Winchester Adventures

Winchester Adventures Walleyes, Bass, Catfish, Sturgeon and Panfish! Captain Chris is the most diverse guide on the river!

Sunday has arrived which means another group has left. Mike and Hayden Martine spent the last 4 days attempting to catch...
01/19/2025

Sunday has arrived which means another group has left. Mike and Hayden Martine spent the last 4 days attempting to catch everything they could in the delta. Wind and rain both tried to slow us down but we still managed to get 4 complete days in.
The entire week was spent fishing at the bottom of the tide, this coupled with the weather made for long runs and lots of searching yet we still got it done. I believe they landed 15 or 16 species. Included in thise were some giant Blue Cats, Redfish and big trout. We attempted to catch an Alligator Gar but just couldn't seal the deal. They are such a pain.

I've got a few days off, not by choice....remind me to charge friends a deposit. Next weekend Jake and David will arrive for their 4th or 5th trip to the bayou. We are all looking forward to some good time.
Enjoy the pics. Are you booked for spring Walleyes yet? If not, let's talk!

Today I said goodbye to Dennis Schiell , Lucas Schiell and Cole. They came down from Zumbrota, MN to experience this wh...
01/06/2025

Today I said goodbye to Dennis Schiell , Lucas Schiell and Cole. They came down from Zumbrota, MN to experience this whole "Venice" thing. The trip started out with one of the best bull Red bites I had ever encountered. No mega fish but many 32 to 35". They would literally be hooked as soon as they closed the bail. That 1st day we also caught some Mangroves, mackeral, Pompano, Sheepshead and Triggerfish. Oh yes, and another new species for the boat..a Speckled Hind, Rock Hind or commonly called a Strawberry Grouper. A beautiful fish!
Day two found us chasing Speckled Trout with a couple of hours spent fishing Alligator Gar. The trout fish was good. No huge schools but we found enough to catch a nice fish every 10 minutes or so with some nice Sheepshead mixed in. The Gar were finicky. Only giving us a couple of opportunities and we were unable to stick the hook. They are so fun, yet so frustrating.
Day 3 found us battling a strong south wind and a lot of dirty water. We fished hard. Caught a half dozen nice reds, a giant Sheepshead and Coles biggest fish ever, a 25 # Black Drum. A tough day but still hard to complain about.
The last day the Temps dropped, the wind blew hard out of the north and after an hour of trying to put something together, we gave in. The wind and cool weather beat us and we had to throw in the towel.
Looking back, it was still a great week on the water. I'm certain these boys enjoyed the bayou and will be back for more.

Time to regroup, enjoy a couple days off and get ready for the next group to arrive.

Enjoy the pics!

Happy New Year from Wi******er Adventures. 2024 was overall a good year. Of course, there were trying moments, but we al...
01/01/2025

Happy New Year from Wi******er Adventures. 2024 was overall a good year. Of course, there were trying moments, but we all have those. I will remember 2024 as the year I lost my biggest fan, my Mom. I find strength in knowing she is still with me on all of my adventures and cheering me on all along the way.

As for Wi******er Adventures...we had our best year yet. Growing, learning and expanding. I shared the boat with many new clients and repeat customers alike. I don't have one group I would not welcome back in my boat. Truly great people and many of them have become friends. THANK YOU ALL for allowing me to continue to chase my dreams.

Tiffany and Eric Stoll are packing up as i write this to head back home after 4 days in the bayou. Dennis Schiell and his 2 boys are headed this way to join me in Louisiana for a few days. I'm excited to watch these boys get whooped by some giants.

Here are some words and pictures from Eric and Tiffany's trip:

Final days wrapped up fishing in Louisiana. Caught a lot of fish we've never even heard of and got to see dolphins and alligators. Caught Red fish, speckled sea trout, white sea trout, sheepshead, black drum, macro, pompano, alligator gar, black tip shark, bull shark,red snappers, stingray, blue crab, trigger fish, combination, mangrove snapper, croaker, blue catfish, stripped sea mullet,and Atlantic menhaden. Enjoyed seeing the bayou, the Gulf, fishing out on the oil rigs and learning the history of it. Headed back home tomorrow, we have to say we will miss the southern hospitality and food. Special thanks to Chris Wi******er for being our guide and educating us in new territory and some history of Louisiana.

