KFAN Radio

I had the pleasure to talk to Billy H on KFAN outdoors the other evening. What a pleasure and if you haven't had the chance to tune in I encourage you as this is a show all about the outdoors with a bunch of great guys and information! Thanks KFAN Outdoors for letting me talk smart, :), with you.

You can listen to the segment by Clicking Here

"Make a Memory and Get Hooked"
Jeff "Breezer" Andersen

Leech Lake Ice Fishing and Conditions Report

Merry Christmas to all our fishing friends! What an amazing year we had at Leisure Outdoor Adventures and we have you to thank. We have enjoyed sharing our boats, making new friends, telling a few bad jokes, expecting all the unexpected things that happen and taking photos of lots of big fish! Leech Lake is such an amazing fishery and it didn't let us down this year! Thank you for choosing Leisure Outdoor Adventures for you guided fishing trip and we hope to see you in 2012!

We have been fishing on ice now for the last few weeks and as usual the early ice bite has been very good but we haven't seen the normal cold temps our Minnesota weather usually brings us. Without those cold nights we haven't made as much ice as we would expect in a normal December. One thing we have going for us is we don't have really any snow allowing that ice to build on moderately cold nights. We have still been walking to our spots just to be extra safe but we have seen many people travel out with ATV's. Keep in mind the ice is safe in most spots for ATV travel but we have found a few spots that it wouldn't so be very careful.

Leech Lake Ice Report

Walker Bay: Average of 7 to 8 inches
Pine Point to Goose Island: Average of 8 to 10 inches (be careful of the big cracks)
Portage Bay: Average of 8 to 10 inches (have found 6 inches in spots)

The fishing and weather has been ideal for a great early ice bite but remember safety is number one!

If you are interested in a guided ice fishing trip we have many packages to fit your needs. You can find them at http://www.leisureoutdooradventures.com/icefishing.html

"Make a Memory and Get Hooked"
Jeff "Breezer" Andersen

First Ice Report

Ice Fishing 2011 has officially started. We just returned from the St. Paul Ice Show which was an absolute blast. I had the chance to share the stage with my good friends Dave Genz, Jason Mitchell, and Jim Hudson talking ice fishing and about all the new products from Clam Outdoors.

I had the chance to hit the ice the other day with my good friend Paul and what a day to remember. We headed North and found some good ice. We decided to walk out since this was the first ice mission of the season. It was a crazy cold morning with blowing winds from the Northwest and a temperature around 5 degrees. You all know that I'm a firm believer of the IceArmor Suits and products and those feeling didn't change today. The IceArmor neck gator was a must and I'm pretty confident to tell you that without it, I'm not sure, I would have made the trek out on the ice. Paul and I drilled our first holes and found a solid 8 to 10 inches of ice. I was surprised to see that amount! Normally I like to fish outside and tried for the first few hours as we were trying to pin down the largest and most productive area. It didn't take long and I started marking fish on my brand new Vexilar FL-22HD. The problem was I wasn't getting bites! I was fishing with a rattle spoon and the fish seemed to come up to the spoon and dart away. I made the switch to a non rattling spoon and went to a full minnow. This is a dramatically different approach then the aggressive rattle spoon with half minnow technique which is probably the most common one with ice anglers. I also switched my cone angle on the Vexilar FL-22 to 20 degrees which was a key component to me catching fish and let me tell you why. The walleyes would react to the jig, fly up to it so fast and if I was moving the jig when they came in they would dart away. The wide cone angle of the FL-22 HD allowed me to see those fish sooner then a normal transducer which gave me the advantage and just about the right time to stall the jig. The walleyes attitudes changed dramatically with this small change in our presentation and it was fish after fish after fish. Paul and I just giggled with each hook set as these days don't happen too often.

Just as we were about to leave, Paul sets the hook, and the battle was on. The funny part was we just had asked each other what could make this day any better. Well I think someone answered that question. Paul with a 28 inch walleye rod and 6 pound test line knew he was under-matched for the fish on the other end of the line. It was a mix of emotions from a joyful giggle, to a serious silence, to anxious tension, to humor but after all that and a 35 minute battle a 43 inch northern came through the hole.

