The Peluso Report: Fast Forwarding

It is hard to believe the Big Muddy walleye tournament has come and gone already on the Missouri River this spring, but that's probably because we never really had a spring. Lots of major weather events definitely got in the way.

I feel good about how things played out. Even though I didn't fish the tournament, I was in tune with what was happening and what took place. For me as a full-time guide this is important. Sometimes when you get stuck in guide mode you can miss out a little.

Typically, once the Big Muddy is over things slow down out on the river. Sakakawea is going to turn on fire here quickly, people will spread out and, to be honest, a lot of guys lose interest in the river now. I'll continue to guide the river until the end of May. After that it's back in the van and hauling my boat around for the state tour.

So, what can we expect on the Missouri River in the next week or so? You will still find a random big fish mixed right in with some very spirited males. You can catch them pretty much anyway you like to catch fish. If you have kids that you want to get out, put the crankbaits down along the sandbars and hold on. There will be lots of fun action.

I've had a few schedule changes as of late so I do have a few openings if you are looking to get out on the water. I also want to congratulate the top finishers in this year's Big Muddy: Perman, Eismen, and Steele, you guys earned it and are now considered the Big Muddy Kings!

Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in walleyes on the state's premier waters.