LOW History ?

[BLUESHARP]

A recent story in Outdoor News has me wondering.Who was the first person to mount down riggers on their boat and fish those bigger walleyes deep? My understanding is that the idea was borrowed from the Great Lakes brought to LOW and then spread through out the state. Any history nuts out there?

[Kaz]

Blues: It was a Guide from LOTW who first used them up there. He had a HUGE stringer of six fish that I believe hangs on the landing to the lower level at Sportsman's. He may of been a Driver for Sportsman'sand he still lives up by Wheelers. Can't remember his name, but I'm going up today and will look at the Mounts and find out his name....Kaz

[WCT]

That string of huge eyes was caught by Al Holte, formerly a guide at Sportsman's Lodge now the owner of Morris Point Lakeview Lodge, which of course is where the stringer mount is now located. I don't think they(eyes) were caught on downriggers. The first person, I know, to use downriggers on LOTW was Tom Griffen, local guide who is now semi-retired but still fishes once in awhile.I'm sure there are some local old timers who can add plenty to this thread, this is just my two cents worth. Ol'Sneller

[bturck]

All this time I thought it was CharterBoss!!!! LOL Bill

[snaggletooth]

The stringer of six walleyes that Al Holte caught which used to be in place at Sportsmans Lodge and can now be seen at Morris Point Lakeview Lodge was caught by Al and his wife. Now to set the downrigging story true. The Beckel family who have owned Trails End, then built Wigwam and then owned Sportsmans were the first. They went out Lake Trout/Salmon fishing on the Great Lakes and used downriggers. They got the idea that they might work for walleyes so they invested in sets for three boats. They worked so well that by the end of the next season all of the boats at Sportsmans had them. A little more inside info is that when they started downrigging LOW you only had three plug colors to choose from. First, the only plug was a rebel jointed stick plug. Next the three colors were blue/silver, black/silver and the trout. A lot of orange spray paint among other colers were used to liven up the colors of the plugs. Also, another little known fact is that the shad rap was first used on trial runs by many of the older guides on LOW including Tom Griffin. A little history for everyone.

[curt quesnell]

Thanks Snaggletooth,<P>I didnt know for sure and I have talked<BR>to many who claim to be the first to use<BR>riggers on LOW, your info seems to be the<BR>first way I heard about this several years<BR>ago.<P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio

[Kaz]

Snaggle: Do you know which of the Beckel brothers they were, or was it the Dad?? I know Tony and Kit fairly well, as Tony's Taxidermy is across the street from mine, but several of the brothers drove for Sportsman's after Duane sold the place. It sure made the "Dog Days of August" much more productive... Kaz

[snaggletooth]

Surely do Kaz-It was Tony and Kit. You can ask Tony about it anytime. As you know he loves to talk about the "old days." And to answer the question all four of the brothers drove launch. Only Kit and Tony have done it for such a long time. Chad as you know runs the taxidermy with Tony and Vic runs Reelim' In Resort on the Ontario side. Vic does still go fishing almost everyday but it is in a little boat not his launch.

[Kaz]

Snaggle: I'll surly talk to Tony about it the next time I see him. I always go over to see what he got newly finished.. Sounds like your up there alot, so if you see my white Denali on the driveway. the place with the flag in the window, stop in and say HI... Thanks for the Info....Kaz