A Couple of First Time Trophy Encounters

This is actually not a very funny moment, but it is good that we are able to laugh about it and I am not hurt that bad.  It was my first time being hooked, and John Daniels first time hooking, so technically it is a first time Trophy Encounter for the both of us.  Let's just say that I was walking in the wrong part of the dock for JD's casting ability.  Fortunately for myself, I was wearing sunglasses and the hook buried itself in only skin and not my eyeball.  Just a reminder of how accidents can happen and nobody really plans on them.  Other than that catch, we didn't do any fishing when we were up at the cabin, so I don't have any other trophies to report on.  A couple of hours at the local Onamia Hospital, and we were back to the cabin to continue our relaxation for the weekend.  Trust Me!  I won't let JD forget about this any time soon!  I told him that the next time we go fishing together, it will be from seperate boats.....and on seperate lakes!!!

This is an impressive picture for me to post, because early last week I got a call from a friend that I haven't been fishing with in about 8 years.  We chatted a little about life and fishing, and he heard that I do a little musky fishing from time to time, and was looking for a little info.  I recommended a couple of baits and tactics, and before I knew it, my phone was ringing again with a very excited fisherman saying that it worked, and he landed his first musky ever on his first outing for them.  I am very happy for this great guy and wanted to show you a picture of his great catch out of White Bear lake.  I can only imagine that this won't be the last musky picture I will be seeing from Mr.  Tom Dobbins.  Well Done Dude!  Until next time Y'all.  Keep on livin the Dream!

Breakin it in the Right Way

My great friend and longtime fishing partner purchased a new boat about a week ago, and when I got the phone call to test it out with him I just had to jump all over the opportunity.  Needless to say, the opportunity to not have to drive the boat for the first time in years was just too tempting, so I grabbed my equipment and loaded up his boat for my own personal guide trip.  Sure we were using my baits and tactics, but the chance to just enjoy the sunrise and cast the bait was sure a great time for me.  The first spot of the morning and probably 10 casts into our outing Dusty reared back and did the ol "Got One" grunt, and the battle was on.  Not only did we break the new Ranger boat in the right way, but I also purchased the new bait yesterday and I am proud to say that it is no longer a virgin.  While the action happened quick, we didn't fish too hard or long, and only had one other follow in the next couple of spots, but we did what we came to do, and still made it to the office before half of the population.  As we would say when we leave the lake on most occasions, "We came, We saw, We kicked its ....well i'll let you fill in the rest."  Thanks for the guide trip Dusty.  You can call again any time!  Oh yeah, the muskie was roughly 46 - 47, (we forgot a tape).

Since we used Dusty's boat, and I didn't have my camera, we used Dusty's.  As I was searching through some of the other pictures on his camera, I just about fell out of the boat seat when I scrolled through and found this classic of Whorl during a late night outing in the fish house after he had a tangle (kids mess).  I'm sure he'll give me some heat for posting this one, but I just gotta.  Another classic pic that he always seems to be a part of.  Nice legs Whorl, HaHaHa! Until next time Y'all, Keep on Livin the Dream!

Back To The Basics

This past Friday evening we decided to think outside the box and do something we don't normally do.  Yes, we were still fishing, but this time we left the boat at home, and put on some dirty old shoes and pants on.  Yep, that's right, we hit the river and sat on the bank with our fishing poles leaning up on a stick.  With the weather being perfect for the occasion, we brought our worms and chicken liver down to see what would possibly take a bite of our offering.  As you can see from the picture, we managed a little bit of a variety, which makes the experience all the better.  According to Seth "HollyWood Jones" the bite will only get better for the next few weeks, so I suggest getting a rod, a large weight, a plain hook, some cold ones, and a few logs for a fire, then heading to a nice bank on the river and see what's swimming there.  It's kinda nice to just relax and sit in the weeds staring at the pole, instead of busting my butt in the hectic waters that we have around us.  Getting back to the basics is extremely enjoyable, and I recommend giving it a try again.  Fish On Y'all! 

