HIGH FALLS WINTER HIKING

High Falls.  A 120 foot drop makes this waterfall the highest fall in the state of Minnesota.  Another unique thing about these falls is that it's located in the Grand Portage State Park on the Pigeon River that separates the US and Canada.

Where's the low falls?

The trail that leads you to the falls is very well marked.  I've been to this place in the summer, and there were definitely a lot more people around hiking the man made trail paths and taking in the views.  For this time of year, I was really surprised to see that the trails were somewhat maintained.  There's some ice on the stairs closer to the falls, but at least there isn't 2 feet of snow covering the trail.

With the there being ice on the trail, it's a good thing I had my Diamond Grip Yaktrax to help me stand up to winter.

#STANDUPTOWINTER

Walking in a winter wonderland.

The Native Americans developed "The Grand Portage" ...meaning "the great carrying place."

High Falls

Upon arriving to the falls, it was clear that it's been frozen for some time now.  It was very cool to see it completely frozen over, and see water still escaping out of the bottom of the ice.  There was also an opening located in the middle of the falls acting as a window, and showing that water is still flowing behind the ice.

That's a lot of ice.

In the photograph below, if you look just left of the center, you can somewhat see the window through the ice.  Granted, it's a still photograph, but you get the idea.

Closer view.

If you ever find yourself up near the Grand Portage, High Falls is a place I'd definitely recommend to stop and see, regardless of what time of year it is.  It was really interesting to see how green and full of life it is during the summer, but equally as interesting to see in the dead of winter where everything is full of snow and ice.

Everybody Chill

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens #1 - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Lens #2 - http://amzn.to/2CLhwQZ

Lens #3 - http://amzn.to/2EoB27q

Boots - http://amzn.to/2CIGHUc

Yaktrax - http://amzn.to/2DbWDPG

Yaktrax 2 - http://amzn.to/2Eu6CAu

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

WHITE BEAR LAKE PERCH

It's official - I have caught the ice fishing itch.  I went out and bought myself a used single person flip over sled, 8" hand auger, and a real cheap ice rod combo.  Now my Vexilar is no longer alone as the lone piece of ice fishing gear.

I will not ice fish without one of these.

I drove out on White Bear lake.  Since there were roughly 3 billion trucks on the lake already when I pulled up to the boat ramp, I figured the ice would be safe enough for me to drive out on.  This was the first time I took my own vehicle out on the ice, and let me tell you, it was extremely nerve wrecking.

It's so loud - I love it!

Using my Navionics, I looked for what would be the best spot.  After driving out to the spot I had chosen that would yield fish, I learned that I was not the only person who thought that was a good spot.  There were already quite a few ice houses over the exact areas I wanted to set up shop.  I settled for an area somewhat near them.

Didn't realize my auger and shelter were from the same company.

I set up a tip up with a jig and tipped it with a few Gulp grub worms, and then I set up my shelter.  If was much roomier than I had expected for 1 person, and it kept me out of the cold wind.  I was loving it.  I started jigging and marked a bunch of fish on my flasher, but couldn't get anything to commit.  When I did finally coax a fish into biting the jig it turned out to be a MONSTER...not really.

Monster Perch.

The action was non stop with twinkie sized perch.  I was entertained and super stoked that the CARF Outdoors #icatchsmallfish tour was on fire to kick off the year.

More Monster Perch.

Below is a live stream of the action that is ice fishing with CARF Outdoors.  Don't look away, because, you might miss the action.

Real Time Feed of the happenings inside the ice shelter.  Don't stop watching!

White Bear Lake - You've been conquered by CARF Outdoors.

White Bear Lake.

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Lens #2 - http://amzn.to/2CLhwQZ

Boots - http://amzn.to/2CIGHUc

Yaktrax - http://amzn.to/2DbWDPG

Flasher - http://amzn.to/2CJ9iZx

Flip Over Shelter - http://amzn.to/2G5c5ya

Auger - http://amzn.to/2GaGefl

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

KEEP CALM & TIE FLIES

If you do not have any winter activities, and the cabin fever is starting to settle in just remember to Keep Calm & Tie Flies.  A message I received from Partridge of Redditch hooks that I just wanted to pass on to all of you.

