Walleye Express

Got a call from Tom Haapoja, field editor of the Great Lakes Angler Magazine, Wednesday afternoon. He wanted to know if I'd do a Hot Bites topic article for both the Saginaw River and Bay for the coming ice fishing season. Both short, 2 or 3 paragraphs, how to/where to/when to articles to run in the January/February issues of the magazine. I sent him the Saginaw River one Thursday night and he liked it very much, so sent him the Bay one this morning. Don't know how many of you get this magazine, I personally do not. But then again, the only magazine type reading I get now are the BPS and Cabela's catalogs. I thought I'd show all you site visitors our corispondence and what I wrote for both, and save you the nickle for the magazine. Great report Dan! This is exactly the kind of information we're looking for. Everything is well-described and insightful and this is what people like to read about. As far as the bay...Yes! I would definitely like some information about ANY time when the bite is hot. Right now we're focusing on the winter issues, so I would think as the winter progresses into February, the ice is more likely to be safer on the bay, right? That would make for a good report for Feb if you'd be willing to write about it like you did with this one. Those are nice pictures you sent along as well. We'll use one of two of them. Nice job and thanks again, Tom Haapoja Field Editor (Hot Bites) Great Lakes Angler *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** On 9/12/2008 at 11:49 AM [email protected] wrote: Heres my first draft Tom. Thought I'd do both a Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay Hot Bite report. The Bay Hot Bites will fallow soon if I've met your standards on this first one. Please let me know. Also, please forgive a couple of the river (dead fish pictures). I don't take a lot of pictures from the river. The Bays will be a lot better as we release a lot of the bigger fish. Capt. Dan Manyen. Specie: Walleye. Location: The Saginaw River in most years (when run-off is light) freezes earlier then does the Saginaw Bay, especially up near it's narrower headwaters in the City of Saginaw itself. Walleye usually enter this system long before freeze-up. And die-hard's like myself catch many vertical jigging or quarter casting jigs from boats right up until freeze. Usual Best Time Ice fishing: Late December till Mid/too late February. All weather depending. Average Catch: Lots of smaller fish of 15 to 19 inches, from recent natural hatches has been the norm for the last 2 years on the river. Larger fish start to show up in February with a few in the 10 to 12 pound range, often winning a local tounament that the City of Saginaw puts on yearly. Fish Finders: With how clear the water column has become in the last few years, both Flashers and Cameras work very well to alert you when a walleye comes into the hole. But depending on river current, flasher have to be set down current a little to capture your jigging action. Lure choices: #5 and #7 Jigging Rapala's. Fire Tiger, Perch, Silver Blue best choices. Tip belly treble hook with head or small minnow. 2nd best, 1/4 to 1/2 ounce (depending on current) Fireball jig. Orange/Chartreuse tipped with minnow. Jig Rapala 4 to 6 inches of bottom. Lift/drop Fireball jig on bottom. Best Bite: The fish on the river bite best in the mornings/evenings, but have been know to bite all day. Shelters: Shanties are not usually needed, as most places on the river have high banks or buildings blocking winds. Plus moving around to find better runs or holes is made quicker/easier with small portables or simple wind blocks. Augers are also (for the most part) not needed. If your in decent shape, the thickest I've ever seen ice on the river has been about 10 inches thick. Spuds also aide in safety when used to hit the ice ahead as one moves along to another spot. Access Areas: Good roads run along almost the entire length of the Saginaw River from it's headwaters to where it dumps into Saginaw Bay. But because of the flow dynamics of the river, only certain spots have been tested and seem safe from year to year for safe access. The first spot would be Wicks Park, just below where the Shiawassee and Tittabawassee rivers dump into the Saginaw. Find any spots where you can physically see