from the summer of 2001 Guiding On Lake Geneva By Steve Slutsky

Being a guide on Lake Geneva,  I spend a lot of time on the water.  But,  what you may not know is that I don't get much time to fish myself !  While guiding my clients,   I generally don't fish with them.  Of course I'm not just standing there watching, I've got many things to keep me busy.  Primarily 'boat control' ,  keeping the boat on course.  Whether we're  'slipping'  (moving with the trolling motor from spot to spot or dock to dock,  doing a  controlled drift' ( using the wind and the trolling motor  ),  or trolling.  In windy conditions doing these jobs can be quite difficult.      Then there is the instruction and guidance,  which comes with taking people out that have different skill levels.  Some fishing that we do is quite normal and for the experienced fishermen is just a question of bringing them to the best spots for that particular species.  Others are novice fishermen and need more basic instruction.  There are certain ways that we fish for the Bass and Northerns though,  that even the expert needs to be taught,  since it goes against normal logic  ( fishing with an open bail and NOT setting the hook when you get a bite,  but letting the line go out !  Also done with the Pike only with a Sucker or Chub rather than a nightcrawler that I use for the Bass.     While doing all the above mentioned work I am also netting fish,  chasing bait fish around my live well,  changing hooks or tackle and most importantly,  making sure that my clients are having a great time ( catching fish is high on the list ).    

Now,  I do get to fish sometimes.  I call it  'scouting' .  In between guide trips ( I don't guide every day,  although every year gets busier and busier )  I need to be out keeping track of what a particular species is up to.  As the water temperatures rise in the spring and summer fish tend to move deeper.  Also their feeding habits change.  For instance,  let's say that on a Monday in early June you were catching the Smallmouth on the flats in Cisco Bay in 10 to 15 ft of water.  It's post spawn and the surface temp. is 69 degrees.  Well,   a week later ( after having a scorching heat wave for the past four days previous )  you find now that the surface temp. is now at 75 degrees.   If you were to fish the same depths as you did last week,  you probably won't be as successful.   The Bass have moved deeper,  say 15 to 20 ft.   So in my business,  'scouting'  is very important.  And besides,  it lets me have some fun !  

 

This article originally appeared in the 'Excursions' magazine in the summer of 2001. Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers.

 

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