outdoors

  One of my pet answers, when a surprised guiding client says " I would have never thought you could catch walleyes in that depth of water at this time of year" or "I thought the bug hatch would have slowed up fishing" or "too bad there is no wind in the forecast" is, THE FISH NEVER HAVE READ THOSE BOOKS OR WATCHED THE OUTDOORS CHANNEL.

  A headline on a famous Lake Mille Lacs message board last week reads "BUGS Bugs Bugs". And, yes, you guessed it right, the fishing reports along with that thread show a trend that leans toward slower walleye catch rates. Some being "very bad". It always seems to be a great excuse for an empty livewell.  One angler on that  subject suggested the bug hatch could be a signal that fishing will slow into the "normal summer dull-dromes". 

  Yesterday, as I landed my boat after a 3 hour walleye hunt on the big lake, I encountered two other groups ending their day as well. The lake was flat as glass all day. (my favorite weather for fishing)  The first angler from one of the other boats says "boy, we sure needed more wind!". The other boat chimed in saying " their bellies must be full of those mayflies!".  I just nodded my head as my clients looked at each other, confused, biting their tongues in the process.

  All I can say is, "the walleyes never have read those books!" LOL

  People, you need to get that into your fish hunting minds. Quit letting the fish "bug" you into getting skunked. Forget about having to be blown away to catch lottsa of walleyes--or you will be!

  VERY RARELY, is there ever NOT a way to catch good amounts of walleyes, no matter what the scenario is. No matter what time of year it is. Surely, bug hatches and calm water do NOT turn the bite off or even slow it down.

  Bug hatches in mid summer or calm water just signal it's not last week or last month anymore. Ask yourself  "do I eat the SAME things, cooked the SAME way,  ALL the time?" "Do I go to the SAME restaurant and order the SAME  thing ALL the time--cooked the SAME way?" "Do I act the SAME way, no matter what the weather is?"  "Why should I think the fish are different than me?"

  Has the fishing changed lately, during recent mayfly hatches? No doubt!  But believe me, the fish didn't read the memo that says they should quit biting on anglers lines. Thank god the fish can't read! LOL Now, let's go catchin'!Contact Steve Fellegy at 651-270-3383 or sf1954@embarqmail.com