Danial was with me today from Oohlala Mobile and he also brought a couple of coworkers. I had informed him recently that the bite was great and he jumped on the first open day! Flat calm conditions greeted us for the start but big winds were expected by afternoon. Not sure which one would be worse! After a quick orientation on the technique we’d be using and some practice, removing the rods from the holders, we were set to go. Although the other two had done practically no fishing before, I was sure the day would have them looking like pros by the end. Danial was with me several times in the last few years and knew exactly what to expect! Right on cue, the first reel to fire turned out to be our first double and so it began. From this point on, the fish were in trouble! A light N/E breeze had the air temps a little cool and the water temps back to 57.5 degrees when we began. I was trying to find warmer water and kept hooking up in the process. Tough to beat that! I had noticed that the bites were rather light and needed to throttle down on many of the hits. Some of them were even coming off while being reeled in. Not a good sign and I knew it was going to be a tough bite unless the wind arrived soon. We spent the entire morning marking fish and picking at them regularly, but not to my liking. Numbers were high but could have been higher if all the singles were doubles like the start. I was expecting warm temps today and had installed the bimini top just in case before I left home. Apparently it was a good decision as we unanimously agreed to put it up when the sun became unbearable. No wind and sun meant a scorcher! Along with all of this heat were tons of midge & caddis flies that were hatching by the billions. They were relentless! The fishing remained pretty much the same all morning with the lack of wind until sometime after noon. We could actually see and feel the switch in direction when it began. In fact so did the fish as this is when all the action started. Waves were coming at us from the W/SW and the air temps felt like an oven.  Reels were screaming and the fishing picked up considerably. We had doubles constantly along with some triples and even a quad. Most of the walleye were also caught during this change, as I expected. For the next several hours right up until it was time to leave, fish were being landed constantly. Despite the difficult boat control at times, it was great! I really don’t know how many fish were fought today but the numbers were once again, high! All I know is that everyone had plenty of time at the rods making this another unbelievable fishing day. After putting everything away and strapping things down, we ventured back to the ramp in the big waves. Thankfully we were in a Ranger and stayed completely dry, even in the 3 to 4 footers we were travelling in. Just another day in paradise!!

William treated his two sons, Peter & Alex to another fishing trip today. Without realizing it, I guess he also treated his wife too! I knew by the beautiful weather that they would have a great time, loaded with plenty of fish. Winds were nonexistent along with sunshine and temps up to 80 degrees. With everyone in the boat, running 4 rods was the game plan to monopolize on the bites. It didn’t take long before we were locked up and the kids began reeling everything in. William was here for them and would have to wait before getting his turn! We never spent much time between fish and the numbers were adding up fast. So far they were all pike, but I wanted to find some eyes. I knew it was only a matter of time before I located the walleye and find them I did. The first few were all overs up to 24 inches, with no pike in between. I kept in this area and eventually managed to get several keeper sized ones in the 19 to 20 inch range for them to take home. It also gave Alex something to amuse himself with, as they swam in the livewell for his viewing! With every passing hour, both temps were climbing and the water eventually reached 60 degrees in one area. It was here that the doubles began! Along with all the fish, several boats decided to troll over when they saw all the action. For once, I didn’t care because there was plenty of fish for everyone to share. We definitely got ours and I think most of theirs too as very little time passed between bites. We even managed our only triple amongst all this chaos! There were so many fish being caught that William was finally getting in the game. In fact, he was able to fight plenty of fish in the last couple of hours when Alex just passed out from exhaustion. Peter & his dad reeled the remainder of the fish in, right until the end. We even had to wake the little guy up when we were done so that we could run back. He was totally out of steam! They had caught more fish today than they ever had before. In fact, even more than all of last year combined! Plans of another trip were already in the making before we even got the boat on the trailer. Hopefully the next time out I can put them on even more! Great day for fishing!!

I had an on line booking yesterday from my calendar that put me back on the lake this morning. It seems that a couple from Switzerland had located my Website and all the details were done through my reservations page for a morning trip. They arrived and we wasted no time getting started. After a quick orientation of the set up, they were ready to go. Fabi & Adriana were not new to fishing but this trolling technique was definitely something that they hadn’t seen before. In less than a minute the first reel fired and they knew it worked! I was also informed on how difficult their fishing was back home when Fabi mentioned that sometimes they fish all day just to get a bite. Today wouldn’t be like home! From this moment on the rods would fire with multiple hook ups and plenty of doubles. An occasional triple was also had as we were on fish big time! Although the water temps were in the mid 50’s, a slight adjustment had them eating. I watched all morning as both Fabi & Adriana reeled in one fish after another. They were mostly pike, but several quality eyes were in the mix too. Ironically it was pike that they fished for back in Switzerland and catching as many as they did today was a real treat. Both of them had never experienced fishing like this before and couldn’t believe it was even possible. Right up until the last few minutes of the trip, they caught. In fact, I ended the day with appropriately, another double header! To say they were content would be an understatement. This was the highlight of their vacation and the best fishing they had ever experienced. It’s gonna be tough to go fishing back in Switzerland when they get home. I guess they’ll have to plan another trip to Montreal for more insane action!!

I decided to check out local waters this afternoon, in preparation for upcoming clients. Despite the warm air temps, the waters were still way below normal. I covered plenty of area, spot checking for pike & walleye and found temps ranging between 52 & 55 degrees in most. It wasn’t a problem locating fish, but getting them to move required several adjustments. From techniques to bait size & color, I did it all until I found the right combination. I could have stayed on the fish and likely landed plenty more but after only a few large walleye, pulled out to check elsewhere. Later in the afternoon I located the warmest water but at only 59 degrees, it still seemed cold. A number of big pike made mistakes and ended up on the end of the line from here, and were released as well.  Although the active fish weren’t great, their size was impressive! The upcoming warm weather will definitely trigger many more fish into feeding and higher number days will arrive.

I still have plenty of available openings for anyone seeking action in the form of 50 plus fish days. This is a great time to take advantage of size and numbers as both pike & walleye become plentiful. Their spawn period has all but ended and they’ll be on the feed trying to bulk up soon. With the Website overhaul complete, booking a date has never been easier. With the new reservation system in place, there are now multiple ways to contact me. I look forward to getting back on the water, with many new faces this season!

The crappie bite is still in full swing with many giants being caught daily. Most are being returned but some have made it to the BBQ for a tasty meal. Even the cat has enjoyed the meals. Can’t wait to get back soon!