The Gales of November Came Early

...so it's time to get out the short rods and ice some fish! We have fish-able ice available in the 2-1-8 and it's not even Thanksgiving. Use caution when checking out those honey holes so you don't end up in an ice water mansion.

                                                        Cheers and hook-sets!

Has the Door Closed for Open Water?

The 2014 open water season has been a great one, I'm sad to say that it is quickly coming to an end. I am truly grateful to have been able to share a boat with so many great people; guide clients, family and friends. Nothing against ice fishing but I'll be dreaming about the ice coming off of Leech and our other great fisheries up-north, all winter.

November fish are special!

Get it while you can!

Cheers and hook-sets!

October - No Surprise

Without waxing Dickensian, I'll just say that Leech lake fishing has been slow one day and lights out the next. Walleyes have been stubborn on one spot and suicidal...well you get the picture. For avid fall anglers this news would come as no surprise. Often touted as the best fishing month in the northland, October fishing can be fickle but the payouts can be huge.

  I would again like to thank Leisure Outdoor Adventures for letting me pinch hit for them!

It's an awesome time of the year to be on the water.

Walleyes seem to be concentrated around schools of Shiner minnows and the larger Pike are bunched up and holding on green cabbage weed edges and inside turns.

                                                       Cheers and hook-sets!

Muskie Shootout = Good Times

I had a blast fishing the 3rd Annual Leech Lake Muskie Shootout with my bro this past weekend. It felt good to get into the money though it's hard to be satisfied after all of the big Muskies we had follow and miss our lures on Sunday. That's Muskie fishing...there is always next year.

Cheers and hook-sets!

Firetiger Shorelines and Feeding Fish- September Wrap Up Leech Lake

Fish have been on the chew for the most part. I have seen a definite increase in Muskie and Walleye activity during moon majors and minors so make sure you are on your best spots during these periods.

The big part of Leech has been consistent for eater sized fish.

I have had the pleasure of pinch hitting for Leisure Outdoor Adventures, a top notch bunch.   

Thanks guys!

Cheers and hook-sets!

Preditor Fish Love Turmoil

When the northwest winds blow in September, I head to shallow wind-blown rock shorelines. Shallow, straight and innocent looking rocky shorelines often go ignored for Muskies and Walleyes but when winds crash in for more than a day or two, it's a great pattern to test out. The "Zone of Turmoil" or "Washing Machine Effect" occurs within the first ten feet or so of shore, this is where baitfish become disoriented and are often preyed upon . Fish often face rock shorelines near the steepest drop and target anything that moves, cornering their prey against these rocky walls.  Casts that are 10 or 20 feet from the shoreline rocks often get ignored while placing your cast within inches of them can provoke sudden attack. Docks and boat lifts can also become prime ambush areas.

These windy rock shorelines can look intimidating to anglers but boat control can be easier than it looks. A seam occurs where the white-capped rollers meet the Zone of Turmoil. Utilizing my Autopilot or Heading Lock functions on my bow mount trolling motor, I can quickly find the correct balance between thrust and heading, propelling me calmly along and usually within a short to medium cast of the rocks.

Cheers and hook-sets!

Fear Not Fall Fronts Jedi Angler

Well I'm no Yoda...more wookie-like actually but I do know that April through August cold fronts can mean lethargic fish but after the new moon in August, something magical happens. Autumn cold fronts seem to give fish a little wake up call...a shot in the arm so to speak. Cooling water combined with shorter photo period (hours of daylight) triggers activity in Geese, Deer and yes predator fish.

 

 

 

Cheers and hook-sets!