others fishing, or spots along that road where others are walking down to the river. For first timers, do not make or break any new untested trails or access points anywhere. Next access is along M-13 or (East Bay City Road) just south of the Zillwauakee bridge on I-75, that crosses the Saginaw River. You can also turn North off I-75 and fish the upper side of this access area. Both spots will have many vehicles parked along the road and lots of anglers during mid-season. Vets park in Bay City will also have anglers up and down the river during peak times. The launch at Independence bridge in Bay City is probably the busiest and most productive (at times) on the river. The last is the DNR ramp at the very mouth of the Saginaw River. This spot can be productive, but can change often because of ice breaker traffic, run off and just plane current. Be very careful at this access. Specie: Walleye. Location: Saginaw Bay has become a walleye factory these past 2 years. With 5 record year classes of natural reproduction in a row and a forage base that seems to be growing along with this surge, the Bays open water and ice fisheries have been nothing but fantastic. Average Catch: Most walleye caught will be from 17 to 22 inches. But a true wall-hanger is always possible. I've caught many fish over 8 and enough over 10 these last few years to know there are more then a few left out there. And in recent years, a few bonus slab perch and White Fish in the 6 to 8 pound range are showing up and can be caught on the same gear and techniques used for walleyes. Fish Finders: Water clarity in the past few years (because of zebra mussels) has been outstanding. Both flashers and cameras work very well to alert you of a fish in the hole. Usual best Times Ice fishing: Late December to Mid-march depending on weather/ice conditions. Lure choices: Spoons of many types and brands are the #1 choice for the Bay. #3 Do-Jiggers Chrome/Red Lightening Bolt is my favorite. Cleos in Silver/Blue is another good choice. Tip all spoons with a large minnow head hooked through the center of the head. Jigging Rapala's also get the nod. Fire Tiger or perch are best. Tip belly hook with small minnow. I also use a 1/4 ounce Genz Worm (Green/Chartreuse Orange/White) on a dead rod, baited with a live emerald shiner, hooked just underneath the dorsal fin to stay alive and kicking. 4 to 6 inches off bottom is the best area to both jig and let dead rod minnow swim. Shelters: Using shanties or wind shellters is a good idea on the Bay. Open expanses and even the slightest wind can make you cold in a hurry. Ice augers are also a must as ice thickness can get close to 30 inches in a cold winter. Transportation: I would highly suggest either snowmobiles or 4 wheelers. Our fishery is not a close to shore fishery until very late in the season, when the warmer temps and the spawning urge bring walleyes close to shore in shallower water and nearer the river mouths. Most fish are caught in 12 to 26 FOW throughout the majority of the season. And that is from 2 to 6 miles out on the Bay from any access point you use. Access Areas: The Southern and Western half of the Saginaw Bay are best for walleye ice anglers in my experience. Areas West of the Saginaw River shipping Channel and what we locals call the Inner-Bay. East side areas have many Sand Bars and Shallow Reefs more conducive to perch fishing. 90% of all walleye ice fishing on the bay takes places West of the channel and in this inner-bay area. There are 3 popular access points I use myself on the Bay. The first access area is at Bay Cities State park on Beaver road. There is both a DNR (daily permit needed) parking lot and a small/narrow road for ice access and parking right on the ice. The next is at the end of Linwood Road, where both a small public parking area and ice parking access is available. And Ericson Road, a ice access only area between Kitchen and Coggins road, North 4 miles from the Linwood light on M-13. All of these ice access areas are close to shore and near cattails and do not get safe themselves till around that Mid-January timetable. I also mention my guide service, web site and the Waypoints I sell in both short articles. But do not see the need to do so here. This mention was (in essence) the trade off for doing both Hot Bite articles.

