It has been found!!
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Hi to Everyone,
I just wanted to update you on our stolen ice house. We did recover it on Friday. It is in pretty bad shape…everything missing including the aluminum siding. However, John does think that he will be able to repair it but it’s going to take some time and effort. But, it’s back and we are so very thankful for all of your help. I am absolutely sure that we were able to recover it because of the extraordinary effort at circulation from you guys…i.e., posting on fishing websites, circulating email, posters in bait shops, word of mouth etc. The response and support we received was absolutely phenomenal. People really are genuinely kind and caring!
Thank you everyone,
Bonnie and John
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I am waiting to see if they caught the culprits. Will keep you posted. Sucks but at least it is back for the most part.
BUMP
Some more info on the Shanty.
From Bonnie, “I know John would be able
to identify it. The chasis was made by Shack Rack…purchased in Buffalo, MN.”
OOPS! How the heck do you get something like that back up right and out of that hole? Is that a boat I see under that Big Green Tractor? I don’t think she thinks that Tractor is sexy anymore?
I fished the WAT and a bunch of local tournaments and have never been even close to boat no 1. Closest is 16. My partner and I have won several of these. I find that the river is big, if you prefish and know the river, you can find big fish all over, just a mater of finding them. You will always have one or two of your honey holes to yourself. Typically these river tourney go a pool up and a pool down of take off or at least one pool either way. At least the ones I have fished. I don’t think it matters either way. I just like fishing them!
There is always gonna be someone with a bigger and faster boat to beat you to a spot, thus you have numerous spots to fish. The aren’t all going to be taken. Or heck, just go fishing and have fun. Who knows you may get lucky and find some fish no one knew were there.
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=13154&posts=25&start=1
Here you are. Give us more input. You guys keep it going here and we will keep an eye on it and take your input.
Looking like a tournament this fall and then starting the trail next year.
Will do, and I see we are getting some additional input on the WF site. Thanks Guys and I think Dale’s work on this and with some volenteer help we will probably see this thing kick off next year?
Good to see you put her back. I will catch that one during Cat Fish Days now! LOL. Well maybe not. But I know she is out there and I have a chance…..
How big was the tournament field? Just a thought. If on the same weekend as the SBFD big fish tournament, I would not be able to make it. But if not that weekend of the 23-25, I know I will be there with others in tow.
Those are some nice weights. I know I might have come up to fish this one, but it conflicted with a local tournament down here that draws 400+ entrants each year. Move back one more weekend and I along with about 4 other boat or more might be up there!
If it is anything like a 2000, you have to turn your ignition on but not starting the truck and pump your gas peddle 3 times.
I see someone just beat me to the punch.
5 Fish Total Weight – 23.65 lbs
Big Fish – 7.9 lbs
Down to single digits on Sunday and below 0 both nights, I think things will tighten up a little bit until we get into the warm up next week.
As of right now, I think they are still pushing boats across the ice up there from the landing.
Yesterday afternoon the landing in Genoa was plugged with ice. Seen two guys bust there bunks while loading up after they pulled the boats out. Make sure the ice is out from under your boat when you load up. Both never knew the ice was under there. Little suprise when they unload next time. 
Blackhawk was in good shape but packed. Not much room for moving around. That will change when all that snow melts today and tomorrow from around the parking lot.
Ice flow from up by the dam started making its way down river late in the day, doc enders. South wind was keeping most of it up near the dam though. Next couples days, be careful.
Fishing was slow for us. Dad lost a pretty good one next to the boat. I forgot the net, first time out with the big rig ad the net was still in the other boat. Lots of cats south of black hawk, I bet we had 20 yesterday. All nice 2-4lb eaters too.
Be back out Thursday, Friday, Saturday and then the WAT on Sunday.
Good Luck
I fish the WAT and was down there on Sunday, still ice above the closing dame to the plant and with the cool temps, I would have to seriously doubt that it opened up in two days. I had heard it was open as well, but when I got down there on Sunday, Oh, it is still frozen shut..
I would suspect that with the 40-50 deg temps starting this weekend through next week it would be opened up. Parking Lot, A ton of snow in there to be plowed out though. We will see.
Only 14 entrys so far? $325 for a 1 day tourny now might be keeping some away. We are waiting till Friday to decide if we will fish or not.
