Spring has sprung

Here it is, the first week of April... Snow is gone and the fever is on. Course it's been on since I was old enough to hold a fishing pole. Anyway. The ice is out and the rivers are flowing, WALLEYE WALLEYE WALLEYE. Ya they have been making thier way up river for a week or so. Small jigs with a minnows will do the trick, if your fishing out of a boat or if your alone on the shoreline. Without a boat your surely fishing from the banks of the mighty water.

First things first.... Stay SAFE Life jackets on and keep the children away from the waters edge. This time of year it's fast moving water. Currents a very strong.

If you are fishing from shore. A wolf river rig and floating jig head with a minnow will work very well.
A wolf river rig is a simple device, Ya I know what your thinkin, but there are those that have maybe never fished and want to give it a shot. So will start from the begining.

First Pick out a fishing rod and reel, For river fishing walleyes I like the spinning reel with 8 pound test line.
 I always use Trilene line, But thats me. Once you have spooled up with the new line, Get yourself a three way swivel. Never mind that. You can do that later. To start go to your favorite sporting goods store or bait shop and pick up a wolf river rig. Then all you have to do is change the hook if you choose. The hook I would suggest you use is a floating jig. This will keep your bait just off the river bottom, making your bait look as if it is swimming up river. Giving your walleye an easy target . Color of the jig head, Well that will depend, the best advise on this would be to ask others fishing in the area you'll be dropin a line. Color does at times matter. Tip the jig with a minnow and have fun.

 For those of you that have never tied  a hook to your line.... Please do not use over hand knots... A simple fishing knot will work great. Guide the end of the line through the eye of the hook as if you threading a needle. Making a loop. Give yourself enough line. Now twist the hook 7 times, taking the end of the line sliding back through the loop just above the eye of the hook. Holding the line and the hook pull slowly until the knot is tight.
Before doing this I like to wet my loop first. As you pull your knot tight friction will heat the line. Which will weaken it at that point. Now tip the hook with a minnow and your set. What I mean by tippin your minnow. Hook the minnow by first going through the bottom jaw up through the top. When you cast out, cast gentle or you'll loose your bait.

Oh ya one more thing. When you catch a walleye that is to small and has swallowed your hook, This goes for any fish you catch, That your not keeping. CUT the line as close to the hook as you can and return the fish to the water. Hooks are made to desolve over time. By doing so the fish will live to fight you another day.

Happy Fishing
God Bless

Bowe     ...........  BE SAFE