Sneakin' through the Weeds

Early in my guiding career, I still recall a particular blazing-hot August day. It had been a challenging one to say the least. I was falling all over myself apologizing to my clients for the tough bite when who should roll into the dock but the legendary Marv Koep, possibly the most-recognized fishing guide in the North Country. Of course, Marv had fish (he always did)-a beautiful mixed bag of walleyes, pike, crappies, and even a deep-bodied smallmouth for someone's wall.

Days later, I caught up with Marv, who graciously shared his secret. "Weed Weasels tipped with minnows," he said simply, flashing his characteristic sunshine smile.

As I gradually discovered in the years that followed, Northland Weed Weasels were a secret of many top guides. Slick pointed nose, tapered head, light Y-weed-guard, bait-keeper, Mustad Ultra-Point hook-the combination proven deadly for everything with fins. Mostly, though, the boys kept the 'Sneak secret under their hat, so word never spread much beyond a handful of local sharpies. Still, I quickly learned that to add these amazingly weedless jigs to my own bag of tricks. On any given summer day, I always had an array of rods rigged with Weed Weasels. Slowly we'd move along the edge of the spacious weed bar, peppering casts up into the vegetation, and swimming the combo back through the cover. Within a cast or two, rods would bend. The trick never failed to produce action. And I mean never.