Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/12 to 7/18 2003

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/12 to 7/18 2003

Hello from Fireside Lodge in Northwest Ontario. We are now well over half way through with our fishing season, and we have still been blessed with wonderful weather, which equates to good fishing for Fireside Lodge guests. I will start off this weeks fishing report with a group headed by Jerry Miller, from Erwin, Tn. Jerry comes to Fireside Lodge twice a year, usually once with his son, and again with his wife. This first trip he got his buddies, all from Tennessee, who were here four years ago, to come up again. They were Larry, Freddie, Byron, and Jackie Beard from Erwin, Kingsport, and Fall Branch, John Hook from Jonesborough, and two from Virginia Randall Smith and Andrew Gillenwater (AJ) from Appalachia and Rennington. These fellows went home with no lack of fish stories. Fishing for Pike and Muskie the first day Jerry and John caught over 15 Northern Pike 30 inches or better, and John lost a huge Master Anglers Smallmouth without even trying for them. The others all caught toothy critters, and landed some nice ones, but were lacking with exact information so I will just leave it at that. The next day Jerry and John went to a portage lake and caught 18 Northern Pike, Randall and AJ concentrated on Smallmouth and caught over 40, and Randall caught his first Muskie a Tiger at that, and Larry and Jackie caught a lot of good Pike 30 to 34 inches and some nice 17 to 17.5 inch Smallmouth. Most of this group fished for Smallmouth on the third and fourth days of their 5 day stay, and listen to these results. Jerry and John 100 or better Smallmouth Bass for two consecutive days with 70% over 13 inches, and 50% 15 to 17.5 inches. That's TERRIFIC Smallmouth fishing. Jerry could not believe their second day Smallmouth fishing was better than their first because the first was so good. They caught so many fish that it seemed that 5 minutes could not go by without one or both catching a fish, and they had a double of 17.5 inch Smallies. Randall and AJ caught over 60 one day, and over 40 the next with the 60 fish day having most over 13 inches and 40% 15 to 17 inches, and on their 40 fish day the Smallmouth averaged even bigger, 14 to 19 inches, with Randall catching a Master Anglers Award 19 incher. Jackie and Larry also caught over 50 Smallmouth with 50% being good size fish. The story of the week lies here with Jackie and Larry, as on this great day of Smallmouth fishing, while Larry was catching a Smallmouth, a big giant Muskie decided to have lunch with Larry's bass. After fighting this brute for a while the Muskie continued to eat his Smallmouth until it actually disappeared from sight. Jackie was video taping this whole event, and as the fish approached the boat with a huge wake, it shook it's head and the Smallmouth became air born flying out of the fishes mouth. The Muskie then simply waved good-bye with it's tail as it swam by the boat. The great thing is that Jackie got all this on tape, and we all watched it a few times. This event was a special memory between brothers, and to be able to recapture this time and again is exceptional. Master Anglers awards for Smallmouth were as follows, Randall 19.5",18", AJ, two 18.5", Byron 18.5", and Larry was very proud to catch his first at 19 inches These fellows obviously had a great time, and we thank them from coming. The very sad thing amongst this group was the loss of one of their fishing buddies, and very dear friend George Ward. George was on the last fishing trip to Fireside Lodge, and in his long lasting memory John Hook was nice enough to make a memorial of George, which we proudly hung in our lodge. This will remain in place as long as Audrey and I are owners. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to be part of your remembrance of a great friend and fishing partner.
The next group I want to write about has been coming to Fireside Lodge for the last 4 years, and was always called the Meyers group because Jim Meyers would always make the arrangements. Well, Jim is also no longer with us, and the friends of Dave and Steve Sand, from Blue Ash, Oh, David Ryberg, from Lawrenceburg, Oh., and Doug Carpenter, from Maumee, Oh. will always hold up the memories of their lost friend and fishing partner, and Jim will always be a part of Fireside Lodge, and in our personal thoughts. In fact they had one of their memorable moments put on a t-shirt, a photo of all in front of a float plan, which had a caption reading "Great Friends Great Memories." The fishing they experienced is told by their tenure at Fireside Lodge, and seems very secondary to talk about on this particular trip, and as I have written before many times in these fishing reports, it is the memories which are the biggest catch of all. Thanks for retuning to Fireside Lodge to continue your memory book, and the tradition you started with a dear friend.
