I finally have a chance to hit the river this weekend, and plan to target pool 5, starting at Alma. Has anyone been on this stretch of river lately? I assume that the approaches that are working up in 4 (sonars by the dam, plastics along rip rap) will work here as well, but I’d appreciate a nudge in the right direction from an Alma expert. Looking forward to my first trip to the new baitshop as well. Thanks in advance!
Brook Trout,
The best place on pool 5 right now is away from the dam. THe action right at the dam has been very slow. I would concentrate most of your time out in the main channel and down river. The best action I had last week for good fish was off deep wingdams. Fishing the tip of the wingdam with either FisherFlick jigs or big plastic like Kalin’s and Ringworm will probably be your best presntation. I would stop and ask the ol’ man(LEE) at the bait shop for morre specifics. I am sure he will get you going in the right direction. I hope that helps.
How did you do. My son and I fished below Whitman this weekend and although we caught a few decent fish, it was slow.
Jarrad, I have been promising to visit the Alma Bait shop for awhile now. If the weather holds I will stop by, make a few purchases and introduce myself befre week’s end.
I hope none of the readers take this the wrong way, but I am sick of reading about Pool 4, relative to the hundreds of other spots on the Upper Miss, this Pool gets far too much press and I am grateful that you at least take the time to provide some info regarding Pool 5. However, there is ittle to nothing on this board about Pools from 5A through 8. Sometimes I think there are a few guide services and a resort or so that are trying to promote themselves and little else to this board.
Incidently, I am not a novice having hunted, fished and trapped the river since the 1950’s. But it just amazes me how dominate Pool 4 is on this board.
Again thanks, hope to see you later this week.
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I think there are a few guide services and a resort or so that are trying to promote themselves and little else to this board.
I am sorry to hear that you feel this way 
. This web site was created to help educate one another on a sport we all love. It just so happens that pool 4 is one of the best fisheries up and down the mighty river and gets a lot of attetnion. James Holst built a following for pool 4, then I came in to the picture and give him a little help reporting since it is a big body of water.
Pool 2 is likely the second most talked about pool on the big river, we have Steve DeZurik to thank for that by helping out and answering questions, and keeping up to date reports. 
As for the promotion part of it. Well, as a fishing guide I feel that that’s only fair that we get to toot our own horns from time to time for sharing the info that we provide on a timely basis. Any advertiser on this forum has control to promote their business like Everts Resort has done.
I guess, other than feeling like the this site has let you down in some way, what would you like to see this site promote? Promoting is in the power of the poster 
. Anyone who wants can promote, it’s right at their finger tips
What it all comes down to is having anglers who fish other pools post more about there outings like what has been done with pools 4 and 2. I know they are out there because I have guided a lot of people from the southern pools who follow the site, they just don’t post 
Come on guys, spill the beans 
I understand exactly what Dustin is saying. I know there are several people who fish pool 14 as I do, who monitor or visit this site, but rarely post any info or results of their outings. It seems many only post when they want to know where the bite is best or how fishing has been. I do not get out enough to be a regular contributor, but try to share when I have been on the river. Far too much of the “I’ll never tell” syndrome in this area. I share info with anyone interested in this pool (maybe not my very favorite “secret” spots 
) as to what is happening where, but not many in this area will do the same. Things are getting better though, thanks partly to this site.
I have learned more in a few years on this site than I could have in a couple decades of trial and error. Much of what works on Pool 4 works well here too, although we do not have the huge population of walleyes and saugers that pool 4 has, it is still a good fishery.
There have been several guide services up and down the river who were Field Staff for this site, including one who ocassionally reported on this pool and the next two or three south of here, but he has discontinued posting reports, and so have many others who could have used this site to greatly benefit their business. I am not sure why they give up such a good chance to promote themselves, but they do!
I hope that as time goes by, their will be more info shared on all pools up and down the river. Three years ago when I found this site, pool 4 and maybe pool 8 were all that was mentioned. It has come a long ways, and hopefully will continue to grow up and down this great river!
Keep up the good work people!
