1st time in a boat? Really?

"Alright guys we will start the drift again". "How deep are we this time Eric?" I said "31 feet guys but we will be in the right depth really quick." The wind had started to pick up with it gusting to 18mph. John's son Jim said to me " I think I got one goin' " I looked at the Lowarnce and it read 31.9' It couldn't be. But I looked at the time and the temps and I guess it was possible. The fish were movin deep." Set the hook Jim!"  and he did so just perfectly! The rod loaded up and I thought " Oh, oh he's in for a fight ". The fish stayed down but soon came up to where we could see her................


When I first received a call the call that I was needed to take a dad and his 12 year old son walleye fishing, I was excited to be a part of this experience. Then when I learned the boy had never fished walleyes before it got me even more excited. Man, to be a part of this kids memories of being 12 and catching his1st walleye left me thinkin', "what if its gonna be a struggle to find the fish ?" On the drive to the landing I then was told that " Jim has never been in a boat". This was gonna be a day we would all remember.

We decided to start on the North end and fish some humps that topped out at 22'. I located some fish right away and it didn't take too long before John had one goin. A 17 3/4"- 'eye was hanging on the end of his leech tipped rig. Wouldn't ya know it but a boat that was circling us saw us land two fish before he moved right in and pushed us off. Now for those of you who are new to fishing or heck even seasoned veterans, it's not very polite to watch someone who is working a small spot and catching fish to move right in and block your path. It seems to happen every time we are on the water lately. There are atleast 50 + humps that are sooo close they could fish. We ended up moving a half mile to the south and what a good move it was. Thats where most of our numbers came from. Leeches were the ticket in the Lund again out fishing crawlers.

Ok, back to that fish. Jim's dad had said most of the morning that all he wanted was for Jim to catch a big fish. Well it was happening...and boy did it happen! Jim's first of 4 bigger fish was a 22 incher and then the big boy hit on the very next drift. Yep in almost 32' of water. The picture above is that of a fish that hit 25 1/4". Now I know most of you weekend pro's are thinkin " that's just 25 inches!" . You are right! 25 inches of the biggest fish of this boys life. Below are a couple of other shots I took of this memorable day. I just hope at least one of you reading this gets to experience what I did yesterday. Besides taking out my own son this tops them all. I hope that some day I get to do this again!!! Thanks guys! You are welcome in my boat anytime.

Eric Koenig
www.northstarguideservice.com