Hot off the presses! If you’re looking for good ice and BIG-TIME fun… Chris shows us how it’s done!
Filmed on Rainy Lake, Mn – December 22, 2011. Chris Granrud explains how he picks a prime location on Rainy Lake when targeting main lake walleyes and saugers.
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.
Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Grandpa and Grandma………. let us officially welcome in the highly touted fall fishing in “Borderland”!! After a simply brilliant summer chasing Walleyes, Smallmouth,Pike and Crappies here on Rainy lake it is hard for some to imagine fishing might get better before ice up. To clarify “Better” seldom will your overall numbers of fish increase from our awesome July and August fishing, but I assure you the chance of tangling with the “Beast” has been greatly enhanced with the Cool Northern flow of air. If your a guy or gal looking to topple your old “PB” lace them up and point your truck NORTH. I’ve always said when many guys opt to trade in their “Magic wands” of the water for the “Smoke Poles” of the woods it is “GAME” ON for the elite fish of Rainy lake. The Moose are rutting, birch leaves are turning and Bucks are getting angry!! Pack your Bibs and bring the warm sweatshirts, and don’t be too proud to pack the Snosuit. Fall fishing can find you soaking baits on the most beautiful sunny days, or it can live up to the billing of a fishing trip to “Manland”. The best days I can remember over the years found our crew wearing gloves, and hats along with our Snosuits while in transport to our fishing locations. LETS ROLL!!
Our guide service has clearly focused attention on both Crappie and Walleye patterns during the fall period for several years. We find both of these species deep and shallow allowing us to retreat from the main basin water should “Mother Nature” have a grumpy day. Anglers who seek a Walleye/Crappie combination trip should definately consider this time of year for their Rainy Lake adventure. Walleyes tend to show up with incredible length and girth while the infamous size structure of our Crappies never siezes to amaze clients or myself. Whichever species lights your fall fire you’ll surely enjoy your trip to this amazing 227,000 acres of paradise.
We like to focus our presentations to a simple Jig and Minnow. BfishN tackle’s H20 Precision jig has produced more fish for our guide service over the years than most can possibly imagine. For Crappies we lace up either a Flu-Flu or 1/8 oz Jig with a minnow. Find a pod of crappies and work it slow. Remember most Crappies prefer to hit a bait on the drop or “Bite up”. When a fish takes your bait up you’ll find slack in your line instead of a bend in your rod. If you looking for the bend all day you’ll likley be busy with the net for your buddy instead of fighting your own fish. For Walleyes we attempt to locate the bigger fish that will often be relating to the structure slightly seperated from the other fish. We’ll lace up a 3/16 oz. jig and long cast or vertical jig these pigs!! We have at times found large schools of Crappies in deep rock piles and on the flip side located large walleyes in a mere 2-6 f.o.w.! Both of these fish are clearly looking to feed before our Ice up.
I believe there are 3 periods that find elite caliber fish most vulnerable here on Rainy lake. Fall, Early Winter and Spring have fish locating in areas that allow anglers the greatest chance at a true “TANK” each time they hit the water. It is truly hard to place a finger on my personal favorite, but I assure you I don’t like to miss a single day in any of these time periods. My Personal “PB” walleye is a 32.5 inch 13lb walleye caught and released 3-4 years ago on the last day of September. My personal Best Crappie was a 16.5 inch 2lb 9oz. Crappie caught ice fishing in March. I always hope a customer will break one of those records on our next trip!! Beyond the great fishing here in the fall cycle keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. 2 years in a row I’ve caught a peek of a moose swimming for shore here in September!! VERY VERY COOL!! Fall is upon us Team!! Let’s get after the big girls!!
