Everyone looks at Labor Day as the end of summer. The reality is that it is the mid-point of our open water fishing season (especially for muskies). So don't start putting your gear away just yet. Just change up your tactics and approach things differently. Here are some ideas/suggestions on how to make a memorable second half of the season happen:

1-put the little baits away and break out the heavy artillery. This has definitely been the year of the Double Cowgirl (and its cousins the Sili-Girl and Super Girl) and they will continue to produce all the way until ice up. Late last fall when everyone was throwing Bull Dawgs, we moved and caught far more fish on Cowgirls.

2-Take a late season trip over the Canadian border. You will have to play the weather (whether you will be casting or trolling), but a late season trip to Sandy's Blackhawk Island Muskie Camp on the NW Angle of Lake of the Woods or to Rough Rock Lodge on the Winnipeg River have definitely made for some of my seasons best memories. Another option is to try Andy Myers on Eagle Lake. In October they have a week where Gregg Thomas, Luke Ronnestrand, Jim Murphy and Steve Heiting (and of course Steve Herbeck) will all be there. It is a great chance to ask a lot of questions and get answers from some of the muskie industries best.

3-Take a break and try something different. If you are not a muskie fisherman or want a little change up, head up to Tetu on the Winnipeg River for some giant northern pike action. As the water cools in the fall, the big pike come up shallow and really go on the feeding binge. Big walleyes and Smallies are also fattening themselves up for the long winter ahead.

4-Take the time and learn a new tactic. Trolling, jigging and casting large baits that most people would troll are things that most people don't usually do but are highly effective in the late season. Once you get confidence in one of these tactics, they will be another tool in your arsenal and you will become a better fisherman and put more fish in the boat.

5-Put the rod down once an a while and take in your surroundings. Leaves are changing. Birds are migrating. Animals are moving around more getting ready for winter and/or mating. Even the sun seems a little more golden. It is a long winter. Think back on some of these days around February and it will help with your Cabin Fever.

One of the things that I have figured out over the years is that the longer I can stay on the water, the shorter the winter seems. So break out the long johns, gloves, hat and snowmobile suits and go stick some of the fattest fish of the year

Welcome to the second half!
Brett Erickson