Willowpine September Newswire

It's finally almost time to head for the tree stand, and if you're like us, then you can barely wait.  Many Native Americans believe that when you're destined to harvest a big deer, it will come to you in your dreams before the hunt.  It's said that many Natives hunt only when an animal comes to them in their dream. Recently, I harvested a nice big non-typical in one of my dreams. In the dream, I walked up on the buck, paid my respect to the animal, and got down to see the animal's antlers. The last thing I saw in the dream was my arrow lodged within its torso. Is my dream a premonition? I don't know, but I guess in October we'll find out.

September Newswire Contents

- Teal Season Review

- Deer Season

- Guardian Firearms

- Our Top 8 Compound Bows for 2012

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The September Blue and Green Winged Teal season has come and past for us here in Indiana.  We were able to hit the water a few times, and it ended up being pretty good for us.  We hit several different public areas including Goose Pond in Linton, IN, Province Pond in New Castle, IN, and a couple private spots.Opening weekend we didn't do all that great.  We tried for mostly geese, but most of the locals we usually hunt were on cut cornfields.  With this summer's drought, I think it threw our normal hay field out of whack. With so much corn out, the birds headed for that instead.




   The best day we had was Wednesday September 12. Dan New and I headed down to Goose Pond for the Wednesday evening draw.  The draw goes at 11:00AM, and parties of 2,3,or 4 hunt until sunset. There were about 12 parties of 3 or 4 guys. We got lucky and won first pick. We went to the same pool that we got rained out of the week before.  The party with the second pick also chose the same pool that Dan and I picked.  This was our first hunt to really try out our newly built marsh boats.  Danny and I split up heading for separate patches of smartweed.  I was cutting back some smartweed to add to my boat for natural cover when I started noticing blue wings zipping by. I decided I needed to get a handful of decoys out and get started ASAP.  With other hunters getting to their spots, I figured the birds were being frantically pushed from their cover. I wasn't hidden as good as I would've liked, but the birds flying by were shootable.  It wasn't a half hour into the hunt when I had a pair of Blue Wingers heading right for my dekes.  They dipped low, soaring only inches off the water to my right.  I had to swing all the way around to my right to get a shot. The bead on the end of my gun was nestled on the second bird. BAM and the teal hit the water.  My first blue winged teal, and my first duck of 2012.  Fifteen minutes later I had a single come in high flying, but dipped low as soon as the duck saw my decoys. This bird also made a quick drop and met my #4 steel shot. I had only been out 45 minutes and I had two ducks with two to go.  Danny had shot a couple times, but I didn't see ducks hit water.  I threw out a couple more decoys as I noticed some ducks landing in bigger groups. No longer than I got back in my boat that I had another pair come in to my left.  The ducks split the smart weed patch I was sitting in. One headed to the right while the other flew to the left, I pulled up and shot the one on the left.  Within an hour I was a bird away from my limit.  I decided to wait for a drake, because all  that I had shot were hens. Teal hens out number teal drakes, so it's not unusual to shoot mostly hens. After letting a couple of hens fly, I called over to Danny.  I didn't want him to miss out.  He paddled his boat over, set up, and again within 15 minutes he dropped his first ever teal. Shortly after Danny dropped another blue wing hen.  Danny has been waiting for now 4 years to get a teal, and it wasn't until this day (his birthday) that he bagged his first teal. I got too picky waiting for the drake, and only ended up with 3.  We had to leave a little early because Danny's family was throwing a party for his birthday back in Danville.  Happy with our bounty, we decided to head on home.

The day payed off as we learned a some things about teal hunting, we learned our rebuilt boats work, and we got to hunt a pool that we've never hunted.  Only bad thing is that we have to wait until November 3rd for duck season to come back in! Unlike 2011, I feel that 2012 is going to be a great waterfowl season.

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There are a few changes to this years deer season.  We discussed the rule changes in the August Newswire. The dates are usually about the same each year, but there are a few differences this year. Dates are listed below.

For Bag Limits, Rules, Regulations, and Other Info check out the Indiana Hunting and Trapping Guide at Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide









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When I was a kid I remember going out to Putnam County to go through a firearms course.  My Great Uncle Jim Baugh was the instructor. I remember my cousin Gayle and I took the course together, and to this day things still stick with me.  One thing that really stuck out to me was when Uncle Jim told everyone to watch the jug of water as he shot it with a .357 revolver. He lined up the gun, pulled the trigger, and the water jug exploded.  He looked back at us kids and said "that jug of water exploding is a near equivalent of what would happen to a human being shot in the head, and this is why we have to put safety first".  From that day forward I had a new respect for firearms.