It's Nice Out, Get Out And Enjoy It!

So I suppose I should fill in the gap from the past week or so.  Our outing last Wednesday including Jeff, Johnny and myself, once again trying for the Mighty Mississippi Walleye.  Well, we tried, but didn't fare quite as well in our morning outing as we had the previous couple of trips.  We managed to land several of the bass that I have pictured here, along with a few other rough fish, and only 2 walleyes.  The water went from 32 to 54 degrees in less than 2 weeks, which lead to a lull in the action after the big spring spawn.  The fish just weren't done recuperating from the spawn and ready to eat when we were there.  Oh well, it was a fun time while it lasted.  And whose to say I won't be back.

Friday lead us to Waconia for some panfish action, and the fish didn't disappoint us.  Bails brought his lovely lady out on the water to catch a few as well and as you can see from the pic, they enjoyed the weather and the fishing.  Guys, if there has ever been a good time to get out on the water with your lady and spend time, this is one of them.  The weather has been fabulous, and the fish are real easy to catch, which makes for an enjoyable time and plenty of action.  She won't get bored with watching you troll over half of the lake and catch nothing, and you can look like you know exactly what you are talking about.  Plus, the fish are quite tasty with this cold water.  Oh, and definitely a great time for the kids as well.  Showing them action is how they will get more interested.  Just my opinion, but I think I may be on to something.  Plus you can always catch a bonus fish or two like Mike did when he landed this above average Eye'.  Nice fish buddy!  Boy I can hardly wait for the season to open in a couple of weeks.

Monday I hit the water again, This time it was with my dad.  It has been a while since he's been out because of his motorcycle accident last year, but it sure was a good relief to see him hopping around in the boat again.  No monster fish on this outing, but a lot of good eaters.  We sat around catching them most of the evening and listened to our Minnesota Twins on the tube.  A nice way to end a day! FishOn Fellas!

Bringin' a Little Dakota to Minnesota!!!

This story started many years ago, but is finally being told. 

For the last few years a group of friends from South Dakota have been coming to Waconia with the same purpose in mind each year.  Camp out on the frozen ice, try to catch a few fish, and stuff their bellies full of all the wild game that is provided at the local Wild Game Dinner here in town.  We ran into this group of guys last winter when our curiousity got the best of us and forced us to stop in.  It wasn't like they were hidden out on the lake or anything.  They have a very large tent and a 20ft pole stuck in the ice next to it which sports our nations colors, and they can be seen from just about anywhere on the lake.

We ended up spending quite a bit of time chatting with these boys last year, and were anxious to see them out on the water again this season.  Well, just as planned, the phone rang prior to their arrival and we met them for another weekend on our lake.  We set them in an area that had been producing quite a few Panfish and an occasional Walleye, but the cold made fishing nearly impossible.  The temps were well below zero for the second year in a row and the fishing was not exactly spectacular.  With their tent not suited for fishing inside in the warmth, the only fishing that could take place was in holes drilled outside the shelter.  A few fish were caught by them the first day, including panfish and a smaller eye', but nothing to write home about.

With the conditions not so good, it was still a pleasure to have a few beverages with these boys again and to talk foolish and tell jokes.  Just the atmosphere of standing on frozen ice inside a tent when it is -30 outside makes these guys a conversation piece for just about everyone who see's them.  Unlike other years, these men didn't really have any peace and quiet, and their zipper was almost constantly going up and down from people who wanted to come inside to check them out.  At times I think it was almost too hectic for the guys, but I hope a good time was had by all of them.  Heck, they even made front page of our local Waconia Patriot.  If you get this paper you already know what I am talking about, but if not, I suggest you check it out to see more about this great story.

A special thanks to Erik, Kent, Chris, Ken and Dan from South Dakota.  Hope to see ya'll again next year!