If you are going to drive an hour, even though the river is a little spotty and for most very tough as of these past couple weeks, I would still head to p4. The way I look at it is that no matter how tough the river is your chance of putting a few walleyes in the boat after you figure out a few things is about 100% greater than the lakes in that area. I have caught walleyes on French and Tetonka using a variety of methods, but fishing has a great chance of being tough for you and everyone else anywhere in that area this weekend. Those lakes get pounded so hard from every direction that I have no idea how the DNR even comes close to keeping up with stocking efforts. There are too many solid fisherman in Minnesota, and for the size of the lakes in that area- for the limits to be so liberal at 6 a piece is too much, just my opinion. Clarity has been a lot different on these lakes this year than last, and I wonder if this, and the pike and skies, have pushed main concentrations deeper and more scattered making them tougher to pin and repeat a pattern. I am no expert of the Fairbo area but I would say your chances of putting even 3 or 4 keeps in the boat right now in a full day is about 3%. And to do this, you would have to stumble accross a pod of fish and be incredibly stealthy and switch colors after 2 fish. Just like everywhere there is a ton of forage out there right now. Many fish are currently suspended on French. We pulled leadcore at every depth in money stretches with 2 giant sheepheads to show after 2 hours. We livebaited the good stretches with jigs and bouncers, and lindy’s for another hour. Zero last Sunday. It is a beautiful area that has decent fishing, but needs a reduced limit, for the amount of pressure, and the catch-kill mentality for walleyes. If you are looking for a change of scenery from the river once in a while, it is a great area. 
p4walleye – That’s the straight talk I like to hear.
Here is the kicker… I spent a tough 2 days on Pepin with nothing to show besides a sunburn. Enough baitfish in the water to rip the lower unit off.
I was hoping the change of scenery (French Lake) would better my odds somehow. But now I am thinking I should take your advice – I should stick to my guns and give Pepin another try.
Any day on the water is a good one to me. I am just trying to make the good days great.
Any other members out there with advice for me before I load the boat?
– Boogs
I figured someone else would have chimed in here. People are pretty quiet about that area, probably due to the pressure. Don’t give up on the river, 98% of great anglers have been getting worked out there for a little while. You hit the baitfish on the head, it’s frustrating, but keep searching, try to find a pod away from baitfish. You may have to get into some current, or cast some rocks and hope for a few good bites. You may stumble across something great. I try to learn something every time out whether pounding them or scraping 3 fish. Someone always finds them. Soon enough it will be a better bite, it might even be this weekend. It’s only going to get better, in the meantime get out there and find some new spots and explore, pay attention to what others are doing, and maybe try a new technique yourself. If you are real interested in dialing in on the river holler at Dustin Stewart or any IDA guide, I saved myself a lot of time, and gained an incredible amount of knowledge working with Dustin over these past few years. Tight lines, I want to see a report after this weekend!
Thanks for the info and words of encouragement. It looks like I will get out on the water this Sunday (P4 Pepin). I will do my best, come Monday, to put in a reply to this post on the fishing outcome.
Funny you mention Dustin. I have been thinking of gifting myself with a hired trip on the river. I have read/viewed Dustin’s posts & video and talked to him once briefly in Rochester…very knowledgeable.
Later
– Boogs
After all of this – I did not get the chance to fish P4 this weekend. I will bank the info from the posts for future fishing. Much appreciated.
Later
– Boogs
In the Heat – Memorial Day weekend
Pictured is our group from Wisconsin
We just returned from another trip to Ohio, it may be a 12 hour trip but as before, well worth it.
We headed off to Coshocton Ohio on Thursday arriving at 12:00 AM Friday.
After getting settled in for a good nights sleep we were off to the range in the morning with the excitement of spending the day sending lead down range at 12” steel targets from 300 yards out to 1760 yards. Everyone was having a blast and the temps were reaching 103 on position 1, luckily we had a little wind to help with the heat. For the most part I believe everyone was able to connect out to the 1760 target but by midday the mirage started to raise a little havoc at the extended ranges. This in turn was a great opportunity to dial down and overcome the obstacle for better practice and results.