Since then my Great Uncle Jim Baugh has passed away, but his passion for firearms and firearms safety lives on in his son and nephew my cousins Jerrod Baugh and Justin Tate.  Together they have created Guardian Firearm Academy.  The training takes place at none other than Jim Baugh Firearm Shooting Range in Greencastle, IN.  The course is not only for people just starting out, but it can be for seasoned shooters as well. If you or someone you know may be interested in doing a Firearms training  course, then follow the link or email below for more information.  These courses may one day save your life.


From the Guardian Firearms Academy Website:

"The Guardian Firearms Academy is training based in the use of firearms for defensive purposes. They offer the following classes... 

• NRA Basic Pistol
• Defensive Carry Pistol
• Defensive Rifle
• Shotgun Home Defense
• Private Instruction

A registration form, photocopy of your ID, Handgun License, and deposit of 50% of the tuition are due at least two weeks before the class starts. Student positions are limited, places are held on a first come basis. Participants must be 18 years of age or older for the Defensive Shooting Classes. Requirements for the NRA Basic Pistol Class are a minimum age of 14 and accompanied in class by a parent.

Requirements for Defensive firearms training classes, and any time you are transporting a handgun to class, is a License to Carry a Handgun (Indiana or any other reciprocity state)."

Website:

Guardian Firearms Academy Website

Facebook:

Guardian Firearms Facebook

Email Contact:

questions@guardianfa.com

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Every year the compound bow industry puts out new top of line bows.  Usually these bows are only slightly tweaked from the previous years.  As we embrace the future of hunting we really have no idea what to expect. I can only hope that we keep it somewhat traditional, and not let electronics take over. So far the hunting industry has done that. I do believe that as hunting technology increases, we're going to have to plateau somewhere.  It may take 30 more years, but at some point we'll get as technologically advanced as we can get.

Below are our top 8 choices for new bows in 2012. We've tried to display bows in all price ranges, we've got them from $399 - $1400. If you're in the market for a new bow, we recommend one of these.

For more information on the above bows, check out their websites.
Mission Archery
Mathews Archery
PSE Archery
Hoyt Archery
Bowtech Archery
Bear Archery
Parker Bows
Quest Bowhunting

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We appreciate your taking the time to read Willowpine Outdoors' September Newswire. We also very much appreciate your support in WPO. As mentioned above, we're always looking for people interested in contributing their writing, taking pictures, adding videos, etc. If you think you might like to do this, then please shoot us an email at willowpineoutdoors@gmail.com.  If you haven't already, please take a moment to add us as a friend on Facebook. If you like what we're doing, and want to support us, the best way is to tell a friend! Always remember that Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we can control our appetite.  - Joey W. Buttram, Willowpine Outdoors

Willowpine Outdoors Facebook

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Willowpine August Newswire

Each month, we're going to put out a newsletter with current information.  The Willowpine Outdoors Newswire will feature outdoor news, product testing, new gear, hunting dates, rule changes, and stories.  We'll sometimes feature other outdoor companies, and we will do interviews with people in the industry. Some of the newsletters will be long, and some will be short. Since we're so close to hunting season, the next few months will probably be longer than usual.  If you have anything you want to talk about please send us an email at willowpineoutdoors@gmail.com.  We're always looking for people to tell their stories, share their tips, and provide their knowledge with our community. 
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August Newsire Contents:
1. New Deer Hunting Rules for 2012-2013
2. Early Season Waterfowl Dates
3. HuntingIndiana.com Youth Hunt
4. Up North Journal Podcast
5. New Sitka Optifade Waterfowl Camo 


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The 2012 Indiana deer season is set up to see some changes for this year's season. Indiana wildlife biologists seem to think our deer herd is growing, and the number of vehicle/deer accidents is also increasing. With pressure from insurance companies, the desire to keep human travelers safe, and the ideas from hunters and biologists, the DNR has issued the following new rules. You can also review these rules in the 2012 - 2013 Indiana Hunting and Trapping rulebook. You can view the rulebook via online at http://www.eregulations.com/indiana/hunting/.  
You can also pick up a copy of the rulebook at most places where licenses are sold.

