Gold Has A New Color-Green!

Just returned from a trip to Lake Winnipeg in search of the elusive "greenback" walleyes.  This is one of the few places in the world that I know of where on any hook set you may have a 15lb walleye pulling back.  I was joined on this outing by Heath, Pete, and we fished with local guide Jason Hamilton.  It was everything I could have expected.  I managed to land a 29" and 28" slob "greenback" on the last day. 

We caught all of our fish jigging large artificial baits.  Many of the fish were in water as shallow as 4 feet under the ice.  I learned a lot and it was a very interesting way of fishing.  Can tell you that this scouting trip has me jacked for next years outing.  Until next year, I am going to be stowing the ice fishing gear and getting the boat on open water very soon.  I think I can hear the river calling my name.  Fish On!  

One Shot!

Sometimes you have "one shot" or "one opportunity" and on this day Pete took full advantage of the opportunity he was given. It was a rather sweet day in the treestand! The Mathews combo'd with the 100 grain Grim Reaper did it's job on this buck. He only made it 100 yards and was piled up. Arrow's were flying and deer were dying! Oh how I miss bow season and the fall...but first we have open water season fast approaching.

Happy Miners

Hit the waters of Lake Mille Lacs for a guide trip with Tony and his father for an afternoon of walleye fishing and managed ot catch a few nice gravel lizards.  By no means did we hit a pot of gold but for the conditions we were dealt, I was happy to land the nice few fish we did.  The wind blew 20 mph+ all afternoon with gusts over 30.  It kept us inside the fish house where it was toasty and comfy.  

I am still having my best luck on golden shiners on a #2 colored gamakatsu.  I have continued to fish them 18"-24" off the bottom and evening and night seem to be best for our big fish.  With the game fish season coming to an end here in MN inland waters I am itching to get the boat out and head for the river to try my luck.

Tomorrow is the start of the biggest event in bass fishing; the bassmaster classic.  This year it is being held on Grand Lake in OK and they are getting a snow storm today.  I am ready for ol man winter to give us a break.  Good luck to all my friends and fellow bass fanatics that are in OK this week.  53 of the worlds best bass anglers will have rough conditions when the event gets und

Pike Mayhem

As you can see I gave the gravel lizards a short break and decided to do battle with the toothy Northern Pike.  It was not just any ordinary pike set-up or battle.  I was actually filming with the crew from MN Bound for an episode of ice fishing in a team lodge sleeper shack that will air next winter.  We had been catching a few walleyes, but all in all the walleye fishing was slower than expected....go figure it is still fishing.  Occasionally I have to remind myself of that, and on this outing the fish did a great job of eluding me and reminding me that they aren't always biting.  

This monster pike actually bit a fathead minnow on a plain hook, with a rod and reel spooled with 6lb test on the other end.  Needless to say it was a battle royal and hopefully made for some great tv.  The challenege was getting the fish to turn his head into the hole and get a hand on him.  Thanks to my net man, Travis Frank, I was able to hoist a 40" pike for some photo's before quickly getting her back in the water.  As you may have noticed; this fish has been eating very well and has the belly to show for it.