PHOTO GALLERY

I hope you enjoy this photo log!  I will be adding recent client catches throughout the season.  Please feel free to return often and keep up with the latest action in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.  We would also like to invite you to make a trip soon..... We would love to be able to add your photo to this page!

This Photos Gallery Dedicated to My Dad Who Started Me Fishing

WINTER ARRIVES 

12/30/05 First Day in the Shanty Gets Big Dividends

I spent a lot of time durning the open water season trying to pick a good place to place my shanty. With that saying "Once-in-awhile even a blind squirrel will find a nut" seem to be true today. With a GPS mark from summer I pulled my shelter out to this spot. Once you put a permanent shelter up you really do not move it. Today was my first day out and look at these fish. I got four flags today one was a 26 inch fish weighing and easy 7 pounds, the next was a 28.5 incher weighing 8.5 pounds and the last one was 26.5 inches again a little over 7 pounds. The first fish was my largest and I estimated him over 10 pounds but I lost him in the hole when he broke off. Here is my official first day on the water and some heavy fish. The first fish (the 26 incher) I kept and the two bigger fish I released.

               26 inch 7 pounds                                                           28.5 inches  8.5 pounds

The 26 & 28.5 incher                                                     26.8 inches and over 7 pounds 

 12/29/05 The Ice Shanty Finaly Gets Out      

Well winter came pretty fast for me this year as on 11/28/05 I put my last dayon the water. I was hoping to put the last two days of the musky season in but everyting just froze up over night. By the time I made my transition of putting the boat and gear away and getting out my ice fishing stuff, I lost almost a month. Today on 12/29/05 I got my shanty out. It about 5 hours with the double hauling but I am set. We are sitting on about 10 to 12 inches and I think we got a good spot. Here is my last day open water and putting out the Shanty.

                   11/28/05                                                                

                                                                     12/29/05 (12inches of ice)  

 THE START OF SNOWMOBILE TOURS

December marked an addition to Have Rod... Will Travel... as we added Snowmobile Tours under the name of Have Sled... Will Travel... On December 27th & 28th I took my first snowmobile clients out. Mark, Cindy (wife), and two children Olivia & Jackson had their very first experience on a snowmobile. I had hope the trails would have been in better shape but some sections were very good and some a little shady. Anyway the first outing was a success and evryone had a great time.

Mark, Olivia, Cindy, & Jackson                                    Mark, Cindy, Olivia, & Jackson

Cindy in a Kodak moment                                    Jackson & Olivia ready to go again

Photos of Clients in 2005

Walleye Season Starts Out Great

and continues throughout the summer; while muskies come on later in the year!

Most Recent Photos Listed First Down to Opening Day

Smallmouth Fishing is Good Right Now.                                               Monday Night Musky league 6-20-05

Here is one at 4-1/2 lbs. Caught this Spring.                                                         44.5 Inches

 More Cold Weather Fish

It really has been amazing this Fall as with the Start of October and when the water temps made it to the mid 50's fish like these were almost an everyday occurance.

BIG MUSKIES--FISH THE FALL

Cold weather finally arrives to start the Trophy Season and Glenn caps the day with this really nice 46.5 incher 10/7/05

Well two days ago a major cold snap arrived in the Northwood's after having the start of October hit record highs of 80 degrees. This cold snap brought freezing temperatures, strong NW winds,  freezing rain, and a little snow. Water temps drop in a week from near 65 degree to 55 degrees and started the feed for trophy muskies. Here is Glenn with a nice 46.5 incher that weighed near an estimated 30 lbs.

Glenn's 46.5 incher 30 pounder (Nice Fish)

Paul & wife Anne try some walleye Fishing 9/8/05

Paul and Anne have vacationed the area for many years. Paul owns his own business but may be retiring to theis area in a year or so. Paul wanted to get the technique for fishing fall walleyes. High skies and calm waters made it a little difficult but both of them were committed to learn and fished very hard. Both of them insisting to bait their own hooks (worms or minnows) and Ann was outstanding with her persistance. Paul however got all the fish both walleye and smallmouth. Here are a couple of photos.

