Lake Trout: Jigging for Summer Success

By Greg Barnes
Fishing & Hunting Sales Manager

Greg Barnes - 27" Lake Trout

Whether you are headed to a destination Lake Trout fishery or just looking for a change of pace in the BWCA; jigging for Lake Trout is a great technique.  In fact this is the fish that originally drew anglers to NE Minnesota / NW Ontario and the deep, clear lakes that can be found there.  In the early spring Lake Trout can be caught in under 40 feet of water by trolling spoons and crank baits.  However, it is after this, when they move to the deeps that will be addressed here.

When fishing inland lakes you are primarily imitating cisco, a common prey species for lake trout.  There are a variety of lures capable of achieving this.  Heddon Sonars, Kastmasters, Sebile Vibratos, Jigging Raps, Blue Fox, and Northland airplane jigs are all viable options.  Color patterns including silver, blue, pink, and green are the most time-tested fish catchers.  Tackle you may already have can also be used.  For example; a 1/4 - 1 oz. Jig head with a plastic tube is another popular rig.  Most walleye fishermen will already have a rod and reel appropriate for this application.  A medium or medium heavy rod lined with plenty of 20 or 30 lb. Braided line is a great set-up.  Fluorocarbon leaders can be added for a finicky bite, but are not necessary.

Marking these bait fish on a good quality sonar unit is the best way to locate where the fish are feeding in the water column.  When looking for spots on a depth contour chart I tend to favor areas with steep near shore drops instead of deep holes out in the middle of bays.  Either types of structure need to reach a depth of at least 60 feet to have good potential and it is not uncommon to fish in over 100 feet.  Often when watching your sonar you will find a school of bait fish first and that is a good spot to begin.  Drop your chosen lure underneath the depth at which you marked fish and begin to jig and retrieve vertically.  Lake Trout will hit the lure both on the retrieve and on the way down.  So, pay attention to any changes in speed while letting down because they could indicate a strike.  Anchoring at these depths is impractical, slow drifting or controlling your position with a trolling motor is ideal.   If fishing without a depth finder I use an easy technique that covers a lot of water. When first attempting to locate fish at a new spot I cover the entire water column.  This is a simple style of fishing, drop your chosen lure all the way to the bottom and reel up at a quick speed.  The aforementioned Sonars, Kastmasters, and Vibratos will be best for this.  It is hard to reel too fast because these fish are fast and prefer to chase their prey.

Mike Barnes - 29" Lake Trout

Good eating size for these trout is right around 20 inches and leaving the bigger ones will help your areas to produce fish year after year.  The the fish can be completely filleted or with the skin left on.  Recipes similar to those for salmon are quite good.  Pan searing with the addition of maple syrup or garlic is delicious.  Lemon butter sauces also accompany the grilled fish quite well.

If you have been looking for a new way to target Lake Trout or are interested in eating fish other than walleye on your next trip to the boundary waters then jigging is for you.  After the surface water temps climb above 60 degrees this technique will catch you fish in to the fall.  Get out and try it or stop in at Joe's for more tips.  

Puppy Boot Camp

By Kevin Lunzer

Firearms/Hunting - Lead Sales Associate

While enjoying the warm weather of summer, it's hard to plan for a hunting trip that might be months away. We spend our weekends at the lake and we know that it only takes a few days to prepare for a bird hunt. Unfortunately, this isn't the case if you're looking to get your dog in the field for the first time. Statistics have shown that most electronic dog collars are purchased the week before the waterfowl season opens, but introducing this to your dog too late in the year can ruin the season for both of you. 

When purchasing an electronic collar, do your homework first. Purchase your collar well in advance of the hunting season and consider the type of hunting you'll be doing. Match the collar to you and your dog. Many collars have different levels of vibrate and tone in addition to the various levels of electronic stimulation. These collars also come with recommendations for the size and weight of your dog. If you're strictly a waterfowl hunter you'll want to look for waterproof collars. For upland hunters, you may consider collars with a longer range. You may also look for options like a locator beeper or beacon light.

It was Easter Sunday 2013 when I came home with my new duck hunting partner, Vixen, a 7 week old yellow lab pup. I spent the first few months teaching her basic commands like "sit" and "stay." By mid summer she was coming to the gun club with me a few times a week. I never shot next to her, but we would spend hours listening to gunfire. She was also exposed to many other dogs while she was there. This is a critical step if you plan on hunting with other people and their dogs. Eventually we worked on retrieving. We started with a tennis ball or training dummy and graduated to frozen birds. I took her duck hunting at 8 months old. I didn't expect much from her, but merely wanted to expose her to the environment of the hunt itself.

