Current North Dakota Fishing Reports
Archive:
Kent Hollands
GF, ND
Monday October 01, 2001
11:25 AM
Had a good day Sat. We caught three really nice cats 17.4, 16.2 and another a little over 10. If your looking for inches they were 34, 33, 31 inches. All real heavy and all caught in behind snags on the current breaks. Cut bait is the key fresh, fresh, fresh, need I say more.
I also put my boat away for the winter and grabbed my bow. So Scott if you ever need someone to buy bait. I'll gladly for the spot in the boat. I will even fish with my eyes closed so I don't find your spots. I will even fish some of mine if you want.
T-Cheese
Deatsville, AL
banczak@msn.com
Sunday September 30, 2001
12:00 PM
This transplanted Cheesehead just returned from Selkirk. The Walleyes are NOT in too any degree. We fished from Tuesday -Friday afternoon and only saw one that was near ten pounds. There were probably 100 boats on the river throughout the day. On any day, we only got reports of about 6 or 7 fish that people claimed were 7 pounders. On the other hand, the big Catfish were hitting great! Although we didn't fish Pine Falls, the reports from there were worse. We ran into several parties that had left there to come fish the Red. Water temp is still in the mid 50s and the fish just aren't moving yet. On Thursday, one guide put his party on 72 fish. That same night, I got 9 fish between 6pm -7pm and the top two were a solid 39 inches! Those are easily my personal best Cats. I'll post pictures tomorrow after I get the film developed.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Saturday September 29, 2001
07:42 PM
Ok!
Another good night. here we go: 15+, 13+, 8+, 5, 5, 5, 12, 8, 11+. Lost 3 big ones due to throwing the hook. All caught on cut sucker.
The 8 and 11+ were caught shorefishing in your spot- Brad!
I saw Kent this evening. He was doing fine, also.
The cats aren't in the snags anymore...they're in the holes. Look for deep holes. If they don't bite within 7-10 minutes...move. They're that quick.
HEFF
EGF MN
jcheff@gfherald.infi.net
Friday September 28, 2001
11:39 PM
Would somebody tell me to go to sleep. 1:30 in the morning and I leave for Selkirk at 5:00a.m. Why am I still awake? ANTICIPATION I guess. I'll see ya wednesday morning Scott, hopefully with that 16 pounder under my arm! We will be at the Lord Selkirk Motel/Lounge at 3:30 Saturday afternoon to discuss strategies. Ha Ha.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Friday September 28, 2001
07:13 PM
Went out AGAIN this evening.
Had several bites but only landed one cat...and I didn't even do it...my partner did. About 5 lbs.
Brad: WELCOME ABOARD!
I'm so glad we met tonight! I, also am new to this river....and what a wonderful resource. Thanks for taking time out to chat with me. And don't worry about your boat....it'll be OK. Get out and catch those fish!
I'm heading out tomorrow from about 2 PM till dark with a new fella. My fishing partner, Dewy, has insisted we take him out....so I agreed.
For humor sake, he (Dewy) took his family out last weekend to Larimore Dam...and was frustrated at all the calls for "bait my hook..cast my rod...tie my line...what do I do NOW..." He was bummed HE couldn't get a line in! LOL!. Now HE knows what it's like to take out a 'newbie'.
Oh, well, aren't we all fishermen just waiting for our spot?
Brad Durick
Grand Forks
bdurick@yahoo.com
Friday September 28, 2001
02:27 PM
This is my first report on this site. I have been cat fishing now for about 6 weeks and I am now an addict.
Last night I was down near the north boat landing trying to sight in my bow for my hunting trip in November and because of my addiction to fishing I threw a line in to see what I could catch. I ended up with an 11#, 14#, and a 4# respectively. I had somthing big spit out the hook on me twice.
The fishing is fantastic I will be there alot this weekend.
Kent Hollands
GF,ND
Friday September 28, 2001
06:14 AM
Scott, your kidding right. I can't beleive it, the Red River Marlin have finnily showed. I'll be going this weekend. Hope I can catch the one I did about a month ago. She should be well over 35 lbs by now.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Thursday September 27, 2001
06:07 PM
Another good night. Went out this evening. 11, a 5, and a 2. Lost a BIG one that snapped my 30 lb test fusion line. Lost another that threw the hook.
I was quite perplexed that they were surfacing 40 to 50 feet from the boat. They weren't fighting to stay down....they were surfacing and trying to throw the hook. Very odd.
They seem to be interested in just about every bait I threw at 'em....and almost at every snag.
Jon:
Your wish is my command. It'll be up sometime this weekend.
JCHEFF
EGF MN
jcheff@gfherald.infi.net
Thursday September 27, 2001
01:08 PM
Kent, The beautiful thing about the U.S. dollar? It is worth 1.50 canadian. They LOVE that american money.