Rooster
I met up with this site several years ago, wanting to improve my skills as a walleye fisherman..Since the day I met up with these folks I have learned a wealth of information. Boat control,reading water movements,getting out of the same old same old way to fish….I haven’t got it all here but a good portion of it…
As far as Everets Resort….I would send everyone I meet to Everets for two reasons…
#1 location location location….
#2 Steve Vick is one of the most helpfull people I have ever met,never asking for anything in return except a way to make a living. He is honest as the the mississippi river is long and I’ll have him as a good friend as long as he will have me….you just don’t find many people like this any more….
This is a informational website that can help anyone who wants to participate…the more you put into it the more you’ll get out of it
If i wanted to test out a new way/technique to fish for walleyes what a better place to do it than pool 4 where the walleyes and sauger run wild….not in a bath tub where the grass runs wild…. 
I’m really sorry that you have a bad feeling towards this website…I hope that there is something you and everyone can get from this site or its not even worth our time…
Any guide for example on any body of water can make themselves a name and guide business just like James and Dustin have. Its simple, its free, yet people just don’t quite understand how easy it really is. James is offering to you a website to post fishing reports on, share fishing knowledge, promote your guide business and yourself and cost to you is FREE!!! All you have to do is become an In-depthangling Field Staff Reporter and you can post all the info on fishing you want at no cost to you. James Holst offers this to you for free. You can become, through doing the reports etc., the ”man who knows where the fish are and top guide” in your area. You can contol how big your name and guide business gets by the amount of posting of reports and info with pics that you do. Its simple, its free, and its up to you. In-depthangling would love to have more people reporting on the other pools but people have to come forth and say they want to become a Field Staffer for those pools. Pool 4 gets alot of attention because its a huge body of water compared to the other pools so there are more people fishing it and talking about it. But that doesn’t mean its any better than any other other pool. There needs to be guides or tournament fishermen and or just a regular person who fishes alot and is willing to share fishing information on a constant regular basis. If you or someone you know would like to become a Field Staff person on another pool or lake area send me a pm and I’ll get a very easy to fill out application to you and we will go from there. You control how much fishing info and talking goes on in your area by stepping forth and doing just that. Thanks, Bill
ps. If you click on the In-Depth Lake Info link at the top of the page you will find that there are alot of other areas on board too. 
Steve at Everts, has only been there a couple years, is young and full of ambition and took over a run down Resort and cleaned it up and was smart enough to see a good opportunity to promote his business on here. This pool has around 10 miles of open water all year long so that really helps him stay busy year round. Hes the best thing that ever happened to Everts Resort and well liked and hard working and a kind and thoughtfull person and alot of people enjoy staying there as a result. Any other resort on any river or lake has the same opportunities if they want to to take advantage of them.
I guess I’m puzzled by the sentiment of the poster…
Are we supposed to MAKE people post on these other areas? Maybe a little arm wringing goon squad at the landing on these other pools is in order. I can see it now, snarling fisherman in funny hats with clip boards and questionaires.
Should we start posting on areas we don’t fish? “Hey, I didn’t fish pool 7 today…! 
”
The truth of the matter is I’m set as far as guide business goes. I could pull this site down now and it wouldn’t hurt my business one bit. I could advertise through seminars and writing articles, save hundreds, nay, THOUSANDS of dollars a year and actually have more free time for myself, less stress and actually get to fish more.
Yup, I keep this site around for the sole purpose of promoting my guide business.
2Fishy4U… I will gladly refund your FULL purchase price paid for visiting this site… plus shipping and handling, of course. 
Good grief.
For those reading this and thinking “man, he’s a little peezed” well, I am. I see the efforts made by the contributors of this site day after day. The time and the dedication. You asked that the readers try and NOT take your post the wrong way. I tried. But I feel like you really dissed some very thoughtful and caring people that go out of the their way to keep everyone informed about the river that we all love… and then you wrapped it all up in a pretty bow by questioning their integrity and motivations for doing so.
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“I didn’t fish pool 7 today…..”
” Hey!! I didn’t fish pool 4 today” 
where didn’t you fish today ? 
Well, where do I start….
