Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 8/26 to 9/2 2006

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 8/26 to 9/2 2006

It was another beautiful week at Fireside Lodge with temperatures in the 70’s to 80 degrees and just a little needed rain one day. The fall season is starting to show it’s face as the underbrush is all different shades of yellow and tan to dark brown, and some reds, yellow, and golden colors are appearing throughout the bush. This is a beautiful time of the year with crisp mornings and comfortable temperatures during the day

Maurice and Geraldine St Clair from Kokomo, IN were fishing at Fireside Lodge for their first time. Maury and Gerri, on their first day out, stayed close and learned the lower half of Little Vermilion Lake. They caught a few Northern Pike and a Smallmouth Bass. Second day was a lot better as they caught a bunch of Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike. Gerri said that for a while Maury was catching one Smallmouth after another, Gerri caught a nice heavy 29 inch Northern Pike and, lost a BIG Smallmouth Bass right at the boat as it broke her line. Their third and final day, only fishing until 1:00 PM, they caught some nice Northern Pike, and Gerri had excitement as she hooked and landed her first Musky. It was a beauty measuring 29 inches, and fought very hard. Great catch for Gerri, which ended a great trip for Maury and Gerri.

Also at Fireside Lodge for their first experience were Michael Belmore and Frank Shebageget from Minden, Ontario. First day was spent fishing and catching some Smallmouth Bass. Both had a second purpose, along with fishing, for being here which was observing the natural beauty this are has to offer. They are both artists and grew up in Northern Ontario, but needed to refresh their minds of the atmosphere and surroundings, which will be used in their artistic talents in the future. There is no better way to do this than by fishing in a boat all day long. Their second day was slower fishing wise, but each thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful day on the water, capping off the night by viewing the Northern Lights from the deck of their cabin. Doesn’t get much better than that. Their third and final day they had good Smallmouth fishing and also had a third gorgeous day in a row. Both left as they came, smiling, and were full of stories to tell, and images to create art that we hopefully will be able to view one day.

Brothers David and Jeff Norkiewicz from Tinley Park and Joliet, IL were back to Fireside Lodge for their seventh time. These two concentrate on Musky or big Northern Pike, and the first few days were full of action, getting lots of follows and catching some nice fish. Dave landed and nice 38.5 inch Musky and they caught several Northern Pike in the mid 30 inch range. Next day they had the Northern Pike hitting very aggressively, and one even came back and hit Dave’s lure 3 times before Dave hooked and landed the fish. Another day they caught a bunch of Northern Pike. Fifth day they caught all Northern Pike, and plenty of them, with Jeff catching a HUGE 40 inch Master Anglers Award Northern Pike. See this monster on our Weekly Photos 2006 page at our website http://www.firesidelodge.com Sixth day was fantastic as they got into a bunch of Northern Pike and Musky. All week it was sunny and clear with Jeff and Dave hoping for rain and clouds. They got it on their last day, and it made a difference as the toothy critters turned on. Both said they had a fabulous week, and Dave made reservations for 2007 before leaving.

First timers to Fireside Lodge were Robert Sr Weaver with sons Robert and John from Grayslake, Roselle, and Plainfield, Il, Mario Riccini from Northbrook, IL David Malhame from Milford, PA, Tomas Monk from Des Moines, IA, Larry Adams from Plymouth, MN and Dan Geller from Shawnee, KS. First day had the foursome of Tom, John, Dan and Larry catching 35 Northern Pike and several Smallmouth Bass. Also Tom caught a fabulous Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 22 inches and had a HUGE girth. Second an third days they caught some fish with Dan catching a big 37 inch Northern Pike and Robert Sr. hooked and caught/lost a fish of a lifetime, a 45 inch Northern Pike, however after it was in the net, the netting broke, and the fish swam off leaving the hook in the net. A little disappointing however the only thing not accomplished was the photo. Great catch with a story to last a lifetime between father and son. Third day was slower as they caught a few nice fish and saw some follows, and their last day they cut short only fishing a half day as they had to get on the road back for family events over the holiday weekend.

Father and son Jim and James Downs from Glen Flora, WI with friend David Tator from Rochester, MN were at Fireside Lodge for their first time. First day they went portaging and had a ball catching Northern and enjoying the wilderness walk through the bush. That evening they also caught some Smallmouth Bass. Second day was planned for Smallmouth Bass fishing and we discussed a plan in which I gave them many spots to fish. It was a very successful day as they caught a lot of Smallmouth up to 17.5 inches. They only fished about three spots, because they were working so well they never got a chance to try the other spots. So the third day they planned another Smallmouth Bass day so they could go to the different areas they did not have a chance to fish. Well they did go to another area, but again started catching fish and had a hard time leaving their second spot. They ended up catching over 30 Smallmouth, most being good size, 14 to 16.5 inches and Jim caught a Tiger Musky. When I asked what he caught it on, David said the fish was suicidal and bumped into his lure. Next day was off portaging to another lake, and they had a fabulous time catching some BIG Smallmouth on the surface, and David had a surprise as he hooked and landed a BIG 38.5 inch Musky. Last day was their best, as they got into a bunch of huge Smallmouth with a lot around the 17 inch range. Both Dave and Jim caught Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 18 inches. Before leaving Jim said it was going to be hard fishing for Smallmouth at home, because they became spoiled catching our BIG FAT Smallmouth in Little Vermilion Lake. They all had the fishing of their life, and James had an experience we all wished we had when we were his age. Wonderful memories were made by these three at Fireside Lodge.

