May 2010 — John Gillespie's Waters & Woods

May 2010

Episode 18
Post-Spawn Walleye Casting
Show Date: May 1^st & 2^nd, 2010
Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Guide: Pro Guide Dale Stroschein [ 920-743-5731 | wackywalleye.com]

We are up at Sand Bay Beach Resort fishing with walleye guru Dale Stroschein of Wacky Walleye guide service. We arrive a little early for our shoot, which we were going to target post spawn walleyes while trolling at night. Since we were already at the launch, Dale takes us out to cast for a few hours while we wait for the sun to set. John is casting a jig and GULP, and Dale is casting a Flicker Shad. Instead of waiting, we were reeling! Reeling in huge fish, one after another! The casting bite is so hot, that we just about forget about setting up for trolling. We only start to troll when it is completely dark out, and we catch a bunch of slobs doing that as well.

Episode 19
Erie in the Spring
Show Date: May 8^th & 9^th, 2010
Location: Lake Erie, Toledo, Ohio
Guide: Captain Paul Pacholski [1-800-798-1218 | deacsretreat.com]

We arrive at the dock for our charter trip to a wind-blown Lake Erie, but we are able to get out on the water to enjoy some great fishing. Captain Paul puts us on the good drifts, that brings in walleyes that average 2-3 pounds. Also joining us is Kevin, Jim, and Gary of Yamaha Motor Corp. We have a great two-day trip, filling our cooler with our limit both days.
Casting out, and slow retrieving while maintaining bottom contact is the name of the game. Upping our advantage is putting on dark colored GULP Alive. Paul tells us with the 1.5 foot visibility, the dark colored baits are the most noticeable on the bottom. As always the contest is on to see who can limit out first!

Episode 20
Back to Lake Namakagon
Show Date: May 15^th & 16^th, 2010
Location: Lake Namakagon; Cable, Wisconsin
Guides: Pete Maina [thenextbite.com | petemaina.com]

It’s been almost a decade since we’ve fished Lake Namakagon, and our first day back isn’t a very welcoming one. Day one greets us with lots of wind, and steel-grey skies. We struggle through the day catching a few fish here and there. We do have a few special guests with us to share the less that optimal day. Tex Maina; the walleye king, and Dave Westlake; a candidate for U.S. Senate.

Day two greets us with a much more favorable version of the northwoods, in both fishing quality and weather. We are greeted with all the best parts of a great day of fishing. We catch a lot of fish, a few different species. We never knew what was going to come in next, whether it be a walleye, pike, crappie. or bass. We also caught all different sizes of fish from too small, to eaters, to trophies. We had a fantastic time enjoying the northwoods of Wisconsin.

Episode 21
St. Germain in Spring
Show Date: May 22nd & 23rd, 2010
Location: St. Germain, Vilas Co. Wisconsin
Guide: Pro Guide Rob Manthei [715-477-2042 | robmanthei.com]

We are exploring the St. Germain area’s vast amount of lakes in search of walleye and pike. Joining us on our adventure is Dick and Pat, who are with us due to a generous donation to Angel on my Shoulder.

We are battling some pretty sever wind and rain. The poorly predicted weather forecast doesn't help much either. We are able to find some calm spots that contain some nice fish and some great eater fish. Live bait is the key in a cold front situation, and we catch a respectable amount of fish, given the weather we fish in.

Episode 22
SMB’s 2010
May 29th & 30th, 2010
Guide: Pro Guide Dale Stroschein [ 920-743-5731 | wackywalleye.com]

The bays that dot the Door County peninsula are havens for gigantic bass, and we are looking forward to a great start to the 2010 small mouth bass season. Dale Stroschein has been guiding these bays for nearly 30 years, and has locked in what he calls the ‘finesse bite.’ This bite requires some great concentration, one lapse in focus can result in your trophy swimming away.