Way cool. Good for you Matt.
~JOE~
~JOE~
Oconto Fishing with Vets Outing 4/15
I had the lucky opportunity to go on a fishing trip put on by an organization called Fishing with Vets. They had come across my Facebook feed many times, but I was always a little skeptical. This organization provides veterans fishing trips to to all sorts of great destinations (Rainey River, Lake of the Woods, Mississippi River, etc). For me it sounded too good to be true.
While I was up in Depere freezing my butt off a few weeks ago, I came across an announcement for a trip to the Peshtigo River/Oconto River area. Seeing as how I have always wanted to get up this way in April I decided to register and see what happened. Only a certain amount of people get chosen, so as the predetermined selection day came and went, I figured I was out of luck. I happened to check my email once last time before bed, and low and behold, I got picked to go.
Shortly thereafter an itinerary was sent out letting the chosen veterans know the details of the trip. Fishing with Vets provides lodging, food, beverages, and fishing guides for the weekend.
I drove up early on Friday, which was a non fishing day for the group. I checked out the Menominee River area and eventually stopped at a random place to throw a few casts. There were boats/shore fishermen everywhere, and it was a cool scene just to witness. I managed a handful of walleye, a ton of suckers, and got a wicked sunburn. I accidentally foul hooked at least 4 large Sturgeon that thankfully eventually came unbuttoned after some fun battles.
I checked into our motel at about 6 and met the crew. Everyone was laid back and excited to go fishing Saturday. We had a great dinner at an establishment right next to the motel and had a chance to meet our guides.
I was paired with Paul, the owner of North Shore Bait and Tackle in Oconto. Paul basically never takes a day off, but he volunteered his time during his busiest season to help get us out on the trip. Troy Krause, a very popular area guide also volunteered. The other guides were local fishermen from the area who wanted to help out.
On Saturday morning we had boats start on the Marinette, Peshtigo, and Oconto River. Everyone caught walleye, with the biggest being over 29 inches.
Paulie had my roommate Clint and I start in the Bay after launching in the Oconto River. There were a ton of boats out in the general area and we did not see much catching going on. I got 1 bite on a hair jig, which turned out to be a chunky little prespawn female. Once we moved back into the river, it was a different story. Lots of fish coming aboard, almost all on hair (my new favorite walleye bait this year). I've been looking for a Dirty 30 for some time now, but was not at all disappointed with my biggest fish coming in at 27.5. Clint also put a 26.5 in the boat. One I dialed in the casting angles and cadence the walleye wanted it was really good action amongst so many boats. In fact I had close to 10 fish working one angle out away from the stationary boats. Another boat came and sat right on that spot, cutting off my cast. I adjusted by throwing about 25 feet to the side and 5 minutes later another boat sat right on that spot. Combat fishing at its finest!
During the course of the day we traveled far up river. As a boy, Paul grew up on the river, and he entertained us with many stories of his youth. It was amazing to hear the history of the river and some of Paul's experiences.
After the great day of fishing we all met up at a local bowling alley for some pizza and comraderie.
Unfortunately a huge front was scheduled to come in that night bringing in some really nasty weather. It was decided we would not fish Sunday because of this.
Before heading back I stopped at the bait store to thank Paul and patronize his shop. Seeing I was so close to the river I donned the rain gear and shore fished for a few hours. It was NASTY, even on shore, so I stuck with heavier moving baits. Paul had mentioned to us that the smallies would be showing in the river any day now, and he was right. Big prespawn smallies kept smashing my blade bait right at my feet. I managed several walleye, but the smallies stole the show.
I headed home relaxed and with a smile on my face, which I suppose is what an organization like Fishing with Vets is all about. I can't thank them enough for a truly great weekend.
fishingwithvets.org
While I was up in Depere freezing my butt off a few weeks ago, I came across an announcement for a trip to the Peshtigo River/Oconto River area. Seeing as how I have always wanted to get up this way in April I decided to register and see what happened. Only a certain amount of people get chosen, so as the predetermined selection day came and went, I figured I was out of luck. I happened to check my email once last time before bed, and low and behold, I got picked to go.
Shortly thereafter an itinerary was sent out letting the chosen veterans know the details of the trip. Fishing with Vets provides lodging, food, beverages, and fishing guides for the weekend.
I drove up early on Friday, which was a non fishing day for the group. I checked out the Menominee River area and eventually stopped at a random place to throw a few casts. There were boats/shore fishermen everywhere, and it was a cool scene just to witness. I managed a handful of walleye, a ton of suckers, and got a wicked sunburn. I accidentally foul hooked at least 4 large Sturgeon that thankfully eventually came unbuttoned after some fun battles.
I checked into our motel at about 6 and met the crew. Everyone was laid back and excited to go fishing Saturday. We had a great dinner at an establishment right next to the motel and had a chance to meet our guides.
I was paired with Paul, the owner of North Shore Bait and Tackle in Oconto. Paul basically never takes a day off, but he volunteered his time during his busiest season to help get us out on the trip. Troy Krause, a very popular area guide also volunteered. The other guides were local fishermen from the area who wanted to help out.
On Saturday morning we had boats start on the Marinette, Peshtigo, and Oconto River. Everyone caught walleye, with the biggest being over 29 inches.
