from the expression of the ‘eye’s mouth, may need to bring a hand warmer with next week, too. But no snow, no ice, and no wind blown whitecaps; looks like another Rainy Lake Indian Summer. Will dig out the hot coffee thermos just in case…

Oh, the “tempter and temptress” of crazy Rainy fishing strike again. WE are glad to see you have finally found someone to compliment those great ‘eyes. Am rutting through old boxes of Minnesota weather clothing in anticipation of cold weather /hot fishing with you in 9 days. Wool socks, cap, mittens, and union suit, check. Jonathan is adding an ice scraper, brush and shovel to the equipment list. Think we’re set.

Yep, no matter what we strong independant males may think, being with someone who shows you in the little ways they care is priceless. I know you are a big fan of “catch and release”, but I would strongly suggest against it , in this case!

Sent an email to RainyDaze with the details. Yep, one last shot before the weather turns. No Ice – no worries!

Hey, we’re here in Nebraska where football is king, queen, and jacks, but still heading north for mid October fishing. So Chris, when are you pulling the 300 “ponies” out of the water? Does grouse hunting trump chasing ‘eyes’? Jonathan wants one more shot at getting it right with you!

No fair Chris – yours is closer to the camera!
Seriously, great fish, again! Keep the reports coming – by the way, day off? And when you do you start filling out your calendar for next year – we need another shot at ’em.

Think it’s time we all invest in a “Helmet Cam” for Chris… before his picture taking causes him to lose that Record ‘Eye we know he’s going to land one day. And, he made a believer about the NRX rod out of my son and I. Jonathan purchased his right after our trip and now swears by it. He is getting me one for Fall fishing…guess I won’t be raising his rent anytime soon.

Great Monday morning “Lessons from Chris”! This is what keeps me coming back for more…(the great pics help, too). In the old days one person in the boat had to spend most of time just making sure you were where you wanted to be, not much time spent focused on what you were there to do – pull in supper or a wall-mount. Lot of people get down on all the new electronic devices used to help you find and stay with the fish, but as you have proven time and again, that’s just the start of the game…oh, and this article has completed my Xmas list – new boat, Hummingbird graph, new rod, week trip to Rainy, guided trip (or two), and now the IPilot. Hmmm – need to convince the dear wife to get that promotion, I think.

I just wanted to jump in and let you know Chris, you really inspired my son on the one day we went fishing. Though he didn’t really get the hang of it when we were together, he jumped on the fish when we went out the next 8 days. Jonathan landed a beautiful 22 inch walleye (we were fishing Blackduck Lake by then) and then two 28+ Northern Pike. The next day he caught a 24 inch walleye and several catch and release Northern. He told me afterwords, the lessons you gave were the reason for his success. So hats off to you…oh, and my inspiration from the stories we shared were my grandpa, big brother, and recently departed friend, Dan. And now you!

Thanks Chris for starting the process of shaking the “rust” off this too long away from Rainy Lake’Eye Chaser. Jonathan says we need to figure out a time for next year now! Though you may have seen it as a slow day, we had a blast catching what we did. Great lesson in how to fish this time of year, and even better shore lunch (don’t any of you ever pass one up), and the grinning expression of a sleeping son on the ride home – priceless. Oh, and for all you “thrill ride seekers”: Make sure to get Chris to take you on the backwater channel. 300 ponies pushing you between island and sunken reef, turns and twists to rival any Seven Flags ride. I swear there were times I could’ve reached out and touched any overhanging jack pine.

For all of you who have had the experience of being out with this true professional, I now understand the deep feelings of respect you show to him here. For any of you who haven’t had the experience, make sure it’s on your bucket list…and the sooner the better. I am now off to conjure up some of them great “Grandpa Mike’s” beer batter walleyes! Nothing better to burn the memory into this olde brain.

Wanted to let you know I (and I’m sure many others here) really appreciate your educating this 57 year-old “rookie” about the Rainy Lake Science of Fishing. One question-request: Will you post a close-up pic of the leader you hand-craft? Would like to make a few of my own to try in Nebraska water before heading up North. I suppose I could just wait until the 27th and learn from the “Master”.

Can June 27th come soon enough? A day’s fishing in Gods Country, the sights and sounds of spectacular Rainy Lake, and now our own ‘eyes cooked up by the chefs of Thunderbird! Now, that’s a Master Card moment. Only thing is we’ll now need to make sure to catch some “keepers”. And yes, make sure to tip the dock boys. They really do deserve it. One question for you; how many walleye dinners before you order the Prime Rib?

Ah, thanks for the memories of sitting in that 14 ft open lund, waiting for the next “strike”. Water drops as big as a seagull’s(you know) finding every opening in the rain gear but laughing it off as we brought the next ‘eye’ on-board. But, hey, wait! Graphite, water, and lightning don’t make a good mix if my basic electrical training is accurate. Be careful out there. Hate to have you fried instead of the shore lunch.

Heading up the end of June to hook up with Chris to help re-introduce me to the “New” Rainy Lake and let my oldest son experience fishing at its finest. Target is ‘Eyes but hey, what comes along, comes along. Used to fish what seemed like every day the weather let us from when I was 6 until I got married. But that was 35 years ago. 3 times since then Will also use the time up north (2 whole weeks) to check out properties on Rainy and Kab’… about time to get out of the big city and settle down to some serious fishing. Not enough hours in this “old mans’s” life to waste fighting traffic and trying to keep up with neighbor’s Tru-green lawn. Will fish the American side and then hit several of the smaller lakes between the Falls and Bemidji. Bring on the MELT! I really hate/fear the ice, but that’s another story!

