July 27, 2010

The weather is a bit frightful this a.m. and we just cancelled one of my two trips of the day, hopefully things shape up so I can put Roscoe on some smallmouth bass this afternoon.  The fishing in the area has been good for almost a month now.  We have been fishing Gull pretty hard but also doing some trips here and there throughout the area.  We had the Phillips Distilling group out the other day and all went well, Dean caught the big northern of the day and we also caught some nice walleyes that we put back.  Yesterday I had a gal catch a 36 inch northern on Gull and it was an awesome fight for her.  She caught it on a creek chub in about 15 feet of water on the south end of Gull.  It may have been the largest northern that I have had caught by a customer on Gull Lake and it was caught with 6 pound test line.  And last week as Toby, brother-in-law Ryan and I fished and golfed the GVL tourney, I caught my first every smallmouth out of Gull Lake (4 pounds 8 ounces).  What's next, Jingles?  Let's hope so.  The best way to fish Gull right now is with a Lindy Rig and a nice sized (4-8 inch) minnow along the outside edge of the weeds.  NorthernJen was back at last week too, as she caught another nice Gull Lake northern.  Mark, maybe next time brother and thanks for sporting the Fleet Farm hat!  The best batch of walleyes last week came out of Gull as well in about 17 feet of water while fishing with the Powell family from Stillwater.  Ken had the touch and we ended up boating 10 one morning.  We have a couple events coming up and unfortunately they are on the same evening.  I will be hosting the 2010 Heritage Sportsman's Banquet on August 20th starting at 4:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m..  We will be having a pig roast and the speaker of the evening will be Roger Raglin, America's Whitetail Deer Hunter and host of Roger Raglin Outdoors TV show.  We will have the top 10 whitetails of North America on display and if this doesn't get you pumped for the upcoming hunting season I don't think anything will.  Lots of prizes too!  tickets are available at Heritage Assemblies of God Church or Bethany Bookstore.  Kids are welcome and all proceeds will go to Brainerd Area Youth Ministries (B.A.Y.).  The other event on this night will be the 14th annual NWTF banquet at the Nisswa Community Center.  Our local chapter, The Central Minnesota Gobblers is a great group of people that are doing great things for our wild turkeys.  If you want to learn more about the most awesome bird on the planet, call our president Dan Zimmerman at 218-821-7701.  O.k., that's all I have for now.  Have a great day and a great week.  Walleyedan   

July 17, 2010

I'm sorry that it has almost been a month since I have last posted.  I have been aqua man, spending many hours on the water and haven't had much energy for anything else.  The good news is that we are busy and the fish are biting!  So it could be another month before you here from me again but I will seriously try to be here for you more often.  The water temperature is warm (75 ish) and this has kicked in the fish metabolism and also kicked the bait and fish out of the weeds and more exposed on the edges and the reefs.  We are using our standard Walleyedan Rig tipped with a red tail chub or creek chub.  Jigs tipped with a minnow will also stir up a few Walters for you.  Yesterday was a good day as we put 12 walleyes in the boat with the Richards family from Indiana.  They were up here through Make-A-Wish.  Deryk, 13, had a kidney transplant from his mom over a year ago and it was his wish to come up and do some walleye fishing.  This would be my type of wish too Deryk, good call.  We had some good trips and I believe that the Richards really did enjoy their trip to Maddens Resort, I think Deryk is fishing right now too!  The walleyes we are catching are eaters, the big dogs will start biting here pretty quick too.  The walleyes aren't the only fish biting, everything is.  It's also time to crack out the Scum Frog and throw it up in the slop!  Have you stopped by Mills Fleet Farm and checked out the latest end cap?  Everyone loves this one and of course it is because of Elizabeth.  These baits really do work well and you can tell by the way they are "jumping" off the shelves.  Get one today and you will have a blast.  This has been a good stretch of fishing and business for all of our guides and if you are looking to come up and fish, make sure to call Shelley today at 218-839-5598 and book your trip with Walleyedan's Guide Service.  Thank you and God Bless.

