The Dynamic Weather of South Dakota



Yesterday I put in a good fourteen hour day on two different lakes.  If the weather would hold, tomorrow should be outstanding as the blowout period just took place and the fish should begin to feed aggressively again.  After the dynamic lunch at Perebohms restaurant, dinner was not needed.  A power bar gave me enough energy to make it through the rest of the day. 

After surfing channels to get South Dakota weather, they all looked alike.  The weather should remain like it was during the day with southwesterly flow, but winds picking up after 2 pm and a possible strong thunderstorms moving into the area.  That was all the time I needed to get the job done.  I was on the fish.

This trip should not have been called a job, but that was what it was starting to feel like.  I had received two phone calls from friends on this trip, and the question was, "How many walleye have you caught, and when can we come over to feast with you and your lovely wife?"  I felt like telling them that I was limited out, but then stop over at a fish store in Omaha when I got home and buy some.  Instead, I spilled out the truth and I felt guilty.   

In the morning the sun was out and the winds were light.  With great hope, I headed to Antelope Lake first.  I could spend a couple of hours and knew this was the correct spot.  On arrival, the wind picked up but still remained on a southerly flow.  I knew all was well.

Just a few hundred yards from the boat dock this bank that stretches about 250 yards had always been a producer.  If you fish the lake work into the bank up to 5 feet of water and then back out to about 18 feet.

With the water so clear, and the bright morning sky, I grabbed a big shiny spinner. The boat was S turned into five feet and out to fifteen working slowly against the wind.  In the meantime, the sky began to show a dark cloud bank to the south.  Therefore, I changed the lure to a red and white spinner.  I also moved to crawlers from minnows.  The wind picked up more and shifted more to the southeast.  It was obvious that no one was paying attention to my wants and needs as the weather was doing just what it wanted to do. 

As it gets daylight, it is obvious that this is not going to be a good experience.

After one hour into the experience, the wind now shifted more to the east southeast and the clouds became almost black and began to spit a little rain.  Not much rain was falling, but just enough for me to put on a rain jacket and say to myself, "Only the weathermen can be so wrong and keep their jobs."  The question asked now was,"Is this just passing through or was it in for the day?"

Forget it, I am out of here.

After another hour of no action, I pulled out.  Driving over to Waubay, there was no way I could get the boat off and on the trailer by myself even if someone was with me.  It would have been a really bad idea.  But hope springs eternal.  There is another lake  with a beautiful sheltered bay.  Fishing could be done out of the heavy wind, but results might not be so good.  Pickerel Lake north of the town of Waubay is my favorite lake in the area. 

Just north of the town of Waubay is a Buffalo ranch. 

This lake is lightly fished and mainly by the locals.  Housing surrounds the lake, but the water is crystal clear and has a deep solid bottom.  Reefs abound so you can move from deep to shallow and back to deep again in just fifty yards.   Crappie is the big thing on this body of water, but I have caught walleye, nice sized northern, and small mouth bass here. 

By the time I had arrived at Pickerel, the wind was a howling gale and the rain had picked up considerably.  I saw a boat with three soaked fishermen coming off the lake and went to help them with their boat.  They were  blown off the lake but had two nice walleye.  They had fished the lake for several hours before getting smacked around. Even the bay was showing more wave action than usual.  At 11 AM I folded my tent and hit the bricks for the five hour drive back home to face the questions, "Where is dinner, and why didn't you catch anything?" 

This was as close as I could get to the herd.  Notice the high fence.  I am told they can go right through it if they want to. Also, I love the beauty of the South Dakota plains. 

The few fish caught were kept for my wife and myself.  My friends were fed with Elk roast that they thoroughly savored.  It is called fishing, not catching.

Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck Hank.

 

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The Beautiful Glacial Lakes



The weather could not have been more terrible.  Tornadoes in Oklahoma made fishing in Kansas out of the question.  The weather stretched all the way into the Dakotas, and I could not find a two to three day stretch without easterly winds and rain.  Finally the last week of May showed a break in the glacial lakes region of South Dakota with a couple of good days and one outstanding.  It was time to head north and give it a try. 

My wife's flowers.

 The report posted weekly by Sportsman Cove in Webster, SD was not promising and I am sure the fishermen that headed up for the three day weekend had a lot of disappointment.  Friends who had fished the Missouri River Reservoirs had good luck, but not great.  Still, if you don't go and give it a try, you put nothing in the boat. 

More flowers

Arriving in Webster by 9 PM the wind was right out of the east with low clouds.  However, the forecast was for a change, and I was here for the change and to squeeze at least another day out before the change. 

People at the bait shop tried to put on a smiley face, but you could see that business had not been good.  The fishermen must not have had good luck.  Still you do not catch fish from a boat sitting in the garage. 

