Tackle makers mission to Lac Seul

[DDSBYDAY]

I am heading to Lac Seul very soon.  I am only going for a couple of days.  I have never been to Canada so I have been trying to get as much info as I can.   So far I have found out-the water is dark so go with brighter jigs.  I was told to go heavy.  I am making up some custom jigs because I don't like the long shanks on most of the heavier jigs.(1/2-3/4oz.) 

      I started making custom jigs because I can never find just exactly what I am looking for.  This thread has been very quite so I thought I might take a few of you on my trip with me.

      Anyone that can give me any tips they would be greatly appreciated.   I have heard white and gold are the best ticket.   I really can't do gold so I am primarily going with white.   I have made modifications in the jig molding procedures to get the heavier head with a shorter shanked hook.
         For the most part I fish dead seas because you can have them to yourself.  Finess is critical.  My understanding is that at Lac Suel you can catch many fish/day.   My goal is to try some new designs and try to figure out if 3d/2d eyes, glow/non glow, hook shank, hook color, and head shape really matter when fish are biting.   

                If because of my luck the bite is slow- I will be working on the same issues.  I fish the tough lakes so I think I will be able to figure it out.   I will be posting pics on some of the jigs I plan I using.  More to come.

     Stay tuned .  I will report with pics and a full fishing report for lake Lac Suel when I return.     I will be posting some pics on some jigs I am going to try.  Please chime in at any point if you think i am missing the boat. 

[DDSBYDAY]

These will be the first jigs to be dropped.  These jigs will drop faster than a standard jig with the same size head.  I hope to work these day one.  The next time you see them there will be a fish attached.   There will be 3 of us in the boat.  If I am getting out fished I will go to set 2.  If I am outfishing the other guys I will give them all these and I will move on to set 2.  The advantage to set 2 is with the treble you hook everything.  These were designed for ice fishing but I was told this will be vertical jigging all the way.  I call set two ATI-47s and they are designed for vertical jigging .  Stay tuned I have round 3 and 4 coming.    (I guess I am putting a little pressure on myself and the ATI-47s).   Either way I can go from this  to  .  You best stay tuned    .  Full report with pics to follow.

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[DDSBYDAY]

1st set did not come through the first time.  Set one will be the first test.

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[Mayfly]

How about Orange. Supposed be the best in Canada.......

[DDSBYDAY]

I have orange.  I had read about it being one of the best colors.  White and bright was the recomendations I got for Lac Seul.  One combination I did not think of was White with Orange or Orange with white.  Thank you for your post.  I will be mixing up that combo to see if I can come up with the magic jig  for Lac Seul.    L S has tannic stained water thus the reason for white and bright being more visible.  Thinking outside the box and our limited comprehension of what the fish can actually  see I will be trying glow and uv reflective paints as well.  I guarentee that I will have the specific color or color combo for one particular day on L S.  Here is a few more combos I will be throwing at them.        or

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[DDSBYDAY]

Some more of the arsinal

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[Tyler Rother]

Those are the brightest jigs I've ever seen... Looking nice man, best of luck to ya!

[DDSBYDAY]

I could only take that pic with a black light on to the left.(TIP:-If you are useing a glow in the dark jig charge it with a blue or black light,charges quicker and faster).  There really are only a couple of colors that will glow.  Most glow green.  I will be going into greater detail about glow jigs when I get back.     I really think glow is over rated.  I do think that uv reflective is more important.  I hope to answer a few of my own questions next week even if it only means I had the answer for one particular day.  (a couple of variables-H20 clarity,depth,sunlight,H20 temp,wind).  Thats why fishing is so  and          

[DDSBYDAY]

I made it back.  I promised a report and I have to start out by saying WOW!!   I learned so much on this short trip I am at a loss as to where to start.  This report will take a few posts so I will try to break it down into segments.   Myself, Ray P. Larry(aka)Freddy cox) met up with our good friend from Wadena Mn.  Dan Lorentz. (Wildlife if you are out there I bet you have met Dan).  My father was supposed to be on this trip with us.  Unfortunately for all of us he developed a blood clot in his leg and after a couple of days in intesive care the Docs told him he was not going this year.  Now I said before I had not been to Canada.  Let me tell you it was an experience I will not forget.   If you are a fisherman you have got to try this. 

   I left Thurs afternoon and it was in the 90's with high humidity.  I met Ray and Freddy in Hackensack.  We left for Canada Fri morning at 7 am. and had a nice relaxing drive to Baudette.  We crossed the border and the guard only asked for our passports.  Easy as could be.  We reached our destination at 3pm.  The weather getting worse (of course) the closer we got.  Our plan was to fish a bit that afternoon.  The winds picked up and going out was in question.  Dan was already there and has fished this lake for 20+ years and said we are good to go.
     Off we went.  What a blast..     If you think Leach is big you will be in for a suprise here at Lac Suel.  More to come.

