Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 8/19 to 8/26 2006

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 8/19 to 8/26 2006

I Know everyone is tried of me saying how nice the weather has been, but we have had another GREAT weather week. A little cooler but daytime highs in the low 70’s and nighttime lows were around 52 degrees. The problem is we still have had no rain to speak of and the water levels are still a lot lower than normal.

Bob, and Jon Rheinhardt and Charlie Geinosky from Orland Park, Aurora, and Burbank, IL were back to Fireside Lodge for their second consecutive year to hunt down Big toothy critters. Day of arrival they got right to it, catching four nice Northern Pike in just a few hours of fishing. First day these guys were here to catch big fish, and they did catching a 38 inch Musky, 37 inch, 39 inch Northern and several big Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass. Second day they had some action catching some Northern Pike and Charlie missed a big Northern Pike. Day three they had another very good day fishing for Northern, and Jon lost the fish of his life as after a good fight on a high 40’s Musky. This Muskie was quick released never getting a picture. For the rest of their stay their pictures tell the story, which you can view on our Weekly Photo 2006 page at http://www.firesidelodge.com They caught many BIG Northern Pike, and on their last day Bob caught a heavy 40 inch Musky. All had a fabulous trip and hope to return in 2007.

Tim Stewart and good friend Bryan Neel from Rochester, MN were back to Fireside Lodge for their sixth trip in four years. First night out the got right to catching six good size Northern Pike. First full day of fishing they had a fantastic day, as before supper they caught many Northern Pike, saying they stopped counting after number twenty five, and most were over 30 inches, Bryan landing a MONSTER 43.5 inch Master Anglers Award Northern Pike. Second full day they fished for Musky getting many follows, Bryan having a HUGE Musky come after his lure right by the boat, and Tim landed a healthy 33 inch Musky and a 35 inch Northern Pike. Third day was another good day with Tim catching a good 36 inch Northern Pike, and also had a huge fish come completely out of the water after his surface, walk-the-dog, lure. The fish missed the lure and flopped on the water so hard that it stunned itself, and took about a minute to swim away. Fourth day had them catching a few toothy critters in the morning, and then a little after noon hour Tim observed some fish feeding on the surface. Before you knew it these two were having a ball catching lots of Smallmouth on surface poppers, and almost lost track of supper time. After supper it was a perfect evening, and the surface bite continued. It was such a perfect night that when the sky darkened the Northern Lights came out and they enjoyed watching this spectacular display while sitting at the end of the dock. Fourth and final day had these two catching about 30 Northern Pike and two Musky. They left having a fantastic wilderness fishing trip, and are already planning their return to Fireside Lodge in 2007.


The Ed Burns group was back for their eighth consecutive year and this year joining Ed from College Station, TX, was Todd Smith from McKinney, TX, Craig Brazier from Flower Mound, TX and Barry Brummett from Santa Anna, CA. all former students under Professor Ed Burns. This group had a good first day, and Ed had a story to tell me at supper time. While fishing with Todd they both had a big Musky on at the same time, and there was a little confusion created because of this and as a result both ended up loosing their fish, but have a great memory. This group had a fabulous day catching about 100 Northern Pike with a lot of 30 to 35 inchers and 10 Muskie. Todd caught the most, which was over 60. Great day had by all. Third day Ed and Barry caught 30 Northern Pike, and Ed felt he broke the Gunnies world record for number of consecutive fish lost, as he lost nine fish in a row. Craig and Todd caught 35 Northern Pike each, and one Musky. On the fourth and final day all had a good day fishing and catching. They caught some bigger fish, and Ed called it quits after a battle with BIG 40 plus inch Northern Pike took him suddenly under the boat breaking his line and fishing rod. All had a great time again at Fireside Lodge, and hope all can return in 2007.

