RIVERBEND 18TH AND 19TH

[bturck]

Another trip in the books and already looking forward to the next one. My wife and I spent two days with a lot of hard fishing, but also a lot of fun as always. It was a tough bite, but with the major weather change that took place it was kiind of expected. We left on Monday with temps in the upper 20's and woke up Tuesday morning to -27. The fish were in a finicky mood to say the least. We marked a lot of fish and had to work on different presentations to get some action. We were out in Riverbends day houses both days in 36' on the mud. Tuesday was a late morning bite for us, with the saugers running smaller and lots of throwbacks. Tuesday produced most of our fish on dead sticks, with glow green and plain red hooks working the best. Wed the guys on the ice moved us out another quarter mile or so in a newly set up house and we marked fish all day. Only two fish on the dead sticks, and the rest on jigs. My wife did very well on a pink/white glo devil tipped with a small whole minnow. Very little jigging action and just let the minnow do its thing. It seemed that over jigging caused the fish to loose interest quickly. We also had an active school of tullibees that were stacked up like crappies. Brought several home to smoke, so mixing in some eyes and saugers the day went by way to fast. Green buckshots again with the whole minnow also put fish in the bucket.

Marked lots of suspended fish so it was chase and jig all day up and down the water column. Another group of guys from St Cloud did well on Tuesday chasing the suspended fish and had some nice walleyes. Good to run into them as one of them takes me back to my youth hockey coaching days. I think I'm getting older...LOL

As always the folks at the Bend did a great job, food was great as always. They were moving houses on Tuesday and Wed doing everything they could to try and stay on some fish. The Vexilar showed they had accomplished that, just some picky fish. Great road system if anyone is venturing out to drive to their houses, we were out approx 13-14 miles.

PS: PAUL great to see you again and visit at breakfast each morning. Hope you had some good fishing for the rest of your trip. See you again in February.....

[bturck]

Forgot to mention our friend Charterboss. Stopped in to see him on Tuesday night and share a cold one and the typical [PoorWordUsage]. Good to see you again Mike as always. Look forward to seeing you again in February. You'll notice I'm being nice to you and not putting your other nick name in here. Take care, see ya.

[bak2MN]

Bill sorry to here that the fish did not cooperate for you, but sounds like a good time anyways. Heading up with the wife and kids the 29th hope they pick up so they can get some fish.

[bturck]

Yes I hope you have a good trip as well. I saw your posts on the other thread regarding your youngsters and the food/lodge etc. They will have a good time. Have them check out the big glassed in fish mounts in the dining room. They should find that interesting. You'll find good food and beverages of your choice. Post your results when you get back. Have fun its definitley an experiance the kids won't soon forget, especially being 13-14 miles out on the ice....

[fishhuntwork]

Heading up early tomorrow morning for the first time ever. Wouldn't you know that it is the coldest weekend of the year. Oh well more antifreeze my be needed. A report when I get back.

[eurolarva]

Awesome report as usual Bill. Wish I would have been up there. I am going up with seven other guys On Feb 12. We are in a sleeper with another resort that my friend is helping re do their web site so fishing and the house will be free. Brutal cold tonight going to be -34 up there. When in February you going to be up there?

[bturck]

fishhuntwork, hope you have a good trip. yes it is going to be a little on the chilly side. will be lookiing for your report.

euro, headed back on 2/21. they may be up on the reefs by then. talking about starting to pull right after super bowl sunday. its been a different year for sure. glad you are able to make the trip back up, i know you were hoping sounds like this will work out good for you. will be looking for your report as well....

[fiskyknut]

As you say Bill it has been a bit of a 'different' winter.

But one thing thats not different again this winter is your Mrs. outfishing you!!

[bturck]

Hey Fisky, you just couldn't resist that little dig 'eh? You and Charterboss must be related. Size wise she did kick me butt, but total numbers were pretty close, you notice I said pretty close.....

She really looks forward to this trip every year. After all the years of going up with me, she says its like going to visit family and friends. She would sooner be 15 miles out on the ice in -27 than sitting on a beach in Florida. I think I found a keeper....