Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/17 to 7/31 2004

Fireside Lodge Fishing Report 7/17 to 7/31 2004

Hello From Fireside Lodge in Northwest Ontario, Canada. We have been having gorgeous summer weather for the last four weeks, and people have been thoroughly enjoying their time out on the water. I will start this weeks report with a group from Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina. They were Brad and Jack Lucas, Steve Lustig, and Scott Flemming, all here for their first time. From the minute this group arrived you could tell they would have a blast the rest of their weeks stay. That they did, always found joking and laughing in the dinning room, or telling stories and smoking cigars on the lodge screened in porch. First day out they got to know the lake system, caught some fish, and Brad started out of the gate fast catching a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at a Huge 19 inches. So Brad had his picture up on our lodge digital picture viewer the first evening, and set the pace for he rest of the group. The second day this group did great, for never fishing here before, as they caught 30 plus Smallmouth Bass and 15 Northern Pike. Steve caught an even bigger Smallmouth Bass measuring an even 20 inches, and it was just a MONSTER, and it can also be see on the digital picture viewer in the lodge. Also, Scott caught some nice Northern Pike, and this was the first time Scott had been fishing in 30 years since he was kid, and was he excited with his success, as the whole group was as they landed some mid 30 inch fish. Another day found this group catching 42 Northern Pike, with Scott catching a 35 incher, soon to be 40 inches, and was so proud, as he should have been, had me email the picture to his work place for all to see in envy. Their last day trying to get as much fishing in as possible skipped breakfast, Jack lost this vote, and Smallmouth fished in the morning, and decided to search for the lurking lunkers by late morning afternoon. The Smallmouth were very cooperative catching about 40 by days end, and Jack landing a nice 18 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. But the lunkers avoided this groups expertise, except for Jack as he landed his first Muskie, and an unusual catch it was. A 34 inch 18 pound fish. That's heavy for the length, as it had just eaten a large fish and it was almost busting out at the seems in the picture. This group left very happy, and 3 of the four were Master Anglers, catching Smallmouth, and Scott caught the biggest Northern at 35 inches. Great going Scott as he did very well for not fishing in many years. As this group was departing their was discussion of their return to Fireside Lodge, and Jack said he may return with his wife, as it was the first fishing lodge that he was at that he would feel comfortable bringing his wife, and she loves to fish for Smallmouth Bass.

Jim and Rosemary Marschke, from Murphy, NC were also fishing at Fireside Lodge for their first time, and did not know anyone from the North Carolina group above. It is a Small World! Their first day was spent exploring, and realized right away how good our Smallmouth fishing was as they caught over 30 Smallmouth on there first day. They also had a wonderful day at Twin Falls, which is a fantastic place to take some pictures and relax. Second day ever on Little Vermilion Lake System they caught over 35 Northern Pike, and over half were good size. The third day brought them 25 Northern Pike. Their last day Jim landed a Huge 39 inch Northern Pike, and by far was the biggest Northern Pike of his life. WOW, what great fishing, and fantastic catching at that. These two not only came for the fishing, but also came to get away from their fast pace life of running a business. They were just enjoying each others company amongst the fabulous natural wilderness surroundings we have at Fireside Lodge. They also were very impressed with the cabins, all being new, and the view of the lake and tall pine trees they found wonderful. Jim and Rosemary said they will return to Fireside Lodge soon.

Greg Pusch from Elk Grove Village, IL was back for his second year in a row and this time brought his father Fred from DesPlaines, IL to validate his fish stories from last year. It did not take long, as the first day they caught 22 Northern Pike and Greg caught some Smallmouth in the evening. Second day was fabulous as they caught 23 Northern Pike and 29 Smallmouth Bass, Greg catching most of the Smallmouth. On their fourth day they caught 19 Northern Pike, and Greg caught his first Muskie at Fireside Lodge and it was a nice 34 inch brute. Rumor has it from Fred that you could here Greg yelling with excitement all the way across the lake. Their last day Fred had an outstanding day, out fishing Greg landing 17 Northern Pike, one very large 37.5 inch Pike, and caught his first Muskie. Greg also caught 14 Northern Pike on this, their last day. These two had a great father and son fishing adventure, and Fred had a terrific first experience fishing in Canada. We will see Greg next year as he is intending coming with a group of fifteen to twenty people in 2005.


Steve Wagner and Gene Friedmann from Chicago, IL and Madison, Wi returned to Fireside Lodge for their fourth consecutive year. These two always have fun here, and this time was no exception. One day they caught 25 to 30 Northern Pike, and probably could have increased that number to 50 but decided to search out Bigger Pike in the 30+ inch range, and were successful catching several. Another day they caught bunches of Smallmouth Bass, and even though the Smallmouth action was great they switched to toothy critters and caught some nice Northern Pike in the 30 inch range. Another day found them catching 15 Northern Pike in the high 20 to 30 inch range and Steve caught an 18.5 Inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Last day brought them to a portage lake where they had a lot of Muskie follows, and caucght some Smallmouth Bass. These two had a ball and hope to see them in 2005.

Father and son Mike and Gus Paul from Monument, Co were at Fireside Lodge for their first time. They were here for their first trip. Fishing was the reason for coming, but the importance of spending family time together between this father and son was the importance of their trip. This type of fishing was new to them as they are trout fishermen. They caught a few fish the first day and the second day got into some Northern Pike catching 15 plus. They had a ball for the rest of their days catching more Northern Pike and a few Smallmouth. Their time spent together was fun and much needed for both. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge for your father and son bonding time.

