Pikeslayer8

Man o man, that is a biggun Pikeslayer! Last year my nephew caught a ling on Wabakimi, first ling ever caught on this lake by our party. If it were not for this fine site, I wouldn't have known what it was. Saw em posted up on some of the Nip threads. Very cool pic! This is our little one.

Yes, we were checked when we were finishing shore lunch just across from the entrance to the West End on Wabakimi couple years ago. Bright yellow plane dropped in on us and 4 boats in that little bay at the shore lunch rock there was not much room for the plane. Pilot brings it in though next to my boat. The passenger officer hops out in my boat and the wind catches the plane just so swinging it around almost shredding the officer. I had a direct look and no more than 4 inches from his shoulder. Even the pilot cringed. He checked for license, life jackets, boat safety kits, but mainly was alcohol check. He serched our coolers and looking to fine 100.00$ a beer. Heard he got the party in Granite for a big fine. He lectured us that they are tired of us (American's) getting drunk and eluded to either rescuing or hauling out 3 dead fisherman from these outpost camps. He definately came to hassle. He lectured us not to "party fish" or keeping fish on another's license. Anyway, he had nothin on us so time to leave. I think he was a bit sheepish about being gull chow with the planes prop he couldn't get out of there fast enough. He had me go in my boat with him to pull the plane out of the little bay. I really felt a need to talk to this guy 1 on 1 anyway. I told him that we respect this lake and love this lake, we had a memorial service for my father on that rock, would never consider sinking a beer can, consider this lake as own personal fishery(always killing only 18's and under for lunches and take-homers). I think he heard me. Wish that he would know what happened on the last day when my boys put out the potential forest fire at the outlet.

Stellar report!

Here's a few in Alaska!

Top of my sunburned ear.

Naw, I like to have all my trips on my lake on just 1 thread. Otherwise my head might blow up. I always thought there should be a Top Chef Campcook edition. Thanks Chris I thought we nailed each meal and left with only a few eggs and some milk left over from provisions. Thanks Roy Man, You get me! We also mixed in Blue Cheese in the flavorburgers and the foil packs were Vidalia Onions chopped course mixed with Blue Cheese and butter. Thanks a lot T.J.

