Fishing Report April 28, 2016 - Preparing The Preparable

The countdown to the Minnesota Walleye fishing opener feels a lot more real to me now that the new boat is in the driveway. In fact, I like the sense of urgency that strikes me when I look at the stack of boxes containing gizmos and gadgets that need to be installed before I can go out for my first Crappie fishing trip.
While I'm doing all that, I've been thinking about my strategy, which lake I'll choose and where I'll search for panfish when I get there.
That gave me another idea, maybe you'd like to know hear some ideas about where and why spring Panfish are gonna show up. So I'm working on that right now, with a bit of luck, you can read it here tomorrow morning. I'll do my best!!

Northern Minnesota Ice Out Report April 20, 2016

I'll bet that I KNOW what you're thinking; "what the heck happened to that boy, where did he disappear to?"
Well, I received a little work assignment that took me into the southern reaches of the US a couple of weeks ago. While I was fishing on Arkansas' Lake Ouachita, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I was engrossed in all sorts of side adventures. Some were more time consuming than others, some were more fun than others too, but all vastly important, each in their own way.
Now that I'm back in the office, I'll do my best to make up for lost time.
First, a few words about fishing in Arkansas; “It’s a lot like fishing in Minnesota, except that it’s warmer”. I was pleasantly surprised by the Walleyes, they were not easy to pattern, but they were catchable using many familiar presentations inluding some of my favorites. We caught Walleyes on Wiggle Worms, Li’l Guys, Crankbaits and plastics.
We got Crappies on jigs and minnows, plastics and even on Crickets. Sunfish struck all sorts of lures, but they had a fantastic time stealing my night crawlers before the Walleyes could get ‘em. Bass, for us, were not really the target, but we caught plenty of them as we pursued other fish.
My only disappointment was that I couldn’t figure out how to bag a Striper, so far. I’m guessing that there will be a re-match in my future sooner or later.

Northern Minnesota Ice Out Report April 7, 2016

Despite Mother Nature’s attempt to trick us into believing that winter won’t let go, Walleye waters in Northern Minnesota are opening up.
On Wednesday, I drove up to the Cutfoot Sioux Walleye Egg Harvest Station at Little Cutfoot. I expected to see more ice on Little Cutfoot, so I was pleased with the discovery that the small lake is nearly ice free right now. In just a couple of weeks, upward of 50,000 Walleye will follow their urge to spawn, passing through that passage, but so far, the DNR had not moved any equipment into the site.
I drove up to the North end of Big Cutfoot and discovered a narrow band of open water along the shoreline. There’s still a lot of ice out there, but there’s not much chance that it will linger long enough to throw Walleyes off of their spring spawning schedule.
Here are a few words, about Wiggle Worms for Mark, who I met at the Northwest Sportshow. I perused the archives looking for the original article that I wrote about using the 1/16 ounce jig tipped with night crawlers for Walleye fishing. So far, I haven’t located the original, but I did find this one from last summer and I think it will put you on the right track. Click Here For >> "Wiggle Worms July 23, 2015". I found another reference too, it's an article by Sam Cook, Duluth News Tribune, who wrote about the technique after fishing with me several years ago. Follow this link to >> Sam Cook Article, Sundin "Wiggle Worms".
Soon, I’ll figure out where the rest of that information went, so keep an eye open for more.

April 5, 2016 Minnesota Fishing - Sundin Optimistic About The Fishing Opener; Of Course!

You know what? A lot of states don't have an "Opening Day" of fishing, but in Minnesota we do and I'm really glad.
The opening day of fishing is a tradition, an event that gives communities a reason to celebrate. The fishing opener gives families a date to mark on their calendars, special time, set aside to be together, enjoying the outdoors.
I think you'll enjoy this short video about the "Fishing Opener" in Minnesota and if you do, I hope you'll share it with your family and friends.

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Northwest Sportshow Report April 4, 2016 - Spring Springing?