This morning marks the last day of August and opens the door for the infamous fall of fishing here on Rainy lake. Those who have followed both our posts and fishing reports over the years know full well my personal love for fishing “Manland” in September and October fishing. Putting our Frabill “Stormsuit” on the hook and trading it for my “Snosuit” seems to get always put a smile on my face. Possibly it is the change in seasons or the first usher of cold air my face that triggers something as we transport customers out in the mornings. Maybe it is because I think I know something others do not as they are at hunting shacks or putting rods away until next year. Still when I think of big Walleyes and Crappies of autumn I can’t help but think of that pair of bibs hanging in the garage along with a hot cup of coffee. Firewood is now stacked just outside our garage door and sometimes as I pull into the dock I see smoke coming from our chimney on “Mt. Daze”. Still looking back we truly have to tip our hat to one of the best summers of fishing we’ve ever had here in 2011 on Rainy lake. Limits of beautiful 15-16 3/4 walleyes were commonplace and the bigger fish had me considering re-naming our guide boat “Sho-Time” to “The Slot Machine”. Once again you can never be to thankful in life, and my family would like to extend a huge thank you to our simply wonderful customer base that loves to catch fish. Our countless encounters and fun nights at local resorts will never be forgotten. We look forward to next year once again!! Without you there is no….ME!! I honestly feel like the luckiest man alive spending my days hucking baits here on the pristine waters of Rainy Lake with other fisherman like myself. My wife said the otherday…..”I’m not fooled you know.” I asked what she was talking about as I continued to henpeck on a IDO thread. “You can’t fool me when you talk of double trips or your busy summer……YOU LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT!!” LOL!! As always she’s right on the button baby. Truth of the matter is I’d be fishing anyway, and yes I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!
Here’s the scoop fellas!! Rainy Lake is beginning it’s yearly cool down, and this cooling effect will begin to bring a more big fish (26+) to the boat. Ciscoes which are a main forage fish for big walleyes on Rainy Lake will slowly gravitate towards a bit shallower water as they look to spawn late in the fall. It is my belief that the elite caliber fish become far more vulnerable to hook and line as September and October blow in. There are many fishing presentations that will turn fish this time of year. I believe guys that like to run Cranks can experience great action as these fish will start to locate higher in the water column lending themselves more vulnerable to open basin trolling big tail dancers. Jig fisherman can continue to structure fish with pinpoint control keeping them directly on pods of elite fish. Rig fisherman can locate large schools of slot fish roaming both deep mud and gravel flats. What I do know is when you set the hook you’ve got a real chance at a tanker from here on out!! Stay thirsty my friends!!
Crappies are schooling up and following an annual shiner run. They can be found amongst deeper rock piles in the coming weeks along with shallow current runs. Both of these patterns also attract large pike and walleyes. Do not be suprised if you locate MONSTER walleyes with those crappies. We haven’t spent a lot of time chasing slabs as of late, but did take a quick break from walleye fishing the otherday to see what was shaking. We marked a few nice pods of crappies and pulled a few “Donks” out for the pan!! Look for those crappies to really start to go by this weekend. We prefer to cast either 1/8 oz. H20 Precision jigs from BfishN tackle or Flu-Flu’s in a variety of colors tipped with a minnow. If fish are scattered we will run Jolly Roger spinner rigs in any of the darker gold color combinations also tipped with a minnow.
The time is here men!! Many who know me also realize I have a deep rooted passion for the woods. As the 3rd week in October rolls around the only way you’ll find me is if your 3 ridges back on the end of a logger road in the middle of no-mans land!! I love to chase grouse and deer while picking up shed antlers. Still IMHO September features too darn many leaves and holds too many bugs even in the northwoods to keep me from chasing monster fish during this peak timeframe. I’d gladly trade my shotgun for my “Whipping stick” when you can tag the elite fish of early fall. Many of our customers will request combination trips chasing Walleyes in the am and Crappies in the afternoon. Pick your poison and we’ll put you on the fish!! Sorry so short, but need to get down to the Rainy Lake One Stop!! I believe they’ve got my daily morning coffee and bait waiting for me. On a side note we’ve got 4 days left in December for our Monster FIRST ICE Walleye/Pike expedition trips!!
Whatever happened to the “Dog Daze” of August. Back in the day anglers were convinced the highly sought after walleye would somehow slip into some heat induced coma during this “Umbrella Drinks” timeframe of a Minnesota summer. Fisherman heading to Rainy Lake have now come to expect superior fishing for elite fish nearly as hot as the weather. Our upcoming forecast looks simply awesome with temperature readings maxing out with highs only in the low 70′s and dropping into the low 50′s at night. With risk of sounding like a broken record; The summer beatdown continues with nearly equal amounts of beautiful eater sized fish (14-16 3/4 inches) and big slots averaging 21-24 inches! Trips have averaged 20 walleyes exceeding the 20 inch mark with a box of eater fish commonplace. Color has seemingly played a larger role as of late with the purple and white being our go to H20 Precision jig!!