Returning to Fireside Lodge were father and sons Dan, Tom , and Dan Delaney from Chicago and Lombard, IL and with them as usual were Paul and Mike Wortel from Palos Heights, IL. First day they started off slow, however their second day they really got into the fish catching a lot of Smallmouth Bass, some Northern Pike and Tom caught a nice Musky. The Smallmouth were very active catching a variety of sizes, and Mike caught the biggest Northern Pike at 33 inches. Paul mentioned that they caught the fish their way, on artificial lures, and casting structure near shoreline areas. Third day was less fish but enough to keep their interest, and their fourth day was great. They caught a lot of nice Smallmouth and had a lot of Northern Pike action. Fifth day was rainy, and they all had great fishing for both Smallmouth and Northern Pike. This trip is not just about the fish, it is very much about Fathers spending special time with their sons and good friends. Dan Sr. had all he could do to hold the tears back upon his departure. All had a great return to Fireside lodge, and all hope to be back in the near future

Father and son Ton and Tim Campbell from Manning, SC and Atlanta, GA were at Fireside Lodge for their first time, and they were here to hunt Musky and BIG Northern Pike. First day out brought a bunch of follows but no takers, and they felt the high sunny skies did not help. Second day was great as they not only had some follows but both hooked and landed a nice Musky. Tim catching a solid 34 inch barred Muskie and Tom catching a beauty of a Tiger Musky at 36 inches. Third day they did well finding the Northern Pike, however the Musky were very hard to come by. Last two days they did very well catching a lot of nice 30 inch Plus Northern Pike, and landed a half dozen between 34 and 36 inches. They also had Musky follows but could not get them to cooperate. In fact Tim said he had a few monsters open their mouth and almost engulf the lure, but backed off right at the last second. All \Musky fishers know what that feels like. Tom and Tim had a wonderful first stay at Fireside Lodge and told us so, and said they would be back. Great time was spent between Tom and Tim, and helped meld the distance in their normal living locations.

Dr Peter Ballen, wife Susan from Key Biscayne, FL with son Steven from Lake Bluff, IL were fishing at Fireside lodge for their first time. First day out on our lake system they had wonderful weather and a wonderful day to match. All enjoyed the wilderness and all caught fish. I could think of no better way to visit between Father, Mother, and son, who live distances apart, than to fish together in the great wilderness the North has to offer. Second day was started with Steven catching some Smallmouth before breakfast in a canoe while Fly Fishing. After having a fun day fishing catching some Smallmouth, the evening was concluded by Steven and his father catching some Smallmouth in the canoe, and this was fabulous to see as Peter is over 80 years old and was able to be in a canoe Fly Fishing. I don’t know how all you fishers feel, but it would be a big accomplishment for me to do this when I am 80. The third and final day was a fun day catching fish, spending time together, and while settling his bill Peter complimented our great service, attentiveness to detail, and for being gracious hosts. I thank Peter very much for conveying that message to us. I also thank Peter, Susan, and Steven for choosing Fireside Lodge to spend their valuable family time together.

Brothers Kelvin and Corbin McCabe from Chicago and Fairview Heights, IL found themselves at Fireside Lodge for their first time. Very excited to be here they found us through a Google search via the internet. First day ever on Little Vermilion Lake and
These two caught some great Northern Pike, Kelvin landing a 36 inch girthy fish, and Corbin caught a BIG 38.5 inch Musky. Can’t ask for a better first day fishing.
Second day was a very good toothy critter day, catching again some nice Northern Pike.
Third day was a little slower, however they managed catching a few Northern Pike and each had a great Musky catch both measuring 34 inches, and both had a heavy girth. Musky is what attracted these brothers to Fireside Lodge, being a family fishing tradition in the McCabe family, and they did great seeing a lot of Musky follows and landing four Musky in three days of fishing, along with a lot of nice Northern Pike catches. In a letter after getting home they conveyed their appreciation of our service, food, equipment, and said it was the best fishing, and fishing trip they ever had being way above their expectations.

Father and son Rob and Bob Milashus from Plainfield, IL and Mercer, WI were here with Ray Kalvaitis from Naperville, IL for their first time. They arrived very excited and ready to fish for Smallmouth Bass. First day out they caught 22 Smallmouth Bass and a Northern Pike. “Great day” was their statement at the supper table. Second day their goal was to increase the size of their catch, and they did do that catching many bigger Smallmouth Bass, and also caught two Musky. In the morning they raised several nice fish in a weed bed, and returning there after supper paid off for Bob as he caught a HUGE Master Anglers Award Northern Pike measuring 41 inches. They also enjoyed a delicious shore lunch cooked over an open fire. Their comment “Fabulous Day” and the smiles at their supper table told the whole story. Third day was a little slower Smallmouth day still catching some, however they did very well on BIG Northern Pike catching a 36 inch, two 38 inch, and this time father Rob came up with the Master Anglers Award catching another 41 inch Northern Pike. All left having a fantastic time and having great fishing, and were very complimentary of our service, equipment, organization, food, and all that goes into running a fishing lodge. I considered this a very high compliment as Rob and his wife were lodge owners for many years. They all said they will be returning with their wives in 2007.

Note: See a lot of the above photos and photos from the rest of the 2006 fishing season on our “Weekly Photo 2006” page at http://www.firesidelodge.com
You can also see many more fish pictures from years past on our two other photo pages
from 2005 and other past years
You can also read weekly fishing reports from the past 5 years on our page named “Current Happenings”

Catches of the week: 22 inch Smallmouth, two 41 inch Northern Pike, 40 inch Northern Pike

Hot Lures of the week: Blue Fox Spinner, Mepps spinners, Eagle Tail, Top Raider, Skywalker, Bucktails, Tubes, Pop-R, Chug Bug, live 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