Driving home across US Highway 2 this morning was like taking a trip backwards in time.
Greeting snowplows on icy roads with a temperature of 20°, made it hard to hang onto the notion that spring had sprung.
After spending most of the past week in Twin Cities looking at green grass and flowers blooming, my enthusiasm for getting home and taking my new boat out on the water was growing. Unfortunately, the availability of open water in Minnesota’s Northern region hasn’t kept pace.
Another snowstorm forecast for tomorrow means that I'm liable to spend most of this week stretching my imagination, searching to figure out ways to help you hold your enthusiasm about the upcoming fishing season.
After I get caught up on chores and clear up this stack of paperwork I left behind, I’ll get out and take a look at the lakes to see what condition they’re in.

Northwest Sportshow Report April 3, 2016 - "Schumacher; Passing The Torch of Tourism"

I think it’s fair to say that nearly every visitor to the northwest sport show, who’s ever looked into visiting Grand Rapids, were familiar with Wayne and Diana Schumacher.
The Schumacher’s, passionate advocates for tourism in the greater Grand Rapids Minnesota area, began travelling together as volunteers for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Believing that it was important to broaden the scope of their efforts, the couple formed their own volunteer organization; “Grand Rapids & Deer River Area Tourism”.
Before Wayne’s passing in 2011, the Schumacher’s distributed upwards of a million information packets to folks interested in visiting the greater Grand Rapids area. And guess what, they did it all on their own dime, as volunteers.
Even after Wayne’s passing, Dianna’s commitment for promoting tourism continued and she’s been staffing the booth alone, until now.
After more than three decades, Dianna has decided to pass the torch; handing it over to the Deer River Chamber of Commerce. Today will be her last official day of duty as the highest ranking authority on Grand Rapids - Deer River Area Tourism.
If you’re here at the show, be sure to stop by booth number 737 and wish her well. Ya’ never know, if you hurry, you may get there before she runs out of cookies!

Northwest Sportshow Report April 2, 2016 - "Something Fishy In Minneapolis"

You may not have thought of it of it, but this is one time of the year when there are experts from all over the Midwest, collectively, they know almost everything there is to know about fishing. That means there's no better time to get your list whole of fishing questions answered before you head into the store to get stocked up for the open water fishing season.
Besides that there are lodges, campgrounds, vacation destinations, boats, ATVs, gizmos, gadgets and contrivances; there's something for everybody who wants to go anywhere or do anything.
You already know that I'm here too, so if you're going to be out and about today, then do me a favor and swing in to the Minneapolis Convention Center. Pay us a visit in the Lindy Booth #835 and we can chat about the upcoming fishing season, rigging your boat, tips and tactics that will make your fishing more productive.
At 11:00 AM you can check out Jon Thelen's seminar about "Alternative Walleye Tactics" and get more inside information about how to catch more fish this summer; maybe we'll even give you a free gift.
OH, and by the way, if you do by we'll even explain why Steve Kusske has that big grin on his face!

Northwest Sportshow Report April 1, 2016 - "From The Show Floor In Minneapolis"

The CUTCO fillet knife that I'm using these days was gifted to me by good friends a few years back. I can remember them worrying that I wouldn't like it, but honestly, this has turned out to be hands down, the best fillet knife that I've ever used.
Throughout the summer, I get numerous requests from fishing customers about where they can buy a fillet knife like the one I use. I've told them that they have to find a CUTCO rep and some of them have struggled trying to find one in their neighborhood.

Sometimes I stumble into people that make me feel like writing a story just for the fun of it. That's what happened on Thursday when I ran in the Captain Dan Fox.
During a conversation about who I was and what I do, Captain Dan said; “Well when you write your report tomorrow, be sure to mention that you ran into the world's best charter fishing captain for salmon on Lake Michigan”.
When someone makes a statement like that, you have to keep asking questions, so I did.
It turns out that Captain Dan Fox has been chartering on Lake Michigan for 40 years; that's 10 years longer than I've been at it. That's a lot of experience, and I know what that experience is worth to customers.
I asked a few folks who know Dan and by all accounts he works every bit as hard as I do and he’s really good at it.