Ask the Walleye Pro: Jeff Ryan
Q: There’s been talk that Lake Mille Lacs is now out of the proposed 2008 FLW Walleye Tour schedule? If that’s really the case, what lake would you like to see take its place and why?
– Jess, Walker, Minn.
A: Jess, it’s not confirmed, but I’m pretty sure Mille Lacs is out of the schedule. As I understand it, the way the slot limit can fluctuate throughout the year makes it a difficult venue to host a tournament. As always, one of my top picks as a replacement would be Devils Lake in North Dakota. It is a great fishery, and you can utilize numerous techniques to catch walleyes. However, I think Devils Lake needs a rest from our tour schedule. We have been there several times, and we need a change. I think Leech Lake in northern Minnesota would be a good choice. I’ve heard many good things about Leech. I have not had the opportunity to fish Leech, but I’m always up for a new challenge.
Q: Jeff, you’ve had two consecutive successful seasons on the Walleye Tour. What’s the main reason behind your recent success, and what are your goals for the future?
– Nick T., Davenport, Iowa
A: Let’s make that three successful seasons now that I have qualified for the 2007 Walleye Tour Championship in Cleveland. I feel anytime you make the top 50 and qualify for the championship, you have had a successful season. I believe my success comes from a huge amount of time on the water prefishing. Two other reasons for my success are patience and the support of my family. My family has been behind me all the way. My goals for the future would be to win Angler of the Year and attain multiple tournament wins, now that I have one under my belt. Also, a big thank you goes out to Ranger and Evinrude. They are awesome products that I have thoroughly enjoyed fishing with.
Q: Do you think professional walleye fishing will ever see a $1 million payout like we saw at the recent Forrest Wood Cup? What does the walleye world need to do in order to generate similar growth?
– Tony Crane, Stevens Point, Wis.
A: I think a $1 million payout could happen, but it is going to take time to get there. Bass tournaments had to go through similar growth. To generate growth, we need to expand our fan base, our television coverage and overall sponsor participation. I also believe, as a professional sport, we need to be able to make a living so that we can commit ourselves 100 percent to our profession.
Q: Why are good leeches harder to find as the summer winds down? Here in central Minnesota, it’s hard to get quality leeches by the middle of August. Any live-bait suggestions for late summer?
– Justin Jens, Princeton, Minn.
A: Justin, I have talked to a bait dealer from Minnesota, and he told me that it is the basic life cycle of a leech. The peak season for leeches is around mid-June. Warmer water temperatures also have an impact on leeches. My suggestion for live bait would be night crawlers. They are always a good option, anytime of the year.
Q: Can you tell me what reel I should buy? I just got a medium-action, 6 1/2-foot Fenwick spinning rod as a birthday present. Now I need a good reel to go with it. It will mainly be used for walleyes, but occasionally for bass as well. I’m looking to spend somewhere around $50 to $75. Thanks.
– Birthday boy
A: There are a lot of good options out there for a reel in the $50 to $75 dollar price range. I would take a look at a Shimano Symetre or a Shimano Sahara. I own a couple of each, and both work very well for me. Personally, I would lean toward the Symetre.
Hailing from Lake View, Iowa, Jeff Ryan is one of the young guns of professional walleye fishing. In 2006, he won the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour qualifying event on the Mississippi River in Red Wing, Minn. – and he did so in dominating fashion. His first-place purse was $100,000. Proving his consistency, Ryan has cashed checks at 11 of the 14 FLW Walleye Tour events in which he has competed. He has three top-10 finishes in his young career and has qualified for the FLW Walleye Tour Championship each of his three years on tour. Ryan’s sponsors include Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Minn Kota and Lowrance electronics.