just out of curiosity, do any of you have superstitions with fishing??? I have a friend that always wears these old stinky shoes, another that needs his red bandana and even another that can't be without his oreo cookies or they wont fish. i myself am not superstitious. then again, i do always tap the motor twice when i get in the boat. I also talk to my boat out in the driveway the night before each outing or tournament. over the years, many of my friends have their own strange traditions and superstitions. I'll write about them in a future article. what are some of your superstitions or traditions as it relates to fishing??? Chris Dymale The rubber band stretches, the rod doubles over in the holder, then snaps back hard when the band breaks free from the release. The fish pulls hard, stays near bottom with steady/heavy pressure, with very few head shakes. I stand poised at the back of the boat with net in hand, waiting for that first deep water glimpse of that yellow/white tipped tailed monster. Then it happens. One of the clients (usually the one not fighting the fish) says those 4 words I detest. "It's Probably a SheepsHead". Few other things bring me down more. And the actual saying of this poison incantation can (I believe) actually change an 8 pound walleye into a 4 pound sheepie. Capt. Dan.

There are more lampreys per live fish in the St. Marys River then in any other body of water. The sheer size and volumn of water running through this flowage From Lake Michigan to Lake Huron makes it impossible for any kind of Lampreycide treatment to be effective. The DNR have kicked around a capture and sterilization idea for years concerning this river, but for the lack of funds and personell nothing happens. So the lamprey in that system have no enimies and get a free life ride.

Thank's Guys. Sorry for not responding earlier, I just now noticed this post. It may take me a while to learn the ropes. But I won't take my job lightly nor will I take it to far to the other extreme, like some moderators on other sites have done. I've always liked sharing fishing info long before I was a Charter Captain or river guide on the Big Manistee, Pere Marquette, Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers. Some of you may remember my ranting's that started way back in the late 70's in the (MSSFA) Michigan Steelheaders newspaper (when it was a monthly newspaper) under my Stellie Dan handle. Or a few published articles of mine that ran in a few Michigan based magazines as well as Nick Amato's STS magazine, published in Oregon. And even though I'm basically a walleye man now, I'll chime in whenever I think I know the answers to any fishing questions. Writing, answering questions and freely sharing fishing info has always been my passions and has always came with it's own rewards. Many in our fishing ranks do not see it as that and will always see finding, sharing techniques and catching fish as some kind of a covert mission, to be shared only with their inner circle of friends. This attitude (IMV) has overall thinned our fishing ranks, mentally and economically segregated a big part of the fishing public, and reduced our voice (in numbers) that we could have when things in the fishery change to our dislike. I'd like to see and encourage by example, more people to share what they know with the others and in that way teach them that everybody benefits from it.

Jason. Great choice in boats. Gradys are like Mako's, Boston Whalers and Auqa Sports boats. They're built tougher, hold up better, keep you safer and have/keep a great re-sale value. Of course few people want to sell them after they buy them. My old girl turned 30 years old this summer. She's got a few age marks and had a few face lifts over the years, but her bottom still appeals to me.

Yup, sad indeed for guys with one BIG boat and a dislike for cold weather or ice fishing. :eek: But for me, the fun is about to really start. Now it's time for my river Jet boat to take over till about Christmas. Then my Yamaha Big Bear and Otter Skin Shanty do ice duty till it's starts all over again in the spring. So I say, R.I.P. to this summer and hurry up fall.

Pulled the Grady out of LBM this morning. Was very surprised to actually see hardly any Zebra Mussels on her twin outdrives at all this time around then even last year. The folding corners in the trim tabs and right in the rubber cupler boots were about the only place where they found refuge it seems. It may have had something to do with my bottom painting both outdrive carrying casses, the keels and anything that would hold the copper fouling paint last spring before launching her. Either way it was nice to bring her home and use the garden hose to clean her up, versus the hassle and the $12.00 at the car power wash.

GJ Frank. Another bud of mine did good yesterday (15 walleyes all day effort) north (toward you) in the cleaner/clearer waters. But I'm cleaning the gear off my boat today and pulling her out Thursday or Friday. I can use the 18 footer for personal trips if need be, but it's getting to iffy for reliable/productive charters. Looking forward to a great river and ice season this year. Farmers Almanac says colder, with lots of snow again this year.

I posted my last one there, hit submit and it popped up here. I just thought it had not been activated yet. Maybe there is a glitch.

I know we've been having a little success spurt the last couple of years on the bay around Mid to late November if the weather stabilizes. But in my experience, have seen very few walleye seasons that come back or compare to (summer time) life or successes on the bay after about mid-September. Here's a picture taken on November 27th, 2006 and my share of that days catch. And I hope that happens again this year, but only time and good conditions will tell. But what I seen and surmized from yesterdays trip was different. And the fish's lac of interest (IMV) caused by a few more things other then Forage availability. The water for the most part was not what I'd call stained like in the old days (60's/70's) with that coffee and cream color, but a dingy gray. You can see it in the picture I posted from yesterday. And you can also see that the surface had a distinct foam on the top everywhere, similar to a after a big blow. But we've had no big blows in a while. I think the amount of heavy rains we've had recently has washed large amounts of Phosphorous from the rivers and farm lands into the bay. Now add that the weeds are now entering that stage where they start to die and decay, and that they along with the Phosphorous, is lowering the PH and oxygen values in the water column. Then throw in the big water temperature turnover we've had starting in August. And all of these things stress, squeeze, eliminate or segregate the best oxygen supplies and living conditions in the water column. Possibly the first 4 feet off bottom is the best shelter, where 99.9% of the fish I marked yesterday were at. But (IMV) this does something else as well. It gives to the fish what we as humans can only describe as a bad cold or a case of the flu. Where setting around in the lazy boy or on the couch all day doing nothing and eating nothing, is the thing that makes you feel best. That's my best guess.

