Archived Chippewa Flowage Report
July 27, 2009
Report #1256 from walleyemaxxThen-Current Conditions : 64F / 18C, Scattered Clouds - 7:53 AM CDT Jul. 27
Hi everyone
Sorry about the late report. Been reading Lar's posts, and not to much more to add as far as the numbers. No pictures either because I can't top his pictures. Ha. I'll post a picture in the album tonight about lar's big scoop, stay tuned for that one.
But regardless of how the fish were biting, It's fun and satisfying just to be out on a beautiful body of water such as the flowage. We were out to witness the sunrise in the morning,and the sunset in the evening, and between fish during the day, witnessed the incredible scenery. Like Lar reported, it rained every hour on the hour. Rain suit on, rainsuit off. That just added to the experience. Sunny one minute, pouring rain the next. No lightning, so no problem.
I have to comment on Lar's position about the weather. I agree with Cold Front that Lar makes to much of the weather. I stated before that it is what it is. The Walleyes are still feeding and eating good. The three Walleyes I filleted out Saturday were chunky. One had three minnows in it's gut, and the other two had disolved somthing in theirs. Regardless of the weather, the Walleyes still eat.
I'm not sure why their is such a bloom of forage this year, other than it's Mother Nature's way of keeping every thing in check. I've seen it before, and just like we did Saturday all day, we just have to ride out the storm. Keep the faith Lar. I've seen exceptional fishing in the fall after a so so summer period many times.I quess my cup is always half full, never half empty. The slower the bite, the harder I fish, and the more rewarding it is to catch fish.
And DWW, it was fun. We have to do it again sometime. And I know I'll fish with Lar again many times. It was fun to see and talk to Bluberry, and the fishing machine. You have to feed F.M. more wheaties Eh?
In southern california, they took a poll. "Do you think the English language should be the official language of the United States?" 87% of the respndents said "CEE" --Jay Leno
Keep the faith
Walleyemaxx
hey, when fishing sucks im still out there, Maxx. I don't let it ruin the experience. "Matching the pattern" just adds a lot to the experience for me. Of course, it is what it is, but getting more and more phases pegged - and executing accordingly - beats doin the same thing every day and hopin for the best.
lg3 at 9:41 AM - July 27, 2009
p.s. Maxx, I added the pic of your bass to the report.
lg3 at 10:10 AM - July 27, 2009
Lar, I think you've hit on why a number of people quit fishing early in their life. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Drowning the same worm off the same dock in the same lake with the same result is, not just crazy, but boring. Kids that only get that kind of exposure to fishing don't fish as adults. There's no question that guys who study the elements of their hobbies, work, etc. are better at them than guys who don't. I really hope that you eventually can tell me all the "secrets" that the weather holds for walleye fishing. Meanwhile it's in my nature to poke a little fun at your frustration. I got pretty frustrated last year when I felt like it was impossible to catch a fish from where I was standing. I knew we were in good water and fishing good patterns because my boat partners caught fish on six consecutive trips without me having so much as a follow. I felt "snake bit" and didn't fish for six weeks. I took a large amount of crap from the guys I fish with. I also discovered I like being on the water fishing more than I like golf, whether I catch fish or not.
Cold Front at 10:17 AM - July 27, 2009
oh, i dont know. sometimes i wish i was 8 years old, fishing off my parents dock again....i NEVER got skunked then! haha. id probably still be doin that today if i didnt need a boat to get away from the damn mosquitos.
lg3 at 10:20 AM - July 27, 2009
Thanks for posting the picture Lar. I'll have the wife post the picture of your big scoop tonight. When I get my laptop, I'm going to learn how to do such things. And remember, fishing never sucks, it just slows down:)
Walleyemaxx at 10:20 AM - July 27, 2009
i beg to differ. it sucks when you lose big fish. haha
lg3 at 12:26 PM - July 27, 2009
i guess i want to clear one other thing up, too. im not frustrated at "trying to understand" the weather. that, I'm confident in. maybe not forecasting it this year, but simply knowing when certain approaches will and wont work "right now". for instance, since June, we've basically had two days when we've had reports here of successful cranking the shallows (one day with Luke and one with Derek)...and both times, I was in chicago - earlier those mornings - writing here on the report.... "WOW, conditions are right finally!". Then those conditions went back to crap within a day - and so did fishing. haha. and THAT, I am frustrated about. I'd like to find a a way to employ the type of fishing I like to do when the fish are this timid - and I'm not sure there is one. Obviously, I'm not knocking jig/live bait fishermen; I just dont enjoy doing it day in/day out all season. As strange as that is for a walleye fisherman to say, its extra tough when even most the jiggers are havin an off year.
lg3 at 12:52 PM - July 27, 2009
Walleyemaxx, Cold Front, lg3 or anybody if you don't mind I would like a little advice. When you use lead head jigs in deep water do you direct tie or use a swivel. I get so much twist in my line with direct tie that I have to change lines about every other day. Is that normal? Or is it because I use 4# test line.
AB Illinois at 2:49 PM - July 27, 2009
comment
Cold Front at 3:11 PM - July 27, 2009
AB, i tie direct. While jigs are the worst thing I know of for line twist, I can't say I've ever had to change the line every other day. Every other week, maybe. I use 6, or sometimes 4lb test. you try runnin it behind the boat with nothin on the end? it can help in a pinch.
lg3 at 3:14 PM - July 27, 2009
No clue what happened there?? I'm a direct tie guy, but I don't usually fish deep water with light weight jigs. I've got stone hands so when I jig deep water I use 1/4,3/8 or bigger. I think you get less twist with a larger jig.
Cold Front at 3:17 PM - July 27, 2009
A good solution to this is to tie an in-line swivel about 24" or more from the jig. This seems to reduce line twist. I do the same thing for winter fishing with jigging spoons.
Blueberry at 3:31 PM - July 27, 2009
Two plus hours on the Sand Is. 'Humps".
fredjig & crawler 16FOW noon. Also, couple of very lg. Bluegills
Fred at 3:33 PM - July 27, 2009
Cold Front, you have an outstanding comment:) AB I tie directly to my line. Line twist is just somthing I deal with. I use 6# trilene, just in case any one forgot, and find it helpfull after a few casts to let out about 6 feet of line, and let your jig spin untill it stops. It's not a cure all, but helps. Lar has a good tip to cut the jig off at the end of the day and let out about a 100 feet of line behind the boat and motor slowly for a few minuets. That will take out 99% of your twist. And Lar, I know you like to cast cranks. I do at times, but my #1 is jig and live bait.I love to work it, finesse it, carress it, talk sweet to it, jiggle it, hop it,and I'm talking fishing now, and when i feel that tug, either a slight tap, or a slamming hit, well, I'm sweating now! Can't say that about casting cranks.
Walleyemaxx at 3:34 PM - July 27, 2009
LOL - no, I can't say I've ever made out with a crankbait. heck, ive only kissed a couple fish even. Anyway, to me, there is a different element of action/excitement with cranks....and in certain situations, they provide the best results, thats all.
lg at 3:36 PM - July 27, 2009
Blueberry, I tried putting a swivel up from the jig too, but when you start to lose swivels and jigs, well that gets pricey after a while. I do that ice fishing, but you don't cast or snag up much.
Walleyemaxx at 3:44 PM - July 27, 2009
im tellin ya, Fred. you better start sellin those FredJigs!
lg3 at 3:46 PM - July 27, 2009
