It's getting around that time of year again. We start putting our rods and reels away. Getting school clothes and supplies for our children becomes a priority. Hunting season is just around the corner and ol' Rover needs a bit of fine tuning.

Pulling the docks up and winterizing the cabin are chores we dread, but all good things come to an end, right? Fishing comes to a slow halt. Why do so many of us do this? Is it tradition? Do the fish really slow down that much? What kind of rules have we set for ourselves?

I can tell each of you, that one of the best bites of the year is coming soon. Those walleyes will put on the feedbag. Not only will they be snapping, but the big mama's are coming to this party.

99% of us anglers miss it, no, make that 99.99% of us miss it. Those big eyes got big for a reason and it isn't because they fall easy prey to you or I. Yet, soon, they are very vulnerable. If you read beyond this point and use the tips given in the next few articles I write, I'm asking you to make a promise to put them back after you catch them. These big mama's are major producers of tomorrows eater walleyes.

I'm really not too worried, because very few if any of you will follow the tips I'm about to share. When you do and the conditions are right, you can expect some of the best walleye fishing you've ever experienced.

The lake I'm talking about is Minnesota's "Mille Lacs Lake". A lot of anglers know about this opportunity and really work it. They work the reefs such as Hennepin Island and Three Mile Reef by the hundreds. They get out at last light in September and October and pound those reefs. Most work it from 8pm until midnight-1am. A few diehards stick it out until 2am-3am.

They work the spine of the reef heading north off Hennepin or the many spines off three mile. The best spine we've found on three mile heads to the southeast. Keep this in mind, because the direction of the wind can make a subtle difference.

These spines typically run from 2' to 6' deep. 90% of them are pulling a #12 floating Rapala behind them and they are long line trolling. Silver the preferred color, yet blue has its' moments as well. As long as the familiar tick tick tick of the rap hitting bottom and the smooth vibration of a clean running lure are felt intermittently, everything is go.

Of course you have the inevitable snag and with a lot of line out and a partner with you, the trick is to retrieve it in the dark without tangling everyone. Now that's another story which I may share some other time. Suffice it to say, they ain't always snags! Sometimes it's a hawg walleye and she has her nose in those rocks. The big girls are experts at keeping down in those boulders and rocks.

Now your partner has to bring his/her line in, but usually very reluctantly and with the proper speed to it, trying to hook into their own walleye. Need I also mention, this is the time when it is best to be the operator of the boat. Sure is nice when you can motor the boat right back to where you have a fighting 10 pound walleye banging nose down without having to yell directions to the boat operator in the dark, with only a spotlight as an aid.

This truly works, and let's just hope you get out on a night when there aren't hundreds of other trollers to follow and swerve around.Those walleyes do spook and very few are caught when this kind of condition occurs. Unless of course you have a trick up your sleeve.

This story will be continued!

GoodFishin  : )
Rick Paquin

River Walleye Tackle

The Tackle Box

Nagels Live Bait
(507) 334-8341
2030 NW 7th St
FARIBAULT MN 55021
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Faribault Bait & Tackle
1935 NW 7th St
FARIBAULT MN 55021