Playing the wind has been very critical to our success. Many anglers have come to respect the vastness of Rainy Lake. It’s a lake that is simply loaded with structure that frankly all looks good. Truth of the matter is most of that “Good Looking Structure” holds walleyes at some point in the season. As anglers looking to target the biggest and baddest on a consistent basis you simply must be able to define the most productive pieces of structure that will hold the most ciscoes in close proximity. Remember the Walleyes on Rainy Lake are predominately in a resting period when you locate them on structure. The feeding frenzy will typically take place mid-summer out in the open basin. When we structure fish it is crucial that anglers understand that we are fishing fish that are in much more of a nuetral mood. This is why often times plastic bites can be dynamite up shallow when some fish are on the prowl, but very difficult on deeper mid-lake structure. The fish up shallow are feeding while the fish on deeper structure lack the desire to chase bait while they are in a resting mode. Still large pods of walleyes can be had on structure here in August. Anglers looking for the biggest concentrations of walleyes will want to understand where the ciscoes are in the basin. Both directional winds and current play a role in the location of the bait fish on Rainy Lake.
Our current surface temperature readings have been around 75 degrees. We continue to notice some mayfly husks floating around the lake. These smaller hatches rarely hinder an anglers action on his trip. I’ve fielded a few emails this past week with anglers struggling. Although I firmly believe there is nearly always a good bite taking place it is easy to undertand based on the massive size of this fishery how it can fish complex at times for those visiting for a few days. The process of eliminating water can be a daunting task. Remember to concentrate on patterns. If your chosen “Pattern” isn’t working than you need to work a different one rather than working the same pattern in another location. This is a common mistake fsherman will make and often leaves them very frustrated at the end of the day. For example if mid-lake Mud/Rock breakline is not producing hit breakline that leads to some cabbage beds. If straight breaklines aren’t producing try hit shallow mud flats. If mid-lake rock piles won’t kick out good fish start fishing vast gravel bars…….
Here is what we’ve focused our efforts on over the last week. Rock reefs with massive boulders have seemingly had the bigger fish. Those heavily bouldered reefs versus gentle sloping flat rock has definately had the larger concentrations of fish. Now understanding areas that have some flow on the days with little to no wind has been critical in the mid-day timeframe. When the wind blows frankly having the big WX2100 from Skeeter may very well be the best advantage on the lake. Our big glass Deep Hull on our Skeeeter “Wave Smasher” always keeps our team in the game. In fact we are hoping for the bigger winds that will drive 80-90% of anglers off the lake. We’ll see you on the water team!! Remember we’ve still got some openings for the September In Depth Outdoors Houseboat excursion!! You DO NOT want to miss this trip! Sign up as a single fisherman or bring your own group for your houseboat!! Seminars, Shorelunches, Smart Talk and BIG Fish of Fall!!
Here on the last day of July fisherman must simply tip their fishing caps to the past couple weeks of walleye fishing. The earlier extended Mayfly hatch of July made fishing a bit more difficult, but the bite really juiced up after the flies were gone. This year we’ve noticed in our guide boat an increasing assortment of fat “Shorelunch” fish mixed in with the highly advertised slot fish. Limits on of nice 15-16 3/4 inch fish have been nearly commonplace over the last few weeks. I’ve always said if a guy comes in with a 4 person limit of (16) 15-16 3/4 inch fish you can be sure they were flat out HAMMERING the walleyes. Those fish are simply the toughest fish to come by. One of the many great things about July and August fishing that so many visitors enjoy is the concentrations of fish. For much of the year our smaller class of fish is located in an entirely different areas than those big Rainy lake Tankers. This of course can further complicate the fishing for groups of anglers looking to rip drag on fish, yet at the same time enjoy a nice fresh walleye dinner. Here between the months of July-September you truly have the best of both worlds!!