WD

June 18, 2010

Good morning.  It is a beautiful, sun shining morning up here in the lakes area.  Quite a difference from last evening when we had some pretty nasty weather come ripping through the area.  We were spared, but the folks in Wadena weren't.  The wind is blowing today and it sounds like we will have a pretty good chop for tomorrows annual Camp Confidence Fishing Classic that will be held at Maddens Resort on Gull Lake.  I will be fishing with my wife and my dad and I am trying to formulate my game plan.  There are 4 categories (walleye, northern, bass and mixed bag).  We will see how things go but I think we will try to get a big walleye right away in the morning and then do some casting with jigs and Gulp Alive and maybe some Trigger X.  This past week was o.k. but not fantastic, I fished Gull, Whitefish and Mille Lacs.  The Gull Lake walleye bite is starting to shape up and we are finding some biters along the weed lines using both Lindy Rigs and Northland Fireline Jigs tipped with either shiners or red tail chubs.  Whitefish is full of northerns and on my trip the other morning with the Thomans, that is all we caught.  We only fished lower and middle Whitefish and the storms were moving in from the west so I decided not to head to upper.  Would that have been the answer?  Not certain.  Next week I have a few longer trips (6 and 8 hour trips) and will more than likely fish Mille Lacs one of the days.  The new Cyration blades from JB Lures (available only at Mills Fleet Farm) are going to be walleye catchers!  Pick some up today.  How is your coffee supply?  If you are running low, make sure to pick up a pound of Walleyedan Coffee that is available right now at Cub Foods in Baxter.  Have a great day and if you would like to book a guided trip with one of our "good" guides, please call and book with Shelley today 218-839-5598.

Walleyedan

June 10, 2010

Good afternoon.  I am dried out and getting that sleepy feeling.  I was on the water this morning with Judy, Dave and Gary and we caught some dinner.  Gary was a good stick and that help matters big time.  We fished Gull Lake and caught a bag of walleyes and perch in 10-18 feet of water using jigs and Lindy Rigs tipped with small shiner minnows.  The weather has been a little on the "iffy" side but we are started to see a little more consistency in the "bite".  The bass are turning on but the males have been the aggressive ones.  Mille Lacs is a different story as I was over there last week with the Studs from Iowa (Keith, Lee and Ted) and they put on a mini-clinic.  The biggest was a 18 incher but I am pretty sure that we had a 19 plus up to the boat and next time over there I will be shooting for a 20 plus.  We are talking smallmouth bass here.  Last night I was filming a clip for Mills Fleet Farm and the Scum Frogs were being showcased.  I was out on a small area lake with my daughter Elizabeth and I am thankful that she was with.  She caught the big bass of the night and both of us had bigger fish on that we lost.  Bottom line, we got fresh footage for the next Walleyedan end cap at Mills Fleet Farm, you will have to stop and check it out.  Last weekend was the Minnesota Teen Challenge Fishing Challenge and what a success it was!  I was loving it, I fishing with Mike Cousineau and we ended up finishing first in the northern category and second in the pan fish category.  We were tossing chartruse 3 inch Gulp Alive minnows on a jig head and catching about everything.  We are booking trips daily and if you are interested in a guided trip with one of our professional guides, please give Shelley a ring at 218-839-5598.

Walleyedan

May 31, 2010

Good morning and a happy Memorial Day to you.  Especially to you who have lost friends and family in war.  It is a gorgeous morning, the birds are singing the humidity is gone and there is hardly a whisper of wind.  Fishing has been good and now that the bass season is open we have another species to fall back on if the walleyes decide they don't want to cooperate.  My last successful walleye trip was over on Mille Lacs and that was Friday.  I am either going to heard back there or up to Leech with Keith Barnes, Ted Tedesco and Lee Huey tomorrow.  Today is a "get ready" day and a day with the family here on the ranch.  The water temperature is warming up and the fish should start to really rock here this week.  I am going to pick up some of the new blades from JB Lures that are exclusive to Mills Fleet Farm, you need to see and use these babies.  They have an exclusive design that will drive the walleyes crazy.  Also out at Mills Fleet Farm are the new exclusive Shap Raps and the Rusty Monkey has proven itself already to be a monster walleye catcher.  Don Skrove, who I fished with the other day caught a 30 inch walleye on opening day back in his town of Alexandria, MN.  The Rusty Monkey is a exclusive color Rapala Shad Rap and can only be purchased at Mills Fleet Farm.  This will become an extremely hot bait as we enter the warm water months here in Minnesota as the walleyes start to suspend around the schools of baitfish.  June is about here (tomorrow) and it is shaping up to be a busy one for our guide service.  We do still have openings though and the "bite" should be exceptional in days and weeks to come.  So if you are looking to book a trip with one of our professional guides, please call 218-839-5598 and ask for Shelley.  Have a great week and I will report back sooner than later.  Walleyedan

