2009 Walleye Education Weekend
"Walleye in the Weeds"
Houghton Lake May 28-31, 2009
Three days of fishable weather! Doesn't seem like a big deal, but to the anglers and staff who attended the first attempt at fishing Houghton Lake a few years ago, all we wanted was 3 days of fishable weather-and we got it. Stiff breezes greeted the anglers each day, but the wind actually helps the fishing on Michigan's largest inland lake. At 20,000 acres, Houghton Lake is a diverse ecosystem with a great population of walleye, most who live among the lake's lush weed beds.
The focus of the trip was on catching walleye in the weeds. Special techniques, rigging and locations are needed to dig fish from the weeds, and the anglers who attended got a crash course in getting walleye from the weeds. 30 anglers and staff members hit the water Friday morning and by the time Sunday afternoon rolled around everyone left the water a better angler.
Fish were caught all 3 days in several areas of the lake. Weeds in 6-9 fow seemed to be holding the most fish, and finding good areas with the wind coming from the right angle was the key to success each day. Trolling crankbaits, slip bobber fishing with leeches and jigging all caught some fish each day, but the star of the trip was the "weed drift rig" baited with a leech. This simple rig makes fishing through the weeds quite easy, and accounts for a LOT of fish each season.
Each evening the 2 hour seminar focused on all the little details of fishing in the weeds. Boat rigging, tackle, presentations, fish location, weather and wind were all discussed in detail each night. The classroom setting and small group allowed for in-depth seminars each night, and all facets of fishing in the weeds got covered. Anglers then headed to the lake the next morning armed with new things to try, and everyone was able to hook up to a few walleye each day.
There were lots of first timers on this trip and it is great to see the Walleye 101 family continue to grow. One of the neat things about this trip to Houghton Lake was the small number of anglers who can attend. Due to lodging limitations only 40 anglers can attend a Walleye Education Weekend on Houghton Lake, and this small number leads to lots of personal time with the instructors and getting to know each other.
Lodging and meals were SUPERB at the Ralph A. MacMullen Center in Roscommon, and we are looking forward to coming back next year!
(click on a picture to enlarge)
For other Walleye Education Weekend Pictures Click Here
For Walleye 101 Charter Pictures Click Here
For pictures sent in from Walleye 101 anglers Click Here
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