We took some quick pictures of the fish and let him go to fight another day. Paul and I sat in our Yukon TC fish house, with a large deep breath and a smile, we looked at each other and said lets go home! These are the type of days outdoors men and women live for and for me they just don't get old!

Where did we fish well tune into Clam Outdoor found here (Clam Outdoors Fishing Reports ) and I will tell you exactly where we were fishing in this weeks fishing report.

Don't forget to like Leisure Outdoor Adventures on Facebook! Leisure Outdoors Facebook Page

Also we are having a "Name the Tank" contest for our new ride at the Chase. Check it out at Name the Tank

For Now!

"Make a Memory and Get Hooked"
Jeff "Breezer" Andersen

Guided Winter Ice Fishing on Leech Lake

Hey Guys,

I hope that everyone is getting the itchy feeling to catch a fish through the ice like I am. We have been working very hard at LOA to get ready for this season. We are very excited to be working with some of the top brands in the outdoor industry like Clam Outdoors and Vexilar. Not only do we get to work with them you get to use their products when you go fishing with us.

At LOA we are going to provide guided ice fishing trips on Leech Lake, Lake Mille Lacs, Gull Lake, Brainerd Lakes Area, and so many more. Don't forget to check out the giant pike adventure in March. Not only are we going to cover a large area we are also excited to provide a wide variety of ice fishing packages. We will have permanent fish house rentals on Leech Lake that we can package with Chase on the Lake Resort or we are going to be offering several types of portable ice fishing packages. If you haven't experienced portable ice fishing this is something you should have on your bucket list.

Check out all of the Ice Fishing Guided Packages on our website LOA Ice Fishing Click Here

Be sure to stop down at the St. Paul Ice Fishing and say hello to Clam Outdoor fishing pros. You can view the event details Clicking Here



and a short little ice fishing tip that can help you Clam Ice House go the extra mile.



"Make a Memory and Get Hooked"
Jeff "Breezer" Andersen

The Ultimate in Ice Fishing Packages

Since the age of 4, I have spent most of my winters on ice, Artificial that is, the kind that requires a Zamboni every 20 minutes. This winter will be 100% natural baby! No pucks to chase, but lots of fish. I am SO pumped to get it started!

Leisure Outdoor Adventures is ready too! We have been working with all of our Partners to make sure we are ready to rock!

Lace up the boots and break out the IceArmor, it's time to test your ice fishing skills. Through our quest for the ultimate winter fishing experience, we have developed several exciting ice fishing packages. From fully guided portable excursions, like hand to hand combat with monster pike on Lake of the Woods, to filling the buckets with jumbo perch out of our beautiful Ice Castle permanent fish-house on Leech Lake. We have something for everyone.

Check out these packages and more at Leisure Outdoor Adventures Ice Fishing Packages

We'll see you on the ice!

Toby K

855-LOA-HOOK

Leech Lake fishing forecast for 2012

L e e c h L a k e

Above-average year classes of walleye produced during 2005-2008 quickly led to marked

improvements in walleye fishing. Many of these fish are approaching the 18 to 26” protected slot

limit and, although anglers will not be able to harvest these fish, they will continue to provide

excellent catch-and-release opportunities. The possession limit on Leech Lake is 4 walleye with

one longer than 26.0” allowed in possession; all walleye between 18.0-26.0 inches long must be

immediately returned to the water.

Creel survey statistics collected during 2008-2010 documented excellent walleye fishing. Walleye

ranging in length from 5 to 30 inches were reported during the 2010 survey; about 47% of

walleye caught were 18 inches or longer. At the beginning of the 2011 season, walleye produced

during 2006 will be approximately 15-19” long, 2007 fish will be 13-17” long, and 2008 fish will

be 11-14” long. Another good fishing season is expected and a creel survey is again scheduled

during 2011.