May 17, 2010

Good morning.  It is 7:08 and all is calm (as in the air movement).  What an amazing weekend and week ahead, thanks God.  Now it's on with the guiding season.  I guided my family for a few hours this weekend and we caught some Gull lake walleyes, tonight starts the real thing.  Tim, Toby, Bruce and Jeff guided out of Lost Lake Lodge this weekend and had some success.  My dad and brother-in-law Chris had some nice fish in the morning and that was that.  We slip bobber fished with leeches at midnight and Elizabeth caught the only fish, a rocky.  When we went out Saturday afternoon/evening we picked up 5 walleyes and Shelley caught 4 of them on a 1/4 ounce Northland Fireball Jig and a shiner, Mac caught the other on a Lindy Rig and a shiner.  Our fish were caught in 13-20 feet of water on the north end of Gull.  It sounds like Leech will be good again this year and I have yet to hear anything from Mille Lacs.  This week is going to be choice, so if you are getting the walleye urge please pick up the phone and call Shelley.  We have a few guides that would absolutely love to put you on some hungry walleyes.  We are working on some "set" hours at our new location on highway 371 north, Nisswa.  Stop by and check things out next time you have a minute.  I will be there a fair amount today before it's time to meet up with my evening fishing partners.  Have a great day and check back soon.  WD

May 13, 2010

It's about that time.  Time to put away the guns and pull out the other weapons (the fishing rods).  The turkey season was absolutely incredible, we scored on 6 different birds and of those 5 were by first time turkey hunters.  It started out with Shelley (my wife) followed by Cody, Wade, Phyllis, Elizabeth (my daughter) and just Tuesday a.m. I bagged my bird.  This was by far my most awesome turkey hunting season ever.  All were shot in central Minnesota and all were jakes except for the bird I shot on Tuesday, it was a Merriam (yes) that had just shy of an 11 inch beard, 1 1/4 spurs and weighed 22 pounds.  What a rush.  Kent still has a tag so we will see what happens there. 

Fishing.  I am going to be headed for our shop (371 north, Nisswa) in a few minutes to get the rods dusted off and fresh line spooled.  I will be rigging 3 of them with lighted slip bobbers because that is what we will be doing on Friday at midnight.  Me, Elizabeth and Mac!  Should be an interesting opener and by the sounds of things the weather is going to cooperate nicely.  I truly think that this opener will be a great one all the way around.  The fish have had plenty of time to recuperate and the water temp is getting up there to where the fish should be quite actively searching out our Fireballs, Lindy Rigs, slip bobbers and leeches or whatever else you plan on dropping in front of them.  Tim Hanske, Toby Kvalevog, Bruce Meinz and Jeff Andersen will be with us again for the start of the 2010 guiding season.  They will all be busy with the Lost Lake Lodge crew and I have a feeling that there will be enough walleyes caught to have a nice dinner.  I think Shelley and I are headed over to Lost Lake Lodge tonight for their friends and family dinner party.  Like I mentioned, it's time for me to get things in gear with my equipment.  A trip to Mills Fleet Farm will most likely be in the cards before the day is out, how can you not make a stop at Fleet farm to browse the awesome aisles of fishing gear.  Have a great day, a great opening weekend and if you are interested in booking a guided trip with one of us please call 218-839-5598 and talk with Shelley.