The special Antlerless season will begin on December 26th and end the first Sunday of January. This season is only for designated counties. The counties eligible are those that have a limit of 4 or more bonus antlerless tags. The idea is for hunters that are out of school and off work for Christmas & New Years to get out and harvest antlerless deer. In the past this was late archery season, and many hunters do not go out during late archery. Firearms that are legal during the regular deer firearm season will be legal during this special antlerless season. For more information, check out your 2012-2013 Hunting & Trapping rulebook. 

All hunters will be allowed to use crossbows during the Indiana bow season.  In years past, crossbows were limited to approved handicapped hunters.  However, you must obtain a crossbow hunting license. The regular archery license DOES NOT cover crossbows.

This rule makes it so there is one continuous archery season instead of splitting the season into Early Archery and Late Archery. 

In the past, youth hunters could only harvest one deer during their youth season. Not anymore, kids can now harvest more than one.

If you're planning to hunt Urban Zones, you'll have to get an Urban Zone specific license. This license is only good for Urban Zones. You'll also have to harvest a doe before harvesting a buck. The "Earn a Buck" system makes it so more antlerless deer are being harvested in the Urban Zones. Porter and Lake Counties also now have Urban Zones. 

The new deer license "Bundles" were created for hunters that plan to hunt with more than one weapon.  Many hunters use bow, gun, and muzzleloaders.  Now instead of buying a license (at $24 each) for each season, you can purchase a "Bundle" that is good for archery, firearm, muzzleloader, and the special doe season. The license is good for two doe and one buck total. You can still buy bonus antlerless if you want to harvest more than two does. The price of the new "Bundle" is $65.  

Anyone hunting from a ground blind must now have 144 square inches of blaze orange on ALL SIDES of the blind. A flag on top of the blind is not permitted. This goes for synthetic or naturally made blinds. This is only for the seasons that hunters are required to wear orange.

Hunters can now save themselves the hassle of checking in deer at crowded or closed check stations. The IDNR has adopted online check stations. You just go online, enter your CustomerID (CID) number, and check in your deer. The website for checking in your deer is http://www.checkINgame.dnr.in.gov. For annual license purchasers, your CID number can be found in the top left corner of your license. Lifetime licenses holders will have to go to the CheckIN website to obtain their CID number. Traditional check stations will still be accepting deer if you prefer the old fashioned way. 

As a weekday evening hunter this new check-in rule is great for me. I hunt nearly every weekday from 4pm - dark, and if I harvest a deer, it has proven difficult to make it to the check station before they close. Having to be at work at 7am makes it even harder to check in said deer the next morning. An online check station will solve that problem. 

As mentioned above, all the rule changes can be found in your 2012-2013 Indiana Hunting and Trapping rulebook. I have taken the above information from the book. If you see anything that I misunderstood or misinterpreted, please let us know.  


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The 2012 Early Waterfowl dates have been announced. Come September, we'll be watching speedy Green-winged Teal zip by us while our steel shot only barely catches their tail feathers.  Dates below.

For more information: Adam Phelps, Fish and Wildlife, (812) 334-1137, aphelps@dnr.in.gov

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http://www.hunt-indiana.com/

Each year, Hunting-Indiana hosts a youth hunt.  The hunt is for deer during the specialized youth season. This year, the youth season is set to be September 29th and 30th. The event is for 15 lucky Indiana youth hunters. They go out with adult mentors in pursuit of whitetail deer on private land. The organization provides "goody bags" that are made up of all kinds of neat donated products from outdoor companies. For the second year in a row, a forum poster at Hunting Indiana.com has donated a muzzleloader. They have a simple drawing, and the winner (with parental consent) wins the rifle. It's a spectacular prize for these young hunters.  I think it's a wonderful way for some of the adult outdoorsmen to give back to the next generation of hunters. If you're interested in being a part of the youth hunt, check out the thread (listed below) on Hunt-Indiana.com. They're still accepting donations of prizes and goody bag gear. If you or your organization would like to donate, please contact Woody Williams on the site.  If you're interested in having your child be a part of the hunt, check the website to see if there are any open spots, though the best bet is to plan for it next year. Contact us here at Willowpine if you have a child wanting to get out, and you can't find a mentor. We'll set you up with an advanced hunter. Check back in October for the Youth Hunt results.

