Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 5/24 to 5/30 2003

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 5/24 to 5/30 2003

Hello to all from Fireside Lodge in Northwest Ontario, where sunshine, and above normal temperatures have prevailed. This has caused the fish calendar to be ahead of schedule, and for the first time in our fourteen year tenure the Smallmouth Bass started making their spawning beds in May. These circumstances turned into great fishing results for our second week.
Doug Shelley, father Paul, and brother Bill, from Mount Joy, Pa. had an absolute dream fishing trip at Fireside Lodge. Doug, who has been with us for 4 consecutive years said they had the best fishing ever. On their day of arrival before supper, between 2:30 and 5:30, they caught 14 Northern Pike, and 5 more after supper. Great start!! On their 1st full day the caught 51 Smallmouth Bass, most between 16" to 17.75 inches, and caught 5 Master Anglers Award Smallmouth, two at 18.5" and 3 over 19inches. They also landed a 34" and 36" Northern Pike while fishing for Smallmouth. WOW!!!! Their second day between 8:00 to 3:30 they caught over 80 Smallmouth, with 2 being Master Angles Award Bass. Third day brought mostly BIG Smallmouth with numbers slightly over 60, and two at Master Anglers Award sizes. Fourth and fifth days brought numbers in the high 60's with al lot, 60% to 70%, being very big Smallmouth. I should mention they caught some Pike and Muskie in the 30 to 38 inch range every day while fishing for Smallmouth. A funny story happened after a Muskie bit all three of their bass rigs off, Doug put on a leader and caught the same Muskie who had their tube jigs in his jaws. After removing the excess plastic they released this aggressive Muskie for many more fights to come. All three were thrilled with their catches, and the memories made at Fireside Lodge.
Father Dick Kile from Schnecksville, Pa., and son Rick from Arlington Hgts, IL. Had a wonderful 3 day stay at Fireside Lodge. Their 1st day was spent learning their way around, as this was their first trip. The fishing on their second and third days were full of fast action, and fun as they caught 20 large Smallmouth on the 2nd day, and 37 Smallmouth between 15" and 17", on their last day, with Dick becoming a Master Angler catching an 18.5 inch Smallmouth. Way to go Dick. I attribute their success to patience. perserverence, and a positive attitude. Congratulations Dick and Rick.
Jack & Dori Hires, from Valparaiso, In., were back to Fireside Lodge for their second time. Jack and Dori during their stay caught a lot of nice Smallmouth Bass, and Jack caught them his way. One day he caught 7 big Smallmouth on the fly, and on another day was delighted to catch 20 Smallmouth while fly fishing, and landed an 18" Master Anglers Award Smallie. What great fun and excitement catching Smallmouth this way. They continued their success and fun throughout the week so much that they reserved for 2004 before leaving.
Dave Young and son BJ, from Nashville, Tn. are long time guests of Fireside Lodge since BJ was about 9 years old. Well, during this time Dave and BJ have found Fireside Lodge their special fishing location, where they have logged many memorable father and son experiences. This time was no different with them having some great wildlife sightings. If I remember correctly they saw 5 black bear, and several moose, among other sightings of otter, beaver, eagles, and many other creatures of the north. They also had some wonderful fishing, catching a lot of Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike. One day they landed quote "more pike that they could remember in the 25 to 30 inch range, and BJ also caught a 33 inch muskie. Another day while having great Pike fishing Dave caught a 43"?? or 44"? or 45"?? Muskie. After taking a quick measurement with the belly sagging and forgetting to pinch the tail they actually measured the fish at 43 inches. After a successful release they realized how close to a Master Anglers Award Muskie ,(44inches), Dave's catch was. After discussion we all knew this would have been a Master Anglers Award Muskie, but Dave decided that without an accurate measurement that it should be recorded as 43 inches with no formal award, however in Dave and BJ's minds this catch will be a Master Angler catch, and that is all that counts. Also this is another father and son memory for their log. Dave did record a Master anglers Award Smallmouth at 18inches.
