A big week in the outdoors

Hello friends, As you are about to see this week's column is all over the map but in reality, it's pretty good stuff. As always thanks for reading.

Friday, Sept. 11 High 81, Low 54

Here is the scenario, I woke up this morning on Green Bay in my 18.6 War Eagle with my golden retriever Red lying next to me. I had anchored in shallow water the night before and, though I was somewhat prepared, almost everything in my boat, including my sleeping bag, was soaked do to a heavy dew. I really did not care as it was warm, I had all day to fish for walleyes and a great celebration of life for my dear friend Chuck Rieb of Mellen to go to the next day.

I put in the night before at the North Oconto County Park and Campground and today would be a day of putting a ton of miles on the boat and existing on a body of water that I really love. I caught my largest muskie on Green Bay and that was out of my canoe. On that adventure I also limited out on walleyes. It seems Green Bay is either testing you with high seas, a non-fish bite or rewarding you with really good-sized and plentiful walleyes, perch and or muskies.

Like last night I would pull crankbaits and crawler harnesses and, to make things interesting, on my third rod I pulled the red and white Creek Chub that I caught two muskies on in late August. Today I would be in the War Eagle for exactly 13 hours without getting out. The walleyes and perch did not seem to be hungry as I did not catch a one or see anyone else's nets go down.

I did land 3 sheepshead, a striper and two large catfish which were all released. The sheep and cats sure can fool you into thinking they might be a walleye until you see them.

At dark I trailered my boat and headed toward Mellen where I had a very important mission.

Saturday, Sept. 13 High 84, Low 55

I made it to Crandon last night until fatigue took over and, let me tell you, it was a type of fatigue that is not that different than driving under the influence. One minute you are fine, the next minute, you are not. I parked The GMC Hotel west of town at a wayside and slept like a baby. I was driving this morning and received a picture from my buddy Scott Polencheck of Glidden. Scott's son Gunner was filming his good friend Shawn Dunlavy on a bow hunt and Shawn put an arrow in the right spot on a heck of a nice 10-point buck.

I used to live near Mellen and loved it. Chuck and Caryn Rieb were my neighbors, along with their boys Jake, Wade and Luke. The Riebs had made a decision at their marriage vows to build a log cabin on their 80 acres and live without electricity or running water, in other words, a hand pump, wood stove and propane lights. The Riebs were very popular in the area, and I was fortunate to be a regular part of their lives.

Back in the '90s Chuck and I did some pretty bold backpacking trips without any trail from our homes to either Ashland, Clam Lake or toward Drummond. This was bushwhacking and literally bull working through swamps, skeeters and sweat. Chuck hated me for it during our excursions but was he ever proud when we would finish. Caryn would meet us with cold beer and always an incredible meal when we got back to the cabin.

Last September Chuck passed away and today this unique family did what I would say is the best Celebration of Life that I have ever witnessed for Chuck. I camped and was given the honor of making a toast for my great friend among a very large crowd of people that love and miss Chuck.

I bear hunted on my way home from Mellen to Necedah and when I put the horse in the stable, I was one tired puppy!

Sunset