Pictures from 2011 Youth Hunt

Registration
http://huntingindiana.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=2012youthdeerhunt&action=display&thread=42880
Rules and Regs
http://huntingindiana.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=2011youthdeerhunt&action=display&thread=38362


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Last summer, I came up with an idea that I thought was original. I was going to start a hunting and fishing outdoor talk radio show. I didn't know how to do it, so I decided to check out some podcasts to see how it's done. Much to my surprise, I found a bunch of hunting and fishing podcasts. I realized that my original idea was not so original at all. I dug through about 10 of them before I found the Up North Journal. It quickly became my favorite, and since then I've listened to all 250 episodes.


Up North Journal hosts a weekly podcast that is about and hour long and focuses on the great outdoors.  Mike Adams along with his sons Jacob and Michael, have spent the last few years filling listeners' ears with their tricks, tips, stories, and adventures in the outdoors. Based out of Michigan, the UNJ team spends a lot of time chasing whitetail deer, turkeys, waterfowl, and most other animals that are hunted in MI. They too discuss bow fishing, trout fishing, bass fishing, and other types of angling.  UNJ is sponsored by PSE Archery, Mossy Oak, Dead Down Wind, and several other fine companies. It's a great show to listen to on the way to your duck blind or deer stand. I've spent many of evenings cleaning fish with UNJ as my soundtrack. 




In addition to doing the weekly podcast, UNJ also puts out videos featuring their outdoor endeavors called Beyond the Wild. They have 18 episodes available online, and can be viewed on YouTube, their website, or iTunes.  One thing I particularly like about Beyond the Wild is that it isn't a kill fest. So many hunting shows now-a-days are all about how many and how big. These kill-fest type television shows rarely take the time to teach anyone how they do it. The funny thing is that we all know the pros are good, that's why they're pros! What I would like is to hear the pros tips and tricks to make myself a better outdoorsman. UNJ and Beyond the Wild does this exact thing. They show their way of doing it, and feature much more than just the kill. If you're interested in checking out their weekly podcast, or the Beyond the Wild series, visit their website at http://www.upnorthjournal.com/ .  They can also be found on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Up-North-Journal/115878931769692 .  If you don't have an iPod or iPad, you can still listen to the talk show by downloading each episode directly off their website.


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The New Sitka Gore Optifade Marsh Camo.

Sitka Gear has tossed a new waterfowl camo pattern in the market. Sitka Gore Optifade Marsh pattern is supposed to work from the bird's eye view.  The Gore scientists have made this camo pattern with an almost fish scale-like hexagon pattern. The scientists believe that many of the camo patterns on the market today are too dark, and instead of hiding hunters, it makes us look like an out of place dark blob. You add the slightest movement to that dark blob, and the birds become very weary. They believe this new camo will help blend the hunter from the bird's 45-degree angle downward view. 

Sitka showing that this hunter is no a dark blob.

In the past, I've wondered if hunter's camo is too dark. My thoughts seemed to be proven when Mossy Oak launched their Mossy Oak Duck Blind pattern.  The Duck Blind pattern was obviously a much lighter color compared to its counterpart; the Realtree Max 4 HD, which through my eyes is a much darker pattern.  I also considered that to my eye, we blend great in both patterns, but what about to the birds?  Sitka has seemed to answer that question with this camo. It does however come with a price. Sitka has always been notorious for placing a very high price tag on all their gear. Sure it's good stuff, but my Cabela's Northern Flight late season coat will do me just fine for $85. This comparing to Sitka's late season coat costing $200-$500. I think that I'll stick with my Cabela's gear in Mossy Oak Duck Blind. That is until Sitka lowers the price, puts the camo on other companies' gear, or sponsors Willowpine as field staff.  If you're a Sitka fan, you can add the new Sitka Optifade Marsh pattern with their other patterns; the Optifade Open Country and Optifade Timber. For more info, visit Sitka's website at http://www.sitkagear.com/.

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We appreciate your taking the time to read Willowpine Outdoors' August Newswire. We also very much appreciate your support in WPO. As mentioned above, we're always looking for people interested in contributing their writing, taking pictures, adding videos, etc. If you think you might like to do this, then please shoot us an email at willowpineoutdoors@gmail.com.  If you haven't already, please take a moment to add us as a friend on Facebook. If you like what we're doing, and want to support us, the best way is to tell a friend! Always remember that Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we can control our appetite.  - Joey W. Buttram, Willowpine Outdoors

Willowpine Outdoors Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/willowpine

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EHD Possible in Putnam County

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is an orbivirus that infects White Tailed Deer in the northeastern and Mid-Western United States.

