Journal of a Minnesota Angler

Kyle Anderson of Rapid City, MI caught a 55 inch, 50 lb 8 oz muskie on September 27, 2009 on Torch Lake in Michigan. It looks to be a new state record. Photo, left, was taken by David Rose of Field and Stream magazine. It’s great to see a dedicated fisherman like Mr. Anderson get rewarded for all the time he spends on the water (he fishes every day). What was most impressive to me is that even with such a great catch, he set personal gain aside and tried to release the monster. He was more... (more...)

Date: 9/24/2009 Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm Body of water: Marion Lake Location: Lakeville, MN Weather Conditions: mostly cloudy I hadn’t been fishing since the neighborhood outing MORE THAN A MONTH AGO. It was driving me crazy. Yes, I went fishing in North Carolina, but it just wasn’t the same. Too unfamiliar. I finally got to go fishing tonight. My buddy Matt sold his boat a few weeks ago, but he’s one of the best fishermen I know that can find fish while fishing on shore. We had... (more...)

The fluke by Zoom Bait, Inc., and more specifically the Zoom Super Fluke, is a great all-species lure. It’s made more for bass than other species, but all species strike it. The reason is that it looks like a wounded shad when fished correctly. I’ve caught largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and muskie all on super flukes. Read more on why it’s my favorite lure in my post, “The Magic Lure.” And learn how I rig it in my post “Rigging... (more...)

So my Wild Game Feast story was a stretch to post for a fishing blog, but at least it had walleye on the menu. This time, I don’t even have that as a topical link. But read on, you won’t be sorry. On the first weekend after the start of school, our neighborhood gets together for a weenie roast. This year we added a new dimension to it. Ever since the Pudgy Master made his super breakfast pudgy pie, pudgy pies have been in the forefront of our minds at each neighborhood campfire.... (more...)

A pudgy pie is a “pie” made in a campfire. The recipe is simple: Ingredients: Two slices of bread Filling of your choice Pudgy pie iron Non-stick spray Spray both sides of the pudgy pie iron with non-stick spray. Put one slice of bread on once side of the pudgy pie iron. Add filling. Put other slice of bread on top of filling and first slice of bread. Put pudgy pie iron together and close. Put pudgy pie iron into fire until bread is toasted on both sides. Pudgy Pie Iron A “classic”... (more...)

I was asked recently by a friend how I rig my Magic Lure, the Zoom Super Fluke. I sent my friend some pictures and thought I would use them here to illustrate the technique. The super fluke can be rigged a variety of ways, but I like to use a Texas rig. It gives a nice action to the lure and is weedless, so it doesn’t get hung up in the weeds. I was taught to use a 4/0 Gamakatsu offset shank worm EWG hook. I’ve not really strayed from that hook because it has served me well. I’ve... (more...)

I re-reviewed this kayak in September, 2012.Read the updated review at Re-review : Hobie Mirage Pro Angler. I’m in love. I got a chance to try out the new Hobie Mirage Pro Angler tonight at a local lake. Our local dealer takes the entire Hobie line out to local lakes for people to try out. I was able to try the Mirage Pro Angler, the Mirage Outfitter, and Mirage Oasis. I’m not a terribly good swimmer, so while I’m comfortable in a canoe, I’m always a little bit nervous... (more...)