Hey Sportsfans,

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is officially here!

This week was full of anticipation and hard work as we geared up for opening weekend. The guides finished getting the last of the the boats in the water, the kitchen crew deep cleaned and prepped food, the cabin gals tackled one final spring cleaning, and the office team wrapped up cleaning the bar, updating menus, and finishing projects along the way.

One thing we all did together was pray the ice would melt in time for Saturday — and luckily, it disappeared just a few short days before the weekend arrived.

The energy at the lodge this weekend was spectacular. The vibes were high as all our winter snowbirds finally returned home to celebrate the small-town holiday we wait for all year long. The lodge stayed busy late into the night, and it was pretty clear we weren’t the only ones filled with anticipation.

For those of you digging around for a fishing report, here’s what you’ll be told:

• It’s cold and windy
• The water is wet
• The fish are still there

Lucky for you, you have me who can somewhat speak the guide language. This time of year is all about jigging. From what we’ve been hearing, pink, gold, and white jigs tipped with shiners have been producing the most fish.

The best reports have come from a few very specific spots. Some anglers have had success near the Gap and just past Pine Island in 18–22 feet of water. If you’re fishing the river, focus on depths around 13–14 feet.  

Set the hook!