2016 Fishing In Pictures

All I can really say is that I am truly fortunate to be doing what I love, working in the outdoors. People who sport fish truly are some of the most down-to-earth, awesome people on the planet. In 2016, I have had the pleasure of sharing my boat, and frozen lakes with some really great folks. Guide photos are one of the big perks of this job, I really enjoy looking through them during these long winter nights. This slide show doesn't represent half of the highlights for 2016, but I will be working regardless in the next few weeks to condense this down. Please take a look at this version of Outright Angling's year in photos, and consider booking a trip for 2017 which promises to be just as great. Happy new year to all of the anglers out there!

Cheers and hook-sets in 2017!

Captain Phil Bauerly- Leech Lake
outrightangling.com

It's About Time- Ice Fish Leech Lake

If you consider outdoor activities beneficial to your health and overall well-being, make sure to make some time for ice fishing this winter. Winter in Minnesota can be an absolutely beautiful time to be outside in nature, one just needs to make a plan and then execute. Thriving in conditions that some would consider harsh can be an empowering and invigorating experience. Most of all, ice fishing can be a great hiatus from the daily fast-paced grind.

Fresh air, exercise, peace and quite are just a few reasons to work in an ice fishing outing or two this winter. With the help of my guest anglers, each season seems to out-do the last here on Leech Lake. 

I have been checking for safe ice and scouting for fish daily, I have put some nice crappies top-side. 

The "main lake" of Leech is just about ready for snowmobile travel, I have had a few great afternoons of walleye fishing already. 

Cheers and hook-sets!

outrightangling.com
icefishleech.com

Vacation Fishing- Gulf of Mexico

 It was time for a getaway with the change in the weather

Any species would do, the bigger the better

Tackle was tested but Goliath was bested

Both were tired, and both rested

We went for gag grouper one day, and we got 'em

Once we trolled Rapalas over the hard bottom

Trolled or cast, king mackerel are a blast

 because they are sneaky strong and fast

Inshore is sweet when the fish are willing

But now it's time to get the augers drilling. 

Cheers and hook-sets!

outrightangling.com

icefishleech.com

Taking the Fall- Leech Lake Muskie and Walleye Fishing

Taking the Fall- An October Poem

Small details can make the difference between losing and winning

Between licking our wounds or gripping and grinning

Cooling water is no exception

We must be nuanced with our deception

Choose wise your color, speed and type of bait

The fish will not hesitate

Perhaps they will brunch your figure-of-eight

Fishing with bobbers will make you wonder

How many times will it go under?

Will the outcome make me a grinner?

Will I harvest fish for dinner?

So let's fish smart and have no regrets

I wish you many...cheers and hook-sets!

An August Poem- Leech Lake

Muskies often feed only when they choose

On other days, if it moves it's food

This fish ate a large flashy spinner

This guy caught his limit for dinner

Families fishing together and striking gold

Catching jumbos never gets old. 

Cheers and hook-sets!

The Walleye of July- Stretching Strings

With July almost gone, I thought I would put up pics of some of the more memorable fish in my boat from the past month for all of you fish heads considering a trip to Leech Lake.

It has been quite an experience on the walleye front, with fish coming to the net on any number of presentations, and from 3 to 30 feet of water.

 The more productive methods have included: pitching light jigs and leeches, slip bobbering, rigging redtail chubs on humps, snapping jigging with jigging raps, trolling crankbaits on leadcore line and trolling stick baits with segmented leadcore behind planer boards.

We have been putting some very big bends in my trolling rods lately, I hope to continue this into August. 

I have to say that I do miss May and June fishing at times, when I pretty much know that we will be fishing 1/8oz jigs and minnows in 5-13 f.o.w. on main lake points and flats during virtually every outing.

 In fact, I have had 16 rods rigged and ready with various tactics this month, and some days we use them all to get our bites.

In my opinion, there is no silver bullet for July and August walleyes on Leech Lake, but being persistent seems to pay off more often then not.

Cheers and hook-sets! 

Apex Time- Leech Lake Muskies

 Now that it's July, I'm starting to do more muskie trips. Did you know that typically the muskie action gets better-and-better as the season goes on here at Leech Lake?

*Now offering muskie marathon packages. Buy 2 days and get the 3rd day free!

We are moving a lot of fish and boating a few now, the action should really pick up this month. 

Cheers and hook-sets,

Captain Phil Bauerly- Leech Lake

outrightangling.com

Catching (our breath) in June- Leech lake *Pic Heavy*

Wow! With 30-45 mph gusts today, I find myself with an afternoon off of the lake. June has been a whirlwind of meeting great folks, netting fish and staring at electronics. Not every day has been uber-productive, but overall, the fishing has been great here on Lago Leech. The big walleyes stole the show this week with 9 fish covering 26 inches or more of my bump board, and 30+ fish over the two foot mark. As always in late June, we have some ideas where they will show up tomorrow and what they will bite on. But most likely, we will have to try several presentations/locations this week to really get dialed in.

Here is a great slip-bobber fish caught in 4' of water earlier in the month. 

Limits are great, and when the keepers are averaging 17-18 inches, it's hard to beat. 

A healthy looking portage bay fish.

Smile blades are well named.

"Day off" slip bobber fishing with my boy.

Another great slip bobber fish.

Windy days usually mean limits for all.

One of 5 bigger fish this day. 

Thick fog? No problem. A 29" gravel lizard from Walker bay.

Regular client Jeff  and company went on a tear before their Canada trip, boating a whole bunch of 23"-27" walleyes.

26"er

25"

Here is dad, scouting and helping me get dialed in before a trip.

Even the guide gets to land a nice one. 

Dad strikes again!

1st Muskie hunt of the year, we moved some really nice fish but couldn't seal the deal. Action plus pike made it fun though. 

The spinner/crawler bite has been hit or miss, this fish did hit on a post frontal, sunny day. 

Cheers and hook-sets! 

Captain Phil Bauerly- Leech Lake