Friday, December 31, 2010

Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing Report 12-31-10



Happy New Year!!!!

Wigwam Fisherman

P.S. - I will be back with a regular blog next week after the first of the year. Happy New Year and God Bless.

Monday, December 20, 2010

12-19-10 LOW Ice Fishing Report Video




This past weekend of fishing wasn’t stellar by any means, but we still caught fish and it was better than last weekend. One thing I will bring up right away this morning is, if you’re fishing on your own, fish the contour lines, humps and dips out in the bowl, that’s were the fish will be traveling. If you don’t know where they’re at, get a GPS system with a Lake Master Chip for Lake of the Woods. I know that some people make it sound so easy, but you have to work for them, just like anything else. The majority of fish that were caught this weekend were in Lighthouse Gap in 26 – 30 feet of water. I did talk to a few guys that stayed at the resort that said they lined up on the US/Canadian line and drilled holes, but there was only one guy catching fish, and it was one right after the other. When that happens, don’t watch him, drill a hole and help him out, because you’ve just found the fish. It was a matter of 50 feet from the bite, to a none existent bite, and some days that’s all that it takes. The weather should be stable as we move into the Christmas holiday season, which should get the fish biting. It’s only a matter of time before they turn on, so don’t miss out when it happens. The last thing I’ll say today is, “that’s why they call it fishing, not catching”…God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman

Monday, December 13, 2010

12-13-10 LOW Ice Fishing Report Video



Special Announcement!!!! I just got off the phone with Brian Ney with Adrian’s and he has told me that Adrian’s Ice Road will be open for business on Thursday December 16th with NO Restrictions…GAME ON! The fishing wasn’t stellar today by any means, but people are catching fish and having fun! The best report came today from some guys in portables who were fishing right off the US/Canadian line in 28 feet of water. That’s pretty deep for this time of year, but that’s where they were at today. There is currently 14 inches of ice on the big body of water and we expect another COOOOOOOOOOOOLD night (-20 below), which should make us a few more inches. The following few days after tomorrow we will be expecting a little heat wave, which should keep us at least in single digits. The fishing should only get better and better as we move into the weekend. We look forward to seeing you all on Lake of the Woods very shortly…God Bless.

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day.

Wigwam Fisherman

Friday, December 10, 2010

12-10-10 LOW Fishing Report Video




Today was a bit slower than I wanted, but we still caught fish and the color made all the difference in my mind. Troy was using a glow green Macho-Minnow and out caught me 3 to 1. I was using the same lure, but glow pink. There were about 5 occasions that I was able to have the fish follow my lure up about 5 feet on the Vexilar and then they would just slowly drift back to the bottom. It was a tad bit frustrating, but that’s fishing. The Barometric Pressure is on the rise, which isn’t the best for fishing, but we’re going to take it in stride and keep on smiling…happy thoughts people, happy thoughts.

Now that everyone knows that fishing has started up on Lake of the Woods, I will cut back the video reports to 2 -3 times a week. I love doing it and I’m thrilled about the response from the viewers…I hope it keeps everyone up on everything Lake of the Woods.

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day.

Wigwam Fisherman

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Get Ready Boys and Girls, Lake of the Woods, “The Worlds Best Hard Water Fishery” is MAKING ICE!!!!

Good morning to all!

Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. Well as many of you probably already know, Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are making ice each and every day. The past few days we were bombarded with about 10 inches of snow and the mood is changing from deer hunting to snowmobiling and ice fishing very quickly around these here parts of northern Minnesota…Jody and I love it! These next few days will be very important as to how quickly we’re able to get out there this year and start ICE FISHING! I’ll keep everyone posted day to day as to the progress of the ice on Facebook and Twitter, so keep checking back for all the winter wonderland details.

Be sure to checkout our December 19th – 23rd Ice Fishing Special on our website homepage at www.wigwamresortlow.com. It’s only for new reservations (no exceptions), you can’t beat the deal, and I can guarantee you won’t see it again all winter, so jump on it today! For reservations, please call our helpful staff at (800) 448-9260 and get started on your trip to “The Worlds Best Hard Water Fishery”, Lake of the Woods.

On a more serious note, Jody’s Uncle, Steven Hanson of Baudette, lost his battle with lung cancer late last week. The funeral and burial were held yesterday, and this was a time for remembering and reflecting on the impact Steven made in so many lives. The eeriest thing for me was that after hearing so much about Steven, how much he reminded me of my father in the way he lived and died. This came from his quite yet strong demander, to his service for our great nation while serving in Vietnam in the late 60’s. It has been 4-1/2 years since I lost my father to cancer and from seeing the look in Steven’s family’s eye’s brought me back to that day and put many tears in my eyes, not just for my loss, but I truly understand what their family is going through right now. I did have the opportunity of meeting Steven, his family, and most of the other family members the week prior to his passing for an early Thanksgiving at Steven and Karen’s home. There were plenty of stories of hunting, hockey and service for our country. I feel very blessed to have met him and his entire family. Stevens’s favorite time of year was right now, Whitetail Deer hunting season, and it only seems fit that’s where his journey on this earth should end. My condolences go to Karen, Mike, Kevin and their families. May God bless you all with the gift of remembering and keeping alive all that was Steven Hansen…God Bless.

ICE FISHING REMINDER!!!!!

Ice fishing is right around the corner and the Wigwam Resort is starting to fill up for December and January already. I have to make this know, because one of our longtime patrons called me this morning to make a group reservation for the 3rd weekend in December and I had to tell him that we are all sold out of cabins. Needless to say he was a tad bit bummed, and he said, “I shouldn’t have waited this long, the guys are going to be so mad”. I don’t want anyone to have to be mad at anyone, so if you’re looking to ice fishing on Lake of the Woods this winter and you want to stay at the Wigwam Resort, you might want to check on availability as soon as possible. With the great fishing we’ve had all summer; people are making reservations ice fishing before they’ve even left the resort. Many of you have been fishing here all summer and know what it’s been like day in and day out and you’re not missing your chance to fish Lake of the Woods, and stay at the best resort on the lake (Wigwam Resort), my humble opinion.

If you haven’t become a fan of the Wigwam Resort-low on Facebook, what are you waiting for? I’m posting on there daily and have found it a great way to communicate with everyone on a regular basis. I will be posting all of our weekly meal specials and drink specials on there also. Take advantage of Facebook and everything it allows you to do. We look forward to having you as our friends on Facebook. Also, we have just received a new stock of hats (seen pictured here). If you’d like to have the new Wigwam hat, and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to see us soon, just give us a call and you can purchase the Wigwam hat over the phone (800) 448-9260. We will package and mail your order promptly.

Announcements…If you’re looking for some great fishing and lodging deals, check out the November Specials we will be offering on our website www.wigwamresortlow.com. We are running a Fall Special. The Special will be as follows: $35 per person per night lodging in the lodge or cabins (restrictions will apply with number of people in cabins). NOVEMBER ICE FISHING SPECIAL - If you book by November 30th for a February Mid-Week Ice Fishing Package you will get a 15% discount. That’s Sunday night – Wednesday night 15% off all Mid-Week Ice Fishing Packages. To qualify for this you must have the deposit paid by November 30th. Each lodging charge is subject to applicable federal, state and local sales tax. Applicable to new reservations only. I also wanted to tell you all about our Veterans and Armed Forces Special, which we have running 365 days a year. Wigwam Resort gives Veterans and our currently enlisted Armed Forces a 10% discount on any package plus whatever specials we are giving. We want to thank you all for your service…God Bless America!

If you’re looking for an affordable vacation this winter, at a first class fishing resort, you’ve just found it! For additional information, please call one of our knowledgeable staff members at (800) 448-9260, and start your journey to the “Walleye Capitol of the World”!

Today’s “Quote of the Day”…”Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.” - Albert Einstein. Well today’s quote comes from a very famous inventor and someone whom we would all consider to have been very successful. His success didn’t just come from his considerable scientific contributions, but also from being a man of value. After the events of this past weekend, it really got me thinking of what makes a man successful. Is it money? Is it power? Is it friends? Is it fame? Is it knowledge? I personally believe that the success of a man lies in the value of his work ethic and the amount of people that the individual has helped or influenced in a positive way through his/her life. I don’t believe it’s all about us...I think you must make it about others to become successful. I’m sure some people are going to say I’m crazy, but that’s what makes my world go round, helping others. Yesterday I went to pick up Jody at work to bring her to her uncles funeral, and I started chatting with her boss, who is helping out with the Lake of the Woods High School Hockey Team this winter. It really got me thinking about what I could give back to help others. I feel that through my years of hockey that I was blessed to learn a thing or two about the game, and I might just be able to help someone, or many, get to do the same things that I got the chance to do through my life in hockey. If one person gets the opportunity to fulfill his or her dream because of some information I might have locked away in my head that would make it all worth it. We are not greedy people, rather people that want to see others succeed and achieve their goals and aspirations. By having that outlook and being a man or women of value, I truly believe that day after day our world will become a better place for all. I challenge each of you to be men and women of value, and I bet your successes will be achieved above and beyond all that you can comprehend…God Bless.

