Big Musky Smiles :)

It doesn't matter what fish you chase or where, you have likely heard a fishing story about a muskie.  Whether it chased down a bucktail, hit a spinnerbait while bass fishing, or just swam by the dock - muskie encounters stand out.  They do something to you that lasts forever.  With one swoosh of the tail, that fish can create a positive memory for anybody that see's it. 

"Muskies make bigger smiles."  It's a true statement, and it's the tag-line from a new campaign called "Big Musky Smiles."  A non-profit organization formed by a few muskie nuts (myself included) that have teamed up to help promote our sport in a positive light.  We're not looking to take a stance, stock fish, or talk politics.  We're simply looking to spread the excitement that is muskie fishing.  We want to change the image that they are "monster man eating" fish.  Ya know, share the "good" word.

There's a new website that launched today, called www.bigmuskysmiles.com. There, you can share photo's and memories of your big catch.  If you travel I-94 northbound, you'll likely see a billboard showcasing one of the biggest muskie smiles to date.  A 57 inch monster caught by 8 year old, David Jacobson.  That's just the start, we plan to expand.

What does all of this mean?  Truthfully, we don't know yet.  We just love muskies and everything that goes with them.  We think it's ok for us to be proud of the fish we chase.  Minnesota is easily the top destination in the world for big muskies.  It's a good time to reflect on that and share the positive side. 

For more information, check out today's story in the Star Tribune Newspaper.  There's a cool write-up with the slimy details.  The next time you encounter a muskie, look around.  My guess is that everyone in the boat will have a smile on their face.  You probably will too.  Celebrate the moment.  It's why we fish.  Until the next muskie strikes, keep on livin' your dream!

Muskie Time 2011...

Ready.  Set.  Fish!  In case you have been living under a rock for the past few days, Saturday was the final Minnesota opener of the season.  The "official" opener for 2011.  For many of you, it's the only season that matters.  It's muskie time!

Judging by the view of the metro lakes this weekend, many of you got the memo about the opener.  I feel kind of dumb admitting this, but I might have been the last muskie diehard to wet a line this year.  I didn't start my season until about 7:30 PM on Sunday night.  Approximately 43 and a half hours into the game.  Several factors kept me from chasing the toothy fella's sooner.  As it turns out, the old saying still holds true.  Good things come to those who wait!

Call it mojo, luck, or "the right place at the right time," but we got it done last night.  Joined by my muskie friend Matt Hennen, we were both primed for the game.  Fish numbers 1 and two reminded me why they are the toughest freshwater fish to catch.  "Fish on," followed by, "fish off" were repeated twice.  Maybe it was rust, but that's how it goes in the muskie world.  Truthfully, I didn't deserve a fish in my first 30 minutes of casting.  It just wouldn't have seemed right.  As the sun set and darkness fell over us, Matt was hooked up on the figure eight and mayhem ensued.  Perfection! 

The muskie Gods were smiling on us and 5 casts later, I hooked another.  Both fish were in the 43 inch range.  Nothing massive, but a good way to start our season and end the night.  In our short 3 hours of muskie fishing, we managed to catch 2, lose 2, and see 5 others.  I feel pretty good about that kind of action.  Now, if I can only keep this average up?  Ha, I wish!  I am once again looking forward to a great year on the water.  It promises to be filled with many great people, laughs and trophy encounters.  I hope to yell "fish on" over and again.  I also hope that you enjoyed your muskie opener and found a couple of takers.  If there is anything I can do to make your 2011 season a little brighter, please let me know.  Until the next muskie strikes, keep on living your dream!

Walleyes, Crappies, Bass, And More...

Where to begin?  Life on the water has been a treat.  Less time in front of a PC and more time in front of the fish.  That's how things have gone, and that's how I like it!  Rather than get into the details of every outing, I'll just recap of few of my favorite events.

A few fishy fella's from Texas made a two day adventure to Minnesota in search of our state fish.  A tough road and some interesting storms made for a rewarding finish when Don, "the birthday man," hooked into the first walleye of his life.  His effort was worth gold and he took home his first "fresh walleye" dinner.

Crankbaits and walleyes continue to go hand in hand.  The cool weather has locked the lake temperature between 59 and 62 degrees.  The weeds have yet to grow tall, and the crankbaits are still kicking out fish after dark. This is still my favorite spring technique.  We continue to throw back the big ones and the walleye smiles aren't soon growing old. 

After 11 trips, I managed to find the first skunk of the year.  No walleyes in the boat came as a surprise that night.  What appeared to be ideal conditions, were only true for the anglers.  But, that's ok.  It turns out that a walleye skunk isn't always a bad thing.  My favorite fish made an appearance, and that night I crossed my first muskie off the list for 2011.

Memorial Day weekend has also come and gone.  I spent the majority of it with my fishin' pals.  After nearly 2 decades of traveling north, I stuck around home for some local flavor.  With ridiculous results up north every year, my expectations were lower for the weekend at home.  Boy, was I wrong.  The bass were eager and several of them on the large side.  The walleyes were hungry and we mixed between big ones and perfect eaters.  Nobody was complaining! 