Mike M. takes his daughter (Jessica) & son Tom out for a Muskie Hunt but the bite came to a halt 7/29

I met Mike the night before while out for dinner, as he approached me about being a guide. Asking if I would take him, his son & daughter out the next morning, I answered him I would do my best. Then I found the next morning to be a total shut down. We did not even raise a fish today and this was my best spot. Word came in later many other guides had a shut down as well, just one of those unpredictable days as we have lost about 12 degrees in a week on my best lake. Anyway the the team put a great effort in while daughter Jessica barely took a moment of rest. She was a real trooper and my hat is off to her on a great effort. All three never used level-wind reels before but with a little teaching all were casting the big baits like pros. Great job Mike, Tom and Jessica, just wish we had better results, you worked hard enough.

Mike controled the back of the boat;          while Tom shared the front with his sister

but Jessica never rested and really put in an effort

Larry and his two sons Evan and Nate take one Morning Fishing for Walleye and Bass and one day for Muskies 7/19-20/05

Larry brought his two sons up for a quick get-away to to some fishing. Our first day wa for walleye and bass and it was windly giving us a tough day. But the second day was for musky and that is my better likeness. Fishing a morning outing only we went ot my clearwater lake. Throwing modified bull dawgs Evan had two follows and the second was a big fish. Tired and near the end of our outing I was able so save face when Larry banged a legal 34 incher.

Larry's 34" and first Lifetime Musky

Rick returns with Friend Henry for some Musky Fishing 7/18-19/05

Rick fished with me in the Spring with his son Zach and had a great time fishing for walleyes (see earlier photos) This week he return with his friend Henry for "Strictly Musky Fishing" ... and I did not want to let them down on the fish of 10,000 casts. Needless to say we lucked out. Booked for two back to back mornings it was Henry who took first fish. After a few strikes and follows Henry landed his FIRST MUSKY in 2-1/2 hours with this nice 40 INCHER.  Rick did not fairwell on the first day,but... The second day was a little harder and by 11:45 am we only had two follows. Time was short and I could only go until noon. Finally I said; "Time was up, why don't you make ONE MORE CAST" ... Rick did and BANG he got one on the last cast. It was only a 32 but it gave a good fight and it was a pretty fish to boot.

Here is Henry's very nice 40"                    Here is Rick's fish on the "Last Cast"

GUIDES FOR KIDS DAY -- EAGLE RIVER, WI 7/14/05

As an annual event the "Guides for Kids Day" is a great success. As a guide participant I drew Dan and he want to go for the bigger fish. I took Dan's father along as we had the room. It was a great day while Chris caught a nice smallie at about 3-1/2 pounds and over 18 inches while Dan became a Bassmaster by catching two dandy smallmouth at 16 and 17 inches weighing 2-1/2 and 3 pounds respectively.

Chris (dad) 18"+ 3-1/2# smallie                     Dan's 17" 3# Smallie

  Father/Son Matt & Knute Split Day for Walleye/Bass & Musky 7/8/05

One of my new split days but even to make things easy hot weather is making it difficult. Today we fished for walleyes and smallmouth in the morning an only got a couple smallies but here is Knute with a smallmouth close to 3-1/2 or 4 pounds (NICE FISH)!!! In the evening it turn out to be a night I would BET to catch muskies. We fished hard and turned a 0. It was all good fun and enjoyment though!

Paul (dad) with kids Lauren 9 and Nathan 11 do some bass fishing! 7/7/05

Here is a great family photo album of father (Paul), son (Nathan) 11 years old, and daughter (Lauren) 9 years old, who were looking for some family fun on a morning of some bass fishing. On the kids first time trying Nathan and Lauren graduated with "BASSMASTER HONORS". Here are some action photos of this family having a GREAT time catching bass.

Lauren sets the Hook                         Lauren fights a battle

Nice Smallmouth for a Little Girl                     Nathan ties into a jumper

Nathan get a nice Smallie                      And another a little smaller 

Husband & Wife (Tom & Anne) team up for my second SPLIT DAY 7/6/05

Tom & Anne are from Illinois where Tom owns his own plumbing company. Great folks with a great passion for the out doors and fishing. We fished for Walleyes on the split day early in the morning and returned later in the evening. The bite was a little tough but here are some pictures of some nice fish (over-the-slot) at 18-1/2 inches.

     Here is Anne with the first 18-1/2 in the A.M.                    Here is Tom with the last 18-1/2 in the P.M.

