April 21st 2010 -

Things have been busy around here.  It felt like we were shot out of a slingshot after the Mpls Sportsman Show and have been going, going ever since.

Winter 2010

When evoking the memories from a previous season, we usually get a warm, sunny feeling inside but the 2009 year was anything but warm and sunny!  The season began cool & wet and finished off the same way, with guests wearing long johns and sweat shirts during the middle of the summer months!  The only good thing about such weather conditions was that the consistency of it made for steady fishing patterns. Although the guests were heading out in unseasonably cool weather, they were coming back to camp with great fishing stories and good catches.

August 19th, 2009

It is officially nearing the end of summer and yet I am wondering where the summer went?  The days have been wet, windy and cool feeling more like fall, rather than the warm summer time air that usually shines down on us at Pine Beach.  Speaking of "beach" with as much rain fall as we have gotten here there is not much of a beach left!  The water is up a couple of feet and the Eagle River Damn is free flowing with both gates wide open!

I can count on one hand the days that we have had warm weather.  One of those days being last week when we topped out at 100 degrees Fahrenheit!  And wouldn't you know, that is the day that Rick decided to tear down the old laundry shed!  There is nothing like sweat, dust and DEMOLITION! 

On the plus side...the fishing has been great!  As long as you packed accordingly, and are not afraid to go out in the wind and rain, you will be coming back to camp with lots of healthy fish.

We had an exciting event happen during the first week of August, when Mike Lehiti was reeling in a nice walleye and a HUGE musky chomped onto it and took it down whole!  Beings that Mike was walleye fishing, he did not have a net big enough to land such a large musky, so he called over to his brother in law's boat who was fishing near him.  With the assistance of Donna Brakke who held the two boats together, while Alan & Brad Brakke netted the monster fish, all the while it was being filmed by Jeff Lehiti!

Watch the exciting catch of a 53 1/2 inch Musky on YouTube:

As the season winds down, kids will be going back to school, the days will be getting shorter and the leaves will start changing color. We wish you and your family a happy fall season and a healthy autumn.

Thank you for your time and for visiting our webpage.

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June 1st, 2009,

Here we are three weeks after opener and I am just now placing a post on our newsletter! 

As you can imagine we have been busy preparing for the season, getting things cleaned up and in order for the first guests. 

Rick and Allie pulled into camp on Wed. April 29th and were excited to see that camp weathered the winter well.  It sure was nice not having to deal with the clean up from the break ins that we had suffered from the season before. 

Upon our arrival the ice was still covering the lake but it didn't take long for it to go out with the bay opening up completely on May 5th.

After three fun filled weeks of travels in China, Helen pulled into camp on May 11th  She was excited to get back to camp and it didn't take long before the kitchen was filled with the fresh aromas of cinnamon rolls and bread.

As the guests woke up on opening day (May 16th) they were surprised to see a couple of inches of snow on the ground and no water in their taps!  The freezing temperatures led to frozen water lines and frigid temperatures.  After shoveling their boats out, a few brave souls hit the lake and were back to camp not long after with their limit which was a motivating factor for the other guests to bundle up and head out.

As the season progresses we hope that fishing stays as plentiful and healthy as it is this spring.

We wish you all a happy and healthy summer and look forward to your visit to Pine Beach.

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December 16th, 2008,

2008 was an action packed year and all began with a painful back surgery! During the first week of March, Rick suffered from 3 herniated disks (L4,L5& S1) and went in for an emergency laminectomy at St. Johns Hospital. Under the steady hands of a great surgeon, the surgery was a success! However recovery was a slow and steady process. Throughout the summer Rick continued his rigorous physical therapy exercises and although he was put on physical restrictions, mentally he didn't miss a beat! As a matter of fact, back surgery and all, we would have to say that the summer of 2008 at Pine Beach Lodge, was a productive and successful season!

