Chris shares an update on conditions and changes in fish location. At the end of the video he shows how to fillet a whitefish.
I thought I’d post this here before doing a common mass email to our customer base. Here is simple listing of our last openings we have for either fully guided trips or Small Permanent house rentals for this December on THE…….RAINY LAKE!!. PRIME TIME BABY!! Looking for a place for the “COME ON MAN!!”
Dec 10-13 (Sat-Tues)
Dec 17-18 (Sat-Sun)
Dec 20-23 (Tues-Fri)
Dec-27th (Tues)
Gentleman/Iceheads this year you can design your trip on multiple levels to best fit your needs. The most common trip still remains a fully guided Big fish Excursion. A fully guided trip has us hunkered down on proven big Walleye and Pike locations as the sun rises either in Otter Portable houses or one of our multiple smaller Satelite shacks. This year we’ve purchased 4 additional small 5×7 Permanent houses that will allow us further options to get after those big Rainy Lake Tankers in comfort. Don’t worry you can still tell your Gal your truly roughing it “MANLAND” while ripping lips on both monster walleyes and pike in first ice conditions… …..IN YOUR T-Shirt!! Expect first ice to have a mix of Big Walleyes, Monster Pike, Shorelunch candidates “Hot Oil Bath Contestents”, and a mix of perch/other odds and ends such as (Whitefish, Tullibee,Sauger….). Last years our biggest Walleye is now featured on the front page of Otter Outdoors Website.
http://www.otteroutdoors.com/
This magnificent Walleye was caught during the highly touted “first ice period” taping 30 on the bones, and truly a “Girthy Grandma” looking for another meal. She throttled my Vertiglo Lighting spoon with a minnow head in a mere 8 f.o.w. at dusk. My fingers would attest to the fact that she still owned a few sharp teeth though as I slid this beast out of my 8 inch hole with my line wrapped around the Marcum Transducer!! Many 26-28.5 inch fish were landed by customers last season, and of course we always strive for better results moving forward. Rumor has it we also have riduculous sized pike that are simply speaking, very angry as the first ice forms on this big Candian shield fishery. During the 2010/11 ice fishing season alone we landed 3 pike OVER the massive 20lb threshold. We had one group land a 36, 37.5, 38.5 and 42 inch pike on the same day. Oh BTW they also ice a “Ho-Hum” 28 inch walleye acting as sort of a “Cherry On the top” of the Big fish Sundae. I assure you a 20lb Northern Pike is extreme combat through a mere 8 inch hole. Lord knows I’ve nearly lost a digit or two holeside.
We transport our customers with Atv’s, Sleds or trucks all depending on what Mother Nature throws our way (Heck We’ll carry you if need be) BTW We charge by the LB, and the “Fishing Queen” is currenlty in conditioning. We knock out your holes (SOLO FAST) and warm your home for the day. We make sure your set up with what you need for the best chance to land one of our trophies for your wall. As always Replica’s are suggested versus skin mounts. Rainydaze Theory; A 20lb pike released can grow to 30lbs. A 20lb pike brought home will likely shrink before making it your local taxidermist. Still it is YOUR Trophy!!You’ve earned it baby!! Bring a flasher or we’ll make sure you have one. I promise I won’t pick on you if you aren’t staring down Big Red!! Your obligations…. Bring a walleye rod (I will help you make sure it is laced up properly)!! Bring Camera!! Stretch out so you don’t pull a “Hammy” when your chasing that flag seemingly ready to elevate off the ice!! Chest bumps and excessive celebrations must be made after photo sessions otherwise risk penalty from the Lurking followers of many online mediums.
