And a Happy New Year!

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays.  It is a great time of year to swap fishing stories with friends and families. Here is a quick list of the sport shows Big Hook will be attending in 2014.  Best wishes to everyone in the New Year and best of luck on the ice/water throughout the winter.

VISIT Big Hook Wilderness Camps AT THE 2014 SPORT SHOWS:

Jan 9-12 — All Canada Show, Pheasant Run Mega Center-St Charles, IL
Thurs 5-9, Fri 3-9, Sat 10-6, Sunday 10-4

Feb 8-9 — Tinley Park High School-Tinely Park, IL
Sat 9-5, Sun 9-5

February 28-March 2, 2014--NE WI Sport Fishin' Show, Players Choice W3035 Edgewood Trail-Appleton, WI
Fri 3-9, Sat 10-6, Sunday 10-4 

March 5-9, 2014--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show, Milwaukee State Fair Grounds Expo 8200 W. Greenfield Ave-West Allis, WI 
Wed, Thurs, Fri 12-9, Sat 10-9, Sun 10-6 

-Nathan
www.bighookcamps.com

Happy Holidays!

May the spirit of Christmas
be with you throughout the New Year

The gift of love, the gift of peace
The gift of happiness...
maybe a fishing trip to "Big Hook Wilderness Camps" in 2014?
May all these be yours at Christmas.
Thank you for your business and
may your New Year be joyful and happy.

Our best
Steve, Evie, Nathan, Heidi and Ricky

Holiday Treat

Have some left over walleye fillets taking up freezer space? Here is a great recipe alternative to a fried fish dinner for walleye or even pike.  Mom made these walleye cakes several times last summer and have become our favorite dinner alternate to a deep fried walleye. The recipe is simple, incredibly flavorful and would make a great main dish or appetizer for the holidays.

WALLEYE CAKES

2-3 lbs of boneless, skinless walleye filets  

salt/pepper

½ cup dry white wine

Preheat oven 375F.  Place filets in a baking dish, pour on the white wine.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake approx. 20 minutes.  Let fillets cool.  Break fish into large chunks, place in bowl and set aside.

(You could also choose to poach your fish in the white wine in a covered skillet)

Mix for walleye cakes:

½ cup shredded carrots                  ½ cup of celery diced                  ½ cup of red onion diced

2 cups of Panko bread crumbs       1 Tbs of Seafood Seasoning        ½ tsp tabasco

1 tsp salt                                        1 cup Mayo                                 Chopped parsley to taste       

1 egg

Add cooled walleye chunks to mix and shape into patties.   Add more bread crumbs or mayo if needed.

Heat 2 tbs canola oil in skillet and fry patties until golden brown.  3-5 minutes per side.

Serve with mayo and pickle relish mixed.  Or mayo, dill and a 1 T. of lemon juice mixed.

Great with a slice of provolone cheese and lettuce as a sandwich or alone.

Enjoy!

Good luck on the ice or water this winter.  The sport shows start up next month and we look forward to seeing everyone.  Will post the show schedule soon. 

-Nathan

www.bighookcamps.com

Autumn waters

As I sit on the stretch of Fox river between De Pere and Green Bay I glance around and am comforted by the fact I am the only fisherman on the water this morning.  Yes the temperature is a crisp 28 degrees; yes I am constantly chipping ice from my guides on my pole; and yes my feet sorta feel like blocks of ice.  However, I quickly forget all of that as I reel in my second small mouth bass of the morning.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year for fishing.  Most people begin winterizing their boats and storing their fishing gear for the winter exchanging their fishing rods for camo and guns in preparation for hunting season. Granted I could do the same, however I have always preferred freezing in a boat on the water vs sitting in a deer blind. Those of you who don't feel like tackling the woods with hoards of other hunters, grab a fishing line and head down to the water.  Trust me, there will be far less people and you will have a much better shot at catching that fish you battled for during the summer months.

Happenings in the North Country  

According to the crew up at Sandy Lake Seaplane, snow has begun to stick around.  Several good snowfalls have blanketed the area since Dad and I departed in the end of September. All the float planes have been pulled from the docks and wheel planes are all that remain.  

Decent amounts of snow are welcomed since we have departed the Opasquia Provincial Park. Those of you who visited us in August witnessed all time low water on most of the lakes.  We will need a slightly above average snowfall for the winter to bring the water back to normal. 

Holidays and Fishing 

The holidays will soon be upon us.  The Thanksgiving and Christmas are the perfect times of year when friends and family are together and can discuss summer fishing travels. Keep in mind we book up early at Big Hook Camps.  With one cabin on most lakes the available weeks disappear quickly, especially right after the holidays.   

Thanks to all who have been sending in their 2013 Big Hook fishing photos.  You just may get placed in the winter newsletter.  Be safe and have fun on the water or in the woods this fall. 

-Nathan

www.bighookcamps.com