Nice cat's Scott and Dewey. I hope you guys understand that I don't go to Selkirk just for the fishing.
Heading back up this weekend for four days. Not coming home without something for the wall.
Jim@canuck: Sorry I didnt give you a call. The girls at the desk gave me your message on Sunday night. I'll give you a call this weekend for that beverage I owe you.
I am impressed with your site Scott. I would like to see a "topics" section to post some of my narrow minded views.
WACK EM HEFF......JC HEFF
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Wednesday September 26, 2001
06:10 PM
Another great night- an 18lb 8 oz, and a 12lb 4oz. I'm putting up a picture of the 18 and the 12 on the photo gallery page. The twelve lber was taken next to my daughter....who 2 years 2 months old.
She had a blast tonight. We had the 'snoopy' rod with the practice plug, and she's learning to cast and retrieve. When we are motoring up the river she always yells 'faster... faster Daddy'.
Ah the joys of raising a daughter who likes to fish.
And for all you bait shop owners out there....she can count to twelve..and she counts ALL the worms, every time...so don't even TRY to shortchange me....
SHE'll KNOW!
Jim
Lockport
Friday September 21, 2001
07:03 AM
Fished the Red River at Lockport yesterday from 3 til 7PM, had 3 first timers on the river so missed a few. Fished for Cats and landed only 12 with 8 over 34". One lady caught a 34, 35 1/2 and two 36 1/2". All were caught on cut tulibulees. We did not try for greenbacks but saw several caught. One was a 11 lber and several over the 28" and a few over 29 that were released. They were hitting on hot pink jigs tipped with a minnow. Saw several caught by the bouys opposite Dupois Landing, that is the 2nd set of bouys north of Lower Fort Gary. A few were caught by the apt buildings as well. Just don't forget the cats because they are still gourging for the winter. I will be off the river for a week due to being forced to going moose hunting, (hard life but somebody must do it). Good luck and have fun.
Wade Scarski
Fargo
scanner670@yahoo.com
Wednesday September 19, 2001
05:14 PM
The potential of the Red has just now in Fargo being noticed. While I have fished the river only the last two years,I have realized it is a fabulous fishery. Actually I hope it remains a "secret" for us cat catchers,although I have consistently seen a few more rigs at the ramps from time to time. The "river keepers" have even been running pontoon rides to show everyone the diversity of the waterway. I think that's great. The reason for my post is this. First Scott, keep up the great work on the site,second I am planning a trip to Lockport in Ocotber for greenbacks. I was up to Pine Falls two years ago and had a blast.The biggest fish was 31 and a beauty (released). How is the ramp and are jigs and live baitthe presentation of choice? Thanks in advance and good fishing.
Kent Hollands
GF, ND
Friday September 14, 2001
01:09 PM
Well it looks like I'm not going to be a guide for reasons below
1. Coast Guard:
A. 100.00 Evulation Fee B. 95.00 Testing Fee C. 45.00 Issue Fee. Have to pay for my own Drug test. My own physical And what ever else it takes to go to Duluth, MN to take the thing.
2. North Dakota Game and Fish Dept. wants 100.00 for a guide lic.
3. Insurance agant is guessing about 450-700 a yr.
All this so I can have a paying client. I just wanted to do this for fun and look what a guy has to do. Whats you thought on this.
I'm thinking of starting a guideing service that works on tips, hey that might work since, since their not paying me.
JC HEFF
EGF MN
jcheff@gfherald.infi.net
Thursday September 13, 2001
10:18 PM
For trade: All expense paid fishing trip to anywhere for as long as you want. All extras included.
Wanted: 10 minutes alone in a room with Bin-laden.
Signed: A very bitter JC HEFF
Bombs away> Maybe Rand Mcnally should start re-drawing their maps.
T-Cheese
Deatsville, AL
banczak@msn.com
Monday September 10, 2001
11:33 AM
Thanks Jim, Yeah, I'm going to be fishing while you are moose hunting. We'll arrive the afternoon of Tuesday, Sep 25 and fish until noon that Friday. I'm familiar with all of the areas you mentioned, so, any advice as we get closer will be happily received. it sounds like the cats hang in the traditional summer areas for quite awhile. When I was up there in July,our best luck was in the main channel just north of Stu's. Our next best wa in that flat by the lawn chairs. Folks down here think I'm crazy for making that trek twice during each of the last 2 years but they need to try it to believe it. I was stationed in Grand Forks for 6 years and grew to love that amazing river.
I'm enjoying life in Alabama and learning different fish and different types of water down here. That is a nice challenge and a lot fo fun but it just isn't the Red.