Quality fishing opportunities for species other than walleye abound. Leech Lake supports

excellent northern pike and muskellunge populations; nearly one third of pike caught by anglers

during 2010 were 24” or larger and muskellunge nearing 50” were also reported. Recent

improvements in the yellow perch population have led increased perch harvest, with fish up to

13 inches long fairly common in angler’s bags. Exceptional sunfish, black crappie, and largemouth

bass fishing consisting of quality-sized fish can be found in most major portions of the lake, with

the bite for these species typically best during May and June

10/9/2011 Leech Lake Fishing report

For this entry I've asked one of our guest Randy Blake, from Sioux Falls SD, to write a testimony on his weekend with us. I have added a detailed Leech Lake fishing report at the end.

TESTIMONIAL ---TRIP REPORT FOR--- 10/08/2011 and 10/09/2011

.

Toby Kvalevog, came very highly recommended by another fishing guide as a top notch fisherman in the Brainerd/ Walker/ Bemidji area. Toby, co-owner of and fishing guide for Leisure Outdoor Adventures has a reputation for catching very big fish. I was fortunate to fish a half day with Toby over the Labor day weekend and he put us on some real nice walleyes and pike. I knew after a half day of fishing that I wanted to come back and fish with him again on Leech Lake, especially after hearing his tales of the big ones boated over the summer and years previous.

So, I schemed and planned and worked hard to sneak in one more fishing trip with Toby, and boy am I glad that I did. I had the best walleye fishing of my life!

Although I had fished for walleyes before, most of the time it had been traditional South Dakota trolling with a bottom bouncer, spinner and crawler. I had used a Lindy Rig a few times, but not much prior to this recent fishing trip. Toby is an expert in Lindy rigging and taught me some beginner through expert use of the Lindy rig. He is a master at presentation, and boat conrol and fine tuning your location on the best part of the piece of structure. I love to learn from the experts and Toby is very helpful with loads of tips and little tricks that can make all the difference.

My personal best walleye before this trip was a 25 inch release, caught 15 years ago. During the course of two days fishing on Leech Lake with Toby, I broke and increased my personal record for my biggest walleye 5 times!

Day One my friend Mark Peterson from Hackensack MN joined us for a half of that day. We caught and released several very nice walleyes and some good eaters. The day was highlighted by a triple hookup of 5 pound fish out of the same school. Three rods bending deep all at the same time was exciting! The bigger highlight of the day was breaking my PR with a 25.5 inch release! I was very excited and thought to myself that we couldnt possibly do as well on Day Two. Wow was I wrong! Don't underestimate Toby and his ability and resolve to excel as a guide and put his clients on big fish. He goes the extra mile

Day Two we were out on Leech Lake even earlier. After a run, we settled in to fish the spot from the day before. Darn, three other boats were already there. But let me tell you one thing about Toby.......he puts you on THE spot within the spot.....he fine tunes it. Right away I caught a nice eater.....and then IT started. During the course of the day I caught many gorgeous walleyes, upping my big fish best four times!

First I caught a 25 and 3/4 inch walleye and then a 26 and 3/4 incher. Then a few 24 and 25 inch fish. Then another couple of eaters. Then we kept upping the ante.........a 27.5 incher soon was boated. During this time the fisherman in the other boats were not catching fish and they loooked on with envy as to what was going on in our boat. This continues for a couple hours.

Finally, the other fishermen left us alone and we continued to catch fish.

Ater a slow spell we moved........excellent call Toby! Not long after moving a couple miles to a new spot..... my "ship came in" ........I sunk my hooks into a heavy fish that stayed down and didn't want to come up. I could feel its powerful head shakes down at 19 feet below. Finally, after staying deep and coming up slow, when we did see the fish come to view out of the deep, we both knew that this one was special, it was bigger yet. Toby did a great netting job and the fish was safely boated. The measurements were 30.25 inch length and 17 inch girth. A trophy walleye in anyone's book...AND IT WAS RELEASED!!! It was the fourth time that day that I broke my personal record for a walleye!

