Did Someone Mention Walleyes?

1. Did Someone Mention Walleyes? “A tribute to the virtues of teaching kids to fish”

2. This site is dedicated to my Dad and Mom, Nayland and Mary Kay, who taught me to fish at an early age. My Dad, who died when I was 14, could do anything. He built this raft from two wing tanks from a jet fighter and a Continental combine engine. We sure enjoyed fishing on it ……….

3. 8.5 lbs. Shore Fishing Big Stone Opener Okay, so I know the one on the left isn’t a walleye, but Big Stone Lake always gave up big fish in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Both of these were taken on a simple bait, a black and white Daredevil. I truly think black and white are deadly colors for walleye.

4. These are typical of Big Stone Walleyes we have taken over the years. I no longer keep large fish unless they are injured, or I am going to mount one. In the 1980’s the limit was six fish per day per person. I am a huge fan of the new slot limit and four fish limit. My baits of choice have long been floating stick baits such as the Rapalla, and chartruese colored jigs. We pitch jigs until sundown, and often go to the stick baits after dark. In the spring of the year in South Dakota’s Glacial Lakes, this will likely put a limit on your stringer.

5. During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s we discovered the Missouri River System. My brother, Craig, took this one on a simple Lindy Rig tipped with a minnow by Antelope Creek south of Pierre. A great time to go is during February when the trophies are in pre-spawn mode. This fish was about 9lbs. , and it came at a point in Craig’s life where he needed a lift. Another reason to fish! Another great area is Minneconjou Bay on the Cheyenne River tributary. This is big water, but there are big fish, too. This was truly a 4lb. average limit of walleye. My brother-in-laws, Randy and Ken, and my sister Nancy were along for this trip. Most of these were taken on ½ oz. bottom bouncers and spinners. We almost lost a boat to the wind and rocks.

6. Like I mentioned before, the Missouri River is big water and has the potential to be life-threatenening. You just shouldn’t go out there with anything less than a 16ft. boat. Twenty-five mph winds are common, and experience is a must on the Missouri. Get someone to show you around first if you are not familiar with the water. This 6’ rattler tried to climb in my boat in the Oak Creek area north of Mobridge. My brother-in-law, Kenny, had a great time almost causing heart attacks to some Iowan fishermen at the cleaning table when he dumped it out of his cooler. They thought it was still alive and scattered like flies! At least we had the cleaning table to ourselves for a while.

7. If you don’t ice fish Waubay Lake or Enemy Swim, you are just plain missing out. After the boats are put away for the winter try setting up tip-ups with nothing but a #2 Eagle Claw hook, a small chub, and a shot weight. That plus patience and location on a good drop-off will get you some fish. This was quality time with Emily and Jason. Kids love to ice-fish. The key is keeping them warm, taking a lot of snacks, and having sleds or a football along to keep them busy while you are waiting for a flag to pop up. It is pretty common to experience about a 45 minute flurry of activity right at sundown with an occasional large walleye.

8. It’s time to talk wading. In the spring of the year we ought to just leave our boats at home. Put on a good pair of neopreme waders, grab a handful of Walmart 3/16 oz. jigs, find a windy/rocky shoreline, and start fishing. My friend, Troy Haaland, is the best jig fisherman I’ve ever seen, and I have personally witnessed him catching and releasing 100 walleyes on two separate occasions. Oh yes, be sure to get a hat light and switch to Rapallas at dark!

9. You should never forget about winter/spring walleyes at Fort Thompson. If you watch the weather, you can pick up some days that are absolutely incredible. This is one of the best early season jig bites you can find this side of Canada. The key is locate fish on your graph away from other boats, and present jigs as far away from your boat as you can – the slower, the better. Once again, this trip isn’t for everyone, if you fall out of the boat in this ice-water, you have about 5 minutes to get out and dry so please be careful! Make sure you go during the week when the dam is more likely to be operating; you’ll have much better fishing.

10. The bonds you form fishing will last a lifetime. Here is a picture of Troy and his son Michael fishing near “Prairie Dog Town” south of Mobridge. They were fishing bottom bouncers and spinners that day. But the look on the father and son’s faces is worth much more than the fillets. I wouldn’t want to get in a fishing contest with these two guys unless they were on my side. Mike Benson is a very versatile walleye fisherman who changes tactics with changing conditions; dark colors when it’s dark, bright colors when it is bright, and he can really read the wind. This was one our “wins” at the Warner Fire Department fishing tourney. Tourney fishing can be fun, if it doesn’t become a business!

11. I’ll finish this bit with a tribute to the lady who not only gave me life, but saved my life as well. She managed to hang on to our land at the lake after Dad died, and took me fishing whenever I asked her to, which was usually several times a week! She kept me from going the wrong way, and I’m doing my best to pass this on to my kids. By the way, my mom, Peg, turns 90 this summer, and she still loves to fish off our dock. Her bait of choice is a plain hook, a weight, and live bait …………….keep fishing!