Thanks Cade, I’ve been fishing the Mississippi before with friends, but never on my own. Just gun shy I guess. I’ll have to look into it.

Do we have a winner yet? I’m currently homebound and can’t check for myself. By the way, I believe I picked TODAY!

If you have the opportunity, try out a kayak before you make a purchase. In Rochester close to Memorial Week-end a local Kayak outfitter has a day to try out a variety of kayak styles and sizes at Foster Arend Pond. They had a number of knowledgeable people there to help answer questions about kayaking and fishing from a kayak. For a number of reasons, I’m not convinced yet, but I’m still considering it.

March 26th seems like a good day!

Hey Bill, Don’t they drop the lake level real low every winter until after ice out? Once they have a gauge on the seasonal ice melt I think they bring the lake levels back up to normal summer depth. In may be a few weeks yet, but the levels should be back at Sandy Point before too long. No longer a real good landing spot, but we’ve known that for a while now.

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Last night during the snowstorm, in my office I dug out an old VHS fishing tape I had bought back in 1989!! I had, believe it or not ever watched it. Turns out it was an instructional tape by Steve Fellegy on how to fish Mille Lacs for Walleye. In the tape he shows exactly how he rigs his bobber rod, his crank rod, his live bait rod ect. He breaks it down to the point of “the leader should be this long because”………. All great information if you have limited experience (like me) fishing Walleye’s. The best part for me was he showed exactly the hooks, line, sinkers, blades everything he was using.

Last thing he did was put up a map and show you where on each side of the lake he fishes. He pinpointed which side of the reef would produce if the wind was from x direction ect. All the way around he did this. Showed you some spring spots, summer spots, late summer ect. Really informational stuff in my opinion.

I found it to be really educational and I only wish I had watched it years ago!!

BTW, he never caught a fish during the whole show.

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Bad news Hoffie, nothing that they taught in 1989 will work now in 2009. Those walleyes have been watching that video for years in their schools.

Just pullin’ your leg Dude. I love watchin fishin video’s old and new.

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One of the reasons Al Lidner left is because of the increasing push to infomerciaism….I followed Al to Anglers Edge…

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I love what Al and Family are doing with the Anglers Edge, but you really can’t say he’s gotten away from the infomercialization. I don’t blame them, it’s simply a sign of the times, but I don’t remember hearing about the name brand of the fishing rod and reel that Al was using in the older versions of In-Fisherman TV. Now everybody knows Al fishes with Shimano, uses Berkley Power Baits, etc. It really is a small price to pay when you consider the information we can get from Al and many other fishing shows. I admit, I love fishing shows and enjoy watching big fish being caught, but I can only think of one program where the host of the show actually fished in waters that he couldn’t get to in his powerboat. Old Hank Parker was actually fishing out of a kayak one time in shallow water looking for smallmouth. Now that was a show I was really interested in. I’d love to see Al or Babe knee deep in the Zumbro River telling me the best way to approach a pool full of smallies, muskies or even a channel cat.

I think you folks have touched on both of the key reasons for the In-Fisherman magazine to shrink in size. Both the tough economy forcing advertisers to be more selective in their spending and the internet has truly become the resource of choice for those of us not wanting to wait for next months edition. For my self, I find most fishing magazines lacking in that I have become a more focused fisherman. Alas, I have become a smallmouth snob. I choose fishing smallies above all else. When it comes to my reading choices I search out information regarding smallies. Information on catfishing or lead lining walleyes is wasted material on me. I am also a bit impulsive. If I am in the mood for searching out smallie information, I will jump on the internet and get the latest information available.

We outdoorsmen are not the only ones noticing a decrease in our favorite magazines. My wife is a scrapbooker and her magazines are also growing thinner seemingly by the month. I am sure other hobbiest find they have the very same issues with their information resource that we have.

Sadly, it’s just not the same taking a laptop into the bathroom with you for your daily constitutional.

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Now I’m going to slip out of my cranky pants, put on my jammies and go to bed before I’m worn down and forced to confess that I’d really love to own a boat and give up stream fishing for smallies because I keep getting older every year and all that wading tends to tucker me out.

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You guys are right on about that very small percentage of people that feel obligated to ruin it for all. I was just tired and I certainly knew I shouldn’t have spouted off. I just didn’t have the will power to resist that unnamed force that motivated me to open my big mouth at that particular time. Hopefully all is well and with the recent rains we will see are waters rise.

Best wishes to all of you waders and assorted other fishermen. May God bless the smallie hunters, we could all use a little help.

Wow, no offense guys? I was just curious about the river in general. I’ve fished both the Root and the Zumbro rivers. Because of the general proximity of the Zumbro, I naturally fish it more. I’ve fished the Root maybe 4 or 5 times and still have not left the same 1/2 mile stretch.