Daily Fishing Report: Today we will have on and off snow flurries are possible along with variably cloudy skies, it will be cold with a high 16F with winds light and variable. Tonight we should have cloudy skies with late-night snow showers, low 8F with winds SE at 10 to 15 mph…there will be a 50% chance of snow. Tomorrow we should see snow showers early, with a steadier snow developing late in the day, high 26F with winds ESE at 15 to 25 mph…there will be a 90% chance of snow and about one inch of snow expected. Tomorrow night we should see snow in the evening that will transition to snow showers overnight, low around 20F with winds SE at 10 to 20 mph…there will be a 90% chance of snow and some snow accumulation possible. Thursday we should have snow showers possible, highs in the low 20s and lows in the upper single digits. Friday we should have considerable cloudiness with highs in the low 20s and lows in the low teens. Saturday we should see a mix of sun and clouds, highs in the upper 20s and lows in the upper teens. Well, we won’t be ice fishing out there for at least a few more days, but keep watching because it could be as little as 7 -10 before it’s safe and I’ll keep everyone informed as to the ice conditions and the fishing as they come in. I think even as soon as this weekend I might be walking out from the Wigwam Docks and drilling a couple holes…I CAN’T WAIT! Again, I will keep you all informed as to what’s happening on “The Worlds Best Hard Water Fishery”, Lake of the Woods. You can purchase your lures and bait from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. Also, Tom’s Tackle, a local tackle making company makes all the lures that I use and you can get your own Tom’s Tackle jigs and lures at Log Cabin Bait. Use what works for us on Lake of the Woods, “Tom’s Tackle”, a local company that know what works on Lake of the Woods. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.

My shout out today will go to Jody’s Mother, Ellen, whom I just met for the first time this past weekend. She has been in Florida and hasn’t had the chance to make it back up here till just this past weekend for her brother’s funeral. I just wanted to say thank you for passing down your wonderful work ethic to your daughter. After seeing you sweep and shovel all weekend I see where she gets all of her spunk from. I’m so glad that we finally had the opportunity to meet. Jody and I both are already looking forward to your return next fall for the wedding. Thanks again and have a wonderful trip back to the warmth of Florida.

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman
Wigwam Resort
www.wigwamresortlow.com

Monday, November 15, 2010

As the Temperatures Cool on Lake of the Woods, the Excitement Starts to Mount for Ice Fishing

Good morning to all!

Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. I hope everyone had a productive weekend fishing, hunting, or just working around the house. I was able to get a deer this past Thursday afternoon, which put a hug smile on my face. Jody and I, just the week earlier had run out of venison from last years deer, so there was a major need for the venison. So, our weekend consisted of skinning, chopping, cutting and canning that tender deer…YES! I’m so glad that I have Jody to help me do these things, it’s sure great to have the perfect mate…I am truly blessed.

There were a number of hunters that were able to bag a deer or two up in Lake of the Woods County this past weekend, and just as the Walleyes put smiles on faces, so do the Whitetail. Just yesterday I served breakfast to at least 10 people, whom all were just our guests that had shot a deer over the weekend. Many of these individuals were from the Twin Cities, but all there hunting and fishing is done up on Lake of the Woods and in Lake of the Woods County. As conversation goes, we started talking about the hunting and what a great season it’s been so far. Every one of them said, and I quote “there’s no place like Lake of the Woods”! Its music to my ears each and every time I am blessed to hear that phrase. I hope to hear that phrase many more times as the Worlds Best Hard Water Fishery begins to take form as the cold weather settles upon us once again. If you’re interested in deer hunting in Lake of the Woods this next week, or next year, don’t hesitate to ask Tom and I about the great hunting locations we have at our finger tips.

On a fishing front, a number of our guest and the locals are still having great success straight across from Wheelers Resort and the Public Access, by the wind sock in the Rainy River. It has also come to my attention that across from Wabanica Church and by the airport in Baudette has also been very productive hot spots. On the bright sunny days, be sure to be using some gold on your lure, and on the overcast days, be sure to be using a solid Pink Glow or Chartreuse Glow Jigs to ensure the fish can see the lures. Frozen and live Shiners have still been the ticket, but as most of you know, I prefer the frozen. The depth of preference has been 12 – 16 feet of water right on the contour breaks. The monsters Walleyes are really starting to be caught in the river rite now so don’t miss out.

ICE FISHING REMINDER!!!!!

Ice fishing is right around the corner and the Wigwam Resort is starting to fill up for December and January already. I have to make this know, because one of our longtime patrons called me this morning to make a group reservation for the 3rd weekend in December and I had to tell him that we are all sold out of cabins. Needless to say he was a tad bit bummed, and he said, “I shouldn’t have waited this long, the guys are going to be so mad”. I don’t want anyone to have to be mad at anyone, so if you’re looking to ice fishing on Lake of the Woods this winter and you want to stay at the Wigwam Resort, you might want to check on availability as soon as possible. With the great fishing we’ve had all summer; people are making reservations ice fishing before they’ve even left the resort. Many of you have been fishing here all summer and know what it’s been like day in and day out and you’re not missing your chance to fish Lake of the Woods, and stay at the best resort on the lake (Wigwam Resort), my humble opinion.

If you haven’t become a fan of the Wigwam Resort-low on Facebook, what are you waiting for? I’m posting on there daily and have found it a great way to communicate with everyone on a regular basis. I will be posting all of our weekly meal specials and drink specials on there also. Take advantage of Facebook and everything it allows you to do. We look forward to having you as our friends on Facebook. Also, we have just received a new stock of hats (seen pictured here). If you’d like to have the new Wigwam hat, and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to see us soon, just give us a call and you can purchase the Wigwam hat over the phone (800) 448-9260. We will package and mail your order promptly.

Announcements…If you’re looking for some great fishing and lodging deals, check out the November Specials we will be offering on our website www.wigwamresortlow.com. We are running a Fall Special. The Special will be as follows: $35 per person per night lodging in the lodge or cabins (restrictions will apply with number of people in cabins). NOVEMBER ICE FISHING SPECIAL - If you book by November 30th for a February Mid-Week Ice Fishing Package you will get a 15% discount. That’s Sunday night – Wednesday night 15% off all Mid-Week Ice Fishing Packages. To qualify for this you must have the deposit paid by November 30th. Each lodging charge is subject to applicable federal, state and local sales tax. Applicable to new reservations only. I also wanted to tell you all about our Veterans and Armed Forces Special, which we have running 365 days a year. Wigwam Resort gives Veterans and our currently enlisted Armed Forces a 10% discount on any package plus whatever specials we are giving. We want to thank you all for your service…God Bless America!

If you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, at a first class fishing resort, you’ve just found it! For additional information, please call one of our knowledgeable staff members at (800) 448-9260, and start your journey to the “Walleye Capitol of the World”!

Today’s “Quote of the Day”…”Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” - Benjamin Franklin. The more quotes I read from Benjamin Franklin, one of our countries Founding Fathers, the more I admire and respect him. His philosophy at times was straight common sense, which I think is advice we all should adhere to, no matter what we believe. This past week Jody and I had a little dryer trouble, and thank goodness it was covered under warranty. Ten years ago I would have been upset that something like this happened, but the way the following events played out, were as if someone was trying to make a point to me. Since the passing of my father, more than 4 years ago, I have been fighting with the worry of, will that which happen to my father, happen to me. I know that’s foolish to think such thoughts, but sometimes the reality hits and we can live one of two ways. First by worrying day in and day out about something that we have no control over or second do not worry day in and day out about something that we have no control over and live our lives to the fullest. I have tried to live my life the past year and half as not worrying and living life day to day as she comes to me, facing challenges one at a time as they are presented, and let me tell you, that’s living. I believe that there are others looking out for us, no matter where they may be, for example the dryer. It turns out that the guy contracted to do the repair was an old co-worker of my fathers while he worked at Marvin Windows and Doors in Warroad. We didn’t find this out until he was about ready to leave after helping us for two days. The room he was working in for those two days had a few pictures of my father and he put two and two together. He made a special run out to our house from the Greenbush area just to help us out, and as he was leaving the house Jody tried to hand him a couple extra bucks for coming out on his day off to help. He respectfully denied the money and said that he would do anything for Curt’s (my father) family. It turns out that he may have known more about me than I know about myself…haha. He would travel with my father to different Marvin plants across the United States over a 6 year stretch, and he said he heard everything about my brother and me during that time. He said that my father was so proud of what we had accomplished, and he was honored to finally meet me. It’s been over 4 years since my father has been able to talk to me, but it looks as if he is still looking out for us. What were the chances of that happening? As soon as the gentleman left Jody and I hugged and shed a few tears. I know that this may ramble, but where I’m going with this is; we have no control over the future. I challenge each of you to live this week, month, year or the rest of your life without worrying about things you have no control over and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself in a much better place…God Bless.

