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River anglers- get a guide!


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Seems to me that people are more than willing to hire a guide on a lake, but not as willing to hire somebody to teach them the ways of a river. I think it has to do with the lack of respect that rivers get in comparision to lakes in terms of the quality of the fishery.
But there's lots of great options around here for knowledgable and great guys for guides on rivers. Here in Fargo I know of two guides- Backwater Eddy Carlson and Dennis Flom. I hear good things about Dennis, but I've never met him. Ed Carlson is a top notch guy who has forgotten more about the area waterways than I'll ever know- extremely knowledgable and a good guy to boot. Most of the readers know about Wiskers up in Crookston- I have yet to meet Wiskers, but I know several people who know him and all say he's a top notch fisherman. Sounds like he runs a top notch outfit too. In Grand Forks Kent Hollands is guiding for cats mostly. He's a past winner of the catfish tourney in G.F. and really knows the local rivers in G.F. Up at Selkirk Stu McKay is the man. Knows more about that waterway than anyone else as far as I know. Good guy too- I want to get out golfing with him sometime, but it never works out for me. Seems all I can think about up there is time on the water.

So... lots of good guides to choose from. Give one of them a call and learn all you can in a day or two. It'll save you tons of time stumbling and bumbling trying to figure out what is already second nature to them.

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

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Or even better try the river yourself. It isn't very hard to catch fish on the river, you just need to try. Time and effort will pay handsome dividends on the river, just have to log some hours out there.

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Hey Brad, I agree whole heartedly that putting time in on the river can result in a huge reward. I also like snooping and hunting for spots, active fish, etc. However, inexperienced river anglers will speed up the learning curve ten-fold by hiring somebody like Wiskers or Ed for a day. Even experienced lake fisherman start out pretty clueless on the river- it's a whole different ball game.
So... I'm not disagreeing with you. I think getting out and hunting and poking around is a great deal. But learning from those who do it for a living will increase the likelihood of you catching a trophy hugely. Don't be afraid to ask those who have been doing this for their livelihood for a long time- I'm not.
Reminds me of Jack Nicklaus saying "Never be too proud to take a golf lesson, I'm not."
Happy hunting and good luck!!!

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Wisker's, Ed Carlson, and Stu McKay will get you on fish and help you find fish holding areas. You will also learn tactics you may not have thought about with this creative bunch of guides.

I also have to let everyone know that those Catfish RodsbyEngel are the real deal.

Isn't that right Eddy?

Also, if you're looking for an ice fishing Laker Rod (IceLeaders-Laker Signature Series) RodsbyEngel makes a dynamite rod here as well.

I have one and it was very efective on the lakers this past winter.

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Yup-Yup..Ya-U-Betch-ya, Rod E is the "Rod Man"!

His work is Top Notch built to order, and he can put those sweet details to your rod that makes it one of a kind.

I wouldn't recomend junk rods to nobnody...no %%^%^ way...His work is A-1 stuff.

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Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
[email protected]
701-640-2796
><,sUMo,>

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  • 1 month later...

I can't agree more on the guide for the river. As a newcomer to river fishing and Catfishing as well I can say without a doubt that I got more and bigger fish with a guide. I had the opportunity to go on the red lake river with Wiskers Guiding Service and was very pleased. The company was good and within minutes of setting anchor we were on the fish. After getting some sucker for bait moved a little closer to the "honey hole" and once again within minutes we were on to the cats. Several double and tripple hooks with the three of us on this one outing. I have not had the opportunity to utilize any of the other fine guides in the area but in a heartbeat, I would say take a day and go fishin with Rusty. He'll put you on the fish and if you have never been fishin for cats, well you'll leave with the worst fishing bug you've ever had.

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Hey thanks Snags.. It was a great time had by all.. The fishing is even better now.. We went out last night and boated over 60 cats from 6-9. It was a real hoot.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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