September 13, 2008 on Leech Lake

The temperature today hit only 60 degrees. The skies were grey and it rained pretty much all day long. The winds were out of the NW at 5-8 mph.

We stayed inside during the day, but this evening Rick and I decided to go trolling for walleye despite the rain. I pulled the boat off the lift at 7:45 p.m., and under a moon that was 97% waxing (although we couldn't see it) I maneuvered the boat into 9-11 feet of water. We let out our lines and began trolling. Rick again used a variety of colors of the #9 Minnow Rap, while I stuck to my favorite, the hot steel color.

I trolled from south of Second Duck Point to north of Malay's cabin, but not as far as Norm's cabin. I stayed in 9-12 feet of water and kept my Mercury Verado steady at 580 rpm thanks to the SmartCraft controls.

During the next 2 hours and 15 minutes, Rick and I caught eight walleyes between us. I caught 2 15" and one 18" walleye, and Rick caught walleyes of 14", 17", 18", 23" and 24". All fish were released back into Leech Lake unharmed.