As the season ended and winter set in, I purchased a Sportdog Wetland Hunter425 collar and we began training with it. I chose the Sportdog collar because it is very simple to set up, easy to use, and is expandable for up to 3 dogs, should I need it. The feature that I use the most is the vibrate setting. I rarely use any electronic stimulation, I merely use "vibrate" instead of yelling "Come Here!" I tap the vibrate button and Vixen returns to me every time. When we put the collar on, Vixen understands that this is a good thing and we will begin retrieving.

If you're an upland bird hunter, you may want to consider the Sportdog UplandHunter 1875. This collar features a 1 mile range and audible beeper that can be set in quiet, 5 second, and 10 second intervals. It is waterproof and submersible and has an "instant locate" feature with the touch of a button. This is a great feature when hunting in grass or heavy cover.

Obviously, the Wetland Hunter 425 and Upland Hunter 1875 may not have the features you're looking for, but with a little research, you'll find the one that does. At Joe's we carry a wide variety of Sportdog collars and we would be happy to help you find the one that is right for you and your dog.

Dress for Summer Success

By Caroline Nelson

Softgoods Guru

Columbia T-shirt with Omni-freeze™

Now that summer is in full swing I hope you are all out and about enjoying everything this planet has to offer. From hiking mountains to rafting rivers it’s important to have the proper equipment, starting with the ones on your back. With all the advances in textiles it can be overwhelming to know which products to pick. The key to dressing for any type of adventure is layers. Starting from the base layer, moisture management is essential for hot or cold conditions. For hot weather, brands like Columbia and Mountain Hardwear have developed a way to utilize your sweat as a cooling agent. It can be identified by little circles covering the inside of the garment; these circles soak up sweat and help with cooling and quicker evaporation. (Omni-freeze™ & Cool.Q™ Zero) When it comes to colder weather, it’s important to stay warm and dry. Weather you prefer natural or synthetic fibers the product you pick should wick moisture, insulate, and be anti-microbial. Under Armour has a technology called UA infrared which is a thermo-conductive coating that absorbs your body heat to keep you warm. In summary, look for products made of polyester or wool and stay away from cotton. You can’t go wrong with brands like Smartwool, Hot Chillys, or Under Armour. They started out making base layers and they continue to be the best.

Moving on to clothing technology, depending on what activities you’re involved in there are many different ways to protect yourself from the elements. Everyone knows about sunscreen and bug spray but did you know that there are clothing items with this as well? UPF sun protection comes in all types of clothing as well as different degrees, ranging from UPF 15 to 50+. Insect Shield is a licensed technology used by many brands to repel bugs of all kinds. Clothing infused with insect shield is a great alternative to harmful, stinky sprays. Products range from shirts to socks and hats. Lastly, weather proof clothing; many brands have applied a DWR coating to pants and hoodies to help repel liquids. Brands like The North Face and Prana have done a great job of combining everyday style with technical function.

Marmot Rainwear

Last, but usually the most important, the outer layers. For summer it is essential to have good rain wear, something waterproof, breathable and durable. Most well priced rainwear is coated with polyurethane and fully seam sealed. Higher end jackets and pants are made with a waterproof laminate layer which is a water proof material in comparison to a waterproof coating which over time will break down and will need to be re applied. Water molecules are much larger than vapor molecules with allows vapor to escape and water to be repelled. A simple way to think about it is if you throw softballs at a chain link fence they won’t go through but marbles will. With that in mind dirt and oils can clog the pores of the material which can make it less breathable. Which is why it is important to wash and dry your rain wear, this will also reactivate any PU/DWR (polyurethane/durable water repellent) coating. Gentle cycle with a tech wash and tumble dry on low heat.

The North Face Thermoball™ Vest

For insulation layers I’ve found synthetic materials to work best in wet conditions. Most commonly used, thinsulate works like down but stays warm if it gets wet and will not weigh you down. A new technology from The North Face (Thermoball™) is a synthetic insulation that looks like hundreds of tiny cotton balls and functions better than down and typical continuous filament. The North Face encases the Thermoballs™ in little squares which trap and hold warm air better than non quilted jackets.

