Basswood Report June - 9-13

[Animal]

Fished the Washington Island Area of Basswood June 9 -13. Weather was mostly dry, sunny and high wind. Cold front conditions existed Wednesday and Thursday with wind from the east. Friday was a killer wind day, but gave way to a nighttime t-storm that pushed the cold front out. Saturday has some early morning fog and overcast. We slaughtered the W’s until the sun appeared about 11:00 AM and sent them back to neutral.

Walleyes were generally shallow in 7 to 15 feet of water. Bite was good in the early AM and died after 10 AM as the bright sun came up. Evening produced some fish in the 16 to 20 inch class, but was spotty except for Wednesday. We had good success on pink jigs and minnows; I mixed in some orange, white and blue, but always ended up going back to pink. Crawlers were useless and leeches weren’t much better. We tried some of the deeper water off points and around reefs, but only produced W’s 13 inches or smaller. I don’t think the fish have arrived. The small northerns were hungry and became real pests.

We fished smallmouth during the mid-day and had marginal success on cranks and spinner baits. I finally found a combo that hammered them, but I’m not going to tell you what that was…….Just kidding……For the hell of it I threw a crappie rig that I had tied on for some Gill fishing. I had a 1/16 oz white jig with a small white tube without a tail. The smallies hammered it. Go figure.

We also spent an afternoon fishing the shallow deadfalls for gills and caught some nice fish. We kept just enough for a meal.

Mosquitoes are hatched and waiting for you. We had the high wind so they didn’t bother us too much.

As usual, we had a great time........even with the cold front and wind.

[Leaky]

Animal - Thank you for the great report!!! We'll be fishing the same area coming up this Friday - Weds. Was thinking about leaving the minnows at home. Guess we won't be doing that. Did you set up camp in that area? Which site were you at?

You mentioned that the early am bite was happening. What's early? Are you saying I'm going to have to shag Dr. Bob out of his comfy sleeping bag every morning at 5:00 am? Yikes!!

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IBOT #129, B-Dub Chapter. (Or is it Metro Chapter? - I'm so confused)

[This message has been edited by Leaky (edited 06-14-2004).]

[Animal]

We stayed at the island with the single site just off of Washington Island. The Washington Island site with the sand beach would be off to the right looking west from out site.

Early for us is 6:30 AM. We make coffee and head out. We save breakfast for 11:00 AM. I'm pretty sure the early bite was all we could muster because of the hard cold front conditions that existed. We were glad to have that. When the sun got up higher in the sky the W's shut down.

Minnows were definitely the ticket last weekend, but we always haul everything. If this weather pattern holds up, I would say the you will be in for some excellent fishing.

p.s. Those crawlers and leeches are still resting peacefully, but they are going to get another chance at Vermillion this weekend.

[This message has been edited by Animal (edited 06-15-2004).]

[Dr. Bob]

Thanks for the great report Animal. I can't wait.

I plan to catch a pile of fish on Friday night so I can sleep in on Saturday .

Looks like we better stock up on minners Leaky .

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The Doctor is in.............Everybody stand back!!!

I.B.O.T. # 144
Boundry Waters Chapter

[Leaky]

Animal - Sound like thats the site Dr. Bob, Xplorer and his son stayed on during opening weekend. That's Lincoln Island, and we do a lot of our fishing over on the east side of the island that time of year. Our group set up on the middle spot on Washington.

I'm guessing you didn't have to do a lot of scrounging for firewood. There was downed stuff all around that site. Thanks again for the good info!

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IBOT #129, B-Dub Chapter. (Or is it Metro Chapter? - I'm so confused)

[ricbak]

Dr. Bob, we corresponded last summer about some info on Moose and Basswood lake, anyway our group will be making the trip up there the week of the 4th of July which is 3 week's earlyer than last year, we will be goin in on Moose and up to Basswood. How has the fishing been for you so far? I would like to get some more lake info if posible, I had to wipe out my computer awhile back so I lost your email addy, you can get me at ricbak@earthlink .net. Thanks ricbak

[Dr. Bob]

Hi Ricbak,

I remember and will keep you posted. I have not been up there since opener so I have no new info for you. I will be up camping on Washington Island with my wife over the 4th and perhaps we can hook up. Fishing (weather permitting) should be awesome at that time. I would bet on crawlers and leaches on the reefs - Slip bobbers or drifting with Jigs. Also cranks trolled over and around the reefs should be good. My son slammed a 7 pound Walter doing that last year at that time.

Ah, Basswood. I CAN"T WAIT.

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The Doctor is in.............Everybody stand back!!!

I.B.O.T. # 144
Boundry Waters Chapter

[ricbak]

Thank's Bob, I received your email and will keep in touch. We will be entering on July 7th and spent the rest of week till sunday. thanks ricbak

[Dr. Bob]

I'll be in the 2nd through the 5th so I guess I will not see you there.

I'll give a report next week after I return from this trip.

[MT Net]

Good luck on Basswood, guys!

[Dr. Bob]

Thanks Rob,

I wish you were joining us.

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The Doctor is in.............Everybody stand back!!!

I.B.O.T. # 144
Boundry Waters Chapter

[Dr. Bob]

Do ya what to put your $ where your mouth is there Eino?

I am gonna teach you a few tricks..........

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The Doctor is in.............Everybody stand back!!!

I.B.O.T. # 144
Boundry Waters Chapter

[MT Net]

Dr. Bob up at 6?! Better hide the "bump bottle". Who's camp cook? Seve him well.

Later!

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Metro Chapter IBOT #130.
Net? You don't need a Net, just LIP them!

[Surface Tension]

I might have to step in and take both your monies.

[Leaky]

Thanks Rob - Shouldn't need luck with the Good Dr. onboard. Lets see if I can teach an old dog some new tricks.

It'll go something like this: After on evening of frivolity around the fire, I'll show Doc the eloquence of jiggng at 6:00 in the morning with his left hand, while not burning himself sipping coffee with the right. Then landing that 30 incher without spilling a drop.

A happy hour with you and MM will be planned somewhere on the North Metro upon our return.

I'm out of here at 2:00. Be at your place around 5:00, Bob. I'll buzz your cell on the way. ST - I'll see ya in Ely.

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IBOT #129, B-Dub Chapter. (Or is it Metro Chapter? - I'm so confused)

[This message has been edited by Leaky (edited 06-17-2004).]