KBI PREVIEW

The 21st annual Kenora Bass International held August 7, 8, 9 on Lake of the Woods promises to be as exciting as ever. Our late spring has slowed seasonal bass migrations and typical summertime patterns may not be completely established. Cooler than normal water temperatures and higher water levels than the lake has experienced in recent years are variables that could have both the Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass guys working a little harder to establish productive patterns.
Historically high water has favored those fishing for Largemouth but it seems the brown bass in the lake have been getting a little heftier as of late. It wasn't long ago that an 18 lb bag of Smallies was unheard of, now it seems we are seeing several. Despite the unusual weather we've had the real good sticks will catch 'em but I think this year could really separate the men (and women) from the boys (and girls) , so to speak. I call 54 lbs for winning weight, 38 gets you in the money. 150 boat field. Check out the Official KBI Web Website


-Rob.

Bronzeback Classic 2008

The second annual Bronzeback Classic smallmouth bass tournement was once again a huge success. The weather was great both days and plenty of fat Lake of the Woods smallies came to the scales. Boat inspection, check in and weigh in were very well organized and all the volunteers were friendly and helpful. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thanks to Bob Stapleton, Chris Deslauriers and all the volunteers and sponsors involved in putting this event right up there with the best in the area. Great Job! Looking forward to next year. For complete standings click here , for Bronzeback Classic Homepage click here

Seasonal Overlap

Not all fish do the same thing at the same time. Nothing could be more true especially this last week of June 2008. Being aware of historical seasonal patterns of a particular body of water is a great asset for finding fish fast - but history does not always repeat itself.

Late June in my neck of the woods usually has local walleye long done post spawn feeding in the shallow bays , and well on their way to even the most open water reefs and shoals that make up the underwater topography of North Eastern Lake of the Woods. This past week was a little different. With afternoon water temps in the mid seventies you might expect all the action to be on the humps and indeed there was.

Monday afternoon my two favorite co-anglers and myself smoked eleven keepers in an hour and a half fishing in 18 feet of water, off a 14 foot hump literally in the middle of Bigstone Bay. What's so strange about that you ask ?

Back in the sandy flats and coves we found the same kind quality and quantity with their backs barely covered. The same areas that in years past would have been all but dried up by this point in the season. Why ? Well, I suspect the cooler than usual spring has slowed things like the dragonfly and mayfly hatch, as well as shiner and crayfish spawns, thus providing feeding opportunities in the shallows a little later than normal.

In my opinion the late spring does not have as drastic an effect on the open water reefs as it does in the shallow bays. Everything on the humps seems like business as usual. Turns out there is forage and thus, fish everywhere which begs the question - Why am I writing a blog when I could be out there rippin some lips ??

Till next time

-Rob