Nice!

Dog day trout.

Last night of the trip...Aug. 9th...camped on the double point site, north side of Burke Lake with Outlander.  Fish was on the dinner menu, so about 2:30 PM, hopped into the canoe solo, paddling east into the back bay, slow trolling a jig on the shore side and a Husky Jerk-7 perch pattern on the lake side.  I just figured anything for the pan, most likely a pike.  In less than 10 minutes and 300 yards from camp, it hit heavy.  I got it close enough to see the white belly and figured, yup, pike, but then saw the white on the leading edge of the fins - laker!  It then went on a tear, singing the drag for a good 6 seconds - a strong fish.  I wasn't trolling deep - maybe 12 feet, but was on what seemed like the edge of a hole.  At 26.5" and about 7 pounds, I had dinner AND breakfast!  Sometimes it's all about the right place, the right time.

BTW - 12 Step Program....12 lures = 12 steps by my count.

pd

I only bought 3 new lures for my fall trip.  I think I've been cured. 

We all have our vices. I don't need the 12 step program any longer!

Yes, it was. I'm no expert, but FWIW, KF recommended rippin' raps, shad raps of a certain size, flicker shads and something I didn't recognize, Perch, chartreuse and firetiger were the colors of choice I recall correctly (could be wrong on those). He also cited weed weasels (Northland) and Johson silver spoons (chrome and gold I think) and jerk minnows in chartr. and white/pearl. I bought 4-5" which are probably too big but I've got smaller Gulp's and Northland Impulses in shiner and sunrise grubs. As I posted above, it's more than I'll ever need....or be able to fish with....but it didn't stop me from purchasing them.

Yeah, that was a good article.  I enjoyed this whole issue.

I have been re-reading the BWJ summer issue. Our own Kingfisher is in there detailing his approach to fishing the finicky walleye out of weed patches during the middle of summer. It was a good read and even better excuse to hoof it down to the local Fleet farm for cheap jigs, plastics, and a few more lures that I don't need....give it a read if you get the chance...might be useful. Hint: think banana jigs 

Westwood wrote on Jul 12^th, 2018 at 2:42am:


Very true.  They will often 'sun' themselves on the surface and you can see them mid lake at the height of day finning and having snacks.

I actually like fishing for trout in dog days.  I figure the trout are more concentrated because any water less than 20 feet deep probably doesn't hold trout.  Having said that last July I caught a 31 inch trout in 10 to 15 feet of water.  Sometimes fish don't read the right articles on fishing.

Our experience is that August is a great time to fish.  Deeper?  Maybe a little but no need to get rediculous.  Usual haunts and structure during the morning and evening hours; mid lake, deeper structure during the day (16-25 ft).  Quicker presentations are typically most productive. 

LT can be trickier however.  Normally we would drop a 2oz airplane jig tipped with gulp, or a heavy spoon to the bottom in 50 feet and quickly reel up.  Hang on if you get a hook set.

I am doing exactly what you are, Dan.  Big water and hard fishing July 30 - August 6.

solotripper wrote on Jul 11^th, 2018 at 10:59am:


I know you're just joking but I hate seeing stuff like that.  And I did it as a kid too.  Young and dumb.