Rex Dillinger from Noblesville, IN was back for his 12tt consecutive year and this time with third time guest John Sherrie and friend Robert Jacobson both from Port St Lucie, FL. First day out they did well with Rex alone catching 21 Smallmouth Bass, two Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 19.5 and 18.5 inches, and Bob had two nice Northern Pike break off at boat side. Second day John and Bob struggled only catching a few fish, and Bob lost a couple of nice toothy critters. Rex however had a great day catching over 25 Smallmouth Bass, some big Northern Pike, two 31 inches, three 32 inches, and an 35 inch and 38 inch Musky. Next day all three caught many fish including Bob catching a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Rex did great catching 19 Smallmouth and another, his third, Master Anglers Award 18.5 inch Smallmouth. John and Bob had a good day with John losing a mid 40 inch Northern Pike while trying to net the fish. The story does not end here as after all the activity of fighting the fish and miss netting it several times, the fish got off. After the air cleared John and Bob saw the fish laying in the surface of the water. The made an attempt to net the fish again, but just as they were attempting this the fish swam away waving it’s tail goodbye to them both. Fifth day was all Rex, as he caught over 20 Smallmouth and 14 Northern Pike. The Smallmouth were big and he caught a GIANT 20 and 19 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth, and 7 of his Northern Pike were over 30 inches. Great Day fishing and catching. Their sixth and final day was a HUGE day as they not only caught number of toothy critters, but caught big fish. John right after landing a very big fat 38 inch Northern Pike, hooked into and caught a GIGANTIC 46 inch Musky. Bob also caught some mid to upper 30 inch Northern Pike. Don’t miss these pictures posted on our Weekly Photo 2006 page at http://www.firesidelodge.com All had a terrific trip and Rex will be returning in about a week to enjoy more of the great wilderness fishing we have to offer at Fireside Lodge.

Dave Warner from Foxboro, MA was returning to Fireside Lodge for his 6th year and this time with a lot more of the Warner family. With him was son David, father Phillip and brother Dan and his son Greg all from N Attleboro, MA and brother Brian from Orlando, FL. First day out was very good for Dave Sr. as he caught all kinds of Northern Pike and Smallmouth, and the others caught a few. Next day they all caught a lot of Northern Pike. Greg started the day off catching the first fish, Dave took top billing catching over 30 himself along with a few Smallmouth Bass, and Dan caught an 18.5 inch, HUGE, Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass. Great day had by all, and their were plenty of Smiling faces at their supper table in the dinning room.. Third day was humbling for this group, but after supper they did have good Northern Pike action with Dave Jr. alone caching 6 within a few hours. Fourth and final day all did well catching toothy critters, and all again had loads of fun and laughs. That was never lacking in this group, as every time I saw them in the dinning room they were laughing and having a good time. That’s what fishing is all about. Family and friends fishing and having fun. A lot of memories were made between fathers, sons, and grandsons.

First time guests from Mesquite and Forney, TX were Earl Jones and Terry Vaughn. Very excited to be here they hit he water right away, and caught some nice fish before suppertime and after supper. First full day on Little Vermilion Lake and they caught a bunch of Smallmouth Bass, and a lot of good size from 14 to 18 inches, and two over 18 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth, largest being 19 inches. Second day they portaged to another lake for half day, caught some Northern Pike, and then fished Little Vermilion Lake and caught Smallmouth Bass and a few larger Pike. Third and final day they did very well catching a lot of nice size Smallmouth and Northern Pike, with several Pike over 30 inches. Both left having a Great stay at Fireside Lodge, and Earl is planning a trip back next spring with his wife.

Father and son Bill Sr. and Bill Foster from Midlothian, VA and Townsend, DE were fishing at Fireside Lodge for their first time. First day they caught some very nice size Northern Pike, and got started off on the right side of the boat. Second day involved more learning and in that process Bill, as he was fighting a Smallmouth Bass, had a HUGE Musky come up and grab his Smallmouth, run all over with it and give it back. What a great surprise and fishing memory this father and son will talk about for years to come.
These two had fun doing their first portage ever, and they had about a dozen Musky follows, and caught some nice Smallmouth, with Bill Sr. just missing landing a monster Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Next day they portaged again catching bunch of Northern Pike, and after coming back to Little Vermilion Lake, they also caught some Smallmouth Bass and a few more Northern Pike. Last day was their best caching a lot of nice Northern Pike up to the mid 30 inch range. Great trip was had and wonderful memories made by this father and son, who plan on returning with a few other family members.