Walleyedan

May 5, 2010

10 days to Mac and Elizabeth's birthday, 10 days to the beginning of the 2010 Minnesota Fishing Opener.  I am not 100% ready for either so it's time to get my act together and prepare.  But what about those turkeys?  I am not done with them, in fact my season has not even started yet.  I have been doing some calling for others and it has been and exceptional year but I will try to get myself, Elizabeth and Geoff Davidge on a bird before the busy season starts!  Today is a bit on the nippy side and according to the weather people we might be in this pattern for a while yet.  The crappies have been getting "worked", just like I predicted, it's been really good (so I hear).  I still need to stop in at Mills Fleet Farm and pick up my 2010 license, my other expired on the 29th of April.  How about yours?  Are you legal?  I am not sure about you, but with the change that was made a few years ago as far as the expiration, it has screwed me up a little.  I can see how a person could space this out although I know that won't fly with the DNR.  Mothers Day!  I am sorry mother that I didn't put this as the top topic but I did not totally forget!  It's this weekend, actually Sunday the 9th.  Let's not forget guys/gals.  A few other mentions:  the Lake Shore Gun Club is getting fired-up for the season and you might want to look into some of the different events coming up (the spring kick-off and the kids shooting day).  The Gould Brothers will be putting on a shooting demonstration this Saturday the 8th and the kids will be invited out to learn how to shoot from some highly qualified folks on the 15th.  Google Lake Shore Gun Club and check things out!  Also, the Let's Go Fishing (Brainerd Chapter) is getting organized for the maiden voyage and if you are interested in either training to be a captain or co-captain or want to schedule a trip please let us know.  Go to LGFWS.com and head to the Brainerd Chapter, you will find more info.  Time to get on with the day.  Have a nice one and stay on the right track.

WD

April 26, 2010

Good morning (11:50 a.m.).  Another gorgeous spring day up here in the lakes country of central Minnesota.  I just completed a walk with my wife and I need to keep up the exercise routine.  Turkey hunting is good but I think I need a little more muscle building, particularly in the left knee department.  The walleye opener is fast approaching and it seems that people are getting the fever.  We have been booking quite a few trips and I think it's going to be a fantastic season.  With the early spring and rapidly warming water, the fish are fired-up.  Right now we are offering guided crappie and sun fish trips but the walleye opener is on the 15th of May and from the day on we should be on the water almost daily.  We are starting out the season with our full compliment of guides (myself, Tim Hanske, Toby Kvalevog, Bruce Meinz and Jeff Andersen).  Turkey season is in full swing and it has been an exceptional start to the 2010 season.  We have 4 birds under our belt, all coming from central Minnesota.  My son Mac, who is 7 missed a giant long beard last Wednesday morning and now it's time to see if our little Elizabeth can be the first to bag a bird.  Shelley shot her first bird on the 15th and I have also called in birds for Cody Quam of Rochester, Wade Geisenhof of Fort Ripley and Phyllis Pfaff of Motley/Leader.  I think tomorrow morning might be Elizabeth's turn, we'll see.  If you are heading out into the turkey woods, I would suggest stopping at your local Mills Fleet Farm for a Turkey Skinz (an authentic feathered covering that goes over your existing decoy), this is a gobbler getter!  As far as calls, The Primos Wet Box and the Cherry Bomb are two awesome box calls.  The Ring Zone slate call by Hunters Specialties is my favorite along with a few custom calls from Flash!  The Double D by HS and the Smack Down and Kung Fu Chop are good ones too from Flextone.  Some days a decoy is the way to go and other days no decoy is the way to go.  Right now I've got to go so best of "skill" in the woods or on the water and I will talk at you later.  Book your guided trip today with Walleyedan's Guide Service 218-839-5598.

Walleyedan

April 7, 2010

Good morning.  It is a little crisp, in fact I just stepped out onto the porch with my Primos Wet Box and ripped off a few yelps.  No reply.  Things have been good up here in the north country.  The lakes are open and spring has kicked into full gear.  The loons are back and so are the Snow-Birds, these are sure signs of spring.  The Twins are fired-up too and I see they won their first game last night in Anaheim.  The guide trips are starting to roll on in and it looks to be another good year of guiding for the crew.  If you would like to book a guided trip on the day you want it might not be a bad idea to call Shelley and get in the books.  Turkey hunting is obviously on my brain as opening day here in Minnesota is fast approaching (April 14th).  I had the kids out the other day shooting at targets and Elizabeth (9) peppered her homemade turkey head target, her first ever shot with a shotgun (20 gauge)!  Nice job my little tree-hugger!  I have a few events coming up here shortly and it all starts this weekend at Lambeau where Mills Fleet Farm is putting on their sport show, this is a big deal with some BIG SAVINGS on product.  Then it's off to the No Kids Left Indoors event at the airport Hilton, this is sure to be a great event as well.  Turkey hunting will be next followed by the "Let's Go Fishing Day" at Mills Ford.  Have you heard about this?  Look for the posters around town, but make sure you mark April 17th off on your calendar.  Let's Go Fishing is dedicated to our seniors and it offers FREE fishing trips here in the Brainerd Area, call John at 218-251-6054 to schedule a trip or to volunteer.  Have a great day and remember the Boss!

