Paul Schlagel
05-28-2009, 10:41 AM
Last weekend was Memorial Weekend and also the bass opener in MN, finally. On Saturday (5/23) I went to River X and flyfished for smallies and semi-guided my stepson, Kyler. The lack of rain has really affected water levels in many parts of the state. I've never seen that particular river so low this early in the season. The fishing was great and my left thumb was a bit scuffed up from lipping so many bass - a satisfying condition for the bass angler. The bass only wanted poppers. I fished a Woolly Bugger or Clouser Minnow for quite awhile but wasn't getting much action. It's always nice when they're in the mood for poppers. It was cold in the morning but sunny and warm with low humidity later in the day. Kyler's getting pretty handy with the flyrod and caught a lot of bass, many on his own. The Great day.
Sunday I went to the cabin on Mille Lacs and fished Walleye. I jumped in the boat with my friend and fellow musky guide, Josh. It was nice to have someone take me fishing for a change and Josh is a damn good fisherman. We caught a bunch of walleyes dragging Lindy Rigs on deep gravel spots. The fishing was seemed slow overall, judging from the lack of action in other boats, but we caught a bunch and sorted through enough for some keepers. It was nice to bring home fish to eat for a change, a special treat for a 100% catch-and-release musky guy. Sunday night I was slip-bobber fishing the rocks on the south end with family but we only caught a couple small ones, which basically amounts to getting skunked.
Monday I hit the Mississippi for a few hours and caught a few, but I really only had time to run around and check spots. The river is getting low; we need rain.
I did solo trip for to River X for smallies again on Wed (5/27) but didn't do quite as well as on the bass opener. I did get to spend some time on a new stretch and that was fun.
I'll post a few photos when I get a chance.
Sunday I went to the cabin on Mille Lacs and fished Walleye. I jumped in the boat with my friend and fellow musky guide, Josh. It was nice to have someone take me fishing for a change and Josh is a damn good fisherman. We caught a bunch of walleyes dragging Lindy Rigs on deep gravel spots. The fishing was seemed slow overall, judging from the lack of action in other boats, but we caught a bunch and sorted through enough for some keepers. It was nice to bring home fish to eat for a change, a special treat for a 100% catch-and-release musky guy. Sunday night I was slip-bobber fishing the rocks on the south end with family but we only caught a couple small ones, which basically amounts to getting skunked.
Monday I hit the Mississippi for a few hours and caught a few, but I really only had time to run around and check spots. The river is getting low; we need rain.
I did solo trip for to River X for smallies again on Wed (5/27) but didn't do quite as well as on the bass opener. I did get to spend some time on a new stretch and that was fun.
I'll post a few photos when I get a chance.