|
|
4608 Tower St.
Edina, MN 55424
(612) 440-7171
tcwalleyes@gmail.com
|
|
Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited Monthly Newsletter
|
|
Featuring Nate Winters
Thursday December 5, 2019
|
|
Nate Winters is coming to speak at our December 5th, club meeting. Mark your calendar's and reschedule any conflicts, you don't want to miss out on a chance to get up close and personal with Nate!
TCWU is thrilled to have Nate join us as our December guest speaker to kick off the hard water season.
Nate is an angler focused on advancing fishing as a culture and a sport throughout the world. He competes in the North American Ice Fishing Circuit as well as qualifying as a spotter for the 2018 USA Ice Fishing Team.
In the 2019 he angled for the USA Ice Team at the World Championships in Bulgaria.
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Thursday December 5th!
|
|
Socializing - 6:30 PM
Presentation - 7:00 PM
Meeting Location:
BLOOMINGTON KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, (aka Bloomington Events Center)
1114 American Blvd. W.
Bloomington, MN 55420
|
|
|
Happy Thanksgiving!
I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. It never ceases to amaze me that it comes so fast, but it always does. Where does the time go? Somebody, please tell me if you have solved this puzzle. My Grandpa Wood always told me, “The older you get, the faster time goes by”. He was so right! Thanks Gramps!
I AM MISTER IN-BETWEEN
Okay, so I wrote about this a bit last month. I am so conflicted every year in the fall season. I already put the boat to bed for the winter in- spite of the great fishing options for the time at hand. I get a lot of pictures and messages my pals are sending me of their fishing adventures. I am so jealous every day, but I live vicariously through those outings. Good job everyone! Keep sending in those pictures. I suspect we will not see too many more until hardwater shows up, and I suspect that will not be long now.
So anyway, I have been bird hunting quite a bit this fall. I went to Montana in October for the first-time hunting in my life. What a beautiful part of the country. I now know why it is called Big Sky Country! I probably should take my boat next time, as we were hunting on the western side of Fort Peck. I have been grinding in Minnesota and mostly in Iowa this fall, and things are good. I have been collecting a few birds for the freezer, but I am looking forward to ice fishing soon.
I want to send out a huge thank you to our November speaker, Korey Sprengel. What a great meeting and so much excellent information for us to chew on. I trust that all in attendance that evening will agree with me. Thanks Korey, we hope to see you back again in the future.
I am looking forward to our December 5 meeting and meeting our newest friend, Mr. Nate Winters. He will be sharing his ice fishing knowledge from his USA Ice Team 2019 World Championship participation and his outdoor experiences worldwide.
I am so excited for our upcoming Walleye Camp hosted by our good friend Tony Roach on January 10, 2020. We are accepting entries now, so please sign up now on-line or at the December meeting. This going to be an event to not miss! Go to out website or send an email message if you have any questions.
We have some exciting things coming up for TCWU. Please come to the December 5 meeting and bring a friend. We will be attending the St. Paul Ice Fishing Show that first weekend in December, so everyone come and hang out and mingle with all our members and fishing family that we have come to know.
I appreciate you all and look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting.
Oh, picture above is my Lexy dog last Saturday in Iowa. A pretty cool hunt just me and her. Come talk to me about it because the story is really a fun story.
See you all in December!
Jim "Doc" Wood
President of Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited
|
|
It has been two years since Tony Roach taught us how to find Walleyes through the ice on big water at our Twin cities Walleyes Unlimited December 2017 meeting.
Now is your chance to learn first hand from Tony at the TCWU Ice Fishing Walleye Camp on Friday January 10, 2020 on
Lake Mille Lacs!
We will be meeting for breakfast at Nitti's Hunters Point Resort and head out fishing soon after. Tony will coach us up at breakfast and lay out the game plan for an all day walleye fish.
If you are interested click on the link below.
Space is limited, Tony can host up to 40 of us at a time.
If you and your fishing buddies want to turn this into a weekend of fishing, contact Nitti's directly (see contact information below). Nitti's offers lodging and a variety of fish house rentals.
