Monday July 13

5:15  cloudy dark with east winds and cold front conditions.
Open water is calling but will have to wait another day as we have 20 mph winds  out of the SE
We call it good at 4 pm with the days total at 3 good fish.

Tuesday July 14 pm

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. The End; not a single fish more.
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.

Wednesday July 15 pm

Off to the river only to be greeted by 5 footers. It’s been a long time since I pushed the boat into waves this tall.
Once on the western shore in the protection of the high bluffs it was an exceptionally nice day
We came in with 3 taken from 17 feet, let one northern go with my crank hanging on his lip and released 2 small, 13 inch walleyes.

Thursday July 16 pm

Clocked the wind this afternoon at 21.1 and were amazed at how nice it was.
The farther we get from the nasty weather the more fishing will return to normal.
Fish total for today was 12 exceptional walleyes.

Friday July 17 pm

Today is John and Tom’s last day of a 5 day fishing trip here on Lake Sakakawea. We have spent the week at Brendles Bay and launched out of Parshall Bay every day except one when wind drove us to the protection of the river in the New Town area. I expected the day to be our best as weather straightened out and yesterday’s bite kept improving as the day went along. Wrong! Why do I even try to figure this out? It’s like predicting the weather, ain’t gonna happen.

By mid morning we have 1 walleye and Tom is in position for his next fish. That is if we can wake him up. We start the day where we left off both in location and in presentation. Leadcore with the same lures that were working yesterday. Craig joined us, the guy who tipped me off to the location in the first place. He and his partner were pulling a Minnow Rap and doing quite well. Our boat was going through lures as fast as I could make the switch.

I know better; trying to make fish bite I mean. If it ain’t coming your way, might just as well git. Normally I do but today is not my best day on the water. I decide to stick it out and continue to make changes. Craig and his partner stick it out and continue to catch fish. Geez Louise, what is up with this pattern today. Best we can do is attract a few free loaders as Skip Jacks get tossed back and Gus the pelican takes advantage of the easy fishing.

By early afternoon I have run through every small and medium crank I own in multiple colors and styles. Finally denial gives way as hope meets reality and we pull up the lines and make a move to the Parshall Bay area. Down with lead in 18-20 feet and we begin to pick them off one by one. Nothing big, nothing fast, a fish here, a fish there. I’ve used up my time being stubborn for no reason and I’m kicking myself for knowing better.

It is a beautiful day on the water. Very light to no breeze with moderate temps. Steady sunshine, something we have missed all week. More boats are out today due, I’m guessing, to the nice weather and the fact that it is Friday. Tom has had enough by 3:30 so we get the final photo session wrapped up and motor to the ramp for the last time this go round. John and Tom head for the cabin and I clean the 9 fish we kept today before we leave for supper at the Scenic 23.

These guys have weathered the extremes of nature and tuff fishing without complaint, making my job as enjoyable as possible.  If that ain’t enough, they even take me out to eat, not once, but twice. In a week of extreme challenges you could not ask for two more agreeable, easy to like guys. The fact that Tom is an ultra conservative helps as we tend to see things from similar view points. They do get to go home in the morning with their possession limit but are definitely shorted on Sakakawea at its best.

I get two new victims for Saturday. We plan to start late, 9 am at the ramp, as they have a long drive to get here. I predict excellent fishing tomorrow as high pressure has cleaned up the mess left by the cold front.  I may even try out a tip that was passed on to me today. “Try a little worm on your treble, makes a big difference.” Yah, why not?