Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/15 to 7/25 2006

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/15 to 7/25 2006

We had another beautiful summer week at Fireside Lodge, with temperatures from 75 to 88 degrees, a few windy days and the last day had some rain. More important we had another group of guests having fun and catching fish at Fireside Lodge

Father and sons Phil, Tim and Brad Spahr from Fairborn, Oh and Marborough, MA were back for their 6th consecutive year and brought John Summerfield from Xeina, OH for his first time. They had a fabulous first day as they landed over 65 Northern Pike, and Brad caught a very nice Tiger Muskie. All had fun and John did great for his first day catching 16 fish. Second day found themselves on a portage to Closs Lake. The morning Phil and John chummed up the Musky for Brad and Tim in the afternoon, as they had Muksy follows with Tim seeing a 40 inch Musky just stare down his lure. Then Brad witnessed a 35 inch Musky hit and slam into the side of their boat while attempting to eat Tim’s lure, and Tim had a momentary fight that lasted like the flash of a fish at full speed. Also, Tim had another Musky on bigger than 40 inches, and Brad had a big one take a very strong run before shaking his lure. In all they had 5 hooked, zero landed, and one slammer. John and Phil caught about 25 Smallmouth in Little Vermilion Lake during the afternoon. Their third day was best described by John when he was telling everyone in the lodge that it was by far the best day fishing he every experienced in his entire life. The group landed about 100 fish including 3 Musky by Phil, Tim, and John caught his first Muskie. They also caught some Big Smallmouth Bass and a lot of Northern Pike. GREAT DAY had by all. Another day jokingly they told me they were slipping, as they caught 80 plus Northern Pike, and this was a Bigger Fish day as John caught a 34 and 36 inch Northern Pike, and Tim caught his personal best landing a very large 38 inch Northern Pike. Last day was cut very short by thunderstorm activity, and all decided their fishing was so good they did not want to struggle with the weather, so they took a nap and just enjoyed the lodge and good conversation. The weeks total catches as calculated by Phil were as follows, 282 Northern Pike up to 38 inches, 53 Smallmouth Bass up to 17.5 inches, and each caught a Musky between 27 and 34 inches. All left as they came, with big smiles on their faces, and before leaving made a reservation for 2007.

An Illinous group of James and Shawn Cummings, Donald and Nick Prazuch, Walter and David Slepawic, Peter West and Rich Riccomini from Chicago, Evergreen Park, Homer Glen, Justice, and Weaton, IL were all her for their first time except Shawn who has been coming with a group that was here last week, the Tom Nayder group, for the last seven years. First day Don and Wally had a great day Musky fishing in any fishers book. They had 8 follows, and Wally caught a Master Anglers Award Musky measuring 44 inches. His son Dave also landed a 36 Tiger Musky, and was very happy, but was looking for a larger one than his dad. Jim, Shawn, Pete and Rich had a great day catching over 65 Northern Pike. Another day had father and son Wally and Dave catching 25 to 30 Northern Pike, and at the end of the day Dave hooked and landed a Monster Musky measuring every bit of 47 inches. That’s a Master Anglers Award Musky for both Wally and Dave within three days, and Dave did accomplish his goal. WOW, what a great accomplishment. Other Father and son Don and Nick Prazuck caught about 30 nice Smallmouth Bass. Rich and Pete caught a lot of nice size Northern Pike, and Rich caught the fish of his life, a 40 inch Master Anglers Award Northern Pike. See his smiling face on our Weekly Photo 2006 page at our website at http://www.firesidelodge.com
The rest of their stay they caught countless Northern Pike a few more Musky. This group also caught some nice Smallmouth without even fishing for them much, and father and son Jim and Shawn caught Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Shawn’s being 18 and 18.5 inches and Jim catching a GIANT 19 inch Smallmouth. Also Rich caught the fish of his life, a 40 inch Master Anglers Award Northern Pike. Great trip was had by all, and they all left with Big Smiles on their faces making many memories among family and friends.

