Seems To Be The Year Of The Walleye

Although we typically are in pursuit of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, it seems to be the year of the walleye every time I have been on the water.  Not going to complain since there have been many nice sized gravel lizards this spring we have tricked into biting artificial baits and they have been fun to tangle with.  

Last weekend was much more of the same in the heavy heat we have been having here in MN.  Many days hitting high 80's in late May and early June has seemed a little early in the year to have this heat wave but didn't seem to phase the walleye bite.  Think we caught 13 on Saturday all while throwing artificial baits for bass.  Made for a fun day of mixed bag.  

Christmas Gift Ideas For The Sportsman/Woman-2022 Edition

I have published my suggestions the last few years and people seem to have really enjoyed them, so here are some of my picks for 2022 for the outdoors person in your life.  Some are bigger ticket items and some make a great stocking stuffer.  

Let's dive in-In no particular order

1. Fishing Electronics, this category has some great items and I couldn't decide on just one so I am going to list 3 options for the fisherman in your life.  These units all make amazing ice fishing units and the first 2 are also able to be used on your boat in the summer for forward facing sonar.  

• Lowrance Explorer Active Target Live Sonar Bundle 
• Garmin 93SV W/ Livescope Plus
• Vexilar FLX-30BB 

      2. FishVault - This is a really cool gift for the fisherman in your life.  It is a unique box that you will get in the mail with a variety of great items in it.  You can get a 12 month subscription, it's the gift that keeps on giving. 

This is what you will receieve in the Jan 23 elite box-

      3. Stormy Kromer - This is a must have for those colder days in the fall and winter.  A classic look with comfort and functionality like no other.  I spend most of my winter wearing one of these that I have had for 6-7 years.  

      4. Bushnell Pro Rechargeable 400 Lumen Head Lamp - Have tried many head lamps over the years but this one is a winner.  Being rechargeable with a usb is really a nice option.  Great for all outdoor activities from camping, to hunting, and fishing.  

      5. Grundens Deviation Ankle Boot - Keeping your feet dry and warm in the boat, doing fall chores, or just needing to slip into something to shovel the driveway, this is the best slip on boots I have ever put on my feet.  

      6. Grizzly Drifter Carryall - A great do all kind of insulated carry bag.  When your looking to throw things together for a day on the pontoon, at the pool, or supplies to the fish house this is one I always keep at arms length.  Available in 3 colors to match your mood or swag style.  

      7. Covert WC30 Cellular Trail Camera - For the hunter on your list, this trail camera will change the way you scout and hunt.  I have been using these cameras for years from Covert and could never imagine having to check an SD card ever again, getting pics in real time is the deal.  

      8. Irish Setter Ice Trek Boots - The absolute deal for insulated winter boots.  The BOA lace system makes getting into and out of these boots a breeze.  Whether your snowmobiling, ice fishing, or just having to be outside in the snow and cold this is the boot I live in all winter.  

      9. Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool - This is a go everywhere type of tool.  I always keep one in my boat since it has the best hook file when you need to touch up a few hooks(this model only of leatherman).  Being that it is also the "do all tool" you also have the knife, pliers, and many more options with this thing. 

     10. Recteq Pellet Grill - If you like to cook or want to take your cooking to the next level these guys have got a grill for you.  I couldn't pick one since they have so many sizes.  You can't go wrong with any of them, but find the one that fits your needs the best.  

Where Has The Time Gone

It was another short and sweet summer of guiding and chasing bass on the Champions Tour.  We visited the Mississippi River, Lake Vermilion, Gull Lake, and Serpent to wrap up our season where a new Skeeter Boat was awarded.  

Ran the Vexus VX21 but never really ran into the mega schools or wads of fish I pride myself on finding.  I managed to make the championship 8th in points but conditions on Serpent Lake that day did not end up making for an off shore slug fest like I had hoped.  It was won fishing primarily shallow junk fishing and when that happens I am usually not your guy to bet on.  I had found a bunch of areas with both smallmouth and largemouth out deep but needed some wind and clouds to really get them to bite, the day of the event was sunny, 88 degrees, and calm.  Rather then adjusting to the conditions I was stubborn and wanted to catch them "my way", well my way landed me in the bottom 1/3 of the field that day.  

Now its onto all things fall.  Chased some Wapiti for a week in NM already, and next up will be some deer.  Not to forget there is some of the best fishing of the year upon us.  Hard to make time for it all.  When not fishing or hunting I will be working on 2023 sponsor stuff as well as raising our boy who will be one in mid Nov.  Just not sure where the time goes, it just seems like all the seasons run together and there is very little down time.  

Last but not least, yes ice fishing is right around the corner(hate to get ahead of myself) and once again we will be going into Canada this winter for some back country ice fishing trips.  This is great news now that the border has relaxed their restrictions.  Excited to say the least.  If you want to do the ultimate adventure, get a-hold of me now and we can go over dates and details.  But make sure you are ready to bring your A game and like riding the Polaris to uncharted waters.  

Champions Tour-Mississippi River Wabasha

Classic Bass Champions Tour opened the season on Pool 4 and 5 of the Mississippi River out of Wabasha MN and it was an event that I had high hopes for but came up a bit short, 26th out of 51 boats.  This bass though was my highlight of my day, in amongst a bunch of small smllmouth was this 3lb 15oz big head that decided to eat my senko.  At that point I thought maybe my day would turn around.    

All week in practice I had been finding lots of bass that wanted to cooperate but as the week went on, I realized those fish were very conditional.  If the right conditions would have prevailed I am certain it would have been a much different result.  We had rather cool weather all week and off and on rain and the smallmouth that call the river home sure liked to chew.  Day of the tournament we had just the opposite, it was pretty clear, high skies, much warmer temps, and a bit breezy.  It made the day challenging for all the anglers.  I tried to make a few adjustments throughout the day, but I just never could figure out how these fish wanted it presented and where.  I went from the lowest of current areas to some of the higher current seams and nothing seem to go right for me.  

Back to guiding at Mille Lacs now and then I will be packing up for Lake Vermillion for stop #2 and hopefully we can right the ship and get back on track.  It's gonna be a fun one.  

Until next time, Fish On!  Get out and stretch the string.