Walleyedan

March 30, 2010

Good morning (11:10 a.m.).  The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, the lakes are breaking up, the turkeys are gobbling, all kinds of good things happening right now!  Yesterday morning was a incredible, I stepped outside to take a leak because the girls had the bathroom all tied up and as I stepped outside the dog followed and let out a bark that carried throughout the woods.  This time of year my instincts tell me to keep an ear to the woods (for gobbles) and what did I hear, you guessed it!  The first gobbles I have ever heard from my porch!  I was pumped and still am.  I didn't hear them this a.m. but at least I know they are in the neighborhood.  April 14th is opening day and I plan on being out in the woods with my wife trying to get one close for her.  The kids will hunt as well and I have a license for a bit later.  As you can see I am getting the turkey fever big time.  In fact I have another seminar tonight at Mills Fleet Farm in Oakdale at 6:30.  If you are up in Fargo, come out Thursday to talk turkey, I will be there at 6:30.  Fish?  Yep, starting to get ready for that too.  I had my boat in the water yesterday on Gull Lake so I could check out some newly rigged electronics.  Structure Scan is going to be huge, it's new technology from Lowrance.  I also mounted my Aqua Vu Mav on the boat for this year and I now realize I was missing out last year.  The lakes are going to be opened much earlier than the past few years and the crappies will more than likely take a beating, be good to them!  If you haven't used Puddle Jumpers make sure to stop at your local Mills Fleet Farm and pick some up they are an awesome crappie bait and you don't need to tip them.  Look to the warm, northern bays on your favorite lake and the crappies will not be too far away.  A few other things to mark on your calendar...check out the media page and go to events.  How about Talkin' with Walleyedan on MCBI?  Have you heard any of the clips?  Phil Kvamme and the whole crew at MCBI are super people doing things the RIGHT way.  Are you a Walleyedan Facebook Fan?  Please check it out.  That is enough for now, have a great day and a great, Good Friday and Easter weekend!  God Bless.

Walleyedan

March 21, 2010

Good evening.  Spring break 2010 is in the books, back to school for the kids tomorrow and time to get crackin on a lot of different things for this cat.  I have had this hacking cold for too long and I really would like to kick it.  I will be doing a few turkey seminars this week at Mills Fleet Farm and hopefully my voice stays with me.  Last week I was traveling in our friendly state of Wisconsin with Mystik Lubricants, Jeff and I had a good road trip and I would have to say that Mystik will be the lube of the future!  I haven't been on the ice for a week but I will be out there tomorrow with Chad from Green Bay, WI.  I think we will probably hit North Long but I am not 100% certain.  Last week was fun but the crappies weren't cruising the shallows like years past, hopefully tomorrow night is a different story.  I was walking out on Gull Lake Saturday a.m. with my son and my dog and there was still 20 inches of ice.  The shorelines are getting a bit weak but there is still a lot of ice as you get a little further out and it will be a while yet before it is totally free.  We are getting calls and emails everyday from people looking ahead to the open water season, it looks like it will be a good one and I can't wait to wet and open water line, maybe Rainy River is in the books!  Let us know if you are interested in doing that trip and we will see what we can do to set you up, it can be a blast and the best fishing should be to come.  Lots of stuff coming up in March and April and I best get me rear in gear and make sure that everything is situated.  The "Let's Go Fishing Day", which will support out Let's Go Fishing with Seniors (Brainerd Chapter) is on the 17th of April at Mills Ford in Baxter/Brainerd.  There will be a host of fishing personalities including Gary Roach (Mr. Walleye) and many others.  Please come out, we will be there from 10-4 and it will be a fun day for all ages!  Speaking of Mills Ford I just picked up my new F150 and it is a machine!  Super smooth, comfortable and tough of course.  Thank you to the Mills Crew for being so helpful.  I could go on and on but I must wind down and get ready for the crib!

Walleyedan  p.s.  become a fan of Walleyedan on Facebook.

