Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/6 to 7/13 2002

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/6 to 7/13 2002

Hello to all you angling fanatics and hope you have had a chance to go fishing lately. At Fireside Lodge we have been in a hot dry spell for more than two weeks now. Boy things change fast, as just three week ago we had water several inches over our dock. I guess it's just a continuation of the unusual weather we have been getting in 2002.
I will start off this report with a group which has been coming to Fireside Lodge for 7 years. They are Gary & Mike Rose, from Mid West City, Ok., and Gerald Adams & Brent Houston, from Shawnee, Ok. This group fishes only for Smallmouth, and their first year struggled to find them. By the end of the week that first year they started to learn our lake system and had some good success. Every year after they have done very well with this year being their tops, landing 669 Smallmouth. That does not even count the ones not landed or that missed a surface plugs. Gerald was the one to beat this year Catching the most, and catching them his way, on a fly rod. Yes Gerald committed to fly fishing this year, and one day landed 35, and another landed 44 on the fly, beating all his fellow anglers and friends. Well they soon had their fly rods out and were also successful in catching some. Gerald was matching the hatch, as the May Flies were hatching and he was replicating this once a year bug which Smallmouth gorge on for a week or so. Another new method this group brought to Fireside Lodge was the use of a wacky rig. It looks like the way we would have hooked a worm when we were kids fishing for the first time. Simple hook through the center, and push a finish nail through the head for the only weight. Fished slow this was very successful. Gerald not only caught the most but he also walked away with catching the largest, two Master Anglers award Smallmouth at 18.5" and a GIANT 19.75 inches. Great week of fishing, and learning new techniques.
A group of 8, fathers sons and a grandpa were at Fireside Lodge for their first stay and had a great time. The Browns, Dale and sons Drew and Nick from New Lenox, IL were here with Grandpa Neal from Putnam, Fl, and Jim & Kyle Janocik, from Orland Park, IL., and Patrick and Ryan Glynn, from Mokena, IL. Well this group got off to an exciting start when on the day of arrival before supper Ryan landed 2 nice Pike, 28 and 28.5 inches, and when he caught these two fish Ryan said they attacked his lures and came completely out of the water on him. His comment after describing this event was "am I ever pumped". After supper Ryan caught two more Pike, a Big 34 inch'er, and a Giant Master Anglers Award Northern Pike measuring at 40 inches. Great catch Ryan. This group did great the rest of their 4 day stay, catching a ton of Smallmouth Bass. They had days of catching 60-70 Smallmouth, 70+ Smallmouth in one boat in one day, and Grandpa Neal, Drew, and Kyle one day landed 78 Smallmouth Bass. They caught a lot of big ones from 15 to 17 inches, with Jim, Dale, Neal, and Kyle all becoming Northwest Ontario Masters Anglers, catching Smallmouth over 18 inches. Another highlight was when father Dale and Nick each caught a Muskie, it being Nick's first. Great family event and great fishing at Fireside Lodge.
Another Grandpa, Father and Son group, Ed, Mike, and Alex Stipp, from Lexington, Ky., and Columbia, SC., were also at Fireside Lodge for their first time. These three generations also made great memories fishing and sharing their wildlife experiences. When they first arrived Alex was full of excitement and fishing questions. First full day they had lots of action and caught 17 Northern Pike with Alex landing two. They had a special week catching Pike and Smallmouth, and seeing lots of wildlife like Bald Eagles, Moose, and I think they also saw a Bear on their trip up. One day Mike and Alex tag teamed a Muskie with Dad hooking it, and Alex reeling it to the boat, and it was a Big 34 inch'er, which fought upholding the Muskie's reputation for being a fighter. Another couple of found memories of Alex is when he just about came to tears when he described how a perch died on them, and of Alex taking to our employee Dave always helping him on the dock. Alex became Dave's right hand dock person. Thanks for the memoriesand hope to see these three again.
Dale Oswalt, from Bourbonnais, IL., and friend Don Perry, from Naperville, IL., were back to Fireside Lodge for their 4th time, and were they ever glad to be back. They were after the long toothy critters, and did they ever catch them. They caught between 17 to 25 Northern Pike a day, and most fell into the 27 - 36 inch range. Every time we talked they commented on how big and heavy the fish are. As they would describe their catch and day it was as if they were reliving the moment right in the dinning room. That's the excitement I love to see in people, fishing and having fun, which these two always do. Thanks for coming back.
Jeff and Julie Greene, from Alder Point, Ca., were back to Fireside Lodge for their second year in a row. These two constantly fish, to the point that it is hard to keep track of them. They seem to always be in search of the toothy Northern Pike or Muskie. They did well catching a lot of Northern Pike and some nice Muskie. One day while fishing only for Muskie Julie landed her second and her biggest at 42.5 inches. WOW what a fish. Jeff also caught a 31 inch'er and Julie lost another mid 30 inch Muskie at the boat. in addition to their catching they also a many follows. Another day found them catching 15 good size Pike and Julie landed another big 38" Muskie. They did not fish for Smallmouth too often, but when they did they caught some nice size Smallmouth, with Jeff taking tops in this category landing a GIANT 19.5 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Congratulations Jeff. Hope to see you two next year.
Harry Roberts along with sons Jarred and Craig, from Lewisport, Ky., were at Fireside Lodge for their first time along with friends and Brothers Danny and Darry Handley, from Hawesville, and Hartford, Ky.
Harry and his two sons had a Great trip catching all kinds of fish. One day they caught 17 very good size Pike, and another day caught two Muskie and 40 plus Smallmouth, with Jarred landing a HUGE 42 inch Muskie. One day while fishing most of the day for Pike they caught 44 and also caught 15 Smallmouth. Throughout the rest of their trip they caught a lot of Pike and Smallmouth and both Craig, and Jarred caught Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18 and 18.5 inches. Danny and Darry also caught a lot of Smallies and had some great days catching Northern Pike. One day landing 38 Pike. They also both caught Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18 and 18.5 inches. This was Darry's first trip ever to Canada, and not only did he catch a Master Anglers Smallmouth, he caught Pike up to 36 inches, and he and Danny landed 8 Muskie in one day, along with quote "a bunch of Pike". Fun was had by all in this group, and many memories made.
Father and son duo Howard and Jeff Haasis, from Lamar, Ar., and St Louis, Mo., were at Fireside Lodge for their first visit. The second day here Jeff caught the Northern Pike of his life, measuring out at a hefty 38 inches. Jeff's smile in the dining room that evening told the whole story. With todays technology, everyone in the dinning room got a good look at Jeff's pike. Besides catching Pike they really got into the Smallmouth one day, 22, and at dinner Howard was telling all what was working, which was a tiny torpedo. Well off to catch more after supper, only to find out at breakfast the next morning a Pike snatched Howards favorite surface bait. Well guess where Howard found some? Yes in my tackle shop. After discussing the high prices of lures these days, Howard dug deep in his pocket to purchase a similar color Tiny Torpedo. At supper that evening I found out Jeff and Howard caught over 60 Smallmouth bass and Howard caught about 40 on the lure he purchased from me. Now all of a sudden that Tiny Torpedo was worth every penny. These two had a great father and son trip, and were discussing the possibility of a trip to Fireside in 2003. Hope to see you two then.
Another father and son Phil and Tim Spahr, from Fairborn, Oh., and Marlborough, Ma., were back at Fireside Lodge for their second consecutive year. They had another great father and son fishing vacation, as they live a distance from each other this makes for a great way to spend some uninterrupted time together. The only thing that interrupted these two were all the fish they were catching. They had a fantastic catching trip averaging almost 30 (28.83) fish per day, and mostly quality fish. They landed 80 Northern Pike up to 36 inches, 92 Smallmouth Bass, and 1 Muskie. This 1 Muskie was Phil's 1st, and was caught on his very last day. I know Phil was excited, but it was hard to tell who was more excited, Tim or Phil, as Tim wanted his dad to catch a Muskie all week. For these two the fish are just a bonus. Phil and Tim both being very excited about just being at Fireside, and all of the days happenings out on the lake, really shows through to everybody they meet while they are here. These are two great people to have around, and hopefully we will have the good fortune to have Phil and Tim here at Fireside Lodge again.