John and Pam Thiel from LaCrosse, WI found themselves at Fireside Lodge for the first time. These two were here for the Smallmouth Bass and to try and tangle with a few Musky. On their day of arrival before suppertime, they hit the water to catch a few Smallmouth and learn the waters. While Smallmouth fishing with plastic worms, the Musky found them quicker than expected, as two big Muskie hit their plastic worms, and gave them a good fight before breaking off. With light line and no leader the odds were with the Musky, but both Pam and John were beaming with excitement in the dinning room. First two days these two spent time getting familiar with our lake system and did very well catching Smallmouth Bass, and Pam seemed to have the hot hand for Northern pike catching several 30 inches plus. Third day they had a very good Northern Pike day catching 16, and they were a stout 28 to 32 inches. Another day these two adventurers struggled to get into Cedarbough which is usually just a 15 minute paddle through a creek, however since our lack of rain this summer it has become and push and shove match after getting out of the boat. They said they had to get out and push about half the time. There efforts paid off as they got into some large Smallmouth Bass, landing two Master Anglers Award Smallmouth 18 to 19 inches, and lost a well over 20 inch Smallie. The also had a lot of Musky follows, seeing several monsters 45 inches or larger. Great day and great sense of satisfaction overcoming the natural elements. Fifth day had John and Pam portaging to a lake for Musky and Smallmouth, and saw a bunch of Big follows and did well catching Smallmouth Bass. Fifth day had them catching a half dozen fish before breakfast, some being nice Northern Pike over 30 inches. Both Pam and John are biologists and they were very impressed with the size of our fish, length and girth, and said that our lakes appear to be very healthy. Sixth day they had a great day catching 18 Smallmouth Bass and 12 Nice Northern Pike. Pam lost another BIG fish, and this time the toothy critter seemed to cut her line above the steel leader. Last day was cold front conditions with sloppy rain from the East. They did well catching Smallmouth in the morning, and as it got colder and wetter they decided they had a good 7 days of fishing and came back to dry out and pack. Before leaving they made reservations for the same dates in 2007, and I guess that tells the final story of their first fishing trip to Fireside Lodge.

Walter Arms from McArthur, OH was back to Fireside Lodge for his third consecutive year, and for his wife Jean it was her second, They had a good first day as they caught both Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass, and Jean had the catch of the day as she landed a 37 inch, very large Northern Pike. After having her hands full for a while she landed the fish like and pro, and it was an easy un-hooking and releasing for Walt. Second day they caught some fish, with Jean again catching the larger Northern Pike. Walt and Jean had a very fun day, and Walt showed up at my tackle shop before supper with a story. When casting somehow his rod tip broke, and was lunched into the water with his spinner. While reeling it back thinking he will get his rod tip back and fix it, WRONG, a big Northern Pike attacks his lure and rod tip, and after a brief but furious fight broke his line. Third day was probably the most beautiful day any fisher can ever ask for, and before supper time Walt and Jean contacted some large toothy critters, catching some, and Walt had a large one take him into the weeds loosing the fish and his favorite Mepps spinner. After making a purchase in my tackle shop to re-supply, him and Jean were back at it, and ended up having a great evening catching Northern Pike on a picture perfect evening ending with a fabulous sunset. Fourth day had them catching a lot of Smallmouth Bass, a few Northern Pike, and they had a wonderful Shore lunch on another picture perfect day. Fifth and final day they enjoyed all day on the water, being that the weather was so nice. They did well catching Northern Pike, and said goodbye to the lake for 2007 as they watched another beautiful sunset. Walt left saying they made memories for their third year in a row, and hope to return for a fourth.