Fran and Colleen Stack from Lorain, OH. were back to Fireside Lodge for their third consecutive year. Had a fun day in their favorite lake, Cedarbough, as they caught some nice Smallmouth and had Musky follows, but no takers. Second day had these two catching 14 Northern Pike and loosing more at the boat, and Fran landed two nice Tiger Musky. Third day had them portaging to Closs Lake where they had follows, caught a few Smallmouth, and Colleen ended getting ripped off by a HUGE MUSKY. As Colleen was fighting a Smallmouth a HIUGE MUSKY at lightning speed attacked her Smallmouth, and snapped her line as fast as Fran saw the fish attack the Smallmouth. They were both stunned at the speed and force at which a fish can attack its prey. That evening they caught about 16 to 17 very nice Smallmouth Bass to put a great finish to an already great day. Third day had these two fishing for Smallmouth Bass, and did they ever have a fun day. They landed 30 to 35 very nice size Smallmouth, and caught three Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Colleen caught two measuring 18 and 18.25 inches and Fran catching an 18 inch Smallmouth. Last day was fabulous fun as they caught 18 Northern Pike, and Colleen caught a beauty of a Musky. Both left having a lot of fun and making another set of memories at Fireside Lodge. See their photos on our Weekly Photo 2006 page at http://www.firesidelodge.com

Chuck Avery from Byers, CO, was back to Fireside Lodge for his 5th time, and brought Grandson Colby Villers from Bennett, CO for his second time. First day out was fabulous fun and fast action Smallmouth fishing, as they caught 53 Smallmouth Bass and Colby caught a HUGE stuffed 17 inch Smallmouth. Chuck’s biggest was a Giant Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 19.5 inches. You should take a look at this monster on our Weekly Photo 2006 page on our website at http://www.firesidelodge.com
Next couple of days Chuck was trying hard to get Colby his first ever Musky, coming close but no cigar, as Colby had a Muskie follow right behind his lure. Both left satisfied trying and enjoyed their stay and time together at Fireside Lodge

Third time return guests Chris Grimes from Thurmont, MD and Bob Fischer from Frederick, MD came with four other friends Dennis Winters and Ronald Grewer also from Frederick, MD, Kevin Evans from Joppa, MD and Derek Hasselhoff from Baltimore, MD. First three days this group did fantastic catching a lot of fish and four Master Anglers Award Smallmouth , Chris 18 inches, Bob 19 and 19.5 inches, and Ron 20.5 inches. WOW what great Smallmouth catches, Derek and Kevin caught over 40 Northern Pike one day, and caught over 200 along with 20 Smallmouth on another day. Day four should be interesting as they are having a one day tournament between them for the biggest of each, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Musky plus the most quantity of all species. The tournament for number went like this, Derek and Kevin in first place with 96 fish mostly Northern Pike, Chris and Bob landed over 65 fish combination of Northern Pike and Smallmouth to take second place, and Ron and Dennis ended up in third with close to 40 fish. The big fish part of the tournament for all three species will be determined by the end of the week. Big fish winners were Chris with a 32 inch Musky, Kevin with a 34.5 inch Northern Pike and Ron with his MONSTER Smallmouth that measured 20.5 inches. All left having fun and great fishing. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge.

Don Cleveland from Oswego, IL was back for his third time, and this time with his wife Dawn and daughters Christina and Katie. First two days they caught Smallmouth and Northern Pike with Christina doing the best on Pike for quality and quantity. Katie had fun catching her Smallmouth and Northern Pike and took some great pictures with dad holding her fish. Dawn caught the largest Smallmouth Bass and had loads of fun with all the family together. Another day they had a fabulous day fishing catching over 40 fish including Don catching a Master Anglers Award 40 inch Northern Pike and Christina and Dawn both caught HUGE Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass Christina’s measuring 18 inches and Dawn’s was 19.5 inches and 18 inches. Last day Don started the day off right in the early morning hours before breakfast by catching a very nice 34 inch Musky, and the landing, and taking a picture was a challenge by himself, but he got in done. They all had fun on their last day catching fish and enjoying family time on the water, and the family memories made were the biggest catch of all.