Buff Headwear

Don’t forget accessories, ranging from hats and neck gators that protect you from the sun to bungee belts which simply keep your pants up. Buff brand makes a neck tube that you can use many different ways, for example a hat or full balaclava. The summer ones all have UV protection plus many other great features like insect shield. Arcade Belt Co. is a new little company out of Lake Tahoe, started by skiers and outdoor enthusiasts who wanted a belt to not only keep their pants up but function better than any other belt out there.  What makes this belt so different and spectacular you ask? It is made of a highly durable elastic which moves with you and won’t stretch out. People have said “it’s like turning every pair of pants into sweatpants”. The buckle is made of a high density plastic with a quick release snap, which makes it a perfect belt for travel since it has no metal you won’t have to take it off at airport security. It has a low profile and comes in many fun patterns, making it not only comfortable but fashionable.

Arcade Belts

I hope these few facts about modern outerwear will aid you in finding exactly what you need for the adventures ahead of you. As a world traveler and adventure seeker I can tell you, with the right equipment it can make any experience more enjoyable. 

Wakeboards and Skis and Tubes OH MY!

By Andrew Clarke

Summer/Winter Sports Sales Manager

Schools are out and we can now say summer is truly here.  Congratulations to all of the graduating classes of 2014! Now is the time when everyone has the chance to join their own Redneck Yacht Club for some fishing, sand bar relaxation, and a little behind boat towing.  There are a number of great options to get out on the water for a bit of recreation while the summer is here. 

Waterskiing has its roots dating back to Minnesota’s own Lake Pepin in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson fashioned the first water skis using wood planks.  Now and days we've moved from wood to fiberglass, carbon fiber and polymers to keep you moving and grooving on the water.  The two types of skiing out there are combo skiing (more basic and easier to start with) and slalom skiing (more advanced single ski).  Combo skis offer bindings that fit a wide range of foot sizes and are built to get any skier up on the water no matter the skill level.  Combo skis also have a rear binding on one of the skis to help the skier learn to drop a ski as well as learn deep water slalom skiing starts.  By contrast, slalom skis are sold as a singular ski and are a more robust to handle faster boat speeds and more aggressive turning.  Speeds for skiing vary on skier preference.  The general range is 22-28 mph for combo skis and 26-36 mph for slalom.  The last thing you’ll need to get set up for a day on the water is a stretch line tow rope for skiing.  The standard tow ropes have high degree of bound and rebound to aid the skier turning and absorb the shock from the boat bouncing on the water.

Wakeboarding started sometime in the 1980’s as its winter counterpart snowboarding was gaining popularity.  Wakeboards have various designs from simple curved shapes for cruising behind a boat to aggressive shapes that will launch the boarder high in the air giving them time any combo of spins, grabs, or flips.  The three build types are known as rocker come as a continuous rocker for ease of use and forgiveness on the water, 3-stage rocker for aggressive turning and pop for spins and grabs, and finally, hybrid boards that blend continuous and 3-stage for better pop with some forgiveness.  Board bindings can vary from an aggressively supportive boot a 2 shoe size range to a softer sided recreational boot that has a range of 5 sizes or more.  Like waterskiing, wakeboarding speeds are based on user preference and are generally between 18-24 mph.  The towropes you’ll want to use are a low to no-stretch line with a wider handle then ski ropes.  The more a wakeboard rope is able to stretch, the more off center the boarder will be in the air making landings tough when you are going head first into the lake. 

Finally, if neither of the first two sports sounds like your cup of tea, strap a Towable to your boat and hit the water for a leisurely cruise or more likely, a game of ditch the rider.  Towables come in a variety of shapes and sizes for 1-4 riders.  The most common are deck tubes which are both comfortable to lie on and can be sized for you as well as a friend or two to join in on the fun.  From the classic deck style tube, you can get as creative as you want from tubes the throw a big rooster tail to tubes that with throw you all directions while the boat is going straight.  Tubes are built to be tough but will eventually succumb to the abuse it will likely go through.  Personally, I average 2 years before I puncture a bladder and need to replace my towable.

This is the time of year cabin fever no longer exists and everyone can get out for the weekend or holiday to enjoy the warm weather and Joe’s Sporting Goods has the tools to help you make the most of the warm weather while it’s here.  If you want to learn more, stop by the shop and ask us questions.  We've been there before and want to make sure you have as much fun as we do.

And until next time, GET OUTDOORS!