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[DDSBYDAY]

Fri. afternoon we hit the lake.  I could not wait to field test the Lac Suel jigs.  Let me just say they worked.  My concept of shortening the shank was way off.  I will go in to this later.  The wind was blowing too hard to get anywhere we (Dano) wanted to go.  We found some shelter on the backside of an island and started catching eyes.  Mr. Lorentz had a trolling motor and tried to hold us over the fish but the wind was too strong.  He fired up the 115 Merc and we were able to hold our ground.  You have to realize the wind was blowing enough that we almost did not go out.  Lac Suel has a slot 18-23 inches.  These fish must be released.  One other interesting regulation is that if you keep a fish it must be dispatched immediately.  You are not allowed to have a live fish in your boat.  All the rental boats have a club in them so you can knock them into the next world.  I learned,(was taught) how to reach in the gill bend the head back and snap the spine.(When the fish are biting you don't want to be the one possessing this skill).  Day one caught fish.  13-18 ft. of water.  Colors-bright. Jigging action- dragging and jiggle no hopping.  We only had leeches this day.    More to come

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[DDSBYDAY]

Typical cooler with dispatched eyes when weather does not allow you to get where you want to go.

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[DDSBYDAY]

Sat morning left the dock around 9am.  Sun was out but wind was blowing.  We had hoped to hit the main lake humps but the wind made that an impossible dream.  We tried to fish a wind blown point but boat control was a problem.  We finally settled on the backside of a small island and started banging eyes.   I was the only one in the boat with shorts on.  The flies attacked my ankles like they were prime rib.  I don't know about you but in my experience that means bad weather ahead.
      We caught plenty of slot fish.   20-24 inches.  We had a bet on the biggest slot (starting at 24in.) and  first   none slot(up to 18).  Ray took the the 1$ on the first keeper and I took the 1 $ on the biggest slot  24+3/4 inches.
           On the way in we tried another spot for a couple of minutes and I picked up a couple of little sauger.  We also popped a few northern throughout the day.
      Sad part is my theory on the ankle biting flies was correct.  This was the last time we would be in the boat.

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[DDSBYDAY]

Yellows, pinks, mustard colors and whites were the best colors.  I mentioned in an earlier post I wanted to try to shorten the shank of the jig to make it easier for the fish to pick up the minnow and the jig head at the same time.WRONG!!!!!.   Sunday Dan the man Lorentz and I discussed how most of the time the eyes attack the minnow and not the jig.  Thus quick strike rigs.  They are called short biters.  We had a cold front blazing in with wind and rain.  Dan fishes Lac Suel all summer and has for 20 years.  I think next  by year we will have together designed the Lac Suel jig.  With an aggressive bite the eyes will take the whole works but for the most part they will only take the bait.  I saw this in action.  Minnows and leaches were tiny compared to what I generally use.  Dead or alive.  Hook shank length did matter.  I do think that the more aggressive fish will take the whole works but for #s you will want to separate the minnow from the jig head.     When you catch 100's of fish/day for 20 yrs+ you can really get a sence of whats going on.   
              I am not done with this report yet.  Like I said in an earlier post I learned a lot.    By next summer at this time I hope to have designed the Lac  Suel jig.

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[DDSBYDAY]

Lac Suel is a very large lake with a perimiter of 1974 miles.  It name translated from French means Lake alone.  According to rumer it received its current name from a french trapper who was forced to spend and entire winter along the the lake around the year 1750.

   Lac Seul has been an important waterway for more than two centuries.  Furs and trade goods were transported to and from the local posts as early as 1777.  During the gold rush at Red Lake (1926-27), and for nearly 40 years after, Lac Suel served as the only link with the outside.  Tons of supplies and equipment were shipped over the lake from the C.N.R. station at Hudson by canoe,by motor launch, barge and dog team.  At one time the float plane base at Hudson on Lost lake (actuallly part of Lac Seul) was considered second only to Chicago as the buiest airbase on the continent.  Many of the place names thatappear on Lac Seul today stem from this period.  In 1931 Hudson also became the jumping off spot for servicing the gold camps at Pickle Lake.  In 1928-29 a dam, built ib tge on the outlet at Ear Falls for Hydroelectric power raised water levels in the lake some.  18 feet.

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[HD]

So..... Camp Never Rest (C.N.R.)....had a  station in Hudson? 

[DDSBYDAY]

So..... Camp Never Rest (C.N.R.)....had a  station in Hudson? 

     Heck Yeah!   The general was only a private back then.

