Mike C’s boat was slipped into the water at 6 O’clock in the morning so we could make an attempt at catching a few Walleyes or Saugers for table fare. With us both having a personal slot set at 15-19 inches for the live well and everything else released, the holding tank never got wet this trip 
The first area fished was the community hole below the power plant at the mouth of the Black River. There wasn’t another boat in sight for the first half hour we were there, but it wasn’t long after and the place loaded up with boats of all sizes. Irritation started to get the best of me after being cut off by one boater twice that didn’t seem to understand the drifting sequence everyone else had going, not to start a “bash the boaters thread” 
In this community hole holding 15-25fow the only thing taking are offerings being a verity of plastics were 13inch Saugers. We did see one guy catch and release a toad of an eye and made sure to give him are atta boy on the release 
With more boats moving in and for some reason me having a hard time keeping my patience this day, it was time for new scenery
Staying with the jigs and plastics there was a lot of water covered only to receive a few short bites or a small cigar now and then. We know a lot of the reports are showing that jigs have been producing but just not for us 
It was time to change the presentation up so I threw out the suggestion of back trolling while pulling 3-ways. Mike was all for it, what a perfect opportunity for him too play with his new colored locator/GPS unit 
This is were we need to send out a big thank you too Wade Kuehl at Jolly Ann Marine & Outdoor for putting an irresistible price tag awhile back, on the Eagle Fish Elite 500C making Mike spend some of his hard earned cash too purchase us both some new electronics for his boat 
This system without a doubt helped put these nice females on the business end of the tackle to be caught, pictured, and released 
The GPS kept us spot on and at the right speed. Mike I’m sure will give you all a product review, he hogged the thing for the most part
Set up on a shelf parallel to the main channel coming out of 30fow too 15-20fow is where we found the big females staging for a rest just out of the current during there journey up river for there mating ritual. Mike scored a 24inch fish within the first 5 minutes while back trolling pulling a #7 Orange/Gold Floating Rapala, the short toothed critters liked my #5 Blue/Silver. Not too long after pictures and setting back up, Mike scored his personal best at 28inches The look on his face was priceless when he realized he had hooked into a marble eye after convincing himself he was battling a carp…..”No Buddy, that’s a Walleye”
This is when it became evident that these fish like the slower wobble of the #7’s over the faster vibration from the #5’s. Putting a #7 Black/Gold on the end of my rig finally scored a decent esox for another pictured fish 
Mr. Walleye (Mike ) though had the touch landing a 23, 24, and the PB 28inch sow. Staying at the edge of the shelf and keeping a speed of .6-.8mph while watching the GPS, and a #7 Rapala was more critical for getting a reaction bite than color.
The short fish would slam the baits taking both trebles, the pigs however would just grab the back of the bait causing the rod to load up slowly before sending a signal up the line with massive head shakes and then the first hard run. Let me tell ya, there were 2 older dudes having some fun first trip of the season on soft water
The 3-way rigs were tied to a main line of 20lb Power Pro. The dropper was 8lb mono at 18inches in length and 3-4oz lead was needed to stay in touch with bottom. The leader was 4-6feet long and 10lb SpiderWire. Using lighter line for your drop sinker will at most times keep you from loosing the whole rig when getting snagged up.
I also don’t like dragging my sinker on the bottom but like to keep it very close. Dropping the tip of the rod back now and then will let you know if you need to let more line out or not. When you feel the weight dragging bottom, reel in just enough to get the sinker running back above the river floor.
With the warming water the spawn is not far off. These plump skin busting females provided us with one of the better trips we have had in a long time. They are showing signs that they were ready to start the release of eggs anytime now. Mike and I know 4 girls that hopefully will be creating a large amount of off spring for seasons to come
Mike tried to hide the spot we picked up what would be the last 2 fish of the day with his chair , me….I like the eagle and building in the background
This stretch has always been hit and miss, a here today and back on the move tomorrow spot, we happened to hit it just right for a good finish.
Good luck fishing people 
One of 4 releases today, Great Job buddy Mike
which by the way was a carp at first 
Another pic of the 24 and Mike’s PB at 28inches…..
