Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for July 14, 15th and 16th 2015

[Hutch]

I spent 3 days guiding Dean and Loretta Robinson and friends Bob Cooper and Louis Parrott from Hamburg Iowa and Eagle NE to full possession limits of walleye along with a big bunch of walleye appetizers/suppers while they were here. Just a great bunch of new customers and we had a great time catching lots of walleye in great summer weather. We fished Oahe two days in from 20 fow all the way out to occasionally 40 fow and spent a day on Sharpe at West Bend fishing here around 20 fow to 30 fow. We used nightcrawler bouncer rigs with either spinners or plain hooks both places. Day one on Oahe was tougher and we scrambled all day with a negative bite to get the fish (we did barely) but day three on Oahe was a 50 fish day. Sharpe was an easy 50 fish day so I think if size is not a factor and just catching fish numbers is okay for you it is a good choice around West Bend but I still favor Oahe. Over all average size is much better and if you find active fish (not as easy) good numbers. The Annual Governors cup tournament is this week end and it will be interesting to see the results of boats that are just targeting big fish. This is the oldest tournament around and was started by John and Marlene Brakks long time former Spring Creek Marina owners. It draws some real tough sticks from all over so competition is keen. John passed away 2 years ago but all of that have been around for a while remember him and think of him often especially around Governors Cup time. It was nice to see his son Shaun back in town for this event. I will post the results and speculate that we are going to see some real nice weights come in with trolling for suspended big fish a factor. As a guide I am usually looking for numbers of nice fish every day and do not spend a lot of time just trying to catch a smaller amount of big walleye so it is always interesting to see the results of that style of fishing. Haven't heard of much of a Salmon bite but could have missed information about these fish. Smallmouth fishing is good for those targeting them shallow. Plenty of hot summer weather around so lots of water is a must to have in your boat along with bug spray some days. Remember new GF&P regulations require draining live wells before leaving fish cleaning areas.

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch