Pool 2 Fall Hog Haul and Get Together.

Thanks for posting this Jon, can’t wait! I’ll be there for the potluck/get-together and will bring some baked goods and a fun door prize to give away!

If the bite stays this good, it will be quite a slug-fest.

JasonP wrote:

If the bite stays this good, it will be quite a slug-fest.

I am hoping for cooler water. The forecast here is not showing this to be the case though. I usually welcome the shift in the bite just for some change soon. I dont think thats going to happen soon anyways.

Also, I do think the high water late into July made a huge difference on P2 this year with numbers!! Generally we see high water early in the year. Well before the bugs move up or emerge into pre-hatch age. This year was different. We had a super late flood right when bugs were moving and preparing for hatch. This just means there is more food in pool 2 than what was left in the Minnesota river. Maybe more fish than usual spent the summer down here on pool 2 as a result? Numbers have been great. I cant even tell people or sound like a lunatic.

I am curious if you guys on the Minnesota river or even upper stretch by Lilly Dale have seen a difference in #s this year +/-.

buschman wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>JasonP wrote:</div>
If the bite stays this good, it will be quite a slug-fest.

I am hoping for cooler water. The forecast here is not showing this to be the case though. I usually welcome the shift in the bite just for some change soon. I dont think thats going to happen soon anyways.

Also, I do think the high water late into July made a huge difference on P2 this year with numbers!! Generally we see high water early in the year. Well before the bugs move up or emerge into pre-hatch age. This year was different. We had a super late flood right when bugs were moving and preparing for hatch. This just means there is more food in pool 2 than what was left in the Minnesota river. Maybe more fish than usual spent the summer down here on pool 2 as a result? Numbers have been great. I cant even tell people or sound like a lunatic.

I am curious if you guys on the Minnesota river or even upper stretch by Lilly Dale have seen a difference in #s this year +/-.

Don’t fish the MN but upper p2 has been very consistent. Lots of fish. Some better size structure than in years past. Biggest thing though is that I haven’t had a single poor day fishing. Seems like I always find a stinker or 2 at some point but not this year. And it’s not because I’m getting better at this!

Contest is less than 3 weeks from now! Isn’t anyone going to sign up?

I’m in! Mike Otis and Ben Cesar.

Lucky for you guys, this river rookie hasn’t been fishing a whole lot since I became a dad a year ago. It definitely means that someone else has a shot at catching biggest drum. I’m looking at you Joe.

I’ll also bring a side or two for the fish fry.

Dave B, Joel E and myself are fishing again this year. Have a few other messages from guys saying they are also planning to fish.

-J.

Mike, we down for 5 bucks again? I am not going to take it easy on you this year. haha!! Need me a 15 pounder.

Haha! 5 bucks per angler it is! Bring your A-game buddy, they don’t call me the big drum for no reason.

Mike Otis wrote:

Haha! 5 bucks per angler it is! Bring your A-game buddy, they don’t call me the big drum for no reason.

Then a bet it is!!

John Nesse and I are fishing it again this year. So we have the pot up to 20.00 now.

If anyone else wants to join the drum side pot let us know!!

Jon, a new team asked me to have you write them in for fishing.

Jordan Meuleners and Matthew James will be fishing. Count them in.

I’ll be joining this year with a 3 person team. Myself Nick S, Cody E. and Kyle T. Looking forward to it.

Sure wish this did not fall on my fall Leech lake trip. It sounds like a fun one to attend. Even if not fishing. Hope to catch one of these in the future. Good luck to all who are fishing it.

Use this thread for the 2024 contest. Looking forward to seeing everyone Saturday.

-J.

Always a great time. Good luck everyone! But even more luck to Jon, Dave and Joel.
DT

Looking forward to fishing this with Joe. Thanks, Jon and Mike!

deertracker wrote:

Always a great time. Good luck everyone! But even more luck to Jon, Dave and Joel.
DT

We NEED luck! Time on the water has been few and far between for the best looking team the hog haul.

We are excited to be participating!

I have a group of friends joining the fun.

Jon,

Here are our groups for registration.

Boat #1 Cody Reardon, Zach Peterson, Luke Smith

Boat #2 Chase Reardon, Connor Reardon

Boat #3 Tim Nguyen, Jack Eide

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Good luck fellas! Hopefully the wind calms down a bit. See you all at the potluck!

Wow. Now that’s a win.

Beast fish photo coming.

I am getting results up for you guys to check out. I’ll get all the photos up when I get them. Congrats to Joe Busch and John Nesse (buschman and john23) for taking down the Back to Back (2023 & 2024) wins and Big Fish Honors. They were humble scoring that fish at 30 3/4. Clearly scores as a 31 per the round up rule. A Hog Haul record and certainly the biggest pool 2 walleye I have personally ever seen!

It was an pleasure to chat fishing with The Griz after weigh in. A highlight of my year!

-J.

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Damn does the Buschman do any guiding?! Nice fish .

30 3/4 incher is a trophy caliber fish. Well done.

Looks like a good event overall too.

30.75 Very Impressive!!!
Nice job guys

Always a great time chatting and visiting! Congrats to the winners!

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Big thanks to Jon for running this event and having us. And to Sharon for bringing treats!!

Saturday was a tough day to fish. When we have low flow like this a big south wind can really change the wingdam fishing and water color. Good job to all for getting fish on the board!!

isu22andy wrote:

Damn does the Buschman do any guiding?! Nice fish .

Nope! I tried but my 6 packs license got revoked. Said it was not the correct license to guide the river. I agreed to disagreed and here we are. haha..

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This is always a great event, I’ve done it 5 times I think over the years but haven’t made it recently. Looks like on the big fish, everything was coming up aces. Or maybe Joe and John had an ace up their sleeve? Definitely an ace in the hole!

Congrats!

Joe, is that your longest p2 walleye ever?