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Posts: 2015
| guest - 12/27/2006 4:13 PM
Sure, I won't dispute the fact that there is a reason that people fish the Narrows. I still do as well. There are some great spots up there and some nice fish. The issue is that the area, in my experience, seems to get an inordinate and unnecessary amount of pressure. Too much pressure. And it seems to be increasing with every year. Just look at all the "musky schools" up there these days. The MH school pounds the Narrows, Ranger Rick does a couple schools up there, Bob M does a musky school at Wiley, and Patrcia Strutz is doing one as well now, I think. Not sure, but there even may be a few others. Other than MH, I don't think any of those "schools" were around five years ago. The Big Narrows is a sizable area, but there is a lot of non-stop pressure specifically targetting this one area that, in comparison with the vast amount of water surrounding it, is relatively small.
I don't know about everyone else, but when I go to a million acre lake in the middle of the Canadian wilderness the last things that I want to deal with are (1) conditioned fish and (2) being cut off by other anglers. Part of the Canadian experience is the feeling of awe and seclusion when alone in the remote wilderness. If you are strictly fishing the Narrows, you won't get to experience that, and you'll instead find yourself racing to beat other boats to some of your spots (especially the prime spots at sunset) and then cursing when they cut you off by pulling up in front of you anyway. I've experienced that a couple of times already, and it has soured my overall experience. But sadly, that can be and is the reality, even on a one million acre lake, these days.
Sorry to go on and on. I think that you can find water that is just as good in other locations, sometimes very close to camp (MN-side resorts), and not have to deal with the fishing pressure that is concentrated in the Narrows.
Matt D.
How many muskie have you caught within five minutes of the mainland? Staying in the big narrows region gives you better access to high density muskie waters - monument bay, clearwater bay, bishop bay, east to skeet island region, and on and on. You have 3 miles of MUD to cross before you can fish anything of substance from the mainland. Ther are 100 spots I could mark on a map to fish that last hour topwater bite and still be able to SEE big narrows resort..... and guess what very few boats are around because most of the day pressure is making the hour long boat ride to the MN mainland, sandy's or the MN islands.
But what do I know? |
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| I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "five minutes from mainland", but I've caught some pretty nice fish well south of Monument Bay. Sorry, I'm not going to name spots on the internet, and to be honest, I really don't care whether you believe me or not; I am not really all that sad about the fact that boats are constantly driving right past.
All I am doing is pointing out the fact that the Narrows, particularly, is getting pounded more and more every year, and the past couple years it has been to the point where I am now avoiding the Narrows in order to avoid boats. Sure there are hundreds of great spots within eyesight of Big Narrows Resort. I don't doubt that you could mark up a map; I've spent a lot of time in that area and know of a few very good spots myself. In fact, one of those spots I could also mark on the map for you, and show you exactly where my boat was when I got rudely cut off at sunset on what was otherwise a beautiful July evening.
I'm not sure exactly what your point is? Maybe you'd like it if there were MORE boats up in the Narrows? Do you NOT think that there are other areas on LOTW, equally good, with WAY less pressure?
As you stated, there is plenty of awesome water around the Narrows. You named some good nearby areas. Thank you. That is my point exactly. The guy who originally posted the question sounded like he was considering confining himself only to the Big Narrows area. I shared my opinion about that. There is a ton of great water and so there is no need concentrate in an area that is getting pounded.
Matt D. |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | Many thanks to IAJustin, matt D., et. al.
A decision has been made, and thanks to all of the great feedback provided through this board!
I'll be staying for 9 days at Walsh's Bay Store Camp on Oak Island in the Northwest Angle area. Beginning August 4 (July, of course, was a sellout by this time). My boat is strong and with the proper navigation tools I can travel anywhere in the area. I doubt that I will expend the energy to drive 20+ miles to the Big Narrows. I stay off of my own home lake here in KY on weekends to steeer clear of all of the boats. As IAJustin has said and I echo his sentiments ... if I am taking a trip to the Canadian wilderness,I sure don't wish to fish within a cluster of boats.