I headed to Kanago access on lake Waubay.  It was really rocking and rolling with waves crashing into the shore and the wind right out of the east pounding the boat ramp.   With two extra large cups of coffee, the decision was made to wait it out and see if the forecast was right.  It was.  One hour later the winds slowly went down and the boat was launched.  By the time I headed out, the shift was taking place. 

South of Kanago access is a large bay that runs east and west. Pull into the bay and fish the south side among the reefs. Smallmouth bass and walleye are at varying depths.

There is one important thing about fishing this lake.  Straight out from the dock about 150 yards is a boulder below the water.  Be on guard as this is a great place to smack a lower unit.  Beyond that about another 150 to 200 yards is a reef that is just below the surface.  To navigate this area, I stay well to the south and go around each spot.  A little extra time can save an expensive repair job.  In my lifetime, I have taken out enough lower units.

The wind was perfect at about 5-10 mph right out of the west.  The south end of the lake holds some points with rocks out into about ten to fourteen feet of water.  This was the first spot I wanted to try.  It did not take long before Wham! the fish took the bait.  It was way too small and was thrown back.  Right after that I picked up another.  Again, the size was really made for bait.  Backtrolling into the wind then drifting back across the point was producing fish, but nothing of any size to take home for dinner.  Still when you are getting hits, you hate to leave.  An old friend from northern Minnesota once told me, "If you are catching small fish on a spot, that is all the spot holds and it is time to move on."  Soon it was time to move on.  I moved deeper into a bay off the lake.

Toward the west end of the bay it gets deep then shallow again.  I had some soft hits here, but nothing swallowed the bait and kept it.

To the south along the bay there are a series of small reefs.  It was here I began to work.  Starting in five feet of water, the graphs showed nothing.  I then moved out to twelve to fifteen feet.  Ahhhh, it was here the graphs lit up and began to show a lot of fish.  The hits were on.  At first they were very soft and it took a little patience not to set the hook right away.  Small walleye again.  Then Wham! something took the lure and began to put up a battle.  It was a smallmouth and they do like to do battle.  Plus, they eat well, and I will take all I can get.  Catching smallmouth on an ultralight provides excellent enjoyment. 

Northeast of Kanago access is a series of islands.  I started to fish the right side of the picture.  Not staying in any one depth I S turned toward the trees then back out to deeper water.

South Dakota has a slot limit for these fish and you can only take fish less than 14 inches or one over eighteen inches.  With that type of slot, smallmouth fishing will become excellent in the future.  Still, it was walleye I wanted, and not having much luck.  The friends that come to dine with us really expect walleye dinners and this is now turning into work.

When I come back to Kanago access this is my aiming point to avoid the reefs.  Stay well out in the lake and aim at the erosion and A Frame on the hill.  When you get close to shore then turn north and you are right at the dock.  There is no reason to take out a lower unit when the reefs can be avoided.  South Dakota doses not mark their reefs and I am going to write to them about this.

I took a break at noon, pulled out the boat and headed to grab lunch at Perebohms in Webster.  Lunch there is like dinner for most people.   I loaded up to spend the rest of the day on the lake. 

Back on the lake by 2:30pm, I fished additional spots that had produced for me in the past, but nothing developed.  The weather began to clear and the wind slowly shifted to the south and then to the southeast.  It was time to change lakes.

Right south of Webster just a few miles is a lake called Antelope which is rarely fished except by the locals.  The boat ramp is pathetic with sand on one side and slabs of concrete on the other.  In addition, the water is really shallow off the end of the dock. It was work getting on the lake without hitting the bottom.  Still once you are there, the fishing can be outstanding.

Looking straight east out of Antelope.  The lake is not that big, but in the past has been a producer.

You do not have to go far to catch some fish.  Right off the dock is a bank on the north side of the lake where the water goes from shallow to fifteen to eighteen feet deep quickly.  I just worked along the bank back trolling with a spinner and drifting out to deeper water.  It was a Northern Pike that I first picked up, and the fight was on.  Catching pike on ultralight rods with light line is a hoot.  I picked up three nice fish in about a two hour period.  Several were lost along with a number of lures when the line was cut. 

Looking straight west for towards the dock and toward the setting sun.  This is a beautiful lake.

These are great fish to eat, and our friends that come for dinner will always accept Northern Pike.  Watch the video below on how to take out the Y bones.  You will end up with a really nice fillet. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS_cHdKS-_A

I had been on two different lakes for a total of about 14 hours, and it was time to fold my tent.

Bass Pro Shops XPS Walleye Angler Spinner Blades - Colorado

This is the spinner on which I caught the fish, both smallmouth and northern.  Click on the spinner blade or the link above to buy from Bass Pro. I tie my own.

 

Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck. Hank

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Just a Little Patience

It is the last day of the Iowa season, and there is nothing to show for my limited trouble.  Analyzing my actions, there are a couple of important items to consider.  How much time did I spend on the ground?  There is not a good answer here as I have a tendency to socialize when the landowner comes around and that wastes time.

