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UTDOOR CONNECTION
SEPTEMBER 2016 ESTHERVILLE NEWS Find this publication online at www.esthervillenews.net under ʻSectionsʼ
STORIES, ADVICE AND INFORMATION FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
Back to the
ANGLE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
2
Back to the Angle
W
hen my son, Curt asked me this year if I wanted to join him on a trip to the Lake of the Woods for a late August fishing trip for a Father’s Day present, you can bet it didn’t take long for me to say, “Yes!” Of course, there are lots of places for people to go fish‐ ing, and they all have their own special appeal. For me, however, the Northwest Angle, which is the northern most point of our lower 48 states, has always held special intrigue. Maybe it’s that to get there, you must first travel from Minnesota into Canada and then back into the United States‐the Northwest Angle. Maybe it’s because it is so isolated and laid back. Maybe it’s because of its incredible beauty. Maybe it’s because it is such a world‐class fish‐ ery. Actually, the answer is yes to all of the above! Although I have ice fished the Angle several times with Curt, I’ve never before had the opportunity to experience open water, summer fishing. As always,
STEVE WEISMAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
we stayed at Jake’s Northwest Angle, a four‐ generation family resort. Currently owned by Paul and Karen Colson, it is truly a family destination with recently renovated cabins, a marina with slip availabili‐ ty, boat rentals and guide options. Over the 20 times my son has experienced Jake’s, he has developed a close friendship with guide Big Mike Jenison, who has guided for Jake’s for the past 20 years. At the same time, he has also become friends with Bobbie Switzer from Kansas City. So, our recent trip included joining Bob and Big Mike for three days of fishing the Angle. However, instead of fishing the Minnesota portion of www.edwardjones.com
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Big Mike with a 22½-inch walleye. Cover: The scenic A majestic eagle sits atop a tree surveying its territory. Photo by Steve Weisman beauty and massive expanse of Lake of the Woods. Photo by Steve Weisman
the Lake of the Woods, Big Mike told us the bite was north into Canadian waters, so we each purchased the a Canadian Sport Fishing license. Was it worth it? Oh my, yes. Over the three days, we boated 150 walleyes/sauger, several perch, three smallmouth bass and a northern pike. Most of the walleyes ran in the 14‐18 inch size with our largest just under 23 inches. We were able to eat two meals of fish, along with each of us taking home our four‐fish possession limit. The perch were 13‐14 inch‐ ers. We never fished the same area, so one thing I will say: I have no idea where we fished. After a 45 minute boat ride each day with island after island after island…thank goodness Big Mike knew the way. Along the way and at times during our trip, he also shared history tidbits, such as showing us Fort St. Charles, which was built in 1732 as a trading post for voyageurs and still exists today. He also showed us the remnants of ancient
native petroglyphs still visi‐ ble on the rocky shorelines. Then, of course, there was the majesty of all kinds of bald eagles and the haunt‐ ing sound of the loon and the beauty of the rocky tree‐laden islands on which we had our daily noon lunches. Fishing Normally, Big Mike’s go‐to presentation is jigging a 1/4 to 3/8 inch jig tipped either with a white Berkley 3” Power Minnow or dead‐in‐ salt spottail shiners. I asked why not live shiners, and he told me that when you fish Canadian waters, you must get your live bait, in this case minnows, from a Canadian bait dealer. However, they can only be used that day and must then be disposed of. So they go with the preserved bait. However, going into the three days, Big Mike also had us bring up a trolling rod in case we had to resort to pulling spinners and bottom bouncers. Well, wouldn’t you know it, that presentation became our go‐to presen‐ tation. I would guess we
caught 80 percent of our fish pulling spinners. Using 1‐ounce bottom bouncers for two of us and ounce and a half to 2‐ounce for the other two, the four of us were able to keep from getting fouled with each other. With all of the rocky areas, would you believe that the transition sand to muck in 20‐27 feet of water worked the best? We’d keep the bouncers in contact with the bottom as much as we could as we moved up and down the water column. I still don’t know how Big Mike was
able to find those different spots each day, but I guess 20 years of fishing those waters can do that! Still, we never really worked over an area. Instead, we caught fish for a while, and then we moved on to other spots. With two evening fish fries, along with a steak night and an Iowa chop night, I certainly didn’t lose any weight. Plus, it was kind of cool. Big Mike and I sat back and Bobbie and Curt fixed the meals and cleaned up after the meals. Now that’s living like a king, I would say!
