Ice Conditions and the New Season Ahead

The ice is still covering Rainy Lake. In some places there is more than three feet of the white stuff. The area has had a slight improvement in the weather but not enough to make a real dent in the ice. The longer days and bright sunshine have melted much of the snow in the open areas yet the bush remains deep with snow. We are in need of some rain and some warm temps to break up the lake.

Water levels are normal and I don't think that they will change much if things keep as they are. The melt is slow and we have plenty of snow. Again, rain would be nice but not in buckets. My prediction for ice out will be May 10th for the south arm and a few days later in the north arm.

I'll be spending a few days on the lower Rainy River fishing for walleye and perhaps some sturgeon. I really enjoy that but I don't enjoy banging my rig up doing it. Rivers are much trickier to navigate and it almost seems like rocks bars and deadheads hunt me when I'm out there. On the lake is where I feel the most comfortable.

Pike fishing is always a rush in the spring. It's great to get out there right at ice out. The pike are just finished their spawning and sometimes are ready to feed. I have discovered that big northerns need a few days to rest after the spawn and fishing might be tough at first. It's a timing thing. You have to be there when the bite is on. We often see the big fish but can't get them to bite. I know they often will take dead bait but I don't think that's sporting. I also like to get out there earlier to see the wildlife and hit a few secret spots before the hungry hordes get out on the water. For the past few seasons I have tried my hand at a few new techniques and presentations. Fly fishing for large spring pike can be deadly and I'm getting better at it. I have a number of terrific fly fishing clients that are very generous with me by sharing their knowledge. Some new presentations are based on fly fishing. Non-fly fishers may not know that many of the flies the guys use can been casted deep into structures without being snagged up. The baits are also nearly neutral in buoyancy. They suspend. Some of the most productive flies look like nothing out of the water but in the water they act like real baitfish. It is amazing to see.

I've modified some large plastics and use my baitcasting gear to imitate flies. They work great and if you make a trip up to Rainy, I'll show you how it's done.

Smallmouth fishing is a blast in the early season. Nothing like getting the rust off the old casting arm. I always enjoy finding smallies near shallow bays close to where we find the pike. The smallies like the rock cover while the pike use the dead vegetation. But don't be surprised if you find them mixed up in some of the same areas.

Finally, many of you have told me how much you like the book lists I include on this blog. I sort of thought it was something I did for my own therapy but perhaps it isn't a waste of time after all. Here is a few of the latest books I've read this spring. Pick one up, I know you'll enjoy it.

Water For Elephants By Sara Gruen
A terrific novel about growing old but remaining young at heart. Old folks have had some fantastic experiences. They've been there and done it and we tend to forget that.

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian By Marina Lewycka
If you know any Ukrainians this book will hit home. It's a laugh. And I'm allowed, I have Ukrainians in my family. (I once thought I was partly Ukrainian myself but my Grandmother recently told me that we were Polish on my mothers side) I still loved the book.

The Reader By Bernhard Schink
An Oprah recommended book. I usually avoid them like the plague but my wife had it sitting around and I read it. It was terrific. It is about a relationship a young man has with a much older woman in his neighbourhood. He reads to her. Turns out she had a very dark and evil past.