Fall Crappie Camp Report

Sorry I'm late to the party with my camp report. I went right from Crappie Camp to a Canadian four wheeling trip. I'm just now getting my bearings straightened out and back to the grind.

My wife Andrea, my old man, and I, arrived in camp later Friday afternoon/early evening. The campground was fantastic, with lots of room for our little set up. We arrived in time to make it to Liars club and say hello to everyone.
We woke up Saturday morning to a bit of rain and wind, so we procrastinated getting on the water. We actually took a side trip to Chelsea to pick up some forgotten items before we launched the boat.
once on the water, we struggled to catch crappie. We caught bass, gills, pike... But not a crappie to save our life.
We ended the day with one lone crappie, that I caught. It wasn't the biggest, but by golly I had a fish that counted. In the three crappie camps, I hadn't registered a crappie till that fish.
i caught it in a little hidden cove, on a purple stinger shad, while throwing Hail Marys at some weed edges along a boat dock.

when we got back to shore, it seemed like most had about the same luck. All except the home team.
Rich and Brian took us all to the wood shed for a beating this time around.
We had Plaques donated to us by ACK Trophies of Newaygo Michigan. First, Second, and Third place for heaviest 5 fish. As well as first, second, and third for biggest individual fish.
Rich and crew were awarded all 6 plaques... But in his own humble kindness, he gave away some of the plaques to the rest of us to keep our spirits up :-)

We had a mess of T-shirt awards from Fishoflague, two Cabelas gift cards for top honors in both categories, as well as a generous box of items from our friends at Off Shore Tackle. Hats, lanyards, mini planer boards, and tadpoles, we're just some of the great items that they donated. Most everyone left with a gift from Off Shore Tackle!
We also had some donated kids prizes from Kids Casters. They donated 6 boys and 6 girls fishing pole sets, as well as some Boy and Girls fishing jerseys. We only had one kid present, so we sent Abby(richs daughter) home with a nice pink fishing jersey.
beings the same team claimed all the winnings, it was decided to keep the award items not handed out to utilize at the spring camp in 2016.

once all the awards were sorted, we took part in a White Elephant gift exchange. It was something I was worried about honestly. I didn't know how well it would play out. However it turned into an enjoyable and entertaining time. Lots of laughs were had by all, and a more than a few of us went home with a gift we enjoy. sadly however, I have not managed to land a fish since on the hand held fishing game. LOL

At the end of the day we all ate well, and we were blessed to spend time with friends. I have to say, fall camp was a success.

a huge thanks goes out to the sponsors. We didn't reach out to any companies this year for donations, but we had some step up and donate anyways.

Off Shore Tackle
ACK Tropies
Kids Casters

they went above and beyond. We can't thank them enough.

id love to add a bunch of pictures here, but I didn't take any.
So just imagine a bunch of good looking people, catching a bunch of huge crappie....
then youll know what we don't look like.

Good report Al, and you hit the nail on the head with that last sentence. LOL.

:Rofl

Yup, pretty much sums it up. Be prepared though, someone is going to end up with a box of books at one of our upcoming events. That is, If Gary wants to tote them around!

I'm still laughing from "Throwing Hail Marys"