What We Do

My photo
We are chasers of trophy fish (Leviathans if you will). We devote as much time as we can to the thrill of the hunt, the success, and the failure of fishing the waters of Northern Minnesota. We are stewards of the land and water. Conservation is a top priority to us because the future of tomorrow is what we decide today. Catch-Photo-Release is practiced along with selective harvest.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Where has Patrick gone??

Hello readers!
   Yup. I have not been very active on here but, I have been very active in life, and on the ice. So let me get you all up to speed. Lets get started!

   It's late October / early November and I just received news from Frabill that they want to work with me this winter. Living, breathing in my passion has paid off! Frabill is a wonderful company with top quality products. This winter I have upgraded my portable shelter from a 1-man Commando, to a 2-man Trekker DLX Thermal, flip over style shelter. What a great shack to have! The thermal insulated cover does had extra weight but, it is completely worth it. Being that the fabric is thicker, due to insulation, it dampers any wind that is blowing. Wanna talk about warmth? It does not take much to heat this house at all. When it's all said and done, I would not trade this portable in for all the diamonds in the world!

Crappie fishing in the pouring rain and sleet...Total warmth!

Let us slide into December. Busy, busy month. Not only was I looking to get on the ice, I was looking at graduating from college. I did not want to let things slide academically. I remained focused on the getting things finished up with classes, projects, and presentations. December 6th came, I conquered. As a matter of fact the picture above is from December 15th. A graduation present to myself!

Here we are now, late January. I haven't been out much. Did a little more crappie fishing, chased some bluegills with some friends from North Country Guide Service (great time there! 3 up on a snowmobile!) and last but not least, I found a gem of a lake! When I say gem, I mean diamond! Sometimes being bored on the computer hunting down new water, scanning endlessly over creel censuses, can pay off. I'm not going to describe anything about this lake other than it is nestled deep in the woods, off the beaten path and has some reall monster bluegills in it. Here is the tally for that day...

What was out of one hole. That's right! ONE HOLE! The reason I fished just one hole was my left knee was killing me. It was a hike out to this lake and to the spot I wanted to fish and, with a bum knee this was it. I don't know if I would have done any better if I was hole hopping or not. If you look at fish number 3 and 8, both 10-3/4"!!! Incredible!! All these fish were caught in 25.5 FOW using a Frabill 7" Quick Tip Straightline 101 combo, 3lb Berkley MicroIce Trilene, and a Bro Bug from Northland Tackle tipped with waxworms. This lake is what Chasing Leviathans is all about!





So, I have come to the end of my update. It's January 29th. The due date for the little one is fast approaching! Steph and I couldn't be more excited! As far as fishing plans goes, I will be sticking very close to home in case the call comes in, that Steph is in labor! After Ellen (our little girl) is born and we get things settled, I will be out drilling holes and chasing leviathans!!!!!
Keep at it. through thick and thin! The big ones are out there! 
Patrick