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2015 has left the building

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 3:17 pm
by bradford2
Ok, so not yet, but it feels that way already. Simply put, 2015 was an amazing year for this guy. May as well start right at the beginning...

Ice fishing was the standard affair this year although I didn't get out much. Did the usual thing catching the usual fish. A few highlights are below.

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April was nearing it's end. The ice was gone but the boat was still dry. I was chasing these guys and got this big tom opening day. Tried a few more hunts for his buddy but never punched the 2nd tag.

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Summer eventually rolled around and that means one thing. Trailer time. Getting a trailer was the best decision we ever made and I just can't come close to explaining how amazing it is. It's all about the 4 F's. Fishing, food, family and fun. All in one spot.

The fishing isn't always easy but we have certainly be doing ok.

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Here's a double header the little guy and I got within 100 yards of a couple guys on a pontoon. He kept yelling 'Two of them!' and got a standing ovation haha.

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Couple of lake PB's for me this year....

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A rainy afternoon pig we caught in some pretty big chop. Put a huge smile on that kids face for sure.

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Boys weekend walleye. I got it right under Dans feet and he was some pleased :lol:

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That same weekend, Dan caught a chunky 4lb smallie and let it go. A week later, I caught it again. And a week after that, I caught it a third time! C&R clearly works...

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Being 100% honest though, the fishing pales in comparison to the rest of trailer life. We eat, uh, pretty good there...


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I'll be fat forever and I'm more than ok with that. Damn. I want some right now haha :lol:
Of course family and fun go hand in hand and we never miss an opportunity to have people visit.

Double double headers with gramps one day, and fishing with these two for a week was surely a highlight.

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One of the top moments of the year though was definitely when I had Grams and Gramps alone in the boat for a few hours one afternoon. We boated 7 fish over 3.5 lbs and Grams got 2 of them herself. It was like she was a little kid again, and watching the two of them together was a site to see. 50+ years married and he doted on her the whole time in the boat and helped her with the fish. It was awesome to watch.

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And of course the biggest part of the fun is the fact that the kids love it there so much. Living in a townhouse with a small backyard sucks to say the least, and this is a huge escape for them.

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Fall typically means one thing and one thing only for me. Deer hunting. Yah I do try and fish a bit, but in the back of my mind I'm always thinking deer.
I took Matthew on my annual trip to my dads in Michigan. It was a great time and he loved it, but sadly this was the only deer that got shot.

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I eventually sealed the deal though and capped of one amazing year. Amazing deer and an amazing experience.

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Like I said in the beginning, 2015 was amazing and that's the only way to look at it.
I am truly blessed with such great family and friends and to be able to spend so much time doing what I love.

Can't wait for 2016!!!

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 3:25 pm
by zeke13
Fantastic year, great story .. love the pics especially with the kids .. moments they'll never forget!!

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 8:46 pm
by smitty55
Great post Brad. Some fine fish there and the family times are certainly the most rewarding.

That looks like a dandy buck. Looks like a broken brow tine. Is there a good story to go with it? Rifle of bow?

Cheers

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 9:08 pm
by riverdog
Right on Brad! Best year end report in my opinion but I'm a sucker for multi specie reports & food! Maybe we'll see you at Tims this winter fingers crossed for early ice.

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 10:25 pm
by Walleye'm Fishing
Awesome year for ya Brad, you sure got your kids onto some quality fish!

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 8:47 am
by iankrzyzanowski
It seemed like every time you put up a fish pic this past winter and summer it was a giant! I loved seeing the ones with your little ones the most though. Their smiles say it all!

Hoping to take you up on that dinner offer and Im working on that trailer idea at least once a week with Emma. May need to step it up to 3 times a week! :lol:

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:18 am
by ShawnD
Quality fish !
Those look like some happy kids.

Nice report!

Shawn.D

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:18 am
by ShawnD
Quality fish !
Those look like some happy kids.

Nice report!

Shawn.D

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 8:47 pm
by plowjock
Fantastic report Brad.
One of only a few real OUTDOORSMEN. Fishing and hunting and being very successful.
Great seeing 3 generations all enjoying the LIFE and good times.

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 10:11 am
by banjo
Great all round report.
You had be at 'bacon wrapped things' :D
It is good to see that all aspects of the outdoors are being celebrated.
BTW... I bet when us humans aren't around , frogs take turns riding that bass with a hump like a horse :lol: :shock:

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 3:28 pm
by RJ
Parenting done right. 100% right.

Good on ya Brad.

RJ

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 12:34 pm
by ratsotail
Great year of family and outdoor fun, Brad! It's nice to see your kids growing up in that environment too!

Hey I went to the Opeongo Resort many years ago too. Great Walleye and Smallmouth adventure!

Happy Holidays!

Jeff

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 11:08 am
by bradford2
Thanks gang! Yes the kids pics are the best for sure, and I love that they are in to it. They are already asking when we are going back haha.
Will definitely get them on the ice this year, whenever that may be lol.

Smitty it was a good buck for sure, definitely in my top 3. My first with a muzzy to boot. Yah it broke that brow off some time between Nov 12 and Nov 24. Fighting no doubt, there were a few other big ones in the area. I'm already scouting them out for next year :D

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 8:31 pm
by beachburger
You certainly picked a great place to park the trailer!

I'm hungry now..... :D

Re: 2015 has left the building

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 6:12 pm
by Tip-up
Yep, this report has 'BBQ' pictures all over it lol. Got to love the trailer life, got to love the outdoor life! Great post Brad!