Brent and Angie Bostic, from Hurricane, WV., were back to Fireside Lodge for their second trip. Smallmouth fishing is what they came for, and great Smallmouth fishing they had. Their first evening they caught 17 Smallmouth, and on their first full day of fishing landed 58 Smallies. Great Start. The second day while fishing for Pike they caught 14 and a few Smallmouth. The last three days they focused on Smallmouth catching 28 to 35, and on the very last day was their grand finally landing 89 Smallmouth Bass up to 16.5 inches. Great fishing for these two, and I found them soaking up every last bit of our wilderness as they sat by lakeside watching one of our beautiful sunsets on their final evening. Thanks for coming back.
Brothers John and Jim Dickerson from Noblesville, In. and Mokena, IL. were fishing at Fireside Lodge for their first time. The learning curve for these two was short as on their second day they caught 40+ Smallmouth Bass. Every day they did well on Smallmouth with the size continually increasing as the week moved along. By the latter part of the week they were catching 20-30 Smallmouth, but most in the 13 to 17 inch range, and on their last day Jim did catch a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18.75 inches. Great catch Jim. They also caught some Pike, but mostly fished for their favorite fighter, Smallmouth. These two also enjoyed each others company, and I would find them on the lodge screened in porch talking and sharing information with the other lodge guests. Great Times and Great Memories had by these to at Fireside Lodge.
Tony Kujawa from Lansing, IL., and Rene Ridriguez from Crown Point, In., were back at Fireside Lodge and brought 1st timer Rich Jeanor from Chicago, IL. Here for a short 4 days their time went by quickly, but these four mad the best of their time. They only fished about 3 1/4 days because of thunderstorm activity in the area, but even made the best of that day playing cards in the lodge. One day they had a great day catching over 35 Northern Pike all being good size, heavy fish, and each caught 2-3 Smallmouth without even fishing for them. Tony ended up with two large 18 and 18.5 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. The other two days they caught both Smallmouth and Northern Pike and left wishing the had more time. Great having you back and hope to see you again.
Father and son Don and Andrew Rathje, from Downers Grove, IL were back to Fireside Lodge for their fourth time. Well, any time you return to the same lake system time after time you have an edge, and certainly Don and Andy have developed that edge. First day they went Northern Pike fishing and caught 33 of these great fighters. Next day caught 15 Bigger Pike, most in the 30 " or bigger range up to the mid 30's. Two days while strictly Muskie fishing they did great on both days, one day Don catching two and Andy one, with the biggest being 37 inches, then the next day Andy stole the show catching all, with a total of 4 Muskie in 1 day, biggest was 34 inches. Could you imagine being 18 years old and having a 4 Muskie day? WOW!!!!!! On the day Andy caught 4 Muskie, after supper they figured to give the Muskie a rest and went Pike fishing. As they were having fun catching small to medium size Pike, Don while catching one of the smaller Pike, all of a sudden thought this little 20 inch fish was going to pull him right in the lake. After a fight, the culprit showed itself which was a HUGE 45-50 Muskie swimming around with Don's original catch trying to eat it. Well, after a heck of a fight the Muskie let go and Don came up with a shredded 20 inch Pike. What a great story and memory. These two also caught a number of Smallmouth every evening after supper, but most of all caught another year of father and son fishing memories. Thanks for making those memories at Fireside Lodge.