Daily Fishing Report: Today we should have considerable cloudiness, the temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s with winds light and variable. Tonight should be mainly cloudy, low 23F with winds light and variable. Tomorrow should be cloudy, high 36F with winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow night we should see cloudy skies, low near 25F with winds light and variable. Wednesday should be cloudy highs in the mid 30s and lows in the upper teens. Thursday we should see considerable cloudiness, highs in the low 30s and lows in the low 20s. Friday we should see snow showers at times, highs in the mid 30s and lows in the upper teens. Today’s fishing report will be provided by me, a few of our guests and some local talent. The Rainy River Walleye bite has pick up dramatically and I’ve heard through the grapevine that right out from Wheelers Point Resort and right by the windsock that people are doing well in 12 to 16 feet of water. Also, there have been great reports from right the Wabanica Church area and the Baudette Airport. The colors are still pretty consistent, Pink and Chartreuse has been very effective. As we get colder weather the Walleyes will undoubtedly continue to run into the river. I also heard that right outside Lighthouse and Morris Gap’s they’re still catching fish from the 14 – 20 foot range. If you’re fishing the river, be sure you have ¾ to 1 oz jigs, we really have some current flowing and you have to be on the bottom to catch the Walleyes. You can purchase your Jigs, Frozen Shiners, Rapalas and Reef Runners from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. Also, Tom’s Tackle, a local tackle making company makes all the jigs and spinners that I use and you can get your own Tom’s Tackle jigs and lures at Log Cabin Bait. Use what works for us on Lake of the Woods, “Tom’s Tackle”, a local company that know what works on Lake of the Woods. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.

My shout out today will go to all the hunters we’ve had stay with us so far this hunting season. The books have shown an up tick in guests this fall and we’re heading in the right direction. I wanted to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to have you as our guests at the Wigwam Resort on beautiful Lake of the Woods “The Walleye Capitol of the World”! We hope to see you all back this winter for the Worlds Best Hard Water Fishing. Lake of the Woods…Paradise without a Passport!

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman
Wigwam Resort
www.wigwamresortlow.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Rainy River Walleye Bite Intensifies as the Minnesota Deer Season Begins

Good morning to all!

Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. I hope everyone had a great start to their deer hunting season. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous for the deer hunting, maybe a little too nice, but I’ll take it. Last Friday I did have the opportunity to take a few of my friends fishing one last time before the buck fever sets in, so we went back to the Sister to pull some plugs. We didn’t have the same success that I had the Monday prior, but it was still fun and we caught fish. Thanks Dougie Bear and Harlan for being such great fishing partners, we’ll see you again this week and we’ll chase those deer around.

The last few days I’ve been hunting some State land and also some private land owned by a few of my friends. I am documenting my daily hunts and hopefully will have a good compilation of the footage, with a deer at the end…haha. I have yet to shoot anything, but I have shot at a deer two days ago. Just as the sun was setting I took 4 shots and it didn’t even move, it was standing about 150 yards away and it had me absolutely baffled. I made the big mistake and took it for granted that my scope was sighted in, but low and behold it wasn’t…crap. Yesterday Tom and I took it in the back and sighted it in and I was off by over 20 inches. Now it’s dialed in and I hope to see something the next time I’m out, which might be as soon as tonight. Another one of my friends has offered up his property to see if I might be able to put some venison on the table, and I hope to take full advantage of this opportunity and do just that.

On a fishing front, a number of our guest and the locals are having great success straight across from Wheelers Resort and the Public Access, by the wind sock in the Rainy River. On the bright sunny days, be sure to be using some gold on your lure, and on the overcast days, be sure to be using a solid Pink Glow or Chartreuse Glow Jigs to ensure the fish can see the lures. Frozen and live Shiners have still been the ticket, but as most of you know, I prefer the frozen. The depth of preference has been 14 – 18 feet of water right on the contour breaks. I haven’t heard of any monsters being caught, but the bite is very consistent.

ICE FISHING REMINDER!!!!!

Ice fishing is right around the corner and the Wigwam Resort is starting to fill up for December and January already. I have to make this know, because one of our longtime patrons called me this morning to make a group reservation for the 3rd weekend in December and I had to tell him that we are all sold out of cabins. Needless to say he was a tad bit bummed, and he said, “I shouldn’t have waited this long, the guys are going to be so mad”. I don’t want anyone to have to be mad at anyone, so if you’re looking to ice fishing on Lake of the Woods this winter and you want to stay at the Wigwam Resort, you might want to check on availability as soon as possible. With the great fishing we’ve had all summer; people are making reservations ice fishing before they’ve even left the resort. Many of you have been fishing here all summer and know what it’s been like day in and day out and you’re not missing your chance to fish Lake of the Woods, and stay at the best resort on the lake (Wigwam Resort), my humble opinion.

If you haven’t become a fan of the Wigwam Resort-low on Facebook, what are you waiting for? I’m posting on there daily and have found it a great way to communicate with everyone on a regular basis. I will be posting all of our weekly meal specials and drink specials on there also. Take advantage of Facebook and everything it allows you to do. We look forward to having you as our friends on Facebook. Also, we have just received a new stock of hats (seen pictured here). If you’d like to have the new Wigwam hat, and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to see us soon, just give us a call and you can purchase the Wigwam hat over the phone (800) 448-9260. We will package and mail your order promptly.

Announcements…If you’re looking for some great fishing and lodging deals, check out the November Specials we will be offering on our website www.wigwamresortlow.com. We are running a Fall Special. The Special will be as follows: $35 per person per night lodging in the lodge or cabins (restrictions will apply with number of people in cabins). NOVEMBER ICE FISHING SPECIAL - If you book by November 30th for a February Mid-Week Ice Fishing Package you will get a 15% discount. That’s Sunday night – Wednesday night 15% off all Mid-Week Ice Fishing Packages. To qualify for this you must have the deposit paid by November 30th. Each lodging charge is subject to applicable federal, state and local sales tax. Applicable to new reservations only. I also wanted to tell you all about our Veterans and Armed Forces Special, which we have running 365 days a year. Wigwam Resort gives Veterans and our currently enlisted Armed Forces a 10% discount on any package plus whatever specials we are giving. We want to thank you all for your service…God Bless America!

If you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, at a first class fishing resort, you’ve just found it! For additional information, please call one of our knowledgeable staff members at (800) 448-9260, and start your journey to the “Walleye Capitol of the World”!

Today’s “Quote of the Day”…”Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.” - Doug Firebaugh. This is a life lesson that has been taught throughout all of time itself, and if we adhere to its message, the world will most definitely be better tomorrow than it is today. Each and everyday Jody and I try to do things that will make this world a better place, no matter what it is. Every time we sit down at the table, we pray for a better tomorrow for all our friends, family and even people we don’t know. We know that prayer is not the only thing that will get it done though. Every day you must DO SOMETHING that will inch you closer, like cleaning your garage, or a room, or the local park, or going across the street and helping the neighbor with something they may need help with. I think that by all of us having discipline and a commitment to bettering tomorrow, it will bring us one step closer to the things we all desire and cherish. I hope that each of you will take the time to do something every day, no matter what it is, to bring about a better tomorrow for the next generation of Americans, and heck why stop there, lets think big, THE WORLD…God Bless.

