What a tough bite for me and a few other anglers on Spirit Lake.At this time last year we were boating 75-100 walleyes a day.But this year I still cannot get a good pattern going on them.My 3 boys and wife joined me for a few days of relaxing/fishing.The youngest boy Cade likes to help Dad in the boat and was a good little helper.Here he is working the Aqua-View looking for some fish for his older brothers.
There are still alot of gills and bass around the many docks on West Okoboji.If you spend enough time working the docks you should be able to catch enough fish to keep in interesting.Here is Cade with his first West O. largemough bass.Great job Cade!
The highlight of the week-end was spending it with my good friend Gramps from IDA.He and I fished hard for 2 days but never did get the best pattern figured out.Here is Gramps with a fine Spirit Lake smallie.
We did have a little excitement on Sat. when a fish took off on a run with a leech.After a good fight and alot of fun a big drum came to the side of the boat.We were hoping for the new state record smallie but that’ll have to wait for another day.Here is Austin with the drum.
It was a great week-end.Gramps cooked my wife and I one of the best meals we have ever had anywhere.Pork,sweet corn,and salad,all around the campfire.It was awesome!! We also had a few drinks and spent some time with one of the nicest people I have ever met.My boys now have another Grandpa.Thanks Gramps.Cole and Austin fished hard all week-end from the boat and off shore.Cole caught the only legal eye of the trip.
Best of luck to all.
Ryan Hale
Looks like an Excellent way to spend Father’s day. Gramps is a great guy met him at Brushy fun guy to hang out with.
Nice Drum Austin!!
really? sad…
oops sorry i read it wrong
Nice report Ryan. Good to see you spending a bunch of time on the water. Have the smallies got going on Okoboji?
Ryan, I want to thank you and your wonderful family for a very enjoyable weekend. Don’t you guys kid yourself. Ryan and Char fed me far better than I fed them. They took me in like family and made me feel very welcome. I got to spend a couple of days fishing with Cole in my boat. Let me tell you, this 12 yr. old will hang with the best. You’ll go a long ways to find a better fisherman for his age. Ryan’s a very good guide and I would recommend him to anyone. He’ll work his tail off to get you on fish, even when they don’t really want to cooperate. We did catch some fish, and I know he was a lot more disappointed in the results than I was. And yup, little Cabe is just what every Grandpa loves to have around. He’ll keep you in stitches that’s for sure.
Austin is steady eddy on the fishing also. He worked like crazy to catch fish just like his big brother. I think the word in the Hale family must be, “if your line isn’t in the water, you can’t catch fish.”
Thanks again to the Hale’s for weekend that I won’t soon forget. Your the best!!
Gramps
Nice work Ryan
Jeff, I know Ryan’s job is to guide, the best way he knows how. Through good fishing times and bad fishing times. Anyone can look like a million bucks when the fish are hittin’. I think the measure of a guide is how he handles the “tough” bite. Well let me tell you, Ryan Hale knows how to handle the tough times. There was no wasted time on the water. He asked me about techniques that I wanted to learn and showed me how he did certain things. Which, by the way I learned from. He even showed me some knot technics a couple days after our guide trip and spent a good share of time doing so. You just know he loves what he does. I know your company is one of his sponsors. He has a certain way of getting that across without being overboard with it. It just so happens that I’m already a customer. Doesn’t hurt to run into someone to reinforce that fact. Ryan is an asset to your company. He doesn’t even know I’m saying this stuff about him. It would be above his character to request me to do so. I’ve just taken it upon myself to “toot” his horn. Your advertising adorns the side winddow of his vehicle and he’s pretty fired up about your jigs.
Gramps
Gramps,your WAY too nice!!! Had a great time,Char wants to make it a annual event.Thanks for the kind words,it means alot to me.
Mike F,were starting to get a few smallies,caught about 10 today on West.Report to follow.
Ryan Hale
Dandy sheephead Austin – bet that one gave you a good battle for a while! I didn’t realize you guys had them out in the IGL – thought we only had to deal with them on the ‘sippi! Good report Ryan. Chuckles