The season actually began prior to our arrival when on Easter morning we received a phone call informing us that camp had gotten broken into! As our minds raced with anticipation of damage and theft we had to wait and see first hand when we made the trip up. We pulled into camp on April 29th and we were greeted by ice on the lake, snow on the ground and a mess! Doors broken, glass shattered, and drawers turned upside down and things strewn about. Although the break in was disappointing and caused for a lot of additional work, we were happy that nobody was hurt and that the items missing were replaceable.

After resolving the burglary, the construction phase of 2008 began! A powerful crew of family, friends, and guests generously collaborated their knowledge and skills and constructed a new shed (behind the laundry house) which will serve as a staff wash house, storage shed, and workshop. With Rick unable to do much, if any of the physical work, the brunt of the construction fell on the shoulders of these friends, family and guests.  The cabins and the lodge also received a fresh coat of Navajo Red, as all of camp got a professional paint job! Although we would like to personally list and thank each and every one of you, that have helped us in these project, the list would go on and on. So please know that we are grateful and indebted to all of you!

With the late arrival of spring, everything seemed to be a little off schedule. Although the cooler temperatures were a nuisance the fishing was fantastic! Numerous times throughout the year guests mentioned that “this is the best fishing I have ever had!” During spring, thru the hot summer months, and into the crisp fall, several trophy mounts were caught, as well as endless good size eaters.

Lake Trout fishing once again proved to be successful with two of the largest fish weighing in at 18 and 19 ½ lbs.

Walleye fishing was first rate with countless walleye being caught and released and the largest walleye of the season measuring 31 ½.

Northern fishing was rewarding with many active 35-40 inch fish and the largest being a 44 ½!

Small Mouth Bass fishing was active with many being caught in the 17-20 inch range, 5 of the 20 inch bass caught were prior to July 1st, therefore unable to be kept.  Largest bass in season was 19 inches.

Muskie fishing was unsurpassed, an incredibly active year, with many being caught although none being legal. The largest Musky was caught by Mike Ramey on Sep. 5th measuring a remarkable 53 inches!

Top Fisherman award jackets go to:
    Walleye:                 Sept 17              Jim Turpin                       31 ½”
    Northern:              July 18               Randy Porubcan             44 ½”
    Lake Trout:          June 9                Jack Olinger                    35”

Congratulations to these top anglers!

The moose hunters put in a steadfast effort but were unsuccessful in filling out their tags.

December 16th 2007,

Our families all had a wonderful holiday season and we wish the same for all of you. 

Looking back to 2007 was a very different one.  For the first time in 38 years, Helen missed the opener!  She had to have some surgery, which has recovered and all is well again.  However, the surgery and recovery time  didn’t allow her to get to camp until June 12^th.

Rick and Allie did a fantastic job of opening camp, and getting ready for the fisherman.  Allie took over the position as chief cook and did a wonderful job.  All was going well when Helen got to camp, as a matter of fact the day she pulled in Rick, Allie and all the guests had a big party for her arrival, which I was exciting.

On opening day we were greeted by a tremendous storm with icy temperatures and high winds.  Rick, Brennan and some of our wonderful guest’s had to endure the bitter winds and frigid water temperatures while rebuilding the docks.  Then in July another dynamic storm overwhelmed our beaches submerging boats and tearing apart the docks.  Once again, Rick, Brennan and some our guests had to  reconstruct them.  The support that we received from our guests was remarkable and we can’t thank you enough for what you did for us and for Pine Beach Lodge.

Muskie fishing was active.  A lot were caught but none of them were a legal fish.  52 ½’ was the largest this year.

Top Fisherman award jackets go to:
Lake Trout:              June 14                    Guy Dittel                               22 1/2” 36 lbs.
Walleye:                   Sept 16                     Paul Buckmayer                      31”
Northern:                 June 13                    Reid Dittel                               43”
SM Bass                  July 24                      Gary Pietig                              20”

Congratulations to these top anglers.

The Moose Hunters had a successful and prosperous hunt  making them feel accomplished, taking one bull and one calf.  The partridge and duck hunting was also very good again this year.