Starting off crisp on this 2nd day of March at -2° just before sunrise on Little Bay de Noc. By mid-morning, the mercury jumped 35 degrees for a brief time, only to drop back down below freezing, heading to a forecasted low of 24° tonight. This syrup-running weather pattern is likely to continue for the next week or more. Snow will diminish daily, and slush isn’t a factor yet. Rain is in the forecast for mid-week over a couple of days. Cleats are sure to be needed by the weekend, especially on any bare ice that develops. The thick ice is certain to be in good condition to finish this walleye season. Fish have been more cooperative over the last few days. Let’s hope it continues to make up for all the whining of ice anglers in February.
Few in number, very skilled anglers produce fish on the Noc more often than not. Working with tight-lipped fish on this body of water is an art that needs to be mastered to produce consistent results. Some do, but most won’t figure it out. Old habits are hard to break; it’s figuratively called being “stuck on stupid.” How many times can the rip of your lure create curiosity, only for you to stop jigging like a deer in the headlights at the sight of a mark? Bye! You just scared another one away. Keep ripping, figure out how to piss it off, and see what happens. No strike? Change color and repeat as necessary. Our fish picture tonight, featuring a nice walleye, is of one of my walleye angling heroes, Trevor Kelm. From a couple of states away, he has spent over thirty years frequenting the Noc and has figured it out more than most. Saturday was the first time working the Bay this ice season, and hasn’t been skunked a day yet. Thanks, Trev. Nice fish!
Increasing your odds,
-Blade