Welcome to another edition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. Two days ago I had the opportunity to do a little fishing in the afternoon with my younger sister and her son (my
nephew) and we had a blast. We went to one of the Wigwam Ice Houses just outside of Lighthouse Gap in 22 feet of water. The fish weren’t biting fast and furious, but the bite was steady…in a 3 hour period we had caught about 10 fish (half Walleye and half Sauger) and my nephew was in heaven. After we had a few in the bucket, all he wanted to do is look at the Walleyes in the bucket…too be 4 years old again…haha. He also didn’t want to stop playing with the bait…he wondered why we were keeping those fish (minnows) in a little pale…his questions put a smile on my face, only to be young again. I’m so happy to see his enthusiasm for fishing, he reminds me of me when I was a youngster. I hope that I will be able to take him fishing a bit more this summer and teach him a few tricks of the trade…I hope his enthusiasm continues.This morning I just spoke with some gentlemen that are staying with us, but fishing on there own. As of 9 am this morning they had limited out on Walleye and Sauger just on the other side of Pine Island in Lighthouse Gap…right where I told them to go yesterday. The bite was fantastic this morning and they are all smiles from ear to ear…I love to see the fish are back hitting it hard again, just in time for the weekend…YES!!!!
Last week before I headed to the Duluth Sport Show, I had the distinguished opportunity of meeting a few long time patrons of the Wigwam Resort that hadn’t been to the Wigwam in about 5 years. Jeff Scott and his friends Ronnie and Ted were supposed to have another guest with them when they came up this year, but some terrible circumstances had changed the plans of
the fourth would be guest, Rick. Rick's sister had just passed away from a 2 year battle with cancer. Even with the group willing to cancel the trip, Rick insisted they still go on without him. Jeff shared this story with me and having lost a close family member in the past few years to this terrible disease, it hit close to home and all of our thoughts and prayers are with Rick and his family at this time. I just wanted to share a little e-mail that I received from Jeff. Jeff wrote, “My buddies and I made plans to return to the Wigwam and were looking forward to having a great time catching some fish and doing something we all enjoy together. Less than a week before we were to come, one of our friends who planned to come lost his sister to cancer, a disease she had battled for almost 2 years. He encouraged us to keep our plans and go fishing. We did so, but our minds were with him, his family and his sister. As a tribute to our good friend and his sister, we toasted them both and wished them peace. Debbie is in a better place and she will not be forgotten. For our good friend Rick, we love you!!”After reading Jeff’s e-mail I ran across a quote that Jody (my girlfriend) had given to me a few days ago and I thought it would be relevant to this situation, so I would like to use it as today’s “Quote of the Day”. “The tests of life are not meant to break you, but make you”, Norman Vincent Peale. I feel that I have been able to become a stronger person each and every time I’ve
faced adversity in my life, whether it was through hockey or everyday life…I hope the same holds true for everyone else. My Father always told me that each and everything we face in life is an opportunity to learn and make us stronger, mentally and emotionally. Once again, I hope that holds true to all of you.Just a little FYI, if you’re looking to book a trip on the weekend with us at the Wigwam Resort, you had better call and reserve your rooms/cabins today. There is very limited space available during the weekends till the end of March, book now or forever hold your peace. If you’re looking to come midweek (Sunday night – Thursday morning), please give us a call today, we are offering up to 15% off all fishing packages (only) during February and March (only applicable to new reservations). All the packages can be accessed on our website at http://www.wigwamresortlow.com/.
