Burns Outdoors

Erie Quest Charters 

FISHY BUSINESS

GUIDE SERVICE

June 14th 2009 

Family time on Lake Erie

Every family needs a break. Time to get away, connect with one another or revisit happy times from the past. Spending time on the water helps bring families together and can be the centerpiece of a great vacation. Such was the case this past weekend with multiple families coming, together to fish aboard the Erie Quest for the ever elusive Lake Erie walleye.

I have to add that these family fishing adventures were also made special with the addition of one of the finest walleye fisherman in the Midwest, Doug Burkhead, Indiana Walleye.com founder and walleye connoisseur, joining the Erie Quest for three days of non-stop walleye fishing.

On Thursday evening, we made a rendezvous at Meinke Marina, for some walleye pre-fishing strategy for the upcoming walleye adventures. When I arrived at the boat, I found Doug and 8,000 Mayflies at my boat. No doubt, it had just started and was in full swing...The 2009 Mayfly Hatch! During the Mayfly hatch in Lake Erie it is typical that Walleye become extremely difficult to catch. The Weapon helps solve this problem by imitating this abundant forage and it provides a smaller, more delicate presentation in the cleaner and clearer water of Lake Erie when walleye fishing aboard the Erie Quest.

Sammy and Colton Compton from Portland, IN. show off their Lake Erie walleye catch. Nice job Compton kids!

On Friday morning around 4:00 AM, I awoke to the sound of the wind howling through the willow tree next to my bedroom window. I went to back to bed, wishfully hoping the NE wind would back down. It didn't. At 5:45 AM, we pulled into the the Erie Quest dock, to find the Compton family...Curt, Cris, Sammy, & Colton ready to do battle with Lake Erie! Their friends Rita and Kyle also joined them from Indiana. We loaded up the boat and headed out 14 miles, not far from the Canadian line and "clean" water. It was bumpy, 4 and 5 foot waves were the "norm"...with an "occasional" 6 rolling by.

The Bottom Bouncers went out, "two cranks up" and the Casters were set up to work, working "The Swing" of the boat. Our Weapons...aka..."mayfly rigs - with hammered copper or gold No. 4 Colorado blades and 3/4 ounce weights were the most productive terminal tackle ticket, though gold, fire tiger patterned willow leaf blades provided a number of Lake Erie walleye.

Mayflies or not, Colton was "up for the run" aboard the Erie Quest for Lake Erie walleye.

Casting 3/4 oz. copper weapons was just the ticket for Cris

As so often has been the case with this up-and-down spring weather, the action for us was what is euphemistically called a "slow pick" on our Friday afternoon charter with Jeff Neal and his daughter Audrey. As a High School graduation present, Jeff had asked his daughter what she would like to do.....she said "Dad, I want to go Lake Erie walleye fishing." We left the dock at 2:00 PM and made the journey to the deep water of the "Triangle". We caught some quality fish and had a very fun time together....not seeing another boat for miles...near waypoint "Sammy". Low-n-slow worked well for this Father - Daughter duo!

Jeff and Audrey Neal found fishing the US/Canada border can be very productive for Lake Erie walleye

Capt's Tip:
Lake Erie walleyes are fish consumers, especially emerald shiners & yellow perch. They also eat insects such as mayflies. Walleyes do most of their feeding in the morning and at sunset, which is usually the best time to catch them.

Ashley Bauer had fun catching her "Limit" of Lake Erie walleyes with her family on-board the Erie Quest!

Remember....This week is a good time to concentrate on the good things we remember about our fathers and enjoy them! Father's Day is also a good time to thank our fathers for their good influences - if they are still around.

It is also a good time to take your kids fishing!

The Bauer family made some great memories in the distant waters of Lake Erie near the US / Canada border

Again, a special "Thanks" to Doug Burkhead....an extraordinary friend indeed!

Capt. Rick Millette
 

Richard T Gaston Memorial Tournament

DNR