Daily Fishing Report: Today: Sun and clouds mixed, near record high temperatures, high 61F with winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight, low 46F with winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow we should have cloudy skies with a few showers later in the day, near record high temperatures, high 59F with winds SE at 10 to 20 mph…there will be a 30% chance of rain. Tomorrow night should be overcast with rain showers at times with thunder possible, low 41F with winds SE at 10 to 20 mph…there will be a 50% chance of rain. Thursday we should have a chance of showers, highs in the mid 40s and lows in the low 30s. Friday we should have times of sun and clouds, highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid 20s. Saturday we should see a mix of sun and clouds, highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid 20s. Today’s fishing report will be provided by me, a few of our guests and some local talent. The Rainy River Walleye bite has started to pick up and I’ve heard through the grapevine that right out from Wheelers Point Resort and right by the windsock that people are doing well in 15 feet of water. The colors are still pretty consistent, Pink and Chartreuse has been very effective. As we get colder weather the Walleyes will undoubtedly continue to run into the river. I also heard that right outside Lighthouse and Morris Gap’s they’re still catching fish from the 14 – 20 foot range. If you’re fishing the river, be sure you have ¾ to 1 oz jigs, we really have some current flowing and you have to be on the bottom to catch the Walleyes. Last Monday and Friday I went up by the Three Sisters and pulled some plugs and had some awesome success. On Monday I caught nothing but big Walleyes on TDD-9 Blue/Silver/Red Rapalas. On Friday we hooked into some nice Walleyes and Northern Pike, but it wasn’t as good as Monday. So, the question must be asked about the Nine Footer and the Twenty Nine Footer. I haven’t personally fished them this fall, but if there holding at the sisters, they might just be holding there also. If anyone heads up that way, please let me know how you do. You can purchase your Jigs, Frozen Shiners, Rapalas and Reef Runners from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. Also, Tom’s Tackle, a local tackle making company makes all the jigs and spinners that I use and you can get your own Tom’s Tackle jigs and lures at Log Cabin Bait. Use what works for us on Lake of the Woods, “Tom’s Tackle”, a local company that know what works on Lake of the Woods. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.

My shout out today will go to the hard working employees of the Wigwam Resort. I would like to thank you personally for all your hard work this fall. Fall cleaning, while servicing customers, has gone off without a hitch this fall. In years past we just haven’t had the guest presence that we have seen this season, and everyone here has made it a great experience for all to enjoy. Thanks again to the entire Wigwam staff, we appreciate all your hard work and nothing goes overlooked.
Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman
Wigwam Resort
www.wigwamresortlow.com

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Late Fall Trolling for MONSTER WALLEYE on LOW. Video shot on 11-1-10 -

Late Fall Trolling for MONSTER WALLEYE on LOW. Video shot on 11-1-10 -

Late Fall Lake of the Woods Walleye Bite is back after the Wind Recedes

Good morning to all!

Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. I wanted to start off by throwing out a big Wigwam Thank You to the Jason Madden Group form Iowa that visited us over the weekend. This group consisted of three brothers, a grandfather, a cousin and a friend. I had the pleasure of showing them around the lake Friday and Saturday. The fishing wasn’t phenomenal, but we managed to get a few Walleye, Sauger and Perch to send home with the boys. After the windy few days we had prior to there arrival, the lake was like chocolate milk everywhere but the Gaps, so we were limited to those spots. We found most of the fish in 16-1/2 feet of water in Morris Gap. We did see a few being caught out of Lighthouse, but there was most definitely more action at Morris. Thanks again guys for being our guests and giving me the opportunity to meet all of you. We hope you had a wonderful time and we look forward to seeing you all back this winter.

On Monday afternoon at about 3 PM, I looked out the window and there was barely any wind and it was sunny and close to 60 degrees. My mind started running and I thought I better get out on the lake just one more time before the weather turns for good, it was November 1st. So, I proceeded to get the boat and head to the Canadian side of Lake of the Woods, just east of the Nine Footer, to The Three Sisters. The Three Sisters is a rocky formation that is on the edge of the big body of water, just inside of the Canadian border. Oh yeah, another great fact is it also just happens to run up on a sand bar. For many of you that read my blog, you know that I love to fish the rocks and on this fabulous November day that’s just what I was going to do.

I started pulling TD-11 & TDD-9 Rapalas (Blue/Silver/Red) along the rock shelf in about 22 feet of water. I was marking plenty of fish, but just not picking any up, so I proceeded to head in to 18 feet and see what I could pick up. This move was the smartest thing I did all day. In a two hour period I picked up a 16”, 23-1/2”, 27-1/2”, 28-1/2” and a 31” Walleye…I love it! Pulling plugs on Lake of the Woods is one of my favorite techniques and on Monday it landed me the biggest Walleye I’ve ever caught on Lake of the Woods, and I’ve been fishing here for 18 years. Needless to say I’m a little pumped!

I have people that ask me all the time about fishing in Canada, and most think that you have to stay in Canada to fish there, that is flat wrong. Many of the locals around the Baudette area purchase a RABC (Remote Area Border Crossing) Permit from the Ontario Customs and an Ontario fishing license, which allows us to fish Canadian waters of Lake of the Woods. My personal opinion is this, the big body of water holds the big fish, as many of you know, and that’s where you want to be fishing. If you’d like to fish the Canadian side of Lake of the Woods and stay with the Wigwam, please shoot me an e-mail (jp@wigwamresortlow.com) and I can help you put something together.

This was sure a day to remember, and maybe something that might get your blood pumping every time you’re getting ready to visit us on Lake of the Woods. I have put a little video together of my latest excursion which landed me the biggest Walleye of my life, by The Three Sisters on Lake of the Woods, and here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0V-rHm_BTA.

ICE FISHING REMINDER!!!!!
Ice fishing is right around the corner and the Wigwam Resort is starting to fill up for December and January already. I have to make this know, because one of our longtime patrons called me this morning to make a group reservation for the 3rd weekend in December and I had to tell him that we are all sold out of cabins. Needless to say he was a tad bit bummed, and he said, “I shouldn’t have waited this long, the guys are going to be so mad”. I don’t want anyone to have to be mad at anyone, so if you’re looking to ice fishing on Lake of the Woods this winter and you want to stay at the Wigwam Resort, you might want to check on availability as soon as possible. With the great fishing we’ve had all summer; people are making reservations ice fishing before they’ve even left the resort. Many of you have been fishing here all summer and know what it’s been like day in and day out and you’re not missing your chance to fish Lake of the Woods, and stay at the best resort on the lake (Wigwam Resort), my humble opinion.

If you haven’t become a fan of the Wigwam Resort-low on Facebook, what are you waiting for? I’m posting on there daily and have found it a great way to communicate with everyone on a regular basis. I will be posting all of our weekly meal specials and drink specials on there also. Take advantage of Facebook and everything it allows you to do. We look forward to having you as our friends on Facebook. Also, we have just received a new stock of hats (seen pictured here). If you’d like to have the new Wigwam hat, and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to see us soon, just give us a call and you can purchase the Wigwam hat over the phone (800) 448-9260. We will package and mail your order promptly.

Announcements…If you’re looking for some great fishing and lodging deals, check out the November Specials we will be offering on our website www.wigwamresortlow.com. We are running a Fall Special. The Special will be as follows: $35 per person per night lodging in the lodge or cabins (restrictions will apply with number of people in cabins). NOVEMBER ICE FISHING SPECIAL - If you book by November 30th for a February Mid-Week Ice Fishing Package you will get a 15% discount. That’s Sunday night – Wednesday night 15% off all Mid-Week Ice Fishing Packages. To qualify for this you must have the deposit paid by November 30th. Each lodging charge is subject to applicable federal, state and local sales tax. Applicable to new reservations only. I also wanted to tell you all about our Veterans and Armed Forces Special, which we have running 365 days a year. Wigwam Resort gives Veterans and our currently enlisted Armed Forces a 10% discount on any package plus whatever specials we are giving. We want to thank you all for your service…God Bless America!

If you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, at a first class fishing resort, you’ve just found it! For additional information, please call one of our knowledgeable staff members at (800) 448-9260, and start your journey to the “Walleye Capitol of the World”!

Today’s “Quote of the Day”…”The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more significant and the higher in inspiration his life will be.” - Horace Bushnell. In today’s day and age with all the hardships you see everyday people going through I believe there is something inspirational in store for all our lives at the end of this leg in our journey. It’s hard to find someone whose life that hasn’t been affected in one shape or form by our lagging economy. Most everyone has a good outlook though, even despite the tough times, and I think that is the most important part. As we battle on a daily basis the inspiration of life needs to overflow. Where my life has been inspired is, to help others and do as much as I can to help people enjoy life. I have been blessed with a fantastic opportunity to put smiles on peoples faces each and every day, and this is what I believe I was put on this earth to do. The people I meet inspire me to be better and do better for others, so I challenge each of you to do the same. Let’s together make this world a better place for those we will eventually leave it to…God Bless.

