Big Chip getaway

Hello friends, This week's column was going to be about a serious muskie fishing trip on Sawyer County’s Chippewa Flowage. Serious muskie fishing turned out to be casual muskie fishing, hanging out and dog training as soon as I found an island, built camp and realized that I am worn out. Definition of worn out: my pond, garden and, most importantly, the beach in Necedah that I am in charge of removing all water vegetation from have me a bit tired. Everything, at least almost everything in my life these days, is physical, so I decided on this trip, my goal was going to be to stop and smell the roses.

Sunday, July 28 High 86, Low 62

The mood for Ruby who is 8, and Red, who is 2 and just weaned and said goodbye to her pups, and myself, was excellent as we slowly navigated the west end of the Chippewa Flowage with a goal of getting away from the human race. The pups have not been able to travel with me for a host of good reasons and this time, as I did my casual pack for two days, I kept asking them if they wanted to go on a trip and so they were well aware they were in for an adventure.

It was Sunday, late in the day, and just about all campers were headed home and I was headed northwest toward Crane Creek and was still in the 'I am gonna do some serious muskie fishing mood.” The campsite on Crane Creek Island was open and as I started unloading the War Eagle. I heard an elk bugle and it really was not that far away. Next I had a vision.The vision spoke to me and said, “Walters you have been running hard and physical since March 15.” Second the vision told me, “your body is sore, drink a cold beer, listen to the loons and play with the pups.” It was at that moment that I decided that though this was still a muskie fishing trip, number one, I was going to slow down for 48 hours.

From 6 to 10 I sat by a campfire, listened to the very plentiful population of loons and watched Red and Ruby, who were literally as happy as they could be.

Monday, July 29 High 84, Low 59

I just about got up at 5 a.m. but the vision told me to rest

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my weary 63-year-old body and so I did. I have to tell you about a new trend and I have no clue why I am doing it. Though I use a tent, since spring, I use no cot or sleeping pad. I just sleep on Mother Earth. I think there is something very cool about that and it is worth a try if you can handle it. So later in the morning I was about to go muskie fishing and I decided what I really need to do is some retriever training. On June 15, 2022, Michelle Chiaro passed away. Michelle was an incredible woman and my love. Red was 10 weeks old when Michelle passed away and I have not had dog training in me. Slowly but surely that is coming back, and Red is pure animal.

Today I worked with Red and Ruby with bumpers, which are basically retrieving tools with water retrieves. Red is the most agile/fastest golden retriever I have ever had. From shore she can do an 8-foot leap and land in the boat without hesitation. She can also get in the boat from the water without any thought. Red's mama is a bit more casual but actually loved the training today.

Muskie fishing went with the casual mood, and I know my buddies will laugh about this. I had planned on making 10 million casts, but instead and because of my casual attitude I decided to spend the day exploring while trolling. I learned a lot, did not catch a thing and loved every minute of it.

Tonight I stayed up until midnight. The loons were my music and they were very happy, though I did not want to go to bed, I mean the ground, I had to because I was going to get up early and go cast for muskies.

Tuesday, July 30 High 85, Low 57

The pups and I were up early and exploring while casting. The muskies must not have been hungry because the best muskie fisherman in my boat could not catch a thing. About 10, I started noticing some fierce looking clouds coming our way. Today was break camp day, I headed to camp got everything packed in the boat and the storm hit. Leaving the island was not an option, I stood in a downpour with a rain jacket on for an hour and the rain, wind, thunder and lightning was pretty cool to endure. My guess is a woman named Michelle was right there with us.

Check out the Big Chip and relax. Sunset