Merry Christmas to you all from the bayou! The 1st two groups have come and gone with another arriving Saturday. Feeling...
12/25/2024

Merry Christmas to you all from the bayou! The 1st two groups have come and gone with another arriving Saturday. Feeling blessed.

Five years, five long years! That's how long Mistie Tran and I have known each other and have been planning a fishing tr...
12/14/2024

Five years, five long years! That's how long Mistie Tran and I have known each other and have been planning a fishing trip together. Today was the day.
Windy, upper 50s and a very late start but we made the best out of our couple hours on the water.
Mistie is a local of the Buras, LA area. With that, I assumed she got to fish once in awhile. After all, her profession is a Fish Monger. I guess just because you clean 100s of pounds of fish everyday that does not mean you get to catch any. Although it had been several years since she had fished, it only took about 1 minute for her to get right back in the groove. 5 minutes later her first keeper trout was in the box.
Besides trout, Mistie caught redfish, black drum, Sheepshead and Flounder. So much fun and so many laughs.

My only complaint at the end of the day....I had to clean these damn fish. Ha, some professional she is🤣🤣🤣.

I am looking forward to the next 3 months of chasing these critters down here🥰

11/28/2024

At 4:30 p.m. on November 26th, 2024 I pulled the SeaArk out of the river at Everts Resort for the last time this year. Today I was joined by Nick and Mike for a quick Walleye / Sauger trip. The bite was not on fire but we caught them pretty consistently with 25 or so fish coming over the gunnel. They took home a nice brace of fish and we released the rest. Truck thermometer read 25 degrees as I backed in the trailer but it felt much colder. The wind was raw and the lack of sun did not help. Even with all that, it was a great day on the water with a couple of great guys.

I want to thank each and every one of my clients from this year and years past for allowing me to live out my lifelong dream. I am truly blessed and so very thankful for this opportunity.
Wi******er Adventures will be headed south in about 10 days to spend my winter in Venice, LA. As always I will miss the north country but I sure do love the bayou.
I will begin booking spring / summer 2025 trips in a couple of weeks. If you'd like me to reach out to you when I start booking please drop me a note.

Thanks again and please have a safe and wonderful holiday season.
Capt. Chris Wi******er

Mike Schilling and I are back home from a 4 day trip to Venice, LA trying to check off a few new fish species for him. H...
11/19/2024

Mike Schilling and I are back home from a 4 day trip to Venice, LA trying to check off a few new fish species for him. Heck I even added one to my list...a Needlefish.
Here's what has come in the boat so far:
Alligator Gar, Red Drum, Black Drum, Croaker, Spotted Sea Trout, Southern Flounder, Largemouth Bass, Sheepshead, Florida Pompano, Mangrove Snapper, Red Snapper, Pinfish, Blue Catfish, Hardhead Catfish, Gaftop Sailcat, White Sea Trout, Stingray, Blacktip Shark, Bull Shark, Sea Mullet and Striped Mullet.
22 Species in 3 days isn't so bad. On top of 22 species was the pure numbers of fish we caught. Each day we would catch 50 or more Trout and Reds along with about 1 million hardhead and gaftop catfish. The one day we ran a little off shore we caught Red Snapper, Mangrove, Pompano, White trout and Spanish mackeral constant for 6 hours. Literally a fish every few minutes. So fun.
The largest fish of the trip was a mid 70 pound Blue cat. We had several "trophy" blues but could not get an 80. Mike says his favorite fish of the trip was a 45" Redfish.. Mike Schilling also landed a very respectable Alligator Gar.
I do not have pictures of every species but I do have most. I will include below with a description. I'm tired but the misery of driving is so worth it when you get into them. I can't wait to be back in 3 weeks.
Enjoy the pictures

Going to be a long day of cleaning, oiling, and lining reels but hearing the drag scream due to a Bull Red makes it all ...
11/09/2024

Going to be a long day of cleaning, oiling, and lining reels but hearing the drag scream due to a Bull Red makes it all worthwhile. T-minus 5 days until I'm in the louisianna bayou.

