Leeches Anyone?

[Professor Jim]

Does anyone sell leeches in these parts? I found some walleye sitting on the bottom in a cove and would love to have some leeches to put on a slip bobber or jig. Any ideas other than "Yankee go home?" I am going to try a Shakey Head tomorrow as a second or third best option.

[Gilly]

Does anyone sell leeches in these parts? I found some walleye sitting on the bottom in a cove and would love to have some leeches to put on a slip bobber or jig. Any ideas other than "Yankee go home?" I am going to try a Shakey Head tomorrow as a second or third best option.

Sorry, can't help you on the leeches but to one 'Yankee' from another, a quick story about leeches-

Several years ago 8 of us headed up to Canada. Leeches, or any live bait, at that time could not be brought into Canada. The one guy that was with us was the brother-in-law of one of my better friends, also on the trip. None of us knew the 'new guy' that well. He had been in on some of the planning sessions but beyond that he seemed a little high strung, too organized, didn't drink at all and wasn't that fond of fish. He had heard that our prior trip had been a blast and his wife insisted he go and have some fun.

Anyways, unknown to most of us his brother-in-law, our buddy, had hid some leeches in their boat. We get to the border and the agent asks for declarations. Everything went well until the new guy blurts out......"We have leeches." Game on. Their truck/boat got pulled over and searched.

Leeches were bad enough but during the search our buddy who was a cop has his luggage searched. He was on the SWAT team at that time. The one bag he had with him he had dumped his SWAT gear out of before we left and had packed a rainsuit and sweats. They flip the bag over and out rolls a live round of whatever caliber his long gun is. Holy mackeral, you think the Canada agents were PO'd before?? 3 /2 hours later they let us get back on the road. We can laugh about it now but we darn near didn't make it into Canada then.

[straw hat]

Does anyone sell leeches in these parts? I found some walleye sitting on the bottom in a cove and would love to have some leeches to put on a slip bobber or jig. Any ideas other than "Yankee go home?" I am going to try a Shakey Head tomorrow as a second or third best option.

You might try Trantham's Bait Shop in Springfield. If anyone has them they will.

[Walleyedmike]

You could order some in bulk from here.

https://www.walleyecentral.com/classified/new/adviewer.jsp?adv=10642

WM

[powerdive]

Oops, never mind. Sorry.

[Predator1]

Nice, now I know you can get "Anything" in the mail.

Anyone using them around here?

[watermen]

Does anyone sell leeches in these parts? I found some walleye sitting on the bottom in a cove and would love to have some leeches to put on a slip bobber or jig. Any ideas other than "Yankee go home?" I am going to try a Shakey Head tomorrow as a second or third best option.

You can order them from porters wholesaleby the pound they'rein brookings sd 605-555-1212. They ship pretty well should be cheap in that neck of the woods with all the water this year they were filling the mouths of culverts a month ago i'm sure. Have them send me 5 pounds of fatheads too if you get a chance.

[straw hat]

I happened to be in Springfield this AM so I stopped by Trantham's Bait and Tackle. They do carry leachs, $4 per dozen. They looked healthy and decent size. Their number is 417-869-2248.

[Professor Jim]

Thanks for the info. I'll be checking the mail order leech business as $4.00/doz. is expensive. They're usually about the same price as crawlers or you can buy them for $18/pound up north. However, this is Springfield and it might have to do in a pinch.

[Professor Jim]

Sorry, can't help you on the leeches but to one 'Yankee' from another, a quick story about leeches-

Several years ago 8 of us headed up to Canada. Leeches, or any live bait, at that time could not be brought into Canada. The one guy that was with us was the brother-in-law of one of my better friends, also on the trip. None of us knew the 'new guy' that well. He had been in on some of the planning sessions but beyond that he seemed a little high strung, too organized, didn't drink at all and wasn't that fond of fish. He had heard that our prior trip had been a blast and his wife insisted he go and have some fun.

Anyways, unknown to most of us his brother-in-law, our buddy, had hid some leeches in their boat. We get to the border and the agent asks for declarations. Everything went well until the new guy blurts out......"We have leeches." Game on. Their truck/boat got pulled over and searched.

Leeches were bad enough but during the search our buddy who was a cop has his luggage searched. He was on the SWAT team at that time. The one bag he had with him he had dumped his SWAT gear out of before we left and had packed a rainsuit and sweats. They flip the bag over and out rolls a live round of whatever caliber his long gun is. Holy mackeral, you think the Canada agents were PO'd before?? 3 /2 hours later they let us get back on the road. We can laugh about it now but we darn near didn't make it into Canada then.

That's a funny Canada story. I'm heading to Quetico Provincial Park (north of the Boundary Waters) on June 5th with my son and some friends. Hope to hit the smallmouth on the rocks like we did a couple years ago at this time. We didn't count total fish, only those over 18" and I wound up with 23 in the week. Fun times.

Because of the terrorists, we now need passports to come home from Canada. What a pain in the butt. Hope mine doesn't get wet during the journey. With my 15 year old in the bow of the canoe, it does seem probable.