The Rainy River “Freak Show” is officially over today, and I’d personally like to tip my hat to the ole winding river for the great show this spring. The magnitude of the fish in large numbers we boated in the past weeks was simply jaw dropping. I would estimate we boated 200 walleyes pushing over 28 inches in length. The biggest fish for us measured in at 31 inches. As of Yesterday still half of the big fish were holding spawn. As many anglers witnessed this year our water was about 3 feet low making travel a bit dangerous in areas. Use of a Lakemaster chip can and will save some $$ on Lower unit repairs year in and year out. The Rainy river is nearly 80 miles of seemingly endless curves,bends,rapids,and pools leading from Rainy lake before finally dumping into Lake of the Woods. The Borderland “Big 3” is simply world class fishing everyone needs to experience!!
During our television shoot James and I were fortunate enough to field test a new line of plastics which is scheduled to be introduced this coming fall. Note to BfishN tackle……..Can I continute to field test…..ALL SUMMER!!! WOW!! I am very Reluctant to change up from my confidence big fish patterns, but laced one of these bad boys up. We only had 2 colors to work with, and all I can say is this is now my new favorite plastic. The action of these baits were incredible, and the body of the bait had a little more substance in which I feel resulted in so many big fish. I’ve always felt plastics = Big fish, but these were GOLD!! We both changed up plastics a number of times just for a reality check, yet eventually we found ourselves graviting right back to these plastics. Fair to say they outproduced the ringworms I’d been using 5 to 1!! That is saying something considering the big fish we’ve been on!! I boated all of my big fish during our shoot on this new line of Plastics from BfishN. Those big girls were hitting it so hard I nearly lost my rod a couple times. I can’t imagine what will happen when the full line of color combinations are available.
We once again found our best results long casting diagonally down current with 1/2 oz H20 Precision jigs laced up with these new plastics. Often times anglers will over fish the presentation when in heavy current. Anglers simply need to maintain contact with your bait when working a deadly plastic like these in order to detect the strike. I feel braided line is a must to get hook sets with a bow in your line. A slight lift, and drop is sufficient allowing the current to provide the action. We found ourselves fishing a sandy area with some small scattered rocks. After making several casts we were able to detect a slight rock spine that ran adjacent to our boat position. On the near side of the spine the depth dropped a foot or two in which held a slightly stronger current push. Needless to say the Big Mamas were waiting to ambush their prey just on top of the ridge line where the current wasn’t quite as strong. When the jig would become lodged into the rubble a simple snap or lift would free the bait allowing it to be washed down river. By keeping some tension on your line you can keep the bait pointing up stream maximizing your strikes from a simple realistic swimming action of your bait. When fishing these presentations effectively you simply wore your wrists out on these big shouldered gals!! I believe we taped 3 fish at 30 inches for the show with a boatload of 28-29’s!! No dipping the hands in the minnow bucket, and you simply would not have been able to reach many of the fish trying to sling a jig and minnow combination.
I’d like to once again personally like to thank both James and Mark (Camera Stud) for the awesome 2 day excursion chasing these MONSTER MARBLE EYES!! Fishing was once again amazing, and the fun we have in the boat is simply priceless. I felt bad for Mark as he sits back at times and watches the beatdown on these big fish, and I can imagine the agony not wetting a line at times!! (OK no I don’t….I was LOCKED IN!!) From here We’ll be shifting our monster fish efforts to Rainy Lakes “Girthy Gators” in which we fully expect to put a hurt on for several weeks. We’ll see you on the water Team!! We’ll be the boys with the net out!!
Few other fish that wanted facetime on IDO!!
Get your dates locked up for next year!!
That’s just great. More giant walleyes from the Rainy River to drool over. You guys aren’t just putting the hurt on a bunch of big fish, you’re putting some serious hurt on guys like me who wish we could be there as well.
Awesome fish Chris & James!
I’m definitely envious.
p.m. – Would love to field test a few of those new plastics on post spawn walleyes coming back down to Lake Wisconsin over the next few weeks.
LOL!! Get up here next year Joel. The river bite can swing greatly day to day with the many variables effecting the flow and clarity, but I try help people stay on top of things.
Do you remember back in the day when those 2 guys tried to buy all the silver?? Thought they could monopolize the silver market buy owning it all?? I’m going to do the same thing with this new line of plastics!!
Oh by the way….Those boys ran out of the $$ to do so, and trust me even though I’d like to keep them all to myself I highly doubt it will happen. 
They are KILLLER Joel. KILLER!! I am a big ringworm/paddletail lover in the river, and these plastics outproduced both of these 5 to 1 easily. Your gonna love them as much as the big walleyes do!! 
Yup. Definitely gonna have to take that advice right there.
Those new B-n-F plastics look great, obviously fished that way too..
The Spring run is all over Flatfish ending at midnight yesteday. I’m experiencing “The Morning After” like effects from the true paradigm of spring walleye angling. The action was so outstanding it is almost depressing to see it come to an end. Fortunately we’re able to drown our sorrows for a few weeks hooking up Gators the size of Dolphins before the Minnesota fishing opener as our Pike are open all year. I absolutely kid you not….My right forearm is sore from holding these fish as the dogged down into the Rainy river current. Whomever said Walleyes don’t fight had quite obviously NOT tangled with any of these borderland Tankers. James and I seemingly were found shaking our heads in disbelief as the “Freak Show” went on and on. Towards the end we didn’t even make a move towards the net out for the little 28’s anymore, but rather scooped them up by ourselves as the other braced himself for more boat rocking hooksets!!
Special fish, Special Bite, and Special memories from another Epic fishing adventure in Borderland!! 
lol…Put me on a largemouth show and I would rather run the camera but this was down right painful to spectate.
Great time as always to be in the boat with you guys this week!
Sorry for all the tail splashes on the lens Pal!! Those big girls certainly were “Behaving Badly” Hmnnn…..Sounds like a fishing show for Walleye addicts. Might have to get permission from the wife to attend the event again!!!
Nice work to all involved! Pictures, video, story-line……none of it comes together without everyone firing on all cylinders. GREAT pictures, great fish, and great writing Chris!
Joel
WOW!
Chris,
Once again, simply awesome!
All I can say guys is….. WOW! Great pics!
Layne Monroe
Chris,
Great report and pics,
Just Awesome…..
Now let’s get going on some Pike…
You’ll never get rich chasing us around with camera gear but there are some perks to being the IDO Camera Guy! Here’s a few from the last shoot. These should give people an idea of how good this bite was. Mark’s fishing time is really quite limited and he still boated some awesome fish!
Heck that’s a lifetime of Trophy walleye fishing for many anglers!! Not just a few Lunchbreak slings!! Great fish Mark!! (Camera Stud)
Now that looks like fun! Nice job guys and am looking forward to the show. Someday I will have to get up there. Congrats!
Simply amazing
Awesome fish guys
I can’t wait to see that show
Thanks guys!! Show should be pretty enjoyable!! If half as fun as the fishing it will tremendous!! Definately want to add this trip to your list of Monster Walleye Excursions!! I’m quite certain the show might help push you over the edge!!