The weather finally took a turn for the better today as Hassan & Stephan were about to find out. We hit the water under picture perfect skies shortly after 8:00 and raced to our first spot to fish. By being on the water yesterday, I knew exactly where I wanted to start and wasted no time in getting there. Air temps were already in the 70’s and expected to reach the mid 80’s by afternoon, under bluebird skies and little to no wind. I knew the water temps would also be on the rise triggering the fish to eat. Well I was right as I never even got the third rod in when the other two fired! First fish of the day and it was a double header! Two pike were landed and released and we were back in the water searching for more. They had hoped to take a few walleye home for dinner and I was sure they would be able to make it happen. These conditions would only get better as the day went on and the fish would only get more aggressive. High numbers of fish were landed throughout the morning with only a few of them being the targeted walleye, until I shifted locations. It was here that the quantity of fish turned from pike to walleye and several of them were big! I think Stephan had the two largest of the day but Hassan managed several keepers as well. It seemed that a small stretch was producing fish on every pass and we just kept at it. At one point we lost track of just how many were caught as they just kept coming. I don’t know if we hit a feeding time or just the right area but the walleye were eating big time! This continued right up until they called it shortly after 2:00. As always, I have to leave on a high and said that the next fish would signal our departure. Moments later they were reeling in yet another walleye and we called it a day. I usually don’t like to leave fish biting but under the circumstances had no choice. They both had to go into the office for a few hours and didn’t seem to mind the early departure. There were so many fish landed in under 6 hours of fishing that they left completely satisfied. I wish the weather could stay like this for more than just one day at a time. Forecast for tomorrow is another warm, sunny day but hurricane like winds once again. Oh well, one day at a time! Today was another one for the books for all the right reasons. I just hope they’re wrong for tomorrow. If not, at least today was a « Great Day for Fishing »!!

Greg & Rene were with me today for and in for a real treat. We began at 7:30 and wasted no time getting to our first stop. It was going to be a mixed weather day and I wanted to take advantage of every minute on the water. Originally, sunshine was upon us when we hit into numbers of pike and a few walleye but by mid day, it took a turn for the worse. I was once asked, « Do Fish Bite in the Rain » and I replied with, they don’t care. They’re already wet! This theory was about to be put to the test as what felt like a monsoon, soon arrived! We got some of the heaviest rain I’ve seen in a while and it lasted about an hour. I can’t remember how many fish were caught during this time but nobody cared about being wet. Thankfully I had thrown in a couple of extra sets of rain gear and that definitely helped. Throughout this entire ordeal, they reeled in one pike after another and a few walleye too. After the storm passed we ironically received sunshine and everyone dried out. All but their feet that is and soggy shoes would be upon them for the remainder of the day. I on the other hand had removed my sandals and stored them in a dry place. We had more activity afterwards and continued pounding on the fish until we returned back to the dock for a bathroom break. The remainder of the afternoon was spent close to the take out area drop shotting for more walleye. Although not as productive, they still managed to capture several more. By 4:00 we ended the day and headed home as I had a couple of fish to fillet for their dinner. Blackened Cajun Walleye was on the menu and they were excited. They hadn’t caught many walleye in their lives and had eaten even fewer. This would be an experience to remember! A quick stop back at my place and then off to a nearby restaurant where they were treated to their « Catch of the Day »! Needless to say, they loved every mouthful ! The not so perfect day (weather wise) ended in a perfect dinner and good company throughout. It’s always nice to meet new people, become friends & enjoy a great day on the water with dining afterwards. It’s especially rewarding to have them enjoy a fine meal that they just caught even more. I’m pretty sure this fishing trip will be etched in their memory for a while. Hopefully they will be back sometime in the future to experience it once again. If not however, all the pictures taken will ensure a lifetime of memories. Definitely one for the books!