11/07/2024

Tereza fighting the biggest fish of her life. Tereza, Leah and their fathers were an absolute joy to have in the boat.
Enjoy

This was a post from 2 years ago that showed up on my memories today. Man, I miss the prairie.I took this picture earlie...
11/04/2024

This was a post from 2 years ago that showed up on my memories today. Man, I miss the prairie.

I took this picture earlier today. Such a simple photo of one of my favorite places on earth. Many of you will know where this road is.
When I started hunting the prairie in the mid 90s, I drove across this road, it was complete and separated two sloughs. The water is now 5 to 7 feet deep over this road and has been 4 or 5 feet higher in recent years.
When I look at this road a saying comes to mind immediately, "End of the road, jack". That saying seems dismal, negative, repulsive to me in this situation. Although this may literally be the end of this road so much life has come from it since it's demise.
The high water supplies life for countless species of fish and birds. It also offers a place for large and small mammals, both wild and domestic to eat, drink and cool off. There is another mammal that benefits greatly from this high water, that mammal is me, a human. This water provides many amazing nutrients for myself and those others who use it. Food (wether it be fish or waterfowl) is high on the list of goods supplied. More importantly this water provides me with recreation. The recreation in turn allows me to live a peaceful life. A life that can sometimes become overwhelming, can often be calmed by water, wether I'm fishing, hunting, watching a sunset, listening to the Swans or strolling down the shoreline looking for pretty rocks (a new found passion).
"End of the road"....... maybe physically but certainly not mentally. Take a moment in your life to stop by a creek, pond, river or lake and just sit for 10 minutes. Leave your phone in the car, and find a quiet place to sit. I bet you will feel the world lift off your shoulders and at least for a short time you will feel refreshed. I'd love to hear about it when you do.
To all my friends going through difficult times, please know I will always have a spot by the water for you to visit. Life is difficult and mental strength is so very hard to hang onto yet so very important. Several years back a random friend stood by me and "saved" me. I have not and will not ever forget the words and advice she shared and most of that was done in or on the water.
I am here for you!

I sure was there! A horrific day it was for me and my buddy, Tony Rapp. Since school was closed and there was a North w...
10/31/2024

I sure was there! A horrific day it was for me and my buddy, Tony Rapp.
Since school was closed and there was a North wind a blowing where else do you think I would be? Tony and I launched my father's boat in Lake Byllesby shortly after sunrise. A light snow was falling and the wind was blowing 10 mph out of the NW. After a short boat ride we arrived at the point we wanted to hunt. Setting out a quick spread as the ducks were falling from the stratosphere like b52 bombers. I don't know how long we hunted but it wasn't long. Mallards were decoying flock after flock. Big flocks, 20, 30, 50 birds. We'd shoot into one flock and the next bunch would be cupped and making their final approach. This was it, the day we all dream about as a waterfowler. In quick order we harvested a limit of Greenheads and a couple of Canadas. Just in time as the wind was starting to really pick up and the snow was falling.
I went to grab the boat and we quickly picked up the decoys, loaded the birds, guns and stools in the boat and headed for the landing. Two young guys who had just experienced the best day of duck hunting we had ever heard of. Then it all turned BAD, REAL BAD!
Just as I started heading towards the landing the 1st wave broke over the back of our 17' Starcraft v hull. That 1st one took me by suprise and I'm sure i panicked. I honestly don't recall what went on over the next minute or two but I know it did not take long until both Tony and I were in the water, the boat sinking, decoys floating everywhere. Luckily we weren't to far offshore, maybe 50 yards. Tony and I both made it to shore and then it was time to figure out what to do next. We were on the south shore of Lake Byllesby. The closest path to help was walking SW through the boy scout camp, probably 1.5 miles or a bit more to the office. Off we went, walking as quickly as we could trying to keep ourselves from getting hypothermia. Upon arrival to the home / office at the boys scout camp we were pleased to find someone home. They let us in and I had to make the call home to my father to tell him what had happened. I was more scared of making that phone call then I was of swimming in the icy water during a blizzard.
I called home and my mother answered. With a cracking voice I asked if I could talk to my dad. When he got on the phone, I told him that I had sunk the boat. I was expecting a major backlash at this moment. I remember exactly what he said to this day. "Are you guys ok?" He asked. I said "yes, we are cold but ok. But dad, I lost everything including the guns" he responded "we will worry about that later, where are you?" I told him where we were and my mom and him drove to get us immediately. I can't say that I got away with this unscathed but my father knew that I was beating myself up pretty bad and didn't say a whole lot other than discussing what went wrong and how it could have been avoided.
So yes, I remember that day quite well. 33 years ago and I can vividly recall every minute of that day.

