ODE TO THE WOLF RIVER RIG
“Its effectiveness is in its simplicity.
It is called the Wolf River Rig and presumably was first used on the Wolf River where it took its name. Certainly millions of these rigs were used over the years to catch walleyes, saugers and white bass on the Wolf River.
I have no idea when the first Wolf River Rig was used but it has been fished for probably a century if not longer. When I was growing up in the 1950s and 60s, everyone who fished the Wolf and Fox Rivers in east central Wisconsin used the Wolf River Rig. There seemed to be no other way to fish the rivers without one.”
~ Badger Sportsman Magazine
The Wolf River rig is stilled used today, along with the Lead Head Jig tipped with a minnow, and the ever popular Rapala. It’s March 2018, the ice is almost all out and guys are starting to catch their limit.
Those three pieces of fishing tackle have been used as long as I’ve been alive and could be used by Mr. Webster for the definition of, ‘tried and true’.
If you’re on the Wolf River, in the spring, and want to catch fish…
I don’t care what you start with but I can guarantee you, you will end up using one or all of these methods to finally put fish in the boat.
Here is my moms article describing the spring craziness that erupts around the state after ice out. Especially around North East Wisconsin on the Lake Winnebago System.
Article found in The Guides Journal, 1981 Spring Edition, page 6
Titled: Run walleye, run!
(Tom Hanks musta read her article)
“February in Wisconsin is full of blizzards, ice and cold, but the walleye fishermen are already dreaming of the big walleye run to come.
Every year the walleyes run “The Gauntlet” of all gauntlets. Starting at the mouth of the Fox River in Oshkosh, they dodge the boats jammed together and lying in wait, they slip past the shores lined with cane poles and under the bridges where fishermen wait shoulder to shoulder.
On they swim through Lake Butte de Morts, to Omro, to Eureka, where you can walk from shore to shore on the boats and never get your feet wet.
If the walleyes make it this far, they swim north up the Wolf and Fox rivers to Shiocton, New London and Northport. Looking always for their favorite spot in one of the 19 marshes they use for spawning. When spawning is over they turn around and head back to Lake Winnebago, running the same gauntlet of fishermen waiting for another try.
While on the shores in Walleye Country, it’s party time, schools close, factories shutdown, businessmen hang out “Gone Fishing” signs, housewives join grandmas, grandpas and kids of all ages in the fun of trying to hook the big one. Radio and TV stations send reporters out on the rivers and lakes to broadcast live, the way it is when the walleye run is on.
(Pete and Joe famous in New London, two real dummies timing when the ice goes out)
Folklore says, “10 percent of the fishermen catch 90 percent of the fish.” So here are some tips for catching walleyes. I’ve had to learn these over the past 20 years, using them should help you get lucky too.
The best bait!
- The Wolf River Rig: Some like the killer rig, but not me. I carefully hook a minnow through the lower lip, up through the nose, and this works great.
2. Balsa Wood Minnows: Many fishermen like the artificial balsa wood minnows. However, when the water is high and running fast, you can lose many of these lures in the snags. If you really like these baits, be prepared and take extras.
(image for info only, not intended as an ad)
3. Hours: Anytime from ice break-up well into May. With or without a boat you are bound to catch fish.
Local info spots:
In Oshkosh go to Tews’ sporting store on the south edge of town, right on the shores of Winnebago. Ed’s got everything you may need for fishing. He’s open long hours and best of all he always knows where the fish are hitting.
In New London, Donny Sommer’s Midtown Supper Club is right on the main drag and the river. Come as you are and join the fishermen that gather here to swap tales about local hot spots. Donny’s one of the best fishermen in town and doesn’t mind sharing his knowledge.
Places I know are full of walleyes: Try below the Shawano Street bridge in New London. Markmen’s Bayou at the mouth of the Little Wolf. The Round Hole, Flease’s Landing, Larsen Bayou and the Northport Bridge are great at the north end of the run.
Come on, join the fun and tell them Johnny Walleye sent you!”
by LeAnn Bosquez, using my dads nickname ‘Johnny Walleye’ as a pen name for her article submissions.
If you are on the river this spring you’ll see a technique fishermen use all the time. Either drifting the boat or anchored. Using the simple Lead Head Jig, tipped with a minnow, night crawler or leech. “It slays em’.” As the fishermen like to say.
Remember this article is 38 years old, Uncle Ed and his shop are gone, Donny’s Midtown is now El Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant BUT New London’s Big Whopper Weekend with Buffalo burgers is still going strong and coming up in April so if you make the main tent you will certainly find someone who will know who you are talking about if you say…
“Johnny Walleye sent me.”
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