I was able to sneak a couple of trips in last week and the fishing continues to be very solid. There are still plenty of small fish but it’s also not too difficult to get a limit of the perfect pan size walleyes and saugers from 15″-18″. The fish don’t seem to be terribly picky on color as long as you match to the conditions with brighter colors on sunny days and nuetral to darker colors on the darker days.
One notable detail that I thought I would pass on happened when I took a co-worker on one outing last week. He was using 10lb test fireline crystal and I suggested using a mono leader due to the clear water we have right now. He assured me that he always uses this and a leader wasn’t necessary. After outfishing him at about a 4 to 1 ratio we put a clear leader on and he almost immmediately started catching fish for fish with me. The lesson is that we all get stuck in a rut or a pattern from time to time and a good fisherman is willing to change every day to the conditions.
Attached are a couple of photos from last week and one of my walleye replica that I just got back from Jack Cudd @ Minnesota Valley Taxidermy in Burnsville. I was very nervous about it turning out but he did a great job. Thanks Jack! This fish was 29-1/2″ and was caught last spring not far from the Evert’s boat landing. Get ready because those big girls will be showing up very soon!