Lake of the Woods walleye supper. Photo by Steve Weisman
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
Okoboji Blue Water Festival, a magical day
3
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BY STEVE WEISMAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
What a day! What an awesome time it was at the Okoboji Blue Water Festival held at Preservation Plaza on the shores of West Okoboji on Saturday, August 13! The weather was perfect, and the setting could not have been any better. After all, it was all about protecting and improv‐ ing the waters of the Iowa Great Lakes! There truly was a celebratory, yet relaxed atmosphere as people‐both young and old‐individuals and fami‐ lies meandered through the Festival grounds. The sidewalk was lined with water quality exhibitors, organizations and businesses staffing clean water‐ themed display booths. I don’t know how many times I heard bystanders say, “I didn’t know there was a busi‐ ness that did that” or “I learned a lot from that booth” or “I just joined that organization because it was the right thing to do”. Everything revolved around clean water and what we can all do to make clean water a priority in our lives. It also showed exhibitors the importance of getting their message out to the pub‐ lic – in person! As for the sidewalks? They became more than just slabs of concrete.
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Rather, artists turned the pavement into beautiful sidewalk chalk art. Artists were at it early, starting around 10 a.m. displaying their artistry throughout the entire day. Amazing what creativity and col‐ ors can do to a faceless sidewalk! The fishing clinicians‐ John Grosvenor, Doug Burns and John Campbell were excel‐ lent. Held on bleachers near the shoreline under the shade trees, each guide shared dif‐ ferent strategies and techniques with their audience. I could tell they were good, because people want‐ ed to stick around after each session and talk with that particular cli‐ nician. Plus, Grosvenor, Artists turned slabs of concrete into beautiful dis- Burns and Campbell shared a powerful mes‐ plays of sidewalk chalk art. Photo by Steve Weisman sage: enjoy the waters,
Photo by David Thoreson Image
but at the same time be stewards of the water! We all need to work to keep our waters clean! This was fol‐ lowed by a powerful panel discussion on clean water later that afternoon. The evening By 7 p.m., the exhibitors were through, the sidewalk artists done, the panel over and now time for the SHOW! The Claudettes opened and were good, but you could tell the crowd was waiting for Boz Scaggs! As daylight turned to darkness, the beauty of the lake remained and peo‐ ple took their seats and waited. Then about 9 p.m., the man arrived and took us on a wonderful musical journey. The fireworks ended what was an awesome, awesome day. Thanks to organizer Greg Drees and the many volunteers and sponsors that made this day possible. Just think all of this and the cost…noth‐ ing. All in the name of clean water. We have to keep the fire lit and ramp up our journey of protecting the ponds, streams, rivers and lakes in Iowa. After all, we have this chance right now to do it right forever!
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ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
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FALL FUNNEL WALLEYE BY JASON MITCHELL
Current attracts walleye any time of the year and what might surprise many anglers is just how much current affects walleye location and movements throughout the season. Even large natural lakes have currents that occur as wind pushes water to one side of the lake. Even after the wind lies down, there can be current that is created as the water lev‐ els off and moves back the opposite direction. The current factor on reser‐ voirs and flowages is even more obvious. Of course rivers always have obvious current. Current can be a big drawing card for walleye throughout the season, but current can be one of the most important vari‐ ables for quickly finding walleye in the fall. Walleyes love current in the fall and often congre‐ gate into any incoming tributary or river system thus becoming more accessible to anglers. Many anglers have referred to this fall run in rivers and reservoirs as a false spawning run as this movement resembles the same spring migration of fish. However, I don’t believe this movement of fish is simply practice for procreation. The amount of baitfish that concen‐ trates in current when the temperatures fall is incred‐ ible and walleyes are sim‐ ply opportunistic. These fall migrations are all about forage. Walleyes running up river systems in the fall is a clas‐ sic fishing opportunity, but some of the most over‐ looked and sometimes productive fall walleye fishing patterns happen
The author, Jason Mitchell hosts the popular out‐ door program Jason Mitchell Outdoors, which airs on Fox Sports North (9:00 am Sunday) and Fox Sports Midwest (8:30 am Saturday). More information can be found online at www.jasonmitchelloutdoors.com on natural lakes and flowages where walleye concentrate around bot‐ tlenecks and funnel areas that concentrate current. On many lakes, cause‐ ways and bridges that are built between lakes focus a current that attracts walleye during the fall. Many narrow gaps that connect lakes are prime fall walleye locations. If there is any depth and moving water in these types of locations, there will almost always be wall‐ eye around. Other top locations that enhance or concentrate current can be bottlenecks that are created by islands or points that basically neck down the water to increase the current flow. If there is visible current, there is enough current to attract walleyes and we have seen good locations that range between five feet of water to thirty feet of water. What makes these locations so good is the simple fact that these spots keep recharging with new fish and this can often be a big fish loca‐ tion… some of the biggest walleyes caught each fall come from these scenar‐ ios. Presentations and fishing strategies can run the gamut but fall walleye fishing can often revolve around jigs and cranks. Some fisheries produce after dark bites for big fish where shallow running stick baits can be either trolled or cast from shore or by using waders.
