WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
March 30, 2006

The countdown to Rainy River is less than 34 hours and I will again be on the open water. Needless to say, it will likely be a couple of nights without much sleep in anticipation of those big Walleyes. If you haven't made the trip North, put it on your calendar for this weekend. It will likely have muddy water by early next week which will put an end to the fishing there this year.

With sounds of ducks and geese filling the evening air and the sightings of the first Robins this week, the sure signs of another Spring have arrived here in the Northland.

Not only have I spotted the normal ducks and geese, but on my drive home from work on Thursday, I watched two Trumpiter Swans chase each other in the open water area of the Pokegama lake bridge. An awesome sight as my 3-year-old daughter put it.

With six weeks remaining until another open water opening day, what is one to do? Rainy River is the best option for those trying to scratch the open water itch. As of Friday morning, the water remained clear and the current slow. If you plan on heading up prior to the close of the Walleye season on April 15, please check or call up there to find out the lastest water conditions. If the water is muddy, stay home!

From the local opportunites, many late season Crappie anglers are finding good-to-great success on many area lakes including Bowstring. Perch fishing on Winnie continues to show some of the best size in many years. As far as the Perch bite, it continues to be seek and hunt, but once you locate a good school, the action has been impressive. I have put away the ice fishing gear for the season, now it's time for open water action.

As you start gearing up for the open water season, each year anglers look for the new rod or reel. I want to tell anglers about the new St. Croix Walleye series rod that hit the market last season. The Walleye series rod comes in a number of styles, if you're looking for that ideal rod for multi species fishing, look no further than the 6.6-7.0 foot medium-light fast action series. For those Red Lake Crappies to jigging/rigging/crankin/bobber pichin walleyes, to those large/small mouth bass, this rod will take care of all your needs. It has the needed backbone for hard hook-setting power, yet an amazingly sensitive tip for those most finicky biters. So if you're in the market for a new rod, check this one out, you won't be disappointed.

Get those arms in shape!

Sean Colter
www.seancolter.com
member of the NMLOG's