Miranda's Fishing Report

After procuring our fishing licenses, we hit the water to fish a bit. It was sunny and warm. We both wore shorts and got a bit of sun on the tops of our knees. Fishing was a bit slow. But Dave finally landed a Northern.

Then, the wind blew my hat off, so he netted a hat.Then, he caught another Northern and started feeling bad that I hadn't caught anything and was having issues with my reel. We had forgotten that it was giving me issues last year, despite the fact that it's only a few years old. So, he offered to switch rods with me.

When I handed him my Ugly Stick and AbuGarcia reel, I said, "You know you're going to catch a fish on that now. Don't you?" Sure enough. He did. A nice, big walleye. The fight was enhanced by the crappy condition of my reel that was taking in about six inches of line for every twenty turns.

After landing that fish. Dave gave me my choice of rod. I think I went back to mine. I really don't remember. He caught another Northern, and we headed in.

Dave's big walleye. I forgot to mention that he said he hated to keep such a big beautiful fish. He seriously contemplated throwing it back. With my mouth already watering at the thought of the delicious taste of walleye, I threatened to throw him over it the fish went over.

Man. These fish have feriocious teeth.

Of course, catching fish, means cleaning fish. And without the fish cleaning board, it's back-breaking work on this short table. Dave's ready for the new shed and new fish cleaning board.
Friday we went back out. I had to try out my new Daiwa reel. I still cling to the close faced reel. I can fish with an open-faced reel. But, I have to think when I cast. I know with practice, I wouldn't have to think as much, but I'm just not ready to make the change. If this reel dies on me in a few years, then I will change to an open-faced reel.

I caught this humongous perch with my Lazy Ike. I have to admit I am losing my love of the double-jointed creek chub. I didn't catch anything on it this year. Daredevils were good. Leeches and worms were also hits with the fish.

Then, I finally caught a Northern. I hated touching it, but it had to be done before it was thrown back.

We headed to the other side of the lake to fish a bit, but just as we got a nibble, I saw lightening across the lake. We reeled in and took off. All the other boats headed for shore, too. They all beat us.

The clouds in Minnesota are always different. Typically, it's as if they are perfectly flat on the bottom and extend in puffs upward, as if there is some glass ceiling there they are pressing upon. These storm clouds look very ominious.

We got in just as it started to rain. It rained for a bit. Then quit. Then it rained again, with hail in the storm. It was an odd weather day.

Dave and Bob did some more fishing. They had a bucket of pan fish for dinner. Then Bob caught a walleye on Monday. A miscommunication resulted in that fish being left on the cleaning table for 2+ hours while we went to Itasca. Needless to say, we didn't eat that fish.

I told Dave that he could do his own fishing post. He said that I should just summarize with, "It was a slow week."