Rainy Lake, Minnesota fishing report 8-13-10

This summer on Rainy Lake has had me thinking of campaigning the fishing industry for a much needed energy drink geared exclusively for hardcore anglers like us. I suppose until someone comes up with one we’ll be forced to slam our morning "Amp" in preparation for Tank Time on Rainy Lake. As a 38 year old FFM (Fish First Man) it seems I grew up listening to the stories of years past. Geese in such large numbers hunters were always outnumbered. Stringers of 3lb crappies. Walleyes 8lbs or less were considered dinks…….. You smell what I’m stepping in. Still I simply can’t help but feel I’m launching the "Daze Fish Casket" into the waters of years past every morning. The absolute untamed wilderness teaming with trophy caliber fish has turned a boyhood dream into a modern day reality on a daily basis. I’ve frequently been asked if the initial luster has dulled in the day to day grind while being a fishing guide?? Passion is Passion, and although everyone needs another sip of an energy drink every now and then the overall shine of fishing along side people that are so much like myself hasn’t lost even the slightest sparkle!! I may add that in my experience people attract people like themselves throughout there life. Thus might explain why I continuously get anglers that live and breath fishing!! I LIKE THAT!!

I hope as modern day anglers here in the midwest we all come to grips with absolute spectacular natural resources we have in our backyards. Although I’ve chose to hang my stinky fishing bibs on the shoreline of Rainy Lake we have many outstanding fisheries to explore. Fellow "Bait Huckers" simply don’t have enough days in the year to fish it all!! With that being said I’ve always felt there is a lot of truth in the old theory of "a day on the water or day afield will add a week to your life" My wife aka "FishingQueen" isn’t all that keen of my potential 125 year lifespan!! The otherday she asked when I leave for Deer Camp?????? My guess would be I’m a lock to have my face pasted on the Smuckers jar on the Today Show!!

Ok……thats it for the "Lucky Enough" Rah!! Rah!!. Rainy Lake has simply been outstanding, and with risk of sounding like a broken record here we go. I’d like to focus a little reality into this report. With that being said I want to be sure to clarify that pinning down the right pattern is still crucial to anglers success. Your not slipping your personal "Fish Casket" into a 400 acre lake with one lone deep hole. 220,000 acres can challenge even the most sophisticated of walleye fisherman. TRUST ME I KNOW, AND AM HUMBLED TOO!! The difference between a 10 fish day, and a 50 fish day isn’t as far off as you might imagine. This magnificent fishery is stuffed full of structure that makes most walleye fisherman drool in their morning coffee. Still when many anglers arrive to our local fishing resorts there is a common feeling of overwhelming SHOCK when looking at our fishery firsthand. Effectively eliminating dead water will likely take more than the weekend, and effectively eliminating your lower unit can make this a daunting task for even the most experienced paddler. Rainy Lake is predominately a SAFE TRAVEL lake, but a general understanding of where and where NOT to blast through is a highly advised insurance policy for newcomers to Borderland.

I am working deep edges this time of year along with certain mid-lake structures. I would by no means suggest that it is as easy as locatin mid-lake structure and catching fish. Depending on prevailing winds certain pieces of structure tend to outproduce others on a given day. Winds from previous days will tend to hold concentrations of fish even when the winds switch the day of your outing. Keep in mind Walleyes, Pike, Smallies and Crappies have one thing in mind right now. EATING!! They WILL position themselves over the largest abundance of food. Our job as anglers simplified is to locate the largest concentrations of forage, and imitate this the best we can!!

Yes I’ll make no bones about the fact that I work H20 Precision jigs all season, but also will point out there are multiple presentations that effectively turn fish during the heat of summer. I like to work jigs because I feel it allows me precision control while following the irregular contours of the structure that is holding fish. Over my years of working jigs I have been able to effectively decipher jagged rock to gravel to mud transitions through the sensitive tip of my St. Croix rods. Very often the distinctive mud/gravel lines or Large chunk rocks to mud will be key holding grounds for Rainy Lake Lunkers. Over the last 3 weeks I’ve worked 2 seperate feeding shelf patterns. The first being a 20-28 feet ledge, and the second being the deeper shelf 32-42 feet. I haven’t been able to tag a rhyme nor reason for the location of these fish. I will say however I work those bites entirely different with my retrieves. I’ll leave that to your imagination!! Most of the time the sought after eater sized fish have been slightly removed from our slot fish, and often time that is out of personal well being. Looking for a meal is not far off from becoming a meal on the waters hosting daily "Deadliest Catches". Bait Soakers looking to hold "Hot Oil Baths" for lunch during their trip need to mobilize their fishing carcass to the target fish of there personal choice!! We currently have an abundant class of 2005 walleyes that are in the 12-13 inch size which of makes our future look very bright!!

Lastly 3/16 oz jigs are where it is at in my book. A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO BfishN Tackle for stamping the 3/16 on the back of these jigs!! There is NO SUBSTITUTE!! If you take 1 thing out of my report I will promise you a 1/4 oz. jig is most always a bit heavy on Rainy Lake unless your clicking your ruby slippers together in the face of the fury of "Ma Nature" Without exception anglers that fish with me lace up a 3/16 oz. jig and have eyes hold the bait that split second longer which can be often times be the difference between posing with your Tank on IDO on my fishing reports, or launching brand new St. Croix out of the boat on yet another missed hookset.

I have SELECT October smackdown Slab/Walleye combo trips still up for grabs prior to trading in your Magic wand for that Heat Seeking Rifle that can reach out and TOUCH!! Also it would be wise to round up the boyz for our early ice Freak Walleyes as those dates are now about 1/2 full.

We’ll see you on the water team!! We’ll be the boat with the Frabill out!!