Daily Fishing Report: Today we should see plenty of sunshine, high 49F with winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy, low 34F with winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow we should have considerable clouds early, with some decrease in clouds later in the day, temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s with winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow night we should have a few clouds, low 28F with winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Friday we should have plenty of sun, highs in the low 40s and lows in the low 30s. Saturday we should have times of sun and clouds, highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s. Sunday should be mostly cloudy, highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s. Today’s fishing report will be provided by me, a few of our guests and some local talent. Morris Gap has had the most consistent and best fishing this fall for me and our guests. This weekend we were fishing in 16-1/2 feet of water in Morris Gap and consistently caught fish, mostly Saugers, but the Walleyes were there to be had. Lighthouse Gap closest to Pine Island in 14 – 18 feet of water also produced for some of our guests. If you’re fishing in the Rainy River I heard through the grapevine that right out from Wheelers Point Resort by the windsock that people are doing well in 15 feet of water. The colors are still pretty consistent, Pink and Chartreuse have been very effective. As we get colder weather the Walleyes will undoubtedly run into the river after the Shiners that should be running a little bit better now. If you’re fishing the river, be sure you have ¾ to 1 oz jigs, we really have some current flowing and you have to be on the bottom to catch the Walleyes. Just a few days ago I went up by the Three Sisters and pulled some plugs and had some awesome success. I caught nothing but big Walleyes on TDD-9 Blue/Silver/Red Rapalas (here's the YouTube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0V-rHm_BTA). So, the question must be asked about the Nine Footer and the Twenty Nine Footer. I haven’t personally fished them this fall, but if there holding at the sisters, they might just be holding there also. If anyone heads up that way, please let me know how you do. You can purchase your Jigs, Frozen Shiners, Rapalas and Reef Runners from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. Also, Tom’s Tackle, a local tackle making company makes all the jigs and spinners that I use and you can get your own Tom’s Tackle jigs and lures at Log Cabin Bait. Use what works for us on Lake of the Woods, “Tom’s Tackle”, a local company that know what works on Lake of the Woods. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.

My shout out today will go to the hard working employees of the Wigwam Resort. I would like to thank you personally for all your hard work this fall. Fall cleaning, while servicing customers, has gone off without a hitch this fall. In years past we just haven’t had the guest presence that we have seen this season, and everyone here has made it a great experience for all to enjoy. Thanks again to the entire Wigwam staff, we appreciate all your hard work and nothing goes overlooked.
Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman
Wigwam Resort
www.wigwamresortlow.com

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Here Comes the Wind and the Snow to Lake of the Woods

Good morning to all!

Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. I hope everyone has had another fantastic fall week and weekend. I didn’t think we’d get it this quick, but I think the snow might be coming to pay us a little visit today and tomorrow, up to 4 inches worth. I hope it’s not a teaser and leaves us right away, but that might be the case. The weather is supposed to be in the 40’s for the next week, which might melt that wonderful white snow. It’s that time of year and it’s supposed to get into the high 20’s each night and that should start cooling off the lake and get it ready for that first good layer of ice, which is hopefully less than a month away (my wishful thinking).

Over this past weekend we had great weather on Lake of the Woods and our guests were having an abundance amount of fun. Each and every person I talked to had a great time and caught fish. The fishing in the Rainy River is still a little bit slower than the lake, but the fish are inching their way further into the river each and every day. In the Gaps (Morris and Lighthouse) in 20 +/- feet of water the fishing has been fabulous, as I have first hand experience. Some of our guests also had some great success in 20 feet of water out from Zipple Bay.

The fishing is still great, but the cold weather is coming and I’m sure that plenty of you will have hunting on the mind for about the next month or so. Don’t forget that Lake of the Woods County has a tremendous amount of State land that can be hunted for Deer, Duck, Bear, Goose, Partridge and Sharptail Grouse, just to name a few. If you’re interested in learning more about the unbelievable hunting we experience here in Lake of the Woods County, please give the office a call and ask for Tom or myself (JP)…we’re here for you!

On Monday afternoon I was able to fish with a couple guests and let me tell you, despite the rain, the fishing was most definitely been best that I have encountered this fall. We were fishing in 21-1/2 feet of water in Morris Gap and Pink was the color of the day. In a 3 hour period we set the hook on over 50 fish, most of them were Saugers, but the bite was constant…I love it! We did catch about 15 Walleyes that were very nice, the biggest 23”. Yesterday I took the same guests partridge hunting with me and we bagged 3 and saw 6, on which was a terrible day, weather wise. I don’t think it stopped raining once yesterday and we still found the birds, it was awesome!

I have put another video together and placed it on the Wigwam Resort Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001111387527). This should get you all fired up for Ice Fishing on Lake of the Woods, “The Worlds Best Hard Water Fishery”. For all of you that have ice fishing on Lake of the Woods you will know this to be a solid fact, as solid as the 3 to 5 feet of ice we will get this winter. I hope to see you all here at one or two points this winter. With the current fishing success I am anticipating this to be the best winter EVER on Lake of the Woods, so don’t miss out and come be our guest.

ICE FISHING REMINDER!!!!!

Ice fishing is right around the corner and the Wigwam Resort is starting to fill up for December and January already. I have to make this know, because one of our longtime patrons called me this morning to make a group reservation for the 3rd weekend in December and I had to tell him that we are all sold out of cabins. Needless to say he was a tad bit bummed, and he said, “I shouldn’t have waited this long, the guys are going to be so mad”. I don’t want anyone to have to be mad at anyone, so if you’re looking to ice fishing on Lake of the Woods this winter and you want to stay at the Wigwam Resort, you might want to check on availability as soon as possible. With the great fishing we’ve had all summer; people are making reservations ice fishing before they’ve even left the resort. Many of you have been fishing here all summer and know what it’s been like day in and day out and you’re not missing your chance to fish Lake of the Woods, and stay at the best resort on the lake (Wigwam Resort), my humble opinion.

If you haven’t become a fan of the Wigwam Resort-low on Facebook, what are you waiting for? I’m posting on there daily and have found it a great way to communicate with everyone on a regular basis. I will be posting all of our weekly meal specials and drink specials on there also. Take advantage of Facebook and everything it allows you to do. We look forward to having you as our friends on Facebook. Also, we have just received a new stock of hats (seen pictured here). If you’d like to have the new Wigwam hat, and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to see us soon, just give us a call and you can purchase the Wigwam hat over the phone (800) 448-9260. We will package and mail your order promptly.

Announcements…If you’re looking for some great fishing and lodging deals, check out the October Specials we will be offering on our website www.wigwamresortlow.com. We are running a Fall Special. The Special will be as follows: $35 per person per night lodging in the lodge or cabins (restrictions will apply with number of people in cabins) and $90 per person per day for a full day of full service guided launch service and $65 per person per day for a half day of full service guided launch service. Also checkout the Newsletter Special we have on our website, under the Newsletter page, and don’t worry, it will be worth your while. Each lodging charge is subject to applicable federal, state and local sales tax. Applicable to new reservations only. I also wanted to tell you all about our Veterans and Armed Forces Special, which we have running 365 days a year. Wigwam Resort gives Veterans and our currently enlisted Armed Forces a 10% discount on any package plus whatever specials we are giving. We want to thank you all for your service…God Bless America!

If you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, at a first class fishing resort, you’ve just found it! For additional information, please call one of our knowledgeable staff members at (800) 448-9260, and start your journey to the “Walleye Capitol of the World”!

Today’s “Quote of the Day”…”The more a man knows, the more he forgives.” - Catherine the Great. Throughout my life, I hate to admit this, but as I always say “it is what it is”, I have not been too forgiving of a person. But within the past few years I have learned to forgive a little bit more, and I think it has a direct correlation to fact that I know more today than I knew yesterday. So, I will adamantly agree with Catherine the Great. The more you learn about things, and I don’t care what it is, it might be about how easy or how tough things are in the real world. It’s the facts of life; we generally become humble and more apt to forgiving once we’ve actually been in those similar situations. This has been my life lesson from God, and I have most definitely become a much more forgiving person as I’ve gracefully aged…haha. I hope that the next time you have the opportunity to forgive; you will step back and think about why you’re willing to do this gracious act. I hope this will open your eyes and heart to the fact that knowledge can lead the way to the awesome feeling of forgiveness…God Bless.

