Good spring smallmouth action

Matt , Tim and I met in Grantsburg Sunday for a 10 mile float.  We were pretty sure the weather was going to cooperate and really liked that it was dead calm.  Spring is normally pretty windy so it was nice to not battle the wind - especially when it's your first time rowing a drift boat (so I can fish).

In total we had 16-18 smallmouth with I think 4 were 16 inches or bigger.  Best fish of the day was Matt's 18 incher caught on a popper.  We were moving through water at a pretty good pace and then really slowed is down the last mile and worked the shoreline.  We had to get half of our fish from that stretch.

We also landed 4 walleyes with Tim having one keeper.  We tried out the Clackin' Minnow after Pastika's had a good report with them.  It worked really well in the slower deeper stretches of the river like the shot below with Tim rowing.  But once it got to 3-4 feet or shallower they snagged pretty quickly.

Northern WI Muskie Opener

Well Muskie opens in Northern WI this weekend.  Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can get some good fishing in.  There is a 30 cubic yard dumpster being delivered (which I can't even imagine how big that is) and should keep me pretty busy among the other Memorial Day cabin chores.

The bad news is that Blake's back is acting up (the photo and been doctored).  Not only does that mean I might have to load a dumpster, etc, etc, by myself but more importantly I need someone to row the boat so I can fish a little.  Get well soon Blake.

Matt is scheduled to be the 3rd in the boat and if you just mention the word Muskie he'll be there.  Look at that mug - he is pissed he had to walleye fish at all. 

First Float of 2011

Just a quick post before I get back to work on sorting through all the Florida pics/footage (we have shark video!). 

Blake, Brian and I floated the St. Croix from Dry Landing down to Riverside.  Weather conditions were challenging to say the least - but at least the wind was at our backs.  The plan was to get a few walleyes for the gang back at the cabin and have a traditional Wisconsin surf-n-turf dinner (turf being Brats).  No walleyes but Brian got this nice smallmouth.

Tthe real news however is that Blake got his first Muskie - ever.  He got it on a Purple Descent Flat Rap size 08.  Brian had been hoping for a chance to play guide and sprung to action quickly but I think we need to work on netting technique.  Anyways - congrats are in order for Blake - now we need some bigger ones.