Cancellation alert!I had a last minute cancellation for tomorrow Thursday, October 31st. We could do either a daytime wa...
10/30/2024

Cancellation alert!

I had a last minute cancellation for tomorrow Thursday, October 31st. We could do either a daytime walleye trip or an afternoon evening Halloween sturgeon trip. The sturgeon have really turned on in the last week. Start times are somewhat flexible so we can discuss what works for you.

Please call or text me at 612-598-7802. Thank you and happy Halloween

Bill Deming donated a very healthy sum of dollars to the kids of St Jude Children's Research Hospital's in trade for a f...
10/23/2024

Bill Deming donated a very healthy sum of dollars to the kids of St Jude Children's Research Hospital's in trade for a free guided trip with Chris Wi******er and Wi******er Adventures. Today was the day he would cash in on that trip. A cold morning with very few fish. We were headed in for the day and I decided to stop and try a couple of rock piles that I had not fished yet this week.
Low and behold, they were there, and our last half hour was a fun one. Now, if only the guide could count...I thought they had 8 so we left them biting....ugh, there were only 7. Some Walleye got a lucky day🤣🤣

Rita and Max Juran spent this beautiful, 80 degree, October day chasing Walleyes with me. We went back to the same patte...
10/23/2024

Rita and Max Juran spent this beautiful, 80 degree, October day chasing Walleyes with me. We went back to the same pattern as yesterday. Casting crankbaits to shallow, current swept rock points. Just like Yesterday, the fish were cooperative and eager to take a ride in the SeaArk.
At A little after 10:30 I put their limit fish in the livewell. A beautiful limit of 16 to 19" walleyes. Then off we went to chase some smallmouth, white bass and rocks...gosh we caught a lot of rocks today 🤣🤣.
Although this weather is not what we need to get the fall migration to really kick into high gear, it sure is nice fishing in a t shirt in late October.

I've got these dates available for the rest of the fall. If you are interested, please reach out ASAP.
November 6th, 7th, 11th, 25th, 26th, 27th
December 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6th.
That will be it for the 2024 guide season.

Nick Cooper joined me this morning to chase some Walleyes. Nick has been fishing Pool 4 for about a year now with some d...
10/21/2024

Nick Cooper joined me this morning to chase some Walleyes. Nick has been fishing Pool 4 for about a year now with some decent success. During our prebook conversations he asked if I'd just show him around, give him some insight into different areas and answer his questions. Catching fish was not a requirement.
When he arrived this morning I gave him a few options. One of which was going to the lake and trolling. He said he had fished the Saugerama over tge weekend , finishing a respectable 8th or 9th, so trolling was not his first wish. So I offered the option of grabbing a couple of pitching rods and banging every rock pike we could find until our arms were sore or we found the river gold we were searching for. He jumped at the opportunity to do that, and of we went. Took us about an hour to make contact with the 1st Walleye of the day. After that, they became somewhat regular along with some pike and smallmouth. Nick didn't want to harvest any fish but I was hungry..so I kept 4 beautiful 17 to 19" Walleyes for dinner...boy were they good.
Our last stop was a current swept point. I pulled in thinking there would be a few Smallmouth on it to end the day. A few, ha! Like a fish almost every cast for the last hour. The perfect ending to a beautiful fall day.