March 8, 2010

Hi.  I hope you had a nice weekend because it sure was a nice weekend (weather wise).  My last trip to the ice was Friday evening when Mac and I met Pastor Paul out on the ice near Nisswa.  The fishing wasn't too good but Paul went home with a meal!  Thankfully it didn't take much for their meal.  The fishing has actually been pretty good, not sure went on that evening.  We are losing snow pretty fast up here but there is still a lot of ice on the lakes, with truck travel still being the main mode of transportation right now.  I have a fairly busy week on land but I hope to get on the ice at least a few times this week.  It's getting to be the time to start thinking open water and it's nice to see that the trips are already coming in.  Before I get too cranked up with the open water fishing stuff, I will be talking turkey a fair amount in weeks to come.  We will be offering a free turkey seminar at some of the Mills Fleet Farm locations throughout March and April, look for one coming to a Fleet Farm near you.  There will be some prizes given out and a lot of useful information for you turkey enthusiasts.  I have been reminded you as well that the April 17th date should be marked on the calendar for our Let's Go Fishing (Brainerd Chapter) event at Mills Ford in Baxter/Brainerd.  Hey, speaking of trucks be careful on the roads as the deer are moving around by the roadsides gobbling up acorns and whatever they can get their teeth on.  I drilled one the other night on my way to the "Beast Feast" meeting at Lakewood and it dinged up my truck quite a bit.  Have a great week and please stay in touch as we will be updating our site quite frequently.

God Bless,

WD

March 3, 2010

Good morning.  I do believe it is going to be another beauty up here today (40 and sun).  Maybe all week they say, the snow will have a pretty good dent put in it if that's the case.  Houses are off, at least the majority.  I did see a couple on Gull yesterday however.  My dad is up for a couple of days and we are going to try and catch a crappie or two this a.m..  Not so sure where we will go as of right now but it's that time of year where a lot of the lakes start to get pretty good for the pan fish.  I haven't been out on the ice a whole lot as of late, mucho things on the "plate".  I think March and April are going to fly and then before we know it opening day will be here.  I have gotten involved with a couple of different organizations as of late and I would like to invite you to check them out.  NKLI (No Kids Left Indoors) and  Let's Go Fishing.  Both of these organizations are not for profits and both are doing good things to help give back.  You can go to out events page and read more about both of these plus a few others.  April 10th and April 17th might be dates you want to mark if you are interested in these tow different events.  April 10th is the NKLI banquet at the airport Hilton and the Let's Go Fishing (Brainerd Chapter) kick off will be held the following weekend up here at Mills Ford.  The posters will be out in a week or so and you will be impressed with the seminar line-up.  Are you looking for something to put on your calendar for March?  How about a free turkey seminar at Mills Fleet Farm?  I had a dream about turkeys last night, that should tell you that it's getting close to that time of year.  I will be doing a number of different seminars at different locations but the one in Baxter is on the 25th of March at 6:30.  There will be some prizes too.

Time to roust the kids,

Walleyedan 

Good afternoon.  My brain is getting "worked"!  I have been trying to do some updates on the website and a few other things on the list.  I haven't been ultra efficient today but I guess we'll have days like this.  Maybe it's the moon!  We are entering the last days of the walleye season (4 days to be exact), are you going to be out there?  I think I might have to jig a couple up.  We have the Cisco clan coming up Saturday and I hope we can park them right on top of some hungry walleyes.  Last weekend was good for one group and I hope the same holds true fro this weekend.  My last outing was on Saturday evening when my son, daughter and I fished with Minnesota Viking Anthony Hererra and his son.  We were in the right neighborhood but not quite close enough to the hot hole.  The KFAN crew was up here too and we had a blast in the fish house on Friday a.m. with P.A., Charch, Marcel, Ted, Jay, Eric and Joe and Anthony.  P.A. and Charch, the avid indoorsman know that the odds will go up if they decide to fish a little earlier next year.  I am guessing they won't set their alarms but we will see.  The weather looks like it will be nice over the weekend and at this rate we might not have outdoor ice much longer (at the rink).  Hey, how about those Warriors?  The Brainerd hockey team has been fun to watch this year.  They play Roseau on Saturday in Roseau, wish I could be there but my son has a big game himself.  A couple of things before I go, check out the events page to see what is coming down the pike/pipe!  And please keep coming back for more, I need to make some more changes.  Such as the Hall of Fame page.

