Fall Walleyes

By now it is very apparent that I love to fish for those darn muskies.  In fact, I don't think "love" is a strong enough word for the passion that I have for the big beasts.  While I get nuts when they are biting, I also cannot hide the fact that I love a meal of fresh fish.  In the spring I am busy chasing the walleyes, and once the water temps of fall approach, I once again find myself hungry for a smack on the jig.

This past weekend allowed me the first opportunity in months to chase after our state fish.  I put down the baitcasters, picked up the jig box and spinning reel, and headed for the bait shop.  Joined by my good friend Mike Ernst, we picked out a scoop of fatties (aka: fathead minnows), tied on my favorite fireball jighead, and we were off to the lake.  Knowing our evening was going to be short-lived due to daylight, we prepared for instant action as the sun was already setting.  Sure enough, the walleyes didn't dissapoint us, and Mike was on the board with fish number one.  Within 5 minutes, number two was in the boat, and I was beginning to wonder if he had a secret fish juice in his pocket.  After his 5 miss, I started jigging my lure with intense action, and the smack came very hard on the end of my pole.  Not a huge walleye, but a nice 18 incher, and for some odd reason, it was more rewarding to me than a 50 inch muskie. 

Some times it is all about the enjoyment of the company and the change of the seasons that really get me fired up inside.  This evening was exactly that for me, and while we only had an hour or so on the water, it was exciting to net a walleye again and feel the smack of a walleye taking the jig.  Even with the warmer than average temps, fall is here, and it is time to chase some walleyes!

And by the way...the next evening gave us the exact same results...good eatin!

Travis Frank - Livin the Dream