I worry more about rocks, fallen trees and other obstructions that might not be on GPS more that mapping being off.

Matt Moen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>crawdaddy wrote:</div>
A few years ago, maybe 5 or 6, I decided it would be a good idea to go down and shore fish in St. Paul at midnight. I was fishing and suddenly a hobo came down with a stereotypical pitbull mutt, I was a little nervous! We ended up chatting it up and the dog was friendly. He was a younger hobo in his 30s. Asked if I had any beers or booze.

I used to shore fish Hidden Falls all the time at night. I was cutting through the woods back to my car and I could hear people following me. Got to my car and like 6 transients surrounded me. I was in that lot by the picnic buildings. They never said a word but were barking and yelping. I was scared as heck…started to call 911 and they all just left.

Weirdest thing that has happened to me on the river. I bought a boat shortly after that.

They were probably Ranger boat salesmen!

Justin riegel wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>DaveB wrote:</div>
Since you are going mid week, you should be able to find a free campground on Vermilion, ideally on an island where they can run around like crazy. Fishing is very good up there right now as well.

Looks like we are going to do this. The wife wants electricity so we are looking at Hoodoo Point.

I know nothing about this lake so I guess it will be a learning experience

Wind blow points, reefs and humps in Big Bay right outside Pike Bay should be starting to hold fish. There will likely be a lot of boats in the deeper water around Cherry Island sorting through 12-15″ fish if you just want some small eaters.

Since you are going mid week, you should be able to find a free campground on Vermilion, ideally on an island where they can run around like crazy. Fishing is very good up there right now as well.

john23 wrote:

Very cool, Jon. And I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a shack somewhere down there. Makes sense that the forest service chased people off the islands. Thanks!

Around the highway 5 bridge, you can see where people stack flat rocks into primitive structures, cover with a tarp, start fires and try to live all winter. So I guess there are options….

How do you define a guide? The devil is in the details.

No perch? I hear the size and numbers are good

buschman wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mike W wrote:</div>
They work but so does every other <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleye bait.

And/or catfish baits for that matter.

Willows are a bit small IMO on P2. I can think of many better things to buy than willow cats for bait down there.

Hot dogs?

It was weird this year, we still got most of our fish in under 15’ of water. Jon J had the hot boat for big fish getting a 25”, 27” and 28”ers. We had one 26” and a lot of smaller fish. Weather was tough on Thursday and anytime the sun was high the shallow bite shut down completely. The water seems to get more clear each year.

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Steve Root wrote:

Looked at the 494 access today. The water is at the top of the ramp but still no problem to launch. City hasn’t shut it down.

SR

I launched there yesterday, with another foot higher, you might have an issue with the no drop off and floating your boat without getting your vehicle into the river. Tons of trees (not just logs/branches) and mess out there, I would give it a few days before trying again.

suzuki wrote:

I prefer the term “Super Moderator”.

I will take the soup

It is a staple in our home, you can buy it locally at most Asian grocery stores (Shuang Hur St Paul). We use it instead of potsticker sauce for dumpling and it adds some nice kick to fried rice too.

it depends! Are you fishing rocky bottom, sand, weeds, current, each has its place IMO

Monday was pretty good on Pool 2 with some bigger fish, Saturday was only immature males and smallies on the upper part of the river. Hopefully they get back on the chew this week!

One odd thing, lots of moss, weeds messing up my cranks. I dont know if it is flowing downstream or if it grew with all the low flow recently. It is showing up downriver too? Not a fan!

blackbay wrote:

McCoy’s in Elk River
Serum’s in Anoka
Boondocks in Ray
Border Bar in International Falls
VRT in Buyck

VRT is epic!

We have been debating setting up a trust….do you mind if I ask why you are doing it? I think it is a great tool under the right circumstances, but not for everyone.

All the launches should be good!

I still play too often at Canterbury, Running Aces, Vegas or other

I have heard great things about House of Gloor, need to check that out.

I met my son at Frenchmans in Richfield. It didnt blow me away, but a very solid burger in a dive bar just outside Mpls area for under $10 is hard to find. Great place to meet for a burger and beer.

No comment

New reg is two lines per angler

BigWerm wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>DaveB wrote:</div>
My prediction that comes true every year, many out of towners driving the wrong way on one way roads in St Paul!!!

Are you sure they aren’t just avoiding the craters erhm potholes?

Well, that is possible, or road construction has closed any reasonable way to get somewhere. But I literally stop 1-2 cars each week that made a wrong turn into oncoming traffic during tournament week. If its those from Tonka/Wayzata, maybe they are just exercising their privilege??

My prediction that comes true every year, many out of towners driving the wrong way on one way roads in St Paul!!!

Fish The River was the best, idk what happened to that site

gimruis wrote:

My friend was looking at a 2023 Lund Adventure series last spring with a 115 hp outboard, bow mount, 2 graphs, and a trailer. The dealer quoted him $53,500 for one last March. That conversation ended pretty quickly.

Low and behold, the exact same boat was still for sale 6 months later in September for $38,500.

Not saying that all boat prices are like that but demand changed by about $15 grand just over the course of one boating season at that dealer.

The chairman of the federal reserve is on record saying that most prices are not going to fall back to pre Covid levels. Rather, wages will catch up instead. He said if prices dropped to pre Covid levels across the board, people would lose jobs and the economy would go into a recession. He also said currently inflation is 3.1% and the average inflation rate is 3.4%. He wants it to drop down to 2%.

While that is very possible, when I see that 38.5k price it is for the boat motor and trailer. At least I hope so, that is the boat i bought in June.

I would crawl over broken glass to vote for Jon J moderator in chief

I was on Nokomis and had 10″ of good ice. A little bird told me that lots of people were out on Harriet/Calhoun this past weekend too. I’m with you, wasnt sure if it would be good enough yet.

Does it come with the “free candy” sign and duct tape?

Keep the limits the same, reduce the hours people are allowed to fish, only the strong survive.

Waconia is a nice bet IMO. I have seen some giants come out of there. Also, pretty untapped and not for ice fishing, but Pool 2 has some really nice crappie. I had one last year on jiggin rap that i thought was an 18″ striped bass until it broke the surface and shook the hook boatside.