Reda was back with me again this morning for another shot at some pike & eyes. They had tried to get out a few days earlier but the conditions weren’t in their favor causing us to reschedule. Although this morning wasn’t much better, it seemed doable as we headed out on the water. With overcast skies and barely 50 degree air temps the strong north wind felt even colder. I decided to remain on the sheltered side to start but after only a hand full of fish in the first hour, opted for a move. I had waited just long enough for the sun to arrive and the winds to calm. I knew it wouldn’t last as we were expecting a direction change and took advantage before the switch. They were suppose to blow strong from the NW late in the morning but for the moment, they were down. The next area also saw water temps low as I began the troll in an area of 53 degrees. Smaller pike were being taken by everyone as I searched for warmer waters ahead! At best, all I could find was 57 degrees and several more fish were taken. In fact, Reda managed to get a really good walleye right after his father landed a pike, bringing our hopes up for more. Well more was just what we got as a combination of fish were brought to the boat right into the afternoon. By 2:00 we were in the thick of things and the winds were now blowing 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 35 from the NW. Although we were somewhat sheltered, I knew we would eventually have to return to the ramp. We would be remaining here for the balance of our fishing day! We all wanted to be back by 4:00 so shortly after 3:30 I began getting things ready for the long run. I made sure all lures were returned to their appropriate places and secured everything else. Lock & load! The waves were 3’s & 4’s pretty much the entire way back with an occasional 5 foot rogue thrown in just for laughs. The direction didn’t allow me to head straight back and caused me to tack like a sailboat several times. These things were at a 45 degree angle to the bow and quite uncomfortable to travel in. By running the crests and troughs I was able to keep everyone dry and didn’t get pounded. It definitely felt more like an ocean rather than a lake. Maybe Lake Ontario! After having bass boats for many years, I’d never trade this Ranger in for another. The safety & comfort can’t be beat! Plenty of fish were caught today and nobody got hurt! I consider this a great day!!

I was back out again this morning with Reda and his father. His dad had invited a friend along & I was looking forward to finally running 4 rods. The weather was looking overcast and expected to remain that way for the day. In fact, there was a chance of showers and I think that kept most people from being on the water. I immediately ran to where the pike had grouped up yesterday and thought we’d beat on them for a while before going for walleye. It took about 90 seconds for his dad to hook into the first fish and I really thought they were going to hammer the mother load. To my surprise it was a loner and I had to keep on the move. The water temps were significantly lower than yesterday but I wasn’t surprised. We were here much earlier than usual and the cool nights were responsible for the drop. It would take a while this morning, if at all, for them to climb. The clouds might keep them low and the bite might never get red hot but we had all day. In fact, I had Reda cast from the bow while we trolled over plenty of water just searching for warmer temps. He hooked several pike while we trolled our way into 56 degrees. A few more northerns and decent walleye were landed before I decided to make a big move. I would come back later in the day but for now we were out of here! The next location didn’t put out even one fish and now I was really changing up. I moved to a series of reefs with cooler temps of 52 degrees and Reda’s dad was locked. Another walleye of 22 inches fell victim to a reduced bait and I was finally on to something. A quick pic and a release and we were back in the game. Not too far from the first one, they were into another slightly smaller one and this time it was a keeper. A few adjustments had us into fish and I kept it going with another over moments later. Along with the walleye, there were pike and one pre spawn smallmouth. The water was so cold that this fish hadn’t even began to move shallow to do the deed! We stuck it out for a while, catching more here before I had to leave when another boat moved in on us. He began trolling right in our prop wash line about 100 feet behind. And so it begins!  I thought we’d check out the starting area again but didn’t stay long. I headed in and let them cast for a while as they wanted to try their luck this way. About 15 minutes in, I saw two of them sitting with rods in their hands as the boat moved along on the electric. Looks like they got tired quickly so back to trolling we went! I set them back up and moved along with similar success. A fish here & there had me moving once again in search of the warmer water. I had left something until the last few hours of the day in hopes of sunshine but we never managed to get any. Oh well, time to try it regardless! It didn’t take long before someone hooked up and started the ball rolling. In the last couple of hours there were multiple hookups of keeper walleye as well as quality overs. At least we ended on a high today and they got to take a few fish home for their dinner tonight. By 4:30 we were done and on our way to the ramp. Although a little slower day than I had hoped for, not surprising with the overcast skies and cooler water temps. It will only continue to get better in the weeks to come. Plenty more days open if anyone needs to wet a line and bend a rod!!

Michel & I hit the water at the crack of 10:00 this morning looking for some eyes. No sense starting too early when the nights are as cold as they are. By focusing on the warmest part of the day, we hoped on monopolizing on the bite. It proved to work out pretty well as both pike & walleye were on the feed and the water was on the rise. He hooked into some quality walleye, but not the ones he was hoping on leaving with. There were more overs landed today than keepers and although nice to catch, didn’t put meat on the table. I probably could have gotten him into close to 100 pike as well, but after pounding on them for quite a while, decided to relocate to another area. Each move had its benefits as we got into fresh fish every time we changed spots. Water temps were ranging between 52 degrees in the morning to just over 60 degrees by afternoon. The water temp increase had the fish active and many more came in the boat with the rise. We spent a total of 6 hours on the water and caught plenty of fish throughout the day. Despite Michel’s track record for some of the shittiest days spent weather wise, today more than made up for them. It was picture perfect with no wind, sunshine and a pleasant 70 plus degree air. Even with all the big fish landed, he still managed to leave with a few fish for the dinner table. Hopefully the next time he wets a line, the weather will cooperate once more and the fishing will be equally as good. All I know is better fishing is ahead and I’ll be pounding on them each & every time I’m out!