Walleye aplenty on Wisconsin R.

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. Walleye fishing is alive and well on theWisconsin River below the Dells dam, despite cold weather and highwinds.

Daryl Christensen, Scott Hill and I met at the Rivers EdgeResort and headed downriver in search of post-spawn walleye. Thetemperature was in the low 40s with winds of 22 m.p.h.

Christensen and Hill, top fishing guides and tournamentcompetitors, suggested working the eddies behind sandbars andshoreline drop-offs in 10 feet of water. We used 1/8th-ounceyellow/chartreuse jigs dressed with fathead minnows.

We began working a shallow flat rimmed by sandbars with asix-foot drop-off. Christensen caught the first fish, a two-poundwalleye that hit the jig hard. Hill followed with another fish aswe moved along the bar.

I added a sauger as we swung past a rocky shoreline. Boatcontrol was difficult as winds gusted to 30 m.p.h. We had startedfishing at 1 p.m. and added three more walleye to the livewell bymid-afternoon.

We made a pit stop at the resort to warm up and moved up to thedam area at 5 p.m. Christensen put us at the rock pile where the damcurrents form fast and slow eddies, a perfect area for hungry walleyewaiting for dinner.

My first cast produced a fat sauger. Hill made it a double as awalleye took his jig. We worked the jigs from the fast water intothe slack water. Most of the fish were taken in four to six feet of water as the sun started to dip belowthe high bluffs.

We pounded these walleye and sauger for two hours, putting alimit of 15 fish in the livewell, releasing 10 more and losinganother 12 on short hits.

Friday morning was bitter cold. It was 28 degrees with sharpwinds, but we worked the pillars (three fish) and the dam again forfive fish. One walleye we didn't get has my line. The walleyedrag-tested and finally head-shook the jig back to me.

Post-spawn walleye fishing is usually a game of hide and seek asthe fish move downstream to their summer quarters. But it'schallenging and can offer excellent fishing once you learn thetechnique.

Christensen and Hill are tournament fishing partners. They haveperformed well in all tournaments they entered. They are in thirdplace in the Manufacturers Walleye Contest. The two guide on theFox River, the Wisconsin and numerous bass lakes in centralWisconsin. Trips are for 10 hours and they supply everything exceptlunch and tackle.

Fishing with these men is a learning experience for veteranand beginner alike. Information from: Rivers Edge Resort (608) 254-7707,Christensen (608) 296-3068, and Hill (608) 356-7338 for guideservice.

Rivers Edge supplies bait, tackle, food, accommodations,launch ramp and beverages.