1993 Trip - Stats, Highlights, Awards

Participants

• Bill
• Gene T
• Joe
• Matt D
• Matt K
• Andy

Rating  8

Destination  Flindt Landing Camp

Dates  June 18-24

Highlights

• Gene T and Matt K's first Canadian fishing trip
• 2 Days when walleye catch is as good as ever
• Many larger walleye - 3 over 5# (24"), 7-10 over 4# (22")
• Weather was actually too nice
• Saw both bear and moose on trip back

Awards

Walleye King:

• Gold: Matt K - 5.5# (24.5")
• Silver: Gene
• Bronze: Bill / Matt D

Pike King:  Matt D ("M.J.") - 4.5# (25")

Species Award: Bill - Walleye, Pike, Whitefish, Sucker

"Man in Lake" Award:  Gene

Perch King:  Joe (0.2#)

Sandwich Award: Gene (for making fish sandwiches)

Good Fishing Continues, Must Head Home

Wednesday

Thank goodness. A front is coming in, with rain, and hope abounds that fishing will pick back up - and it does. Great fishing all day, particularly during rainy periods. Bill/Gene find new spot (dubbed "Bill's Bay) and kill'em. Getting used to pattern and catching lots of fish.

Thursday

On way home, we see a bear and a moose between Savant Lake and Sioux Lookout. There is a "near hit" in Duluth. Matt K agrees to take a turn at driving the RV just as we enter Duluth. Only a few minutes after he takes the driver's seat, a car pulls right out in front of the RV, requiring a strong stop. Matt K opts to return to a passenger role.

Different Fishing Pattern This Year

Fishing pattern is very odd. Camp owner suggests, and we confirm by our experience, that walleye are exactly opposite where you'd think they would be. We really didn't know what to expect this late in the year, but assumed that the fish would be deeper and out on points/drop-offs in lake. Turns out they are in shallow, particularly in bays where wind is blowing in. Camp owner says they are feeding on "wigglers" (May flies?) which are susceptible to surface waves and get blown into shallow bays. This pattern produces great success in fishing - no need for depth finder! This day however is calm, sunny and warm so fishing slowed back down. Particularly seems to die off after 7pm.

Fishing Bonanza, 55 Walleye in 3.5 Hours of Fishing!

Our fortune changes. A good breeze comes up and a haze falls on the lake (believed to be from a forest fire in Manitoba). Enough of a cloud cover to bring the fish alive. Andy/Gene and Bill/Matt D stay in the Narrows general area and start a good run in late morning. Gene starts things off with a 5# (24") walleye angled off of Rock Face. By the end of morning fishing, we have several over 4# (22") and a couple more at or near 5# (24"). Joe/Matt K fishing elsewhere do not have the same luck.

Evening we stay near Narrows and Matt's Cove -- and -- FANTASTIC FISHING!! Probably better couple of hours of fishing than ever before! Matt K catches a 5.5# (24.5") walleye in Matt's Cove. Lots more around 4# (22"). Gene/Andy count their catch. From 6:00 to about 9:30 the count is 55 walleye! Others have similar luck or better. Estimate >150 walleye caught during evening fishing - easy!

Almost forgot. Going out in the evening, Gene slips getting into boat and finds out how warm is the lake by falling in. Wades ashore, changes clothes, and "let's fish!".

Fair Weather, Low Water, Tough Fishing

Awake to sunny and warm weather. A weather pattern seems to be emerging - too pleasant, too much sun, too nice! Fishing is slow. Can't wait to see what The North End has in store, so we head there this first morning. Lake level is very low - about 2 feet below last year. Difficult to get all the way back into the second bay. No fish caught there anyway. First bay produces some nice fish though - but not the action of past years. Head over to outlet falls (after short try for pike with no success). Find that we can walk across the falls because lake is so low! Fish being caught regularly in the evening, but nothing spectacular.

Getting on Our Way, Riding in Style

Gathered at Joe's house during the afternoon. Everyone's been ready to go for weeks now! This is the latest "spring" trip departure and everyone feels the urge. Had burgers at Joe's before leaving. A little chaotic at his place. Little David arrived just weeks ago. Pat's Mom and Dad staying with them. Got on the road around 6:30. Pretty warm day. Summer day. Traveling in real style - Gene's 34 foot Winnebago RV - just over 5000 miles. Gorgeous vehicle.

No wait this year getting into breakfast, but one hour line going though Canadian customs. Matt D handles dialog with customs agent (with Joe's assistance). Quite hot weather (you'll hear that again). No wait at Rusty Myers. First mishap though. Harry S's depth finder transducer and bracket falls to a watery grave during loading of the plane. Tried but couldn't bring it up. Oh well, will have to rely on our instincts (turns out not to be any problem at all). Noted that plane traveled at 110 mph and 1000 feet above the ground. What a kick. On lake fishing by 4 pm. Everyone catches fish - even the 2 rookies - Gene and Matt K. Couple of 2#-ers and reasonable action. Clear skies.