We went through a lot of ammo on Friday; there’s something about hearing the report of a bullet hitting AR500 steel all the way out, just makes a person grab another round for a repeat. We did see a little pressure signs surface later in the afternoon as the temps started to sink into the ammo boxes. As the day ended the six of us probably went through 800 rounds of ammo total. Temps as high around 100 +/-
Saturdays Intimidator round was a blast as usual but the heat with very light winds presented a cooker which wore on everyone by the end of the day as we went through the course. Temp in the high 90s
Sundays Headhunter round was a ton of fun and the heat was also greeted with some winds which felt good and kept the fatigue from sinking in. Temps in the high 90s
20 some shooters took on the heat
Hand loaded rounds used
338 Lapua Mags using – 250 and 300 gr. Scenars
260 Rem using – 139 gr Scenars
6.5 x 47 using – 139 gr Scenars
Wow! What a cool way to spend Memorial Day Weekend! 
Out to 1760 yards??? 
Unbelieveable! 
What was hotter – the temperature or the barrels from shooting all the rounds? 
Thanks for sharing!
Wowser, 1760 is LONG way down range. So, what are your rifles zeroed for? How big of an adjustment is that from zero?
My 260 needed 23.6 mils of vertical and .7 mils left to correct for spin drift.
My 338 Lapua Mag. Needed 16.8 mils of vertical and .1 mils left for spin drift
Both guns zeroed at 100 yards
They have a Extended Long Range course there, that they were out to 2000 yards earlier this year.
Sorry for all the questions, but I’m intrigued. What are the muzzle brakes for?
Suppressors
For noise and recoil reduction, making all guns equipped to sound like a high pressure air hose.
Very nice
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Sorry for all the questions, but I’m intrigued. What are the muzzle brakes for?
Questions, ask all you want
Also as far as the suppressors, you may hear the sonic crack of the bullet as the sound wave bounces off of trees or buildings. Which sounds like a 22 mag.
way cool!!
To answer a few comments
We all had a great time even in the heat without much for shade when shooting the various courses.
On Friday at the bench/prone sighting range area and having the whole day to shoot, we had a few hot barrels, but with 6 guys, ten guns and two spotters, the rifles all had time to rest.
At this area we were shooting
12”x12” steel at 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 1000 and 1760
Clay pigeons at 600, 1000
Steel IPSC Silhouettes at 500, 600, 1000
Saturday’s Intimidator course
4 different positions on the property (different angles and winds)– the picture was taken off of position 1
The yardages at 12” x 12” steel – max of 3 rounds per shooter per target
Pos 1) 563, 950, 1165, 938, 1650
Pos 2) 552, 892, 674, 795
Pos 3) 276, 366, 587, 1048
Pos 4) 570, 499, 704, 586
Sunday’s Headhunter course
4 different positions on the property (different angles and winds again)
The yardages at a 6”x 9” steel target – max 1 round per target per shooter
Pos 1) 342, 370, 403, 526, 566
Pos 2) 360, 349, 329, 512, 521
Pos 3) 330, 373, 418, 435, 440
Pos 4) 423, 514, 557, 600, 560
They have held an Extended long Range event there, this range was not open when we arrived, this range involves neighbors property as well from the looks of it so they have only special days for course of fire here. I believe the steel targets were 12” 16” and 20” here
Range targets were at prior shoot
Pos 1 ) 1000, 1100, 1165, 1200
1 cont.) 1335, 1400, 1500, 1650
1 cont.) 1505, 1985, 2105, 1685
Pos 2 ) 1800, 2260, 2400, 2030
We have made 3 trips so far to Ohio in the last two years and it’s well worth the drive, I know that it sounds unbelievable when someone talks about shooting 12” steel at 1000 and well beyond but it is possible, and without specialized equipment. My son used his 308 last year with factory 168 grain Hornady Amax’s this year he using a brand new 260 build. Optics is probably the most important; to have the ability to dial up and down on your verticals and have a scope that tracks well, our group uses Vortex and Nightforce scopes.
