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2017 MICDC Spring Camp Pics
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Have you ever asked yourself why Crappie Camps are so much fun? Why they are so successful? Why they tend to draw a large volume of people from across the web? The answer is really quite simple. Several years ago, Slab setup a family friendly forum type site where “like minded” individuals can get together, share tips, tricks, experiences, recipes, and general information. I’m not sure he would have been able to predict just how successful Crappie Dot Com would become.
Notice how “like minded” individuals is in quotes. In my opinion, this is the very key reason why crappie dot com and the Michigan family gets along so well. We are a group of “like minded” individuals. People that are always willing to help out one another. Whether it be the younger helping the older with things that are getting harder to do, people helping others find fish, teaching and learning new tactics, treating ones family like their own. This is the hallmark of what being a member of Crappie Dot Com is truly all about. Ever hear the saying: “they would give you the shirt off their back”? This actually happened at this event! These events become so popular that not everyone knows exactly how many people will be coming when we place T-Shirt orders. People’s plan can change, schedules get moved around, and people are able to attend. One of our members put in their T-shirt order only to find out that their daughter would be attending. I was asked if there were any extra T-shirts available. Knowing that I have plenty, and that her father had the exact T-shirt I was wearing (the only two at camp), I took mine off and gave it to her!!! THIS is what being a member of Crappie Dot Com is all about.
I am happy to report that at this camp, we had more children than at any other camp. Grandparents bringing their grandchildren and their children. Kids running around, making new friends, practicing casting with new fishing rods. What more could you ask for out of a camp?
Friday brought sunny skies and calm winds. Liars club was as it should be. People sitting around, reacquainting with old friends, and telling stories. There were new T-shirts, new plans, and new ideas. New camp leaders were chosen for the next spring event, snacks were passed around, and kids received some brand new fishing equipment. Thanks to Alboy and his family for getting those packages for us a few years back. We held on to them until just the right time.
Although Saturday called for warm weather, it also called for gale force winds. Many of us were surprised to wake up to calm weather. Everyone took advantage of the weather (while it lasted) and set out for some crappie fishing. As with most of our camps, the crappie played hard to get. In the end, John and his family took home the first place trophy and a pretty neat homemade quilt that was donated by Gary and Tonda. KJ took home the second place trophy and Kevin (KJ’s dad) took home the third place trophy. Besides the trophies, they also received a brand new 13 quart Engel bait cooler that was donated by Steve and Judy Ash from Steve Ash Construction. I’m glad Kevin won it so that he no longer has to ask me when they will be available for purchase (he loves mine that much). The plaques were all handmade by Steve Ash! Birdseye maple Crappie cutouts! Pretty cool trophies.
By noon on Saturday, the winds were howling. My placing vehicles and boats in a few key places we were able to block the wind the best we could. Don, Kevin, and Larry set out as the camp fry guys and put on an awesome spread of crappie, walleye, and sunfish fillets. There was more food than any of us knew what to do with. My personal favorites this year were Judy’s taco salad (as always), Carol’s Asian salad (we need the recipe), and Tyler and Jordan’s Tennessee caviar (that stuff was awesome).
Although we like to hold a benefit raffle at our camps in order to provide assistance to local charities, this year we needed to refill our group coffers to ensure we had monies available for years to come. Each member was asked to donate a handmade craft of some sort. Raffle tickets were sold and each member was able to put tickets in for the items he or she would like to win. Popular items included a custom quilt donated by Gary and Tonda, a Canoe Knick Knack shelf donated by Rich and Abby, a custom built crappie rod by Kevin, and homemade maple syrup made by John and Wanda. The most popular items were a weekend getaway at Jerry’s cabin, a handmade fishing rod rack built by Steve Ash of Steve Ash Construction, and a custom made Corn Hole game made by Don Miller. Photos will be added later by Don.
The event was a great success. It is always hard to say goodbye on Sunday morning and we always wish we had just a little more time. Thank you to everyone that made this a great success. Everyone contributes to how these camps work! If you have any photos taken from this event, please post them in this thread!!!!