This year, my brother Bob and my 2 boys, Brett and Bradley left Denver at 3:00 am Friday May 31st, for what was a very cool fishing adventure. We arrive at Devils Lake at about 7:00 pm and get checked in at Haybale Hts. They had a very nice trailer/cabin that we stayed in. Cost 175/night. Not bad for 4 guys. I would definately stay there again. The owner, Luke, is very cool and is also very accomplished sportsmen in his own right He has this very cool trophy room where he had dozens of deer mounts as well as his South African safari mounts. Nice fish mounts from Devils as well. The next morning, June 1, we met Matt Taylor at our cabin at 6:30 in the morning. The weather was not promising as the wind was gusting up to 35-40 mph, but we still went anyway. So Matt shows up with his big 250 truck with Matt Taylor prominently displayed on his truck pulling a nice Ranger boat, awesome! We all pile in for a ride to Pelican Cove to put in the boat. Well, as Matt put in the boat, he asked if I would park the rig, extremely cool of him. Of course, with all that wind, the boat ramp was completely empty. We only had to go a mile or so till we got to what Matt said was the only fishable spot on the lake, what with the wind and rain sputters, and we were the only boat there. We were fishing on the protected side of a small low clearance bridge. This bridge was covered with barn swallows nests by the hundreds and was neat to fish so close to them. They sure came in handy a few hours later when we were in the midst of a midge hatch. Even in a more protected area the wind was still an issue so it was verticle jigging with the spot lock on his trolling motor. We caught pike after pike all morning ranging from 23"-28" all very thick, stout fish. Was later in the morning before the walleye bite started. We caught lots of 16"-17" beautiful healthy almost translucent walleye. I wish I took pictures from my time on Devils, but I was too fired up for fishin . Matt Taylor was magnificent and we all truly enjoyed our day spent with him. He even took us by his house on the way back to show us his pet bobcat he has in this very elaborate cage in his side yard. The guy is nothing but a class act and I wish him well this season fishing the torneys. June 2 Left Devils Lake early and began the trek to Ft Francis. Hey, did ya know that speeding tickets are only 20$ in N Dakota? Yup. We crossed with no problems at Baudette and made it in to Ft. Francis mid-afternoon, did our grocery shopping at the Safeway and got 2# of leeches at the Can Op. We joined up with the other 4 guys, Brother-in-law Pat, and his 2 boys, John and Bob and another nephew from Arizona, Matthew. We settled into the Rendezvous Hotel and again had a great meal there for dinner. I ordered the Con Pollo using the Canadian pronunciation. (Con, rhymes with Ron and Pollo rhymes with Rollo) eh! This year our conditions were Hot Calm and Pleasant. We were the first party in camp as the prior party's got iced out. Brad, one of our favorite bush pilots spent the day and night prior our arrival setting up camp. I find out that the 3 days prior our arrival a big nasty cold front dumped lots of rain and the night before, was snowing. The lake was as high as I've ever seen it. Large stretches of our dock was under a foot of water. rendering our dock unusable. The fillet table is on the dock. The skeeters hatched on day 3 but weren't bad. June 3 Northern Wilderness Outfitters wanted us at their airbase at 9:00 am for a 10:00 flight. They were able to fly 6 of us on the first flight so I left my 2 boys to go on a 2nd flight that dropped off a party on Bishop Lake. By the time the 2nd flight arrived with most of my gear and provisions, it was around 4:00 by the time we hit the water runnin. The water temperature was 52* and highs were mid 60s. No clouds in sight. We started out at The Corner, I'm with Bradley and we found the fishing tough.. We spent a couple of hours there and only caught 1 fish for dinner. Pat did catch a 35" pike. John a 23" wally and Matthew a 20" which we threw back. Scary. Decided not to risk it anymore so we went to the Narrows close to camp where we caught enough for dinner. We keep 3/boat so we needed 12 fish and caught well more. The next day Fishing with Bradley, water temps 54* Calm, Still. Went to my favorite morning spot and found the fishing good but not great by any means. We caught several nice walleyes and the highlight was Bradley catchin a 34" pike on the ole walleye trick. Of course it took a good net man. Came in for a fried fish lunch with our special Buck's Baked Beans and Pasta Salad. In the afternoon, we went to Rusty's Back Door and again it was hot and still. The walleyes were not biting that well but Pat catches a nice 36" northern. We then got into Armada Formation for a beverage and a cigar with a little vertical jiggin. My nephew, Bob catches a first ever eelpout this day. For dinner was 1 1/2" thick cut smoked pork chop lightly kissed on the grill, fresh asparagus, hollandaise sauce, sweet potato fries. Brownies for desert. (Not the Pot Brownies either just because I'm in Colorado) The next day With Matthew, Hot Still and Calm. Water temps are definitely going up, now 56*. Went to Lower Wabakimi to explore some areas that I wanted to try with minimal success. Went to Trappers and The Corner in the afternoon and it was still pretty slow when we got there but that the water was so high on the lake we were able to get "Behind The Corner". Normally very unaccessible water this spot is truly a hidden gem not seen by very many people. High cliffs and stunning waterfalls completely hidden. Dinner was my Flavor Burgers with Blue Cheese and Onion foil pack, salad and Wildberry Pie. I made all the burgers monstrous but the one I made for Matthew was probably a 3 pounder. Gotta look after my boat partner! The next day I get the pleasure of fishing with Pat. We've been going together for 30 years but haven't fished together for any but the first as he's always been runnin his boat as I do mine. Let me tell ya, Pat can flat out fish, and he's got his whole family trained to kick my ass in pitch. Hotter Stiller and even more calm. Water temps of 58* Slow morning at the fav morn spot. Don't say that very often. I broke out the frozen ciscos with moderate success. Walleye tacos for lunch In the afternoon we went to fish a rarely fished spot on the lake we call Retarded Rabbit and did not do well there so we headed back to The Corner. Hotter than ****! Pat and I are really workin it and not having much success when we look over at John and Matt's boat. Well, John is up on the bank screwin around takin a crap or something and Matts jiggin in a foot of water when, bam, a big pike is on. Matthew fights the fish nicely and John leaps back in the boat and grabs the net and does a masterful job of netting the fish and was lifting her in when the net split and bye bye the pike. Gotta hand it to Matt, he handled the disappointment well. Dinner was great. We prepped this at lunch in no time and was ready for us when we got off the lake other than the mashed taters. Ribs n Kraut. Made bread for this but didn't have anything for a bread pan, so I had my son make one out of a box and foil. The next day. The last day. Brother Day! We go to fav. morn. spot, really pleasant day. Water 59* The bite has picked up. We just sat in a vortex and had a blast. Lunch was Walleye Chowder We finished out the trip up River Bay at the Outlet where my brother and I trolled cranks with moderate success. Bradley caught a good 33". Finished the trip out at the Narrows and the bite was good. The last night meal was perhaps the finest meal I've ever had fishcamp or not. Took a whole beef tenderloin and cut it up in giant steaks. John grilled them to perfection. We also had salad, Fettuccine Alfredo and sweet potato. All in all, it was another great trip. Numbers were down a bit and we did have some motor issues but I was proud of my sons who were able to fix the problem and stave off fishing 3 to a boat on brother day. The NWO camp on Wabakimi is almost a magical place with many, many wonderful memories, however, the boats and motors leave something to be desired. Thanks for watchin!

