Uncle Kenny Salwey,the Last River Rat and renowned author, will be on hand for the entire event. He will be available to chat and share stories-always a popular activity among trappers. His third book, Old Time River Rats, came out last fall. Kenny will be happy to autograph your books-bring them along-or all 3 books will be available at the Shack. Plan some time to pull up a chair and “set a spell”!

     George and Bill Porter have very graciously offered to spend the day with us also. For those of you that attended the 2010 NTA Convention in Marshfield you may remember that George did the weasel demo and Bill did a coyote demo. This father -son team is extremely knowledgeable and have a very good way of explaining their innovative ways of doing things. They trap in northern WI so they are experienced in the fur-bearers we are familiar with.They will be doing  demos on weasels,coyote, fisher and dryland coon. I know of no better weasel trappers and they go into great detail. Bring the kids along-what a simple way to get them started in trapping and spend some time trapping when the snow sets in.  This is a great chance to pick up some new ideas from people that love to share their expertise. The Porters also formulate their own lures which are thick and uncut. They will be telling you how to use them. We do carry their lures at the Shack so you can order from them or pick them up from us. The time of each demo has not been set yet so check back on the blog or give us a call closer to the date.

      We hope you can join us. Activities will be both inside and outside so please dress for the weather. Our phone # is 608-797-0550-leave a message if I’m not right there. Directions-take HWY 95 west of Arcadia for 2 miles then south on River Road for 0.3 mile to Sauer Mill Rd. Our address is W74 Sauer Mill Rd.  Arcadia,WI 54612.  Watch for our signs. If you are looking for special items let us know in advance and we can have your order ready when you get here.

       Looking forward to the season                                                                          Tom

     Sue and Tom Roskos, along with their sons Greg and Hawken, welcome you.We hope to see you!!

     DIRECTIONS: Go west of Arcadia,WI on HWY 95 for 2 miles, then left on River Road for 0.3 miles. Just past cemetery take  a left on Sauer Mill Rd. Watch for signs. Any questions call us at 608-323-3306 or 608-797-0550.

     The WTA did a marvelous job of hosting the event.We appeciated all the help we got getting into our campsite and to our booth. A special huge THANK-YOU to all the district 5 volunteers for all their assistance! All the volunteers were putting in long hours in the sun and heat but all we saw were smiles and helpfullness.

     Thanks to all who stopped  by our booth to chat or purchase. We appreciate the business. It is good to be immersed in the company of so many like-minded folks, both hearing and telling stories.

      One of the new products we had at the show was the Coon Dagger. This is a racoon specific trap designed on the order of the Little Griz except it has the advantage of having a trigger that can be set off by pushing or pulling. We have them at the showroom and they will show up on the website shortly. They are priced at $20.00 each or $200.00 per dozen.

     Our next Open House will be Sunday Sept.19,2010 from 10 am to 3 pm. Author Kenny Salwey, the Last River Rat will be here to visit and sign books. More details later.

       Enjoy the rest of the summer.                                                                                                                        Tom

      The fur price prospects are good for the fall. We have many new products this year. We will have a supply of the new Coon Daggers, the coon specific trap that has a push or pull trigger. These are priced competitively with the Lil Grizz. We also will have a good supply of the Jungwirth Coon Catchers at some great prices.

     Another date to put on your calender-Sunday Sept. 19,2010- we are having an Open House at our showroom by Arcadia, WI.Author (Uncle) Kenny Salwey will be there to visit and sign books. The hours will be 10 am to 3 pm.  Watch for more information coming up.

     See you in Marhfield. Get in the spirit!                                                                             Tom

Thanks!

We’re hosting a Fall Open Farm and Trap Shack Open House on Sun. Sept. 19th, 2010. Hours will be from 10 AM until 3 PM. Uncle Kenny Salwey will be there from 10 ’til 3.  He’s a cherished family member, author and story teller. Come browse the Showroom for trapping and coon hunting supplies and chat with us and  Kenny. Tour the gardens and see the animals and Welcome Home!

Flow like water, shine like the rising sun and play like an otter!

Sue Roskos

A turtle trapping demo was put on by Bud Pierson and Jim Helgeson.  Tom Olson did a beaver and muskrat demo. Fish poles were provided for the kids to catch fish in the pond. Caleb Ellis kept us informed of his catch-bluegills and crappies.

The wonderdul people of District 5 provided a lunch of BBQ’s, chips, home-made pickles and bars.

The afternoon business meeting was conducted by Jim Gordon and Jr. Prudlick.

Thanks to Patzie, a great neighbor Bernie and good weather-we made the highest quality first crop hay, we’ve ever made. It’s neatly stacked and under cover of tarps.  Tom would add that he had one of his biggest belly busters again. Day two of hay making and I was giddy with another day of raking hay. I gleefully hopped on the Field Boss Tractor with the Tonutti Rake pulling behind. Tom gave me a refresher course as Hawken added his own version of instructions. I waved them away and half way through the round, I heard a squeak. Oops-I loosened the tightly pulled parking brake.  A short version is Tom later went to beg Bernie to come to the field I raked. Tom had to give up using our baler. Bernie came and later told Tom he’d have to charge us mileage. Made a lot of rounds and few bales. “I think a cyclone went through the field after Sue raked it!” Let’s just say the tonutti rake was for sale before this story and now it will be on an auction for sure by next year. I did make it to Broiler/Dairy Days Kiddie Parade with Hawken though. He asked me where the kitty cats were though @ the kiddie parade!

Making and raking hay,

Sue Roskos

What a delightful way to share our farm, the Trap Shack Company and stories with old and new friends. The visitors arrived early and stayed late and strolled the farm and shopped the Shack.

Thanks for all the people who traveled an hour or two to attend class and those who live down the road a short ways.

Sue, Tom and Hawken