Cathing Walleye During the Mayfly Hatch By Jim Chamberlin

During the Mayfly hatch in Lake Erie it is typical that Walleye become extremely difficult to catch. The Weapon solves this problem by imitating this abundant forage and it provides a smaller, more delicate presentation in the cleaner and clearer water of Lake Erie.

Mayflies have responded to the improved water quality of Lake Erie by hatching in tremendous numbers the past few summers, this mayfly hatch now triggers a feeding frenzy by walleyes, and other opportunistic game fish such as small-mouth bass and steelhead. Fishermen that have been frustrated by finicky, light-biting walleye will now have a way to catch these fish with consistency.

The Erie Dearie Fishing Team, made up of twenty veteran Lake Erie charter boat captains, began to experiment with smaller, more delicate bait presentations when the mayflies returned. Knowing that opportunistic feeders like walleyes would not ignore this abundant food source, they began to come up with a lure design, which would imitate this abounding Lake Erie forage. The Erie Dearie Fishing Team put their heads together to come up with a solution. The result of this collaboration is the Weapon.

Like most things, which prove to be extremely productive, the Weapon is simple in design. Basically, it's a specialized worm harness, and the components that make up the weapon are fairly common. It took using all the right parts together that makes it work so well on these suspended non-aggressive fish.

A #3 Indiana spinner blade, which is oval and more sensitive than other blades, allows for the lure to provide action even during extremely slow retrieves. Besides being simple in design, the weapon is simple to fish. The best presentation seems to be to let the bait sink to the bottom of the lake, and retrieve it slowly (real slow) and steadily to the surface, just like a hatching mayfly. It does pay off, however, to pay attention during the lure's decent to the bottom, as many strikes will occur as the bait slowly flutters down. Due to its streamlined design, this bait will fall at a rate of four to five feet per second with a 5/8-ounce sinker, slightly faster with a heavier weight.

Suspended walleyes that have given anglers fits for the past few summers are now catchable, and in good numbers. The key is a change in presentation, going smaller and lighter, and imitating an abundant food source. Having a versatile "Weapon" at your disposal this summer will keep your live wells filled.

To purchase a few weapons for your tackle box check out
http://www.eriedearie.com/catalog/weapon.html.