A family of four from Yellville, Ar., was at Fireside Lodge for their first Canadian Wilderness Experience, and they were Tad, Tina, Trent, and Tanner Ott. I have to mention what a special family they were because all were so friendly, polite, and treated each other, and others around them with such respect. This is a family quality which is not as common as it was in the past, and it was so refreshing to see. This foursome struggled finding Smallmouth at the beginning, however when the switched to a very natural method they were surprised with the results, and rewarded with catching a lot of nice size Smallmouth, and both Tina, and Trent went home catching a Master Anglers Award Samllmouth both at 18 inches. Tad and Tanner are going to have to live with this result all year long. These four were always smiling and having fun, and I am sure made a great log for their memory book. Thanks for picking Fireside Lodge for your first family Canadian Fishing trip, and it would be a pleasure to have all of you back.
Frank and Linda Tyrrell, from Snellville, Ga., also choose Fireside Lodge for their first Canadian Wilderness Adventure. After getting done with their orientation I remember Linda saying "now I just hope we can catch some fish" and I responded saying yes you sure will. Well later that week in the dinning room Linda commented to me, " Alan you said we would catch fish you really meant it". These two had a fantastic fishing trip pursuing long fish, Northern and Muskie, and catching a lot of good size fish. They caught a lot of Pike between 27 and 33 inches and some in the mid to high 30's. One hot day they had a dry spell, but did not give up with a fisherpersons excuse, and did it pay off. About 2:00, in the middle of a hot afternoon, they found several places where they caught just about one fish after another. You should have seen the excitement as they were explaining this to me in the dinning room. Talk about excitement, Linda was bursting at the seems with it one day when she approached my tackle shop to ask for a Master Anglers Award form. She had just caught a HUGE-Giant 44" Muskie which she just could not believe she did. What a great catch for her, and for that a matter anyone. Just to share a laugh, she caught it on her Wal-Mart special rod and reel combo. Congratulations to Linda on this catch of a lifetime. I think who got hooked on this trip was Frank and Linda, on Canadian Fishing at Fireside Lodge. Thanks for the memories.
Bill Donlin, from Madison, Ohio was at Fireside Lodge for his first time with his sons Sean and Mike. Bill had been thinks of coming to Fireside for the last three years, and the summer always seemed to slip by without him making arrangements. This year he decided to commit, for a short three day stay. Well did he and he sons ever have a ball. They fished almost all the time, and the only time we saw them was at breakfast and supper. They had three fantastic days Smallmouth bass fishing, with each day catching well over 50 good size Smallmouth, and Bill caught a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth which was monstrous 19.5 inch'er. Great catch Bill. These three had a great time making father and sons memories fishing at Fireside Lodge.
Brian Bakke, and son Kyle, from Naperville, IL., were back at Fireside Lodge for their second trip in as many years. Here for a short 3 day stay, they picked up where they left off last year with catching Smallmouth Bass. One day they landed 28 Smallmouth with a lot of size to these fish, and Kyle caught 15 and a nice Pike. Along with their actual catch they had a lot of action, and you could tell by the smiles on there faces what a great day they had. On their last day they did great catching Smallmouth, and after supper found some BIG BASS, and Kyle (11 years old) landed a 15,16,17, and 17.5 inch Smallmouth, and they both had a lot of other action. Brian explained the excitement in the boat as Kyle was fishing and just talking a mile-a-minute. Brian noted the great memory he made with his son at this moment, and for a long time to reflect back on. That is what fishing is all about!!!!!!!!! The memories.
Brad & Sheri Pugh, from Pandora, Ohio were at Fireside for their first time to catch Muskie and Northern Pike. After getting familiar with new waters these two had some great days catching 15 to 20 bigger Pike, and Sheri was landing a Muskie now and then. Sheri just seemed to attract those Muskie. On their last day they caught 19 big Northern Pike with lots of other action, and Brad caught two, yes two good size Tiger Muskie. Great going Brad. These two left having a great trip and already made arrangements for the same time in 2003. Thanks, and looking forward to seeing you two again next year.
That concludes this weeks fishing news report at Fireside Lodge. Stay tuned for next weeks report and until then "Keep On Fish'n". Alan