Let's begin by saying I am greatful to all the folks that have joined me over the 2023 fishing season on the mighty Mississippi River.  I would not be able to do the job I love if it were not for you folks and it makes my day to see everyone enjoy being on the river and of course catching plenty of fish.   

i guided on pools 3,4 and 5 this past year.  Each pool had a different perspective of how we had to adjust to what the walleye wanted.  From wing dams to sand flats the walleye and sauger concentrated on.  I seen the water level be the highest I have experienced since I started fishing pool 4 to again with the drought being the lowest in just a few months.    The makes for huge adjustments to put those walleye and sauger into the boat for a successful day.  
 

Here are some of the techniques we fished this year, verticals jigging, Dubuque rig, miller rig, Lindy rig, pulling crank baits like (rapala Shad raps, bombers, flicker shads and at times tail dancers).   Each one of them had their string time of the year.  We also dragged crawlers and leeches on dragging jigs and three ways with Phelps floaters. And when I did some perching there was nothing better than just going out and throwing a slip bobber and jig at them tipped with a minnow or piece of crawler.     I used both tube jigs and hair jigs to catch crappie in the fall season.  
 

I get asked many times throughout the year when is the best time to book a trip.  I try to tell everyone it is when you can come out it is my job to put you on a good bite.  although I can't do it myself all the time  I do work with a few other guys that I appreciate the with all my respect like Marty Hahn, Brett King, Billy Shimota and the newest guide onboard Rick Enright.   Every one of these guys are river rats and know what to do to show you a great time on the river.  I also have great friends that do everything to help us out like Nick Carrol and Brian Paulson.  Timothy Duehlman has also become a great friend of mine and I did some tournaments with him this past year before I told him I was retiring now from the circuit fishing.  

With the warmer temperatures this December we got to hit the river a lot.   The bite has been stellar at times with easily 70 fish days.   Now that the cold is finally on its way things will change and we will be able to hit the ice in a week or so.   I truly can't wait to finally get at the perch bite coming up.   
 

I don't have a ton of dates left open between March and June   It is first come first serve in this industry.  If you want to book a date you can email me at denver@riverwalleyeslayer.com and or call 952-210-0543.

May 2024 be your year for some personal best catches on the big river.   
 

Good luck out there guys and gals!!!!!!

Mississippi River, St. Croix River, Pool 3, Pool 4, Walleye Fishing, Sauger Fishing, Red Wing, Hastings