Daily Fishing Report: Today will be windy with morning rain, then a mix of rain and snow in the afternoon, high 41F with winds NW at 25 to 35 mph…there will be a 80% chance of precipitation…winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tonight we should see periods of rain and snow this evening with a few snow showers overnight, otherwise, mostly cloudy and windy, low 29F with winds NW at 25 to 35 mph…there will be a 60% chance of precipitation…winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph early. Tomorrow should be partly cloudy skies with gusty winds, high 37F with winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Tomorrow night should be mainly clear early, then a few clouds later on, low 23F with winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Friday we should have considerable cloudiness, highs in the mid 40s and lows in the upper 20s. Saturday should be partly cloudy, highs in the mid 40s and lows in the mid 20s. Sunday should be mostly sunny, highs in the upper 40s and lows in the upper 20s. Today’s fishing report will be provided by me, a few of our guests and some local talent. The fishing in the Gaps (Morris and Lighthouse) and out from Zipple Bay in 20 +/- feet of water is where the concentration of fishing is taking place. The fish are starting to congregate into “The Gaps”, and as I alluded to in the blog. We were able to get into about 50 (Walleyes and Saugers, mostly Saugers) in 3 hours in 21-1/2 feet in Morris Gap on Monday afternoon. Pink was the hot color with the overcast sky. Chartreuse and Orange are still working, but not as good as the Pink was on that particular day. The fishing in the Rainy River is still not as good as in Lake of the Woods. As we get colder weather the Walleyes will undoubtedly run into the river after the Shiners that should be running a little bit better now. If you’re fishing the river, be sure you have ¾ to 1 oz jigs, we really have some current flowing and you have to be on the bottom to catch the Walleyes. You can purchase your Jigs, Frozen Shiners, Rapalas and Reef Runners from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. Also, Tom’s Tackle, a local tackle making company makes all the jigs and spinners that I use and you can get your own Tom’s Tackle jigs and lures at Log Cabin Bait. Use what works for us on Lake of the Woods, “Tom’s Tackle”, a local company that know what works on Lake of the Woods. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.

My shout out today will go to all the 80 plus guests we had stay with us this weekend. We had such a great group with us this past weekend; everyone was so polite and well mannered. I just wanted to personally thank each of you for choosing the Wigwam Resort to be your vacation destination on Lake of the Woods, “The Walleye Capitol of the World”. I look forward to seeing each of you back this winter for the best Ice Fishing known to mankind…Lake of the Woods baby, Lake of the Woods.

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman aka Jean-Paul Tessier
Wigwam Resort
www.wigwamresortlow.com

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

While Fishing is Still Fantastic, the Birds are on the Mind in Lake of the Woods County

Good morning to all!

Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. Saturday was the last time I was on the lake, don’t worry fishing is still great, but the thoughts of Partridge have had me all messed up. The past two days I’ve been hunting in the Beltrami Island State Forest and Pine Island State Forest, two places where the Partridge are being seen in great numbers this season. There were a few that crossed my path, but only a couple made the trip home with me and went into the treasure chest (the fridge). I speak about practice makes perfect and I most defiantly need to practice shooting those birds on the fly…haha. If anyone is coming up within the next few weeks, most defiantly bring your guns. Maybe you’ll have some time on the way home to swing through either of our great State Forests.

This past week and weekend we had awesome weather again, maybe a little bit heavy on the wind, but heck it’s October and we’ve had 70 degree days. This past weekend Jody and I participated in the 1st Chili Bowl Fishing Contest over at Borderview and it was a great event. There were a total 50 teams participating and 95% of them were locals…we finished 16th. This was a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate a fantastic summer of fishing on Lake of the Woods. I was able to shake hands with a multitude of new friends that I’ve been able to make over the last year and half, and that’s what makes it all worth while.

In the Chili Bowl Fishing Contest Jody and I fished the Rainy River (that’s where we had to fish, Wheelers Point to Baudette) and the fishing was ok, but not great. We caught all our fish in 18 – 20 feet of water, a majority of them Saugers. We looked for spots of calm water, those Walleyes don’t like that heavy currant. We used 1 oz and ¾ oz Chartreuse/Gold jigs to ensure we were fishing the bottom, oh and by the way, the color made all the difference. Jody started with the Chartreuse/Gold and I started with Pink/Gold (my personal all time favorite color), but after she set the hook on the fourth fish of the day I said enough, is enough…haha. Needless to say I switched over and started getting bites right away.

The fishing in Lighthouse and Morris Gaps has most definitely been better. The depth on the lake is 14 – 21 feet of water, at least that’s the word on the street. I know that some of our guests are fishing all the way around Pine Island and having great success in those depths. The Shiners are really running in the river, but it seems to me the fishing is still better in the Gaps and Lake of the Woods. Be sure to have your jigs and frozen Shiners to ensure your best chance at landing those Walleyes.

I also put together a little video with Tom and few of his Nebraskan guests this summer and I’ve put it on You Tube. Check it out if you get a chance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHgLRGjcREU. Tom puts people on the fish each and every time on the lake; the proof is in the video…he’s a great teacher.

ICE FISHING REMINDER!!!!!
Ice fishing is right around the corner and the Wigwam Resort is starting to fill up for December and January already. I have to make this know, because one of our longtime patrons called me this morning to make a group reservation for the 3rd weekend in December and I had to tell him that we are all sold out of cabins. Needless to say he was a tad bit bummed, and he said, “I shouldn’t have waited this long, the guys are going to be so mad”. I don’t want anyone to have to be mad at anyone, so if you’re looking to ice fishing on Lake of the Woods this winter and you want to stay at the Wigwam Resort, you might want to check on availability as soon as possible. With the great fishing we’ve had all summer; people are making reservations ice fishing before they’ve even left the resort. Many of you have been fishing here all summer and know what it’s been like day in and day out and you’re not missing your chance to fish Lake of the Woods, and stay at the best resort on the lake (Wigwam Resort), my humble opinion.

If you haven’t become a fan of the Wigwam Resort-low on Facebook, what are you waiting for? I’m posting on there daily and have found it a great way to communicate with everyone on a regular basis. I will be posting all of our weekly meal specials and drink specials on there also. Take advantage of Facebook and everything it allows you to do. We look forward to having you as our friends on Facebook. Also, we have just received a new stock of hats (seen pictured here). If you’d like to have the new Wigwam hat, and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to see us soon, just give us a call and you can purchase the Wigwam hat over the phone (800) 448-9260. We will package and mail your order promptly.

Announcements…If you’re looking for some great fishing and lodging deals, check out the October Specials we will be offering on our website www.wigwamresortlow.com. We are running a Fall Special. The Special will be as follows: $35 per person per night lodging in the lodge or cabins (restrictions will apply with number of people in cabins) and $90 per person per day for a full day of full service guided launch service and $65 per person per day for a half day of full service guided launch service. Also checkout the Newsletter Special we have on our website, under the Newsletter page, and don’t worry, it will be worth your while. Each lodging charge is subject to applicable federal, state and local sales tax. Applicable to new reservations only. I also wanted to tell you all about our Veterans and Armed Forces Special, which we have running 365 days a year. Wigwam Resort gives Veterans and our currently enlisted Armed Forces a 10% discount on any package plus whatever specials we are giving. We want to thank you all for your service…God Bless America!

If you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, at a first class fishing resort, you’ve just found it! For additional information, please call one of our knowledgeable staff members at (800) 448-9260, and start your journey to the “Walleye Capitol of the World”!

Today’s “Quote of the Day”…”If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” – Chinese Proverb. Thank you again Jody. She sends me the best quotes and knows just what to send. A few days back I had an anger moment, which is very few and far between these days. But, before I acted I talked to Jody and it was a great thing I did. She gave me some very wise advice, which I listened to diligently. I’ve come a long way from just being able to put someone into the boards and take out aggression. After thinking about the situation and taking some time to digest all the information, I handled it in a much better way and got my point across without any conflict whatsoever. I challenge everyone in your everyday life to handle your next “anger” situation with a little patients and digest all the information before reacting. From my personal experience, you will be much happier with the outcome…God Bless.

Daily Fishing Report: Tonight we should see some clouds this evening that will give way to mainly clear skies overnight, low 31F with NW winds at 15 to 25 mph, diminishing to 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow should be partly cloudy, high 51F with winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow night we should have a few clouds from time to time, low 32F with winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Friday should be mainly sunny, high near 60F with SSW winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Saturday should be sunny, highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 30s. Sunday should be mostly cloudy, highs in the upper 40s and lows in the upper 20s. Today’s fishing report will be provided by me, Billy “The Sniper” Kloos, a few of our guests and some local talent. As I noted in the last fishing report the Shiners have started their run and I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Some of our guests and many of the locals have been fishing and catching some nice Walleyes in the Rainy River from the Baudette Airport (right by the boat launch) to the mouth of the Rainy River on Wheelers Point. For everyone still wanting to fish Lake of the Woods no worries, right outside of Lighthouse Gap on the Line, just past the green buoy, and along Pine Island (18 – 22 feet of water) into Morris Gap there is a line of boats jigging away and catching plenty of Walleyes. The bite is starting to slow in 30 – 33 feet off the line and all the way to Zipple in the bowl, but we are still catching a few out there. The fish are starting to congregate into “The Gaps”. Gold/Chartreuse was the colors this weekend. Anything with Gold on it right now is what you’ll want to have on, and don’t forget your frozen Shiners. I told this story last fishing report, but I think it’s so important I’m bringing it up again. To tell you how important bait is I have a story for you. A group that stayed with us this weekend had two separate boats and one was using the frozen Shiners from Lake of the Woods and the other was using frozen Shiners from a bait shop down in the Twin Cities that were packaged in a preservation solution. The boat with the Lake of the Woods Shiners was out-catching the boat with the imported Shiners 10 to 1. As soon as they figured they needed different bait, which was provided by the other boat, they started catching them one after the other in the same spot…I must emphasize in the same spot. So that should tell you the importance of using the bait provided on Lake of the Woods. If you’re fishing the river, be sure you have ¾ to 1 oz jigs, we really have some current flowing and you have to be on the bottom to catch the Walleyes. You can purchase your Jigs, Frozen Shiners, Rapalas and Reef Runners from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. Also, Tom’s Tackle, a local tackle making company makes all the jigs and spinners that I use and you can get your own Tom’s Tackle jigs and lures at Log Cabin Bait. Use what works for us on Lake of the Woods, “Tom’s Tackle”, a local company that know what works on Lake of the Woods. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman aka Jean-Paul Tessier
Wigwam Resort
www.wigwamresortlow.com

Thursday, October 14, 2010

The Rainy River Starts to Produce the Walleyes We’ve All Been Waiting For

Good morning to all!

Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. We’ve had one of the most fabulous northern Minnesota Octobers that I can ever remember, and that includes the fishing also. I’ve been able to grow close to many local Baudette people and they have taken me in with open arms. This most definitely plays a role in all the fishing knowledge and information I have gained within the last year. These people are now my family and friends. It seems as if you live in this area, you’re fishing or someone close to you is fishing and that’s what it’s all about. I moved here to do just that, and it has allowed me an opportunity to do what I’ve truly dreamed of since I was 15 years old…fish for a living and live to fish. Short of the long is that fishing in the Rainy River is great and the locals are whacking them in there everyday…come up and join us.

From here on out 60% of the people coming to Lake of the Woods will be looking to fish the Rainy River, and there in for a real treat this year. Make sure you have the Rainy River Lake Master chip so you can see where all the Walleyes will be hiding. Logic plays a role when fishing in the river, and what I mean by that is, when the river is flowing from Baudette out to Wheelers Point you would figure that with the currant we are experiencing, that swim would be a little bit tiring to the Walleyes and Shiners. What I look for is any resting spots they may have, like in the mouths of the inlets and any protected pockets and holes. If you’re rocking a gold/pink, gold/chartreuse, gold/orange, or a plain gold ¾ or 1 oz “Strobe Jig” (Log Cabin Bait) with a frozen Shiner, I would have to say you’d be well on your way to catching instead of just fishing for Walleyes in the Rainy River this next week. Now that’s some inside information for the Walleye Capitol of the World.

Yesterday Vancouver and I picked up our first Grouse of the year and it is now resting quietly in what I like to call “The Treasure Chest”, our fridge. We didn’t get out till late afternoon so there wasn’t much time, but we did find one pecking the gravel before roost. My brother has had a little bit more time to hunt south of Warroad, where he lives, and he’s had some tremendous success each and every time out. The same can go for Billy “The Sniper” Kloos who just a few days ago pick up a limit with Tom Griffin south of Baudette. The Partridge are all over the place this year and I hope that within the next few weeks I’ll have a little more time to get out and let Vancouver run around some State Land south of Graceton and Williams, MN…he sure loves those birds!

ICE FISHING REMINDER!!!!!

Ice fishing is right around the corner and the Wigwam Resort is starting to fill up for December and January already. I have to make this know, because one of our longtime patrons called me this morning to make a group reservation for the 3rd weekend in December and I had to tell him that we are all sold out of cabins. Needless to say he was a tad bit bummed, and he said, “I shouldn’t have waited this long, the guys are going to be so mad”. I don’t want anyone to have to be mad at anyone, so if you’re looking to ice fishing on Lake of the Woods this winter and you want to stay at the Wigwam Resort, you might want to check on availability as soon as possible. With the great fishing we’ve had all summer; people are making reservations ice fishing before they’ve even left the resort. Many of you have been fishing here all summer and know what it’s been like day in and day out and you’re not missing your chance to fish Lake of the Woods, and stay at the best resort on the lake (Wigwam Resort), my humble opinion.

If you haven’t become a fan of the Wigwam Resort-low on Facebook, what are you waiting for? I’m posting on there daily and have found it a great way to communicate with everyone on a regular basis. I will be posting all of our weekly meal specials and drink specials on there also. Take advantage of Facebook and everything it allows you to do. We look forward to having you as our friends on Facebook. Also, we have just received a new stock of hats (seen pictured here). If you’d like to have the new Wigwam hat, and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to see us soon, just give us a call and you can purchase the Wigwam hat over the phone (800) 448-9260. We will package and mail your order promptly.

Announcements…If you’re looking for some great fishing and lodging deals, check out the October Specials we will be offering on our website www.wigwamresortlow.com. We are running a Fall Special. The Special will be as follows: $35 per person per night lodging in the lodge or cabins (restrictions will apply with number of people in cabins) and $90 per person per day for a full day of full service guided launch service and $65 per person per day for a half day of full service guided launch service. Also checkout the Newsletter Special we have on our website, under the Newsletter page, and don’t worry, it will be worth your while. Each lodging charge is subject to applicable federal, state and local sales tax. Applicable to new reservations only. I also wanted to tell you all about our Veterans and Armed Forces Special, which we have running 365 days a year. Wigwam Resort gives Veterans and our currently enlisted Armed Forces a 10% discount on any package plus whatever specials we are giving. We want to thank you all for your service…God Bless America!

If you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, at a first class fishing resort, you’ve just found it! For additional information, please call one of our knowledgeable staff members at (800) 448-9260, and start your journey to the “Walleye Capitol of the World”!

Today’s “Quote of the Day”…”It’s not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do that is the secret of happiness”. – James M. Barrie. Jody is so wise; she always sends me the right things on the right days. Just this morning I was scoping through some inspirational quotes, but nothing was hitting me with conviction. Just as fate would have it, my phone buzzed to let me know that I had a new message. She sent me the above quote with a neat little message to go along with it. She is my inspiration and I thank her for all her love. The quote says it all, it’s no about what “you like”, but “liking what you do” that makes you happy, which could be two separate things. I don’t get to do what I like to do everyday, but I love what I do and that makes me sooooooooooooo happy. I hope this will challenge you to think about your personal happiness, and that you find the way…God Bless.

Daily Fishing Report: Today will be partly cloudy, high 56F with winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Tonight should be mainly clear skies, low 34F with winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow we should se sunshine and clouds mixed high 58F with winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow night we should see a few clouds, low 43F with winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Saturday should be sunny, highs in the mid 50s and lows in the low 30s. Sunday should be partly cloudy, highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 30s. Monday we should see times of sun and clouds, highs in the mid 50s and lows in the mid 30s. Today’s fishing report will be provided by me, Billy “The Sniper” Kloos, a few of our guests and some local talent. As I noted in the last fishing report the Shiners have started their run and I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Some of our guests and many of the locals have been fishing and catching some nice Walleyes in the Rainy River from the Baudette Airport (right by the boat launch) to the mouth of the Rainy River on Wheelers Point. For everyone still wanting to fish Lake of the Woods no worries, right outside of Lighthouse Gap on the Line, just past the green buoy, and along Pine Island (18 – 22 feet of water) into Morris Gap there is a line of boats jigging away and catching plenty of Walleyes. We are still out in 30 – 33 feet off the line and all the way to Zipple in the bowl we have still been catching fish. Anything with Gold on it right now is what you’ll want to have on, and don’t forget your frozen Shiners. I told this story last fishing report, but I think it’s so important I’m bringing it up again. To tell you how important bait is I have a story for you. A group that stayed with us this weekend had two separate boats and one was using the frozen Shiners from Lake of the Woods and the other was using frozen Shiners from a bait shop down in the Twin Cities. The boat with the Lake of the Woods Shiners was out-catching the boat with the imported Shiners 10 to 1. As soon as they figured they needed different bait, which was provided by the other boat, they started catching them one after the other in the same spot…I must emphasize in the same spot. So that should tell you the importance of using the bait provided on Lake of the Woods. If you’re fishing the river, be sure you have ¾ to 1 oz jigs, we really have some current flowing and you have to be on the bottom to catch the Walleyes. You can purchase your Jigs, Frozen Shiners, Rapalas and Reef Runners from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. I must state this again, in my 18 years of fishing Lake of the Woods; I’ve never seen the fishing this good on such a consistent basis. Don’t wait too long to make your plans to visit us, because you never know how long it will last. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.

