Bring on the Burbot!

The 35th annual Eel Pout Festival in Walker is just getting underway as the snowplows are out in full force after last nights mini-blizzard. Whisky jackets, shantys and dead things will keep festival goers warm through the night even with -20 wind chills and blowing and drifting snow predicted.

 

 

 

Cheers and hooksets!

 

 

Muskie Tackle-Budget Pounder Storage

I just can't justify spending $200+ on Muskie tackle storage boxes. I ordered a couple more soft cases made for Aqua-Vu cameras ($20) and cut square plastic downspout material to hold the lures. They each hold nine Pounders, Mags, Medusas or Bondy's and beats the heck out of a pickle pail in my opinion.

 

 

Cheers and hooksets!

 

Post Polar Vortex Update

This weather is more like it. A week ago we had day time highs of -16 with -40 wind chills. Last evening I didn't even need a shelter. Walker bay is smooth sailing with a 4 wheel drive now and most places have 20" of ice.

 

A rare evening out sans-shanty!

 

 

Cheers and hooksets!

 

 

Cold Front Crappies

This has been a weird year for early ice fishing to be sure. Leech lake and area lakes just got going on some early ice building when we got seriously snowed on. As much as we have been complaining about the lack of safe ice, it isn't even Christmas yet. Pulling a sled over and through slush and deep snow paid off a little as I iced my first few quality Leech Lake Crappies of the season. Small spoons and tungsten jigs did not tempt the fish. It took a lively minnow on a plain hook to get any action at all on these post-cold front fish.

                             I captured one such capture (and release) on video.

                                                      Cheers and hooksets!

December-Time To Find A Nice "Tree"

Snow and cold may give us a little more time to dream about our flashers getting lit up like a Christmas tree.  Look to get tree'd up this month on break-lines near green weeds where Crappies or Bluegills may still be hanging out.

                                                             'tis the season!

 

Cheers and hooksets!

First Winter Walleyes

                            It feels good to be back on the ice in the north country!

But...with moderately heavy snow predicted this week it could mess up our ice sheets. Smaller, shallow lakes or Upper Red lake is the best bet right now for safe conditions.

I was able to capture some of the action on video. The blurs go away at about the 25 sec. mark.

 

Having some trouble with youtube...try this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m9Ce36kG30

  

                                                          Cheers and hooksets!

Tullibee...or not Tullibee...

What a silly question! With leech lake water temps in the lower 40's it's all about the ciscoe spawn. Here is a plump pike and a plump-er muskellunge that hit on a figure-eighted crankbait.

throw 'em a dead ringer.

I also lost a really big one trying to net it.

Real men also cry. Real men also cry.

Jeffrey Lebowski

cheers and hooksets!