Don't feel bad Schultzs, we did about the same today, 2 for 3. Worse trip this year for me. And I never marked so many fish all this year as I did today NW of the Center Spark Plug. Solid fish Big and Small, for mile after mile, all in 19 to 22 FOW and all 15 to 17 Foot down. We threw eveything at them with little results. The water was stained quit a bit and once the wind switched to the SW the weeds really became a problem. To many baitfish? I think it's something else.

Ed. You need to come to Saginaw Bay on a weekend day of trolling. Fair warning, if you have a Concealed Weapons Permit, leave it in your vehicle or risk using it on some of our knuckleheads.

Oh, I also wanted to add one thing more. This party of people and two others earlier this summer were sent to me by a couple of you guys on the West Side of the State, after they had successfully fished with you for Salmon. Only one of the 3 from those referrals were canceled for weather. But I want to thank you very much for both your faith in my experience to show your clients a good time and catch them some walleyes over here on this side of the world. I was very happy that the two trips I got to run turned out for the best (limit of 20 and this trip 13) and reinforced both of our business reputations. I will remember the favor and recipicate whenever I can. Thank you again.

According to the Fish Cam at the face of the Dam, the Atlantics are gathering pretty thick at the Power Station on the Saint Marys River. See this link: http://www.lssu.edu/arl/fishcamlive.php The Chinooks and the Pinks should be getting abundant themselves in the river very soon.

Thank Frank. The only hard part for me yesterday, after them young boys learned what a strike looked like, was trying to teach them that the outer most 2 rods on each side were hitting/gouging bottom now and then and a bent rod was not always a strike. My neck is still sore from them yelling fish on 100 times and my having to look and verify rather it was indeed a fish or the bottom. With some foresight, I'll be using 1 ounce or 3/4 ounce snaps next time out. Those 1 1/2 ouncers were already set up and ready to go, so they got used.

Ya, you know, even a blind squirrel........

Started just west of the Spark Plug this morning in a 1 to 2 foot NE chop. Had planned on going all the way to the outer Spark Plug or the 3 humps and fish deep, 27 to 30 FOW. But my intuition got the better of me and we spun around and started a troll back SW towards that corner of the Bay. Only hit one fish for the first mile or so but noticed a ton of fish belly to the bottom, the usual place for them to be on a NE wind. The usual late August/early September plan of mine for the last few years is an outrageous program where I let Rattle Tots out 180 feet and gouge the bottom or get as close to it as I can. The down side of course is dealing with that much line on turns or keeping lines seperated when fish hit outside lines and run or get dragged across inside ones. So I figure what the Hell, I'll go 40/40 with 1 1/2 ounce snap weights in front of the Rattle Tots. That should accomplish the same thing with less line. Well she did, and we pulled 13 walleyes with 2 being to short. Many of the extreme outside lines (ones closest to the water) that I checked now and then had zebras on their hooks and mud stuck on their bills, but they produced a pretty decent catch for this time of year on the Bay.