This bite will only continue to improve. If you'd like to experience fall Walleyes in Pool 4 of the Mississippi River please reach out and we will find your date for you. 612.598.7802

Thanks Nick for a great day on the water.

This afternoon I was joined by Jared Erlanson, Pat Showers and their 3 boys, Mateus Erlanson along with Carver and Kella...
10/21/2024

This afternoon I was joined by Jared Erlanson, Pat Showers and their 3 boys, Mateus Erlanson along with Carver and Kellan Showers.
A few minutes after anchoring in our 1st spot Mateus had a bite, reeled down on it and the fight was on. Seconds later his very 1st Sturgeon ever went airborne behind the boat and then dove for the depths. After bulldogging Mateus for a few minutes he finally got him whooped and slid the beauty into the net. Meanwhile Carver was fighting his 2nd fish if the trip after already landing a Flathead. Carvers fish came in quickly as it was a very small lake Sturgeon but still made the 2nd half of a double.
Did I mention we had been fishing less than ten minutes at this point. Gosh I wish every trip could start like that.
Things settled down a bit but we still managed to put a few more fish in the boat. These 3 young men were a breath of fresh air. Calm, courteous and so happy to be in the boat. Each of them shook my hand and thanked me multiple times for a great evening. Ahhhh, I remember why I do this once again❤️
The Sturgeon are safe for a few days as i will be chasing those whaskily Walleyes all week but I am excited for the next time I get out.

If anyone is interested in a November or December Walleye trip I have a few more dates I would really like to get booked. Please drop me a note or call for more information 612.598.7802

Address

N1705 860th Street
Hager City, WI
54014

Telephone

+16125987802

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Winchester Adventures posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Winchester Adventures:

Videos

At 4:30 p.m. on November 26th, 2024 I pulled the SeaArk out of the river at Everts Resort for the last time this year. Today I was joined by Nick and Mike for a quick Walleye / Sauger trip. The bite was not on fire but we caught them pretty consistently with 25 or so fish coming over the gunnel. They took home a nice brace of fish and we released the rest. Truck thermometer read 25 degrees as I backed in the trailer but it felt much colder. The wind was raw and the lack of sun did not help. Even with all that, it was a great day on the water with a couple of great guys. I want to thank each and every one of my clients from this year and years past for allowing me to live out my lifelong dream. I am truly blessed and so very thankful for this opportunity. Wi******er Adventures will be headed south in about 10 days to spend my winter in Venice, LA. As always I will miss the north country but I sure do love the bayou. I will begin booking spring / summer 2025 trips in a couple of weeks. If you'd like me to reach out to you when I start booking please drop me a note. Thanks again and please have a safe and wonderful holiday season. Capt. Chris Wi******er

Tereza fighting the biggest fish of her life. Tereza, Leah and their fathers were an absolute joy to have in the boat. Enjoy

When life gives you lemons......

Good morning! Just a sneak peak at this week's shenanigans.... 🦈

Kellan letting a big bull red go. These fish are so strong.

I just had some dates open up in Venice LA. The catch, you've got to bring your boat. The benefit, it will save you a pile of money. Dates available January 2nd - January 9th. I have all gear, tackle etc you will need. If interested let me know asap and I'll discuss lodging options. Very affordable.

Bob Pooler and Josh Loutz came up to suffer through another day of fishing with me today. These two are a joy to fish with even though they pick on me the whole time. How was the bite? Much better than I expected. Every half hour or so we'd bump into a pod of fish and catch them pretty good. Water temp was cold...35 to 36 degrees and there was little to no flow. It is going to be an odd couple weeks but as long as the Sun shines bright mid day we should be able to fish.

Shortcuts

Share