Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 8/24 to 8/31 2002

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 8/24 to 8/31 2002

Hello to all from Fireside Lodge where our summer is lasting and the weather is staying beautiful. By this time we usually have had our first frost on the dock, and have fog just about every morning, but not this year as the temperatures are staying pleasantly warm. This was the last week of summer as we know it at Fireside Lodge, and we finished with something to write about.
Joe Wetzel, from Crystal Lake, IL., with his two adult sons, Mike and Nick, came to Fireside Lodge for their first fishing adventure with Hugh Slack, from Johnsburg, IL., Jim Reichard, from Palitine, IL., and Paul Steger, from Lombard, IL. This group was never on our lake system before and had an absolutely fabulous showing. This group not only caught a lot of fish, but 5 out of 6 went home Northwest Ontario Master Anglers, some more than once. Jim started it out by catching a Master Anglers Smallmouth on the first day. After the first day the group started catching bigger Northern Pike, between 30 to 35 inches, and Joe with son Mike caught a 37", and Mike a 38" Muskie. The very next day Mike caught a Master Anglers Muskie at a HUGE 45.5 inches, and dad, Joe, caught a 40 inch beautiful Tiger Muskie. This duo again teamed up on another day to catch a 44" and 41" Northern Pike, both Northwest Ontario Master Anglers Award fish. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also all the others were catching 30 to 38 inch Pike, and Hugh cashed in with a Master Anglers Award Pike at 43 inches, and Nick caught one of those brute Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18.5 inches. Fun was had by all through their 5 day stay, and memories made to last a lifetime.
Three peat guests Dave and Glenn Norkiewicz, from Tinley Park, and Lockport, IL, were missing their father and brother this time around, and had their trip cut short from 6 days to 3 because of a situation back home, but these two relaxed and managed to have a great fishing trip despite the variables. On their very first full day of fishing they had so many follows they lost count, and persistence paid off for these two as Glenn, hooked into and landed a Northwest Ontario Master Anglers Award Muskie at a Giant 46 inches. We supply 48 inch fish cradles in the boat that often people kid about being too small, well Dave and Glenn thought so this time, for good reason, as the fish completely consumed the cradle. Way to go guys! The second day they caught 25 plus Northern Pike, with a lot over 30 inches, and on their 3rd and final day they caught a lot of nice Pike while fishing for Muskie, and Dave missed the Muskie of a lifetime as the fish , while at boat side just opened his mouth and let go of Dave's lure. Disappointed, yes, but very excited, and he did not let this loss get him down ending up catching a HUGE Northwest Ontario Master Anglers Award Smallmouth, and the Smallmouth of most peoples life, at 19 inches. I give Dave and Glenn a AA+ for the efforts in just making this trip and hope to see them back with their dad and brother Jeff next year to make memories all together once again.
Jim and Barb Grozis, from St Charles, IL., were also return guests of Fireside Lodge, and by the smiles on their faces, the day they arrived, they were glad to be back. They love to catch both Northern Pike and Muskie, but Muskie seems to be their favorite. On their first day while Muskie hunting Barb caught two Muskie, and they each caught some nice Northern Pike. They only had 1 day where the action was slow, otherwise they always seemed to be catching some nice size toothy critters. Buy the end of their trip they said the caught about 13 Muskie in 6 days, and that's a great Muskie trip for even the most experienced Muskie Angler. It was great to have these two back at Fireside, as they have such fun and give us a feeling of family. Thanks for returning.
Another couple, Gerald and Karen Cornier, from Sycamore, IL., were visiting Fireside Lodge for their first trip ever. They had a great first trip, looking for, and catching Smallmouth and Northern Pike. They caught their fare share, and caught them their way with all artificial baits, and did Gerald and Karen have a selection of baits. Every kind of twitching, jerking, floating, and sinking minnow imitating bait you could imagine. Both put these to good use catching some great fish, and especially Gerald landing a Northwest Ontario Master Angler Award Northern Pike at 40.5 inches. Great catch, and net job. Can't forget the net person as they are very valuable in landing a monster fish. They had such fun that Gerald has already secured a reservation for 2003, to return with his son. Thanks and looking forward to meeting your son next year.
Couple Don and Cindy Lea, from Hurst, Tx., were at Fireside Lodge, in Canada, and on a fishing trip all for their very first time. Never doing anything like this before, this was an adventure for them. This was a trip for their 25th anniversary, and we all felt privileged to have Don and Cindy choose Fireside Lodge for this very special time in their venture through life together. What Don and Cindy did for me, is make me reflect back to the first time I ever fished, the first time Audrey and I went to Canada together and got hooked not on just the fishing, but everything around us while we fish in this wilderness paradise. Forget the numbers of fish, how big they are, and weather you catch more than everyone else. Remember the moose you saw, the picture you took at a falls, the day you got caught in a storm, or the fish that got away. When Don and Cindy would describe their fishing, or a Bald Eagle they saw, or the natural beauty around them, it was done with the same enthusiasm as someone who caught 100 fish or a Master Anglers fish , which is something that I see a some fishers pass by. Just being here, enjoying life, and being with your life partner should be just enough, and for Don an Cindy it was. They did catch some fish, their first Pike ever, first Smallmouth ever, and they did it together. Thanks Don and Cindy, not only for coming to Fireside Lodge, but for making me remember, and hopefully others remember, what is most important in life.