BIG WINNERS - From left, Calypso II Captain Gene Kirvan of Oscoda and First Mate Kent Running of Bay City not only boated the largest fish during the weekend tournament, but also came from behind to win the two-day event. The two-man team displays a portion of Sunday’s catch, with Kirvan holding the 15.2-pound lake trout which topped the scale. - Photo by Holly Nelson Oscoda boat wins LHS fishing tourney by Holly Nelson AuSABLE - The Lake Huron Sportfishing (LHS) Oscoda-AuSable Fishing Tournament crown has been restored to Iosco County with a come-from-behind catch by the captain and crew of Calypso II of Oscoda. Captain Gene Kirvan of Oscoda and First Mate Kent Running of Bay City won the $1,500 top prize with a two-day catch which weighed in at 102.3 pounds. The Calypso II was well out of the money after Saturday’s 29.55-pound catch, but Sunday was another matter. A big king came out of the cooler, then another. But it was the 15.2-pound lake trout which had the crowd oohing and ahhing. The laker turned out to be the biggest fish caught during the event. Taking second place and $1,000 was the first day leader, the Fishing Fanatic team of Captain Wally Jambeck and mates Lance and Walt Jambeck, all of Highland. They boated 58.7 pounds of fish on Saturday and 40.8 on Sunday. Another Oscoda boat, Big Dog, captained by Bill Carmichael and crewed by Ken Nelson and Doug Carmichael, took third, worth $500, with a 43.2-pound catch on day one and 33.35 on day two. Fourth place and $250 went to Jim Witt and the Slug with a total weight of 75.65 pounds, while the fifth position netted $125 for High Hopes and Captain Todd Petipren, boating 71.55 pounds. Big fish for Saturday was a 14.35 pound chinook salmon caught by mate Jim Groombridge of Flint, fishing the Spoonman, captained by Tom Groombridge. Spoonman and Calypso II each won a mount of their big fish, donated by AuSable River Taxidermy. The tournament broke a record - for the fewest number of boats ever entered. Just 28 boats registered this year, something LHS member Byron English said was due to a combination of causes - decline in the fishery, gasoline prices and the economy in general. It meant a smaller purse, but the captains and crews took it in stride and were, in fact, very complimentary of the organizers’ efforts, one man pointing out that similar tournaments are being cancelled all over the state. All but one of the registered boats brought in fish. The lone exception, Loose Moose, reportedly had fish in the box on Sunday, but opted to forego weigh-in. A very respectable 1,289.85 pounds of fish was weighed in, most of which were lake trout, including several naturally reproduced fish. A few steelhead were weighed in, along with a couple of pink salmon and a lone brown. LHS member Mark David, who was putting fish on the scale, noted that the brown and steelhead appeared, for the most part, malnourished, as did some of the kings. Bunyan Town owner Bill Hjorth, who cleaned many of the fish, said he believes the salmon were larger than caught during the last tournament two years ago. The flesh was firm and pink, with bellies full of smelt, he advised. Both David and Hjorth commented that they saw less evidence of lamprey scarring than in past years. Also weighed in were a couple dozen walleye, most between two and three pounds. None of the tournament participants managed to land the two specially tagged lakers, either of which came with a $5,000 prize. At the conclusion of the weigh-in, it was reported that one of the fish had been caught on Sunday by an angler who was ineligible to collect the prize, however, as he was not registered in the competition. For the first time, LHS expanded the tournament to include a beverage tent with evening entertainment, “Steel Horse Country” and “Wild Hair”. Also new was “The Dive,” a food booth staffed by members and family of the Oscoda Township Fire Department and its water rescue team, with proceeds to be split between LHS and the dive team. Attendance was light, but respectable for a first effort, according to organizers, who are looking to break even. Also new was the inclusion of two early tournaments sponsored by Bunyan Town. The Pre-Tournament Tournament was held Thursday and drew 14 boats, which competed for a 100-percent payback to the top captain, who was Tom Morgan of Fishing Again. The Ladies Tournament held on Friday divided the registration fees of 10 boats among the top three: Dirty Girl, captained by Jerry Perrin; Go Deep, Captain Bill Hjorth, and, in third, Calypso II. According to Hjorth, while men ran the boats, the all-women crews handled all of the fishing.

How important is genetics to walleye stocking to you guys, as Muskie fisherman we fight kick and scream for the best possible fish in the best lakes. John Underhill John. Genetics is something I dwelled apon and questioned for a long time when our DNR started re-introducing walleyes back into Saginaw Bay. Over the years they raised and planted walleyes from a few different sources both hear in Michigan and even used Lake Erie walleyes for a plant or two. I've talked to the professional I know about this. And they have a scientific inkling that genetics do play a part in how these different relocated residents phsically react, forage, live, places where they spawn, when they spawn and their timetables for doing so. Much the same way salmon smolt imprint and are counted on coming back to the same streams they were planted in. But they see this trate as highly superficial and not worth the study or attention as far as the walleye specie goes. For the last 4 to 5 years we've seen no plants and a great natural reproduction. A variety or reasons and forage base changes brought us to where we are today. But these natural walleyes are now almost 5 generations into becoming genetically established, healthier and stronger survivors IMV. They have adjusted to a new, different and varied forage base, and seem to be doing great. Rather that is in part due to aquired genetics is anybodies guess. But remember, what makes you strong can also destroy you, when genetic habbits force you into danger. Capt. Dan.

