Tuesday July 14 pm

Then again, maybe I’ve never been really tested by a series of cold fronts. We launched out of Parshall Bay and stopped on the west shore for a quick pull in 18 followed by a move to Gull for a pull in 21-22. The entire south shore left us fishless so rather than work a repeat performance we moved. Then we moved again and again. Six total moves covering 15 to 35 feet before noon. Last count from the livewell (0).

John and Tom have to be wondering just exactly why they are paying me to take them fishing. I know I’m beginning to wonder. The guys take a break over lunch while I straighten up in the boat. Gheryn dropped by on his bike. Actually he rode his bike out on the dock where I was tied up and began a conversation. Before long we were headed out into the wind for a quick boat ride and a few minutes of fishing. We didn’t get anything but I’ll bet he is thinking, “What a way to spend your lunch hour.”

Wind came up over lunch so we made a move out of Parshall Bay to the west shore and pulled the old railroad  grade for first fish of the day. White Bass. Remember yesterday where hope met reality. Well today hope came up short and was met by a nice nap in the boat. This is scraping the bottom of the barrel, paying customers falling asleep fishing. I can’t picture repeat customers here.

I spent the entire morning looking for fish on sonar so when I got my first real walleye on the screen in late afternoon I’m thinking things are going to break lose. NOT! Remember the good old days of your screen filling with red clouds of smelt followed by a good fish or two. When your screen turns into red clouds now it means trees followed by a crank or two. Pay the price Schoneck, losses in every business.

2:38 and we have the first walleye in the boat on a Bomber 24a. 2:48 on the nose and #2 is in the livewell. A guy could get used to this and sure enough it was followed by 3 Skip Jacks and a White Bass. The End! No kidding, not another fish, even switched to leadcore and RS4’s which never fail to catch fish, until today.

We call it good at 4:30 and head in tired of the constant wind and sick of the constant whining coming from the guide. Wind is up just a bit more causing the lake to turn white. Much of the day was partly cloudy but it is looking like we are in for the evening rainstorm. I stop at the cleaning station and fillet our precious cargo, both of ‘em. With the boat tarped and ready for the night Tom, John and I head out for supper. These guys are great, you’d think they would have had enough of me by now!

8:30 and I’m just finishing the report. Feels like we could have snow by morning. Maybe even drifts as I just clocked the wind at 29.1 mph. Tom told me today 60% of Americans believe in Global Warming.  I’m going to need two blankets tonight. See ya tomorrow.   Greg

Wednesday July 15 am

This is the first time in my memory that wind stay up all night long. At least we have clear skies. Maybe we will tackle the New Town area yet. The river is calling my name as it is way more protected from wind than the  lake.

48 degrees this morning. The weather report for New Town is west 14 to 24 with gusts as high as 29