Based on the size of the fish in the pictures and my personal experience, I would guess they came from the Root. That’s the extent of my question. I personally don’t care if someone has found a secret spot 12 paces up stream from bridge number 783-4 and right in front of that downed tree where the frogs like to sit and sun themselves. The hunt is 1/2 the battle.

I fully understand that there are people out there that are just looking for shortcuts to the big fishies. I’m also aware that there are people out there that wouldn’t share the location of their favorite fishing hole with their own mother for fear she would tell someone at Bingo Saturday night.

I have my own opinion on the subject, but I’m going to protect my opinion from those not willing to take the time to form their own opinions.

Now I’m going to slip out of my cranky pants, put on my jammies and go to bed before I’m worn down and forced to confess that I’d really love to own a boat and give up stream fishing for smallies because I keep getting older every year and all that wading tends to tucker me out.

Good Night All

Were you out on the Root when you found these beauties?

Hi Bill,

The very best advise I can give is to recommend that anyone interested in fishing for small stream smallies to search the web for the book “Stream Smallmouth Fishing” by Tim Holschlag. It’s out of print, but you can still find copies.

Fishing for smallies in the streams can be loads of fun. Over the years I have found that I like to take one or two lures that I feel comfortable and confident in and then each year I try out something new or different.

As a rule, I tend to carry jigs to use with tube bates and twister tails. I also like something called a reaper that is a leach-like plastic that is also used on a jig like a twister tail. This year I’ve decided to try a few of the various Rapalas that I have in my tackle box.

I’ve been out three times so far this year and have yet to be skunked. Yesterday the fish I found were smaller, but I was fishing in a branch of the Zumbro that has a lower water level than I had ever experienced before.

I’ll try to put some more information together if there is an interest. I can honestly say that my technics are probably not well suited for real serious anglers or trout fishermen, but they work for me and I usually have a story to share when I come home.

Thanks for askin’ Bill.

Lew \=0 )

I would suggest taking along a few jigs and some tube baits. The smallies just love these.

It’s been a couple of years now, but I put in my canoe just behind the rec center and motored (yes I use a trolling motor) up stream to the rocks below the Silver Lake Dam. I also had a depth finder with me. The deepest hole I could find was about 5 feet deep and maybe 5 feet across. Tossing twister tails and tube baits I caught crappie, smallmouth and even a small northern. I would suspect that you would find more of the same as you head down stream to 37th Street. Let us know what you find out.

Thank You IDA for both the great web site and for the opportunity to win some very cool prizes.

Nice Fish, Better Trooper!!!! Not only was she patient with you, but she took the pictures to boot. You may owe her a nice dinner out.

Thanks Bill, Mike and Tom. (Anyone else see a trend here)? Here are well wishes to all who fishes. May your bait be fresh and your plastics be lively. Just remember when nature calls to avoid poison ivy.

Great post Tom. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and ideas. I hope the DNR is paying attention.

Hey Tom, Excellent Post! You so nicely said what I’ve been attempting to say. Any improvements to Lake Zumbro should be about Lake Zumbro and not the property value on Lake Zumbro.

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Dredging is about the only option and there really is not any preventative maintence

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The DNR would probably argue this point. Prevention is exactly the tactic they have taken to bring back the Minnesota River. It is a slow process, but they are working very hard to address run off by creating natural barriers between the agricultural and pasture lands all along the river. Groups such as Trout Unlimited have been taking preventative measures to preserve their trout streams for years. Raise the money if you can, then allow the DNR to give you the input that you need to take the right steps to preserve and maybe even repair the upper portion of Lake Zumbro.

There is that stretch between the Sandy Point landing and Fisherman’s Inn that would probably benefit from dredging. During one low water period I saw part of a iron dock rail sticking out of the water. If that area of the lake were to be drained I would be suprised if it didn’t look a lot like Lake Shady does now. Dredging this particular area would no doubt be a benefit for those affected home owners and would actually increase the area of useable lake. At this point I would not say that I am for or against dredging. I think there are way too many questions that would need to be answered before you just start dredging. I hope those looking at dredging can be patient enough to get those answers.

It is a concern Mike, but I guess that I would need more science about the toxins before I would base my decision on that aspect. As I stated, my bigger concern would be the prevention of repeating the same mistakes by no be proactive about the run off first. Maybe money spent there would be more effective in the long run.

As for the water clarity Bill, I really think you need to thank the Zebra mussels for that. Quite possibly it is because of the silt that the mussels have not become a bigger problem on the lake, they are just too busy trying to clean the bottom.

I’ll add my two cents worth Mike. I read tonights article and the question that comes to mind for me is, what will you do to prevent the lake to refill? If there is concern that the lake will not stop filling, shouldn’t the source of the silt and runoff be managed BEFORE you spend millions to dredge it? Look at Lake Shady now that the water levels are so low. What would happen if the dam in Oronoco was removed or it simply gave way like the dam in Stewartville? Tons of silt and “whatever” would end up in Lake Zumbro. By simply dredging now, you are just delaying the inevitable cost for those grandchildren that the article referred to. I do not propose to know the solution to the run off problem. I would hope that the DNR has a few thoughts on the process.