My shout out today will go out to our entire guest list that will be staying with us this weekend…all 80 of you. Thank you for staying with us in our home while you’re fishing the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods (The Walleye Capitol of the World). This is not just our business, the resort is our home and where we spend most of our time, and I’m thrilled that we get to share it with so many new faces each and every week. I know I use the following phrase quite a bit, “Paradise without a Passport”, but it’s the truth. The beauty we experience every day is absolutely unbelievable, and we are all so lucky to be a part of it. Thanks again and we look forward to putting you all on the fish.

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman aka Jean-Paul Tessier
Wigwam Resort
www.wigwamresortlow.com

Monday, October 11, 2010

It Just Doesn’t Get any Better than Jigging for Walleyes on Lake of the Woods in October

Good morning to all!

Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. This weekend was absolutely incredible! Fishing was great from all fronts and the weather was as if, out of a fishermen’s dream. The “red sky at night, sailors delight”, as my grandfather used to tell me, held true to its word. I was able to fish all day Thursday (Terry, Darryl and Bob) and Friday morning (Jerry and Larry) with a few of my friends and it was awesome. The company was fantastic both days, but the fishing was most definitely better for us on Thursday, so much so that I was able to make a little video and put it on You Tube. Here’s the link to that video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw2VJj2KCOY. Friday morning I just couldn’t get on the Walleyes, Saugers ruled the roost. I wanted to thank both groups for giving me the opportunity to fish with them.

Some very nice Walleyes are being caught right now up the Rainy River and that puts a gigantic smile on my bearded face. This coming weekend there will be a fishing tournament, which will be put on by a neighboring resort, Borderview Lodge. The “Chili Bowl Fishing Contest” should be a great way to bringing friends and families close together to participate in fun event that should bring some of that “locker room comminatory” to Lake of the Woods. Jody, I and Vancouver are all signed up and chomping at the bit for Saturday to get here. There are a number of other “couple” teams participating and this is what it’s truly all about, fishing with your true partner. This summer I’ve seen a number of husband-wife vacationers frequenting the Wigwam, and they always seem to be genuinely happy. Maybe a happy boat makes for a happy home? I don’t know for sure, but the facts are pointing in that direction. I don’t mean to ramble or give un wanted “couples advice”, but I have witnessed plenty of “life” first hand and as my Dad always said, “it is what it is”, and that’s the way I roll.

ICE FISHING REMINDER!!!!!

Ice fishing is right around the corner and the Wigwam Resort is starting to fill up for December and January already. I have to make this know, because one of our longtime patrons called me this morning to make a group reservation for the 3rd weekend in December and I had to tell him that we are all sold out of cabins. Needless to say he was a tad bit bummed, and he said, “I shouldn’t have waited this long, the guys are going to be so mad”. I don’t want anyone to have to be mad at anyone, so if you’re looking to ice fishing on Lake of the Woods this winter and you want to stay at the Wigwam Resort, you might want to check on availability as soon as possible. With the great fishing we’ve had all summer; people are making reservations ice fishing before they’ve even left the resort. Many of you have been fishing here all summer and know what it’s been like day in and day out and you’re not missing your chance to fish Lake of the Woods, and stay at the best resort on the lake (Wigwam Resort), my humble opinion.

If you haven’t become a fan of the Wigwam Resort-low on Facebook, what are you waiting for? I’m posting on there daily and have found it a great way to communicate with everyone on a regular basis. I will be posting all of our weekly meal specials and drink specials on there also. Take advantage of Facebook and everything it allows you to do. We look forward to having you as our friends on Facebook. Also, we have just received a new stock of hats (seen pictured here). If you’d like to have the new Wigwam hat, and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to see us soon, just give us a call and you can purchase the Wigwam hat over the phone (800) 448-9260. We will package and mail your order promptly.

Announcements…If you’re looking for some great fishing and lodging deals, check out the October Specials we will be offering on our website www.wigwamresortlow.com. We are running a Fall Special. The Special will be as follows: $35 per person per night lodging in the lodge or cabins (restrictions will apply with number of people in cabins) and $90 per person per day for a full day of full service guided launch service and $65 per person per day for a half day of full service guided launch service. Also checkout the Newsletter Special we have on our website, under the Newsletter page, and don’t worry, it will be worth your while. Each lodging charge is subject to applicable federal, state and local sales tax. Applicable to new reservations only. I also wanted to tell you all about our Veterans and Armed Forces Special, which we have running 365 days a year. Wigwam Resort gives Veterans and our currently enlisted Armed Forces a 10% discount on any package plus whatever specials we are giving. We want to thank you all for your service…God Bless America!

If you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, at a first class fishing resort, you’ve just found it! For additional information, please call one of our knowledgeable staff members at (800) 448-9260, and start your journey to the “Walleye Capitol of the World”!

Today’s “Quote of the Day”…”Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson. This week in church, Pastor Tom spoke about Ruth, a widowed Moab woman, who took shelter with the Jews after the death of her husband in biblical times. I will not preach to you, because I believe we will all be judged, but I will give you the facts. Ruth left Moab to live and take care of her mother-in-law Naomi, her deceased husband’s mother, with the Jews. For all of you who don’t know this story, it is about the character of the Ruth and her work ethic. Along with this is the fact that the Jews and the country of Moab were mortal enemies. Back in biblical days women were not treated as they are today, as everyone knows, but Ruth was given an opportunity to harvest grain to feed her and her mother-in-law and she did so with great willingness and character. God had a plan for Ruth as he does for us all, and we are tested everyday. Ruth’s character shined through and she was shown favor by God. I challenge each of you, as I do myself each and everyday, to be men and women of good character in every situation. We all face issues each day and we are all given a choice to handle it as we may. I hope this will allow you to be reminded of what good character can lead to…God Bless.

Daily Fishing Report: Tonight will be partly to mostly cloudy, low 51F with winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow we should see showers in the morning, and then partly cloudy in the afternoon, high 61F with winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph…there will be a 40% chance of rain. Tomorrow night we should have a mostly clear sky, low 39F with winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday should be mainly sunny, high 62F with winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Thursday should be sunny, highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 40s. Friday we should have morning clouds followed by afternoon sun, highs in the low 60s and lows in the upper 30s. Today’s fishing report will be provided by me, Billy “The Sniper” Kloos and a few of our guests. As I noted in the last fishing report the Shiners have started their run and I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Some of our guests and many of the locals have been fishing and catching some nice Walleyes in the Rainy River from the Baudette airport to the mouth of the Rainy River on Wheelers Point. For everyone still wanting to fish Lake of the Woods no worries, right outside of Lighthouse Gap on the Line, just past the green buoy, and along Pine Island there is a line of boats jigging away and catching plenty of Walleyes. We are still out in 30 – 33 feet off the line and all the way to Zipple in the bowl we have still been catching fish. For all of you that haven’t had the opportunity to view it, I’ve put a video on the website and You Tube that shows the proof (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw2VJj2KCOY). I was out with the Terry Randolph Group from International Falls and Cook, MN while we just hammered the Walleyes, and some nice ones at that. If you’re coming up this weekend I think it must be a must see to get your blood pumping. Anything with Gold on it right now is what you’ll want to have on, and don’t forget your frozen Shiners. To tell you how important bait is I have a story for you. A group that stayed with us this weekend had two separate boats and one was using the frozen Shiners from Lake of the Woods and the other was using frozen Shiners from a bait shop down in the Twin Cities. The boat with the Lake of the Woods Shiners was out-catching the boat with the imported Shiners 10 to 1. As soon as they figured they needed different bait, which was provided by the other boat, they started catching them one after the other in the same spot…I must emphasize in the same spot. So that should tell you the importance of using the bait provided on Lake of the Woods. If you’re fishing the river, be sure you have ¾ to 1 oz jigs, we really have some current flowing and you have to be on the bottom to catch the Walleyes. You can purchase your Jigs, Frozen Shiners, Rapalas and Reef Runners from the same place that I get mine, Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. I must state this again, in my 18 years of fishing Lake of the Woods; I’ve never seen the fishing this good on such a consistent basis. Don’t wait too long to make your plans to visit us, because you never know how long it will last. Keep checking out the fishing report, and I’ll give you all the hard facts as soon as I find out where they’re hiding next. Good luck and Happy Fishing to all! Thanks for fishing with us and visiting with us at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods.

My shout out today will go to Doug “The Surgeon” Hagen and Val “Chef” Safro who presently diligently working on the ice fishing houses getting them all ready for everyone to enjoy this ice fishing season. They are working their butts off and it’s great to have a staff of quality employees. Don’t get me wrong, everyone of our employees make the Wigwam what it is today, but my good friends Doug and Val are getting the spot light today. Thanks for all the hard work and we’re lucky to have you both.

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman aka Jean-Paul Tessier
Wigwam Resort
www.wigwamresortlow.com