Thanksgiving Shenanigans

[Do-it Rep]

I snuck out on Friday with a buddy from college to walk off the turkey we ate on Thursday.  Pheasant numbers are strong here in the eastern part of the state. We made a late day run at a limit but fell a few short. The weather looked too nice on Saturday not to launch the boat on the big river and chase walleyes.  A drop in water temp overnight made them lethargic but we found a few ways to trigger some big bites by the end of the day.  It's hard to believe it's December already. 

[ctom]

Nice looking birds and walleye Kyle. As skinny as you are one would think you could use a few pounds to help ward off the chill when fishing. lol

It nuts to see that just 100 mile south on me you have that kind of pheasant population. I haven't seen four pheasants in that many years around here.

[Fishermanbt]

Man!  That is a nice walleye. I went out on Friday and I caught 2 sticks, literally. But they were good’ens.

[efishnc]

My buddy has been trying to get me on the river for a couple of weeks, telling me the fish have been on a real strong (dislocate your shoulder) bite at least through this last Wednesday (with most fish falling within the slot like yours).  I'd like to get out there and experience it myself, but I don't see the time in my schedule for at least a month.  And truth be told, I would rather chase chickens during the day than fish, so I have greater envy for your first pic than second... is that a model 37 with the birds?

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Now that’s awesome great birds and walleye there Kyle. I think it got to 34 today by me.

[Lines]

Nice line of pheasants Kyle. Is that a Winchester 1200 I see laying next to them? I have one just like it. Had it since I was 11 years old. My very first shotgun. I still love it.

[Muskygary]

Beautiful pictures! We no longer have wild pheasants in Indiana. Everything is put and take.

[Do-it Rep]

Nice line of pheasants Kyle. Is that a Winchester 1200 I see laying next to them? I have one just like it. Had it since I was 11 years old. My very first shotgun. I still love it.

Lines - You nailed it.  A Winchester 1200.  My buddies' gun he used that day.  Fun to break out and swing the classics every now and then!

Thanks everyone! 

[ctom]

What was the water temp on Saturday Kyle? In this area the backwaters were setting shale ice at 8 AM Saturday but it fizzled later in the day. Sunday was a bit smoother early in the morning [630 AM] but the wind was right out of the NW at about 25 MPH ushering in a cold front. By 8 we could no longer punch jigs thru the shale. Its been considerably cooler here now so I think my shore spot has locked up and in spite of a couple days with predicted his near 40 yet this week I do not think it will open again. Pepin has been quiet and mixed reviews on the big river near Red Wing. Alma has had a strong bite for those who brave the wind. No word on Andy's Winona area. I'm assuming the channel will remain open for some time yet unless we fall into a serious deep freeze but marinas will soon follow the backwaters in closing up.

I may switch gear and head to Pepin for some shore casting for walleyes. They'll be laying near the bottom of the rip rap for this month before they start heading to the dam. As long as the rocks stay ice free walleyes will offer some pretty good fishing for me.

We did try open water in a marina a week ago Tuesday and it was totally devoid of fish. Normally this marina would offer crappies yet.

[Do-it Rep]

What was the water temp on Saturday Kyle? In this area the backwaters were setting shale ice at 8 AM Saturday but it fizzled later in the day. Sunday was a bit smoother early in the morning [630 AM] but the wind was right out of the NW at about 25 MPH ushering in a cold front. By 8 we could no longer punch jigs thru the shale. Its been considerably cooler here now so I think my shore spot has locked up and in spite of a couple days with predicted his near 40 yet this week I do not think it will open again. Pepin has been quiet and mixed reviews on the big river near Red Wing. Alma has had a strong bite for those who brave the wind. No word on Andy's Winona area. I'm assuming the channel will remain open for some time yet unless we fall into a serious deep freeze but marinas will soon follow the backwaters in closing up.

I may switch gear and head to Pepin for some shore casting for walleyes. They'll be laying near the bottom of the rip rap for this month before they start heading to the dam. As long as the rocks stay ice free walleyes will offer some pretty good fishing for me.

We did try open water in a marina a week ago Tuesday and it was totally devoid of fish. Normally this marina would offer crappies yet.

I've been enjoying your crappie posts, Tom.  Keep up the good work. 

We had 38.6 that day.  It'd been running 41 all week and that was enough of a drop to make them pretty sluggish to start the day.  Warm temps that day didn't do much to the water temp but it sure felt nice.  I fished south of Dubuque and the water runs on the dirtier side down there even this time of year when everything up north runs gin clear.  We had a fun day chasing them around and ran a lot of new water.  Any day on the water this time of year is a bonus.

[efishnc]

Lines - You nailed it.  A Winchester 1200.  My buddies' gun he used that day.  Fun to break out and swing the classics every now and then!

Oh, I see it now... I should have recognized it by the position of the safety and magazine slide release... at first glance the magazine tube and stock looked very much like the Ithaca 37 (which also had great notoriety in the same era).

[Lines]

Oh, I see it now... I should have recognized it by the position of the safety and magazine slide release... at first glance the magazine tube and stock looked very much like the Ithaca 37 (which also had great notoriety in the same era).

Efishnc, I also have my Dad's Ithaca 37. Also a very nice piece of history as you mentioned.

[efishnc]

Efishnc, I also have my Dad's Ithaca 37. Also a very nice piece of history as you mentioned.

Nice heirloom!... my uncle had a 37 as well and he really liked the bottom eject (which is another detail I missed when looking at Kyle's pic).

[Lamar]

I have an old Winchester 1200 that was my dads. Cool memories

[Lines]

Cool memories indeed. The good Ol' days.