Brad Dodge, from Three Lakes, Wi., and Milt Bauer, from Mendota, Mn., were her for their second and first time, in that order. These two had a great fishing week, Listen to these four back to back to back to back days they had fishing and catching. Day 1, 16 Bigger Pike, one Muskie, and Milt caught 2 over 20 inch Smallmouth with Brad also catching 2 over 18 inches, which are all Master Anglers Award catches. Day 2, 30 plus bigger Smallmouth Bass 16 to 17.5 inches, and Milt caught another Master Angler Award Smallie at a huge 19 inches. Day 3, 40+ Northern Pike and 6 very BIG Smallies, and Brad landed a HUGE 20.5 inch Master Anglers Smallmouth. Final Day 4, well over 30 nice Smallmouth Bass, and Brad had the fish of his life time give a big jerk bait a chase. Brad estimated it at a48 to 52 inch knee shaker. These two had loads of fun and their continual positive attitude showed through in their success.
Sam Patton from Laramie, WY, here with Jim and Bill Patton from Cincinnati, Oh, and Steve Knight from Castle Rock, Co., met here at Fireside Lodge to enjoy each others company for 3 days. They did do that always laughing and joking with one another, and they, after a day of learning, caught on to the Smallmouth fishing, catching a good number of fish their second day. Jim on this second day ended up catching a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18.5 inches, and now has bragging rights for the rest of the year amongst these four. On their last day they caught a good number of Smallmouth with a few Pike They all had fun and relaxing 3 day visit at Fireside Lodge, and hope to see all back again.
Skip Bailey from Largo, FL., was here with friend Tom Fitzhugh, from Tampa, FL., for their first experience at Fireside Lodge. After a day of learning they discovered our magic leeches for Smallmouth, and caught Smallies in the exact spots where some conventional artificial baits would not work the day before. The first day Skip caught his first a nice 34 inch Muskie, and on their second day they caught 40 Smallmouth up to 16 inches. The next day they caught 16 nice Northern Pike up to 34 inches, and Skip landed a master Anglers Award Smallmouth at a BIG 19 inches. For the rest of the week these two caught plenty of Smallmouth and Northern Pike, and got into a number of 16 to 17.5 inch Smallies. Great fishing for these two in a completely different environment than they fish in Florida.
Steve Pisarik from Des Moines, Ia here with friend Gary Polamsky, from Somerset, NJ, were here to fish and catch up at little. Well, they also discovered the magic leeches for Smallmouth, and came in every day for their daily supply of these squirmy little critters. They do catch fish as these two did very well Smallmouth Bass fishing every day catching 18 to 30 Smallmouth, and a lot of fish in the 13 to 17.75 inch category. They both also caught Master Anglers Award Smallmouth with Steve catching an 18 inch, and Gary a 18.5 incher. Great fun and relaxation had by both of these guys. Hope to see you both again.
Mark Mauer, from Bloomington, Mn. called last minute, and fished at Fireside Lodge for his first time with good friend Bob Alfonse, from Weyerhaeuser, Wi. Well, these two became several peoples good friends in the short three days they were here, as they were just the type that everyone likes and feels comfortable with. Here to fish for toothy critters they felt successful in their catches, and getting to know the waters for the first time. You can't master a lake system in a few days, but you can learn some of it for future trips, and have fun catching some nice fish during this learning process. That's just what these two did. I know we will see these two again, as they had too much fun not to return. Thanks for coming.
Richard Locke from Bellevue, Ne. brought son Brian to Fireside Lodge for their first visit. What a ball these two had, always smiling and having a wonderfully positive attitude. Their patience and perseverance paid off as they struggled the first few days, but by coming to the tackle shop, taking advise, and applying techniques we discussed, they did very good their last four days of fishing. They had two days each of very good Smallmouth and Northern Pike fishing. They caught a lot of Smallmouth up to 17.5 inches, and a lot 15 to 17 inches, and a good number of Pike in the 30 inch range and better. After leaving I missed their smiling faces approaching my tackle shop every evening. Well, maybe another year I will see these two again.
Thanks also to all of our Fireside Lodge guests, because it is they that make Fireside Lodge the wonderful place it has become. Thanks for reading this weeks fishing news report, and stay tuned for next weeks. Until then "Keep On Fish'n". Alan