Cats on the Red

[Dennis Steele]

My good friend Dark 30 called me up and said that he booked a trip up to Stu McKay's Cats on the Red in Manitoba Canada.He said he had room for me if I would like to join him.I had been very busy this season and was looking forward to spending a little time with my honey that weekend,but just couldn't pass up on the offer.I had heard that that is the cat mans promise land and wanted to find out if it was true.

I am glad that I didn't.It IS!

We left on a saturday morning and made it to Cats On the Red by around 5:30 after a little trouble at the border crossing.(Bring your passport or birth certificate! It will reduce some of the time you have to spend at the border)
We unloaded our gear into our rooms which were much nicer than I expected.When a guy goes to a catfish resort you would expect that the rooms are a little dirty and smelly just like the catmen that would be staying in them.That wasn't the case.They were very nice and clean.We had two bedrooms with a living area with TV and a fridge.The bacolny over looked the river and you could see the dam just upstream.There were some nice mounts on the walls and magazines to read when relaxing after a had day of fishing.
We were just going to take it easy that night and get a good nights rest for the next days fishing,but I was a little anxious to get out and at least see the river.We figured we might as well bring a little bait out with us just in case we see something interesting.
When we checked in Stu gave us some good tips on where to find some cats and said the some of the guides had been doing well downstream,so we decided to check out that section of river.I was scanning my sonar while cruising down the river and saw a few blips on the screen hanging on a channel edge next to large flat,so we decided to check it out.I threw my bait right along the channel edge and Dark tossed his onto the flat.I can't remember who caught the first one but it didn't take long to figure out they were up on the flat.I started crowding Dark as he was doing much better than me on the channel edge! We caught around a dozen and a half big cats that went anywhere from 18 to 22 lbs in short time we were on the water.
Sunday morning we met Canuck who guides out of Cats on the Red.He suggested a few spot for us to try.
Thats the way it is up there.They want people to get on fish and enjoy helping people find them.
We decided to head right back to where we catching them the night before.At first it seemed a little slow but soon figured out that the fish had moved to the bottom break on the channel edge.The net was flying every few minutes and we even had doubles on a few occasions and had to net our own fish.I am not sure of the counts but we must have had 3 dozen in the boat before the day was up and we were not even fishing hard.Working hard..YES! Your arms get sore reeling in 20lb cat after 20lb cat.
The rest of the week was nearly the same.We had a few slow times but when we located cats they were on the feed bag and fish came steadily.
Of course if a guy wanted to really beat himself up he would hire a guide.ON a good day these guys are getting clients on 40 to 60 of these brutes a day and even in 4 hours trips.Its just plain mayhem!
On our last day Canuck hopped in my River Pro and took us around to some of his favorite spots.When he took us up to the dam he showed us how to work the dam which was really paying off.We even ended up getting a tripple.Canuck being the professional insisted on netting our fish and set his rod in the holder while the fish just fought his rod untill he had landed both our fish.
I was impressed with his knowledge of the Red and the cats that swim in it.He also tought us a few of his favorite techniques and showed us the gear that he prefers to use.It was a very informative outing and I learned a few things that I will try in the future.

I want to thank Stu for the hospitality and good advice.His fries are awesome and he is quite a master at frying fish also!
I also want to thank Canuck for showing us around and trying to teach an old cat man a few new tricks.
This will become and anual trip for me.It is just too good not to go.

OK Ok enough with the blabber here are just a few pics.I have tons but will only post a few because they were all that big.

Here is one of the double that we caught.

Dark 30 with a nice cat from our first night.

Yours truly with I think was my biggest cat.Just a little over 22 and half lbs.

[Ed Carlson]

OK...But did you have a good time?

See boyz....your done hooked now. You better start planning on at least 2 trips a year, or you will go into Sumo Withdrawal's.

Stu runs a class act resort at "Cats on the Red" and has long been my destination of choice when up that way. I agree, his guide crew are top river ace's and "Get-R-Done" for his clients. Even Canuck is half way tolerable...mostly.

Yup, until you experience the lower Red River, you just can not truly imagine it.

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Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
701-893-9107

[email protected]

[icehousebob]

Dennis, ihateyouihateyouihateyou. Will you take me fishing some time??? Great pictures. Question---is there going to be a a Carver Cat Convention this fall? I met several good people there last year. Dark30 was a neat guy. I hope his daughter has overcome her shyness problem Dark, she's a great kid. Bring her to the next one and I'll teach her to play toons on her armpit.

[Dennis Steele]

Fun??
That was not fun it was a blast!!
I would recomend that trip to anyone.There certainly is no shortage of cats to worry about!

