LOTW -- Sabaskong Bay ( Nestor Falls --Morson area)

 Cabin / Island spring opening is in the books. Everything wintered well which makes life a lot easier. Fishing was spotty some days and great others. There were 2 days of 25-30 mph wind gusts that made finding a spot to fish a little more challenging. That's fishing! The water temp was 57-60 deg for the most part. Walters were 15-25 ft in our jigging areas while about 5 of the nicest ones we caught were 5 - 10 feet while casting for Normans. Largest walleye was 24 and northern only 30 1/4. Smallie was 18". Only one crappie caught while jigging for walleye that was 13 1/2" and looked like a dinner plate! We did bring back our limit of walleye and northern. The new walleye regulations made things interesting. Before we could keep one over 18 inches ( nothing bigger than 22 - house rules) . Now 17 " or less (pinching the tail) and one over 28". Trophy size I guess - not for eating! We did catch quite a few 10 1/2 to 13 that need time to get some shoulders. kept 14 1/2 to 17". Because of 3+ inches of rain forecast from Tuesday night - thru yesterday with wind steady 20-25 and 40 mph gusts out of the north we came home a day early. Fortunately the wind direction was favorable for the boat ride to the landing. We had rain off and on until we hit Stevens Point area. Until the next trip June 10th it's time to get some work done around the house!

Thanks Peanut. One more grocery run to go. Mowed the lawn while it was still dry. Pack - shower and a couple of beers. Never seem to sleep well the night before leaving. Will I oversleep? - what did I forget? etc. Passport is in the truck already too!!  

Good luck on your trips Moon River. Catch some fish and have fun.

Well boat has the cover on it and most of the truck packed for a Tuesday -  4am time to head back to Heaven. Opening of the cabin for the season and the first of 3 scheduled trips and hopefully 1 or 2 more in between. The neighboring island visited a week ago and said no trees down and doors are secure. Water somewhat low. Tomorrow is DR - Dentist and an Infusion. Ya full day. Then finish buying groceries and pack the truck. Can't wait.
    

Just Quackers

 The last trip for the year is in the books! Overall a good week+ of fishing and unusual weather. The weather was mid 70's to 84 in the day time. Not our usual late September/October temps. Water temps were around 60-62 compared to 69-71 4 weeks ago. The northerns cooperated this trip with the largest 33". The best lure for us was Mepps lime green blade / white tail. Walleyes were plentiful, with a 23 1/2, 25 and 28 topping the list. Unlike other years when we only jigged for them, we switched to bottom bouncers w /1 and 2 hook spinners and nightcrawlers. We not only increased our catch but covered way more water. We even bottom bounced our way back to the island about 1 1/2 miles where we would normally just drive over, catching fish the whole way back. So we tried this on another "travel" area and caught quite a few there including the 25". While walleye fishing we picked up bonus perch - 59 brought home! Our trip to Obabikon -- The Elbow resulted in 60 Crappies (6 guys / limit 10). 8 muskies were caught from a 22" future trophy to 38 1/2". Not as big as usual, but fun never the less. A trip is never complete w/out projects.Laminate put down on the porch and outhouse floor. Shore crib was replaced as the old one was 61 yrs old.
 Until next May!!

Another group fished the last 8 days and had mixed success. Some nice size northerns ( up to 36") and walleyes ( some nice lower 20's), but definitely had to work for them. Improved over my last trip , but not what was expected. The "closing ceremony" w/ the upcoming trip starts this Sunday and return October 3rd. Again hoping the fish are finally putting on the feed bag. We'll also try Obabikon Bay for crappies. They generally tend to stack up there this time of year. Then the long winter wait    before next May opening   !

Well the trip was a success for what was intended. Close friend was able to experience his last trip to Moon River! The fishing was fantastic, it was the catching that absolutely stunk! Worst I have experienced in 60 years of fishing the area. Good memories were made to be cherished forever! -- Sit. Talk. Remember. Laugh. Make the last one the best one!      
On a side note I did manage a 44" Fatty - Ski.
On to September and better catching!

Well 3rd trip coming up on Tuesday! BIL group o 6 just returned a week ago. walleye fishing ok, nothing spectacular. But beats sitting home! Taking up a long time buddy up for probably his last trip due to Parkinsons and some dementia. Can't wait to experience the area again! Would hope Turtle Portage is open again by now , but no notice since the beginning of August that it would be closed until further notice. Must be more of a fix than they anticipated! C'mon Tuesday AM  .

Back from 10 days in heaven. 1 day where fires contributed to the air quality. Fishing was good overall. Water temps 68-71 deg. Probably a little warmer than normal. Largest wally was 23 -- Norman 40! (5) Muskies 38-44.  No questions at the border about eggs or chicken ( Fort Frances)
Air temps ranged from 70 - to 90+ the last day. Ya hot as H in the cabin! We only used Gulp + night crawler or paddle tail + crawler for wallys. Otherwise #5 Mepps caught majority of fish. Next scheduled trip end of September , but probably one or two sooner!  

Packing up the truck today for another 10 day trip tomorrow! A buddy that is up there now says the skeeters are pretty bad and to top it off there was a mayfly hatch last night. He said it was a cloud emerging from the water surface. The material handler will get a workout with 6 of us arriving late afternoon. Best part is fresh fish supper to follow!

Just returned from a 10 day trip. Fishing was fairly good for northerns and walleyes. Although not the biggest fish there was plenty of action. The largest northern was 31-3/4 and the largest walleye was 22". The walleyes from 15-18" were plentiful and chunky. We used Gulp Watermelon Pearl 3" minnows w/ a piece of night crawler as well as 3" paddle tail plastic w/ night crawler. Colors didn't seem to matter overall. Strong east winds were a challenge later in the trip.
We also installed a "material handler" for getting "stuff" up from or down to the dock. Eg. coolers - gas cans etc. It was made from an old hay bale conveyor and the cart uses old corn planter wheels.

Have fun and report back how the fishing was.

Well go time is here! 4am tomorrow! Truck is packed ! Report from the neighbor's island is water at normal low spring level. Unlike last year when knee / hip boots/ chest waders were needed. Let the fun / work begin!!