Big Muddy Week has come and gone. It’s always a bittersweet time for the Missouri River spring fishing. Things really slow down traffic wise for fishermen usually after the big muddy.

For me it marks my days are numbered for the spring guiding on the river. Not that the fishing isn’t any good anymore, but I do go to Devils Lake to help out up at Percheyes Guide Service.

So what took place this week and during the tournament? Lots! Everything from big fish, little fish, spawning fish, egged up females just showing up, milking male runs etc.

We didn’t see the huge huge basket come in this year. 43 pounds for 6 fish isn’t bad at all however and that’s what it took to win this year.

A lot of fish were caught on jigs and minnows, jigs and plastics and trolling. A few fish were caught on the creek chubs, but it felt like that bite was off compared to years past. Might have just been timing.

I was happy with our 13th place in the tournament. It’s an extremely tough tournament with it being pretty tight confines for a 100 boats. I was asked before the tournament how I felt about it. I told him it’s like having all the answers for the quiz but you can’t use them.

Spending the amount of time on that body of water like I do, you have a pretty good idea of what’s going on. The unfortunate part for me, is I won’t move in on others and try to have good ethics while fishing this event and while guiding. I saw guys do things out there this week and tournament day, that I would never do. It’s hard for me to see guys do what they will do just over a fish or trying to finish higher etc.

On the bright side of things 98 percent of the fish that were caught yesterday were released back to the river. Love that this is a release event now.

My bookings are very limited through June and July. I definitely have some dates open for August and a few scattered single days from now until August. Get ahold of me if you are looking for a trip!