Ralph Carlson
Herald-Review
Most anglers remember Minnesota fishing openers as cold and rainy, sometimes mixed with snow. This is not an isolated Saturday on the second weekend in May, it is nearly every opener. A recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune disputes this long-standing belief. In fact, over the past 50 years, three out of four openers have been dry.
Dry, maybe, but seldom warm. Who can forget last year’s opener with high winds and flurries? How about three years ago? Sam Cook of the Duluth News Tribune was getting ready to fish with us when he uttered his famous quote “I’ve winter camped in warmer weather than this!”
Temperature-wise it may not be too bad. The Saturday, May 13, 2006 forecast is showers possible, highs in the upper 50s and lows in the low 40s. The chance for showers is 30 percent. Sunday shows 30 percent chance of showers with highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid-40s.
A recent article asked pro anglers, “If you could have only one bait for early walleye fishing, what would it be?”
My answer would be a 1/8 ounce jig tipped with a minnow, preferably a shiner. We all have our favorite color. Because of the confidence level I would recommend going with that color. Mr. Walleye, Gary Roach, has a theory of dark-colored jigs in dark water and light colored jigs in light-colored water. He is also quick to add, if that doesn’t work switch them around.
Now that we have our jig tied to 4 or 6-pound test line, what will our presentation be? Usually at this time of the year, start in the 6 to 12-foot range moving the jig slowly. Quoting another great walleye fisherman, Al Linder, “When you think you are moving the jig slow enough, slow it down some more.”
That said, this year could be a little different, with water temperatures expected to be in the 52 or 53 degree range, walleyes could be a little more active and possibly a little deeper.
Just because, my choice is a jig tipped with a minnow, a plain rig with a shiner or a leech could be a great presentation. My choice would be a plain rig with a colored hook. If action is a little slow try adding a spinner and a bead.
It really doesn’t make a difference what bait we use or how fast we move it across the bottom. The Minnesota fishing opener has become more than catching fish, but a tradition that brings thousands of anglers together for a weekend.
Herald-Review
Most anglers remember Minnesota fishing openers as cold and rainy, sometimes mixed with snow. This is not an isolated Saturday on the second weekend in May, it is nearly every opener. A recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune disputes this long-standing belief. In fact, over the past 50 years, three out of four openers have been dry.
Dry, maybe, but seldom warm. Who can forget last year’s opener with high winds and flurries? How about three years ago? Sam Cook of the Duluth News Tribune was getting ready to fish with us when he uttered his famous quote “I’ve winter camped in warmer weather than this!”
Temperature-wise it may not be too bad. The Saturday, May 13, 2006 forecast is showers possible, highs in the upper 50s and lows in the low 40s. The chance for showers is 30 percent. Sunday shows 30 percent chance of showers with highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid-40s.
A recent article asked pro anglers, “If you could have only one bait for early walleye fishing, what would it be?”
My answer would be a 1/8 ounce jig tipped with a minnow, preferably a shiner. We all have our favorite color. Because of the confidence level I would recommend going with that color. Mr. Walleye, Gary Roach, has a theory of dark-colored jigs in dark water and light colored jigs in light-colored water. He is also quick to add, if that doesn’t work switch them around.
Now that we have our jig tied to 4 or 6-pound test line, what will our presentation be? Usually at this time of the year, start in the 6 to 12-foot range moving the jig slowly. Quoting another great walleye fisherman, Al Linder, “When you think you are moving the jig slow enough, slow it down some more.”
That said, this year could be a little different, with water temperatures expected to be in the 52 or 53 degree range, walleyes could be a little more active and possibly a little deeper.
Just because, my choice is a jig tipped with a minnow, a plain rig with a shiner or a leech could be a great presentation. My choice would be a plain rig with a colored hook. If action is a little slow try adding a spinner and a bead.
It really doesn’t make a difference what bait we use or how fast we move it across the bottom. The Minnesota fishing opener has become more than catching fish, but a tradition that brings thousands of anglers together for a weekend.