Early October Trip advice.

[Big Brown]

My brother and I would like to try our luck on the Rainy Oct 9-11th and are looking for some advice.

We have never fished up there before and are wondering how to go about things...

I am going to check with some of the resorts as to availabilty but am concerned that we are getting too late of a start to get in somewhere. Any particular area to start looking for short boat ride to hot spots? Any resort recommended? I checked the Clementson website and they appear to be booked.

Could we camp at the Franz Jevne State Park and use that access?

Should we look at hiring a guide for Friday? We have never hired a guide but I think that it would be money well spent if we plan on fishing up there more often.

Any and all suggetions would be greatly appreciate.

Thanks!

Big Brown

[styx]

we made the same trip last year. last year we stayed at Riverbend resort. We fished the lake outside of the gap and in the bay the first day. The second and 3rd days we ran upriver up to 11 miles. The fishing was great. Many eating sized fish. multiple in the 22-26in range. one was 28in. very nice weather at that time also.
That was our first trip in the fall up there. The fishing was pretty straight forward. Anchor up near the main channel and jig, jig, jig. We did not target any specific parts of the river. it seemed like the fish were moving through in groups and would get hits off and on all day. Also had a good time with multiple sturgeon.

I would recommend Riverbend. we are heading back this year later in october.

[Born2Fish-Forced2Work]

I walked through Franz Jevne once on the way up to Wheeler's Point. The spot to launch you boat if I remember correctly does not have a concrete ramp. It is probably ok for small to medium boats but I think a large boat/trailer could be a chore if not impossible. And the launch is east of the touch of rapids that the campground is built around. So you would only be able to fish east towards Intl Falls. Unless the Rainy is forgiving at that point and you can boat through the smallish rapids.

I have fished the Rainy when ice permits on Thanksgiving week (in a boat). If the weather is too rough for the gap, by all means the river itself is more sheltered and can be fished in 30 mph sleet/rain/snow if you have the gumption.

[WCT]

My advice to any newcomer to the river, hire a guide. You probably could catch fish without a guide, but what you can learn by spending just one day with a good guide will be worth far more than it costs. I am not a guide nor am I related to any guides just my opinion. Either way, I hope your trip is a success. Ol'Sneller

[redhooks]

You can camp at the birchdale landing for free and they have a nice paved access, crappers and a fish cleaning house, the nelson store is nearby and has everything you may need, except maybe minnows. For walters try jigs/minnows and 3way cranks. For sturgeon plunk w/ circle hooks and big slip sinkers on a 6in leader. Find the holes and you should find fish. Good luck and have fun!
redhooks

[Big Brown]

Thanks for the replies. Free is good and we are not used to the most fancy accomodations.

From the Brichdale ramp are we able to fish to the West? I am assuming from some research that I have done that the fish should be out toward the mouth/west side of the river based on water temps and time of year.

Any recommendations on guides? We would like to use one for maybe Sat. and then give it a go ourselves on Sun.

It looks like we will be driving through the night on that Friday for a very early morning arrival on Sat. Will the ramp be crowded?

Thanks!

-Big Brown-

[Jim W]

Don't forget Clemetson's resort!
Close to Access spots and you could easily tie yor rig up there and be first on the water each day!

Plus there is AWESOME smallmouth fishing right on in front of theresort on the River!

Jim W

[fiskyknut]

Big Brown, I would reccomend Tom Stay, aka "Gonzo" of Gonzo's guide service. Lifelong area resident and well versed river angler, and lake angler too for that matter. He is a mod on this forum and you can contact him thru the links on this site. He knows the river as well as anyone and is a plain good guy! If he's booked try and hook up with his brother Bill. Both of these guy's really know whats happening on the river/lake at any given time of the season.

Have a great trip....fiskyknut

[Paul Waldowski]

I agree. They don't get any better than Tom. You can find him here:

http://www.gonzosguideservice.com/

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[redhooks]

And yes from birchdale you can go west all the way to the lake if you want, just watch out for deadheads, best to go slow after dark. Tightlines!
redhooks

[Northlander]

Fisky I will be up to fish the Rainy the 11th-13th. Any chance of hooking up? How do ya think the fishing will be? I know weather will be key. Any bait suggestions besides the usual. walleyes4me32 at aol dot com

[Dr. Bob]

Hey Norm,

I'll be up too (hopefully) the 21st to the 24th.

I should have room in the boat if you have time to hook up.

[walleyejon]

Dr. Bob & Northlander
Fisky is heading out west for a few weeks in October. I haven't seen a post from him in a few days, so he may be gone already.
If Norm's not back when you guys are up this way, I'ld be interested in fishing with you. You can shoot an email to eyeslayer at hotmail.com. Good luck.

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Fish on gotta go--JON

[Dr. Bob]

You have mail Jon.

[JDC]

Well I have given up on mille Lacs, as I am catching fish, but nothing like years before in the fall. I am heading to the Rainy River the weekend of October 15th and I would love to hear some advice as this is my first trip to the rainy in the fall. I will be staying at Wheelers point, am I better of fishing the mouth to the gap or would I be better off heading into the river?
Thanks for any advice in advance!