Father and sons Roy and Ross Lagerblade from Rock Island and Crestwood, IL, Peter Babcock from Moline, IL and father and son Tod and Alex Luppen from Rock Island, IL were fishing at Fireside Lodge for their first time. First two days some fish were caught but learning a new lake can take some time as there is always a learning curve on a new lake system. The third day was a good day fishing all having good action on Northern Pike and of the discovery of the famed Blue Fox Spinner. Next day they caught some Big fish with Ross catching his first Musky ever in the mid 30 inch range and Ross landing Big 34 inch and 38 inch Northern Pike. Alex also hooked and landed his first Musky, and both him and Ross were very excited to accomplish this fishing feat. The week was full of fun fishing and lots of memory making amongst family, and all left knowing that when they return the learning curve will be much shorter.

Ken Roberts from Alliance, Oh was back for his 6 th year and this time with friends Paul Kiel and John Niebel both from North Canton, OH. for their first trip to Fireside Lodge. Well, Ken experience paid off for Paul and John as on their first day of fishing they caught well over 50 nice Northern Pike. Another day they caught well over 150 toothy critters including several Musky, and both John and Paul caught a Tiger Musky. See these on our 2006 Photo Page at our website at http://www.firesidelodge.com The next day was slower but they still caught 50 fish between them including some very large Smallmouth Bass, each catching a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. John’s at 18 inches and both Paul and Ken caught 19 inch Smallmouth. Great day fishing and catching!! Last day there was a lot of thunderstorm activity, and cut their day short. All left having a great stay and great fishing, looking forward to returning one day soon.

Chad Baxter from Machesney Park, Il and Mark Muchow from Loves Park, Il were at Fireside Lodge for their first time. First day these adventurers portaged to Terry Lake, caught some Northern Pike, and then returned to Little Vermilion Lake to catch a few more Pike and some Smallmouth. Second day they had a fabulous day catching between 70 to 80 Northern Pike, and Mark landed a very large Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass measuring 18 inches. Great two days of fishing for never being at Fireside Lodge before. Third day they adventured again to a canoe lake, and enjoyed the walk, peaceful atmosphere, and wildlife that this type of setting provides. Also, they caught some quality Northern Pike up to 32 inches. Fourth day had them having a GREAT day catching 40 plus Northern Pike, and Mark did it again by catching a GIANT 19 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Fifth day was full of Smallmouth action, and in the evening while trying for Musky they had some follows and surface hits. Last day they cut short, and avoided thunderstorm activity. Both enjoyed their stay, were sad to leave, and already have contacted us about a possible trip in 2007.

Paul Letourneau from North Oaks, MN was back with his son Michael from Baton Rogue, LA for their 6th consecutive year. Here for a short three days they had a lot of fun fishing for Northern Pike the first two days. The last day they dedicated to Smallmouth Bass fishing, and did great catching a lot of good Smallies. Living a long way away from each other, this has become an annual trip for this father and son to re unite, and catch up with each others lives. They have made many memories at Fireside Lodge and even though the lunkers avoided Michael’s lures this year, I am sure it was just as special as the previous fishing trips to Fireside Lodge. Another one for their memory log, and hope to see both next year to continue their tradition at Fireside Lodge.

Catches of the week: 47 inch 27lb Musky, 44 Inch Musky, two 40 inch Northern Pike, 38 inch Northern Pike, one 20.5 inch Smallmouth Bass, three 19.5 inch Smallmouth Bass, six 19 inch Smallmouth Bass, five 18.5 inch Smallmouth Bass, six 18 inch Smallmouth Bass

Hot Lures of the week: Blue Fox Spinner, Beetle Spin, Tube Jigs, Mepps Spinners
Spinner Bait, Live Leeches, Gulp Leeches

Well, That’s all for this weeks Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report. Until Next Week “Keep On Fish’n.” Alan
http://www.firesidelodge.com
800-545-0815
fireside@xplornet.com