Minimum Cowbell: A fly.

If you don't tie flies, then I suggest you start learning.  It's a great way to stay fishy, flex your creative muscles, and refill your fly boxes for Spring Summer and Fall fishing.  

If that still doesn't do anything for you, order a pizza.  Pair that pizza with an adult beverage of some sort, a sports game on T.V. or a classic trilogy like Indiana Jones or The Naked Gun, and you'll be happy...until the next time you order another pizza.

Keep Calm & Tie Flies

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Rising Stellar Scissors - http://amzn.to/2yCE7wM

Vedavoo Bench Basin - http://amzn.to/2zGBU78

Rite Bobbin Half Hitch - http://amzn.to/2hzxKab

Peak Vise - http://amzn.to/2zXEBCd

MATERIALS USED FOR FLY

(Note: The links will not give you the color I used for this fly.)

Hooks - http://amzn.to/2Drt0co

Tail Filler - http://amzn.to/2rvwol6

Tail Flash - http://amzn.to/2rvwFo8

Body (Wrapped) - http://amzn.to/2DszFU1

Body (Bottom) - http://amzn.to/2Dw7wiP

Eyes - http://amzn.to/2rqv032

Head - http://amzn.to/2DrUmPA

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

MONSTERS THROUGH THE ICE

Lightfield BBQ and I were back on the ice and exploring new hard water.  I don't know what I would do without the phone app Navionics.  It's seriously the best $10 I've spent in a long long time.  Without it, I would have no idea the depth I am fishing in my raft, kayak, or when I am out ice fishing.

Is your Navionics working??

On this day, we were on the hunt for anything.  Having only caught 1 fish in our previous outing "WALLY WALLY - WHERE YA AT" we decided that we would set out with the goal of just catching fish.  Any fish.  So we targeted some shallower water.

How Swiss Cheese is made.

After popping a popping some holes and contributing to making this lake look like Swiss cheese, we set up shop, and got our flashers in the holes and were immediately marking fish.  Time to get our jigs down there and see who wants to play.

Hubbin'

Red illumination coming from the heater is a very welcomed sight when the temperature is in the single digits.  Lights on the flashers are even more welcome, and get the adrenaline going so that you can temporarily forget about the cold.

The game of lights.

We both were making so many fish.  I literally had my face in the hole as I was watching the fish take turns swipe at my jig.  I spotted a few sizable fish with my eyeballs, but the small ones were the only willing participants.  I changed jigs a few times to bigger sizes, but still nada.

Monsters Exist.

Lightfield and I had some fun none the less, hooking up with a plethora of small perch and 2 sunnies.  Nothing worthy to keep, but still a lot better than just sitting there wonder if I was ever going to see my rod bend.

The long arm technique to make catches look bigger.

The release back into the ice hole.

This ice fishing sport is quickly growing on me, and I'm looking forward to getting out on the ice a lot more, and hopefully experiencing what it's like to hook into much bigger fish.  My first fish of the 2018 year was this 10 pound perch (pictured below).  I couldn't believe the gut on this one.  It looked as if it had eaten a bowling ball.

10 pound perch.

Some advice for all fisher-people, regardless of time of year, fly fishing, gear fishing, and ice fishing.  Don't forget to close up your tackle boxes before bumping your ass into them.  That is of course, if you're not in training to be the best at the game pick up sticks.

Gear all over the place is my favorite.

Instagram - @JUSTINCARF

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Lens #2 - http://amzn.to/2CLhwQZ

Boots - http://amzn.to/2CIGHUc

Yaktrax - http://amzn.to/2DbWDPG

Flasher - http://amzn.to/2CJ9iZx

LIGHTFIELD'S GEAR

Auger - http://amzn.to/2CGVjDl

Hub - http://amzn.to/2CXAeYY

Flasher - http://amzn.to/2Fik4HE

Heater - http://amzn.to/2CKHtjg

Rod Holder - http://amzn.to/2DcNoPr

Bucket - http://amzn.to/2CLcnYP

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

WALLY WALLY...WHERE YA AT

This was my first fishing outing of the new year, and we were on the hard water in search of anything...but mostly walleyes and crappie.