First, thanks fireflick for the info, although I hit the water before your post came through. The dam bite was indeed slow. Did the yo-yo with cicadas and ringworms and came up empty. Found a few saugers by the powerline just south of town, deep, on jigs and minnows. The rip-rap bite was a zero too.
Second, I had the chance to fish with James this summer. He manufactured some fish for my brother, father and I during the peak of the summer slump, shared his wealth of knowledge the entire time, and made us feel welcome and appreciated like few others I have met. His willingness to maintain and improve this electronic forum goes well beyond the call of duty, and I know that many of us working stiffs appreciate the opportunity to not only read and learn about angling on a regular basis, but also drift off into an employer-sponsored walleye daydream from time to time.
So, James, Dustin, the Steves, and everyone else who contibutes to this forum, thanks a ton, and keep up the great work! 
This site is the best thing to happen, for river fishermen, in a long time. looking forward to your report on your area “2fishy4u”, get your buddies and local fisherman to post here and you will get your wish. Even your local guides can post their results here, which I find to be one of the most informative things on this board. Dustin and James and the rest do a great job on getting the info out there, I really appreciate the work they go through to do it, thanks Guy’s!
Well;
I came accross this site about 2 years ago. I would read reports, but never got into the chatting side of it.
Then, I needed a motor for my pleasure boat, and found an 85hp for a super price.
Then, I started to “read” into what was going on.
Now:
1: I’ve finally believed that plastics catch walleyes, other than fly-ins into northern Canada.
2: I’ve finally believed that certain types of plastics work better and why.
3: I understand the river fishing for walleyes much better now………there are no maps…….
4: I picked up soooo much info about Full Moon Fever of walleyes in the fall on Mille Lacs (red craw does work!!!).
5: I’ve talked with the leader of this board, and he is a sportsman (who yes, is selling a product, but very successfully) who is there to share.
Ya know what? I’ve never been with a guide in my life. The info that is shared on this site is absolutely never ending. It is addicting. I’ve never seen so many people sharing there info as to how to catch fish………Who needs In-fisherman, when you got this place???
Kudo’s to these guys who made this place work. When funding gets a little better for me, I will be calling James or Dustin for a little guiding on the water this spring. There is so much to learn and these guys are helping. Show a little consideration for their work and appreciation for the “FREE EDUCATION”. I don’t remember there being a charge for the “hair jig tying seminar”. Who do you think paid for that?
2FISHY4U If your sick see a doctor.Im from COVINGTON INDIANA never fished the area in my life.I found this web site and yes most of the post were about pool 4 .Why would I go to a place that a few people are posting about pools 5,6,7 and so on?We came up for a week last year,stayed at EVERETS ,STEVE is the best just like everyone said,We used DUSTIN for a guide we had a great time and will be back next year .This all could have been different had people posted about other pools.Some people dont want to post about catching fish for fear everybody will take their spot.So post up and some day the other pools will grow .We will stop at fireflicks dads bait store because he posts about it and seams like the store I would go to .So 2FISHY4U please help the other pools by posting ,we would love to hear about your adventures.
Honestly I never new about pool 4 until I came on board here, I have had more success on the river because of fishing it, but I have also taken what I learned from the info you great guides and other posters have given me and used it on all bodys of water I fish, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.
The river,- all the pools, is just a small part of this website. At the top of each page you will find the words Click Here For In-Depth Lake Info wherethere are many lake forums. I have provided a link below my comments here that you can click on to and get to the many lake forums too. Lots of info for everyone to read and take part in. I would like to ask everyone to please be kind enough that when 2fishy4u and hopefully his friends start reporting and sharing about how they did on their fishing outtings in their area that we support their effort and post and ask questions etc about their area to help get that area of the river hopping with activity on the site. Thanks, Bill
Dustin and Bill,
thanks for your thoughtful responses. I guess the purpose of my comments was to thank Jarrad for his Pool 5 reports and let everyone on this board know I wish there were more reports on the other River pools. In the future I promise to post more info on the other pools as I fish then quite a bit. So maybe that is a start.
James, please accept my apology regarding guide sevices and resorts. As Dustin and Jarrad said a bit more tackfully anyone can post fishing reports on this board and express whatever opinions they want regarding fishing. Finally, I know Moving Waters does a great job because I have recommended your guide service to friends.
