Red River Report 08/29/2003

[Guest]

RED River of the North
Date 8/29/2003
Location Central and Headwaters Region
Water Temp 73
Stage (Fargo South) 13.8
Flow 142
Technique Cutbait rigging & Crankbaits

The catfishing and increasingly so the walleye fishing is very good on the Red River of the North.

In the recent weeks we have seen exceptional catfishing on most of the Red River system. One of the best seasons I have seen in a while in fact. Lots of big cats plus numbers of eater sized cats on most every outing. Some of the best baits have been fresh cut Goldeye and frogs.

Frogs will increasingly be the hot bait as the calendar creeps into fall, for catfish and walleye alike. Crankbaits run along shallow structure in the evening has produced some very nice walleye in recent days. Soon we will see more of a nocturnal bite if traditional fall patterns hold true. Oversized plastics have also proved to be valuable in the fall, sumo sized tube baits are one I definitely like.

Decreasing water levels has us concerned and limits boat accessibility and safety on many sections of the Red. The past week has seen some of the lowest levels in recent memory. This is partly due to work under way the Orwell Dam on the Otter Tail River, that has now been completed. We should see the river on the rise soon. We do need rain, plenty of rain to get the system full again.

A mysterious an isolated fish die off appeared on the Red just North of Fargo this past Sunday. It was a very representative type fish kill, everything from catfish to pike were hit, and everything in between. All sizes and all age groups in a small section of the Red River were found on snags and floating free on the Red. A fish kill is a very disheartening sight for any lover of rivers like myself.

The MN DNR and the NDG&F plus many other water quality agencies were fast on the scene investigating the incident. Water and tissue samples have been collected to try to isolate and identify the culprit.

What we see so far is it has been limited and in not showing any sign of continuing. No new kills have been discovered since the one last Sunday. So that is encouraging. Toxicology reports are due soon so we should have more to work with to determine the cause or causes of the incident.

Anglers and the public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities associated with the Red or storm drains feeding into the Red River in the past week or so. You may pass that information along to the MN DNR or the EPA.

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For the last minute trip planner on this Labor Day Weekend, how about a little catfishing among friends?

Backwater Eddy's B-Day "Frog Stomp" & catfish gathering 2003.

2003 Frog Stomp Info link below.

http://ed-carlson.fishingbuddy.com/?id=24&page=Frog%20Stomp%202003

Please Do Not Driver Drunk or operate a boat under the influence!

Live to fish another day!

Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend Holiday.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Ed Carlson
Backwater Guiding
10409 CO. RD #17 SO.
Horace, ND. 58047-9500

701-281-2300
[email protected]

To find "Backwater Guiding" on the WWW.
http://ed-carlson.fishingbuddy.com

[Scoot]

Thanks for the update, Ed. I'm looking forward to the walleye season cranking up pretty soon. Maybe we can get out and chase some greenbacks sometime in the near future. I've got some more ideas about where to try that catfish/walleye technique you showed me on the Sheyenne last fall. I'll call them my new "double-top secret hotspots". I can't wait to get out and chase some eyes!!!
Is it just me, or is fall definitely the best time of year to be alive!
Scoot

[Guest]

Just don't keep them Top Secret Spots from me Eh!

The walleye bite is getting rolling on typical fall river spots, that shot of cool sure helped.

The water clarity is good, so that should be a big hint on what they are up too.

------------------
Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"
701-281-2300
[email protected]

[Guest]

This past weekend the very low flows and low water levels had the bite a Little slow. The best overall bite was in the very early morning hours and again after dusk.

Tough to find a magic bait for the cats, frogs and cuts were about the same. Frogs got the most hits yet the cats were not holding baits well, or for long.

We didn't target walleye much so no new reports there. We did catch several very nice SM Bass on a few spillways on the Red. Last week we found a mixed bag of SM and walleye on these same areas. Once we again see a cooling trend I feel the walleye action will pick back up.

The lower Red on the Canadian end has already seen a interesting walleye bite develop. Keep your eyes on that one folks, it may be a great fall up North for big walleye!

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Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"
701-281-2300
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 09-08-2003).]