Lightfield clearing some snow for the hub.

We pulled up to the lake we were going to fish, and there were quite a few vehicles and ice shelters already out.  It was a good sign to my homie, but to me, it just added to the fear of being on the ice.

Poppin' holes.

A gas powered auger is a luxury...need to get one for myself.

After drilling some holes, setting up the hub, we were inside sitting pretty.  I have never had such luxuries in the few times I have been out ice fishing.  A gas auger, 4 person hub, propane heater, and camping chairs...I felt like I was in the Presidential Suite.  I could get used to this...

The Presidential Suite.

We each had 2 rods rigged up.  One setup to dead stick a minnow, and the other we were jigging with.  The fishing was really slow.  We were fishing in about 26 feet of water near some drop offs, with hopes there were be fish hanging around the edges.  We also chose our spot, because, there were a bunch of other ice shelters around. :)

Working it.

I could get used to this.

Waiting for some action on the flasher.

Late in the afternoon, just as I was about to go out to the truck for something, I had glanced down at my flasher, there were some extra lights.  Finally some action!  I slowly jigged my lure and then my rod bent.  I set the hook and began to quickly reel, but the fish came undone after 2 seconds.  Bummer!  It felt like a good one, too.

Shortly after my failed attempt to bring a fish in, my buddy Lightfield marked a few more fish and he was then hooked up.  This fish put a solid bend in his rod.

Lightfield hooked up on his custom FSA Custom Rods ice rod.

Lightfield found Wally.  It was the only fish that we caught, and it was a good one.  Would have been nice to hook up with a few more, but I was just happy to be out fishing.  Looking forward to getting back out on the hard water.  Just need to get some ice fishing gear of my own.

Lightfield and Wally.

INSTAGRAM - @JUSTINCARF

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Lens #2 - http://amzn.to/2CLhwQZ

Boots - http://amzn.to/2CIGHUc

Yaktrax - http://amzn.to/2DbWDPG

Flasher - http://amzn.to/2CJ9iZx

LIGHTFIELD'S GEAR

Auger - http://amzn.to/2CGVjDl

Hub - http://amzn.to/2CXAeYY

Flasher - http://amzn.to/2Fik4HE

Heater - http://amzn.to/2CKHtjg

Rod Holder - http://amzn.to/2DcNoPr

Bucket - http://amzn.to/2CLcnYP

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

YAKTRAX CONTEST

Want to win a pair of Yaktrax Pro's?

We all love contests, and this one has simple instructions.  On Instagram simply post a photo of one of your winter adventures with the hashtag #STANDUPTOWINTER and tag @yaktraxtraction - Like I said, it's simple!

The winner will be selected at the end of the month, so, get those pictures posted and tagged!

Photo Courtesy of Yaktrax

LINKS

Yaktrax Pro - http://amzn.to/2E8nV9F

Yaktrax Walk - http://amzn.to/2BONcUJ

Yaktrax Run - http://amzn.to/2E90UDQ

Yaktrax Diamond Grip - http://amzn.to/2ChXDne

Yaktrax Summit - http://amzn.to/2Drf3Lk

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

YAKTRAX COLD CONQUEROR AMBASSADOR TEAM

I am excited to let you all know that I am now a part of the Cold Conqueror Ambassador Team for Yaktrax.  I've used Yaktrax products in the past and can totally vouch for their effectiveness with winter weather.  One of the companies I worked for previously, made it mandatory for it's employee's to wear a pair of Yaktrax Walk if there was ever a need to go outside, because, it was proven to lessen the risk of an employee slipping and falling on ice.

I don't always run during winter, but when I do, I am sure to wear Yaktrax Run and red basketball shoes.  I don't run very far or fast, but I can tell ya that every time I do, I return back to my house unscathed, because, of my Yaktrax I am able to #StandUpToWinter #IAmNotNormal ...I'm really looking forward to getting out on the hard water and putting these to the test while ice fishing.

