While eagerly waiting to find out what Mother Nature was going to do, it was finally time for the annual trip up Lake of the Woods to continue. What a weekend it turned out to be! Nineteen wheel houses, fifteen volunteers, and seven field staff accompanied twenty-five members for this excursion. Some staff and volunteers dedicated over 10 hours to cooking in preparation for several of the trip's meals. The excursion unfolded seamlessly, marked by numerous laughs, a few tears, personal bests, plentiful fish catches, new friendships, and an all-around fantastic time. Each member departed with a giveaway courtesy of the MN Made Outdoors team from a cancelled trip this year, as well as a quilt handmade by Kerry Dickey.

One staff member personally procured "HHO 2024 walleye" metal art pieces for every wheelhouse owner from @Overkil Metals this year. Additionally, a stunning THIN BLUE LINE flag was presented to a couple of exceptional officers who were involved in a recent tragic incident. Joined by a couple of their colleagues from the department, it was felt that their acknowledgment was necessary, as the incident impacted not only their entire department but also the broader thin blue line family, communities, friends, and family. Overkil Metals produced these last-minute items upon inquiry.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to @Zippel Bay Resort for their unwavering support year after year, @Heggies Pizza for their generous donation of pizza, @Outdoors Again for supplying bait every year, @Coborn's Elk River for their generous assistance with food, and most importantly, to the incredible staff and volunteers without whom this trip would not be possible.