The characters in this story are fictitious but are based on the experiences of the guest writer, who has over thirty years of fishing travel knowledge as a proprietor, host and fishing tourist himself in the U.S., Canada and Central America.
Amateur angler Doobie Flathers was heralded as one of the most prolific walleye fishermen of his time. It had been suggested the term “nice catch!” was coined in his honor not only for the copious amounts of trophy fish his outings would produce, but also for the women who accompanied him on said trips.
Yes… Doobie was a charmer… Both on and off the water.
And then this happened — one summer season on a scheduled trip to the Minnesota Canadian border, he partnered up with a new and relatively innocent member of the female persuasion. Four days of fishing later — his life would never be the same.
He booked a “fish both” package on Lake of Woods with thoughts of dialing up a 10-pound trophy walleye. This trip included lodging accommodation, fully guided fishing, meals, beverage and the works. But the kicker was, by reserving this specific package, he was going to chase multi-specie options as well.
Would this be the holy grail of walleye fishing? One lake — two adventurous locations — perhaps.
Day one began auspiciously. Winds were favorable and temperatures rose above adequate. The guided charter boat made its way to several offshore fishing locations loaded with fresh — wild — walleyes.
The bait of choice on this day was a 3/8oz gold jig, tipped with an emerald shiner minnow. Based on intel provided by their fishing guide, Doobie’s female counterpart Berkley Longcast caught on quickly and often.
No sooner than she got the 6 foot 6 inch Walleye Crusher spinning rod in her hands, she was hoisting fish over the gunnel as if it were an action movie. Dare say Doobie had met his nemesis — this high hook setting female fishing partner was a gun slinger — medium build — extra fast hookset!
The awesome part about jig fishing on a guided charter boat is that anyone can do it. And here is another triple-top-secret note — Berkley not only enjoyed (relatively new to the sport) beginners’ luck, but she was also doing it by following the guide’s lead and putting into play suggestions on how to feel the bite and set the hook.
Day two... More of the same. The Minnesota portion of Lake of the Woods was holding true to its name: Walleye Capital of the World.
Most noticeably, it was now Berkley who enjoyed this success and holding court at days end with other patrons silver dollars. Berkley hoisting beers — slapping backs of angling enthusiasts with words of wisdom.
To this, Mr. Doobie Flathers became enamored with his newfound partner. Yes, she was kicking his proverbial butt on the boat. No, this trip is not over yet.
Day three: The angling couple crossed the Canadian border and continued to a remote private island on the Ontario side of the lake. Like their previous two days this portion of the trip would be geared toward pulling walleye — but now, there would also be opportunities for chasing musky, smallmouth bass and northern pike.
Night and day. Unbeknownst to the couple there was a magnanimous difference between the Minnesota and Ontario side of this border lake. For Doobie and Berkley to confirm this firsthand was the reason behind choosing this “fish both” package. It was a quintessential way to challenge their angling skills and experience the enormity of Lake of the Woods.
The Minnesota portion of the lake is a massive basin (over 300,000 acres) with an estimated walleye population in the millions. Conversely, the Ontario percentage of water (over 600,000 acres) calls attention to walleye but also includes multiple species of fish with its 14,000 islands being part of their home. Yes — 14,000.
Being immersed in one million acres of water, both Doobie and Berkley understood why you fish out of a 27-foot charter boat on the wide-open basin Minnesota side of the lake, and then when you cross to the island-studded Ontario side you fish out of a smaller 18-20 foot guide boat. Big lake — big challenge — big fish!
Day three of fishing began with another jig-fest. Kamikaze walleye repeatedly attacked their hooks.
The morning hours passed quickly and soon it was time for lunch on the shore. After that, all jigging rods would be stowed away, and the trip would shift into high gear in pursuit of the grand slam.
A friendly competition betwixt Doobie and Berkley organically rose to the surface. They wanted to see who might be the first to land the next species of fish (musky — bass — pike) in a single day! Yes — this is a thing!
Once their accommodating guide gave word, an immediate rod-casting show erupted with newly tied crankbait lures flying hurriedly toward the shoreline. All in all, the banter was kept friendly, the casting sufficient and the anticipation of action palpitating.
Measuring a trophy fish on Lake of the Woods means you have met up with a 30 inch walleye — 50 inch musky — 20 inch smallmouth bass — 40 inch northern pike. When you snag each species all in one day, they call it the grand slam, which, let’s be honest, sounds way cooler than a regular fishing trip.
Berkley Longcast led the charge throughout this freshwater adventure. You can fill in the blanks on what may have happened next between her and Doobie Flathers. My guess is they are happily married and enjoying long days on the water chasing piscatorial dreams.
Nice catches and views from Ballard's Resort
For summer details on Lake of the Woods (Walleye Capital of the World), or if you are seeking advice on other potential trip location, feel free to reach out to the writer Gary Moeller at Moeller@BallardsResort.com.
Trophy walleye enthusiasts looking to visit Ballard’s Resort (fresh wild walleyes) can check out . Your fishing rod and your Facebook profile picture will thank you.
Multi-specie fishermen adventuring for info on Ballard’s Black Island (Grand slam fishing) go to . And yes, the “fish both” package is for real. The holy grail — quite possibly!
