I finally had a Saturday free to take Cole and Austin out to spend a day on the water.We choose to go to West to look for some gills.Here is Austin with a cool looking redear.
Alot of time in late summer these gills wiil school together in deeper water.I’ve found them as deep as 40′ at times.A great bait this time of year is meduim sized leeches,the gills love them.Here is Cole with a little smallie that took his leech on the way down.
I choose to fish the old city of Milford water intake tower on the south end of West.We threw out a marker bouy on it and had to be within a few feet of it for the gills to bite.They were very neutral today with alot of lite bites for us.Here is Austin with a nice perch.
We ended up with some very nice gills and had alot of fun.The old water tower is a fish magnet,but be very carefull with bouys and anchors as it will eat everything in site if your not carefull.Austin with another nice gill.It is so fun to watch kids catch gills.
Ryan Hale
Ryan, glad to hear you finally got a little time on the water!
I’ve seen underwater pics of that tower-looks to be quite the fish magnet! There’s also an old delivery truck down there somewhere. Suppose the fish like swimming thru the cab?! 
By the way, now that you’re all practiced up, would you mind spooling some line on my reel for me
Sounds like fun–wish my name was Austin or Cole!
–Whitey
Sounds like FUN! Great way to get the kids ”Hooked On Fishing.” What are you getting for water temp this year? Last August we found some nice gills over by the motel on the west side of the bridge seperating west and east in shallower water. They are ”always” lots of fun on light action or ultra light action St. Croix rods. Gotta love those rods, so much FUN.
Anytime you can put the kids on mixed fish like that including smallies you have them hooked for life. Have the smallies started going yet down there on the rocks? Thanks, Bill
Ryan:
Job well done for you and the boys! Glad that you got some fishing time together and hope you have plenty more before the lake freezes over.
Tell those young gentlement hello for me.
Gary
As always thanks for the support and feedback on my reports from the “Iowa Gang”
Dale,that truck is in Smiths Bay area.It still has air in the tires and it will bounce around from time to time and move locations.Anytime you need that line you let me know!!
How you been Jason?
Bill,temps are in the low 70’s right now.Its too bad they put the RCL League Championships on Okoboji during that time of year(last year).The walleye bite is a tuff nut too crack during late August and early Sept during the day.
Gary,I got your e-mail-thanks.We were just talking about ice fishing the other day.
I have another guide trip on Thursday,hope to have a good report up for you guys.
Ryan Hale
Good report Ryan!
I have a curious question, have you ever explored the open water suspended walleye bite on your lake? Just wondering if there is a bite like that right now out there? Usually now is prime time when water temps are peaked!
Take Care buddy!
Are there Tullibee in the system?
Steve,no I have not but it would be a great choice to pull cranks at different levels out in the main lake.I really don’t fish eyes that much during the summer months on West Okoboji unless it’s at night.It would be almost impossible to do it with all the pleassure boats on the water.But someday I’m going to give it a try.
Scott,no tub.in the system.A big blue chub is the BEST bait for walleyes on west during the fall.Live bait rigging deep water will produce big eyes.
Thanks for the questions guys.
Ryan Hale
Ryan Hale
Ryan,
Looks like you and the boys had a great time. Can’t beat this weather we’ve been having!
Would be interesting to try handlining and cranks or better yet some mini downriggers and cranks on this lake as it has some very deep water for this part of the country.
Ever tried that Ryan? Could be fun. 
Thanks, Bill