Later and good luck.
I will be on the water Friday and the weekend so I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN ICE IS OUT!
Later
Tolden
That is the local commercial fishermans rig I believe. There is not much room to back down but you can get down. As long as people let their trailers drain off, everyone should be able to get down and up the ramp. There is a sand pile at the top of the ramp as well for your used. I also carry a big bag of salt with me every year for the early season fishing down there anyway.
Good luck and I am heading out agian on Friday.
OH, you might not want to put in a big boat though. Although I did see one alumacraft down there with a 90 on it.
AMWATSON…..Saturday? I was there on Sunday and the ramp was clear as a bell. The parking lot is not plowed out completely but there are places to park. We put in and wend down river and had 3 nice eaters to bring home.
My source, my brother-in law who works at the power plant is going to get an ear full wednesday night at archery league. He told me it was open up to the dam. I am going to give it to him big time….. Oh well, still nice to get out on the water.
I know of guys who have been fishing down there all week long. Did you try and put in? Saturday was a little colder than sunday but we made it down and in. No ice on the ramp what so ever.
I think that is all they are is rumors. People I have talked to down there is there has been no bite. I live there as well. Wont fish the place unless I was forced too.
Not sure if they even bit in Stoddard this year. That place is getting so pounded by summer and fall fishermen it is hard to imagine that there are still good numbers of big gills in there. I know that there are guys who double bad when they are on their beds and then in the fall as well. Worst thing is, they don’t even keep them, they give them all away. They just go out to catch fish all the time day after day.
Personally I have not set foot out there in two years and I live there. There are better spots to go and you don’t have to walk as far and the best thing is, there is only a select few that know of these spots or can get to them.
Have at it though.
In favor of the 10 fish bad limit like MN has. Heck 15 wouldn’t even be that bad. That is still a big meal for a family.
Tuesday they shut all the tainters and rollers but one. It ended up opening up the channel up to the dam. Prior to that you could only fish down stream from the warmwater discharge. Open now up to the dam. 
I will out there this weekend.
Genoa is open. It opened up yesterday and the landing is open as well. Weather is not looking that favorable for putting in the next couple of days though with snow and ice forcasted. Parking lot plowed. Sand pile is there for sanding the landing but the best thing is to pull your trailer up just enough so that the water can drain back into the water and not up the ramp like so many people like to do. all that does is ice it up for the next person.
Garvi, aren’t you suppose to be working?
James, you ever fish those hair jigs with a willow cat in the fall?
Garvi, started tying my own hair jigs now as well. Can’t wait till the feed bag starts, I will be throughing them all the time. Plan on using them in the WAT up in Trempealeau as well.
Pool 9 is loaded with tons of abutments along the main channel, try trolling those up stream. The walleyes are biting on Pool 9, you just have to find them.
Try pulling 3 ways with a 3/4 or 1 oz dropper and a small craw pattern or perch pattern crank as the trailer and see what happens.
Later.
I have one perticular walleye spot that is loaded with smallmouth every year. Well my partner and I took care of that. We pickled about 50 of them bronze backs over a 3 week period. Now we can finally get to the walleye and catch and release those beautiful critters. Grass Carp, who needs them anymore?
Just kidding around, but I am a reformed bass fisherman made into a walleye fisherman. Never go back to those bass again. If it doesn’t have teeth its not worth the bother. You know those bass are sissy fish when they eat pink jigs.
Later
Any idea on the girth? My fishing partner out by himself, had a 31 1/4″ last Thursday night with an 18 3/4″ girth. Getting a replica of it. Taxidermist said it should have weighed around 12-13 lbs.
In our Wednesday night tourney since the second week in May there have been 3 over 9 lbs registered as big fish and the biggest one weighed in at 10.3 lbs and was 28 3/4″ long. This past Wednesday night you needed a 7lb fish to take 3rd place. 9lb 2oz lbs 1st place, 8lbs 11oz took 2nd. Pretty much need a 7+ lb fish to get into the Money.
Either the fishery on Pool 8 and 9 is getting that much better or us fishermen are getting that much better. Ever year they just keep getting bigger.
Nice Fish Though! I love pics of big walleye!
