I'll put the full report together in that section of the Forum when I can get all the pics together, but here's a quick summary of our week on the Lac Grindstone area of Kipawa:
- Seemingly caught walleye at will; didn't matter time of day, so we only fished when we wanted to (no early mornings)...really didn't have to work at it very hard. No lakers, only a handful of pike, but nothing huge. Not sure how many 'eyes we got (400+ would be my guess), but the boys ate fish everyday and they brought home 48 fillets.
- Walleyes were mostly very shallow, and we seemed to get more swimming a jig and tail (3"-4" tail) than vertical jigging, though we got plenty doing that also; some on slip bobber, not many though (they seemed to like the action of the swimming jig more). Trolled a little, with nothing meaningful to show for it; we really didn't have to go "searching" though, so why troll?
- Walleye activity was waning just a bit as we were leaving, so we finally hit the "you should've been here last week" week on target.
- Weather was cool and variable...perfect for comfort. Had a warmer day near the beginning of our week and we all got sunburned.
- Bugs were absolutely brutal...never seen anything like it; even locals stated this is the worse they've seen in many, many years. Skeeters were swarming and covering-up was your only defense...DEET only marginally effective for a brief time. Black flies out and some biting, but not nearly the biggest nuisance. Saw a few may flies here and there on the window screens. Other biting flies not out yet.
- Safe trip all-around, so we're always thankful for that.
As stated, look for the full report in the next week or so.
I miss it already... :-\
Sounds like a successful trip... Looking forward to the full report!
Greg
30 more sleeps for me!
T-Bone
Thanks for the quickie. Sounds like the only bad was the bugs. Will be waiting for the full report.
John
Been fishing in Quebec at that time of year and the bugs are something to behold. Most people down here in the states don't believe the stories. I've seen black flies so bad the turned my blue jeans black. Glad you had a successful trip. Catching loads of fish makes up for the hoards of bugs.
I'm going with you guys next year!! Funny how the jigs/worms that we used got nothing (trolling/still fishing) but you guys added twister tails and had excellent luck.
Well done.
Nice report T-bone....looking forward to seeing pictures.
I've heard through the grape vine as well that the flies are horrific this year.
And this is coming from local guys who are used to the severity of a typical Quebec bug season.
Take care:
Brent
Wow Todd, sounds like a great time fishing! I will be looking forward to seeing the full report in the next couple weeks! Thanks for the appetizer!
Brad
You had me at 400+ walleyes...
Can't wait to see the pics
Hey T-Bone, were you guys at Miwapanee Grindstone outpost by chance?
If so, how did you like it?
We're heading there Early July for a long long weekend!
Can't wait.
Brent
Great report.......so far.
So,,, did you book the same time next year or did the bigs scars you off?
Uh...no...none of us have the appetite for that manslaughter again. But, it's looking like a trip into early-August (no bugs) with the same group of guys...maybe more.
However, I will say this, IF we go back during that same time period we'll be monumentally more prepared than we were this year. As a teaser to the full report, the hand-held, tennis racket style of bug zapper proved to be more valuable than any rod or reel in the arsenal.
:P
THANKS T-BONE ,THAT HAND HELD BUG ZAPPER ,IS A MUST
Thanks for the report T-Bone.
That bug zapper was my alarm clock last year, johnny walleye was clearing the cook tent in the mornings. John was always the first one up and had the coffee brewing.