Tom with another nice walleye

Another Father and Son Team: Tom & Joe in some trying weather. 7/1/05

Tom and his son Joe spend my first split day on the water, 4 hours early morning for walleyes and bass, then 4 hours late evening for musky. With a strong cold front, heavy N/W winds, and some cool temperatures made today's outing difficult. However a few morning fish were caught; perch, walleye, and a very nice smallmouth. We drew a blank on our evening muskies on a very good lake, but the fish just had some lockjaw today. This father and son were a great team. ALthough the bite was off we had an extremely enjoyable and educating day.

Here is Joe with the days first Walleye                                                 Here is Tom with a Dandy Smallmouth

Chuck with son Rick come up for Walleyes - Father's Day Weekend 5/18/05

Rick and his dad Chuck come up for a day on walleyes looking to take a meal home. High skies and a tough clear lake with a slot limit sounded tough when we started out that moring, especially after a major cold front. The guys did great catching their 3 fish over the slot limit first, the rest was a piece of cake and alot of fun.

Rick & Chuck with their 3 keepers over the slot.      Rick with one of the few in the slot RELEASED fish.

Paul Takes a Fishing Adventure Alone and has a GREAT Time 6/7/05

Paul was visiting the Eagle River area with his wife and daughter and wanted one day for serious fishing. We started our morning for walleye but it was tough bite with the recent mayfly hatch, so we swithced to smallmouth. Paul had some fast hot action with the samllies fishing topwater, small cranks, and tube jigs. He caught some dandy bass on the average of 2 pounds with the largest at 3-1/2. After lunch we tried some MUSKIE fishing and in the first 15 minutes we spotted one in the clear water and got the fish to turn and follow the bait. The fish (about 40 inches) was porpoising on the bait and aggressively tried to hit right at the boat but missed. Then 15 minutes before we had to leave we sighted another fish (about 37 inches) Paul hooked the fish but got away. It was really a fun day. Here are a couple of Paul's smallies.

Randy & Joe are best of Friends and Tied in their Fishing Contest 6/5/05

Randy & Joe have been best firends since High School and they are great partners having great fun together. Slightly on the competive side these guys are great to have fishing, Joe catches the first walleye and Randy the last. As the morning went on each had fun with a little jesting and a little "whoofing" on each other as they caught fish but the contest was even at the end. It was concluded a tie. I am sure a different story is being told at this time.

Joes First Walleye of the Day                                        Randy's First Walley of the Day

Randy's last Walleye                                                                    Joe's Last Walleye

Jerry Becomes the Bassmaster 6/3/05

Proclaiming to be a Novice Angler Jerry has only been a bobber fisherman. Jerry learned the art of topwater fishing, crankbait fishing, and how to site fish. He caught some dandy bass both largemouth and smallmouth and a walleye. He was very excite and became very nervous when a 46 inch musky followed his little bassbait right up to the boat

Jerry & a Walleye                                                   Jerry another Smallie

Mom and Daughter Book a Guide and Have A Great Day Fishing 6/1/05

Here I had the great pleasure of guiding my first Mom and Daughter Team. It was not our best day fishing but the weather was very nice and the girls had fun on the water. A few smallmouth bass were caught but great conversation and great sights of the lake were seen, such as an eagle scooping up a fish in it's talons right near the boat!

               Alicia & Angela                                                                                Angela

Raquel & Jeff have a Great Day As Well 5/24/05

Raquel and Jeff are husband & wife and are teachers, Jeff is a Proffessor. Both of them enjoyed a full day on the water as walleye's in the 15 to 21 inch range were caught all day. We had a nice lake side lunch on the shore and went back for more fish.

Raquel                                                                          Jeff

Dad Takes his son out for a Great Day of Fishing! 5/20/05 

For me this reaches a high point when I can take out a Father and his son out fishing. I remember the days of fishing with my dad and he is responsible for my great interest in fishing. So when I can pass on a little fishing info to a team like this, my job dosen't get any better. Here is Rick and his son Zach are having a great day on the water catching walleye 15 to 20 inches.                                                   

Manson Insurance Coorporate Outing 5/12/05

A bad day weather-wise but over 20 Walleyse all over 15" 

It is with great pleasure that Eagle River welcomes the Corporate group of the Manson Insurance Company. Every year this outing occurs at the begining of the Walleye season. Generally using approximately 25 Eagle River Guides there is a little contest amoung some 50 to 60 anglers. I am proud to say my team had one of the better catches for the day as Mike, Greg, and Dan put up with some cold temperatures and high winds and found out on the return they had a GREAT DAY. Good Job Guys!!

Dan                                                                  Greg 

                      Mike