Lets get straight to the Nuts and Bolts of our fishing as of yesterday. we’re blitzing the bigger slot fish with an H20 Precision jig and crawler. I’ve hammered the fish with a purple and white 3/16 oz. H20 Precision jig and frankly am just about out!! www.customjigsandspins.com There truly is no better jig for fishing a crawler than BfishN tackles H20 Precision jig. We’ve also had great success with the “Firetiger” spinner blade from Jolly Roger Tackle slow rolled with a crawler or fathead. Many of you know I’m a flat out jigging fool this time of year, but this season I’ve dabbled with spinner rigs as well. I would consider myself a structure fisherman, and if possible would prefer to work schools in tight spots versus gravel bar scattered fish or fish on mud flats. This often times makes trolling spinner rigs less effective for me. So this season with our I-Pilot in place I’ve utilzed the effective spinner rig triggering presentation in a cast and retrieve method. I had Shawn from Jolly Roger Tackle customize my rigs to a shortened 30 inches. I’ve then simply taken a sliding egg sinker and placed it above the swivel. This allows me to long cast my spinner rig precisely over the fish instead of trolling over the tightly holding school of fish every so often. Having seperate rigs laced up to work the same school of fish has without a doubt allowed us to land more fish out of that single pod. IMHO anglers normally will pull a few of the more aggressive fish out of a school and then move on. This season we’ve tried to work the same school of fish a bit more effectively. What I have found is a few of those walleyes will fall victim to a jigs and crawler. A few bigger fish on a Jig and Shiner, and then of course different applications with Spinner rigs and so on. Don’t thinks for a second that your same slinging of a jig and minnow has fooled all the fish. Sometimes you just need to work a different presentations to maximize your catch rate on each pod of fish!!
As always the fish seem to be on several different pieces of structure during the heat of summer. Reefs are producing fish as well as breaklines. Shallow water also continues to kick out both big walleyes and Pike. cabbage beds are now at the top of the water and looking very robust. The summer patterns always amaze me with many big walleyes found in a mere 3 feet of water. I believe the bog stained water of Rainy lake allows some bigger fish the ability to locate shallow nearly all summer long. It is also my theory that there are traditional shallow water fish and Deep water fish. Not all fish will spawn and then migrate deep. With this being said large numbers of shallow water fish being caught would be a rarity. We’ve focused our efforts on the largest concentrations of both big slot fish and nice eating fish. These fish have been located in 26-36 feet of water, and seemingly heading deeper. As of late our best spots are pieces of structure not marked on either Lakemaster or Navionics Chips. Surely just a coincidence!! LOL!!
So that’s what we’ve found as of late. Here is what I believe anglers can expect over the next couple weeks. Walleyes will likely continue to show up in deeper water. To catch nice walleyes consistently in shallow water you will likely need a brisk wind to further push some bait fish. Without wind you will have to focus on deeper breaks or the bottoms of food funnels. Leeches and Crawlers will continue to be very effective while shiners will become the dominate minnow presentation in our guide boat. Getting yourself away from the normal summer pressured fishing locations will greatly enhance your catch rates for the day while fishing less educated walleyes. Fishing will continue to be outstanding here in August, but remember you still have to do your homework to have great fishing. Rainy Lake fish seldom just jump in the boat for picture time. Boat control remains a critical skill to effectively catching fish, and these fish can be a bit touchy with sloppy boat handling. Good Luck out there!! We’ll be the boat with the net out!!
Hearing the phrase “We’re 2 weeks LATE!!” seems to scare the heck out of guys. Well with risk of upsetting your morning coffee…..We’re 2 weeks behind schedule. DO NOT PANIC!! Our Mayfly hatch extended into July due to some early cool water. The hatch is now over, yet many walleyes are currenly locating themselves in different areas than anglers are used to finding them. I listened to our local radio show a couple days ago on my way to get our bait at the Rainy Lake One Stop. Not a day goes by that we don’t start our day out at the RLOS. www.rainylakeonestop.com It is apparent the fishing has been a bit tougher for many working the traditional July fishing patterns. Earlier this year I mentioned I had a feeling this year was going to be a good “Breakline” fishing season because of a late warm up. When this happens on big bodies of water like Rainy Lake many of the bigger fish will continue to roam main basin shorelines structure well into July. The massive amount of forage found on shallow haunts are not something fish willingly abandon. This was simply “Spot On” through yesterday as we continue to have our best action in a mere 8-18 feet of water.