Ah yes the Carver Cat gathering...
I apologize but between guiding,tourneys,other events and other comitments I just did not have the time this year to put it toghther.
I won't be guiding next year so you can bet that there will be one next season.

I do wonder what it would take to make Darks little girl open up...just a little.

[DARK30]

Funny, I don't get the impression that Rebekah is shy...Little Miss Disney!!? Tell you what Dennis, she can stay with you guys for a week...how about two weeks.


Cats On The Red is definitely the "Go To" for someone seeking fast action channel catfish! These fish are large, aggressive and well protected by both the law and the majority of the anglers fishing for them. We did have a few slow times but when we located other active fish the action was almost non stop. I kept track of the first 20 or so fish (before giving up) and found the average length was 33.2" and the weight 19.3#. There are a few 40" and over swimming these waters but don't often see a net. They have a list of the all-time 25 largest channels caught in Manitoba and just under half way down is one Stuart McKay coming in at 42". The largest recorded so far is a brute of 46.5".

We even made some time to go out and do a little frog stomping. Boy the Kermits work well and fun to dance with too!

Boy that pic of me in the dark...Looks like I never caught a channel cat that big before....Um, I guess that would be true!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[shefland]

Can't wait! leaving for Stus early the 13th for 3rd trip of the year, September trips usually being the greatest. Your right on Stu, Canuck, they are first class. We are armed with frogs and hope Stu has tullibies

[Ed Carlson]

Eh..Dark..Shanon and I boated 4 over 40" with the biggest just shy of 44". All on the same trip. We worked the shelf pattern just as you and Dennis were...at night. By the looks of the background you guys were very close to the same area.

With a little luck..we may catch a big one yet up there. I'll keep trying....yup-yup.

Big Shanon is headed North with 2 of his friends from work this weekend by the sound of it. I may be able to go this weekend with my son, but next weekend looks like it is more doable for me then this one. Too many if's yet to know when...that kinda sucks.

------------------
Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
701-893-9107

[email protected]

[Canuck]

Dennis & Kevin: It was real nice to meet you guys. We didn't have a whole lot of time together but really enjoyed trying to show off this river. When one has fished it for a few hours quite often one will find himself sitting down and saying "man, I need a rest", as these kitties can really put up a good fight.

I can say blue gills are better than walleye.

ps: anybody else from this board that heads up PLEASE make sure you let us know and we are more than willing to share what little info we have on this fishery. If I can't help I am sure Stu will as he really knows this river. These fish do change and one has to change with them or go without.

I am headed out for the next 3 days so hope the weather forcast is wrong as it says RAIN, oh well at least it will keep the bite on.

[katchaser]

Kevin and Dennis

Looks like you had a blast. I have to agree with you. The Red at Lockport is the "go to" place for big channel cats.

I went there over July 4th to get away from my crowded lakes over the holiday. I caught several 20+ channel cats.

My wife didn't fish (mosquitos were very thick) but agreed to try again next June.
My grandaughter Kayla caught several big channels.

Catchabiggun,
Robby

[This message has been edited by katchaser (edited 09-10-2004).]

[Canuck]

Danny and I had 2 guys each out today and the tally for both boats was 128 kitties. The bite in my opinion is on but U have to move and keep your bait fresh. There were 3 guys out yesterday who followed Danny and they got 1 fish while Danny caught 40. Pay attention to the little things and the sumo kitties will pay U back with sore arms.

[DARK30]

Well, it sounds like we missed out on the REALLY big fish...Just another reason to go back I'd say! I spoke with Jim Moyer and he says they got some in the 40" plus range also. At least I got my goal fish of over 20#....Now I can honestly say I'm a well rounded catman...Jim's gonna send me my "Grand Slam" certificate saying I caught trophy Blue, Flathead, and now Channel Catfish.....What we do for bragging rights, I tell ya!

Jim Moyer is also expecting his new line of heavy cat/muskie rods any day now...He is looking for interested parties who would like to carry them. I'm not a salesman but I will be buying one or two when they become available....Just hope my Gapen rods will still love me afterwards!

WET NETS!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Ed Carlson]

Your 1 up on me yet Dark, I need that big Sumo Blue yet. I need to take Jim up on his offer and drop down and do some fishing with him.

If Jim has a line of rods coming out, I need to check them out. Jim was instrumental in the design of the E-Cat and was a contributing force I believe in the Re-Flex rods too. Both cat classics now so his new rods should be something well worth the look.

I would have to say though I am very pleased with my custom made rods made by "Rods by Engel", so Jim will have to catch my eye to get me to order a new set.

Yet...ya know...I am a rod junkie sooooo... a few new rods....Ah-Mmmm...could't hurt now could it?

------------------
Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
701-893-9107

[email protected]