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Hello everyone! It has been a while since I've blogged but that is only because I haven't had anything interesting to say...until now. Last year I had great success catching walleye at night during the fall. I found what I thought was a pattern and decided to see if it would hold true this year. A pattern is only good if it holds true from year to year. To understand this pattern, lets review some history about Boysen reservoir.
Boysen Reservoir has been known by Wyoming anglers as a hot spot for walleye since the 1970's. In fact, the last time Boysen was stocked with walleye was late in the 70's. All the walleye being caught today are a self sustaining population. It is amazing to me that there is a fishery that has that kind of quality from year to year and yet it is not stocked. There are very few reservoirs that can boast that.
Since you have a self sustaining population of a predatory fish, one would think that they would have a pattern. Well, that would be a good assumption. Not only do they have a pattern, but it is very predictable during certain times of year.
People look at the pictures of the walleye that I catch and say, "Wow, where did you catch those?" Then they ask, "How do you keep finding those trophy fish?" Well, it is as easy as following the food. If you know what walleye want to eat and where that food will be, then you will catch them. I attribute it to knowing what they want, it is definitely not luck.
Walleye are predatory and like to eat smaller fish. They follow the food all year long, no matter what. Once you know where the food is, there the walleye will be also. Good stuff right?
Now I am guessing that you want to know my secret to where to find them on Boysen. Well, that's not going to happen today, sorry.
I will tell you what I did to catch them though. I used old reliable, my Smithwick Rogue. That lure must have the perfect rattle or something. I was able to catch all but one of my walleye on the Rogue. I have caught 6 fish 27" and over with it. So, take a hint, go out and buy this lure. Here is the link: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_37008____SearchResults
Make sure you buy the Threadfin shad. It is the color that has given me all the success. You can't go wrong with this bait, it is effective and it only costs $5.00 each. Just buy one!
Once you have your bait and know where to go, cast the lure out and work it slow/with pauses. If you do that, you will catch more fish. That is the bottom line! If you don't believe me, just look at the pictures. They work.
I had a few things working in my favor. I went fishing the night before the full moon, and the night before a cold front hit. The fish were in a biting mood. Last year, I went fishing on similar conditions and caught two 27" and one 30" walleye. So, the weather is always a factor. Make sure you do your homework before hitting the water. THIS IS KEY!!!
I have found that walleye will hold in less than two feet of water at night. So, don't be afraid to fish close to the bank. I often place my cast about 10' from the bank and work the bait parallel to the bank. If that doesn't work, cast further out until you find them.
Make sure you give this a try. Most people fish their whole lives for walleye and don't catch as many big fish as I have in the last two years. So, I must have figured something out.
Good luck out there and be safe!