Shower time,

WD

Good morning.  What is happening with you?  The sun is shining and I am happy about that.  The temperatures are going to be steady (20's-30's) for the next week or 10 days and this might even get the gobblers in the mood.  The walleyes have been in the mood a little bit and we will be back after them again tomorrow, Thursday and over the weekend.  The depth varies (12-34 feet) and the bait doesn't seem to make a huge difference and with this being said I think the key is to pop quite a few holes and do some "hopping".  I had the Schmidt boys out the other night and we had a good time up on the north end of Gull Lake.  They were chasing tip-ups and each other around for 3 straight hours.  We ended up with a few walleyes and some perch.  Tomorrow we have a large group that will be out and I hope they are chasing tip-ups too!  After a fairly tough winter I am getting in the mood and I think it might be a daylight thing.  As much as I think I could move up to Alaska right now, the lack of daylight in the winter might kill me so I guess I will stick tight!  Right now it's off to knock a bunch of things off the "to do" list so I best be hitting the road!  Check out the media page on our site and go to the events button to see some of the upcoming festivities.  Have a great week and remember it's not too early to book your open water trips.  218-839-5598.

Walleyedan

Good morning sports fans..  I hope you are doing well and I think you must be if you are reading this.  Yes I am disappointed that the Minnesota Vikings did not win the super bowl but I am a lifetime fan and will continue to have hope.  An onside kick to begin the half, nice job and I would have to say they deserve to win with guts like that!  Congratulations New Orleans Saints.  I am going to change the sport and talk a little about fishing and maybe hunting.  I was out on the ice last night until about halftime of the big game trying to pull a fish house off before the "snow storm" hit.  It turns out despite my hassles on the ice we did not receive the snow that was predicted.  We may have received a couple of inches but I think just west of here they got the brunt.  The ice is about 2 feet thick and it is still fairly easy to get around with a pick-up truck.  But, if we get another few inches it might be tricky.  I was out on the ice jigging for a couple of hours and landed a couple of walleyes.  One was about 18 inches and the other a fry, it was just nice to have a couple of hours to "just jig".  We were fishing in 30-34 feet on the north end of Gull Lake.  We had some folks (including a 10 day old) out in the fish houses this weekend.  There were a few walleyes and perch caught but nothing major!  We are entering the wind-down stage of the season (February 28th is closing date) but the walleyes are still fairly active on some spots.  I am already getting excited for spring.  Not only to get the boat back on the open water but of course to chase the wild turkeys around the woods.  January and February have been a little on the slow side but March is going to be busy and so will April.  I will be out on the ice a few times this week and Tim will be doing the fish house thing as well.  If you would like to fish, please call 218-839-5598.

Walleyedan  

It’s been a while! I have been here and I have been there but I haven’t been on here..sorry! The computer went haywire, I was in Las Vegas at the Shot Show for a week, etc.. Today is grey but we are above zero (10 degrees). I have been on the ice but with the gnarly cold front that we are just getting over I wasn’t out as much as normal. Fishing has been fair. But I think as the mild temps hang around the action will pick up. February is here and the first month of 2010 is already history, wow where does it go. I am looking forward to spring as I am already hearing gobblers ringing in my ears. I didn’t get drawn here in Minnesota but Shelley did and I will also take the kids out. The Brainerd Jaycees put on yet another awesome Extravaganza, the 20th! We were there, the whole family plus a couple of brother-in-laws and Cindy and Perry Bunting. We went 2-6 (2 small walleyes) for the licensed fishers. We were close once again to some of the big fish, only about 35 yards or so from 2nd and 3rd place. There were about 11,500 anglers and the top fish was a walleye that weighed in at about 6 ½ pounds. Mills Fleet Farm supplied all of the prizes and the winner from Waseca drove away with an F150 pick-up truck courtesy of Mills Ford. Have you been watching the Brainerd Warriors hockey team? They are good and we have been trying to make as many games as we can. This week they have Grand Rapids, Moorhead and Roseau, should be some good hockey action and all games are at Brainerd.