Here are a few things worth noting that we’ve found different this year compared to years past while fishing the heat of July. Purple and white have been a dominate color pattern for our guide service. I have simply burned through the H20 Precision jigs from Custom Jigs and Spins in the Purple and white color combination and highly suggest you stock up. www.customjigsandspins.com The “Foil” series of blades from Jolly Roger Tackle have been very productive slow rolled in intermediate depths when big fish seem to be scattered with lack of wind. www.jollyrogertackle.com This is something new for us this year, and has been very productive. I’ve also found our best action to be coming from smaller bait. Typically you’ll see us working shiners after the fireworks of early July, but this year I’ve actually felt a fathead has outproduced a shiner in many instances. The shallow water bite has extended itself later into the summer, OR we’ve simply uncovered a shallow water bite that has been there all along!! One thing I will comment on is the “Great Oz” of IDO mentioned to me a couple years ago how HE was going to find a shallow water bite!! Pondering his thought process this spring I had to agree with that philosophy. Shallow water fish are easier to catch if you can find them, and often times much more angry towards your presentation. I’ve spent the last couple years experimenting with some shallow water food funnels located just off the main basin, and I will confirm those fish are flat out more eager to put a bend in your rod. I highly suggest anglers attempt to work this pattern here on Rainy Lake or your own body of water this season. With the advent of the Lakemaster chip clearly pinpointing mid lake structure it is my believe the once less pressured fish of a fishery are now the MOST pressured. No longer are anglers lining up Pine trees to locate a rock pile. If there is one thing I know that can be universally trasferred to all fishing it is this; Fish that are the least pressured are always the easiest to catch. If your flying 40 hours into a remote fishery where you fish alongside……..”Bigfoot” there is a chance you’ll catch fish on a beer can with trebles. This does not mean you’ve perfected this technique and it will work on your local fishery! Simply put as fish become more pressured an angler must fine tune his game. Here on Rainy Lake we enjoy a very diverse fishery which truly doesn’t get too much pressure. There are shallow water fish and deep water fish. With the right weather conditions you can put a smackdown on big walleyes from 2-40 feet of water on the same day.
Lets talk big body walleye structure. The truth of the matter is the average fisherman across the country have as a whole become pretty darn good sticks. Through our guide service we notice the interest of learning as important ast the desire to catch fish. If fisherman locate the hot pattern they will likely put a hurt on the fish. On the contrary regardless of whether your capable of working your fishing rod like a “Magic Wand” if your not on the good fish you simply cannot catch them. As a fishing guide it is clear our biggest asset is time spent on the water. We’ve had both good and bad days to learn from to shorten the learning curve for our guests. Guys hire us to put their crew on the best possible bite. When your fishing nearly everyday you simply have the ability to recognize how your body of water reacts to directional winds (Or Lack of) based on recent history. Home field advantage is nice in all sports!! On Rainy Lake anglers must have a short memory for day to day success. I would say the biggest issue anglers have had this July is the inability to “Print Fish” consistently. July fisherman who head to Rainy Lake are typically progammed to fish midlake humps like robots. Further sophisticated “Robotic fisherman” will comb this structure locating good fish. When fish are not “Printable” in big numbers because of shallow holding positions these same anglers will struggle. Guys are quick to point to an off bite. On the contrary the fish continue to feed heavily. If your pattern is not producing it is imperative to switch patterns versus a simple spot change. Duplicating the productive pattern will provide the action you desire. For example if we’re working a mud/rock transition point with good flow in 22 feet of water with success. I assure you when we’ve wore those fish out we will find the next neck down area with a 22 foot feeding shelf. This year these fish seem to be extremely depth sensitive. When we’ve hammered the fish in 14-16 feet of water we have had to find other structure that sets up well in that 14-16 feet. Still on those days past productive structure with a “Food Funnel” in 21-23 feet have been unproductive. WORK YOUR PRODUCTIVE PATTERN!!