Another couple Norman and Marilynn McDermid, from Buffalo Grove, IL., were also at Fireside Lodge for their first time, and really enjoyed all of our services and atmosphere. They were here to catch Muskie and Northern Pike, which they did, but the big fish eluded them on their first short 3 day stay with us. They enjoyed themselves, and left with smiles on their faces, which is what really matters
Another couple, George and Glenda Marshall, from Sparta, Tn., were also first time guests of Fireside Lodge. On their 2nd day they did well catching a lot of Smallmouth up to 17.5 inches. The next day they caught a lot of Smallmouth on the surface using a Zara Spook, and guess what George caught. Two Muskie while using his Zara Spook, one 27", and one hefty 35 inch Muskie. What fun and spectacular surface action. Their last two days hey caught a lot of Smallmouth, and one of those days they caught a lot of nice size Northern Pike. One evening that Glenda chose to stay back, George hooked 4 fish he estimated at 36 to 42 inches which he had a hard time landing being by himself. George and Glenda gave Audrey and I the best compliment we could ever ask for as they said " Fireside Lodge is just as advertised, having excellent service, meals, accommodations, and fabulous fishing, for not only numbers, but also for large fish". This is a letter George and Glenda emailed to me shortly after their trip, and George and Glenda, thanks very much for doing so.
">Just a quick note of thanks for a wonderful trip!
You have both been blessed with a unique lifestyle and surround yourselves with a staff that was first rate. Glenda & I relived the trip on the way home-she being a note taker. We caught 125+ smallmouthh-avg. 15 to 16 inches- ( your advice on leeches was right on-Glenda is not a lure person-when she rested, I got to fish my way-love that surface bite...)I ended up with a 19 & 18.5 on a spook and she got a 17.5 on a leech with many 15 to 17 inch fish. JUST GREAT FISHING! Glenda caught her first pike ever after losing several-a 24 incher which she cherished as much as others liked their 40+ fish-caught it on a spoon. What time i got to spend on muskie was rewarded very well. I've never seen so many fish in so little of time! I boated 3 that went 37,34,& 32 inches-with
more follows than i could count...i hooked at least 7 more fish and had a 45+ at the boat but couldn't get him in. HEARTPOUNDING!!! Did not fish for pike as much as the other fish but did hook several, with a 30+ the biggest. Got to cover new water everyday and learned a lot for our next trip...The shore lunch was a definite highlight of the trip and twin falls was beautiful. I would have to say in closing-AS ADVERTISED!!! Thanks so much again! Say hello to mom for us-what a treasure you have there...Will send pictures soon... God Bless you all, GEORGE
& GLENDA
Rich Jicha, from Avon, Oh., and son Brian from Madison, Wi., were at Fireside lodge for their second trip, and very glad to be back. Both Rich and Mike did well catching some Northern Pike and Smallmouth on their first of 4 days. Second day they took on the challenge of a portage lake for Muskie and Smallmouth, catching 1 Muskie with many follows, so many that Brian got fed up and started fishing for Smallmouth, and ended up catching a lot of Smallmouth Bass. Guess who landed the Muskie? Rich, because of his persistence to continue fishing for them, despite all the follows. Another day they caught a lot of Northern Pike in the 26 to 32 inch range, and Brian lost the fish of his life, a GIANT Northern Pike, which took off under the boat so fast it cut the line on the bottom of the boat. They both saw the fish clearly, and I'm sure the sight of this fish will stick in their memory banks forever. Great having you guys back, and hope to see you in the future.
Doug Dolhopf, from Milwaukee, Wi., was back at Fireside Lodge for his 4th year in a row. Doug is a Muskie maniac, and a very fun person to have around, as he always makes new friends when staying here, and the conversation amongst Doug and other guests is very active and interesting.
Doug fishes for Muskie a lot, and during his stay had many follows, others on and lost, and landed 10. Yes that's right 1 person landed 10 Muskie in 5 days, which is two per day, and is fantastic in any Muskie fisher persons log book. Beside this he had a fabulous Pike day catching over 25 between 27 to 33 inches, missed some others, missed a Muskie, and caught a 16" Smallie without even trying. What a great day for 1 person. Part of Doug's success is his positive mental attitude. I have always said that staying positive and believing that you can catch fish, is 50% of the accomplishment of your goal. Another big percentage part is getting out and doing it, which Doug does both very well. Thanks for returning to Fireside, and maybe next year a little more Smallmouth fishing will be in Doug's fishing program?????
Father and son Matt and Nathen Marchese, from Eau Clair, Wi. were at Fireside Lodge for their first time, and for Nathen it was his first fishing trip of its kind. Here for a sort three days they both had a great time, not only catching fish but having good conversation in the lodge with other Fireside Lodge guests. One day while both were catching Smallmouth, a huge Smallie was hooked by Matt, but after the battle was over the Smallmouth got off. Well Nathen was very expressive when explaining this exciting event on the water, and we all enjoyed listening to his story. Another one of their days they described as having a great day together and fishing. The "together" part was obviously the most important to Matt, because children grow up fast, and to make memorable times together throughout their growing and adult years is very important. Congratulations, Matt for recognizing and fulfilling this important part in life. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge as part of your memory book with Nathen.
Also thanks to all who have taken time to read about some of Fireside Lodge happenings this week, and hope to make contact with you next week. Until then "Keep On Fish'n". Alan