Floated a great stretch of water on an area Central Wisconsin stream today under warm, mosquito infested, overcast skies. Perfect smallie conditions. Have no fear as i'll be purchasing two new thermo-cell mosquito annoyers this weekend at Cabelas.

Though we had some fisherman ahead of us they took off out of site and we did the opposite. We slowed down and really worked the cover. The total fish cout was 11 smallies, one walleye, and three pike that followed the jig all the way to the boat but wouldn't take. One fish snapped my line on a jump.

Smallie range was beteen 11" - 16" though we found a few big females in and around the beds. Definitely this stretch is going to be my bread and butter guiding for a long time to come. My happy client landed many a nice fish during the course of the day. Don't forget your bug spray out there though as we did and gotten eaten alive. Don't hesitate to call and see if the day you would like to tie into a beautiful smallie is still available on my schedule either. With gas prices so high, don't get discouraged when looking to take a trip to Menominee or SW WI for trout, stay local and discover our amazing fisheries we have in the area. Stay tuned for more trips down this stretch of water.

Today was my dream turkey hunt for showing a new hunter to the sport. I think he's hooked. We found ourselves in my doghouse blind well before dawn listening to the woods wake up and the drowneed out hiss of the newly hatched mosquitos. We were prepared though and focused on the gobbles booming out in every direction. It was a clear morning, a bit windy, but temps were predicted to reach close to 70. With my blind set up at the hub of several fields gobblers love to fan in over the years and very close to a hen nesting factory I knew the chances of sticking a boss gob this morning and showing my 11 year old cousin Camden a bird up close were likely!

It wasn't long before the first birds showed themselves. The first hen came right in to 10 yards in front of the blind. More followed. Soon 3 toms all faned out worked their way across the field towards us. They hung up about 200 yards out and a total of 5 hens surrounded them. The toms were statues out there for what seamed hours while the hens fed. Then another tom emerged from our woods. It was the bird with the missing tail feather that I passed on the week before for the bird I shot. I told Camden this was the bird I wanted if the shot presented itself. We sat until nine that morning with the birds offering no shots. Gobbling was sparse though during one stint while the birds went the other way I tried some agressive putting and yelping that drew the birds into 80 yards but that's as close as they got.

We went in to relax and recooperate from all the excitement that morning. The plan was to head back out tha afternoon and set out my brand new boss gob decoy and a hen. Not 5 minutes after we settled into the blind Camden spotted the 3 toms and a few hens from that morning cutting across the winter wheat field. Nothing for 2 hours until 3 hens emerged from the woods directly behind the blind. One hen picked the ground 10 yards from the blind. Just when I was about to give up hope a tom was straggling a bit behind Camden spotted him. Missing tail feather he excitedly whispered. The bird gave me a 30 yard shot and I dropped the hammer. Didn't even flinch. Browning 12 doesn't disspoint again.

5/1/08   My two favorite hunting partners (daughter and girlfriend) and I decided to head out for an evening turkey hunt.  The night started out with cheetos, reading stories to dolly, and candy, but things got serious in a hurry when I peeked out the back window of my Ameristep Doghouse turkey blind and spotted 2 toms and 3 hens working my food plot.  With my brand new Flambeau King Strut Boss Gobbler decoy poised over another hen decoy I was able to gain the interest of the 3 real hens and coax them our way.  The girls were shaking with excitement as the two fanned out gobblers methodically worked into our set giving me a perfect broadside 30 yard shot.  My girlfriend pointed out which bird looked bigger with the binocs and I pulled the trigger!  Boss gobbler down.  After the three happy hunters did a dance around the expired bird it turned out to be 22 lbs with a 10 inch beard and one inch spurs.  What a first hunt for my daughter!  I think she's hooked.  My girlfriend proved to be my good luck charm as the only other hunt she's been with me on was last years shotgun opener when she taped me shooting a dandy 10 pt. buck!