Details:
Date:
Friday
January 10, 2020
Cost
: $130 each attendee
Breakfast
- Approximately 7:00 AM
Fishing -
8:00 AM - to 5:30 PM (45 minutes after sunset)
Meeting Location:
Nitti's Hunters Point Resort
|
|
Welcome New Club Sponsor
Teton Dog
|
|
TETON DOG HIGH PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
TETON DOG specializes in 100% Waterproof, Washable and Hypoallergenic, Beds, Blankets and Crate Pads
designed for active, senior, elderly, allergic or incontinent dogs and puppies.
Their innovative technology protects furniture, carpets and bedding
WATERPROOF
WATER molecules (even Urine) are BLOCKED from passing through our products onto your floors & furniture.
HYPOALLERGENIC
Chemical Free, Naturally Anti-Bacterial eliminates bacteria responsible for “Doggie Odors” Also impervious to dog hair, dirt, dust, mold, mildew and fleas.
WASHABLE
Naturally Stain-Resistant, Machine Wash and Dry in your dryer 100's of times with no loss of waterproofing GUARANTEED!
Click the Teton Dog Logo
below to learn more about their amazing products and their 100% Slobber-Proof DESIGN!
|
|
Teton Dog is a hometown company that manufactures High Tech Dog Products, and provides old fashioned customer service. They want you to love their products as much as you love your dog. Check out their website at TETONDOG.COM for all your dog product needs.
Use the exclusive code:
OUTDOORDOG and receive 15% off your order as well as free Priority Shipping.
|
|
|
Minnesota DNR provides sound advice on 2019 ice conditions
|
|
November 18, 2019
Unseasonably cold weather means ice making has begun on many lakes across the state, but Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers advise people to stay off of the still-forming ice.
That’s because ice thickness is highly variable and subject to the whims of Mother Nature. Emergency responders already have responded to incidents where anglers have fallen through thin ice or been stranded on ice sheets that broke off from the shoreline due to heavy wind. Anglers and others who recreate on the ice should stay on shore until there’s at least 4 inches of new, clear ice. Anytime people are on the ice, they should check its thickness every 150 feet.
“
For some people, going out onto the ice as early as possible is a badge of honor, but the reality is they’re putting their lives in danger – and the lives of the people tasked with coming to their rescue should things go wrong,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director. “The risk to you and others isn’t worth the reward.”
It will take another several consecutive days of below-freezing temperatures before enough solid ice has formed to support foot traffic, and even longer before all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles should be on the ice. Once the ice has had more time to form, it’s up to each individual to make sure it’s thick enough.
“Don’t take someone else’s word about the condition of the ice, and don’t assume it’s safe just because that’s what you read on social media,” Smith said. “Check for yourself, and make sure you’re prepared for the worst.”
Each year, unexpected falls through thin ice lead to serious injury or death. Wearing a life jacket is the best way to avert tragedy should you fall through the ice, since the initial shock of falling into cold water can incapacitate even strong swimmers. A good set of ice picks will help a person get out, and a cell phone, whistle or other communications device makes it more likely they will be able to call for help.
General ice safety guidelines:
No ice can ever be considered “safe ice,” but following
these guidelines
can help minimize the risk:
- Always wear a life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle).
- Carry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure.
- Check ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly.
- Bring a cell phone or personal locator beacon.
- Don’t go out alone; let someone know about trip plans and expected return time.
- Before heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts.
The minimum ice thickness guidelines for new, clear ice are:
- 4 inches for ice fishing or other activities on foot.
- 5-7 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
- 8-12 inches for a car or small pickup.
- 12-15 inches for a medium truck.
- Double these minimums for white or snow-covered ice.
|
|
Lake Mille Lacs and Red Lake winter Walleye have new harvest regulations starting December 1, 2019
November 4, 2019
Winter anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will enjoy a walleye harvest this winter for the fourth season in a row, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Similar to last season, anglers will be allowed to keep walleye on Mille Lacs starting Sunday, Dec. 1, with a limit of one walleye between 21-23 inches, or one fish over 28 inches.
“It’s good news that anglers will be able to harvest walleye again this winter,” said Sarah Strommen, DNR commissioner. “We’re encouraged to see evidence that our conservative approach to Mille Lacs is paying off, allowing continued walleye angling opportunities on this renowned fishing lake.”
