Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 6/24 to 7/1 2006

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 6/24 to 7/1 2006

We have had another fabulous weather week in the great Northern Wilderness at Fireside Lodge. Besides a short slight cold front that lasted for 1.5 days the temperatures were between 70 to 75 degrees.
Joe Richter from Kempton PA was back for his second year in a row, and this time came with Frank Rucci from Frederick, MD, and father son Steven and Evan Roth from Macungie and Emmaus PA. First day Joe and Frank portaged for Musky and landed one while having some follows, and Steve and Evan caught 19 Northern Pike. Next day was great, as Joe and Frank caught over 50 Northern Pike and Steve and Evan caught 56, each caught a Musky and Evan lost a MONSTER Smallmouth Bass. Another day Steve and Evan caught 38 Smallmouth Bass up to 17.5 inches while Joe and Frank had a lot of BIG toothy critter follows, and also caught over 25 Smallmouth Bass. The next day they caught 57 Smallmouth, and still were being teased by those BIG fish following their lures. The second to last day was fabulous fishing and catching, as a group they caught over 80 Northern Pike and about 40 Smallmouth Bass. The last day Joe was not to be denied as he finally hooked and landed one of those Giant Followers, catching a Master Anglers Award Musky measuring 44 inches with a large girth. Take a look at his monster on our “Weekly Photo 2006” page on our website at http://www.firesidelodge.com
This was a great finish to a GRRREAT week for these four, and we will be seeing Joe again the first week in September when he returns with his wife.

Bill Aulenbach from Barberton, Oh was back for his second year with a Bill Rasbach from Hudson, OH, and first timers Mike Aulenbach, Bill’s son, and good friend Bill Riffey from Ft Meyers, FL and Cuyahoga Falls, OH. First day Bill R and Bill R did great catching 34 Northern Pike and Bill A and Mike portaged to a lake and caught Northern Pike along with Bill A catching a couple of big Walleye. Second day they all got into a lot of Northern Pike landing about 40 altogether. Third day all fished for Musky and they boated two Smaller size Musky and had some follows. The fourth day they had a pretty good day Smallmouth Fishing, and their fifth day they all had a fabulous day Northern Pike fishing with the two Bill R’s catching 38 just in their boat, and after a slower start Bill A and Mike landed about 25 of these toothy critters. GREAT DAY, and all smiles in the dining room that evening. Their last day they had fun fishing for Smallmouth Bass. The week went fast but the memories were lasting, and before leaving they secured their reservation for the same dates in 2007.

The Scott Group headed by Ewell, from Morehead, KY. consisted of his father Earl from Frankfort, KY, Ed Scott, Tom Carew, and Charles Tingle from Morehaed, KY, Adam Scott from Lexington, KY, Andrew Scott from Cape Coral, FL, and Jenifer Scott from Salt Lake City, UT. This group has had a special celebration for the last five years at Fireside Lodge, which is Earl’s birthday. Earl has had his 89th, 90th, 91st, 92nd and 93rd birthdays at Fireside Lodge and this year it was also Ewell’s birthday during their stay, so we had a double birthday celebration this year. Here for a short four days this group got right to it, and on the first day Adam and Andy Scott had a fantastic day of fishing as they landed 101 fish total including 99 Northern Pike, Andy caught his first Musky ever, and Adam caught a HUGE Hump back, Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass that measured 19.5 inches. WOW what a day fishing. Ed and Jennifer Scott also had a great day as they landed 61 Northern Pike and Ed caught a Musky. Jennifer is fairly new to fishing and this was her first time on this family trip, and she caught the three largest fish in their boat landing a 31, 34, and 36 inch Northern Pike. The group of eight caught well over 200 fish on their first day. The second day was Smallmouth day as they all fished for Smallmouth and the group caught well over 100 including a lot of 15 to 17 inch Samllies and Jennifer for the second day in a row caught he largest landing a 17.75 inch Smallmouth. Later in the day Ewell discovered the effectiveness of a Wacky Worm, and before you know it the whole clan was at my tackle shop stocking up on this worm. The third day highlights had Tom and Andy catching over 50 Northern Pike and Tom caught his first Musky, a 36inch Tiger Muskie. Great catch you can view on our Weekly Photo 2006 page on our website at http://www.firesidelodge.com Charles and Jennifer caught 34 Smallmouth and 20 Northern Pike, and Adam and Ewell caught over 30 very nice Smallmouth with Adam landing a 18.5 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth, and Ewell just missed a Master Anglers Smallmouth catching three right at 17.75 inches. Last day was a good Smallmouth day for most, and a very sad day for all being their last. Before leaving their was talk of even a larger group for 2007. Thanks for coming to Fireside Lodge to make some of your special family memories.

