OK, Perch aren't whales but these ring perch (yellow perch) are huge and they are in a pre spawn bite that has people lining up to be the first on the fishing barge below the dam at Guttenberg. (Open daily 7 am to 5 pm)

Bob is heading to the Eastern Iowa Sports Show that starts this afternoon (Friday, March 8) and runs through Sunday afternoon.  In the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls  Admission is $10 for adults.

Ken has a brilliant idea that Bob shoots down.

Bob reveals that he does not own Murray Outdoor (stay til end)

Listen to this episode of Truth about Fishing.  You will be much smarter by the end.

The February Summer has been interrupted by Winter.  However, if you can brave the wind and cold, the fish are biting.  We check with The Landing Barge that is below Lock and Dam 10 at Guttenberg. ($20 per person.  Open 7-5 Daily.  See Jamie at Gas Dock)

Bob sings happy birthday to Bennie.  

Benny berates Bob and demands higher pay.

Bob acts like he is a nice guy and will pay it (?)  

Twenty minutes of fishing news that makes you think the weather is warm and mild.  Drawing for $60 gift cert and goodies for those who sent in a photo of "Chasin trophies".

Stay tuned

Sincerely, The meek and mild and the wet and wild and the old and cold.

Good Luck and Good Fishing.

Bob Urbain will be at the State Fairgrounds 4-H building in Des Moines this weekend for a Swap Meet and Sport Show.  See him there Saturday and Sunday

He's been fishing on the big river all week and has fisherman's elbow to prove it.

Moderate fishing for walleye and perch.

Midwest Walleye Challenge is greatly expanded this year.  Jeff Kopaska has details.  It can be a free entry and prizes given.  Runs from March 30 to June 30.  Interview with Jeff is in the show.

Good Luck and Good Fishing

The winter of 2024 is either past tense or interrupted by springtime.

Trust no one, even Mother Nature, but, for now, open water and warm temps have a lot of fishermen looking at barges and boats.

Bob is selling bait, tackle, batteries and honey.

A great talk with the Honey Lady at the Overlook south of Guttenberg.  Carol O'Brien is a character and a (driven) businesswoman.  I think she has a sister who has same work ethic.  

Good Luck and Good Fishing.

The key word is water.  February weather remains warmer than normal.  Ice fishing is risky in most places on the Mississippi River near Guttenberg.  Boats are going in where the ramps are open.

Big Crappie are being caught.

Small bluegills have to be culled to get a good stringer full of keepers.

Northern Pike are first to start spawn so they are filling up with shad minnows.

Bob is off to sport shows this month.

A satisfied customer, Bill Miller, told me all about his experiences at Murrays.

He looks forward to meeting Bob.  I tried to dampen his expectations.

Open Water on the Mississippi has some fishermen getting ready to look for Walleye and Sauger.  Ice Fishing is only recommended on Bussey Lake (Mississippi Backwater three miles north of Guttenberg)

Bob likes the Hawkeye Women's Basketball but still highly critical of boring men's Basketball and, of course, Football.

We talk with Tanner Spiedel about his antler hunting, ice fishing, Kayak promoting and LOVE life.  He is so cool!  I want to be him when I grow young again.

Please ask Bob if he has any new jokes.  

If you hear the show and like it, please tell Bob Urbain at Murray Outdoors.

If not, keep it to yourself.  People like you are the problem in today's society.

El Nino weather is in charge of this winter's ice.  

Bob Urbain at Murray Outdoors is the Main Attraction in Guttenberg as he has the bait, equipment and knowledge of where the fish are biting and the condition of the ice.   He even takes a phone call during the podcast and he teaches a man how to use a Vexilar (fish finder) while talking to me.

We have a meteorologist who makes sense out of this weather.  Mike Smith knows his stuff and puts it in perspective.  He also has a forecast for the remainder of winter.

Listen and learn.....Go fishing and enjoy this (brief) peak season.  

Bob and Ken

Finally, the ice is thick enough for fishing.. Warmer Weather is coming next week.  Bob Urbain has details on ice and fishing conditions.

He will also be a major celebrity on "The Short Rod Show"  

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-short-rod-show-an-ice-fishing-podcast/id1487340220

Good Luck and Good Fishing.   Be Safe.

Bob is on ice.    Hear his report.

Many fishermen are on edge.   Counseling and Anxiety Medications available.

The Big River is Freezing with snow slush and ice all mixed together.

Safety remains a big concern.  One incident this past week.  Hyperthermia.

Murray Outdoors is stocked to the gills with Ice Fishing Equipment.  Bob talks us through some neat stuff.

We go to Busse Lake (backwaters of Mississippi River at Guttenberg) to evaluate the thin ice.  About a half inch on 12-5-24.

Our featured guest has a service to get bats out of your house, raccoons out of your attic and control the goose population in a humane way.  Kirk Stout owns and operates Wildlife Specialties.  

Come by Murray Outdoors on the South End of Guttenberg under the Big Walleye.

Open Monday-Saturday from 6 am to 5 pm       Sunday 6 am to 3 pm.

Good Luck and Good Fishing.    One week more before ice is safe...