Anglers fishing during the winter season on Upper Red Lake will have a four-walleye bag limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed.
The regulations, which become effective Sunday, Dec. 1, are the same as those of last winter but more restrictive than during 2019 open water fishing.
Sounds like DNR Officers will be out checking make sure to be legal. See the quote below from Andy Thompson.
“Anglers should remember to take a good measuring device along with them on their trip to Upper Red Lake as many walleye will measure just above, and just under, the 17-inch size restriction,”
said Andy Thompson, Department of Natural Resources area fisheries supervisor.
|
|
Special Thanks TROPHY Level Sponsors
|
|
Take a Kid fishing, make it fun and create special memories and friends for a lifetime!
|
|
As open water fishing season comes to a close and winter starts to set in, I found myself reflecting on why I love fishing so much?
Growing up, my family spent our summer vacations staying at Lambs Campground in Schroeder, MN on the north shore of Lake Superior. It was there that fishing was passed onto me from my grandfather. He always kept fishing simple and fun which made the next fishing outing even more exciting. He taught me to be patient by always kept things positive when I made a mistake. I remember dropping the boat anchor in the lake without tying the rope to the boat. I hooked the anchor rope with a Rapala the next day and we got it back. Then I dropped the ice scoop down the hole, didn’t get that one back. I was amazed how supportive he was, he never got upset.
This past July my wife and I spent the week of the 4
th
at our cabin on the north shore when a family friend asked if I could take their two grandchildren from Kansas City out fishing. I asked her if they had ever been fishing before, she said no but they were very excited about getting the chance. They were going back to Kansas City in two days so Saturday was the only time they could go. I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great if I could put them on some nice Walleyes? That would a great memory for them to take back home to Kansas City!
Saturday morning arrived along with a cold front and a 30 mile an hour north wind. I got there early to do a pre-fish and headed out on the lake. The lake was rolling with white caps and it honestly felt like a bad roller coaster ride. I knew the conditions were not ideal to go fishing in, especially with two kids that have never fished before. I thought to myself “nope this is not going to work.” I headed back to the launch thinking I’m going to have to cancel. When I arrived back at the launch a minivan pulled up and out jumped the two boys with 90’s style life perseveres on. They were obviously excited to go fishing as they ran to the dock and hopped into my boat. It was at that moment I remembered how my grandfather kept fishing fun and simple when I young. I realized that it didn’t matter if we caught a Walleye or not, what truly mattered is that they had a fun positive experience.
Off we went to the north end of the lake, which was out of the wind. I put the trolling motor on spot lock, rigged two fishing rods with slip bobbers, a plain hook and a worm. There they caught sunfish, perch and even a northern pike. I showed them how to cast, bait the hook and even take the fish off. After a few hours of fishing we headed back to the launch, both boys were thrilled with the fish they caught and thanked me for taking them out fishing. They even asked if I
could take them back out next summer!
|
|
When you take someone out fishing and they ask “if you can take them fishing again” this is the ultimate compliment a fisherman can receive. I know this experience has created a bond and friendship that will last a lifetime as I’m already excited for next years fishing trip.
Dan Camp
Twin Cities Unlimited Board Member
|
|
Did you know there is a
Take a Kid Fishing weekend, and its FREE!
|
|
Minnesotans 16 or older!
who take a child fishing who is 15 years or younger do not need a fishing license of any kind on this special weekend.
Click on the Take A Kid Fishing Logo for more information and helpful tips.
|
|
|
Thank You LUNKER Sponsors!
|
|
A direct and compelling headline
|
|
Guest Speaker re-cap featuring
Korey Sprengel
|
|
What treat to have Korey Sprengel join the Club at our November Meeting. We all appreciate you trekking in from Fox Lake, WI. Thanks for sharing so many cool fishing insights and strategies. Here is a re-cap of Korey's presentation For those members who
couldn't make it.
Here is a little bite about Korey:
He grew up in Fox Lake Wisconsin, playing sports every day and going fishing when every possible.
Sports, Fishing and Duck Hunting were his true passions. Fishing took over at about age 13 and he chose to quit sports, and focus 100% on fishing. Tournament fishing was not on his radar.