Who can say how bad the bloom will be at that time. Seems like there are just too many factors to know with any certainty. Not going to cancel the trip simply becasue I cannot find suitable accomodations within a small two to three week window to escape the bloom.
I am however completely psyched and ready to rock!!!!
Craig |
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| Good luck Craig. Don't get too worried about the bloom. I've been up in mid to late August a couple of times and, although there was bloom, it wasn't a problem finding suitable areas to fish. In fact, one of my best trips was in late August where the bloom was really nasty. We had to move around a bit, but it wasn't a big deal. I'm sure you'll have a great trip.
Matt D. |
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Posts: 86
| This is what my opinion is of the NW Angle, I posted this on another LOTW thread. We didn't make it to the Narrows on our trip though...............................
One way to avoid the pressure is to go up in September. You have to deal with the bloom of course but you don't have any boats to compete with. Six of us made our first trip to the Angle, Monument Bay Lodge, this past Labor Day week. Bloom went from nothing to speak of to pea soup thick. All we had to to was find clearer water and we could see the follows, which helped the confidence. We were in lodge rental boats, 16' alum. utility boats with 25hp mercs. 18mph with three guys in each. We had gps's with chips and paper charts just to be safe. We got to know the area very quickly and thanks to the help of some guys like Richard Novak here on the forum and Steve Heiting we did pretty good......great in fact. Two personal bests, 50" for my Nephew and 48" for myself. Two others boated muskie and everybody boated pike. Nobody doubled up on muskie. The fishing was somewhat slow, yes, but being able to boat two monsters, and see several more in the same class made our trip. To share the trip with my 80 year old Father, three brothers and a nephew meant even more. The camp was great, really great.
We were concerned about being overwhelmed by the BIG water. We marked up a map with a game plan to locate fish, develop our milk run and work it until it paid off. First full day of fishing was Sunday, 50 was caught Tues. morn and 48 on Wed. morn. The plan paid off. Sorry so long but I just wanted to let "newbies" to LOTW know you can be successful despite tough conditions if you prepare and stick to your plan. Good luck and enjoy one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaryies on the planet!!!!!! |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | Well, I started this thread so I should share my decision. My dates are August 4 through August 13 at Bay Store Camp. Frank Walsh has been kind enough to break away from a previous committment and guide us our full first day, and we will spend a day with Doug Johnson later in the week.
I have a Crestliner Fish Hawk 1750 with an Opti 115 and 9.9 kicker. Maxxum 80 lbs up front, Lowrance 3600 GPS ready for the LOTW chip, seperate Lowrance 337 sonar at the helm, Frank is sending me nautical charts and maps ... and I have already started stocking up on the necessary color selections and lure choices based upon Bay Store Camp's "Top 10 Lure Choice List" found through their excellent discussion board. http://www.fishinfo.com/fishingreports/ForumID9/92.html
I have some very good friends that have a year round home in Hayward 20 minutes from the Chippewa Flowage, and we plan to stop there to fish for a few days on the way back down to KY.
To say that I am super psyched is an understatement. Gee whizz, only seven months to go 
Craig |
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Posts: 2015
| Craig,
Current can draw fish that time of year... areas I have had success in early Aug in the past: Johnsons Passage, Tug, and yes big narrows....mainlake areas -only time I ever pay attention to the wind on LOTW is during bloom.....you are doing the right thing getting a guide....definately can be a challeging time to be on lotw, but also a good big fish time ..good luck!
Justin |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | Thanks Justin. |
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Posts: 331
Location: Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Craig,
If ever there is a MUST bait for the woods it would be a white blade, black white tail Mepps Musky Marabou. Take a couple of them! I have caught over 100 muskies up there on that bait in the last 3 years alone!
Ed |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | I've already stocked some Musky Maribous in red/copper. I order a few of these as well.
Thanks Ed.
Craig |
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