Jim
Lockport
Monday September 10, 2001
11:06 AM
T-Cheese: I can't really say if they drop back into the deep holes in the fall or not. I have a couple of places (actually several I fish) I give an area 15 min. and if they aren't biting then the h--- with them they can't have my bait and I move. Sometimes I only move 50 yds and other times totally new area. I will be out on the 20 & 21st for sure and can let you know what area to try. Right now I have been fishing the main channel about 1/2 mile north of Stu's launch. On the west shore there is a rather large lawn with two white plastic lawn chairs, on the north side of that lawn. This area has been the best the last couple of weeks. If you are going to try for greenbacks you can try by the apt block off of Selkirk (where all the boats are). I have been fishing on the north shore there and did pretty good there yesterday. When are you coming up in Sept. I will NOT be on the water from the 23rd til the 1st Oct as we are off moose hunting.
T-Cheese
Deatsville, AL
banczak@msn.com
Monday September 10, 2001
07:30 AM
Time for one last comment about Kent's big fish. I found a picture of a 38.2" fish that the guide said he weighed at 32#. The picture makes it look very similar to Kent's fish. Maybe you had THE big one. If anyone is interested, you can see the picture at captaincatfish.com/2001_pics.
Jim, thanks for the input on late season cats. This transplanted Cheesehead is making that long trip primarily for the greenbacks but my partner has never ever caught a big cat and I'd like to see his face when he does it. Is it fair to assume that they just drop back into the main holes?
Kent Hollands
GF, ND
Monday September 10, 2001
06:54 AM
OK heres my weekend Report:
Sat: Great Day but only with fresh cutbait. Got going about 11:00 and it was great timing. Caught a 20 lb cat within minutes followed
Jim @ Canuck
Lockport
Sunday September 09, 2001
04:53 PM
Catman, my address is jstinson@mb.sympatico.ca. Fished the Red at Lockport from 9 til 1PM today with 3 of us, landed 13 Cats and all but two over 34". They seem to be bulking up for the winter. Caught a greenback by mistake as we were using frogs, not a real big greenback only about 2 1/2 lbs but will taste good. Didn't see many other greenbacks caught but the cats are still real good. They were catching cats on, cut tulibees, shrimp and frogs. Frogs had a slight edge but I am told a group from Minn. last nite in 1 1/2 hrs on shrimp landed 42 cats, no idea of the size or how many were fishing and if that is factural (fish story). Somebody was interested in cat fishing in late Sept at Lockport, I don't see that a problem. What I would suggest is U give both a try fish for greenbacks then switch for cats or visa a versa. The water temp was 65 Degrees F today and they figure the greenbacks will flood in when it hits 60 and last nite it was 6 C. so it is cooling down good. (Bring your wooles.)
Scott: I don't have a website or brochure, I just love to fish and will pass on to help who ever wants to give it a try.
Keep your line in the water!!!!!!!!!!
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Sunday September 09, 2001
10:44 AM
Testing<p>for<br>new<u>items</u>
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Saturday September 08, 2001
07:20 PM
Jim, I have been designing this site using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5, and I apologize for the problems you are having. Is it better NOW? I rearranged the items on the page. If ANYONE else is experiencing problems...e-mail me with your current version of your browser so I can fix it. To find out your version number: Go to the 'help' menu and click 'About' and it should tell you the version number you are using.
Personal note: I, for several years, RAVED about Netscape, the new version they came out with is crap. I mean it. I have switched to Microsoft's Internet Explorer and never looked back. I see that they have now come out with 6.0...here is the link for the download:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/ie6/default.asp
The link will also be posted on my homepage. I'm sure it's a big file, so start your download before you go to work in the morning...or VERY VERY late at night.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Saturday September 08, 2001
06:54 PM
Ok folks, I have spent the entire afternoon learning new software that has to have one of the WORST help files I can remember ever using. Anyway, this site has been registered with 35 search engines. It will take anywhere from 1 hour to 30 days for them to start showing up in the results.
This morning I went out and fished bright and early....a few light bites....but no takers. Cut sucker seemed to be the key. Frogs were a dead stick... With the north wind we were having, anchoring was so tough, we decided to shore fish for the rest of the morning. Go figure: I was fishing for walleye or catfish with a live sucker and ended up bringing in a 5.5 lb Northern! Kent H., at the north ramp, suggested I start using a crankbait for cats if that the way it was going to work for me...hehe.
I didn't see a cat caught today...but then again we were alone on the river for most of the morning. I didn't mark many fish except by the landing itself.
Watch out if you are going south from the north ramp..those rocks are pretty nasty..sticking up all over the place...watch those lower units! The river is REALLY low.
Oh yeah, one more thing: Thanks Brian P. for forcing me to get that solenoid replaced (and fishing with me today)..I hate working on engines, but that thing went in in a matter of minutes. (Kent- that means I can get rid of my jumper cables to 'hot wire'the boat!