Walleyedan

The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is on!  Just got word from the "Extravaganza Boss" this a.m. and he said that Sheriff Todd Dahl gave the o.k. yesterday.  So, it's time to prepare for the largest ice fishing contest in the world.  January 23rd is the date and 12-3 p.m. is the time, be there!  Buy your tickets at Mills Fleet Farm and get all of your ice fishing supplies while you are there, this contest is a blast and it helps people in need.  The weather has been nice and it sounds as though it's going to stay nice for a while.  My last couple of trips to the ice have been for pan fish but the walleyes are going to get it one of these days.  For now I must get on with the rest of life, just wanted to give you the latest update on the Extravaganza.  Have a great day!

Walleyedan 

Good morning.  We're having a heat wave!  I think it is about 12 degrees right now (8:00 a.m.) and they are talking maybe 20 today and even warmer tomorrow.  I just dropped the kids off at school and talked with the the "Extravaganza Boss", Bob Slaybaugh.  He was out yesterday measuring the ice around the Extravaganza site and they had measurements of 11-17 inches with 14 being the average.  We need to make some ice this week and despite the mild temperatures that are forecasted we should be able to do that.  If you are wondering what to do, I would say go ahead and make your plans to be here!  The contest is on the 23rd from 12-3 p.m..  I was out yesterday and had a fun outing.  We were doing a little video clip for Mills Fleet Farm and all things went well.  I put my Northland Forage spoon down the hole and had a crappie in less than 10 seconds.  I ended up doing pretty well, catching a mixed bag of crappies and sunnies.  I had fun and it was nice to finally be able to roam around from hole to hole without totally freezing my hands off.  I think I will make fish for dinner tonight.  Hopefully this nice weather pattern will spark the fishing activity and I really think it is.  Tim has been busy with the fish house rentals and travel is getting a little easier now that the snow is settling.  So, it's the Vikes and the Cowboys on Sunday.  I know that everyone thinks the cowboys are looking tough but I don't think that is going to do the trick when they come to the dome.  Should be a good game.  My prediction of a Vikes/Colts superbowl could hold true.  Just got off the phone with Larry from Watson, Oklahoma.  He ordered an Arctic Armor suit, I think the cold front that has swept southward has people chilled out!  I think we have sold a suit to about every state in the union (with exception of Arizona, Florida and California).  Have a great week and make sure that you stop by your local Mills Fleet Farm or go to their website and check out the variety of goods they have to offer.

Walleyedan

Good morning and happy New Year.  Winter is here without a doubt, it's crystal clear here in Lake Shore, Minnesota this a.m. and we are at 20 below zero right now.  Do you think we are making ice out on Hole-in-the-Day Bay right now?  I would say so!  The snow that we received over Christmas was very moisture laden and the cold is shooting right through.  The main part of Gull Lake is going to take a little longer to drive on with a pick-up, but Hole-in-the-Day Bay and other areas have 14-17 inches of ice (and growing) right now.  Pick-up trucks are driving on many areas of the lake, but with the crusty snow travel is still pretty tough going.  Last I heard there was still a full size pick-up on the bottom of the lake down by Ernies, they were waiting for sufficient ice in order to go pull it from the depths.  The owner of the pick-up did walk away safely.  Snowmobile is the preferred travel mode.  Fishing is o.k., but this recent cold bomb has put a damper on the activity.  I had a group out on Whitefish the other day and we caught a couple of nice walleyes and missed a couple of others.  We caught out fish in 19-29 feet using perch colored Jigging Shad Raps and perch colored Salmo Chubby Darters.  The fish seem to be liking the jig over the tip-up or set lines.  Tim Hanske, one of our guides is running the fish house rentals this year.  He has three in his fleet and the newest addition is a deluxe version.  We are also doing some guided trips using portables.  Please call if you are interested in booking a house or a trip (or both).  Have you applied fro a turkey permit yet?  Have you bought your Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza ticket yet?  You can do both at your local Mills Fleet Farm and you should think about doing it very soon.  Applications for spring turkey are due January 8th.  Tickets for the Extravaganza can be purchased at the service counter and another note, Fleet Farm now is selling bait and a lot of it!  They have a great stock of anything you need as far as minnows (and waxies).  Hey, how about those Vikes?  Looking good, let's just keep it rolling.  Congrats to Jim and Christa Kleinsasser on their new baby and Jim's success on the field!  How about a game winning catch in the Super Bowl against the Colts Jim?  O.k., gotta go.  Have a great day, a great week and a great year!

Walleyedan