Great morning at Deer Creek -- May 18

[MasterDaad]

We launched the boat this morning at about 6:45AM and started a few circles up Walburg bay. It was a good, but not great day with most the fish hitting trolled flies, but the rainbow and perch rapalas are starting to keep pace.

The size today was better than our 30+ trout trips earlier in the spring... we caught 8 to the boat and had another 3 on for most the way in during the first 90 minutes -- they were in the 14-17" range. I kept one 17" for lunch tomorrow.

At about 9:30 we headed down to the inlet to see if we could get into some of the other species... and SURPRISE SURPRISE....

A nice 16" Walleye came to play.

We caught another 2 slimers on the perch rapalas (one 5' from the boat as I was letting out line).

Then The Big One came to play. It hit the rainbow rapala on the leaded-line trolling pole.... bent it in half.

I fought The Big One for about 5 minutes before SNAP... gone... Broke the 6lb leader. My bad for forgetting to loosen up the drag on that pole after fishing for Pike last week.

Whatever it was, it was the biggest fish I've had on since the 30" Tiger in the avatar.... Dang. It felt like another Walleye.

I guess the dark, stormy day kept them active.

Anyway, we ended up with 11 slimers and one Walleye brought to the boat. I have two trout fillets and two nice Walleye fillets in the refrigerator for tomorrow.

I haven't cooked walleye much... anyone have a great recipe?

Here's a pic of my nephew with the Walleye -- his First ever!

[inline "Deer Creek Walleye May 2013.jpg"]
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[EvilTyeDyeTwin]

Awesome day at DC is more like it! Thanks for sharing.
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[albinotrout]

Woo nice! Way to have a great day.
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[Springbuck]

Walleye taste so good, a "recipe" isn't necessary. They don't need to be dressed up much. A nice pan fry or broil touched with butter, onion, salt/pepper and lemon squeeze is perfect. Or a little Cajun mix. Tempura or beer batter with any sauce, like Sriracha squirted in good ranch dressing. Anything simple, the fish itself should have top billing with walleye.
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[cutthroat_bill]

Great Job catchin good to hear about the walleye. Here's my favorite recipe
Preheat oven to 350
Beat 2 eggs in a large bowl
Crush 1/2 package of soda crackers
Cover a cookie sheet, the kind with edges), with a 1/2 stick of melted butter.
Dip fillets in egg wash and roll in soda crackers
Lay on cookie sheet and drizzle butter on top, salt and pepper to taste
Bake for 20 to 25 min do not overcook.This is a good recipe for all white meat fish. You will never fry again.
Good luck and thanks for another great report.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

It's funny in that I've oft asked the question- do they "taste good" or is it that they don't "taste fishy" that folks consider them good?

I've found some fish have distinctive "flavor" of their own. Trout, Salmon (for sure), Catfish - all have a flavor of their own, and hence can stand up well to spice, lend to smoking etc. While the panfish crowd - perch, gills, crappie - are more delicate white meat. Flaky light flavor, so don't need the heavier hand of spice.

Walleye like perch, are tender flakey white meat. Have found the don't have a lot of flavor, and as suggested - lend well to the simple - butter, touch of garlic, spritz of lemon. Or a simple fry without lots of cajun.
Haven't worked with "bigguns" - but the ones I've filleted didn't have much for grey/red lines to cut out, as a large salmon or cat would. But I suppose if you're dealing with something bigger than a 17", might be the case.

Hey - congrats on what sounds like a good day on the water. Good sign for spring!