As 2003 comes to an end we anxiously wait and hope that 2004 is even better. For all of you that visited us this year we would like to say thanks for all the great memories and for all the great stories we shared together. We met lots of friends in 2003 and we hope that 2004 will bring us even more. With all the great memories in 2003 I thought I would share some with everyone.
My goal this last year was to educate my clients. Not to just go out and show them spots to fish, but to let them understand why we were fishing these spots and why we were here one week or month and not the next. By educating my clients they would have the tools necessary to go out and produce some quality walleyes on their own. Nothing feels better when you get to be part of a customer first or biggest walleye ever. Take a look at some of the pictures that follows this year-end report. For pictures of my self click on my In Depth Angling Photo Album. In-Depthangling.com Photo Album
2003 started out in perfect fashion. The first day of the New Year was spent with a couple good friends, Dustin Stewart and Rob Stevens. We decided the only way to break in the new year right was to be the first one on the river and provide pictures of the first walleyes of the new year. This day was the day for me to see the ringworm really shine, since I was more of hair jig man. I threw hair this day and caught fish but had nothing compared to what the guys throwing ringworms. This really built by confidence up on these plastics and has been in my go to bait for my customers. This is where my ringworm addiction problem stemmed from. Thanks Dustin .Take a look at the pictures below of our first day of 2003.
Since pool 5 was still froze up in January most of our time was up on pool 4 in the beginning of the year. Once the crowd started showing up on pool 4 we headed back down to the calmer waters of pool 5. The action down here this past spring was just awesome for quality fish. Big fish honors went to my brother Terry. I set Terry up on one of my favorite fishing spot and on the first cast nailed this pig walleye in April. This walleye came off a sand flat just above one of my favorite wingdams. This fish weighed 11 lbs. 2oz. and was 30 inches long. However March seemed to be the best month this year. We were able to boat over 20 walleyes over the 7lb class and 99% of them were released back into the river to meet someone’s line another day. Dylan had second big fish honors with this walleye weighing just fewer than 12lbs. This walleye was shorter than Terry’s but was seemed to be stuffed full of footballs. Brian Kartos also had big fish honors with these walleyes he got in March with us. These two walleyes came off of FisherFlick jigs while casting to a rocky point on pool 5. The last picture is of Dave Meyer holding a couple of incredible pool 4 walleyes he got. Dave had the hot hand this day. This day was spent up on pool 4 while pitching a sand flat with ringworms. If I remember right the purple with white tail ringworm was the hottest this day. Please see additional pictures of our customer from this spring after this report.
After spring we headed back onto Lake Pepin to follow those post spawned aggressive walleyes back into Lake Pepin. May, June and July saw us trolling FAST with #5 shad raps along flooded riprap and sand flat shorelines near funneling areas into the river. 2 and 3 man limits of eater walleyes were pretty common this year. However, June of this year was awesome on the wingdams near Wabasha. Casting the face of the wingdams with deep diving crank baits like Bomber A’s, Downdeep rattlin raps, and Wally divers was awesome. However our live bait presentation saw more quality walleyes.
As September came on my tournament fever kicked in. Knowing I had two big tournaments- Masters Walleye Circuit and the RCL Championship- coming to town I decided to take a break from guiding and focus more of my time looking for tournament fish. I am glad I did because it really paid off for me this year again. See my Tournament Report here. You will see 4 walleyes weighing in at 22-lbs. 6 oz.
Once fall rolled around the big plastic bite started happening. Most of my action was on pool 4 again pitching riprap shorelines and rocky points. Ringworms, Kalins, and Super Doo’s from B-fish-N tackle became my bread and butter. If fact, I went through entire fall not using any live bait what so ever. This was something I had never done before. When thinking about it, why would I want to stick my hands in a bucket of cold water anyway? Check out some of this years fall pictures after this report.
[p]Once again I would like to thanks everyone that visited us this year. We had a blast and will have memories that will last a lifetime. We would also like to thank our sponsors. With out them they can’t make this happen. St. Croix Rods for providing one of the best rods on the Market. Every customer really enjoyed every rod. B FISH N Tackle for providing some great plastics. Oh yeah, thanks to you guys I know have a plastic addiction! Lund Boats for providing us with a great ride that made everyone felt like they were riding in the Cadillac of boats. Evinrude Outboards for taking us from one place to next in the best and fastest fashion.
