Hayward, Wisconsin Fishing Report 6-28-13

Well, I would say the gals in the Earley family from Iowa accounted for themselves well on Thursday.  A hot, windy day sent water temperatures up to 75 degrees, and the walleye bite was tough in the morning, but the smallies were on fire.  Denise and Kendal pounded them on wacky worms in 3′ to 6′ of water.  Mid lake rock bars are attracting lots of fish.  The topwater bite turned on as well, and it appears they are well on their way to recovering from the spawn.  The largest smallie of the day was a 20″ tank landed by Kendal.

In the afternoon the wind picked up, and we were able to put the walleye puzzle together.  After we lost two fish on a jig and leech, we set our slip bobbers two feet deeper than I had them ealier.  That was the ticket!  After that adjustment, we caught fish after fish throughout the afternoon with the largest walleye in our boat being a 21″ dandy landed by Denise.  It should also be noted that the walleyes were coughing up crayfish as they came in the net.  That would probably explain the need to fish a little deeper than when they were on the mayfly bite.  The highlight of the afternoon came when Fred and Travis joined us along a weedline, and we watched them both land nice fish with the largest being a 25″ whopper boated by Travis.  It was refreshing to watch a family fishing together, laughing, and having a great time.  We need more of that in my opinion!  It was a great two days with a very cool family.  As for who did better, the guys or the girls?…I’ll let you be the judge!

Myke Dunlavy and my nephew Jimmy from Washington, D.C. paid me a visit on Friday.  We were met by north winds and rain that dropped water temps back to 71 degrees, but the boys weren’t deterred.  Jimmy started out the day by landing several nice gills that were on their nests.  We then switched to a 9′ weedline and landed several nice smallies and walleyes with the largest smallie taping out at 20″ and the largest eye hitting 25″.  Our fish were caught on slip bobbers and leeches.  Three year old Jimmy did an excellent job reeling in fish and driving the ship.  Despite the rain, we had an excellent time, and I can’t wait to do it again.

Good Luck out there this weekend everyone!