One of the rarest of events every recorded

Finally back to Sakakawea and it feels good to be on home water. How long has it been since we could launch a boat from the Parshall Bay Park ramp? Water continues to rise at an unbelievable rate. 1838 and climbing. I love every last inch! The home water deal though is an overstatement as Sakakawea is a new lake for all of us, guide and tourist alike. With the majority of walleye water being newly flooded this season where do you start? For me, at least today, it’s an easy decision. I’m meeting John and Roger at Skunk Bay, 15 miles south and a bit west of the Parshall ramp.

The ride was refreshing in the cool damp morning air and also a bit on the ruff side with 15 mph + out of the SE. Bring on the south winds as they spell F-I-S-H, one of my favorite words. This is an easy trip as both John and Roger are as interested in how it’s done as they are in the results. Our first ½ hour is spent going over sonar and settings. With that tucked away in the memory we are off to Independence Flats for a look around.

We shoot south from Independence a little over a mile and set up in 15 feet with Bomber 24a’s at 40 feet and Reef Runner Rip Shads 90 feet back. It’s not a long wait as fish seem to be eager to be first to breakfast. Roger gets into our best sauger of the day on the Rip Shad in Wonder Bread Red. Firetiger used to be my number one choice on Sakakawea but it is getting voted out due the continued popularity of the clown looking Rip Shad.  John joins the action with our best fish of the day.

After a few runs we move around the corner towards Skunk bay and get into the calm water for a few pictures and a more exact count on fish. It’s not noon yet but Roger and John have their fish. After a brief visit on vertical jigging we opt for another trip down the flat with the big Reef Runners in 18 to 20 feet. Fish are easy to mark today and almost as easy to catch which is the way I like’em, easy. Just a few boats here today and all seem to be doing well. One thing about a lab, you don’t have to entice them to fetch.

The day was moving into the 3 o’clock hour when Roger spotted one of the rarest of events every recorded on Sakakawea and captured as living proof with digital photography. This is certain to be picked up by Fox news so keep your eyes open when this story breaks. Never seen, never photographed there she was feeding on shore in broad daylight. I did a double take and forgot I even had a camera until I shook the fog loose and got the telephoto screwed out. Big as day, not one, but several photographs as Nesse bobbed in the surf feeding next to shore. Had Roger not pointed her out I could have easily mistaken her for just more shore line debris. Thanks Roger.

If you’ve not been to Sakakawea and in particular Parshall Bay get it marked on the calendar. Barb and Kim are as easy to get to know as the walleyes and Kim keeps track of the bite if you need specifics. Fish are going in the Van Hook arm and Parshall is as close as you can get with great camping and a ramp right in the park. The east shore line from Parshall Bay all the way to Shell Village over 8miles south will fill your live well most days with plenty of time left over for soaking sun and relaxing at camp. The Parshall Flats bite is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. You never know you may even have a life changing encounter with Nesse.