Oh, this is way past COOL! Am passing the site link on the all my fishing friends with kids. What a moment. Wish we had some ice to stand on in the midwest (NE/IA) but hey, gas prices are down. ROAD TRIP!

May want to check out this…webcam pics (real-time)
http://www.rainylakeonestop.com/rainylake_cam.html

Finding trees like that is truly humbling. There is/was a stand of several “Virgin” white pine west and north of Big Falls MN, stumbled on 35 years ago while grouse hunting. My big brother had a good laugh at me standing there just staring at these huge trees, mouth open looking up and up and up. The silence was deafening. Thanks Chris, for bringing back those good memories. Your timing couldn’t be better!

Shore fishing Rainy River – now that brings back memories…
This time of year, my big brother would load up the truck with rods, guns, food and beverage,oh, and me, then head for the River west of Birchdale. Set up on the side of the road using monster river rods with a ton of bell sinkers and a simple lindy rig tipped with a minnow. Cast it out and wait for the rod to bend. If fishing was slow, grabbed the shotgun and walked the tree lines in the fields across the road. Ain’t nothing better than a shore lunch of grouse and walleye! I hate/love your posts about what us “City Dwellers” are missing. Less than 18 months and I get to experience it daily, again.

Go get those RIVER MONSTERS (and post pics, of course)
JerryN

Hey, where are the pics? Did I miss ’em or was everybody too busy reeling and releasing to get in a few clicks? Need some more for my desktop background at work. Helps me remember why I put up with work. One week of fishing makes the 52 weeks of slaving worthwhile.

Brings back memories of packing the ice chisel(you know, that cold steel bar that weighed at least a hundred lbs)on the tobaggon with the chopped down broom-handle “winter rods” for a glorious day fishing on Black Bay. After chopping through 30 inches of ice, how could you even think of complaining you were cold! I remember how excited we were when we got that first hand auger, but had to add another layer of wool to keep the cold out. Gotta luv MN ice Fishing!

Living in Omaha NE, the homicide capital of the Midwest, especially over the last several weeks. (22 months, 26 days ’til the move). But back to fishing…you need to start doing Fly-in Fishing. The sound of a Norsman roaring down Jackfish Bay at sunrise! I remember the noise and vibration as it passed 100 ft above the cabin causing my dad to spill his hot coffee all over himself. My dad and I broke out laughing – wonder what your constipated neighbors would do? Hang in there – what goes around truly comes around. So get back out there and tell us more of your secrets. You can teach us “old dogs” new tricks!

I can lend you my “brass dog” to kick when the urge arises. Seriously, if they are the same people who were there 25 years ago, I understand your pain. Send me a picture of their property and when I move up there in 23 months (less then 2 years ) I will make them an offer to move to a sunny climate. But, I would expect the fish and chips invite, at least once a year. Hang in there and now its 22 months and 29 days).

Well, heading back to Omaha in the morning. It was slow but put enough ‘eyes and large perch in the boat for a meal or two. Had my first experience catching a Sheephead(drum). Weighed in a little over 18 lbs. Thought I had hooked a real trophy fish, but wasn’t to be this time. Could have used a few more days. Most eating fish we caught were right at the 7 to 9 foot depth in a little weeds. But, hey, who can complain! Nice weather, good company, a great place to stay and a new experience fishing. What more can one ask for. Next year, week here at Blackduck resort to catch our breath after we take a week on Rainy Lake (houseboat into the Park). Maybe Christmas vacation to see what the ice fishing is like. ‘Til then, hook ’em, release ’em, or cook ’em… signing off for now.

JerryN

leeches were slow. Chubs on lindy rigs produced a few perch. The Northerns have been hitting on tiger crankbaits. Did get the fishfinder and my son’s smartphone GPS working and have marked several of the sunken islands. Will be hitting those tonight and tomorrow. The owner of Blackduck Lodge and Resort has caught 6 and 7 lb Northerns each night since we got here. Been getting bait at the Shell station. Yeah, they aren’t very talkative. Will swing over to Timberline Thurs a.m.

Been on the water two days now. Caught a few northern pike in the 1 to 3 lb range. And small perch, but no ‘eyes. Fished shallow to start and am moving to deeper water today. Found a 28 foot hole that echoed alot of fish, but wasn’t rigged to fish that deep. Gonna try that this eveing and fish the upslopes. Will be fishing the sunken mounds in the middle tomorrow, early. Have a couple of those “hammerhandle” pics but need to run to Bemidji for a transfer cable. Staying at Blackduck Resort on east end. Bring lot’s of sunscreen. The son has a red collar around his neck that almost glows in the dark. ‘Til tomorrow!

Chris, you keep us just drooling to get on the water! My son (26) is making an electronic scrapbook of all your How to Catch Walleyes tips you offer here. You need to do an ebook of these…12 days and counting. Looking for Walleye weather July 6th and 7th

Thanks Matt… on an ISTM (it su%$ to be me) note – fishing boat was destroyed in latest windstorm here in Omaha. Are there boat rentals available on Lake Bemidji?

According to the resort owner, he has a few spots on Blackduck Lake. Will check those out early. Then, may make the run to Rainy (my old fishing home). And, also, have taken a few from Island Lake near Northome.

Two weeks and change to go…haven’t heard much from anyone so I will assume its great!
What other lakes in the area hold walleye – not looking for the trophy 28+ inch fish but some for the frying pan…

I also want to offer my thanks for the type of posts you are making. My oldest and I are returning to Rainy next year to spend a week on one of the best walleye lakes available. I am bringing my SI unit with so I can see why the hot spots 30-40 years ago were so hot. And they weren’t more than a few miles from Bald Rock, our cornerstone of fishing. Again thanks – and keep up the posts. I wonder how many people are fishing Rainy and contributing to the economy due to your dedication to this site!