Anchoring or slipping the current with jigs is another proven strategy. Daytime bites often occur in deep‐ er water where as after‐ dark patterns often hap‐ pen in shallow. Some incredible bites can develop particularly after dark for anglers either fishing from shore or with waders. Many of these locations can be fair‐ ly unassuming to anglers not in the know, simply a small bridge connecting two lakes is all that it takes. People often tout spring as one of the best oppor‐ tunities for cracking a tro‐ phy caliber walleye argu‐ ing that spring spawning conditions concentrate fish and the simple fact that big female walleyes are at their heaviest prior to the spawn. Fall fishing opportunities around cur‐ rent can be just as good. Fish are often is prime condition from the ample fall feeding opportunities, females are starting to carry egg mass and the fish can often be concen‐ trated. Trophy walleye hunters covet the fall. As a general rule of thumb, fall presentations need to be bulked up in the fall. Shallow running suspending stick baits and swim baits shine in less than seven feet of water. Larger stick baits like the Salmo Suspending Sting have loud rattles and two larger treble hooks (which work well for keeping big fish pinned up). Large four to five inch swim baits can
Look for current created by funnels and bottlenecks this fall and you will often find some incredible and often overlooked walleye fishing. Photo submitted
also work extremely well. From my own experi‐ ences, I have often done better throwing the swim baits during the day and have done better on shal‐ low running hard baits after dark. Swim baits like the Kalins Sizmic Shad with large thumping pad‐ dle tails are usually the ticket. Deeper patterns can also occur depending on the location and jigging below the boat was often pro‐ ductive whenever working specific current seams or troughs that combined
depth and current. There are times where the fish would be laying out in front of the current in the deep hole or break line in front of the bottleneck. These fall funnel loca‐ tions are not necessarily always shallow or right immediately in the bottle‐ neck. For numbers of fish in particular, the deep water close to the moving water often loads up dur‐ ing the fall. Since these locations can be tight and small, staying over the top with a jig can be very effi‐ cient.
