welcome site! Shoreline is holding firm, timely rains have been welcome too!
Speaking of Welcome, the Whirling Durbishes continue to amaze me. Yesterday in our travels I noticed a hole being dug, it is about 4 feet deep. As I walked up to the Barrel, I grab to tip up the barrel. Taking off the cover, I am greeted with a Flying Squirrel inside. He darted out, missed my face by a couple inches, then scurried up a tree. Needless to say I was shocked as his eyes were, they can’t see well in the bright sunlight. With that said, the 3 Amigos have been working hard to dig a hole, I am thinking they may just hit China Soon, time will tell.
So, week is busy, Bear hunt coming, but a fresh fish fry is on the Horizon. Can you Smell whats frying at Happy Camp tonight, we certainly can, Take care!!
Good Day, heat and humidity have left for now. Early Temps of 45 are raising slightly, cool breezes are filling the air. Lots of lightning last night, keep your fingers crossed that no fires were started??
On our trip to the Soo yesterday for medications, we saw 2 nice young Bears along Highway 17. On the way back, we stopped at Pancake Bay for dinner for Rook and then into the store. Guess what?????????
Smoked Trout is back, wonderful chunks fo Lake Superior Trout are back. So I bought one, it is Delicious!!!!!
Gas prices at Johnny K’s are at $1.61/liter, that’s pretty good compared to $1.95 elsewhere. Sadly in the US, I joined Circle K inner circle to save 25 cents per gallon. But alas, when I stopped to fill up at Circle K in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, price was $4.17 at the pump. I put in my account, and saved 5 cents per gallon. Sure would be good except at the Cash Bar gas price was $4.07.
So what is UP with all of this?
Speaking of What’s Up with this, check out this knucklehead. This young Darling, loves to let it be known what and where we catch fish!! He has no problem yelling at the top of his lungs!
Now look at what he was Barking his Fool Head off About:
WoWser, that is a Dandy! Sweet 38 back to break another line! Well, not 38, but close to as I layed her on the Gunnel to measure. But she is back chasing for another day, such a Fight, Beauty, but What is UP with Bobbie Barker?
Gotta love this guy, he is coming along so nicely, time to go swimming soon! Have a Day :)))
Hi Happy Campers, Bell phones have been down for almost a month, so if you want to get hold of us, please either call or text my Cell at 715-630-4444, or email us at getthenet@wi-net.com
Travels today led us to some Bears lounging near the road munching on Blueberries! Moose tags are coming out, lets fill up Happy Camp and have a Grand 2026!!
It is with the heaviest heart that I put this on the page. Long time friend, Visitor and pal, Rooster has passed away. Rooster spent many glorious times at Happy Camp whether fishing, sipping Clamato or some other beverage, chatting or keeping the roads smooth as the Best Grader in the North!
Rooster had health issues for a few years, not able to enjoy the woods, water and wilderness. But, my hope is now that he is free to roam, run and play in the eternal bush in the sky. The Loons are singing for you, and the Eagles are Soaring, until we meet again my friend, God’s Speed!
Hey Folks, got some ideas, please share? Bugs, bugs and bugs, did I say Bugs! They are Intense, Insane and Incredible. It seems we are stuck in a rut with rain every day or night, can’t seem to shake it. But at least their are no fires nearby, the smoke has got less, and with the heavy rain early this morning, it is knocked down for now!
Spent some time in the bush yesterday, interesting the lake we went to has risen about 10 feet. Water was cool, the 5 Loons sang mightily when we arrived, and Rook swam like a Yabble in the water. That boy is coming along nicely. He cant wait for the cooler weather to chide in Grouse Season. We have a new duck spot, hopefully it pans out like we have been told, but time shall tell?
Many fish fries have been on the menu lately, and blueberries are ripening, so we and the Bears are grazing on them. 3 Eagles were soaring on a local lake as we caught Pike on our Spoons. It appeared that the 2 were teaching the younger one to hunt or soar or do something?
Bears are feeding much, getting ready for the fall fatten up time. That will be upon us soon as the Moose are already starting to rub off their Velvet.
Hunt time is coming quickly, are you ready? We are slowly getting ready and time will tell if Happy Camp will be alive with hunters or we will be quiet. Quite simple, no tags, no hunters!!
So we are off to the Big City in the next few days, long trip for supplies, maybe a bite to eat, stop and catch a few Specks, they would be tasty in the pan with some eggs for Breakfast, don’t you think?
Bullwinkle showed up today! He is starting to remove his velvet in hopes of making all the Ladies his Herom this fall! This fellow was seen in our adventure yesterday. He is by far the biggest one I have seen in my time at Happy Camp, hope he continues to roam around for a long, long time and make LOTS of children!
Good Day Happy Campers! Back at Happy Camp brought sunny skies, comfy temps and low humidity, for one day! Today, smoke rolled in, humidity soared we are enjoying sweating from all places! But alas, much needed rain is coming down, just in time to bring a new crop of Bugs to fruition(NOT)!!
Water temps are soaring here too, just pushed close to 74, so we can hope for heavy rain, snow, or just slow down and let the fish relax for a bit. Time to catch a few, eat a few and enjoy all the rest. Berries are ripening, Lobsters have appeared and 5 Darlings showed up on our way to a Financial meeting in Manitouwadge.
Speaking of Darlings, at least 6 Baby Grouse strutted their way across the trail, I do wonder if they eat Black Flies, if they do they would be as big as Ostrich’s don’t you think? I do wish someone in the pharmaceutical industry would create a pill to get rid of these damn bugs! Rook’s belly is chewed, he is now getting ornery by the minute. So, those big white chompers can’t wait to chase a Red Squirrel, come on boys show yourself!
Here is a snapshot of the only Darlings who stopped to pose for a Shutterbug, enjoy!
Good evening, July is upon us, heat is incredible from the Midwest all the way north. Temps in the 90’s with humidity just as high makes for a sweaty event. Rook as hard of a charger as he is, even has slowed down because sucking air is not his quarry. Nor is when he charges into the lake to have no relief. Hmmm, what is up with this weather?
Canada Day came and went and July 4th will too. Hopefully we will hear less booming and more chirping from the Loons, Eagles, Chickadees and Fruit Flies!
Wishing everyone a great Holiday whatever you choose, take care!!
