This Weeks Show

Episode 22

Spring Weather Whiplash

Show Date: May 30, 2026

Location: St. Germain, Wisconsin

Accommodations: St. Germain Lodge [715-542-3433 - www.stgermainlodge.com]

This week’s trip was a true reflection of the unpredictable spring we’ve been having in 2026. We headed north to Vilas County to fish with longtime friend and guide Rob Manthei, owner of St. Germain Lodge and Fibber's Restaurant & Bar. Joining us on the trip was personal injury attorney Chris MacGillis, ready to spend a couple days casting alongside us in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.

Our original plan was to target walleyes, and day one gave us just about perfect conditions to start. Temperatures climbed into the 80s, and a light breeze helped keep both the anglers and the fish comfortable. We found a good walleye bite early, but as the wind faded, the action slowed right along with it.

Fortunately, one of the best things about the St. Germain area is the incredible variety of lakes and species available nearby. As Rob likes to say, “A frustrated walleye fisherman becomes a bass fisherman.” So rather than force a slowing bite, we switched gears and spent the rest of the afternoon chasing bass — and ended up having a fantastic time doing it.

Then came day two.

An intense cold front swept across the state overnight, bringing temperatures crashing down more than 30 degrees along with heavy wind that made fishing both difficult and uncomfortable. Instead of fighting the conditions, Rob adjusted the game plan once again, confident that the crappies would still cooperate despite the weather change.

His instincts were right. Even with rough conditions, we managed to put together a solid crappie bite before finally calling it a day. Trips like this are a reminder that successful fishing often comes down to adapting, staying flexible, and trusting your guide — and Rob once again proved he knows how to keep rods bending no matter what Mother Nature throws at us.