Few things in the world of angling compare to the exhilarating strike of a surface lure. Whether you like to chug a jitter bug, pop a fly, or walk the dog it all results in the same toe curling splash when a fish decides to attack it—and now is the time.
Some friends of mine were kind enough to meet me at the Northern Light portage this week to help me carry a boat across from Saganaga. They were top water fishing in the portage bay while patiently waiting for me to prepare the boat for transport and putting on quite a show. After all, that is what surface fishing is all about—the show.
Fish are generally opportunistic feeders and right now there are a lot of different bugs and flies hatching in and along the flooded lakeshores. I was about to point out two dragon flies that were either mating or playing horseback rides, I am not really sure, but as soon as I was about to open my mouth they touched down on the surface of the lake and were smashed by a smallmouth bass. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen happen on a freshwater lake. The dragon fly playing the role of the horse was devoured but the rider somehow escaped and flew away. I’d say that he got lucky twice!
Lakes that have stream trout of any kind will also go through a number of hatches that can be the best fishing of the season. Dry flies on the surface will produce plenty of bites if there is any evidence of the fish feeding on the surface. Trout will make little “blurp” noises that indicate they are feeding or sometimes there might be swirls happening while flies are surfacing. Low light conditions on calm days are the ingredients needed to see some surface action. The strongest hatches seem to happen in the evening before sunset and they will be in the muddy bottom bays where insects lay their eggs.
If bass and pike are more your speed than concentrate on the first 10 feet of shoreline, once your lure has worked out 10 feet it is time to cast again. Bass will be sitting very tight to shore while looking for crayfish, insects, and anything that looks like food.
Most anglers fish their top water lures too fast. I was taught to cast your lure and wait for the ripples to disappear before giving it a pop or two, then waiting some more. Many of the hits will happen while the bait is sitting still. I try to get the most action out of the bait without covering a lot of distance. Short pops…. wait….short pops…. wait….retrieve and cast again. Give it a try.
Catch and Release report
June 12
Cory Christianson
31.5 inch walleye
Northern Light Lake
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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