Jason and Polly Clark from Crystal Falls, and Ontonagon, MI were at Fireside Lodge for their first time. These two had a fabulous day out on Little Vermilion Lake for their first time, catching some Northern Pike and Smallmouth and they enjoyed one of our delicious shore lunches cooked over and open fire. Also Jason told a story while waiting for supper time. As he was reeling in a small crank bait the biggest Northern Pike he ever saw surfaced near the boat. The fish was around for a while giving Jason a very good look, and Jason said he felt the fish was close to 50 inches, and being from Northern Michigan he has seen a lot of Northern Pike. Second an last day these two did well catching Smallmouth Bass, and having fun enjoying a picture perfect day on the lake. They were only here for two days but made the most of their time, wishing the had more, but happy they made the effort.

Brad and Sherry Pugh, from Pandora, Ohio were back fishing at Fireside lodge for their fifth consecutive year. Day of arrival, fishing just two hours after supper, they caught a 34 inch, lost another about the same size and Sherri set the pace as she hooked and landed a HUGE 43 inch Master Anglers Award Northern Pike. Way to go Sherri!!!! Next two days were fun discovering Little Vermilion Lake. These two have in the past fished in and few creek accessible lakes so much the have bypassed the other lakes in our nine lake system. Fourth day they had a fun day catching about 12 Northern Pike, and ended up loosing a lot of fish. Some days are just like that when you lose more fish than you land, but all ends up in a fun day. Last day they persevered the cold rainy weather all day long, and did well for conditions, catching eight very nice Northern Pike. Both had a great time getting away, and hope to return to Fireside Lodge next year.

Father, sons, and grandson returning to Fireside Lodge for their second consecutive year were Peter, Larry, and Donald, Carnabuci from Maple Heights, Broadview, and Twinsburg, Ohio. Day of arrival they got started by catching a few Northern Pike before Supper. First day out they caught some nice Northern Pike, and all had a ball . Phil had the hot had as he landed several nice Northern Pike at 32 and 34 inches. Third day they did great as they landed over 20 Northern Pike, a few Smallmouth, and Phil caught his first Musky of his young fishing career. Congratulations to Phil on his first Musky. Fourth day these four had another very good day catching over 25 Northern Pike, and having a lot of other action. Their fifth and final day was met with a cold front from the East with sloppy rain and winds, so having had such a great 4 days they came in a 11:00 AM, packed and headed home to split the long drive into two full days. All had a great time and made wonderful memories among three generations. All intend on returning next year to enjoy the fabulous Wilderness Fishing Experience we offer at Fireside Lodge.

Walt LaCasse from Minnetonka, MN was back for his second trip this year, and this time with brother-in-law Don Anderson from Bloomington, MN. Day of arrival before supper Walt just missed a Master anglers Award Smallmouth catching a 17.5 inch beauty, and after supper they landed 5 Northern Pike , with Don catching four of the five up to 33 inches, and he commented on how all the Pike were thick and heavy. First day they caught 10 more good size Northern Pike and a few Smallmouth Bass. Another day they had great action on Northern Pike, and after supper within an hour and a half caught 9 very large Smallmouth Bass including Walt’s 18 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Their last day was great catching a lot of fish, mostly Northern Pike and some Smallmouth Bass, and Walt did it for his second day in a row catching an 18 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Don had a fabulous first trip to Fireside Lodge,and Walt made reservations for the same dates in 2007.


Catches of the week: 46 inch Musky, 20 inch Smallmouth Bass, 43.5 and 43 inch Northern Pike, Twelve Master Anglers Award Fish

Hot Lures of the week: Blue Fox Spinner, Mepps #5, Plastic Tubes and Twister Tails, Wee-R, Norman’s DD22, Shad Rap, Skywalker Surface Bait


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