I passed this all on the shooters bench because it is shooting and load development. I figured some would find this a good read and not a bunch of wind. If anyone ever gets over in the north central WI. area and would like to check some of the equipment out or pull the trigger look us up. If times allows I would be happy to give you folks the opportunity.
Take care,
JDX–
Man that looks like an awesome time. Jeff, thanks for sharing!!! 
Jeff when you did your NFA paper work did you set yours up under a trust? That’s the way I am leaning. Just curious on your thoughts.
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Jeff when you did your NFA paper work did you set yours up under a trust? That’s the way I am leaning. Just curious on your thoughts.
Yes
I did a gun trust this allows my son, who is my shooting partner and co-trusty the right to use and possess any of the suppressers listed in the trust if something would ever happen to me or visa versa.
If you need and info of a lawyer who is familiar with these types of legal trust I can get you the info for one who is in Madison.
The trust is very reasonable in cost and can always be modified through time as far as changes.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff. Found one in Eau Claire that can do it. I just have to get around to doing it now.
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My 338 Lapua Mag. Needed 16.8 mils of vertical and .1 mils left for spin drift
Both guns zeroed at 100 yards
They have a Extended Long Range course there, that they were out to 2000 yards earlier this year.
I’m actually a little surprised how little your vertical is. Not sure why, I know nothing about this. I just assumed you’d have a 30-40 mil adjustment at those distances. Sounds like A LOT of fun!
Quote:
Quote:
My 338 Lapua Mag. Needed 16.8 mils of vertical and .1 mils left for spin drift
Both guns zeroed at 100 yards
They have a Extended Long Range course there, that they were out to 2000 yards earlier this year.
I’m actually a little surprised how little your vertical is. Not sure why, I know nothing about this. I just assumed you’d have a 30-40 mil adjustment at those distances. Sounds like A LOT of fun!
Thought you would like this
Just running the program today to give you and idea, with the altitude where I am at and the weather conditions
For 1760 yards
On the 260, I would need 22.8 mils of vertical adjustment on the scope
That equates for 1441” (120 feet) of bullet drop from the 100 yard zero
The 260 with the 139 gr. Scenar bullet would yield and estimated velocity at point of impact of 988 FPS with 301 lbs of energy
Time of flight estimated at 3.3 seconds
On the 338 Lapua, I would need 17.3 mils of vertical adjustment in the scope
That equates for 1094” (91 feet) of bullet drop from the 100 zero
The 338 with the 300 gr. Scenar bullet would yield a estimated velocity at point of impact of 1264 FPS and 1064 lbs of energy
Time of flight to target 2.8 seconds
It is always amazing to look at this stuff and picture shooting that high over the target and be able to hold a very respectable accuracy level.
JDX–
Wow, that is simply crazy to think how far you “could” be holding over a target.
My co-worker just got his Savage .338. I’ve been sharing your info with him. He’s really pumped to start shooting. He is wondering what round and FPS you are shooting at the muzzle?
Thanks for sharing!
My 338 Lapua Mag with the 300 gr. Scenar –> 2813 FPS
For the Barrett, I am loading 50ths off the lands
Lapau Brass
300 grain Scenar’s
H1000 powder
Federal Mag Primers
One of my friends shoots an AR30 in the 338 Lapua Mag, he uses the 250 Scenar’s with very good results as well.
Another bullet that would be interesting to try someday in load development would be the Hornady 285s
As always – In the world of load development – Folks need to read and understand reloading guides and pressure levels, follow the guidelines as far as powder loads, accuracy test and don’t focus on how fast or slow someone else is with the same caliber with a given powder weight, but focus on what your gun prefers to be repetitive, every gun is different and a person can zero in on a perfect load fairly fast with experience and time.
My co-worker just ordered his 300 grain Accubonds. He is wondering how many grains of powder you are loaded for?
My loads will range any ware from 89 to 92 grains of H1000 for the 300 Grain Scenar bullets, and with the Barrett their set 59ths off the lands.
I know most know, but I have to state this
Always start within the range of the powder manufactures recommendations and then work your way up watching for pressure signs while looking for repetitive accuracy and forgiveness.
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