We can’t forget www.in-depthangling.com. They gave us to the opportunity to meet some of best people and to make a lot of new friends. Thank you.
Click on pictures for better viewing.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
This was our first day on the water for the year 2003. Thanks Dustin and Rob for the great memories.
Like I mention in the report March was on fire for us here on pool 5. Here is a picture of Jake and Sam with some of their fish they caught this March day.
John Freeman also had the hot rod this same week in March. Nice fish John.
Perry Dahl also the hot Stick in March.
April came along and the sauger were going crazy on pool 4 for Mike jungwirth.
Andy Loos from Winona boated this walleye in April fishing with us on pool 5.
Scott Smith with one his walleye he caught with us on pool 4 in April.
Rick Bryson nailed this fish while trolling with me on Lake Pepin.
June came around and the wingdams in Wabasha lit up like a christmas tree. Dave Meyer again with his 25″ walleye.
August saw some good action on lower Pool 4 on the wingies and on the rip rap. Here is Steve Meisner with his first walleye ever.
Even though our bass guide,Dylan, hates to admit it, he can catch walleyes. It must of been tough for you Dylan to land such a quality species of fish. Dylan nailed this walleye on the lower end of pool 4 while fishing for smallies. This one was 28″.
End of September saw me prefishing for tournaments. This was the results. Third place in the RCL walleye Championship on Pool 3 and 4. $16,000 for the wife of course These 4 fish weighed 22lbs. 6 oz and put me in first place on day 1.
Finally this year ended with one great plastic bite on pool 4 in Red Wing. B-Fish-N tackle’s ringworms and Kalins were the hot item. Saugers and walleyes were everywhere and willing to bite. Here is Tom Gursky with a couple of pool 4 walleyes we caught.
Once again thanks for everyone that visited us. Not everyone was able to make the high lights for 2003 but we hope that next year will be even better. I do manage to catch a few walleyes for myself each year too, but you will have to see those in my photo album.
Have a safe and Happy Holiday from everyone at River Guiding Services.
Jarrad:
Great report, pictures, the whole deal!!! Keep me informed about the fishing just after the first, I will not be able to make your first trip though as I will have 20 or so friends and family in Minocqua for our annual New Year’s ice fishing bonanza!!! Hopefully lots of pics for fishthe lake!!!
Mark
Jarrad
Well that is definitely a year’s worth of great walleye pics. Thanks for sharing buddy. Happy holidays to you and your family Jarrad.
Gator Hunter
Thanks for all the good info. Jarrad. I really like seeing the pictures you post. If i can’t be there atleast i can see whats going on.
Nice Season Summary!!! Those are some great pics and they bring back a lot of great memories from 2003. Good luck in 2004 – I’m sure I’ll see you on the river… LOL
hi Jarrad,
very good report, and quite a pictorial highlight through your year, congrats on the RCL 3rd, always pays to practice. were you throwing shallow plastics for your bigger bigger. 2004 is right around the corner, can’t wait.
thanks again, and have a Great Holiday. Jack.
Nice Report Jarrad, great pics. I see Dustin isn’t getting any better looking
Great wrap up report/post Jarrad. Am looking forward to your 2004 Pool 5 reports next year. Pool 5 is a great fun pool to fish and has some really nice hogs in it that you proved are there. Plan to get down there more in 2004 as I had fun on that pool when I was fishing there this year. Thanks, Bill
I loved the report Big Guy! I am really looking forward to pitchin and grinnin next spring with you. We’ll take my C-liner next time and I’ll get MY fingers froze!
Jack,
If you were referring to the RCL tournament I was throwing Crankbaits along a short piece of riprap. #7’s. Can’t remember the color or type. Have a safe and happy holiday.
Jarrad, It took me awhile to get around to fully reading your report.Great report and a great year for you. I know you worked hard for the success you got and I hope do you as well this coming year.Merry Xmas to you, Lana,Austin and “Gordon” from your uncle Pick
A really great read… thanks!
Dave
Jarred,
I know your post and all those great pics are from last year. but they are still fun to look at all over again. Did Dylan get anymore Walleye this year. see you again on the water. Jack..