Paulie had my roommate Clint and I start in the Bay after launching in the Oconto River. There were a ton of boats out in the general area and we did not see much catching going on. I got 1 bite on a hair jig, which turned out to be a chunky little prespawn female. Once we moved back into the river, it was a different story. Lots of fish coming aboard, almost all on hair (my new favorite walleye bait this year). I've been looking for a Dirty 30 for some time now, but was not at all disappointed with my biggest fish coming in at 27.5. Clint also put a 26.5 in the boat. One I dialed in the casting angles and cadence the walleye wanted it was really good action amongst so many boats. In fact I had close to 10 fish working one angle out away from the stationary boats. Another boat came and sat right on that spot, cutting off my cast. I adjusted by throwing about 25 feet to the side and 5 minutes later another boat sat right on that spot. Combat fishing at its finest!
During the course of the day we traveled far up river. As a boy, Paul grew up on the river, and he entertained us with many stories of his youth. It was amazing to hear the history of the river and some of Paul's experiences.
After the great day of fishing we all met up at a local bowling alley for some pizza and comraderie.
Unfortunately a huge front was scheduled to come in that night bringing in some really nasty weather. It was decided we would not fish Sunday because of this.
Before heading back I stopped at the bait store to thank Paul and patronize his shop. Seeing I was so close to the river I donned the rain gear and shore fished for a few hours. It was NASTY, even on shore, so I stuck with heavier moving baits. Paul had mentioned to us that the smallies would be showing in the river any day now, and he was right. Big prespawn smallies kept smashing my blade bait right at my feet. I managed several walleye, but the smallies stole the show.
I headed home relaxed and with a smile on my face, which I suppose is what an organization like Fishing with Vets is all about. I can't thank them enough for a truly great weekend.
Home
fishingwithvets.org
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
I had the lucky opportunity to go on a fishing trip put on by an organization called Fishing with Vets. They had come across my Facebook feed many times, but I was always a little skeptical. This organization provides veterans fishing trips to to all sorts of great destinations (Rainey River, Lake of the Woods, Mississippi River, etc). For me it sounded too good to be true.
While I was up in Depere freezing my butt off a few weeks ago, I came across an announcement for a trip to the Peshtigo River/Oconto River area. Seeing as how I have always wanted to get up this way in April I decided to register and see what happened. Only a certain amount of people get chosen, so as the predetermined selection day came and went, I figured I was out of luck. I happened to check my email once last time before bed, and low and behold, I got picked to go.
Shortly thereafter an itinerary was sent out letting the chosen veterans know the details of the trip. Fishing with Vets provides lodging, food, beverages, and fishing guides for the weekend.
I drove up early on Friday, which was a non fishing day for the group. I checked out the Menominee River area and eventually stopped at a random place to throw a few casts. There were boats/shore fishermen everywhere, and it was a cool scene just to witness. I managed a handful of walleye, a ton of suckers, and got a wicked sunburn. I accidentally foul hooked at least 4 large Sturgeon that thankfully eventually came unbuttoned after some fun battles.
I checked into our motel at about 6 and met the crew. Everyone was laid back and excited to go fishing Saturday. We had a great dinner at an establishment right next to the motel and had a chance to meet our guides.
I was paired with Paul, the owner of North Shore Bait and Tackle in Oconto. Paul basically never takes a day off, but he volunteered his time during his busiest season to help get us out on the trip. Troy Krause, a very popular area guide also volunteered. The other guides were local fishermen from the area who wanted to help out.
On Saturday morning we had boats start on the Marinette, Peshtigo, and Oconto River. Everyone caught walleye, with the biggest being over 29 inches.
Paulie had my roommate Clint and I start in the Bay after launching in the Oconto River. There were a ton of boats out in the general area and we did not see much catching going on. I got 1 bite on a hair jig, which turned out to be a chunky little prespawn female. Once we moved back into the river, it was a different story. Lots of fish coming aboard, almost all on hair (my new favorite walleye bait this year). I've been looking for a Dirty 30 for some time now, but was not at all disappointed with my biggest fish coming in at 27.5. Clint also put a 26.5 in the boat. One I dialed in the casting angles and cadence the walleye wanted it was really good action amongst so many boats. In fact I had close to 10 fish working one angle out away from the stationary boats. Another boat came and sat right on that spot, cutting off my cast. I adjusted by throwing about 25 feet to the side and 5 minutes later another boat sat right on that spot. Combat fishing at its finest!
During the course of the day we traveled far up river. As a boy, Paul grew up on the river, and he entertained us with many stories of his youth. It was amazing to hear the history of the river and some of Paul's experiences.
After the great day of fishing we all met up at a local bowling alley for some pizza and comraderie.
Unfortunately a huge front was scheduled to come in that night bringing in some really nasty weather. It was decided we would not fish Sunday because of this.
Before heading back I stopped at the bait store to thank Paul and patronize his shop. Seeing I was so close to the river I donned the rain gear and shore fished for a few hours. It was NASTY, even on shore, so I stuck with heavier moving baits. Paul had mentioned to us that the smallies would be showing in the river any day now, and he was right. Big prespawn smallies kept smashing my blade bait right at my feet. I managed several walleye, but the smallies stole the show.
I headed home relaxed and with a smile on my face, which I suppose is what an organization like Fishing with Vets is all about. I can't thank them enough for a truly great weekend.
Home
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