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[DDSBYDAY]

Lac Seul lake characteristics
            Lac Seul is Onterio's 2nd largest inland body of water.  It measures a map distance of about 75 miles from the outlet at Far Ells on the the near Sioux Lookout.  It drains an area of 10,200 square miles including more than 7500 smaller lakes.  Thermal stratification was evident at the the Survey in Mcintyre Bay and Shanty Narrows basins.  August water temperatures range from 68 F at the surface to 49F at 140 ft.  The dissolved Oxygen content varied slightly from 7-8ppm in most basins.  A mean ph value of 7 indicated neutrlal charachteristics in relation to the hydrogen ion composition in the water.  Clearity in this brownish coloured water varied considerably as indicated by the disappearance of the secchi disc from veiw anywhere from 1.9 to 7.5 feet below the surface.

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[DDSBYDAY]

Fish species Present in Lac Seul.

      Yellow Pickeral (walleye) , Northern pike,Sauger,Yellow perch,Lake whitefish,Emerald shiner, Johny darter,Bourbout, Rock bass White suckers, Shorthead redhorse,Logperch, Brook stickleback,and Trout perch,Lake Trout and Muskies are inhabiting species but rairly caught.

Fishing.
    Lac Seul is noted for its excellent angling for Norther Pike and Walleye.   Spring and fall angling for walleye is best in the shallower waters such as the many narrows (especially where there is current),around islands and adjacent rock shorelines.  durring the summer the walleye are usually scattered and should be fished a little deeper.  Live bait fish are preferred,but experienced anglers can catch them on jigs flatfish, rapalas, and a variety of artificial lures.  Northerns are taken throughout the open water period on a variety of lures, particularly in weedy bays.  Lac Seul produces walleye up to 12 pounds and northern pike to 35 lbs.

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[DDSBYDAY]

   I could not wait until next summer.  The Lac Seul jig has been designed.  I don't see why the  results would not be the same on our local Minnesota lakes.   On Lac Seul you will have better results if the bait is further from the jig head.   Planning for the trip I tried to shorten the shank.  Our weather was rotten but it gave me a chance to chat with the local fishermen and the guides.  All said the same thing.  Longer shank light hook.  Thus 2 lures were developed when I got back.  The ATI-51 and for the traditional jig guy the Danno.   I am willing to bet this technique will put more fish in your boat no matter where you fish.   It is like duck hunting.  It is very hard to get in the groove unless you get a few tries.  The jig on the left is a standard 3/8oz. jig  The jig on the right is the Danno.   If you happen to be in Onterio and drive by Fishermans Cove stop in.  I think you will see some great pics and actually meet Dan L.  He is the mastermind of this particular jig.

               New for 2011       ATI-51    and    Danno Jig.

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[DDSBYDAY]

  My dad is going on a fly in this coming weekend.   I have no idea where the camp is they are flying into.  He asked me to put together a package for him and the guys.  Crap, I forgot I was to get cigars from Fawkinnae's  web link.  Ooops.  Just came to me as I started typing this.   Anyway I put together the first set of Danno's and ATI-51s.   I was told white was the popular color.  ( I assume it is a tannic stained lake).  It seams that 3/8 oz is the best all around size.  This will be the first field test for the Danno's and the ATI-51s.   Unfortunately I don't expect much for pics for follow up.  This will be the third trip here for my father and I am yet to get a single pic even though the fishing has been great.   I will have to go by a verbal report.   The jigs in the pic will be in the water this Sat.  I can't wait to hear how the long shanks work.  I like the idea.   I will follow up on there return.   Maybe my dad can talk one of the other guys into snapping a pic or two.  I really wish I would not have screwed up on the cigar order now.  Sometimes you can motivate some people with a nice Stogie        One pic has a  standard 3/8 oz. jig in it for comparison.  I will be sending the super short shanks along as well.  If the walleye are really aggresive the short shanks should be very effective.   I will keep you posted.

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[DDSBYDAY]

   Some more colors heading to Canada for the weekend.   I wish I was going.   

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[Fawkinnae]

Nice lookin' jigs partner. Let me know if you need a few cigars.

[DDSBYDAY]

Nice lookin' jigs partner. Let me know if you need a few cigars.

    Thanks Fawk.  I forgot to order the cigars in time so my dad will have to get his in Brainard.  The guys are leaving this Friday.  You should however, put a couple away for our 2010 fishing challenge celebration.   The way I see it is our competition will be out chasing swamp rabbits while we slide in the back door with a win.

[DDSBYDAY]

   Some more colors heading to Canada for the weekend.   I wish I was going.   

       Glad I did not go.  Weather cold wet and windy. Very little time on the water. No pics to share and no luck.  One trophy close to the boat 3 times but the lunker  ended up winning the battle  .  Reports will continue next summer.   I have been in contact with Dan who fishes all summer out of fishermans Cove.  They have a great resort as you have seen in the pics complete with Wifi.   Dan's wife is going to try to teach him to work the computer.  If this task is accomplished this winter we will have a steady report coming from Lac Seul next summmer.   (My hat is off to MRS Dan.----You are going to attempt to teach an old dog new tricks).   Don't give up Dan,  we need your reports!!!       To be continued next spring!!

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