694 Launch

I’m thinking of dropping the boat in there and doing some exploring. Any advice or things to beware of?

If you go downstream, be really careful. There is a boulder field in there. Going upstream is almost as treacherous.

Are you taking your ‘big’ boat? If so, I would suggest launching at Camden. Downstream of the boulder field, and a much nicer ramp as well. Gonna do some cattin’?

Thanks. Taking my 16′ 60 HP. I was planning on searching out some smallies. Maybe I will reformulate my “plan”…

The river is still slighty higher than normal, so you may be able to get away with it. I see bigger boats than yours moving around the river in that area, but I am wary after spinning my hub up there last year.

Good luck man!

Ralph, you’ll have a 10% chance of coming home without the need to replace your prop.

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Ralph, you’ll have a 10% chance of coming home without the need to replace your prop.

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Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Nothing to do with you or your ability. Just WAY to many underwater rocks.

I’ve waded parts of that stretch…and I don’t recommend that either. Current + big rocks + Waders = Really Wet BK.

In the ’88 drought, my dad and I walked all the way across on the rocks. I am not even sure if my feet got wet.

Gotcha. I’ll try either the Camden or Boom Island launches and save the upstream exploration for my canoe.

Camden is nice and no one uses it because it is in a crappy neighborhood. Boom Island is $1 per hour to park, unless you can find a spot on the street. Also an excellent launch.

Camden is a real mess right now, the dock is not in and the ramp is hosed from the high water. You might want to think about Boom Island as an option.

Camden launch is one that I would want to have some protection with when using especially if you plan on being there after dark. Last time I fished there many years ago was greeted by MPLS finest with there guns drawn on us as we walked back to the car. Just a quick pat down and few questions about what we where doing and we where good to go. Sure provides for great fishing memories.

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Camden is a real mess right now, the dock is not in and the ramp is hosed from the high water. You might want to think about Boom Island as an option.

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Thanks for the tip. Boom Island it is.

Check back in and let us know conditions and how you did.

Saw some guys launching jet skis at 694 on the way home, so it is totally safe

I have been doing pretty well on Pool 1 both above and below St Anthony locks. Look for steep rocky banks and hit them with a crankbait. I have had the best luck with a Rapala DT4 in Baby Bass.

Good luck.

Launched at Boom Island. Cruised upstream a ways past Camden. Caught a handful of smallies and a dinky pike. Current was a little stronger than I expected, but not unreasonable. Cracked my lower unit on a random rock, but all is well It was nice to get out on that stretch–it’s been a few years.

You deserved it. You take those chances for those dinks knowing full well I wanted to take you on p3.

Ooooh! I have been cruising that stretch a bit more recently. Whereabouts did you hit the rock?

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Whereabouts did you hit the rock?

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Silly Doug, on the lower unit.

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You deserved it. You take those chances for those dinks knowing full well I wanted to take you on p3.

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Ah yes. You offer to take me out, then take someone else instead…

Been there, done that.

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You deserved it. You take those chances for those dinks knowing full well I wanted to take you on p3.

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Ah yes. You offer to take me out, then take someone else instead…

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Now did everyone need to know that?

Glad this all worked out… those stretches can be pretty tough to navigate indeed.

And fishing that stretch from shore alone at night was a big part of the motivation for me toget my CCP. I’ve been spotlighted by cops, but never had any of them actually stop me…