Red River Access Conditions

[Guest]

The Red River has fallen back into it's banks in the Central and Headwaters region.

Access is difficult yet due to sediments and debris left behind by the high water. All of the ramps in the Fargo/Moorhead area are in desperate need of clearing before safe access to the river is advised. The silt is deep, and man is it ever sloppy stuff. Until it is cleared bring tall boots and expect to get very muddy, very muddy.

I managed to access the Red on Saturday and found the fishing good. It took me a lot of quarters to clean up the rig, and myself, at the car wash. What a muddy SLOPPY mess...UF-DA!

We anglers will need to be sure to call our respective Parks Departments and ask them nicely to get these ramps cleared as soon as possible.

None of the Fargo Parks ramps are in good shape, most are closed and chained up. The river is still high to the North yet and we should expect the ramps to be poor there too.

Not 100% sure about the Kidder Dam access in Wahpeton? I suspect they have that ramp cleared by now? The Wahpeton Parks do a bang up job of staying on top of things for the public.

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Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"

[Scoot]

Thanks for the report, Ed. When things look a little better (ramp wise) I'll be getting out on the Mighty Red too. I'd imagine you found frogs to be the ticket? I have yet to hunt frogs this year- pathetic. I haven't fished much in the last few weeks. After I cracked up our boat I haven't fished since. Until this weekend, that is (and that was more socializing that fishing- a goof off deal for 4th of July).
How's business? I'd guess you've been busy with lots of trips out? Did BBQ Warrior ever contact you- he sounded pretty interested in setting something up with you.
My standard question- did you contact my dad yet?
Catch ya later,
Scoot

[Guest]

How did you crack up the boat? Easier then you think Eh? Hope it was not too bad, and nobody got hurt!

Tried calling that number several times, always missed him. I will try again, eventually I will connect. Not trying to avoid him that's for sure!

You find any good frog patch's yet, ones that need picking?

Shrimp was the big producer for me, unpeeled raw uncooked shrimp. It outdid cuts this past weekend 5-1 easy. That could change fast too.

I will get on the parks foklks today to see if they can get with the ramps clean-up. The Moorhead folks are good and will ASAP. Fargo Parks usually takes more effort to get them out and on the ramps. (HINT) Nagging helps...yup!

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Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"

[bklimek]

Ed:

What technique do you use when applying those shrimp to your hook? Do you thred it on, or sew it on through the hook? I noticed you mentioned you kept the shell on? Does this help keep it on the hook?

Butch

[Guest]

Great news folks. The parks guys got the ramps cleared today, all of them. Great job guys, Thanks!

Still a bit sticky here and there, but not a big deal at all. Considering how bad it was, it is a HUGE improvement.

Butch, I use the UN-cooked shrimp, more scent, firmer too. I most often use a Kahle hook and loop then shrimp through the bottom of the curl and back out the shell. You keep plenty of the hook open that way to find it's mark.

The Goldeye were starting to feed better today too. Found a good bunch under the Midtown Dam plus a few little Kitty's. I didn't try targeting the bigger cats, just hunting baits.

A BIG THANK YOU to the Fargo and Moorhead Parks Crews for clearing the ramps so quickly!!

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Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"