The lures that have still been working well are the “Gold Disco Ball aka “Strobe Jigs” (made by JB’s Tackle)”, “Stop Signs (Pink or White)”, “Macho Minnows (Pink, Green or White)” “Glow
Pink Charmers (made by Tom’s Tackle locally in Baudette), which just happens to be my favorite lure to date” and “Chubby Darters/Rapala Rattling Jigs”. You want to be using anything that glows right now to get the best success possible…white and pink have been the best! All these items can be purchased at Log Cabin Bait and Tackle, which is about ¾ of a mile south of the Wigwam on 172. Remember that Vexilars are not required, but they help immensely when fishing off the bottom and marking suspended fish, which has been a common occurrence these days on Lake of the Woods. So, where I’m going with this one is, get a Vexilar today…you won’t be disappointed!Announcements…The Wayne Renn Band (Nashville Line Entertainment) will be the live entertainment this week and weekend (February 25th, 26th & 27th). The Wayne Renn Band
(Charlie Daniels style) is a 5 piece band with a fiddle, which brings them in from miles around…hope to see you all here. Also, for all of you that have the ability to come midweek don’t miss out on our great specials for February and March. We are offering a total of 15% off for midweek packages (lodging/fishing) and (lodging/fishing/meals)…these are applicable to reservations made after February 1. I have a few groups that are taking major advantage of this deal and they’re on the FISH with the WIGWAM! The Bikini Ice Fishing Team will be here on March 18, 19 & 20. If you’re looking for some great ice fishing deals, checkout the current February specials we are offering on our website http://www.wigwamresortlow.com/. We are running a February special that will give you a discount on packages purchased for February and March 2010. The specials will only last through the rest of February…you can’t beat them! Daily Fishing Report: Today we will have plenty of sunshine, high 28F with winds light and variable. Tonight will be partly cloudy, low -1F with winds light and variable. Tomorrow we should have sunshine along with some cloudy intervals, high around 30F with winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow night should be partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night, low 7F with winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Sunday we should have a mix of sun and clouds, highs in the 
low 30s and lows in the mid single digits. Monday we should have times of sun and clouds, highs in the low 30s and lows in the low teens. Tuesday we should have morning clouds followed by afternoon sun, highs in the low 30s and lows in the mid teens. Today’s fishing report will come from me and our guides. Pink and White are still the magic colors on Lake of the Woods. The pressure is back under 30.00, which should loosen the fish up a bit. Vexilars are not a must, but suggested…I won’t even fish if I don’t have a Vexilar these days. Today our houses outside of Lighthouse Gap in 22 – 24 feet of water are starting to pick up some better numbers, so keep that on your radar this weekend…you don’t have to go as far for good fishing. We are also still catching some beautiful fish (BIG WALLEYES) up on the Reefs in 24 - 32 feet. We have still been doing very well in our houses, which are only accessible by fishing with the Wigwam Resort (Trucks can’t drive to them)…they are located 2 miles off of Pine Island outside of Lighthouse
Gap and up off the Reefs (21 miles north). The lures showing the best success rates are the “Gold Disco Ball aka Strobe Jig by JB’s Tackle”, “Charmer Jig (Pink) by Tom’s Tackle), the Pink or White Florescent “Stop Sign”, “Macho Minnows” and “Chubby Darter/Rapala Rattling Jig” (all can be purchased at the Log Cabin Bait store approximately ¾ of a mile before the Wigwam on 172). Use anything that glows right now, whether it is pink or white. Also give the plain gold jigs/Disco aka “Strobe” balls a try. The ice thickness out there is currently 33-36 inches. Adrian’s road is open for business…trucks are going out everyday. But again, just a little reminder, if you want to fish by the Wigwam’s houses, you have to come with us. The only types of transportation that will get you out to our houses are track vehicles and snowmobiles…no trucks. We are currently fishing the “Reefs”, but there are limited spots available each day, so book your spot today. Don’t miss out on this great fishing that we’re having on Lake of the Woods; come visit us today at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods!
low 30s and lows in the mid single digits. Monday we should have times of sun and clouds, highs in the low 30s and lows in the low teens. Tuesday we should have morning clouds followed by afternoon sun, highs in the low 30s and lows in the mid teens. Today’s fishing report will come from me and our guides. Pink and White are still the magic colors on Lake of the Woods. The pressure is back under 30.00, which should loosen the fish up a bit. Vexilars are not a must, but suggested…I won’t even fish if I don’t have a Vexilar these days. Today our houses outside of Lighthouse Gap in 22 – 24 feet of water are starting to pick up some better numbers, so keep that on your radar this weekend…you don’t have to go as far for good fishing. We are also still catching some beautiful fish (BIG WALLEYES) up on the Reefs in 24 - 32 feet. We have still been doing very well in our houses, which are only accessible by fishing with the Wigwam Resort (Trucks can’t drive to them)…they are located 2 miles off of Pine Island outside of Lighthouse
Gap and up off the Reefs (21 miles north). The lures showing the best success rates are the “Gold Disco Ball aka Strobe Jig by JB’s Tackle”, “Charmer Jig (Pink) by Tom’s Tackle), the Pink or White Florescent “Stop Sign”, “Macho Minnows” and “Chubby Darter/Rapala Rattling Jig” (all can be purchased at the Log Cabin Bait store approximately ¾ of a mile before the Wigwam on 172). Use anything that glows right now, whether it is pink or white. Also give the plain gold jigs/Disco aka “Strobe” balls a try. The ice thickness out there is currently 33-36 inches. Adrian’s road is open for business…trucks are going out everyday. But again, just a little reminder, if you want to fish by the Wigwam’s houses, you have to come with us. The only types of transportation that will get you out to our houses are track vehicles and snowmobiles…no trucks. We are currently fishing the “Reefs”, but there are limited spots available each day, so book your spot today. Don’t miss out on this great fishing that we’re having on Lake of the Woods; come visit us today at the Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods!My shout out today will go to Jeff, Ronnie, Ted and Rick (who was unable to be with us because of his sister’s recent passing). I admire your friendship and just wanted to remind you guys that you are not alone during this terrible time. I found that during difficult times in my life, friends and reflection on the great memories we shared with loved ones, helps the healing…it doesn’t cure it, it just helps. Our thoughts and prayers are again with Rick and his entire support group of friends and family at this time...may peace be with you all.
Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!