But wait.....it wasnt over! No........I didnt beat that one but I landed a 25.5 and a 27.5 incher and lost a good one. The 27.5 incher fought better than any walleye I have ever had on, making hard runs, stripping line several times and refusing to give up. Until we got to see it we were thinking big northern or muskie, not walleye.

Wow! What a day of fishing! I played with and caught more big walleyes in two days than I ever imagined.

I have hired a number of guides over the years and am a pheasant hunting guide myself, in addition to my day job as a lawyer. So I know the difference between a a good guide and a great guide. I was totally impressed with all aspects of the trip and appreciated the extra effort. Leisure Outdoor Adventure guides have great boats and fishing rigs and tackle. Toby was superior at boat control and use of his advanced electronics. Toby provided great bait...large lively minnows. I found Toby to be very patient and helpful and I learned more about walleye fishing in two days than I have in the past 20 years. And, he never missed one fish with the net. I give him an A+ across the board. I will definitely be hiring Toby again to pursue the big fish.

I followed Toby's recommendation and stayed at The Chase On The Lake. We stayed in a studio condo. The facility was great, the rooms clean and spacious, and the food at the restaurant was top notch. I will gladly stay there again and again.

I whole heartedly recommend fishing with Toby Kvalevog and Leisure Outdoor Adventures. I had the most incredible walleye fishing trip of a lifetime.... I am hooked!

Randall Blake

Sioux Falls, SD

10/08/2011 Leech Lake Walleye Report:

Leech Lake = Jigs and Shiners on windswept points or trolling shadraps in 4-10ft of water.

Notable area's are; big and Little Hardwoods,

Walker Bay= Perch and Walleye are active in 40-50ft of water on shoreline flats and humps. Fish are biting best on VMC "Moon Eye' jig and minnow combos.

Kabekona Bay = Lindy Rigs with Red Tails or Creek Chubs in 20-35 ft of water and shore line breaks, flats, and humps.

Equipment Tip:

Using live bait requires a sensitive rod. Not only for light biters, but for active minnows indicating a predator in the area. That's why we like to use Jason Mitchell Series spinning rods for Jigging and Rigging techniques. The combination of the soft tip and strong backbone are very well designed at an affordable price.

http://clamoutdoors.com/jason_mitchell

Fall Leech Lake Walleyes

The walleye bite on Leech Lake has been getting stronger and stronger as the fall is now upon us. The jig bit and minnow bite has been strong on all the main lake flats and points. We have been using VMC HammerHead Jig in the 1/8th ounce. VMC offers these jigs in the all new UV Bright colors which is an amazing new technology which reflects more light energy, strengthening the lure's visibility. Read more by visiting VMC's Website, Click Here, and go to page V19. We have been tipping the minnows with medium sized rainbow chub minnows. This has also been a great combo for the jumbo perch that have also moved into the shallows.

The muskie action has also been pretty strong. We have averaged 1 to 3 bites a trip and have moved some real giant fish in the past few days. Hopefully we can get some hooks to stick and get them into the nets.

With the fall approaching so is the cold mornings. One of the most important thing to me is staying warm on the water. Lets face it if you are cold even the best day fishing isn't fun. I have been using IceArmor products for several years now and each and ever time I suit up I know I'm going to stay comfortable. My system includes; starting off with the Poly Base Layer (View here), then if you know me I'm in my IceArmor Wind Pants (View Here), a warm wool sweeter, then I like to wear a wind-stopper fleece jacket under my IceArmor Blue Suit Bibs (View Here), and for the really cold mornings or rain I put the Blue Suit Jacket on. The beauty part about this system is the layering aspect because as the sun rises so does the warmer air. I can peel layers to stay comfortable. IceArmor is a brand we believe in and we are confident you will be satisfied using!

Here are a few pics from recent guide trips.

(click on image for larger view)

The Jason Mitchell Elite Series 7 foot rod in action!