These were some of the fish taken by the girls aboard my boat. My daughter Abby and her friend Alesia had a great time!
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First off, Thank you everyone! People who put it together, people who donated prizes, cooked food, helped out in any way possible to make this a success!
The last couple camps I went to was with my sons and grandsons.....this year was the ladies turn. My wife Judy and grand daughter Ava made the trip and I was so happy they did. Judy was able to put faces with names of people I talk about and she made friends with so many of you.....she had a great time, I'm sure I can talk her into going to the next one, in fact she is already looking forward to the fall event!
I was especially happy to see Dale win the cherry rod/reel cabinet as the material came from his dad's farm....how fitting!
I didn't fish much this year, about a half hour with Dale and Janice but that was my choosing, it's tough when a 9 year olds attention span is not in sync with fish biting :Rofl.....but a big Thank you to Dale and Janice for taking Aiden and I out.
Food was great, conversation was fantastic and I loved catching up with everyone.
High winds bent the awning on our camper, I was so glad that Dale and Rich were right there to help with getting it temporarily fixed so I could get it home. I called the insurance lady to start a claim (I just put insurance on it Friday) she said "couldn't you at least wait for the ink to dry before you put in a claim? At any rate we made a claim for the repair.
Thanks again to everyone we enjoyed every minute of it!
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Wow, looks like everyone had a great time. Sorry I missed it. There was just too much to do here getting the house ready for sale. I'm happy to say that's it's finally on the market as of this afternoon. Anyway, I'm glad you had some good weather. Crappie.com members are the best. Thanks go out to everyone that helped make this event happen, and to those that participated.
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Totally awesome! Noting like a c.c family get together!
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Great pictures! Looks like I missed out on a real good time, not many frowns on those faces. Nice looking prizes, too. Love seeing all the youngsters that were at the camp. Rich, I'm not sure Abby is thrilled about having to hold that pike . I can almost read her mind , " seriously, dad, how am I supposed to smile while I'm holding this slimy fish".
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Great pics. Great times. Maybe by spring I will be able to make a handmade prize for the event. Should be in my house and shop by august. Don, not having any luck finding another of those cutting boards, but I'm hunting for one for me and you. Danny
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
"D"
Don, not having any luck finding another of those cutting boards, but I'm hunting for one for me and you. Danny
https://jet.com/product/detail/f776a...2-c7ffbd5c78b7
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Steve.... I have an idea for a cutting board!!!
You still have that template I gave you? We "could" enlarge it!
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For some reason when I hear Rich say......
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wicklundrh
Steve.... I have an idea for a cutting board!!!
You still have that template I gave you? We "could" enlarge it!
I get the feeling I should look for somebody to say......"Here,......hold my beer....."
Yes I do Rich, I'm betting you are thinking of enlarging the template and make a butcher block style "Crappie cutting board"
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Thanks for the links fellows. I like that one Slab. I found them on good old Amazon. Don, pm your address to me and I will have them direct ship. Free shipping that way. Can't wait to see the Ash/Wick board.
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Good thing I don't drink anymore then!
Otherwise, my suggestion might have been followed by the use of pyrotechnics
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
wicklundrh
Good thing I don't drink anymore then!
Otherwise, my suggestion might have been followed by the use of pyrotechnics
Attachment 268026Like this?
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Famous last words of a redneck...
"Hey guys, watch this"
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just so you guys know.
the cutting board looks GREAT in my kitchen!!:biggrin
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I'm glad you like the cutting board. By the way I found that one in a little Amish country store in Etheridge Tn. I am gonna get myself another one. Found them on Amazon. Hey Wich you forgot the first part of the redneck quote. It's "hold my beer" haha.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
"D"
I'm glad you like the cutting board. By the way I found that one in a little Amish country store in Etheridge Tn. I am gonna get myself another one. Found them on Amazon. Hey Wich you forgot the first part of the redneck quote. It's "hold my beer" haha.
thank you for donating it, wife and I both love it!!
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just DONT my pick on one :Rofl
