Still Hot

Man has it been hot, in mid 90s constantly. I have moved from Big Spirit to West Okoboji. Spirit is a foul stinking algae bloom mess and the bite is off, for walleyes anyway.

We have been chasing bluegills on Boji and catching yellows for the most part. We catch four or five big gills on our main spots and then the yellows move in. This invasive species is everywhere. I am a little scared about this, I don't know if they are taking over bluegill habitat or what? I know there are still big schools of gills out there but now there seems to be a competitor for that habitat. Lucky the yellows are very good eating. The bite has been deep weeds with a bare hook and a piece of red worm or a pilkie and maggots.

I recieved a bunch of press via email regard Minnkota and Humminbirds new collaboration, more on that at a later date.

I had a great weekend. Old friends Joe Cuttell, Mike Buckley, Dave Chapman and Tim Horstman, got the Lakes Patrol Band back together. Spent Sunday afternoon listening to them play at the Ritz. Amazing how those guys can be so tight just playing together a couple times a year. Friday night Joe played with Bob Dorr and the Blue Band at a free concert on the green at the Amusement Park in Arnolds Park. Another amazing band that has been together for 31 years.Old rockers don't fade, they just get tighter and better. Joe and the boys will be back in August for the Blues RocknRoll Jam at the Pearson Lakes Art Center August 30th.

All for now stay cool.

Week of July 4

Man has it been hot. Dianne and I spent a day last week cleaning the boat from the Mille Lacs trip. Complete soapy hull wash down and scum remover with products by JJV'SBest. Worked really well. I filled both of the livewells with water and added a good 2qts of bleach to the large well and a quart to the small well,then ran the pumps for 5 minutes, this is to kill the larval stage of the Zebra Mussels (veligers). Checked for plants hanging from the trailer and motors and put the boat away for.another week.. Can't be too careful in protecting our lakes from Invasive Species. Mille Lacs has Eurasion Milfoil, Spiny Water Fleas and Zebra Mussels. Leaving the boat in the hot garage should put the coup de grace on the buggers.

I got on the water Monday with some guys from the fishing club. I was with Scott Berry in his boat on Big Spirit, it was really slow. I think we managed to catch 6 walleyes and maybe 4 perch. I had one Walleye that was 21 inches. Had lunch at the Triggs boat ramp and home before the heat was too bad.

Brother-in-law Gary Vos stayed with us last Saturday night. It is always good to talk fishing and hunting with Gary. We sent him home with a few trinkets from FFO.

I am going to try pulling spinners and Gulp with some new in-line weights that look like a little bait fish, I can hang a belly hook on the weight in case a fish takes a shot at the weight, should be interesting.

All for now stay cool everyone!!!!!!!