A chilly windy Spring Sunday was both a Fathers Day trip and a congratulatory voyage for daughter Kate’s SUCCESSFUL completion of Gandma’s Marathon. 1st Mate Dyson provided a “safety rules” presentation and then it was game on. I knew that the transitional seasons could be tricky times for finding fish patterns but Captain Joe put his vast experience to the test early and often. On our first troll we hooked up on a feisty post spawn walleye that “choked the spoon”. This   bonus fish found its way into the box. The next three hookups ended with the fish spitting the hook. Continuous communications with the Happy Hooker fleet had Captain Joe and 1st Mate Dyson scrambling with lure color and trolling depth changes. Species changed to Coho and we hooked up on some beautiful “silver bullets” netted skillfully by Dyson. As our charter proceeded my wife implored Dyson to whip up some of his mojo. He complied and we put some additional Coho into the box.

A skilled Captain Joe was able to set up his trolling patterns to minimize the effects the wind and the waves on the “Hooker Too” and our comfort. Blankets were provided for the comfort of the ladies. The charter continued and, like a light switch, the species changed from Coho to Lake Trout. From “silver bullets” to speckled fluorescent green footballs. The bite slowed and Captain Joe announced that he was ready to pull the equipment and head in to the dock. We again turned to Dyson for his mojo and he delivered with one last Laker for the box. Dyson may not be the most talkative first mate but he was definitely both helpful and efficient with NO MISSES on netting fish. Back at the dock Captain Joe and Dyson made quick work of cleaning and bagging the fish while the Captain’s fuzzy dachshund, Oscar, watched with us. 

This charter was a great use of our time and money thanks to the experienced folks at Happy Hooker Charters. Next time we have vacation time in the Duluth area we will definitely looking to reserve time with Captain Joe (or maybe a new Captain Dyson) at Happy Hooker Charters.

Thanks guys!!
Kate, Pam & Kevin