I hope everyone is having a great year fishing Rainy Lake. My wife Cheryl “Fishing Queen” and daugter Lindsey “Lil Daze” have commented nearly daily on the fisherman that have taken the time to introduce themselves as both of them are working part-time this summer at Sha-Sha resort. The “Fishing Queen” will serve you Rainy Lakes infamous “Tea” while Lindsey now 15 can make a serious plate of nachos!! Stop out and say hi!! We truly feel blessed sharing the boat with such passionate anglers day in and day out, and this year has been no different. The beautiful scenery on Rainy Lake provides us with the best office space in the world. Meeting new anglers each year is a very rewarding part of my career, and frankly the reason we’re in the fishing biz!! As we head into August and September look for the bite to continue to produce world class fishing that makes Rainy Lake a “Go To” fishing destination. DO NOT overlook the September timeframe for monster walleyes and Crappies!! Putting the heat to those monster fall crappies if high on my list!! Little can compare to the September trips of huge crappies coupled with Tank Walleyes!! Stay thirsty my friends.
We’ll see you on the water team!!
The final days of June will soon be ushered out with a sonic Boom of sorts on this Fridays “Canada Day”. Here in “Borderland” we’re treated with not one, but two magnificent sound and light shows illuminating the skies over the majestic waters of Rainy Lake. As sort of a special edition to our weekly fishing reports here is a little tidbit of information you might not have known. Did you know…..The old Hamms Beer commercials “From….. the land of Sky Blue Waters…Waters” were filmed on Rainy Lake?? Well now you know, and you can’t say you didn’t learn anything from this weeks report!! The 4th of July weekend traditionally has lakes throughout our great state of Minnesota teaming with boaters. Families and friends alike get out to share in the fun on the water. Of course with the weekend’s influx of traffic at the landing we need to be on our best behavior. As a gentle reminder PLEASE make safety a top priority this weekend. Let’s be sure the only “Ear Piercing” Banging noises heard are in the skies, and NOT “Boat to Boat” or “Boat to Granite” contact. A full-blown ejection into Rainy Lakes Jack pines surely will sour your weekend festivities. SO…..If you choose to “Set Sail with Captain Morgan” or go down deep into “Margaritaville” Please be sure the “captain” of YOUR “Water Corvette” featuring that impressive “Bangin Jukebox” is not under the influence. As always here in borderland as well as the rest of the state we’ll receive extra enforcement on the lake throughout the weekend. Show your Red, White and Blue best over this holiday by helping out a fellow boater at the landing. Try to remember NOT EVERYONE gets to dip the boat in the water everyday. They MIGHT not be as efficient in doing so as you. This is NOT tournament day. Try if only for this one weekend to take the “Laid Back” approach while leaving the stressers from the “Hustle and Bustle” of todays world back at the office. Surely these “Stressers” will patiently await your return visit to reality island. It’s officially….. summertime in Minnesota Baby!! LIVE IT, Yet say a LITTLE “Thirsty my friends”
OK!! Back to fishing!! Rainy lake continues to kick out a “Parade” of both eating fish and TANKERS!! Believe it or not it appears SUMMER has arrived in “Borderland”. Heck yesterday reached 70 degrees, and daringly I put my Frabill “Snosuit” into winter storage. Our Mayfly hatch once again appears to be scattered into July….Go Figure?!? Anglers should expect to fish amongst a smattering of fly husks. These fish remain catchable, but must be fished methodically if fishing within the “Flyzone”. We’ve focused our energies within active pods of walleyes that appear to be knocking down loads of mayflies. We’ve boxed beautiful limits of walleyes by dragging jigs and minnnows through fish rubbing their bellies. Seasonal movements find both big “TANKERS” and smaller “HOT OIL BATH” candidates joining forces. The congregation of the big and small in July can truly provide awesome fishing!! Often times anglers ask us about livebait for the trip. There simply are several ways fisherman can catch actively feeding fish. Shiners, Fatheads, Leeches, and Crawlers will all turn fish when fished correctly….Pick your Poison. Our guide service happens to believe Rainy Lake offers a tremendous minnow bite all season long. If our fish get “Moody” we’ll lace up a crawler, but for the most part give me box of minnows and we’ll turn it into a box of walleyes. It truly is magical!!