Because of the competi‐ tion outdoors with so many facets of outdoor activities, fall walleye fish‐ ing opportunities can often be overlooked once hunting seasons kick in. Pressure falls off drastical‐ ly as many outdoors enthusiasts trade in fishing rods for shotguns but for the committed anglers still fishing through the fall, these current patterns can produce some of the best walleye fishing of the sea‐ son and some of the biggest fish are a real pos‐ sibility.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
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The clean water panel with moderator Joe McGovern (center) prepare to answer a wide range of questions from the audience about important water topics. Photo by Steve Weisman
Director Now, that’s about as The Okoboji Blue Water diverse as you can get. Festival held on Saturday, Basically these representa‐ August 13 at Preservation tives cover a cross section of Plaza on the shores of West Iowa’s population. The over‐ Okoboji was a true celebra‐ all theme revolved around tion of all that is “good” the question of “What does about our clean water water quality mean?” The efforts. That being said, panelists all found water there is so much more to do, important, but each with a and in our lifetime so little different viewpoint based time in which to do it! on the perspective of the That is why panel discus‐ population that they repre‐ sions from a diverse group sent. of “experts in their field” Several people in atten‐ can be helpful to the general dance presented McGovern public. Joe McGovern, presi‐ written questions for him to dent of the Iowa Natural ask the panelists. It became Heritage Foundation, mod‐ obvious that clean water erated just such a panel dis‐ was important, and the audi‐ cussion at the Okoboji Blue ence‐as so many Iowans do‐ Water Festival and the wanted answers and want‐ speakers included: ed leaders to work together •Sean McMahon, execu‐ to make things happen tive director of the Iowa before it is too late! Agriculture Water Alliance McGovern set the tone •Susan Heathcote, Water shortly into the discussion Program Director for the by saying, “We all want the Iowa Environmental Council same thing, but how do we •Keith Schilling, University get there? The huge prob‐ of Iowa hydro‐science engi‐ lem is the lack of reliable neer funding.” •Chuck Gipp, director of McMahon, who works the Iowa Department of directly with farmers, said, Natural Resources “We care about clean •Jennifer Terry, Des water.” He mentioned Moines Water Works specifically the Iowa •Jonathan Gano, Des Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Moines Public Works which was first introduced in OUTDOOR EDITOR
the spring of 2013. It is a sci‐ ence‐based initiative to reduce nitrate and phospho‐ rus loads in Iowa waterways by 45 percent. He noted, “A combined and sustained effort from cities, industries, and agriculture will be required to achieve this goal.” McMahon noted several effective solutions to help reach this goal: planting cover crops, installing biore‐ actors, using nitrogen inhibitors, using conserva‐ tion tillage and no‐till and restoring wetlands. However, at this point, it is only the tip of the iceberg. Susan Heathcote of the Iowa Environmental council noted that the council is the largest and most compre‐ hensive environmental coali‐ tion in the state. She made this plea. “In Iowa, we have to work together to solve this problem. It comes from all of us‐farmers, rural, urban, individuals and busi‐ nesses. We all need to address the problem and also address the solution.” In other words, we need to look at the big picture and get a return for our invest‐ ment – clean water! As a hydro‐science engi‐ neer at the University of
Iowa, Keith Schilling, comes from the research and edu‐ cational point of view. He, too, agreed to the impor‐ tance of working together. He noted that taking care of the land was of utmost importance and stressed that perennial landscapes, adding a third crop, retiring poor land and restoring wet‐ lands were ways to help with nutrient reduction. “Spring is the time of the year where bare crop land is most vulnerable. At this criti‐ cal time, a cover crop can make a significant differ‐ ence.” Chuck Gipp has worn many hats over the years growing up on a farm, serving in the Iowa House of Representatives for 18 years and is now the director of the Iowa DNR. So, as he put it, “I’ve been on all sides of this issue. What I have learned is that you can’t rob from one entity for another one.” Gipp also encouraged those in attendance to “let your elected officials know what you want. Don’t sit back. Officials need to know what their constituents real‐ ly want. When it comes to farming, we need to change Turn to WATER, Page 6
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Diverse group of panelists tackle clean water topics
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
WATER, Continued from Page 5 our perception from thinking about bushels per acre to profitability per acre.” According to Gipp, there is a huge difference, and it means using the land in the right way. Jennifer Terry, who is the Environmental Advocacy Leader for the Des Moines Water Works, believes the ultimate answer to clean water rests with all Iowans. “It’s about getting control of the entire watershed and stopping pollution where it starts.” Terry, who grew up on a dairy farm in north central Iowa, added this question, “What do farm‐ ers think are the right things to do on the farm?” Realizing the frustration of funding, Terry believes that funds for clean water cannot all come from state funds. “We need to look for ways to co‐sponsor clean water efforts and find sustained adequate long term funding through a holistic approach.” Jonathan Gano has the task of han‐ dling the Des Moines wastewater infrastructure. When it comes to wastewater, Gano says his job is to “clean it, cool it down and slow it
down!” Gano’s responsibility lies at the end of an entire watershed. “It’s really the whole structure. It is up to all entities up and down the water‐ shed to positively affect the entire watershed. It’s all tied together.” Several times during the panel dis‐ cussion, questions came from the audience about the status of the Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. Reflecting on the discussion, McGovern later said, “The audience was obviously well educated and passionate about water quality. A recurring question centered around, ‘When are we going to fund the Trust Fund’? The message that I got from these ques‐ tions was that people want the Trust fund funded and the existing formula to remain the same. There was not one question or comment against the Trust Fund.” Funding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund would provide a permanent, reliable, dedicated and accountable funding mechanism for the protection of water quality, conservation of agricul‐
tural soils and improvement of natu‐ ral areas in Iowa including fish and wildlife habitat. In other words, it provides something for all Iowans. McGovern continued, “The pan‐ elists seemed to agree that any water quality practices should have multiple benefits like recreation, wildlife habi‐ tat, lake restoration and public bene‐ fit and access.” At the same time, McGovern sensed great frustration that even though Iowa’s voters had voted to create the constitutionally protected Trust Fund, the Iowa legis‐ lature has yet to fund it by raising the sales tax and allowing 3/8ths of one cent be used to provide funding. “It is time for Iowans to reach out to leg‐ islators and get them to act on the desires of their constituents!” As a member of the audience, I thought it was a good, intelligent dis‐ cussion that shows the need for Iowans to come together. We are all pieces of a puzzle that when linked together will address clean water as a whole! We owe it to ourselves and future generations to do the right thing‐NOW!