There was a guy in town that befriended Korey and offered to take him fishing. Who new that one day, Bill would soon become a lifelong mentor and role model to look up to? Bill taught Korey more than just fishing, he taught him about life.
He made Korey think when they went fishing. They would talk about what they were fishing for, what the structure was, and how the weather would set the fish up on a particular spot. Korey was serious he picked up on everything.
Bill really set up Korey's mindset to think about what he was fishing for and
he carried this mindset into tournament fishing.
Korey is obsessed with preparation. When he arrives at a tournament, he needs to be prepared. He commented on how often things change; "
weather changes, fish change, things break, things change. Walleyes are super particular not just actions, colors as well.
"
Korey wants to understand fish migrations from here to there and day to day. By understanding their movements he can develop a fish migration time line and pattern their movements. He commented that "you have to beat the walleyes before you worry about fishing the tournament." At age 24 Korey began tournament fishing, which soon filled the competitive void that he gave up when he quit playing sports.
Below find a cool video on Korey's story featuring his mentor and friend Bill. Click anywhere on the picture to play the video.
|
|
Keys to his early success:
Electronics were the key to his early success. Korey learned quickly that he had to even the playing field to compete at the top. Understanding sonar and using it to his advantage was key.
A few of his Sonar tips are:
- High speed graphing will save you a ton of fishing time once you get comfortable with it.
- Arcs are formed as they are further away from the boat from first graph then get closer then farther away again. The slower you go the bigger the fish arc.
- Remember that high speed graphing of fish and structure will skew the image size of them. An actual 50 foot structure at 20 mph will appear as a 10 foot structure on your sonar. A tight school of fish would actually mean they are 10 feet apart.
- The color that represents the hardest densities on your 2D sonar is yellow. Look for and key on yellow in the fish you mark. These are the fish you are looking for on 2D sonar.
- You can chart or plot your fish to pattern school locations and movements. Change your track color every day so you can differentiate school location.
Sonar set up:
- Position your transducer 20 inches from your motor.
- Clean readings require clean water. A transducer placed too low in the water will cause water to flow over the top of the transducer creating a rooster tail and creating air bubbles that will travel over the bottom of the transducer resulting poor readings.
- A slightly down angle position is better than slightly up.
- Straight through transducers are awesome not always better
- Run at 200 KZ, it has narrower band that works better at high speed.
- Create or establish a 2D baseline to give you a consistent reading of rocks, fish, etc. Korey set his range at 80 to 100 feet.
- Fish on the bottom can sometimes appear under or in the bottom due to distance and graph depiction of fish outside of the cone angle.
- If you are unsure what is on your graph at high speed, slow down, turn around and investigate.
- If you are experiencing screen clutter, back off your sensitivity setting until it improves.
Side Imaging:
“It can do everything except for function accurately at high speed.”
Korey loves Side Imaging and shared a really good analogy when he said “
Side imaging is like a flash light beam shining out and illuminating the fish and structure.”
I have seen the black fish shadows many times but my old eyes seem to have trouble seeing the white illuminated fish. This explanation really hit home and will help me locating fish and understanding Side Images going forward..
Keys to Side Imaging success
- 10 feet can mean the difference between catching 25 or 5 fish. Side imaging allows you to easily see, mark and map the transitions fish travel, so you can stay on the best of the structure changes.
- Use these maps to help you find these spots when you go ice fishing.
- Remember the further out you shoot your SI beam, the smaller objects will get.
- It’s super important to document your fishing to identify trends.
How to break down a new lake
- Find 10 little spots instead of competing for one big one.
- High speed graph them.
- Look for bait and fish.
- Determine the best structures and use Side Imaging to key in on rocks and transitions.
- Fish like to travel and hang out on clean bottom. Follow the clean bottom into a structure or transition. They will swim on the clean side of the edge.
- Spend time on the water locating fish and structure. Korey will spend up to 25% of his day searching and not fishing.
Snap Jigging:
Creates a Walleye reaction bite and this technique works best from June through September.
- The action of these baits peaks a Walleye’s curiosity. They don’t have hands, so they have to bite it to feel what it is.
- Learn how to use a jigging rap off a dock or ramp in clean water so you can learn how to use it, master the action.