Had one heck of a plan today. The brother took the day off and we formulated a trolling plan to help each other out. We would start NW of the Black Hole while staying parallel with the 2nd and 3rd ledges/drop-offs along Pinconning and Saganing bars. Brother Dave would stay in 12 to 14 fow and I would stay in 18 to 21 FOW and we would troll within sight of each other and stay in Cell phone communication. I hit pay dirt first with a single fish on an eyeliminator and Capt. Dan spoon harness, both purple in color. Then a long dry spell and Dave worked his way into 16/17 FOW. I finally hit a spot that was full of fish, high and low. Bang we hit a double, both on Rattle Tot's and sliders. Unfortunately, we got lines tangled on the way in and we lost both fish right behind the boat. Spun back around and hit a 4 pounder. Then it started. We had at least 10 rips on the Eyeliminators and #8 Tommy Harris thumpers. I'd reel in, and the tip of the Gulp would be gone. I mean they would rip the rubber bands out of the releases like a salmon might, and nothing. The picture shows 3, but we ended the day with 6 fish in the box. Oh ya, brother dave got notta.

Yupper, copper and gold both catch quit a few walleyes on Saginaw Bay every year. The year I really had luck with copper was when I started using both huge #8 brass and copper blades run short and high over deep water. So I guess I can't say anthing really positive about running them that deep. But please keep us posted if you would.

A question taken off my board and my answer to it. Q: A friend and myself were discussing water temp. and the bite.We sort of agreed that 72 degrees surface seemed to hold more active fish/bait.--BUT--most are caught at or below thermocline.---SO---why would a temp a few degrees,one way or the other,affect fish below thermo? Does temp move baitfish and that's why or does temp move walleyes?ALSO most of us have an ideal range we like or seem to find an active pod in,66---72 o.k.---I'm wondering if any of you other old salts,and young,have an opinion on any of this.Am kind of curious,how much variation WE have for favorite water temp. hope this is good fish porn Bill A: Over the years we've all learned certain things about water temperature and what effect it has on fish of all species. Even that temps key what type baits to use in some instances. For walleye river fishing, below 52 minnows, above 52 crawlers. We've learned what the ideal feeding and living temps are for these varied species and try to keep our gear in that zone for optimum results. Some species it seems will not leave that ideal range even if it means starving to death (i.e.) Salmon for instance. But large scaled species like Bass, Walleye and Pike adapt quicker to water temps then fine scaled species. They can tolerate better any temporary, quick changes in the water column itself, but make forage their first and foremost concern in variety of temps no matter what the water temp is. I wonder how many of you here have actually killed minnows by dumping them into a colder or warmer pail of water. It doesn't take much of a temperature difference either to do it. Minnows like most smaller fish have too adjust slowly, but can do so (given enough time) in a wide variety of temps. What's going on right now on the Saginaw Bay with this water turnover is temperature control that is (for the most part) out of their control. They are stymied with temp changes all through the water column, keeping them from foraging as easily and efficiently as they did when the temps were evenly layered. Thus, the guy who limits out in one spot and his buddy 1/4 mile away who never gets a bite.

Brother Dave went out today instead of yesterday (when it stayed flat till 2:00pm) using my great weather advice. He called me at 8:00 am this morning, after a 17 miles trip across the bay when they reached Callahan Reef and reported there were 2 to 4 footers. He mentioned my name along with a few 4 letter words were being mixed and tossed around as well as anything not tied down on the boat. He just now called again, this time from the Essexville Bar, where (he says) they are always biting. They stayed on the Reef until all the waves became continous 6 footers according to him, then headed back towards LBM. Fished off the Nayonquin Point bar in 12FOW for an hour trolling with the waves and fought the flotaing weeds. Waves went down to 3 footers but they came in anyway. 1 White Bass for the effort. I see where both Saturday and Sundays wind/weather are way better. But I think letting the bay and the weeds settle out for a day after this blow would be the better decision. I'm calling to see if the folks would change their fishing date to Sunday.

Looks good so far Mike. Things will be slow (I think) for a while in this section because of the trolling slow down during this time of the year. But once the rivers and the ice fishing start subjects should fill in nicely.