Yesterday I came across a post on the Willowpine Facebook page about EHD. It was written by one of our staffers Carl Etienne. Carl reported that he had came across 2 deer that looked to possibly be the victim of EHD. One buck that was dead, and a doe that he almost walked right on top of.  His description below... 


"EHD has shown it self in Putnam county. I found a dead buck on the property I hunt last night. I went out this morning and almost stepped on a doe that was sick she got up slowly and did not run but walked across the creek. She ended up laying down on the other side of the creek just 20 yards from me." -Carl Etienne (Willowpine Outdoors)


My first reaction was some sort of natural death on the buck, and possible lack of water on the lethargic doe. However I know the property he hunts as Big Walnut Creek running right through it. As well there is a private lake on the adjoining property. This may all lead to EHD.   

Dead Buck Carl Found

According to the Wiki, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease is an orbivirus that infects White-Tailed Deer in the northeastern and midwestern United States. The virus is transmitted by the Culicoides biting midge. The EHD virus is closely related to the Bluetongue virus and crossreacts with it on many blood tests. The virus has an incubation period of approximately one week, during which the animal may transmit the virus to biting midges. After the development of symptoms the animal dies within 8-36 hours.  This is not to be confused with the brain disease of CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) which luckily has never been found in Indiana. (More info on CWD http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-CWD_FAQSheet.pdf ).


The symptoms can be different depending on the virulence of the virus as well as the resistance of the deer's immune system. Here are some symptoms, details, and transmission information.


EHD Symptoms
- The deer are acting feverish or depressed
- Have swelling of the neck, head, tongue, and eyelids.

- May have respiratory distress or shortness of breathe.
- Internal hemorrhaging (bleeding).
- Death (often found near water).
- Survivors may exhibit evidence of lesions in mouth and in rumen lining.
- Sloughing hooves (often found during fall hunting harvests).


EHD Details you should know.
- EHD does not affect humans, nor impact the safety of consumed deer. 
- EHD is caused by the bite of an infected midge and once there has been a hard freeze, the insects die off for the winter, eliminating new cases of EHD.
- Outbreaks are often associated with droughts.
- Can result in high deer mortality rates in some areas (Usually <25%, but up to 50% in some cases).


EHD Transmission
- EHD virus is not transmissible to humans.
- The virus deteriorates in <24 hours after death and  cannot be spread from dead deer carcasses.
- The virus does not appear to be a threat to livestock.
- There appears to be no risk associated with direct  exposure to the virus or in consuming a deer that has been infected with the virus.
- To be on the safe side, never kill or eat a sick deer.
- Use rubber gloves to field dress deer. 


Carl reported the dead buck to the DNR, and hopes to obtain some information from the DNR soon. If you have found dead deer, or have noticed deer behaving with the above symptoms, then please contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources or your areas wildlife biologist. According to IDNR.gov there is no program at the current time to combat the disease, but it is requested that you report. The DNR phone number is (317) 232-4200, or you can visit the DNR Fish and Wildlife webpage at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5454.htm.  
For more information on Indiana EHD view the IDNR FAQ Sheet:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-EHDFaqSheet.pdf

-Joey W. Buttram - Willowpine Outdoors


References:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-EHDFaqSheet.pdf
http://fw.ky.gov/ehdinfo.asp
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150-26647--,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epizootic_Hemorrhagic_Disease

Walleye Journal #1

Walleye Journal – Sunday - April 15, 2012

Wade and I headed out back in April to our best spot in Putnam County.  We arrived around noon, visited with his family, sent his wife on home with the kids, and got geared up for a serious day of fishing.  We got to our spot, which is a creek filled with high rapids and cool water temps.  We bit the bullet and waded into the cold water with nothing more than my Teva hiking sandals and my skin keeping me warm.  The daytime high temp was around 80, so at least from my knees up was warm.  Instead of buying minnows, we always seine them from the same creek we’re fishing.  Our first attempt yielded around 50 crappie minnows.  Our second run provided about 10.  Our third run only gave us about 8 more.  We decided we needed to let the small pool of swirling water restock, and that we’d start with our 70 or so minnows caught.  With the minnow bucket full, it was time to rig up and head to the rapids. 

