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I learned how to fish from Old Man Doser. Mike Doser was an old German janitor who lived in the building across from ours when my father, Poppee got his first janitor job in Chicago on Irving Park Road.  Old man Doser and his wife Mutti loved to fish, and loved to eat fish, even more. Double-dipped in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then pan-fried in Crisco, was the only way to go! He taught me how to catch fish, but greasy, fried, lard-laden fish was not my way to go.  I’ve since modified his techniques for catching (and cooking) different species throughout the season.  Whe …

The last couple of years have offered some great ice fishing for me, especially in shallow water less than ten feet deep.  It is here that bluegill, perch, crappie, and pike roam freely and are readily caught, especially at first ice, that is, right now! Flutter spoons for the win!  It is here that old school flutter spoons still produce.  Standbys like Custom Jigs & Spins Demons, 2-Spots, and Rockers, Demon Jigging Spoons, Lil’ Cecils, and Slender Spoons are killer producers in these shallow weedy areas.   Small tungsten jigs are most effective in clear wate …

With the recent cold snap, ice fishing is in full swing! If it’s not happening in your area, you just have to drive farther North. If the big lake you usually fish on is still not frozen, head to the channels or smaller bodies of water tucked away out of the wind...it’s happening right now! Just do you - choose your experience Ice fishing is great because you can experience it any way you want. You can do it on the cheap or spend thousands on fishing trips, tackle, and gear. If you're happy just catching a few fish and enjoying setting up a camp, cooking some brats, indulging in a few …

There are a multitude of ways to catch a fish through the ice. Once you find the way that works best for that exact moment you are fishing for whatever species you are after, then BINGO, you’ve solved the fish puzzle for one day, because tomorrow that puzzle might change. I can’t tell you how many times that I thought I had it figured out before I got to the lake. I’ll have a plan, a spot, a species that I’m after and when I get there, everything I believed would happen, didn’t. I’d get to my spot and someone was on it. Which jigs do I need? Should I use my favorite lead jigs or try out t …

There is nothing as exciting as the rush I get from early ice. That first step on the ice is the beginning of a great new ice fishing season with endless opportunities on the hard water. One giant step for Walt, one giant leap for new innovations. But, the last few years I’ve cheated… I can admit it to you now. I’ve gone ice fishing out of my boat!Fishing early ice by boat What’s a guy supposed to do when the perch, bluegill and walleye are stacked? It’s a nice day, Temperature above freezing and my favorite lakes haven’t frozen over yet. Yet I want to be out there catching fish. T …