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New DU film explores friendship and passion MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ducks Unlimitedʼs newest online film, Home Grown, is live on the DU website at www.ducks.org/dufilms. The film visits Eric Warren and Steven Gaines, two students at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La. Though their days are filled with classes, tests, studies and other commitments, the friends still find time to pursue their passion for waterfowling. Part of that passion includes running the Ducks Unlimited chapter at the university. “At Southeastern weʼre not the biggest college or university,” said Warren. “We donʼt raise the most amount of money. But knowing that you got that many more individuals involved and passionate about waterfowl, and able to tell you what DUʼs mission and purpose is, is pretty fulfilling. The more time I spent fundraising and trying to work to start a chapter, the time I did find to make it duck hunting was more valuable to me.” The friends hunt the expansive marshes of Southeast Louisiana, spending lots of time locating birds and making sure they are set up in the right place, and in the right way, to be successful. DU Films explore the lives and stories of duck hunters across the country. Viewers find out why they became hunters, what drives their passion, and how they are passing on our outdoor traditions. The 2016 season of DU Films includes six films.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
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DUCK NUMBERS HOLD STEADY STEWARDSHIP TIP: Set the example MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently released its report on 2016 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys conducted in May and early June by FWS and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Overall duck numbers in the survey area are statistically similar to last year and remain steady. Total pop‐ ulations were estimated at 48.4 million breeding ducks in the traditional sur‐ vey area, which is 38 percent above the 1955‐2015 long‐term average. Last year's estimate was 49.5 million birds. The projected mallard fall flight index is 13.5 million birds, similar to the 2015 estimate of 13.8 million. The main determining factor for duck breeding success is wetland and upland habitat conditions in the key breeding landscapes of the prairies and the boreal forest. Conditions observed across the U.S. and Canadian survey areas during the 2016 breeding population survey were generally poorer than last year. The total pond estimate for the U.S. and Canada com‐ bined was 5.0 million, which is 21%
below the 2015 estimate of 6.3 million but similar to the long‐term average of 5.2 million. "In light of the dry conditions that were observed across much of the northern breeding grounds during the survey period, it is reassuring to see that the breeding population counts were little changed from last year," said DU Chief Scientist Scott Yaich. "But, with total pond counts similar to the long‐term average, and with hunt‐ ing season and winter mortality being a relatively small part of annual mortal‐ ity, it's not surprising to see that popu‐ lations largely held steady. The spring surveys provide the scien‐ tific basis for many management pro‐ grams across the continent, including hunting regulations. Individual states set their hunting seasons within a fed‐ eral framework of season length, bag limits and dates. Hunters should check the rules in their states for final dates and bag limits. View all the data and get a species‐ by‐species breakdown at www.ducks.org/DuckNumbers.