During the month of December Yaktrax will be running sales on some of their products.  I will list the dates and promotions at the bottom of this post. YAKTRAX RUN

The snake photographed below was not wearing Yaktrax when it was out for a slither, so, it was not prepared to #StandUpToWinter ...and now it's frozen solid.

Where are your Yaktrax, bro?

LINKS

NOW - 12/16/2017 -- YAKTRAX RUN

12/17/2017 - 12/23/2017 -- YAKTRAX WALK

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

WINTER IS HERE

Winter has definitely arrived, and fast.  The weather I've been experiencing up here in Minnesota is usually what I expect toward the end of December and January.  My vise is out and fly tying is in full swing here at CARF Headquarters.

With winters arrival comes ice, and up here in Minnesota a whole new season of fishing begins.  Hard Ice season aka Ice Fishing but my homie Jay "Lord Boogie" Johnson calls it "Man Fishing."  I have a sonar, but nothing else.  I'm in the market for a rod, auger, jigs, and some homies that want to get out and hit the hard water here in Minnesota.

A whole new world of gear for me.  I'm kind of a sucker for gear, too.  I've been eyeballing the 13 Fishing Descent and Free Fall Ghost Reels.  I've never used them.  They visually make me happy, and I know that's not a good way to shop for gear.  Suggestions for rods, reels, and line welcome!!

Frozen shoreline on the Rum River.

Cold Hands and Panfish

The wind, it's unforgiving and cuts right through you like White Castle sliders on a Saturday morning.  You're freezing cold, and you're unsure you have a face, because, you can't feel it anymore.  The snot dripping from your nostrils is uncontrollable, but it doesn't even phase you, because, the fish don't care, and neither do you at this point.

Your mind starts to wander, and you start talking to yourself in your head...

I should have worn that extra layer.

I could be home tying flies right now.

Do I have boogers hanging from my nose?

I wish I could feel my face.

I wish I could be poppin' bottles instead of holes.

I sure could go for some chili and my couch.

I should have spent the extra $10 bucks on the nicer gloves.

Should I leave now?

Why am I out here?

I wish I had a shanty.
Is this ice going to break?

Welcome to the exciting world of ice fishing.

(In my opinion.)

Big thanks to Catchafew for bringing his shanty.  It was used a total of 15 minutes.

I don't always ice fish, but when I do, it's because, I forget how miserable I'm going to be out on the ice.

Invited a few friends out to ice fish my backyard lake after work one night.  DanK, BassMan Kevin, and Catchafew all arrived around 7 PM on a Wednesday night.  Have more friends around this time made the outing a lot more tolerable.  The stories and laughing made me forget about the cold.

The ice was 8-10 inches, but it had me buggin', because, it kept making noises.  It didn't phase the other guys. They're experience ice anglers, and kept reassuring me that I wasn't going to fall in, and if I did, I would have only been in about 6 foot of water, and a 100 yard walk back to my house.

DanK trying to coax a bite.

DanK and BassMan set up some tip ups, while Catchafew and I jigged with waxies under a vexlar.  I had a nice sized bluegill on, but lost it right at the top of the hole.  Eventually the wind picked up, and Catchafew set up his shanty.  What a life saver that was.  I even caught a small panfish.

Catchafew was the only guy not able to hook into a fish.  DanK and BassMan found the same size sunfish as me, in about 2 foot of water.

After drilling holes everywhere, some false hope, because, the tip ups being triggered by the wind we all decided to call it a night around Midnight.  Even thought I couldn't feel my face, I had a good time, mainly because of the company.  Thanks, again, for coming out guys!

My first fish of 2016.  Definitely a wall hanger.

If you come across any melted ice in my backyard, BassMan Kevin and his centerfold jigging pose is to blame.

BassMan Kevin aka Mr. January melting some ice.

A little play on a very disgusting videos that I've seen and most everyone has heard about.

Winter: It's Here

2016 is here...Hooray!

Winter is finally here...Boo Yah!

Justin already has cabin fever...Woohoo!

Lots of time on my hands.