New Guide Boat 2013

I have ordered a new guide boat for the coming season. For me boats are a lot like a very good hunting dog, you just hate to let them go. In this case my 2004 2025 Lund Pro V IFS is not ready to be retired. My guide partner Jon Balaski will be running my trusty old friend during the 2013 season.

I ordered another Lund (I have only been driving them every year since 1965) but I am changing to a 208 Pro V GL Lund’s fiberglass version of the long trusted aluminum Pro V series.  The GL will be powered with a 250 HP Mercury Verado with power steering, smart gauges, snap out carpeting, matching trailer, MinnKota Terrova 101 Us2 60” I-Pilot Link and foot control, along with Humminbird electronics.

I have ordered my Lund Boat from Baduik Equipment right here in International Falls, MN. They are located on County Road 116 and Hwy 11 East. Rob and Lori Badiuk are the owners, Ben Burgess is  sales manager, Will Wehrenberg parts manager. I am a big believer in supporting the local boat dealer. They play an integral role in the tourism business locally.  Badiuk’s has always been there to help our guests when they have trouble, need to purchase accessories (including a prop from time to time) or maybe buy a new boat. Our rental boats and motors come from Badiuks. There has not been one time when they have not bent over backwards to get one of our rentals or a guests boat back online asap!

Ben Burgess Sales Manager 197 Pro V GL 

Ben with a 186 Pro V GL

I am excited to try a new Lund, I put three thousand hours on my engine on the 2025 (at an average speed of thirty miles per hour x 3000 hours = 90,000 miles). I won’t do that on my new one, as I will sell it at the end of the season. I have agreed to drive a new Lund each year.  I am fortunate to drive my Lund day after day on one of North America’s largest and enchanting lakes known to man. Rainy Lake is 225,000 acres of pristine Canadian Shield wilderness. I started in a S-16, then a S-18, the first Predator, a 1775 Pro V, 1800 Pro V IFS, then the 2025 Pro V IFS all have been unbelievable, always leaving a little tear in the eye when it is time to try another one of Lund’s incredible boats.

I encourage you to go to Badiuks and talk to them about your next Lund, you won’t be over or undersold, they will listen to your needs and wants and help make that new Lund boat a dream come true.

If you are interested in purchasing my boat you can reach me at 218-324-0115 or tillerman@frontiernet.net. 

Have a Happy and health New Year!

Billy Dougherty

Spring Fishing Bonanza On a Rainy Lake Houseboat!

I know it is early but it is time to start thinking about next spring’s outdoor adventure. Rainy Lake Houseboats should be at the top of your list for your first fishing blast of the year.

Wait one week after ice out and you will experience the kind of fishing that you only hear about in Manitoba or Saskatchewan.  We will provide you with trophy Northern Pike fishing second to none! Rainy Lake has huge pike and lots of them. There are several reasons why all these pike inhabit Rainy Lake.

April 28, 2012

June 18, 2012

#1 is a slot limit that allows the northern to grow to trophy size. The pike have had a 27.5”- 35” protected slot for about ten years. We have always had big pike but now the population has increased dramatically. Rainy Lake is a lake that has large amounts of shallow, mid range and deep water. The wide variety of depths allows many of the pike to virtually spend their whole summer in the deep cold water chasing ciscoes and whitefish.  This sector of the water column provides a natural sanctuary eliminating contact with fisherman.

May 21, 2012

April 29, 2012

Ice out provides a unique opportunity to be in contact with Rainy Lake’s monster pike.  Before the main lake ice goes out pike start moving towards the spawning bays. They are the first specie to spawn each year. In many bays they begin spawning while the main lake ice still on. The cricks and rivers open in the back ends of the spawning bays and the pike move in to spawn. I did not realize that they move that early but I was flying with our mechanic who has moved to Alaska in the summer to fly commercial bush planes. Tim is a big deer hunter and he liked to fly the bays in the spring to look and see all the deer eating the new grass shoots growing in these back bays.

June 6, 2012

 June 5, 2012

While flying (fairly low mind you) I would see these racing ripples especially when the plane was between the sun and the bay below. What we were seeing were northern in the shallows, lots of them. They would spook from the shadow of the airplane-passing overhead. Obviously the pike would think it was a bird (probably osprey or eagle) overhead threatening to dine on them.  

Once all the ice is off the lake the pike use small bays, large shallow bays usually ones that are close to deep water.  Here is the phenomenon; the pike will feed outside of the bay. The water is still quite cold; the ciscoes come in close to shore until the water warms up.  The pike eat them and come into the shallow bay finding the warmest water and they digest the food they have eaten. 

June 18, 2012

 The best action occurs during from seven to twenty days after ice out.  There are many ways to catch them; almost all involve casting baits on a baitcasting, spinning, or fly rod. When the pike strikes the fight is intense, most of the time the fish are in two to four feet of water, they run like bonefish, jump and generally try to turn you inside out! 

 April 29, 2012

Rainy Lake is huge, a Rainy Lake Houseboat is the perfect way to enjoy a spectacular fishing trip and literally have the whole lake to your self. Guess what the rates are 20% off of the summer rates! Our guides are available to show you the how, they have been locked on shore all winter and are chomping at the bit to get back on the water.

Billy Dougherty

Rainy Lake Houseboats

1-800-554-9188

tillerman@frontiernet.net