What a day – – WHAT A DAY!
And to think that last Saturday we were having an awesome day on late ice and then just a week later getting into these big “toads” on open water. 
Like Bret said the Eagle Fish Elite 500C that I purchased from Jolly Anne Marine in December on one of their close out specials worked beautifully – and like most guys without even reading the manual –
you know when all else fails, read the manual. Now I need to do some saving for a Lakemaster chip. The base map that is in the Eagle showed us trolling and going across land a few times and I must say that my boat trolls on land probably as good as any other boat. 
This is going to be one of the best purchases I think I’m going to make for my boat and with the Marcum LX-5 on the front trolling motor, like they say “it don’t get any better than this.” 
I was certain that 28 incher was a carp – over the years we’ve laughed so many times as we fought a fish, “oh this is going to be that wall hanger” only to turn out to be a huge sheephead or carp.
Well it may turn out to be a wall hanger yet, but as a replica. Those big girls just had to be returned to spawn. 
Just one fish like that would have been awesome in a day, for me anyways, but to catch three that size is just incredible. As they would be released we’d whisper to them to “go make lots of babies”. 
I think we may have provided a little entertainment for a few people on shore who were lucky enough to witness the two “grumpy old men” having a blast catching large eyes, dancing around the boat during the battle especially the 28 incher that took me under the boat as the wind turned us around (that always causes some chatter)
taking quick pictures and then releasing them. And Bret you are one heck of a net man. 
As Bret mentioned we witnessed one other angler catch a very nice walleye and release it. 
I sure hope most other anglers are also good sportsmen who want to ensure the future of good fishing and release these big girls as well until after the spawn. 
Now today I have to do yard work – Dangit! Good fishing everyone and be safe.
Congrats Mike on some real nice eyes. Now that your pb is in the boat try not to be such an electronics hog and let Bret play a little…..you know how he gets
Entertaining write up as usual Bret, I’m sure you’ll be keeping an eye on that spot in the future
bret, nice report. Mike congrats on the nice fish and PB. now go get a bigger one.–John
Way to wack’em Mike
Congrats on the PB AND the great day guys!!!
Nice job guys! I need to get out soon!
Holy crap! Nice report Mike & Bret.
Anyone who thought you two could only catch good fish thru the ice sure hasn’t been paying attention.
Congratulations on PB sow belly walleye Mike.
Thanks, we’re ambidextrous I guess.
What a day Mike & Bret!!! Congrats on the PB.
Way to go you guys!!! Our day at Alma was very pleasurable, but not nearly as productive. Referring to your Eagle mapping, the camp we fish out of in Canada never upgrades its mapping, probably cause there is none, but the lead guide up there has always said, “I catch most of my nicest fish on land!!!”, applies to your eagle too!!!
Mark
Nice marble eyes Mike! Bet those ladies were fun playing a little tug-a-war with
Nice Job guys! Those were some beautiful eyes!
Did you make it up as far up as the old bridge foundation, I heard there was some action there, but new underwater wood made it very snaggy this year ? nice pics nice report and nice Sheeeba… I wonder if the water temps will keep rising or drop when this next cold front comes in… should be a fisht between the cold air and the rising runoff water,
No we did not, there was plenty of boats fishing it without us getting in the mix.
The river stage for pool 8 is at 7.03 and the flow is up to 53100, still very manageable. The temp however has dropped to 39 degrees.
We are suppose to see flood stage around Wednesday or Thursday, that will make the bite tough.
One of these days I’ll pay attention and recognize you on the water. We were further north and west of the Power Plant. We tried it for a little while in the flotilla but were only catching small fish. We did have two good days there earlier in the week. Something moved them. You talk about out of control boats well we take Holly along most trips and she likes to drive the boat. That is she likes to step on my foot pedal which has an automatic control on it and if I don’t notice you might see us taking off in some horrible direction. Excuse us Holly the yellow lab coming trhough.
Now I’m not a big walleye guy as my uncle Jeff could tell you….but those are some beautys….and here i thought you two only new how to ice fish…lol jk,way to prove me wrong