Good friends Dick Colgin and Cecil Andrews from Glen Allen, VA were back for their fourth trip in three consecutive years, and this time brought friends Floyd Tate from Sandston, VA, and John Huckstep from Bumpass, VA. First day out they did great catching 125 Northern Pike and a few Musky. The second day was even greater as the landed about 175 Northern Pike, and John caught a 34 and 35 inch Tiger Musky. Third day had Cecil and Dick catching 50+ Smallmouth and a 34 inch Northern Pike and Floyd and John caught 54 Northern Pike. Another day Floyd and John caught 111 fish including 51 Northern Pike each, one Musky and the rest were Smallmouth. The weeks total, as logged by Dick himself throughout the week, was 169 Smallmouth Bass including three Master Anglers award Smallmouth by Floyd, Dick, and Cecil which were all 18 inches, 777 Northern Pike with a lot in the mid 30 inch range, two Tiger Musky and 1 Musky, for a grad total of 949 fish actually landed. Needless to say it was a fabulous week of fishing for these four and they are talking of returning with a larger group for 2007.

Kevin Marks from Hebron, KY headed his group of old school buddies, and I mean old school buddies, all being in their early 40”s now. They included Andrew Hurdman from Chester, NJ, brother Tom from Jacksonville, FL, Michael Colliti from Matthews, NC, Jay Lind from Basking Ridge, NJ, John Kelly from Weddington, NC, Mike Muir from Knoxville, TN, and Mike Strohl from Indian Trail, NC. This group was here for their 10th time for a short three day traditional annual fishing trip. The are always on the water and they had the most fabulous fishing of all their lives. Group leader Kevin wrote me this email recap of the groups trip so it is straight from the horses mouth:
As usual we have some friendly wagers going on in the group to see how well we can do in the fish catching department. Our first half day at Fireside we managed 266 game-fish in the boats, with Mike Muir bagging two Master Angler smallies - 18 and 18.5 inches. Jay Lind had a bass on that looked like a football, and unfortunately for him I was manning the net. After a long fight, the fish spit the hook and swam off to fight another day.
Day two, our first full day, we stepped it up a bit. Pike from 32 to 37 inches were PLENTIFUL! All days toll saw 435 fish in the boats, with Tom Hurdman scoring an 18 inch Master Angler smallie.
Day three we took a little twist, enjoying a mid-day shore lunch of walleye, potatos, onions and beans. We ate like kings, then laughed like fools when Jay Lind stepped too close to the edge and fell into the lake while trying to wash off his plate. Action slowed down on day three, with the four boats ONLY bringing in 295 pike, muskie and bass.
Day four, tired and down a man as Jay had to leave the resort to return to work, we decided to take it easy. We only managed 234 fish on our final day, shattering our group's personal record for fish caught during our trip. When the final tallies were made, we LANDED 1,230 between eight fishermen in 3.5 days. Keep in mind Alan, in those 3.5 days we were in the boats for approximately 46 hours. Mike Muir had the greatest number of fish caught with 215, and our lowest total was from John Kelly at ONLY 107 fish in the boat. That averages out to almost 154 fish per person. NOT BAD!!!
We need our rest now - time to let our hands heal from fighting fish. We'll be in touch to arrange next year's trip.
All our best, Kevin

Doc ( John) and Judy Hogan from Pewaukee WI were back to Fireside Lodge once again. They have been coming to Fireside Lodge far longer that Audrey and I have been owners, over 30 years and made many family memories at Fireside Lodge. Doc is here only to fish for Musky, BIG Musky, and nothing else, so of course his numbers of fish will be low but that is the price you pay in search of the BIG ONE. First day Judy and Doc caught one 33 inch Northern and 2 Musky, with Judy catching the bigger, a very large 36 inch heavy Musky. Second day was 3 Northern Pike and a 10LB Lake Trout, Third day they caught a 35 inch Musky with two strikes and 8 follows all before 1:00PM. Fourth day was a clear blue still day and they had Musky follows, and the only fish landed was a Smallmouth Bass. In the evening Doc, while fishing with another guest Mike Lutz, they had three swirls on surface baits but no hook ups. Fifth day Judy missed a Musky strike at the boat, and they had a HUGE follow, Doc estimated this Musky at 48 to 50 inches. Boy did that get the adrenalin pumping in Doc. They did land one northern Pike on this day. The last day they had two Musky strikes and landed a 26 inch and Doc caught a Monster Master Anglers Award Northern Pike measuring 40 Inches. Both had loads of fun and made their reservations for the same dates in 2007 before departing.

Father and son David and Marc McFarland from Pendleton and Muncie, IN were back for their 3rd consecutive year. First day these two warmed up by catching 7 Northern Pike and 9 Smallmouth, and the second day had a fabulous day catching 47 Northern Pike. Third day had them catching 17 Smallmouth Bass. The fourth day they went back to Northern Pike and duplicated a previous day by Landing 47 Northern Pike, and six very nice Smallmouth Bass. They also has a great happening. While fishing they saw a good size Northern Pike struggling on the surface, and all of a sudden a huge fish surfaced and attacked the struggling Pike swimming off making an obvious wake as it submerged to the depths to finish off his prey. As I say often, I am sure glad we have grocery stores to buy our food. Fifth day they dedicated to Musky fishing, and they did accomplish their goal as David caught a Musky. Their final day they had fun catching more Northern Pike with a few Smallmouth Bass, and David finished strong by catching a BIG 39 inch fat Northern Pike. Both had a great time, made lots more father and son memories, and reserved their same dates for 2007. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge to make such special memories together.