ing and biking to name just a few. And most of these activities are enjoyed 12 months of the year. The Iowa Recently Recycled Fish Department of Natural was invited to attend a Resources works hard to Despite years of slogans keep all of our state parks and public service announcements from virtual- well maintained. However, how many of you have rolled ly every Government up on a boat ramp to find Agency, litter is still a problem. Litter is not just an eye- discarded bait containers sitting on the shoreline, or bevsore; litter also poses a erage cans and other trash? threat to wildlife and fish. In the winter we enjoy great For example, in a recent ice fishing, yet we see study, scientists with the anglers leaving debris sitting Scripps Institution of on the ice only to have it Oceanography estimated enter the fishery at ice out. that fish living at intermediMany local fishing clubs ate depths in the North will gather their members Pacific Ocean, “swallow as much as 24,000 tons of plas- together for a day of cleanup; picking a specific tic debris a year.” body of water or a local park Iowans enjoy some of the or recreational area that best in outdoor activities in the country. Our state literal- needs some help. These ly has four seasons of things kinds of events are to some degree high profile. But what to do…fishing, hunting, hikabout those times you are
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out alone and you see trash along the boat ramp or park you are using for the day? It takes but a few minutes to reach down and pick up the trash and put it where it belongs. More importantly, get your kids involved with the cleanup. Setting the example for future anglers, hunters and outdoors men and women will go a long way preserving our natural resources for future generations to enjoy. Weʼve no doubt that everyone who reads our Stewardship Tips places litter in its proper place. Collect litter and make sure that someone sees you as you do it. A silent example is one of the most powerful statements that we can make. Let others see you as you pick up litter. Perhaps they will follow suit!
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An ice fishing bait for open water walleyes
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BY BOB JENSEN FISHING THE MIDWEST FISHING TEAM
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uch of the time, lures are designed with a specific appli‐ cation in mind. But sometimes we discover that some baits are multi‐ purpose. I was reminded of that on a recent fishing trip. I was sharing a boat with fishing friend Mike Frisch in central Minnesota and walleyes were our target. Mike had been catchin’em good on Puppet Minnows. Puppet Minnows were originally designed to be dropped through a hole in the ice, but for the past few years we’ve been using them for open water walleyes. Six or seven years ago another fishing friend Joe Honer and I used them in South Dakota in September to catch walleyes. What Mike and I did on our recent trip was confirma‐ tion again that some lures designed for ice‐fishing can be productive in open
water. We were using spinning tackle with braided line that was fourteen pound test, which means it had about six pound diameter. We tied in a length of eight pound test fluorocarbon line about twen‐ ty inches long. We attached the fluoro to the braid with a small swivel. The swivel prevents line‐twists. The braid provided outstanding sensi‐ tivity and hooksetting power, and the flu‐ orocarbon made the line connection to the bait invisible. We tied a 9/16th ounce, three inch Puppet Minnow directly to the line, although I like to use a snap to attach the bait also. Lure color wasn’t critical. We were fishing deep water structure. The humps that were most productive topped out at about 17 feet and were surrounded by water 30 feet deep. We got on the water about five in the after‐
noon, and our sonar revealed walleyes tight to the bottom on the deep edge of the hump. Mike said we would “probably catch a few in the deep water, but the best bite would come when the fish moved shallower and the sun was just above the tree line”. Mike was right. To fish the Puppet Minnow, we dropped it directly over the side of the boat and let it fall to the bottom on a tight line. If we were fishing 30 feet of water, we had 30 feet of line out, maybe 31 feet. We were lifting and dropping the bait. Sometimes we’d rip it up pretty aggressively, other times we used a soft‐ er lift. We let the bait fall back to the bot‐ tom on a tight line. One of the keys was where our rod tip was. We let out enough line so that when the bait was on the bottom, our rod tip was at about the seven o’clock position. When the bait fell back to the
bottom, the line went slack when the rod tip was at seven o’clock. If the line didn’t go slack, that meant we were in deeper water and had to let more line out. If the line went slack at nine o’clock we had moved shallower or a fish had eaten the bait. We saw a good number of walleyes on the sonar, and we caught a few, but the bite got much better when we saw the fish move a couple of feet off the bot‐ tom. The Raymarine Dragonfly unit that we were using did an outstanding job of revealing the fish, and it’s a great value. We caught a good number of walleyes that evening on the water, and they were all good‐sized, seventeen to twenty three inches. And we were reminded that just because a bait was designed for one thing doesn’t mean it’s only good for one thing. Keep an open mind when fishing and you’ll catch more fish.