Weekend local report on the Red

[Ed Carlson]

Looking better as the water slowly falls folks, still no "Big Bite" to be found..at least not by me anyhow.

Seeing some action on the mouth of the tribs for sauger and a few nicer walleye. Very spotty yet and a bare jig and a big Ol Fathead is about as good a bet as anything right now. I have not been able to get them to roll on a crank for a while. I will keep after them, they will go yet, I am almost certain of it...almost.

The good news is clearing and falling water will sure help a bite materialize before the ice hits. Keep at it, it will pay off in a sumo yet guys. Keep the faith baby!

Any other new reports from the late season river fish'n hardcores?

[Scoot]

I've got pretty much the same report. I fished a trib this weekend (where I saw you last, Ed) for a while and didn't do squat. The water's definitely falling and a LOT clearer than it was this past week. With some colder weather and then a warm up in the forecast, maybe we'll have much clearer water and a decent bite in the week to come. Lets hope so!!!

[fisherdog19]

Scooter, be in town next week. We should get out on the river. I'll call you when I pin down a day. Ed, care to join us, would be great to finally meet you.

Fisherdog

[Ed Carlson]

Sure, drop me an e-mail when your ready to snoop about guys. I'll be out and about someplace, if the weather is workable. The river flow may slow a bit by then.

Give me a buzz.

[Scoot]

Yup, me too. Give me as much warning as you can. I'll plan it out, but who knows... I might be in the hospital with a brand spankin' new lil' Junior Woodchuck by then. She's ready to pop any day now, so who knows...

Let me know and I'll plan accordingly.

[Ed Carlson]

Well Scoot Skunks me 2-0 last night on walleye. I need to remember my hook file next time Eh. I was playing tag with the walleye and little else.

Nice evening of fishing, a bit muddy yet, not too bad.

Next time...I'll try sharp hooks Eh....look out Scoot!

[Scoot]

Yup, according to my calculations, you'd have bested me by one if you coulda kept them on for a little longer. Oh well, the sun even shines on a dog's butt once in a while.

[Ed Carlson]

I tried the other spot close to home again last night....Nada...Zip. Just can't figure that out? The clarity is great, maybe too good for any day bite? Water temp is 43 in there and about 41 on the main river, they should be there...somewhere.

What I don't see is much of anything moving around in their, no carp, no Goldeye, no Drum, and no minnows. I am beginning to think for now the forage is not staying in the area long enough to draw in the pack. They may be on the mud, or on the bends, or likely in the wood hunting?

I'll keep probing that location and other points to the South on the Red in days ahead. The Red from Fargo South is settling into the same range as before the big rain. Something may bust loose on that stretch in the days ahead?

[fisherdog19]

How's Tuesday evening sound. I'll be in Fargo conducting a few interview's and then I can get out and fish. I'll bring my gear. Scoot, just call me on my cell if it works out for you. When's junior due?

[Scoot]

Thanks for the update, Ed.

Dog, Tues sounds good. Not sure that I can get outta here too early, but I'll meet up with you as soon as I can.

Little one is due on the 26th, but the doc says he's sitting really low and an early delivery is somewhat likely. I'm hoping for/guessing the 18th. We'll see...

Call when you have a guess as to what time you can meet up.

[fisherdog19]

be able to meet any time your ready. Nice being the boss, I can leave whenever I want.

[Ed Carlson]

Tried the spot we fished on Tues night again tonight. Same type of deal, slow at first then a flurry of nice walleye at dark. 1/8 jigs, white grubs, big minnows...slow jigging. A couple very nice eye's tonight.

River is still up but down a bit from last week. Might be the best bet near us for a while yet? I'll check out some more local haunts on Sunday.

[fisherdog19]

Ed, any chance of you joining me and Scoot tuesday evening. I can be out fishing by 4pm but I'm not sure when Scoot can get out.

[Ed Carlson]

Sure, I'll try to be there. Not sure where there is for sure just yet, I should by Tuesday? Scoot has a handle on where it likely may be. If I find anything more interesting by then I will give you guys a shout.

If he gets waylaid or the new Woodchuck pops out here is my home number to touch base with me.

701-893-9107

[email protected]

[Wiskers]

Hey fellas... I have never fished the Red down in that area.. I might be interested in heading down tues for some fishing.. have to get that RP out while I can ya know.. lol... I am in need for a fish fix real bad......

Any room on the river for another boat tues? If so when are you heading out?.....

[Ed Carlson]

All my recent fishing has been "Boots on Ground Fishing". More like boots in mud, but no boat runs.

If the weather holds or improves latter in the week I do know of one area in Fargo that is very likely to do well from a boat. For the most part right now shore angling has been the best bet going. Since I have not been river running I may be 100% wrong on that opinion, yet I do not think so.

Mostly because of the speed of the flow the fish that are catchable are in shallow and very close to shore. The flow is slowing so some larger backwaters that I know do hold fish this late may be a good shot from a boat in days ahead...maybe?

For the most part I am hit and running high percentage spots from shore. The bite has been at dusk for the most part. I have tried dawn and just got good and cold for my efforts. The best part of dawn fishing right now is the mud is firm, now only if the fish would bite Eh.

I winterized my rig last week, sad day but I wanted to get ahead on things for a change. Every nice day we have I wonder if that was a wise move or not. I have fished into mid to late November on the river lots of years but with the high fast water I commited to putting it away early.

Depending on the weather ya never know? There may be a very good boat run bite here yet to try by the end of the week? Time will tell?

[Scoot]

Wiskers,

One if by land, two if by sea! Your welcome either way. Let us know when and where to expect you and we'll be sure to include you. Fisherdog and Ed can probably sneak out sooner than I can. But I'll catch up eventually.

[Wiskers]

Hey that sounds like fun.. boat or no boat.. just fishing is good...

Hey Ed.. them River Pro's do not need any winterizing LOL LOL.. just pull it out of the water and park it.. ok a bit of stabel and thats it.. LOL.. Ok I will stop rubbing it in..

I am off Tuesday and can be down there any time you fellas are heading out and meet you where ever .. as long as I dont get lost... lol...

If you want just give me a call on my cell..

[Ed Carlson]

Ya didn't miss much Rusty, very slow fishing is the word.

I caught/snagged 1 Carpasauras and that was it for me. Peter score 1 eater sized eye, and Scoot blanked. Eh..at least a caught a carp.

Had fun in da mud. Chatted on things to come on river ice. Might do the Canadian Red with the boyz in December once we get some safe ice. I think there will be huge Greenbacks popping out of those ice holes up North come first ice! Mmmm-Boy!

Good to finaly meet ya Peter, I'm sure we will fish together again soon.

[Wiskers]

Ya yesterday was a bust any how for fishing.. I just purchased another home so that was a day of paper work.

I too would love to hit the ice up nord. Never done that either..

we will have to keep in touch.

[fisherdog19]

It was great to finally meet you Ed. Look forward to catching some more fish with you in the future. Hopefully you can make it up North with us in a few weeks for some early ice greenbacks. Whiskers, you're more than welcome to join us as well. Well, I guess now all that's left for me is waiting until ice, can't wait.

Fisherdog