Guided Mille Lacs Trip 9/28/06

What’s the value of a guide?

Last Wednesday and Thursday night I was lucky enough to occupy a seat in the boat with IDA owner James Holst and Dean Marshall from Evert’s Resort outside of Redwing. Now I don’t claim to be a walleye fisherman or night walleye fisherman. But after two nights on the water with James, I feel I might have a decent chance at catching a walleye. I have to believe that some of the “tricks” he uses are so subtle that even a great walleye fisherman could put more fish in the boat after a night with James.

It was a beautiful evening with the milkyway looking like a stardust trial leading us home. It was likely leading us in the wrong direction as I gave up almost immediately trying to keep my bearings. I just sat back in my chair and left the driving to James. He told me later we were on the North end of the lake. Couldn’t prove it by me as I was lost by the time our boat was on plane.

As near as I can recall, we fished the weed edges first then the rocks both nights. (I’m not sure because the water looked the same to me in both places…wet.) It became clear that the rocks had more fish nailing our red craw, perch pattern super rouges and husky jerks then the weeds. This guides choice of rod and reels were St Croix 7-6 Tidemaster rods with Daiawa 17 lc reels. The line counter is a must as the hot zone was between 5 and 12 feet of water. We varied the line out from 80 to 120 feet out with most of our fish striking between 80 and 100 feet.

James had just rigged a brand spanking new T-8 trolling motor from Nick at LaCannes Marine in Faribault and trolling at 1.88 mph she never missed a beat! Might be the reason we hear so many good things about those T-8’s??

One key element that even I picked up on was when the wind was blowing…even slightly, we had fish on. When it was calm so was the bite. We did pick up a few chunky northerns when the wind was down.

James tought me how to land a big fish while still protecting it’s slime coat. Grab the line close to the lure and with the other hand grab just ahead of it’s tail. Try to lift your 27 incher out of the water evenly….then cradle it in your lap upside down while removing the hooks. Lift for a picture or two and back into the drink she goes. Take care of the fish and the fish will take care of you and your kids!

James said we were there a bit early for the “real” bite to start. I don’t know, I wasn’t counting the walleyes but I know I heard FISH ON! over 30 times. I guess that isn’t a “real” bite for the Pond!

James pitched this BfishN Tackle K-Grub with a silver glitter jig for a very short time with this result pictured here. Notice there isn’t a pliers anywhere in the photo?

One of the techniques that was new to me and I thought would be worth mentioning was the unhooking of one 27 incher. James had the big guy in his lap, the removed jig in one hand and the pliers in the other. He then tossed the pliers into the lake. When I asked him if that was the standard way of unhooking a fish…he gave me what has been fondly called “The Holst” look. I think that indicated that he might have wanted to toss the jig in the water….but I wasn’t going to ask…

I’ve personally never witness this many large walleyes in one boat in my life.

James, Dustin and Chris all top notch guides can be reached at www.idaguides.com I know they only have a few days left open and it is first come first serve.

From the photos and reports that were coming in from Millacs last year, this report is going to look like small potatoes in a week!

How much is a guide worth? Have you ever released a 26” walleye and said you didn’t want your picture taken with a little fish?

I have.