Smallmouth Addict

God been 30 years since I fished that lake as a student at U of A. I always think of the White Bass run on the White River this time of year.

When I lived in the Rockies for several years I would hike into the Alpine lakes. A Luhr-Jensen Super Duper and Thomas Bouyant would be what I took if spin-fishing.

Hard to beat the Grand Slam of the Quetico Ron!! Need to get back up there soon!! Bailey and I enjoyed the overnighter we did with you last year. Although fishing was slow due to river levels we had a very enjoyable time...Think it was very hot as well!! Had another good trip with Greasy B I think in July?? Fishing was good and had a nice time on gravel bar. For numbers and size it was on my home lake in Hayward. Very late ice-out for second straight year. On my 50th birthday we got into some real pigs. Lake is very clear and that day it was like glass. We caught and released several fish over 20 and one that was pushing 22.

Looking to do Kozy Kamp to Ginger Blue Saturday. Havent seen any reports but would imagine the bass are starting to heat up. Anyone been on this stretch or any other areas on Elk this year? Thanks

My Shimano Stella has survived the Thelon River in the Nunavut several times along with hunting no name lakes in Quetico. Never had a better reel. The President is very solid for price. Only two I use.

We did Upper from Kozy to Ginger Blue two weeks ago. We caught up to 16 inches. Saw some giants near a tree trunk in a deep pool. We hooked one on a bear hair jig and several more shot out. Sure it was washed down in August floods. Nice float and didn't see another soul.

Looking to come down from KC on Friday and float all day Saturday. Big Elk Canoe said water perfect and no dragging. I know his 8 mile trip is down to Mount Shira. Considering that float at the moment. Any other suggestions? Thought about a short trip Sunday on Big Sugar. Thanks!

I have a summer lake home in Hayward WI. Lots of good smallnouth lakes and rivers. Its a great place for wives to shop and great dining to boot. The fishing hall of fame is there as well. The Flambeau River is close by. It has great smallmoufh and large Musky. I am floating it in May. I fished quite a bit out of Grand Marais Mn. Pm me.

Why could they not sedate this particular Elk? I won't believe their response but will be humored. There is something not right here.

I agree this thread has gone period. They are here and the question is if it's right or wrong to kill a roaming Elk. Simple. I say no but that is my opinion if the initial goal was to establish a population. Ky, Wi and Arkansas have done it but to best of my knowledge do not shoot one that has drifted. My English Setter could figure it out. He is 5

I agree this thread has gone period. They are here and the question is if it's right or wrong to kill a roaming Elk. Simple. I say no but that is my opinion if the initial goal was to establish a population. Ky, Wi and Arkansas have done it but to best of my knowledge do not shoot one that has drifted. My English Setter could figure it out. He is 5

I think bottom line is that they can't be kept on "wild public property" Key word "kept" that simple. Lived most of life in Elk, Bear, Moose and Cougar country. Hey I'm all for this but IT WILL not work with the given precedent.

Shaking my head as well!! Lived in CO Rockies for years and trust me...They roam! I do not believe they were not able to sedate this animal. I support the program but they are wild and there is no way they can be kept in a designated area over a period of time. WTF are they thinking. They reintroduced Elk in Sawyer county WI where I have summer home. They wander all over the place to get away from the wolves. I am livid about this horseshit. I dont recall total costs but it was way over the initial budgeted plan. Nice 30k well spent on this Elk.

I was down on lower Current fishing with Ron this weekend. On way back to KC I decided to take HW 8 out of Patosi as traffic was bad. Stopped by the Huzzah and they were all saying same thing. You could see the big bass but no takers. Definitely not a crank stream. Seems it would be wise to downsize on the stretch I saw. Didnt fish but I would think a 2 inch plastic craw would be the ticket.

I just downsized my tackle box and now just use 4 inch wave Tiki Worms, small roadrunners, Booyah Pond Magic Spinnerbaits, Few hair jigs and Jitterbugs or Torpedo for Top. Caught several bass yesterday on Booyah.

Excellent Quote! I've canoed Arctic as well but Quetico is very special. Will pm ya!

I agree! The streams are not capable of producing 20 plus inch bass with any type of harvest or poaching....at least in good numbers!

Greasy B...You are right. The rivers and streams recieve very little pressure. The Walleye hunters stay away for the most part. You are left with smallie and Muskie people.There is a river east of my place in the Chequamegon National Forest. The last ten days Ive spent on that river Ive had the entire 8 mile section to myself. I expect 6 lb bass every trip. Its not a numbers fishery by any means but produces very large bass.The Ojibwe have no use for that river. Lower reaches have 45 inch Muskie. The whole thing has me thinking today...about lots of issues. I saw your report Cricket on the Niangua with pictures of filleted bass. Makes me ill and sick....But as Greasy said it's not the ethical fisherman abiding by the limits but the DNR or whatever they call it here that ultimately decides the fate of these beautiful stream bass. Its really quite simple. The term "valuable resource" has a different meaning to different fisherman. We see stream smallmouth as a gamefish that we associate with beautiful settings, peace and solitude. Others see it as a meal. I dont know these streams like you guys and would be interested to see if any changes the DNR has made has had a significant impact on these fisheries over past few years. I didnt post in your thread Cricket as looked like it had run its course. Me personally would like to see strict C&R for all stream bass or at a minimum do what they did on Upper Miss. Guess I will have to read previous posts to see what officials are proposing. Always a battle when it comes to these conservation issues. Greasy did u get any 20 inchers on your MN trip?

On that stretch of Upper Mississippi all bass between 12-20 inches must be released. I think you can keep three outside of that range. I belong to Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance as well. The issues up there are very different. My lake Cabin sits on LCO Indian Reservation and they gut and kill smallmouth as they believe they ruin the walleye fishing. It's one big mess!! I hear all the time about 5 and 6 pounders being caught by Walleye anglers who subsequently just kill the fish and leave them in the water. Our northern zone for example has implemented total catch and release to concide with with pre-spawn through most likely the end of spawn. Cool spring last year and smallies still on beds at beginning of harvest which is mid June. Its all political manuevering in some form or fashion.Everytime Im up there someone is complaining about this or that.

Thats a great stretch for Smallmouth! They implemented new regulations and since then it's become top notch. You may want to try Cloquet River as well. It has great bass and offers peace and solitude! St Louis River is another to consider. Along with plenty of bass it coughs up some huge Muskie as well. Good friend of mine guides and has a show up in WI. He regulary takes clients on St Louis. Too much water and too little time!

Thanks guys! Monitoring the weather and looks like rain in that area possible later in week. Going to try and make it out every weekend until the partiers emerge and then fish the small stuff they cant get to. Taking step-son and he has caught lots of smallmouth but wanted to get him into some trout as well. From what Ive read this should be a nice stretch for us. Thanks again.

Posted intro today! Looks like great board with knowledgable people. I was thinking of trying Niangua this coming weekend. Would prefer short float and fishing it hard. Always C&R these days and never would kill a smallie. Be nice to have opportunity for trout as well. Looks like Bennett to NRO would be good bet but I know zero about these streams. Normally would use hair jigs but left them all at my lake house in WI. Talked to Paul Jensen today and he is swamped so wont have those to use. Canoes are up there as well. Any help with trip planning....outfitter, lures and lodging would be greatly appreciated!!!

Appreciate it! Think I will give Niangua a shot this weekend. Left all hair jigs in WI and assume water temps in mid 40's so will ask specifics in that section!