November 15 thru 16, 2008
It was a pretty good weekend, overall.
I have given up on my creek for the year (kind of) as I've found it to be a complete waste of time and have since been concentrating on fishing its larger feeder river, the DPR. My time at the river thus far has been totally worth it!
I was out on both Saturday and Sunday nights from, on average, about 5-8pm. Saturday was spent with some friends at the river, including Matt (fopoil), and Sunday was a solo outing/wade in snow showers which I found myself to be the only fisherman out there (really nice).
On Saturday night, the Walleyes and Sauger were going pretty good for us as a few went up to 20 inches, while others were being found at the 15 inch mark.
This time of year and especially at night, find the spots that hold fish, and fish simple with minnowbaits and nothing else. During daytime, livebait and plastics are the norms, but not the best at night, I think.
Lately, we've been finding the fish relating to both faster current, and in deep slow-moving pools with nearby current. Since we're fishing at night, we haven't been able to find the baitfish by visual sight, but if the fish are there, then they have to be in their spots for a reason.
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JB, I forgot, what's this guy's name? Is it Terry? I've been running into him a lot and we've been chatting it up a bit.
Then on Sunday night, my 2 friends who were going to accompany me bailed out. Therefore, I found myself to be the only one at the river. It was pretty cold out, with snow showers throughout. All my friends thought I was a NUT for thinking of going out there.
Using the same bait from my previous 3 or 4 or 5 outings (F11 Rapala) and working the usual areas (deep water pools with current + breaks), my first cast of the evening yielded my largest Walleye of this fall. No joke!
With a long cast and then reeling at a slow but steady retrieve against the current, a fish hit within 5 feet from me along a drop-off into deep pool below. I set the hook hard, and it had good weight. It was instantly pulling drag on me, heading downstream and fought nothing like a Walleye. I thought it was a big Pike at first but to my surprise it turned out to be this 25-incher.
I set up the tri-pod, got the camera out, and I was able to get a nice photo.
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After a quick procedure, she was sent off to feed some more. I caught a few other smaller fish, 1 Sauger and 1 mini Pike, and felt my weekend had concluded well - quite fittingly.
While fishing with and next to many different anglers during the past week AT AN AREA I HAVE NEVER FISHED AT, PRIOR TO THIS FALL, I have noticed that not everyone can have the same type of success nor great of results as this - (don't even think about saying "luck" because I don't believe in that propaganda BS). With this being said, there are a few things to keep in mind:
The important factors with having a shot of success with these riverine Walleyes is to understand the lures you are using (in this case, large minnowbaits), be able to read river currents, differentiate the aspects and variables of what makes a "good" Walleye habitat, being able to identify good vs. bad spots, and pay attention to the various casting angles you are given. These are the ultimate factors I live and die with.
Good weekend! 8)
Can't wait to see what this week's after-class outings will bring.
It was a pretty good weekend, overall.
I have given up on my creek for the year (kind of) as I've found it to be a complete waste of time and have since been concentrating on fishing its larger feeder river, the DPR. My time at the river thus far has been totally worth it!
I was out on both Saturday and Sunday nights from, on average, about 5-8pm. Saturday was spent with some friends at the river, including Matt (fopoil), and Sunday was a solo outing/wade in snow showers which I found myself to be the only fisherman out there (really nice).
On Saturday night, the Walleyes and Sauger were going pretty good for us as a few went up to 20 inches, while others were being found at the 15 inch mark.
This time of year and especially at night, find the spots that hold fish, and fish simple with minnowbaits and nothing else. During daytime, livebait and plastics are the norms, but not the best at night, I think.
Lately, we've been finding the fish relating to both faster current, and in deep slow-moving pools with nearby current. Since we're fishing at night, we haven't been able to find the baitfish by visual sight, but if the fish are there, then they have to be in their spots for a reason.
JB, I forgot, what's this guy's name? Is it Terry? I've been running into him a lot and we've been chatting it up a bit.
Then on Sunday night, my 2 friends who were going to accompany me bailed out. Therefore, I found myself to be the only one at the river. It was pretty cold out, with snow showers throughout. All my friends thought I was a NUT for thinking of going out there.
Using the same bait from my previous 3 or 4 or 5 outings (F11 Rapala) and working the usual areas (deep water pools with current + breaks), my first cast of the evening yielded my largest Walleye of this fall. No joke!
With a long cast and then reeling at a slow but steady retrieve against the current, a fish hit within 5 feet from me along a drop-off into deep pool below. I set the hook hard, and it had good weight. It was instantly pulling drag on me, heading downstream and fought nothing like a Walleye. I thought it was a big Pike at first but to my surprise it turned out to be this 25-incher.
I set up the tri-pod, got the camera out, and I was able to get a nice photo.
After a quick procedure, she was sent off to feed some more. I caught a few other smaller fish, 1 Sauger and 1 mini Pike, and felt my weekend had concluded well - quite fittingly.
While fishing with and next to many different anglers during the past week AT AN AREA I HAVE NEVER FISHED AT, PRIOR TO THIS FALL, I have noticed that not everyone can have the same type of success nor great of results as this - (don't even think about saying "luck" because I don't believe in that propaganda BS). With this being said, there are a few things to keep in mind:
The important factors with having a shot of success with these riverine Walleyes is to understand the lures you are using (in this case, large minnowbaits), be able to read river currents, differentiate the aspects and variables of what makes a "good" Walleye habitat, being able to identify good vs. bad spots, and pay attention to the various casting angles you are given. These are the ultimate factors I live and die with.
Good weekend! 8)
Can't wait to see what this week's after-class outings will bring.
