Posts: 259
Location: Madison, WI | Hi guys,
My dad and I just participated in the first annual Witness Protection Program outing, hosted by Nielsen's Lodge on Rowan Lake. Here are 2 photos of the 43-incher I caught on Sunday, August 15 on a Jackpot. (Sorry dad, I couldn't resist!)
(JohnsMuskyUndoctored.jpg)
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 JohnsMusky.jpg (90KB - 63 downloads)
JohnsMuskyUndoctored.jpg (84KB - 65 downloads)
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Posts: 259
Location: Madison, WI | Steve,
We were there 7 days. Sunday Aug 15 - Sat Aug 21. Here's the breakdown by day...
The trip started out pretty well.
Day 1 10 follows, including the 43 incher (pictured above) which I caught on a Jackpot at dusk.
Day 2 explored some new water-the ultra clear, less fertile water out to the west. (only had 2 follows but one was a fat 4 footer)
Day 3 3 or 4 follows, I think. I caught a 35 incher. (Again at dusk on a Jackpot)
Day 4 DID NOT FISH (55 mph winds all day long, was not safe to be on the water). Most of the float plane services shut down for the day. It was BRUTAL.
Day 5 (40mph NW winds, and very cold 38-50 degrees). Boat control was difficult, and we struggled on muskies, but did catch some pike. Couldn't fish the spots we wanted to, because you could only throw 1 or 2 casts, before being blown off the spots. Even though we were using a portable Minkota, it didn't really help.
Day 6 (same as day 5. Cold with WAY too much wind. Bad boat control)
Day 7 The front finally started to pass, and the fish started to move again, but tended to be late, lethargic followers (3 feet behind the bait). Had 5 follows.
That was the worst cold front we've ever seen on a summer fishing trip, so it's really tough to make any conclusions from this trip. I do know that our best trip there was July 10-17, 1991, when we saw 87 'skis during the week. Our late July/ early August trips we've seen about 45-50 fish per week, but some of those days have been flat calm with 90 degree temps, which obviously hurts daytime fishing. Of the 6 trips we've taken to Rowan this was tied for worst, in terms of numbers of fish seen, but it was also the most unfavorable weather we've ever seen. When the weather co-operates, Rowan is the best water on the planet.
Hope that helps,
"Jackpot" John Schroeder |