By the way, wouldn’t now be a great time to dig out at least some of Lake Shady?

Dredging was done in my home town, Lake Crystal, back in the 70’s. I really don’t know if the lake gained from the dredging. I do know that the silt that was removed from the bottom of the lake was used to add land to a peninsula cemetary and further upstream along the ditch that filled the lake, the silt filled an area that was later turned into both private commercial land and a city park. I might add that Crystal Lake has become a pretty nice, though unsung walleye fishery. I have no idea if the dredging 30 years ago had anything to do with the current fishery. To my knowledge nothing was done to prevent the lake from refilling with silt and runoff from this ditch that runs through agricultural land.

As you can see, I’ve probably ‘muddied’ the waters of this discussion. If I were to be expected to help pay for this dredging I would want to know that I’m truly fixing the problem and not just shifting it to my great grandchildren.

While fishing the Zumbro near the County Rd 7 Green Bridge I ran into a guy that has experience fishing between Mantorville and Byron. He pointed out that the new home construction above the Dodge County Golf Course may be the cause for the change in water conditions. I certainly hope this is not a permanent issue.

Thanks for the tips Bill. I intentionally only carried a couple of lure options with me on this trip. I generally carry way too much stuff. My concern is the condition of the river. Normally at this time of the year the levels may be low, but usually clear as there hasn’t been any rain for run-off. As I mentioned in my first posting, there were very few signs of bait fish or small bass that normally chase after baits with visions of greatness.

Please take the time to write to your State Representative and ask him or her to vote against S.F. No. 3021, ZUMBRO RIVER FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN.

There’s no need to apologize to me. This is an issue that needs to be kept in front of everyones eyes. Keep you the good work. = )

Bill, I have passed your name on to a couple of SEMSA members. I hope they take the time to contact you. To my knowledge the local organization does not have a web site. This web site will hook you up with more information about the Smallmouth Alliance overall.

http://www.smallmouth.org/

My understanding is that a group known as “Public Anglers Coalition” was involved with a regs change on Green Lake near Spicer. Green Lake had catch and release regs on smallies also. As far as SEMSA is concerned, this group meets monthly in Rochester. They formerly met at Sandy Point Supper Club. Though the mailing list may include fishermen from outside the immediate area, the core of SEMSA lives, works and fishes in SE Minnesota.

By the way, SEMSA did not “force” any reg changes. SEMSA worked within the DNR process. They educated the public with a booth at the Olmsted County Fair, garnered support via a petition drive and attend public meetings to express their reasoning and support of the catch and release regulations.

I don’t know if the DNR did any extensive research on the plunge pool below the Lake Zumbro Dam which is the primary focus of conflict. There were local fishermen that had been “accepting” of the catch and release regs on smallies until the ownership of Mac’s Park Place changed hands and the fee to fish increase made oil barons envious. My impression is that now that it cost more to fish the area, those anglers paying the fee don’t want to throw back potential frying pan fixin’s (not everyone holds the smallie sacred).

Now, for my opinion. . .I was a part of the group that advocated the current catch and release regs. I understand and respect those folks that worked so hard for this regulation. I also believe that if left in alone, this reg will prove to be very good for the smallies and smallmouth fishing. Now for my But . . .had a slot limit been put in place for the plunge pool we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. Those of us fishing for the pure pleasure of fishing are in the minority. The average angler doesn’t care about a trophy fish unless that fish happens to be on his own line. That same average angler probably has a much lesser chance to catch that trophy fish due to equipment, skills and lure selection. Finally, for the new owner of Mac’s. He may have done as much for protecting fish in the plunge pool as any DNR reg. By significantly raising the price to access the fishing area he may have served to limit the willingness to fish the area. This would be something else for the DNR to verify.

As I mentioned in the original post, I am curious to learn more about the coalition. I know the one individual named in the article, but who makes up the rest of the coalition and where do they come from? Are they local fisherman like those that make up the smallmouth group that worked hard to get this regulation?

The legislature is not the place to resolve this issue. Let the DNR do it’s job. If the DNR has already agreed to a compromise with the parties involved, those parties need to respect that process and wait out the agreed upon time.

Thank you all for taking the time to review this post. Thanks also to Mark P for his excellent recall and for FishinSmallies for taking the time to track down and post the original article. Forums such as this are an opportunity to share our opinions and learn more about what our fellow fishermen are thinking. I won’t hate you for wanting to catch and eat fish (even bass), I just want us all to respect the laws and fish within the laws that are in place so that fishing will be a pleasure for generations to come. There is a process in place. It is a slow process and frustrating for those of us in a hurry, but this process is intended to protect the fishing future for all.