Rog's Rod & Nimrod

During the late summer of 2012, Jerry Hnetynka and I fished for muskies on Minnesota’s West Battle Lake with professional guide Dave Williamson of Alexandria’s Musky Stalker Guide Service. We both took big muskies.

Dave supplied the tackle and equipped me with a bait casting outfit. Though I’m a passionate angler, I’ve regrettably never become proficient with a bait casting rod and reel. As a tot on Cedar Lake, Indiana, I started out with bait casting equipment, but quickly became enamored with the “new-fangled” spinning gear in the early 50’s.

The reel I used on that musky outing was a Shimano “Calcutta” bait casting reel, and I had never before tossed lures with such ease and fewer pesky back lashes. At that time I thought about buying a Calcutta for myself, but when I learned that a Calcutta cost the better part of $300, I dismissed the idea.

A day last winter found me in the Mitchell Cabela’s store. I had over $200 in points, but there was really nothing I wanted to buy. I happened to be in the fishing section, and in probing my mind for possible ideas, I asked my friend, Tom Hartley, if Cabela’s had a Shimano Calcutta reel in stock. Tom went to the cabinet, and out came a Calcutta Model 400B. As it was just the size I had in mind, I bought it and loaded it with 150 yards of Spectra 30 lb. test microfilament braided line. I had something in mind – namely big fall northern pike on Oahe.

As it turned out, it was the perfect reel for my coming Wollaston Lake adventure. In six days of hard action, I had only one back lash as it handled big pike with authority. I mounted the reel on a medium action Shakespeare Ugly Stick that I had purposely shortened, and though I’m not a big fan of Ugly Sticks, that rod was bent full circle many times as I rested it on the gunnel of the boat while playing seemingly tireless Wollaston lake trout. What I liked best about the Calcutta was having drag control at my fingertip – something I don’t have with my spinning reels.

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How well did the new South Dakota deer license application system work? I liked the single application form that offered six different options. Though I had preference points for both East and West River, I failed to draw my first choices which were Corson County “any deer” in the West, and Charles Mix County “any whitetail” in the East. To draw my Corson “any deer” tag, I would have needed four preference points. To draw my Charles Mix “any whitetail” tag, I would have needed two preference points.

I did draw my 2nd choices – Corson County “any whitetail” in the West, and Brule County “any whitetail plus any antlerless whitetail” in the East. I drew my 2nd choices without “burning” my preference points, so it looks good for next year.

One of the most difficult draws was Unit MZ or muzzleloader where there were 4263 applicants for 1000 tags. However, there was no reason for any applicant to be without a tag - a buck tag at that. Second Draw applicants will have a shot at left over West River buck tags for Bennett, Dewey, Harding, Jackson, Jones, Lawrence, Lyman, Meade, Mellette, Pennington, Perkins, and Ziebach counties. East River leftovers included nearby Brule and Buffalo. All these tags were readily available in the First Round.

Some of the most coveted units could be had for two preference points, and Gregory County might top that list. While Gregory’s “any deer” tags required four preference points, the whitetail tags could be had for one preference point with the odds favoring the hunter with no preference points.

It appears that the new system has accomplished what SDGF&P intended it to do. Over the years, the most complaints I’ve heard came from Bon Homme County hunters. For 2019, 100% of Bon Homme applicants with two preference points received their tags. I received today’s information by going on my computer to “draw statistics” under SD Game, Fish, & Parks.

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Our Wagner Lake is without question the crown jewel of South Dakota’s municipal recreation areas with its walking trail, picnic shelters, playground, handicap access pier, toilet facilities, and fishing access. Though many people had a hand in it, the late Larry Blaha made it all happen. We need to rename our Wagner Lake complex “Blaha Park.” If Mt. McKinley can be renamed, it is a very simple matter.

See you next week.