I paint all my own jig heads, and this day I was using Cabela’s 1/16-oz lead jig heads.  The color I started with is what I call Purple Passion. This is a color I make by mixing Pro-Tec Powder Paint in purple flake with Pro-Tec Powder Paint in white.  The jig was paired with a Thill slip bobber set at about 4 1/2’ deep. This is on my 6/6’’ Medium Action St.Croix Triumph spinning rod and Pinnacle Carrera spinning reel.  Filling the spool was 8lb test Stren Fluorocarbon – Fluorocast line.   My second rig was a rod my grandfather made for me, the brand being a Joey Rod.  It’s a 6’ Medium Light Action spinning rod, garnished with a Shimano Sahara spinning reel.  Again, 8lb Stren fills the spool.  It had the exact same set-up as the first rod, except the color of the jig head is what I call Green Meanie.  Green Meanie is Pro-Tec Powder Paint in candy lime flake with Pro-Tec Powder Paint in white.  With everything rigged up, I tossed some replacement gear in a small Plano tackle box, and headed to the middle of the creek.  

Walking into the water reminded me of its cool temperature, which got me thinking that these walleyes should be active.  I reached the middle of the creek (more like a shallow river), which isn’t as deep as where I entered the creek.  A shelf of rocks made it so I was only ankle deep in the water.  My first cast landed perfectly in the rapids.  I left the bail open, and let the minnow float down river.  My bobber bounced once and then was sucked under.  I yanked the rod towards the treetops, and hooked into a White Bass.  Fish number one for the basket.  Wade was set up next to me reeling in a crappie.  The next hour was slower than usual, catching only a few more white bass and only a couple of crappies. We decided to head down creek a little bit.  We got to a deeper part of the creek and Wade immediately caught a couple of crappies.  He threw a minnow on the bottom and coaxed a catfish into biting.  I was busy fighting a limb for my purple passion jig head and bobber.  Finally, I broke the limb and retrieved them. Soon after, I added to our basket of fish with a couple crappies.  Wade was down a little ways from me when he hollered saying he had caught a sauger that wasn’t quite big enough to keep. We passed the time telling old stories and complaining about life.  The day was going to end soon, and we hadn’t caught a ton of fish.  I said, “Well lets go back to where we started, drown a few more minnows, and head home.” He agreed that we’d give it another try at the first spot with the heavy rapids, and if no luck, head out. 

After a short hike, we were back in business at the first spot. I hadn't used the green meanie jig head yet, and we were running out of minnows pretty quick.  I decided Wade was having better luck with the minnows and that I’d try artificial. I decided to toss the green meanie jig head with a chartreuse Mister Twister plastic worm. I threw it out to the break water, planning to reel it back through the rapids. As soon as it hits the first set of rapids, I felt something hit the lure.  I kept reeling… speeding up a bit to imitate the burst of energy from live bait, knowing its in danger.  This was enough to coax whatever hit it, and BAM! Again I forced the rod to the treetops and hooked into the fish.  The fight was much better than the small white bass and crappies we had been catching.  I figured

it to be a catfish, but to my surprise, it was a walleye. I measured it at 14.3’’, and in the basket it went. Walleye number one for 2012. I casted to the exact same spot and BAM! Another walleye, but this one was 15’’.  Wade changed his lure, and tied on a jighead with a twisty tail plastic worm like mine.  Soon enough he was into the walleyes, too.  We were planning to leave since it was Sunday, and we had to work the next morning, but the walleyes were biting! After an hour we were only a few away from limiting out. The bite continued for an hour or so, and we had caught probably 15 walleye total. Some were too small to keep, but it seemed every cast yielded a fish. It was like catching bluegills off the spawn. Dark was setting in, and Wade only needed one more to limit out.  I had already caught my limit, so I was carrying gear back to the boat.  The bugs were thick, we didn’t have flashlights, and Wade gave up on his last fish.  Had we had another 15-20 minutes of light, I think we would’ve limited out easily. I was more than glad that we decided to try the first spot again. The next day I ordered plenty more Mister Twister plastic worms.  Even though it started slow, this day was one for the books, and it was the only time I’ve limited on walleyes.  Hopefully I’ll have more days like this one in years to come.  I do know that next year I’ll be at the same spot with a jighead and twisty tail on April 15!    - Joey W. Buttram (Willowpine Outdoors)

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