The Conboy's, Brother David and Dan and David's sons Kevin, and Keith all from St Louis, Mo., had a great week of fishing. On their 1st day, 2 of the 4 became Master Anglers with Kevin landing a 44 inch Muskie, and Dan catching an 18.5 inch Smallmouth. The next day this same team caught18 nice Smallmouth Bass and 1 Muskie. Another day they caught 42 Smallmouth in one boat, and 27 Smallmouth in the other boat. Great fishing and wonderful smiles from all four. Kevin also caught two 18" Master Angles Award Smallmouth. This group had a wonderful time conversing at the supper table and always smiling and laughing together. The wonderful story here is the sons Kevin and Keith gave back to their father on this trip, by giving it to him for a gift.
Father Larry and son Scott Siebenthal, from Creve Coeur, IL., returned to Fireside Lodge for their second consecutive year. They only hunt toothy critters, and do this with a passion. On their day of arrival they caught fish right away, and that is the benefit of returning to the same lake system year after year. On their second day they had fabulous fishing and catching landing 40 Northern Pike with a lot of them ranging 26 to 30 inches, up to 35 inches. Another equally as good day, with bigger average fish, was when Larry and Scott boated 36 Northern Pike all being very heavy and all measuring 30 to 36 inches. They also caught 6 Smallmouth Bass without even trying. For their total stay the caught 150 Northern Pike, most on the larger size, 54 Smallmouth without even fishing for them, and 11 Muskie, which is an incredible average of almost 1 a day per person. In the Smallmouth catches they were mostly bigger fish and Larry caught two Master Anglers Award Bass at 19" and 18", and Scott caught one at 18 inches. Great going guys and hope to see you next year.
Jason & Chandrea Collins, from Allows, Tn., were on their first Canadian Wilderness Fishing Adventure at Fireside Lodge. Well, hopefully we can all remember our first time ever fishing for, and catching Northern Pike, as this is exactly what Jason and Chandrea were doing on this trip. How exciting for them, and I have a great story of Chandrea's 1st Pike catch. Chandrea had a fish hit and while fighting it for a short time, felt the line stop and just feel snagged. Sure it was a fish they approached the supposed snagged area with Jason pulling on the line. Well, after a minute or two Chandrea became discouraged that she lost her 1st Pike, but being positive with every pull of the line Jason turned out to be right, as all of a sudden, as Chandrea stated "the fight was on again". Well Chandrea ended up landing this nice size Northern Pike, and being her 1st, was full of excitement. What a great way to catch, and memory to make on her first toothy critter. This couple enjoyed their short 3 day stay, catching Northern Pike and are looking forward to coming back soon.
For the second year in a row a group from Salina, Shawnee, and Marysville, Kansas came for a fishing getaway at Fireside Lodge. Father and son Bill & Bill Kossow, with friends Tim Rowe, John Sheltar, Brian Wood, and Bill Griffith were all here to catch Smallmouth and Northern Pike. Here for a short three days the got right to fishing and Bill and Bill had a fantastic 1st day catching 75 to 80 Smallmouth Bass, with Dad Bill catching two Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18" and 19". Dad Bill also caught his 1st and 2nd Muskie ever, one being 36 inches and the other being 37 inches. WOW what a GREAT day for these two. The second day Brian and Bill Griffith teamed up to catch 35 good size Smallmouth, and Brian caught his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Muskies ever in his life. Think about this for a minute. Never catching a Muskie that is supposed to be they fish of 10,000 casts, and on his second day of fishing, never on the lake before, as this was Brian's 1st time here, and he catches 3 Muskie 33" to 36". Great accomplishment Brian, and great net job Bill Griffith. On the last day this group caught a lot of Smallmouth mixed in with some Muskie and Northern Pike, and left feeling sad but fulfilled in being able to squeeze some quality fishing time in their busy schedules.
Frank Hazzard and nephew David, from Arlington, Tx., which I wrote about in last weeks fishing report, were still here this week until Thursday. Well they had some fabulous fishing for Smallmouth during their first 10 days, as mentioned in last weeks report, and decided to concentrate on Northern Pike for their last three days. They did exceptional, having a 44 Pike day, most between 26" to 32 "and one 35 incher, another day they caught 45 Northern Pike, but this was a special day because they were all 30 to 35 inches. On their last day they caught 25 Pike and 21 Smallmouth Bass. They ended their trip catching 641 Smallmouth Bass, and 209 Northern Pike. Wonderful fishing, fun, and memories.
That's it for week two at Fireside Lodge, and until next week,
"Keep On Fish'n" Alan