Hey Nookie, I hope your not calling pool 5 a bathtub with grass. I fish both pools and enjoy both of them for different reasons.If I want to fish for bigger numbers and better quality saugersI go to pool 4. If I get tired of the bigger number of boats and want to have a better chance for solitude I fish 5. Also I think that 5 has a better chance of coughing up a true trophy in the spring as fish in the 15 lb range are caught each yr. As far as being brought to task for self promotion I think you guys were a little quick to anger. It would be unreasonable to expect you to go to all the work to run a site like this without making or at least hoping to make a return on your investment.After all we’re not communists. That shouldn’t change our enjoyment of the site but I do think it is a little disingenuous to imply that there is no profit motive involved with running this site.
yellowdog…
never would i do such a thing…My pool (pool10) is is a grass pit at times..It is so bad you cant even vertical jig…I cant say anything about pool 5 because I have never been able to fish it…and as far as profit…we barely keep our heads above water…there is a lot of hard work on our own time…a lot of personal time…
take care yellowdog..
2fishy4u,
Thanks and I am glad you enjoy the fishing reports. I wish I could do more reports on pool 4 and pool 5. Having time to write them can be very difficult and time consuming for some of us with a family and kids. This just isn’t my first commitment. If I had my way I would be fishing everyday and writing a report daily. But I think I would be sleeping in my boat if I did that. 
Lots of staffers do a great job and sacrifice alot of time to do this for all of YOU. Pool 4 does get a lot of publicity and so do the guides but more people fish that pool including me, especially on Lake Pepin in the Late Spring early summer area. This last year in the spring pool 5 was crawling with boats everywhere and people were talking about pool 5 just as much…….. as soon as I started writing reports and showing all the big fish that pool 5 offers. Just look as our bass reports from this summer……you can’t find a better pool…in my mind.
This site is great! Saying thanks does mean a lot to all of us staffers that do put the time in.
Tom,
thanks for the advice. Your are right on when you suggest I post about other pools. I am retired and just don’t like the congestion at Red Wing in lafe fall and spring.
Bottom line, is like Jarrad and his Alma postings I will let you all know how things are going below Red Wing.
Jarrad,
I am headed for Alma tomorrow and should be there around 1:00 PM. Thanks again to you and Dustin for your thoughtful and insightful responses.
I HAVE BEEN ON THIS WEB SITE FOR ABOUT AYEAR, I HAVE FISHED POOLS 2-4, THE INFO THAT YOU GET YOU CAN USE FROM POOLS 1-ALL.JUST BECAUSE POOL 4 COMES UP THE MOST DOEST MEAN AT POOL 14 THE FISE ARE DIFFERNT,ITS ALL IN WHAT YOU LEARN AND TAKE THAT ON TO THE WATER YOU FISH.POOL4 POST HAVE HELPED ME BECOME A MUCH BETTER FISHERMAN ON POOL3,NO….IT HAS HELPED ME BE A BETTER RIVER/LAKE FISHERMAN ! KNOWLEDG, IS THE KEY, AND THERE IS A TON OF IT HERE! AND I HAVE MADE SOME GOOD FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY TOO.SO I’M GLAD YOUR HERE,KEEP READING ,KEEP ON LEARNING, AND KEEP ON FISHIN
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the folks who post fishing reports on this web site. It is a very generous and sharing thing to do. We all get up to date, honest info on all the hot colors and techniques catching fish on any given day.
Personally, I find it awfully tough to let anyone know that I’m even catching fish let alone where, when and how I’m catching them .
There isn’t a fisherman anywhere that couldn’t learn a thing or two just by reading the posts on this site.
Thanks alot guys.
Gator Hunter
Jarrad,
met you Dad yesterday morning at The Main Channel and then over the past day and 1/2 managed to fish Pools 5, 5A and 6. Unfortunately, I don’t have much to brag about despite the great weather. During my time on the River I caught several small Walleyes but only one decent one. Although I had better success with Sauger almost all were filled with spawn and consequently released.
Nonetheless, I hope to return at least one more time this year.
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