After 4 days away from home it feels good to sit down and put up a few fishing reports for those who like to see how things are going in Nw Ia.I’ll have many pics to follow-so enjoy.After my guide trip Sat. it was time for me and the boys to see what we could do with a little time on the water.The water temps are still very high for this time of year so the panfish were are target.It wasn’t long and Cole connected with a nice gill.
We found a active school of gills in 15′ of water.The winning ticket was a Pilkie tipped with a waxworm.After we ran out of live bait we went with Gulp! wigglers and Honey Worms Powerbait.The gills didn’t care what we put in front of them and what a fun time.The boys were using 5′ UL Lighting Rods and what battles followed!!Here is Austin and I with a nice double.
The key to findning West O gills in the summer and fall are the weedlines.Find some weeds,anchor,and vertical jig over the top of them with the lure of your choice.It also helps to have a dog named Pete as boat captain.
I wanted to find active perch while I was on the water and we did find a few.The water temps need to start to drop and they should go on a good fall bite.Here is Cade with a West O. perch.
More pics to follow.
Take care and best of luck.
Yesterday Brian M. and Jim P. joined me for a few hours.They had a little time to kill so they jumped in the boat with Austin and I.Brian and his family came by the campfire for a night of food and fun Sat night also.We were up way too late,and eat way too much,but did not drink way too much
Brian brought some deer loin that was just awesome.Hard to beat good friends and food over the fire isn’t it?
We fished shallow rocks for a few hours and caught a few fish.It wasn’t the best bite but we had fun.Brian caught a few nice smallies,plus we got into the panfish again.
Here is Brian with a smallie.Please remember at 6’5″ 250 #’s Brian makes any fish look small!!
Even I get lucky ever once in awhile.
Ryan Hale
After a few hours in the rocks we moved into a 8′ weedline and had some great fishing.Jim Parks had the hot stick at this time and put alot of gills in the boat.It was the first time Jim had used Fireline and it took a little time for him to get used to it.We caught alot of small fish but got into some big gills also.Here is Austin with a bull gill.
Ryan Hale
You might be asking why Austin isn’t in school?? Because he was fishing with me!!!!
Hope you have enjoyed the fishing reports this year.We have had a great year.
I want to thank all my sponsors,guide clients,and friends that have spent time on the water with me this year.
And to my boys who have grown into some fine anglers.
Austin with another gill.
Ryan Hale
Nice report and pics Ryan! Good to see the kids taking after their dad!
Always love hearing your reports Ryan. Great to see you and the boys have such a good time on the water!
–Whitey
Excellent report Ryan sounds like a great way to spend a few vacation days. Austin clean me up a few of those gills and send em my way!! I didn’t see Cole in any of the pictures? Is he still chasing after that one little girl you were telling me about?
I bet that loin was tasty Brian M. should get out of the construction business and open a resturant. Nothing but wild game and fresh fish!!
Great report Ryan. Austin Jake says hi.
Todd,Cole is in the first pic.As of now he still has a little time to fish with the “ole man”.Char said 3 calls from her last night.We cleaned around 75 gills/perch.
Ryan Hale
nice post ryan glad ya are enjoying the vac.thought i’d remind ya only 5 more days and back to the whole we call work,enjoy the rest of the week see ya mon
Nice gills Austin!
Nice gills boys!
Nice fish guys.
With the boat traffic down quite a bit it should be better fishing and alot less rock-n-roll from waves on the big lake. Anytime you can catch nice smallies and gills I’m sure you have anxious fishing partners [the boys] for sure. 
Thanks, Bill
Smiles are great, gills are awesome. Thanks
The kids outfish the old man again???
Great reports and great pics!!!! There is nothing like spending quality time on the water with friends, family, and good people. I really look forward to getting up there a couple of times this winter to chase those fish! You really do have great kids…..glad your tendencies havent rubbed off on them yet
goody
Ryan, looks like ya had a blast! Myself and the Ice Queen were up this last weekend givin it a whack also witrh similar results. Did find a GREAT and I mean GREAT perch and big crappie bite going on south end of little spirit btw. Dont know if your headed up this coming weekend, but if ya are gimme a ring and Ill get more specific o0n the location. Good job as always with the post andf hope to share some ice with ya soon. John
Ryan:
Good to see that you and the boys caught some good fish! I still hope to get up to that area while the good bite is on.
It’s a good thing that Austin is skipping school to fish or this old teacher would be upset.
Take care and hope to see you on the water/ice yet this year.
Ryan, would you take a 48 year old boy out fishing? I get my own note to get out of school!
Nice fish guys!