Even though the walleyes and bass were both great, the biggest surprise came from a school of giant crappies.  It was easily the best action I've had on a metro lake in years.  The school of crappie was small, but they averaged a pound in size and bigger.  If we were "up north," this would be the norm, but on my home water this is a huge treat.  We hooked one after another and never found one under 3/4 of a pound.  Needless to say our fish fry was a memorable one. 

As I look back on the first two weeks of the 2011 season, several things come to mind.  First, I am reminded how lucky I am to make my passion my career.  The people I meet and the fishy memories will never grow old.  Second, I think mother nature is out to make us better anglers.  Every day has had a twist and this funky weather has kept me on my toes.  I believe the experiences from this odd spring will only make me a better guide for the future.  Lastly, I am fully energized for another great season on the water.  In a few short days my favorite season will open.  I will close this journal by saying four short words.  Muskies, are you ready?

Big Walleye Smiles!

Few things bring more joy into my life than good friends and good fishin'!  Last night I had the best of both.  As the sun set, Eric Wolf closed the In Towne Marina Doors and jumped into my boat.  This will likely go down as one of the shortest outings of the year, yet I believe it may also be one of the best.  Why?  Becuase in a few short minutes, we boated some magnificent walleyes and shared many laughs.  Not to mention, Eric boating his largest walleye ever. 

Our secret was very simple.  Crankbaits.  We didn't start fishing until the sun had called it a day.  The timing worked well, because darkness and crankbaits can be a deadly combo.  A  few casts into the evening and I was hooked up.  Walleye number one was in the boat and the skunk was gone.  A quick pic and she was swimming again. 

Next, it was Eric's turn.  A couple of grunts from the back of the boat meant that he was in battle.  Sadly, it came unbuttoned and he was left wondering.  "It felt really heavy," was all he could say about it.  The dissapointment didn't last long.  Soon he hooked another.  Then another.  Each one growing in size.  Back and forth we traded photographing duties.  In our very short time on the water we boated a handful of dandy walleyes and released them all. 

One of the perks of a good crankbait bite is the fact that you may connect with some hogs.  Many times they are all too big for the grease.  Isn't that a sweet problem?  Good weather, good company, and good fishin'.  Does it get any better?  And to think, I am lucky enough to have this opportunity 2 minutes from my house.  I am truly blessed.  Congrats to Eric for his new walleye of a lifetime!  Until the next big walleye strikes, keep on livin' your dream!

Walleye Opener Success!

The Minnesota fishing opener has come and gone.  For some, it may be one to forget.  Still, others made the most of the cold water temps and hooked a few 'eyes.  Fortunately, I was one of the lucky ones.  When it comes to cold spring weather, I tend to grin from ear to ear.  If there is one thing metro walleyes love, it is cool spring water. 

My opener wasn't quite normal.  For the first time in years it didn't start at midnight.  In fact, it didn't even start on Saturday.  The reason?  I have been part of a team that was courting the Governor for the 2012 fishing opener.  The details of my mission kept me off the water Saturday and will be revealed shortly.  But, I will admit that there is a very happy ending!

Now, back to the walleyes.  I hit the water Sunday with the sun already high in the sky.  I have been working hard the past few seasons to find walleyes that I can catch during the middle of the day.  I feel that its the ultimate challenge.  My first spot revealed that last years honey hole was still a good bet.  Walleye number 1 for the season came around 11 AM and pushed the scales somewhere over 6 pounds.  Moments later a larger one broke the surface, and we were off and running.  Fish after fish and smile after smile.  There was just one problem.  We couldn't find anything small enough to keep.  All of our fish were larger than 20 inches.  Ha, what a problem indeed!

After an afternoon snack and a short break, I grabbed 2 new anglers, named Mikey and Eric.  We hit the water for Round 2.  This being the evening bite.  Again we hit Tonka and again we found action.  Only this time we got sloppy.  The first 3 walleyes managed to come unhooked, and the fourth made Mikey look foolish before breaking his line.  I actually found it funny.  He did not.  The fish was a giant.  A possible 10 pounder.  With a chip on his shoulders, Mikey turned his frown upside down moments later with one set of his hook.  After losing the walleye of a lifetime, he totally redeemed himself with the catch of the day.  Another tank.  A 9 pound walleye that took the crown for the day.  Holding it like a precious child, he posed for a picture and we released it for another battle.  His evening was complete and so was mine.  A good way to start the season?  Ha, I think so!  Between our entire crew, we finished the day with 13 walleyes ranging from 20 and 29 inches.  We were totally spoiled!  For more pics, check out the walleye photo gallery.  From the metro filled walleye waters, happy fishing opener 2011!  May you be blessed with big walleye smiles all season long.  Until the next walleye strikes, keep on livin' your dream!