Rainy River Spring Bite

[Harvey Cochrane]

Hey all, just wanted to let everyone know that it shouldn't be to long before were fishing open water in the upper part of the river here in Manitou. River is coming up everyday seems like, creeks are full and running. Anyway you all will hear when I can make it down. If the bite was like it was this winter then should be an awesome spring bite, heard some 13's and a 14 came from the mouth of the river just a couple weeks ago.

[bigstick]

Keep us up on the river Harvey as you do each year all the info is important to guys like me who need a clean landing for a big boat Thanks again JON

[bigstick]

TTT

[walleye king]

Any action yet on the Rainey?

michael

[Harvey_Cochrane]

Sorry nothing happening at the Manitou yet, shouldn't be to long though. Shouldn't have to tend with ice at the landing this year, but will have to watch for rocks with the low water this year. If anyone is going to try come up from Long Sault (birchdale) to Manitou, take it easy from the S turn by the mill to stop there and troll up to Manitou. Could stiil be done if you know where to go though, even in a big boat.

[Harvey Cochrane]

Hi all, Manitou is totally open this morning. I'm going down this morning sometime and will come back online this evening and let everyone know how the bite was.

[rdewey]

do you know if birchdale area will be boat fishable on saturday? I will be driving from Grand Rapids and I'm not sure if I want to head up towards I-falls or Baudete. If anyone knows or has a report let me know. thank Ryan

[Harvey Cochrane]

Don't think it will be open by Saturday, went down there by road yesterday and it is still froze over by the historical cantre which right across the river from birchdale launch. Suppose to keep raining so I wouldn't be surprised to se it open next week fo sho.

[bigstick]

Harvey I will be up there on weds(4th) hopefully birchdale will be clean to launch big boats!What is the water level like? THANKS

[Harvey Cochrane]

Birchdale should be good for sure, seen 18ft Crestliner on Friday up here in Manitou. Water is dropping daily mayeb an inch every 2 days, be carefull driving a big boat around.

[Harvey Cochrane]

With the rain, the water was dirty today. The weather says gonna be nicer early in week, water may clear up. Only caugth one fish today for 3hrs.

[Harvey Cochrane]

With the rain, the water was dirty today. The weather says gonna be nicer early in week, water may clear up. Only caugth one fish today for 3hrs.

[bigstick]

Hoping to be up there weds hoping the weather will be better up there than down here (hawley) thanks for the updates JON

[bigstick]

Hoping to be up there weds hoping the weather will be better up there than down here (hawley) thanks for the updates JON

[Huntn4Eye84]

Hoping to head out Thursday never been up there but have heard all about it.

[Huntn4Eye84]

Hoping to head out Thursday never been up there but have heard all about it.

[bigstick]

Hey huntin fer eye where ya from?

[bigstick]

Hey huntin fer eye where ya from?

[Huntn4Eye84]

From Moorhead and I heard Birchdale opened up yesterday 4/1/07

[Huntn4Eye84]

From Moorhead and I heard Birchdale opened up yesterday 4/1/07

[bigstick]

Yea heard the same ...Supposed to go up on weds,But I may want to change until monday because of the weather... I,m in Hawley ....

[Huntn4Eye84]

Called Clemenson resort, Boats are going out but results are mediocre. Are saying the water isn't too cloudy but water level is low.

[Harvey Cochrane]

Weather is suppose be the same most of the week, might be a little nicer weather on Friday but wouldn't hold my breath. Atleast the weather will hold of Little and Big Fork from breaking up for awhile, should be good fishing right up to when it closes. Another thing I see on the river alot is Americans keeping big fish up to 10 lbs. Maybe if your gonna mount it but why you gonna mount a 6lb or 9lb. fish when there bigger fish to be caught. Fish that big DON"T TASTE ANY GOOD. WHY why, I don't know. Those are the kinda people who kill a fishery......meat hogs

[bigstick]

Harvey,I'm with you on that one I've been fishin the Rainy for 25 years in the spring And I can count on 1 hand how many we kept Because of a injured fish never to eat never to mount ...I'm bringing my 23 year old son to catch these fish and hope to be around when he brings his kids only because of catch and release will this happen I still remember some pretty bad fishing because of the netting in the late 70's.but i beleive the fishing the last 2-3 years has been the best because of CPR... Besides no one starvin at my house ... Jon

[seriouslynow]

US side is C and R for the big girls thru the spring season since March 1. 2 fish, none over 19.5 inches. Call the frickin TIP line if so many americans are keeping these fish. I wonder how many big fish are killed in canadian nets on this system each year?

[Harvey Cochrane]

Seriouslynow.....Don't know what your talking about do you? Nobody uses net on the Canadian side of the border, I know we don't and were the only First Nation people on the river. We never use nets for walleye, only Sturgeon nets and that for OUR hatchery and even they all get put back in the river. When I said American's, I didn't mean all U.S. people. It just that I hardly see any Canadians fishing the river, they just don't know what they are missing. Its seems more American's know about this river then us.

[seriouslynow]

Er uh, key words, SYSTEM.

[Harvey Cochrane]

This guy must be from Canada since he thinks he knows so much, but pay him no attention(can't put his real name on)

But for all you real fisherman who have some kinda respect. The weather is gonna be cold here until the weekend I think, but next week looks good. If I had some distane to travel, I wouldn't come right now. But I will keep the reports coming for those who like my reports. If ANYONE (seriouslynow) want to email me and we can talk or chat on phone 807-482-1060 or harv445@yahoo.com

[Huntn4Eye84]

Yea I thought about coming up on Thursday, but I might be waiting until early next week.

[Harvey Cochrane]

Thats a good idea, today we have waht seems like 3 inches of snow back onthe ground. If it warms this weekend, I'll be on the water. If anyone wants to come warm up in the shack below Manitou, you'd be more then welcome. We are there most days even when were not fishing.

[bigstick]

Hey,Harvey when or where could we meet and put a face with a name I'll be up there early monday till weds nite Staying at clemenson ...JON

[seriouslynow]

Moderators,

Nothing was aimed at this Harvey fellow in my original posts outside of mention of things he may not be aware of as to relatively new laws in MN during spring, and the mention of netting by Canadians which does occurr on this watershed. Obviously a person [myself in this case] interacting here can be called disrespectful no problem by one person, as well as being told he knows nothing by this same fellow? Hence the nature of my remarks which were contained in post which was deleted this morning.

I guess this is okay because I am not a member of this web club? I simply felt accosted somewhat by this particular fellow and his replies to me which obviously and with intent contain and still contain wording and inuendo which I can only see as disrespectful and belittleing.

I will appologize to the moderators for my own wording in my post this morning. Should'nt have wasted your time with my post, I was wasting my own time also bothering with such triviality brought on by only one member of your club.

Good day

[Huntn4Eye84]

I was just wondering where you guys usually launch at, and what tactics you usually use when your on the river.

[bigstick]

How Big of a boat? Alot of guys push their aluminum hulls 14'- 17' over the ice when there is some.But birchdale is open to launch anything small or large I don't think frontier is open yet ... birchdale is a two-lane with alot of parking.(hint bring a bike ) sometimes the walk to and from your tow vehical can be long. as far as presentations the most popular jigs With minnows,plastics if the bite is on...Bring a camera good luck...JON

[Huntn4Eye84]

Thanks for all of the info. We are planning to launch at Birchdale and heading out from there. Good Luck

[Harvey Cochrane]

Fishing here in Manitou has been good this morning, no bergs to dodge here. Hoprfully the weather will hold long enough til the season closes on Friday.