“When opportunity knocks on your door…you should listen!” And, that’s what I did by responding to a Facebook post from noted Lake Erie guide Gary Zart a couple weeks ago! Gary had posted three open spots for their Ranger 622 guide and tournament boat for those days. I signed up and Gary found a couple other clients to join us those three fishing days. My drive from Cedar Rapids to Port Clinton and the Holiday Inn Express takes a little over eight hours. With much anticipation, I met Gary at the Huron Boat Ramp early Monday morning. Gary teams with his son, Nicholas, for their guide trips in the fall after they put the big guide boat away for the winter. Joe, his buddy Bubba, and I hopped in the Ranger at the single ramp left and headed out the muddy Huron River. There were only a few other boats on the water Monday. It was a cool morning with water temps in the low 40’s. Nicholas piloted the 622 north and a little east of Huron. They did all the work! All we had to do was reel in fish!! The two worked the 14 rods and baits with fishing precision. Six rods on each side held Bandits while one rod at the back had a 2 ounce snap at 30 feet, then another 30 feet to a Smithwick Perfect 10. Our troll was from the south to north. We had our five limits and were headed back in before 11:30am! My observation from Day 1 was how well the two worked together setting and changing baits to find what the walleyes wanted to “eat” that day. I got to sit on the passenger seat as the senior member in the boat while Joe and Bubba stood up on the bow. Joe took his fish home to clean while I took my share to Bays Edge back in Port Clinton for cleaning. I busied myself that afternoon cruising a couple other ramps finding just a couple boats at Mazurik and exploring a few residential areas of interest. Day 2 found the Lake flat calm with warming temps. The ramp was filling up quickly and someone posted they’d counted over 200 trucks/trailers at the ramp parking! It was crowded bringing Nicholas to say, “I don’t like fishing in a crowd!” Joe was back with his step son and a friend for the day. We moved a little further east away from the pack and filled the Ranger livewell full to overflowing. The fish seemed bigger on Day 2! We were back at the ramp before noon and followed Day 1’s routine. Day 3 came with rain, wind, and a more rough water start. We went to were we left off on Tuesday but the fish had moved so we moved also, heading west. And…did we catch them! Our biggest was caught by Rick while Kenny and I watched him pull in the big walleye measuring right at 29 inches. We caught numerous 26 inch plus fish. We were back at the ramp by 12:30pm happy with how the morning turned out in spite of the building wind and early rain. Gary and Nicholas will continue to guide as long as there is open water and the weather allows it. Gary’s number is 216-849-4954 while Nick’s is 216-906-6497 if you want to book a trip and have a fun experience catching some big walleyes to bring home for your next fish fry! Gary has an active Facebook presence so be sure to check daily for available openings. I will be back to fish again with them! Hope you enjoy reading this report and looking at the pictures! Thank you to the Zarts for a fun three days and Mike G. for posting. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our www.walleyewisdom.com pals! Spike
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