What a month it has been!  After grinding it out September and half of October, these past 30 plus days have been something special! 

When I hear people say we must have caught a hundred for the most part I think that’s a good fishing story.  However, I’ve had many days where we did catch between 85 to 100 plus fish.  The only way I know this to be true is because I hit my clicker keeping track. 

Jigs and minnows pitched out has been the tug is my drug go to.  It’s so hard to beat that telltale thump on a jig!  Another promising thing is the health of the fish that came up into the river.  Tons of 16 to 18 inch fish that are extremely fat. So the system is in really good shape. 

It is a tad bit depressing that it’s most likely coming to an end here unfortunately.  The 10 day forecast shows some snow and really cold weather ahead.  I really can’t complain though, it’s been a heck of a good open water season! 

For me this off season will be a little bit different for me.  I will not be guiding ice fishing this winter.  I have transitioned back to coaching hockey.  I will be over in Mandan this winter working with the Mandan youth hockey club. 

This doesn’t mean I won’t be ice fishing.  It just means I won’t be guiding ice fishing.  I do plan to have a spear shack or two out on Sakakawea for rent.  So if you want to darkhouse spear you can get ahold of me! 

I’m also booking up pretty fast for next open water season!  I will start up April 1st here on the Missouri River near Bismarck.  I run trips here until mid May.  Mid May until mid June I will be guiding up on Devils Lake.  Mid June through July you will find me on Sakakawea. August I will be on both Sakakawea and Devils Lake.  September until freeze up I’m back on the river.  

So again, pick your body of water and get ahold of me to reserve a day or two or three or four of fishing before I’m completely booked up!