Family Week
Family groups have always been the core of our reservation book and this week we had many that included 3 generations. After the 4th of July and with school out, there were kids in camp everywhere, fishing off the dock, swimming, and playing cornhole. It was a fun week, and we handed out several Junior Master Angler pins for big fish caught.
We did not find a distinct walleye pattern again this week. There was still a good weed bite with many walleyes being caught at the base of cabbage weed beds in 4 – 10 ft. You could find numbers in the weeds along with a few nice ones, but the big fish were missing.
We found several windblown, sand bottom bites on the flats in 15 – 20 ft. of water. Many of these fish were spread out and we used Gulp and plastics to cover water and catch them. Often, those walleye bites produced nothing but over slots and big fish. That was great, until you had to move to find eaters for lunch.
There were also pods of fish found out on main lake rock and sand spots in 15 – 25 ft. Those fish were often not as aggressive, but they were catchable. You just had to hit multiple spots picking up a few fish at a time.
For the week, we caught and released 43 walleyes over 27 in., including 12 – 28s, and 3 – 29s. Volume was solid with guide sheets averaging 35 walleyes over 18 in. per boat per day. The highest daily total was 77. Production was evenly split between Gulp at speed and minnows with lighter jigs. Every guide boat switched back and forth with different presentations each day until they found the most productive combination.
The pike fishing was also good this week. The weed beds have topped out everywhere on the lake and they were key to catching big pike. There were a few caught off rock, but the vast majority came from the cabbage. Once again, big spoons were by far the number one presentation, and it is still very difficult to beat a Williams Whitefish or a large Five of Diamonds. For the week, we caught and released 28 over 37 in., including 7 – 38s, 4 – 39s, 2 – 40s, and 1 – 41.
I am guilty of putting a great deal of emphasis on big fish. The opportunity to chase trophy quality fish is a big part of the Silver Water Wheel experience. This week was a good reminder to me that the time spent outdoors on the water with family and the memories made that will last a lifetime are just as important.
