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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