Father and son John and Mike Lutz from Brownsmills, NJ were back to Fireside Lodge for their 7th consecutive year. WOW, time flies. This father and son team are the Pike Masters as Doc (above) calls them. Their first day they caught over 70 Northern Pike, John landed a 38.5 inch and Mike caught a 36.5 inch, for a GREAT start to the weeks stay. Second day the focus was on Musky, and they caught two, John caught the largest measuring 37.5 inches and Mike caught a nice 31 incher, along with catching a few nice Northern Pike. Third day was another good numbers day catching over 40 Northern Pike, catching a good number of over 30 inch Pike. On another Musky fishing day Mike landed a 29 inch Musky, had 3 hits and lost a large Musky after wrapping itself around the engine prop. Win some, loose some. They also had 12 other Musky follows. There last two days they did well catching a lot of Northern Pike, and made a seventh straight year of making wonderful father and son memories. They also made their reservations for the same dates in 2007 to make it their 8th year in a row.

Kurt and Diane Haines from Avon, IN returned to Fireside Lodge for their fourth time in five years. First day on the water they landed 44 Northern Pike, and the second day they committed to Musky and caught one Musky along with several Northern Pike. Third day while fishing for Northern Pike they beat their first day and caught 54 of these strong fighters. Forth day was back to Musky fishing and they caught two with Diane landing the largest being a nice 34.5 inch Musky. The last two days they spent in search of the MONSTER and caught several more nice Musky, and more Northern Pike, but that fish of a lifetime still eluded them, even though they saw few. Kurt and Diane had a very fun time and before leaving made their reservation for 2007. Thanks for sharing your special time together at Fireside Lodge.

At Fireside Lodge for their first time was Darrin VanBibber from Plano,, IL, and father and sons Otto and Chris Schulz, and Dan and Joe Fish all from Oswego, IL. This group had a great first trip to Fireside Lodge. After feeling their way around the first day and learning about our lake system they had a very good second day catching about 25 Northern Pike in one boat and 20 to 25 in the other boat, and Otto had a mid 40 inch Musky to the boat but after a miss netting incident, lost this huge fish. Third day had Otto and Chris portaging to another lake catching 42 Northern Pike, while Darrin went on a canoe fishing adventure and landed 5 nice size Northern Pike in the canoe by himself. Dan and Joe caught another 20 good size Northern Pike. The fourth and fifth days they all caught a bunch of Northern Pike, several Musky, and Otto caught a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 18.5 inches and son Chris caught a beauty Smallmouth measuring 17.5 inches. Also on the last day, at the end of the day, Otto was able to have another opportunity at a Big Musky as he hooked, and this time landed a Master Anglers Award 44 inch Musky. Great last catch to end a great fishing trip for this group.

After several years of trying to get a reservation with us David Montovani and son in law Jeff Bartley from Indianapolis, IN made it to Fireside Lodge. Their first day was spent learning, and catching a few fish. Second day they did great catching 20 plus Smallmouth bass, and Jeff caught an 18.5 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth and received our NEW IMPROVED Fireside Lodge addition Master Anglers Award Patch. Although we have had many Master Anglers Award Fish caught since the start of the fishing season we have been waiting for these special patches to arrive, and they just arrived on the day Jeff caught his Smallmouth. The patches are a new color and have our Fireside Lodge logo embroidered beneath the fish. Second day fishing was a struggle during the day catching only two Northern Pike, however after a discussion at the tackle shop that evening after supper David and Jeff caught over 35+ Smallmouth, to give them a great recovery for the day. Their last day they portaged to a lake and caught a ton of Northern Pike which gave them a very strong finish to their trip. They left with smiles on their faces and talking about a possible return in 2007.

David and Kathie Drake from Terrehaute, IN were back to Fireside Lodge their fourth time, and with them was their son Jeff and his wife Denise from Troy, Oh. Jeff had not been back to Fireside for a long time, when he would come with his parents as a young man, and now coming back with his wife made me feel a little older than I want to admit. First day fishing they caught a few Northern Pike and a whole bunch of Smallmouth, with Denise catching her first Smallmouth Bass ever. They all fished from the same boat together which made for a great family time on the water. The second day Denise caught her first Northern Pike ever and all had fun catching Smallmouth. The next few days were filled with family fun and fishing, catching more Smallmouth and some Northern Pike and Denise caught her biggest being a nice heavy 30 incher. All had loads of fun and went home with smiles on their faces and some great family memories.

Catches of the week; 44” Musky, 40” Northern Pike, 39 inch Northern Pike, 19.5 inch Smallmouth Bass, 8 people in 3 days 1230 fish, 4 people 7 days 971 fish

Hot Lures of the week: Fox Spinner, Mepps, Swim Baits, Gulp Leeches

Master Anglers Award Catches: Two 44inch Musky, 40 inch Northern Pike Six 18 inch Smallmouth Bass, 0ne 19 inch and one 19.5 inch Smallmouth Bass

Well, That’s all fir 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