If your a jig fisherman I assure you this is your time!! It truly is “GO TIME” Baby!! Oh how I love to work jigs!! I’ve always felt even though most all of us have more tackle than we can effectively store; The guy that can utilize a pocket full of jigs will most always land fish the most consisently. We’ve centered our search for walleyes on “Inside Turns” holding washed up forage. The reference to the classice inside turn is often used, but seldom completely understood in nature. This “Fish Cup” which we like to empty holds the most bait on a piece of structure. The forage fills the cup when bait is washed into it through the “Funnel” or the natural currents of your fishery. The paradigm of a walleye fishing location in my book is when current flushes a buffet of food into a frontdoor “Inside Turn” while the days directional winds blow in additional food through the backdoor. I assure you if you want to become more consistent placing yourself on top of feeding walleyes invest the time to understand what concentrates walleyes on certain pieces of structure. Simple structure scanning on what looks good is a very daunting task on this 220,000 acrew of water. A growing number of anglers are beginning to realize especially on complex bodies of water like Rainy lake…A good fishing spot is temporary in nature. A true understanding of fish movements will boat you the best fish for a lifetime! Look back and count the days of even 2 day stretches featuring the same wind directions as of late. Pretty hard to find the consistency that can provide fisherman with massive schools of fish. IT IS…..WHAT IT IS!! Thus we’ve fished current funnels that provide big walleyes a daily meal despite “Ma Natures” fury or crabby ways.
As yet another week burns by faster than the 300 ponies pushes us in our Skeeter WX2100 “Sho-Time”. Once again I’d like to personally thank each and everyone of our customers. I believe we have the best customers in the world!! It is our faithfull customer base that continues to make our job one of the best in the world. Our week has been filled with limits of walleyes and lots of big fish for pics. Life is good here on Rainy Lake. We look forward to fishing with you soon. We’ll be the “Skeet Retreat” with the net out!! A special congratulations to our “Honeymooners” Chad and Gretchen!! These two newlyweds started their lives together the right way….FISHING ON RAINY LAKE!! May your lives be as full of joy and happiness as our livewell was packed with walleyes.
Well Boys here she is!! This morning my customer Shawn “Tamed the Beast”. I heard a tremendous ruckus take place as this pike hit his line on the opposite side of the boat. The boil she left on top of the water left me questioning if we should drop the rod and all bail out of the Skeeter!! When we got a look at her the guys were lets say….A BIT EXCITED!! I swear the size of this pikes head when she flared her gils looked as though she could have swallowed a bowling ball!! There was honestly only one way that fish was going to come on board, and that was head first in the Frabill conservation series. We had a very close call with what I predicted a nearly 30lb pike a few days ago when she shook……..MY hooks, so that was definitely very fresh in my mind. In the fishing biz it doesn’t count til it hits the net and I certainly understand that!!
Well boys this is Sweet redemption and Shawn Pal……You landed a pike of a lifetime right there. The fish measured 46.5 inches and weighed 25.4lbs!! Her belly was loose and had evidently dropped a massive amount of spawn a short time ago. I felt very close and it was evident her stomach was pretty much empty. Scary to think what this fish would weigh with a belly full of eggs or a few full meals in her.
Shawn insisted on a efficient CPR and I’m proud to say she still calls Rainy Lake……..HOME!! A fiberglass replica of his trophy may be in his near future. This marks #6 over 20lbs since May 1st!!
BTW 30 minutes later Shawn also landed a “Dink” 27 inch walleye!!
Gentleman we’ve did some extra homework this year with Humminbirds Side imaging. The emerging weed lines on the secondary breaks have treated us pretty darn well as of late. IMO these breaks are overlooked by 99% of anglers. In all honesty I’m not sure what these weeds are as they never get to the surface in this particular spot. It could be deep cabbage?? Regardless we’ve worked on top of it and………Well it’s been working pretty good!!
Congratulations Shawn that is a very special fish man!!
Please gentleman should you be fortunate enough as Shawn today to go toe to toe with such a magnificent old fish take very special care of her. If any case screams fiberglass replication I believe in this day and age this fish simply deserves it. Heck for all we know this WILL be the next 35lb Pike or at least now she has the chance!!