These baits are heavy and work best when fished fast. Heavier baits have better action and they are not all made the same. The Johnny Darter is made of lead, which is much heavier than the Shiver Minnows and Jigging Raps, which are made of zinc.
Snap Jigging Technique
- Snap it let it sling shot then let it rest for a second to give the Fish time to catch it. When your line tightens, snap it again.
- Walleyes expect bait fish to swim away from them, not baits that don’t move away. These snap jigs mimic natural minnows.
- Make sure your line is tight before you let the bait drop.
- Snap – Two reel cranks - tighten the line - then drop. Walleye will hit before the bait hits the bottom from underneath.
- Korey recommends no stretch line when snap jigging. He uses 10 lb test FireLine Ultra 8, with a fluorocarbon leader. The length of leader can be shorter in stained water
Use a lighter colored line, white or chartreuse. It doesn’t silhouette like a dark line will under water. To clarify, darker lines will be silhouetted by the clear skies and sun above when viewed from the bottom. Korey uses high-vis line confidently.
Fishing Tips
- Summer to fall transition creates an adjustment to temperature change at first for the fish but it leads to turning on their feed bag.
- Spinning reels can really reel at really high speeds reaching 3 miles per hour without problem. You can unknowingly working your lures or baits too quickly. Understand your equipment by testing it on the water by using your trolling motor at different speeds to learn your rod bend and apply to your retrieves.
- Trolling motors create a ton of noise under water, use them wisely.
- Check out the Hydrowave, the pros are using it. It works great on Smallmouth, and Ice crappies. Use the Feeding Frenzy setting.
Berkley Cutter 90 and Digger
- Spring time bites: When the water is cold the walleyes can be finicky. try the Berkley Cutter 90. It has a more subtle natural action for stick style bait.
- When the water begins to warm, Korey switches to higher action bait. Berkley Digger is loud, erratic, casts long and trips their trigger once the water warms up. It calls them in gets a lot of reaction bites.
Check out Korey's video below to learn more and see live action of these baits.
·
|
|
Korey closed with a interesting update on Devils Lake. He called out stable water conditions and disintegrating trees are turning it into more of a true lake compared to reservoir. Korey Guides on Devils Lake in the winter, and loves to ice fish. He guides through the Perch Patrol guide service. How fun would it be to go fishing with Korey? Definitely worth your while to fish and learn from one of the best.
Thanks for the great meeting Korey and continued success!
|
|
Russell Nelson
Board Member Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited
|
|
Doc's Pro Tip of the Month
|
|
President Doc Wood interviews Korey Sprengel who shares this
"Pro Tip of the Month" segment. Click on the image above to link to
Doc and Korey's discussion.
|
|
TCWU Club Outing, Walleye Camp and Ice Fishing Clinic with Tony Roach
|
|
Hey great news members, we have scheduled Ice Fishing outing and clinic with TCWU club friend Tony Roach as our guide and coach on Friday January 10, 2020 on
Lake Mille Lacs!
We will be meeting for breakfast at Nitti's Hunters Point Resort and head out fishing soon after. Tony will coach us up at breakfast and lay out the game plan for an all day walleye fish.
- If you are interested click on the link below. Space is limited, Tony can host up to 40 of us at a time.
If you and your fishing buddies want to turn this into a weekend of fishing, contact Nitti's directly (see contact information below). Nitti's offers lodging and a variety of fish house rentals.
|
|
Details
Date:
Friday
January 10, 2020
Cost
: $130 each attendee
Breakfast
- Approximately 7:00 AM
Fishing -
8:00 AM - to 5:30 PM (45 minutes after sunset)
Meeting Location:
Nitti's Hunters Point Resort
|
|
|
Newsletters are now posted on
the TCWU Website!
|
|
Hey great news members, We have made a few changes to the www.tcwalleyes.com website, which include PDF's of our past newsletters posted to the News and Newsletters tab. If you are looking for those missing Guest speaker fishing tips, well now you got them any time you need.
Click on the link below to check it out.
|
|
Thank You KEEPER Sponsors!
|
|
Thank you VALUED Club Donors
|
|
|
|
Click on their logo or go to www.targetwalleye.com to check out
their website and see what its all about
.
|
|
TC Walleyes Unlimited, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