Another father and son combo, Ron and Chris Dawson from Gilbert, Az and Littleton, Co came fishing to Fireside Lodge for their first time. Here for a short three days they got down to catching fish, and a lot of fish, on their first day. They caught 50 to 60 Smallmouth each, that's 100 to 120 Smallmouth Bass caught on the first time ever fishing on Little Vermilion Lake. WOW! What a fantastic day Smallmouth Bass fishing. On the last of their 3 days they caught 18 Northern Pike, and the best story was that Chris had never caught a Northern Pike before this trip, and he ended up catching a 36 incher for his second Pike, and his third was a Master Anglers Award Northern Pike at 40 inches. Excitement is not the word for Chris after catching this fish, as he said he was shaking and had to sit for a few minutes to regroup. Great Fishing, Great Fun, and Great Memories had by Ron and Chris.

Bob and Jeff Swanson from South Elgin and Waukegan, IL with good friend Rick Helm from St Charles, IL found themselves at Fireside Lodge for their fourth consecutive year. They always have done good fishing and this year was no exception. Early on in their trip they mixed it up one day catching 16 Smallmouth Bass and 10 Nice size Northern Pike. On their third day they had a banner day catching 42 Northern Pike and 1 Muskie by Bob, and a beauty 36 inch Muskie by Rick. The also had many more follows and ones they lost. They continued catching a lot of Northen Pike for the rest of their stay, and took plenty of digital photos, which we are now displaying on our digital photo viewer in the main lodge area.

Lewie and Betty Barber, from Austin, Texas found Fireside Lodge on the Internet, and paid us a visit for their first time. This was the first time Betty fished with Lewie in 45 years, so their was a little teaching by Lewie, and a little learning by Betty during the first few days of their four day trip. Their first full day of fishing they caught 18 to 20 Smallmouth using a Wacky Worm, and Lewie just missed a Master Anglers Smallmouth by a fraction of an inch. They continued to catch a lot of nice Smallmouth throughout their next three days, and Lewie barely missed the 18 inch mark several other times. They also caught Northern Pike for their very first time. It was a very good trip for both enjoying everything Fireside Lodge has to offer, along with the fishing. Beautiful new cabins with lake front views, excellent meals, and a wilderness atmosphere hard to be matched anywhere.

A large group of 11 family members including the Wahlstrom's Larry, Nick, Roy all from LaPorte, In, Lon from LosAngles, Ca, Scott and John from Gilbert and New River, Az, Dennis McClement also from Gilbert, father, son and Daughter, Scott Krause, Corey, and Casey from South Bend, In, and Chris Laib also from Los Angles, Ca. Well, this was a special trip for this family as they never did anything like this before, and It was suggested by Larry's wife that a trip to Fireside Lodge with his dad Roy would be a special memory to have for years to come. Larry and Roy grew into this group of eleven family members, and what a success story it was. Some members of this group never caught a Smallmouth Bass or Northern Pike let alone a Muskie. The first day out they were getting familiar, and caught some Northern Pike and Smallmouth with Scott, Corey and Casey doing the best catching a number of good fish including Corey with a 17.5 inch Smallmouth and Casey a 28.5 inch Northern Pike. Roy also caught some nice Pike, and set the tone with a Blue Rapala. The next day they targeted Smallmouth Bass, and all caught a lot of Smallmouth Bass. The third day they targeted Northern Pike, and caught 50 plus of these toothy critters, and largest was caught by Dennis being a 35 incher, and Chris caught his first Muskie. Remember that several of the group members never caught a Northern Pike before. The fourth day topped the third with this group landing 60-70 Northern Pike, and Lon caught his first Muskie ever. Their last day was just as full of fast action and fun from catching toothy critters, along with some great fish stories. First Corey caught his first Muskie ever being a Big 38 inch Monster of a fish, and in five minutes his dad Scott hooked a Muskie, and when by the boat spit the hook which flew out of his mouth and as soon as it hit the water again the Muskie attacked it again, and again it spit Scott's hook out, and this time Scott threw the lure right back at the fish and hooked the same fish the third time. Well, finally this time he landed this feisty 34 inch Muskie. This was Scott's first Muskie, and what a great story to go along with his great first catch. Larry while fishing with his niece Casey caught his first Muskie ever in the morning, and after a great day catching fish, and having a great time with his niece, just as they were about to call it a day Larry decided to use his Fireside Lodge lure, and on one of his final casts he hooked and landed a big 37 inch Muskie. What a great day for Larry's memory book, fishing with his niece, and catching his first and second Muskie in one day. Everyone from this group logged some great memories not only catching fish, but from spending some quality time together, which is what you do when spending a day in the boat with someone. Not only in the boat, but dinning together at the breakfast and supper table, and telling stories in the cabin in the evening. This group had a fabulous time together, and hats of to all of them for taking the time and making the effort to be together, as families should. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge to make these wonderful family memories. Hope to see all back again one day.

Hot Lures of the week: Swim Bait, Northern Pike Stick Bait, Blue Rapala, Mepps

Master Angler Awards Caught: 17 Smallmouth Bass biggest 20", 1 Northern Pike 41"

That's all for this weeks Fireside Lodge fishing news, so until next week, "Keep On Fish'n". Alan