Sorry for the late send – I had something urgent come up. Will try to get back on schedule, but in the meantime, here we go!

...the evolution of the marine/fishing industry. 10/10 worth a watch:

Outstanding stuff right there!

Kris Gaune caught this derpy 25.5" walleye that weighed 8-01 while pre-fishing for the Vanity Cup on SK’s Tobin Lake. Thing needs a chiropractor stat:

Oh, and I dunno what he’s trying to pull off with that giant sucker nose-hooked on the deck. Either that was in interesting double, or he's trying to throw the opps off on how he's catching 'em:

It’s that awkward time of year when fishing and hunting seasons mix, but that doesn’t stop Kyle Quine from tackling both at the same time.

Yikes! Brings a whole new meaning to “catchin’ deers” bet even Rut Daniels would be impressed:

And in case you’re wondering what Kyle’s fishing spot looked like...has to be something like this Humminbird screenshot LOL:

Here’s your random thought of the day.

I love deer hunting, but am far from a diehard – I just don’t do it all that often because: FALL FISHING. I definitely miss sitting in the stand and soaking it all in. It sure gives a guy/gal a lot of time to think about everything, nothing, and whatever’s in-between.

The last time I was able to have a sit, it had me thinking that if anything walked by (whether it was a doe, buck, swamp donkey, heck...even freakin’ Bambi herself) I was gonna light it up. Haven’t personally shot a deer in nearly 10 years and it’s tough to beat having venison in the meal plan.

Well...maybe not Bambi.

Got me thinking about how often I preach catch and release, or selective harvest, when it comes to keeping fish.... Realized that maybe some people just don’t have the same opportunities as you and I as far as fishing goes...maybe they’ve got that same craving for a fish dinner as us rookie deer hunters do for venison?

All I’m saying is maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to jump on someone for keeping a legal fish.... The comments section on any social media platform can be a downright brutal place, and you don’t know their story just like they don’t know yours.

Okay, okay...I’m done spewing random thoughts all over the keyboard. And remember:

Apparently Wade Jones Sr. came across this feller “ice fishing” on Manitoba’s Red River:

Some folks were quick to chirp...but funny enough the guy who was in that Clam Fish Trap, Monteo Machado, came to his own defense in the comments section and said, “We had a better day than the rest of you ” LOL. Had the greenback walleye pic to prove it, too:

You know, maybe he’s on to something.

1. SK: Dale and Colby Charko win $100K Vanity Cup

2. PA: Summer walleye catches on Lake Erie...

...were 2nd highest in more than 20 yrs. Survey found a catch rate of 1.99 fish per hour.

> The walleye population is estimated at 77 mil in Lake Erie from the PA and OH line west to Toledo, OH, according to the commission. Record hatches since 2015 account for the abundance.

> Walleye can live more than 20 yrs in Lake Erie, according to OH’s Lake Erie Fisheries. In PA, the Fish and Boat Commission has documented a 27-yr-old walleye....

> The 2024 adult walleye population estimate is within the top 25% of the past 30 yrs, competing with the renowned populations of the 1980s, according to the Ohio Angler Report.

3. MN: Charity walleye derby = success

The 40 mph gusts sure made things interesting lol but Chris Philen and I managed to stick a 27-inch ‘over’ and then fill our limit with some schmedium ‘unders’ to land in 15th place (out of 114 hammers) at the 12-annual Fishing to End Hunger charity derby on Gull Lake. A super fun event that raises money for a great cause: The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes.

Huge props to Hunter Nitti + Will Pappenfus on taking home the win with 17.1 lbs! And to Jake Caughey + Dan Steffen on giving them a run for their money and taking 2nd with 16.77 lbs. To say those fellas are on a roll would be a wild understatement!

4. TN: 250 walleye found dead at Dale Hollow Reservoir

5. MB: St. Georges Voyageurs Walleye Classic, Oct 12-13

$25K to 1st place!

6. Vista Outdoor to sell Revelyst for $1.125 bil

> Vista Outdoors, the parent company of Simms Fishing Products, announced that it has reached an agreement to sell the “outdoors products segment” of its brand portfolio to the investment firm Strategic Value Partners for $1.125 billion.

7.SIMMS lost marketing honcho Patterson Leeth

Dude is definitely the #1 priority waiver wire add.

8. WI: DNR conducts fall walleye electrofishing survey...

...on the Chetek Chain of Lakes.

9. ON: Hydrilla found in Canada for first time

> “...a secluded section of the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area in Leamington, ON....”

10. ND: Nick Lindner will be speaking in Fargo next Thurs.

At the F-M Walleyes Unlimited members meeting happening Thursday, Oct 17. Nick will be talking early-ice strategies.

11. MN-FISH board elects new officers

12. Travis Watson = Gill North America’s new fishing sales mgr.

13. Sportsman’s Warehouse has new VP performance marketing

Ryan Carroll, who has worked with brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Macy’s, Carnival Cruise Line, Peloton, Office Depot, Planet Fitness, and more.

14. BPS/Johny Morris is helping with Helene relief

15. NY: Record smallmouth caught outta the St. Lawrence River

Dante Piraino caught the 9-lber (23.12" long x 18.25" girth) during a B.A.S.S Nation tourney. He was using a 4" Berkley MaxScent Flatnose Minnow (gp) rigged on a 3/8-oz Ned head. It’s official, despite being released to get even bigger!

16. WV: Record blue catfish caught

Went 50.82" and 64.15 lb. Caught by Kimderly Feltner while soaking cut mooneye on the Ohio River.

Dropshot tricks for fall walleye fishing.

Don’t put those dropshots away quite yet...they’re a simple and efficient way to keep your minnow (small suckers or redtails) right in front of a walleye’s face and know it’s fishing in the strike zone the whole time:

“Raise it.... No, hold it there.... Now jig it.... Wait, stop it.... Drop it down more.... He’s gonna bite.... Too fast.... Slow it down.... You’re too high up.... Set the hook!”

- Hilarious and relatable caption under a StrikeMaster Ice Augers FB post. If you think backseat drivers are bad, wait until you hang around with backseat fishermen LOL:

Btw how dang cool is this new StrikeMaster USA Lite-Flite Lazer bit?! #Merica #DoWant

What a shot!!! Shared by Gary Parsons, who said that Keith Kavajecz was out shooting a nightbite piece for The Next Bite TV this week. Looks like a "firetiger" color Berkley Hit Stick in its trap.

So apparently THIS is how glorious it feels to be crowned AOY on the National Walleye Tour soak it all in, Hunter Nitti!

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH

Target Walleye LLC

422 Laurel Street

P.O. BOX 541

Brainerd, MN 56401

 (218) 824 5026