July 5th, 2008

The fishing went from good to excellent this past week with the "electric only" rule lifted and the "slow no wake" rule now being enforced. June 28th was the start of the motor use on Pewaukee Lake since the flooding. Lots of people used Saturday to get their boats back out and on the lifts or piers but I used this opportunity to target active fish working the weed lines and flats close to deeper water. With the new Humminbird 1197c SI Combo I was able to stay very close to the weeds and work my baits just over the weeds or edges and target lots of fish as I trolled. This payed out in a big way for my clients and my self with 35 muskies and 7 bass being caught this past week.

Now that we have had the chance to get around more and lots more people are fishing I have noticed the fish have slowed a bit. Maybe this is because of the new traffic all around the lake that was once so quiet for weeks or maybe they are just healing soar mouths from all of us who had the pleasure of catching them this past week. Either way the fishing is just getting good and we got the whole next two months to troll up muskies, walleyes, bass and pike. Now lets not forget about the good casting bite that is still going on in a few areas on Pewaukee Lake. I will offer everyone a good tip as to where to look for the best casting bite. Largest weed beds close to deeper water is your best bet. Taylor's Bay all the way to the island had lots of untouched muskies looking to challenge your skills. these fish have not even seen lures or boats. I can't even remember the last boat I saw casting that area and I launch at the Muskie Shop, so I drive by that area on the way out and back in. The other sweet spot is the west end of Pewaukee Lake. This huge weed bed runs from Walks Island all the way around to the Condo's and every bit of it holds fish. Cast over the top of the weeds early and late in the day, work off the edges and the flats later in the mornings and early evenings. I know of a 49, 45, 44, 42 and a few other good fish caught off these areas in the past two weeks. Believe it or not there is a lot of good fish still in the weeds to be had. lots of guys jumping on the trolling pattern this year already because its about that time to troll. Actually the lake is two weeks behind as far a fish migration to deeper water so enjoy the casting while its still going.

Well I guess I could get into some of the action we had this past week. I was off my full time job due to plant shutdown, this is an annual maintenance shutdown I love every year. It always come at a great time with Summerfest and great weather to enjoy the outdoors. I started out My first weekend off with a five fish afternoon. Muskies that showed up on the end of my lures were 38, 34 1/2, 33, 37, and a 30-incher. This was a great mid day bite on Pewaukee Lake. Too bad I didn't get out early or fish late, I had to be off the water before 6pm due to the annual Pewaukee Yacht Club Lobster Boil my family runs. What a great way to end a great day of fishing, venison back strips, lobster and a few cold ones.

Sunday I checked out a few trolling patterns before my 4pm guide job. I ended up sticking a three footer and a low 30's fish trolling weed edges. My clients wanted to cast so we trolled from spot to spot casting. We raised some fish and caught one. Monday, my first day off I kept open so I could check out different spot and patterns since we couldn't get around with the restrictions. This was a delight for me on my first day off work. I had unbelievable action all afternoon long starting at 11am and finishing up my day at 7pm with a nice 17-inch walleye. Ten muskies caught, one lost at the back of the boat, one rip and a nice eater walleye. Now that's what I call a great day off work!!!

Tuesday there was 4 muskies caught trolling and some good fish raised while casting. Wednesday I had a morning trip booked so we hit the water around 8am with a regular and his dad. Since we can't make a wake we decided to troll out to the spots we were going to target casting. After getting nice bass we decided to keep trolling and we caught two muskies by 9am. After catching three fish in an hour they decided to keep up the trolling but mother nature brewed up a good thunderstorm that kicked us off the lake for lunch while it rained. After lunch we got back out for an hour before the next lightning show put an early hault to out outing. Around 3pm I decided to slip back out and test the waters for another pattern. I was soon greeted with a very angry muskie that gave me a aerial show. A mid thirty's was soon unhooked and back to where he came from. Two more muskies and a 20-inch small mouth was my reward that afternoon.

Thursday was another great day on the water from my clients Jonny and John. We started out at 7am from Smokey's Muskies Shop, eased out to the narrows and set up lines as we trolled out to deeper water. As soon as we got into my sweet spot the first rod went off. Jonny was first up and quickly handled the low thirty's fish into the net. It was not long after we got set back up when the same rod started to strip line. John was glad to step up and take the rod. After a brief battle the low thirty's was at boat side and released after a quick picture for John. Jonny was up next with his second fish at 7:50an, this was another low thirty's muskie that smashed one of our crank baits. Not even an hour and three muskie in the boat was just the way to start their day. By the end of their half day outing they had 6 muskies up to 36-inches and a 18-inch smallmouth. Not a bad morning of fishing on Pewaukee Lake.

Friday I got out for some action myself since I didn't schedule any guide trips on the independence day. I got a couple legal's in the afternoon before I had to get off the lake and ready for some festivities. I hope everyone had a great time on the 4th of July. Please remember what we are celebrating and how lucky we are to have our freedom to do what we love to do. Freedom doesn't come cheap, respect those who fought for our freedom, say a prayer for those who are still in harms way. May GOD BLESS AMERICA and keep our troops safe.

Well that about all I got for now. I will be going up to Mille Lac's for my yearly vacation from July 12th until July 20th. Please e-mail me or call me asap if your looking to book a trip in August. All of July is booked up already and most of August. I do have some openings in August available for a few more clients. September is also almost full and October is getting very close to full. August is still trolling season, September is trolling and some great casting toward the end of the month. October is great casting and some trolling. Book your trip asap so you can get in on the action. I will be checking my e-mail this week until Saturday the 12th, then I will be out of town and out of touch. Please feel free to e-mail me but hold the calls until I get back. I will answer all e-mails in the order they come to me to make if fair to anyone who requested a date or confirmed one.

Please remember Pewaukee Lake is "Slow NO Wake" for a while. Respect the people who have damaged shorelines and piers. Take advantage of the piece and quiet on the water. Look at it as a positive, not a negative. Good luck to all of you this month of July. Go stick a few fish and enjoy the great outdoors!!!