It's been awhile since I've said hi to my Canadian friends on this forum. Hi everybody! This year I'm doing a little 1 day charter on Devils Lake on my way to Wabakimi. We will leave Denver at 3:00am on Friday May 31 and drive 880 miles to Devils Lake and we will be staying outta Haybale Heights. Matt Taylor, FLW Walleye Tour pro, will take myself, my brother and my 2 boys out for a chartered day on Devils Lake on Sat. June 1. Can't wait! Sunday, it's back in the rig for another 350 miles to Ft Francis where we meet up with the rest of my crew and then Monday we all fly in to Wabakimi. This year marks my 40th trip to Wabakimi and 45th Canadian adventure. Yea, I love it!

Yea, I just drove back from Scottsdale Arizona yesterday with the temperature reading 47* when I left at 7:00 AM. By the time I got to Payson which is approx. 50 miles I ran into a pretty good blizzard. I even had the pleasure of speaking with the Local Johnny Law. He told me that I was going a little too fast. I told him that the speed limit signs were all covered with snow and were unreadable. He then told me to have a nice day. The Colorado part of my drive was a lot more nasty.

I just put the frisky live minnows in a gallon ziplock with the course salt and into the fridge overnight. I separate into smaller batches to pop into the freezer. The difference in what I do is I add granulated garlic and anise extract to the course salt mixture. My next batch just might have some Gulp Alive juice as well. A virtual "smorgasbord" of attractants.

Happy New Year for all my OFC friends.

I don't get it Chris. You have yourself some unsuccessful heart surgery and then turn around and put a giant beatdown on about every species of fish available. You are some kind of stud fisherman.

Dirty Bird Lager?????????

Foul and bacon, nice! You had me at beer.

Bacon is meat candy

Thanks Thanks Chris. I just bet you will. Go for it Dana. Thanks Joey. The gravy was amazing. Don't want to offend the NF internet police. Thanks Joeytier Thanks Mercman. I think that I honed my bacon cooking skills in Canada, however. I'll come right out and say it. Bacon wrapped foul is the way to go for succulent birds. Bacon wrapped Grouse. Toad Hunter, You so get me. Bacon in the stuffing. Marvelous. Actually, I did.

Hey everyone, Thought that I would share a picture of my Thanksgiving Turkey (American version). I threw on 2#'s of bacon on the top of the bird in a weave fashion. Roasted it in the oven @ 325* for 4 hrs. covered. Pulled off the foil for the last 15 minutes for browning. Just crawling outta my bacon/turkey coma. But hey, it was worth it. Delicious! Yea, happy belated Thanksgiving to the other southern outdoors-men that visit this awesome site. Mine was pretty good other than having my Mother-in-law visiting for 4 days. Ouch

Hilarious! Well played Capt.

Great thread Gordy28. All of these books look compelling for winter reading. I like my Kindle and try to buy my books in that format. I like Bunk's recomendations. Just ordered Through Black Spruce in Kindle format. I am currently reading all of the Loon Lake mysteries written by Victoria Houston. Set in northern Wisconsin and centered in fishing, nice easy read. One of the main characters is Ray Pradt, local fishing guide who wears a hat with a stuffed muskie on it. I recommend this series highly.

I hadn't noticed the continuous camera angle. Nice subtle observation Sinclair.

Way cool video and song! These guys should fish more. Check it out. http://www.youtube.c...p?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

By far the best lure for walleyes is the simple jig. Tip a jig with a bit of crawler or a leach or minnow and you're set. Walleye 101.

"Leaving that night the greedy trapper stumbled home and fell to a drunken slumber in his rocking chair on the porch. In the daylight the following morning, a passerby found his body bound to his chair by bloodied roots and vine with his chest completely cracked and torn open, and absent of his heart." Talk about a great campfire story Awesomely well written report. Next best thing to being there. You guys just slayed em!

Nice form! I gotta try that.