This year groups up to 20 anglers can be taken!! The Queen when reading this covered her eyes after that statement. When figuring out trip costs these trips are suprisingly affordable on a per-man. Special note; Many of our guided trips this season may be filmed as well. Be nice to the Camera Gal, she makes my sandwiches each day. In years past many of our customers have mentioned they liked our many short articles following their trip featuring big fish. Many of our customers family and friends have been directed to “In Depth Outdoors” to see their mugs holding freak fish. Never being completely satisfied; This year we PLAN on taking this one step further. How about just a little Footage of the “Coldest show on earth”!! Television quality camera gear, microphones and editing software….But just for fun. You’ll be back at your office after your Rainydaze experience with office buddies; “Oh here I am catching a Monster Walleye!!” More to come on that later!! Back to “YOUR TRIP”. I’m easily sidetracked.
For the guys that have it all and simply want a small perm. for their buddies/Wife/Girlfriend/Kids/Grandma/Dog…….. We’ve got you covered as well Team. I’ll knock out the holes and heat up your shack, shake your hand an tip my hat to ya. I will most likely be guiding another group, so to be perfectly frank……….”Hand Holding” will not be included plus they will probably be sore from my annual Pike stitches. What I normally will do is get you on the ice……..EARLY. Holes knocked out with some enhanced vision of what you may want to do at different times during the day. You can either have us transport you or provide your own ATV/Sled.
We can further assist you with lodging at local resorts or Hotel/Motels.
I know it is early (Well not anymore I guess), but each season our guide schedule is locked up earlier. If you would simply stop catching big fish we could likely remedy this issue. Our customer base coming from IDO is simply a great group of guys. I love to kind of……Keep it in the family so to speak.
Crappie trips……BETTER BE QUICK. We have about 12 days open. They run from the 2nd week in Feb. until the 1st week in April. Rumor has it we might catch a few big slabbers on those trips. We’re honored to have one of our SUPER TANKERS……Or more commingly referenced “Donks” grace the front cover of Otter Outdoors 2011/12 Catalog this season. James Holst and I were filming that day in frankly a “Snowstorm”. What a fun day and what a monster slab!! Easy 2lbs right there boys!! Last year we landed another 22 Crappies OVER 15 inches. We had one customer land a 15 3/4 then 16 1/4 BACK TO BACK (Not to shabby Brad!!)…….Yep their coming back.
Here are a couple links hot enough to melt a hole our first ice locations; Kick back….Grab a cup of Joe….Slip on your Snosuit, open the door to your Otter Portable,Set up your Marcum flasher, Drill a hole through the living room floor with your Strikemaster SOLO, Hang a lightning spoon from your cap, and place a firm grip your Thorne Bros. Perch Sweetheartand repeat after me; first ice tankers….first ice TANKERS….first ICE TANKERS….FIRST ICE TANKERS!!
Stay Thirsty My Friends!!
MONSTER FIRST ICE WALLEYES!!
MONSTER PIKE!!
MONSTER CRAPPIES!!
http://www.idofishing.com/videos/viewvid.php/Number/829282/icing-slab-crappie-on-rainy-lake
Here are a few commonly asked questions I might be able to save you a bit of time with;
How many fish will we catch? IDK
How BIG of fish do you think I’ll Catch? IDK…..Oh Here we go “COME ON MAN”
What are the chances my group will catch a trophy fish? Well I’m including a sampling of some of our customers from last year that can answer that one.
Fishing for trophy caliber fish simply is NOT an exact science; Our customers will commonly here me say Most groups will get a shot at a true monster and likely a few. NOW enticing that fish, Slamming home the Barb, Fighting the fish effectively to the hole……..Each angler will play a KEY role in……..CATCHING a trophy.
Here is the Mission statement from Rainydaze Guide service. Also referenced as the Hottest Show on Ice!! We strive to provide our customer with the knowledge to succeed and the positioning on the lake to best enable an angler the chance at a trophy caliber fish.”
Rainy Lake fish are not caged. There is no “Bow on a Show” television productions. You will likely NOT take a 5 gallon pail of 13 inch walleyes back to the resort. We don’t aim for that, and don’t specialize in it. Still if your an angler who seeeks a chance at elite caliber fish that will test out your equipment you’v found your home. The door is open for a few select
December dates…..Come on in.