Carry-Lite Pretty Boy Turkey Decoy Set

My favorite turkey decoy combination.  Click on the link to price and buy from Bass Pro.

Second, this year seems to be the season of impatience.  This is the result of having had so many great spring hunts in the past.  The weather is perfect for fishing.  I hate to miss some really good spring walleye trips when getting an Iowa turkey has become really a chore.

RedHead Reality Series Aluminum Friction Turkey Call

This is the call I use.  Click on the link to price and buy from Bass Pro.

Third, and I believe one of the most important elements to successful turkey hunting, is concealment.  I have just not been well hidden, and need to concentrate more on good hiding spots.  The turkeys in the wild have outstanding vision and will pick up on the slightest movement.  In addition, we do not know what they can see.  I am always concerned that my outline may be noticed. Even though a leaf suit is worn, my presence may be noticed.  

 RedHead Crow Call

I use a crow call to help locate the toms. Click on the link to buy from Bass Pro.

Fourth, I was told by an old turkey hunter that the majority of the big toms are shot between the hours of 8 AM and 1 PM.  He also told me when you see the hens out roaming around by themselves, these are bred hens and the big boy may be running out of females.  Start hunting then because the toms are looking for more hens and are more susceptible to a call and a decoy.  When he has lots of hens around, he is not so easy decoy and respond to a call.

Finally, how much calling should a person do.  Visiting with some people who claim to be experts, one said to call all the time to show activity.  Another said to give a hen call just to indicate the presence to a big boy on the prowl and give it periodically.  He will identify the location and if interested, start working toward you.  Both methods have been successful.



With all this review in mind and trying to analyze the skill of harvesting a big boy, a scientific plan was made and off I went to the pasture on the Iowa farm. 

I can almost find myself.

They came off the roost, and I made a couple of yelps then maintained silence.  It was a great morning and the company of a good book was enjoyed while the wait was on.  A couple appeared at a distance, but showed no interest.  By noon, the hunt was postponed with the idea to be back in the late afternoon and check out another spot.

Crawling in amongst some downed timber, I faced straight east and the sun was behind me.  Birds had been seen crossing a field from east to west.  This might be the time to be there.  Sure enough, out of the woods in the distance came two jakes and a really nice big tom.  Scratching and pecking, they came straight toward me.  The main thing now was not to move.  The gun was lying across a branch in front of me.  I positioned myself to be able to shoot.  The wait was on for the three to cross the field. 

As they came closer, it was obvious that they did not or could not see me in the fallen timber among the branches.  Not one movement was made even though some discomfort was setting in.  Slowly moving my hands onto the gun and with minimal swing, I brought the big boy into my sights and dispatched him at fifteen yards.

25 pounder.

One shot and he was down and done.  Now what was really amazing was that the other two birds hung around.  As I came out of the hiding place, they ran off and then stood and stared.  Finally, they high tailed it back to the woods on the east side of the field.  Last day of the last hour and I was limited out.

Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck.  Hank

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Cows Gone Wild



I spent too much time on the Tekamah farm socializing.  That is what happens when you know people really well and enjoy their company.  The farm just west of my home is right along the Missouri River and has timber, pasture, and crops.  I also socialize there too.  It is ideal turkey country and the ground has always held a plentiful supply of nice big birds.  On my scouting trip this year, I did not see the size, but there was plenty of quantity.  It is meat and not size that these trips are all about. 

With a couple of days of drying out, the road into the farm was good and firm.  Next there was a minor situation that took place.  My wife and I take our blue grass clippings over to feed the cattle, and when they see the truck they all come running for freshly cut grass.  On this trip the cattle coming to the truck was no exception.

Parking near an abandoned building, the cows came right up to the truck to get a handout, but all they saw was me packing up my gear and walking toward a fenceline that bordered a cornfield and the pasture.

They followed.  Right behind me came a line of cows waiting for food and at times they were within three feet of me.  I had to walk about two thirds of a mile to get to my hiding place, but I didn't want these cattle anywhere near me.  My concern was if a big tom appeared, there was no way a score could be made with the herd hanging around.

The bull on the left made me nervous, but all he wanted was blue grass.

Over and over again, I tried to shoo them off, but to no avail.  Finally, I got to my place and climbed over a downed tree to stow my gear.  They came right to the tree,  stood and stared at me and would not leave.  So I took the decoy bags out around them and set up the decoys.  Everywhere I went the cows followed. 

This cow just wanted to hang out with me.

I hid in some fallen timber.  They finally gave up and moved on, but not far.  If I got out of my hiding place, a cow or two would come immediately to see if there was some form of a handout.  It is obvious, they remember.

All in all, I saw nothing, heard nothing, and folded my tent.  In other words, I gave up after about three hours. 

There was no way that I was going to get a shot if something showed up. 

After mowing the next day, my wife and I drove over to the pasture and the cattle followed the truck to where we unloaded the freshly cut blue grass.

I don't think I can ever eat beef again.  

Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck. Hank



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