Camp Is Open!
 

This will be a record that won't get beat any time soon for us...we put the boat in the water and opened the camp up on Welch today, March 14th!! This is crazy early but I love it!

We did have a little dock damage as did many camps on the west side of welch, but nothing too serious that can't be repaired.

Let the fun begin!!

Dan

Congratulations, Dan.

I bet Slickcraft will be next!

And you have two full weeks to do plenty of fish finder surveillance before the season starts!

Did you charge your water system too? I'm a little reluctant to do that this early as we can still see some pretty cold nights through mid April.

Water is on! My entire water system is in an insulated enclosed box under the camp. I left a light bulb on in there for now. I did shut the water pump breaker when we left just in case...

Dan

Yes you beat us this year (finally:D), our boat was in early today but it was ice bound at Fay's. As you informed us, the the way is probably clear now. Some appointments tomorrow but may try for Wed afternoon. Which is J's birthday!

Actually I wasn't the first! Our neighbors two down from you beat us both as they were out there yesterday having drinks!

Yes and they with your help made a valiant effort yesterday to break through the ice so we could escape Fay's!

Ya but,

It's snowing now. :(

Regardless of the weather at the moment, any work that gets done now allows more time for play later.

Congrats to the early ones!

Camp is open!
 

Being early is great, but, with tongue in cheek, might I say, "I hope you haven't aggravated "Mother Nature"!

I think of it as taking fill advantage of Mother Nature's generous offering. And what mother would not be offended at offerings rejected?

Camp is open!
 

So profound, and maybe true!

Dock still up
 

I'll perhaps put the dock down this weekend as long as there are no ice floes still drifting around. Anyone marking their moorings with "winter sticks" just under the water surface should get them out before April 1. They are considered a recognized hazard to navigation.

Open Today!
 

Well it sure is a beautiful day on the lake to open up camp on Welch. The lake is almost dead calm, the sun is out and there is no ice in sight. The seasonal dock is down, three bent posts on the main dock but no big deal. The heat pump is humming and we plan to stay over tonight.

The only boat that we have seen on the lake is Island Support Service, a little repair of neighbor's dock posts.

The great thing is that this the first time ever that my wife has been at camp on her birthday. So we have steak tips to grill, a supply of wine and a birthday cake. I suppose that having the clouds hold off so we can see the sunset may be asking for too much.

Have a fine night, and happy birthday Ms. Slickcraft!

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

Fantastic, so if I go around the island and look for the one open camp open, I will know it is you and stop by for a burger?

Quilt Lady and I send along the same birthday wishes! Hope you both enjoy the weather, wine, steak and cake.

Best wishes, Mrs. Slickcraft!
 

J, Enjoy your birthday on the island! Sounds like a great dinner & dessert.:liplick:

Not being able to fish now is like getting a new bike and not being able to ride it!................AKA The Freshguy

Happy Birthday
 

Happy Birthday to your bride. So awesome that you get to celebrate on the island together.
Sounds like an awesome night. Enjoy

Water
 

Thank you for that beautiful picture. The water is so clear and beautiful this early in the year, it looks like I remember it from when I was a kid

question for Welch Islanders....
 

Does anyone know if the house in the point (facing Glendale) ever sold?
http://www.estately.com/listings/info/51-welch-island
My great-grandfather built it in 1906 (J.H Bussell) and it passed to my grandfather (Howard E. Bussell). My grandmother sold it in the late '60's.
Sure wish it was still in the family. Thanks.

You might have answered your own question. If you follow the link it says sold 12/15. Looks like a really nice place with a lot of good memories!!

Slickcraft you should make a print of that pic and hang it your camp. Might be the only time you get the boat to the dock for the wifes b-day and she will always remember. (not to mention the lake is glass!)

We know the very nice couple that bought it. Actually as we know the new owners, we took a walk over this morning and took in the view from the front porch. Truly a very special place. As you know the large piece of land was subdivided by I believe your grandfather. His daughter, still with a lot near he yacht club, was at the Gilford Islands assoc winter luncheon a week ago. She once helped mark off the lots. Our camp is a few lots south of the house on the point, my wife's parents bought it form Howard A. Bussell in 1969.

BTW, the large boulder in the right of the photo that I posted used to be known as Sunset Rock. Also the stone wall where sheep were loaded long ago is on our lot.

Thanks Flyfisha. I didn't even see that.

@Slickcraft, My dad is Howard A. and Shirley Burns is my aunt, but I have not seen her in a very long time. My dad and aunt spent every summer there as kids. I have not been in the house for 50+ years. We did rent for a about 7 years in Roberts Cove and saw the house by boat a few times. Cool place, my dad has a lot of stories. He was last in the house in 2010 when visiting his sister in her cottage. I hope the previous owners left the dining room furniture as my dad said that was original to the house from 1906. Thanks for the response.

Great picture..hard to believe it's so beautiful so early in the season.
Come Monday morning that picture is going to look a whole lot different.
A spring scene taken in winter will become a winter scene taken in spring!

And the morning after photo, soon to be replaced by the return of winter. So say PBFF.

Awesome to get an early start! Happy bday Mrs S

Camp opening
 

Wonderful picture, Slickcraft. Happy Birthday to your bride. How great to be on the island again. We hoped to get out to Rattlesnake tomorrow, Saturday, but it may be a tad chilly to get the boat ready. We are warmly jealous!

IG

sbussell: The original dining room furniture is still there. Saw it today, very good condition and appreciated by the new owners.

Diving Temperatures
 

For those of you who have already opened unheated camps, the temps are supposed to go into the teens Sunday evening. Combined with the high winds, that sucks the heat out of a camp in no time. Beware frozen pipes.

Thanks Slickcraft. Glad to hear it stayed with the house.