Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/20 to 8/3 2002

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/20 to 8/3 2002

Hello to all you fishing friends from Fireside Lodge in Northwest Ontario. This fishing report marks the end of a wonderful July, weather wise and fishing. I will start this fishing report with a group which has been with us for 5 consecutive years, and have had great fishing every time, and this year was no exception. George, Jerry, Joe, Jim, Kleinwachter, Jeff Aiken, from Warrenville, IL., and Herb Kleinwachter, from Yorkville, IL., were all here to have fun fishing and spending time with family. On their first day this group, as usual, did great with the Bass Masters, father and son Jerry and Joe, catching lots of Smallmouth, and Joe catching the first Master Anglers Award fish of the group landing an 18.5 inch Smallmouth, and this would not be the first. The others caught a lot of Smallies, and the Muskie experts of the group, George and Jim, caught 4 Muskie up to 37.5 inches, and between the group caught 7 Muskie, all by the end of the first day. The next day Jerry and Joe had another fabulous day catching 30 Smallmouth, and 25 Northern Pike, and look at the numbers of Master Anglers Award Smallmouth they caught, 5 in all measuring 18", two at 18.5", 19", and a 20"er, all in one day. WOW!!!!!!!!!!! what a dream day of fishing. Before the end of the week these two caught another 20", 19", 18.25", and 18" Smallmouth. George and Jeff also were 2002 Master Anglers with George catching an HUGE 19.5 incher and a 18.25" Smallmouth, and Jeff caught a 18 incher. They also caught a lot of Smallmouth between 13 to 17 inches, which are all great fish. A lot of Pike were caught by this group, and they did catch more Muskie ending up in double figures by the end of their stay. This group has fun other than fishing, always laughing at the supper table, and eagerly planning the day at the breakfast table. Thanks for being return guests at Fireside Lodge, and hope to see all in 2003.
Gail and Debra Boswell, from Franklin, In., were back at Fireside Lodge for their third consecutive year. This couple targets Smallmouth Bass, and do they ever catch them. They are on a short three day stay, and they catch as many Smallmouth as some who are here for a week. Several days they caught well over 50 Smallmouth with a lot in the 14 to 17.5 inch range, and Debra went home a Northwest Ontario Master Angler Award winner in the Smallmouth division landing an big 18" Smallie. Gail came close with a 17.5 inch Bass, and that's a winner in anyones book. We will be looking forward to seeing these two in 2003 as Gail and Debra already made their reservations for next year. Thanks and GOOOOO Yankees.
Dave, & Tom Anater, from Landcaster, Pa., were back to Fireside Lodge for their 5th consecutive visit, along with Bob Cannon, from Canfield, Oh., and first timer, and friend Tim McGarrity, also from Landcaster, Pa. This group likes to fish for big toothy critters, and have been very successful in the past. This year was no exception, one day landing 50-60 Northern Pike, (lost exact count), most falling in the 30 to 35 inch range, and several were in the high 30"s, with Tom catching the largest at 38", and he said he lost a Master Anglers Award Pike going well over 40 inches. The rest of their days were great, and on their last day repeated the above performance catching over 50 Pike, over 30 inches up to the mid 30's, and also landing 4 Muskie, and 1 big 17 inch Smallie without even trying. Also first time guest Tim, went home a Northwest Ontario Master Angler catching an 18.5 inch Smallmouth. Tom in this group won the special event award. By changing his casting technique one day he happen to let his very expensive Lomis rod and Shimano reel go right into the water. Well this is the play by play as Bob recalled it, "in one motion Tom reaches into his pockets and throws his chew and knife on the boat floor as he gracefully dives into the water successfully retrieving his rod and reel just in the nick of time, clothes and all". Well Bob could not stop laughing, and would not let Tom back in the boat until several pictures were taken to verify this event. We are in the progress now of designing a special patch for this Master Anglers Award Division called in the water rod retrieval.
Brothers Ron and Mike Johnson, from Fenton, Mi., and Sedalia, Co., were at Fireside lodge for their first time on their annual brother get together. Well they had a great short 4 day stay, taking a little time to get use to new waters, but then discovered the magic of leeches and Smallmouth Bass. These two did better than they normally do on their fishing trips together, catching their share of Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike. These two have a special brother relationship, which is very obvious when spending time with them, and we are very glad they decided on Fireside Lodge to make some brotherly memories.
Jerry and Wanda Miller, from Erwin, Tn. enjoyed their stay at Fireside Lodge. Jerry has been here a number of times, and this was his first with Wanda. Well Wanda was a pleasure to meet and visit with, and did she ever catch fish on her first trip to Fireside Lodge. First day out her and Jerry caught over 40 Smallmouth Bass, with many in the 16" to 17.5 " range. What a great first day. The next day they went Northern Pike fishing and landed 15 all being between 30" to 33", and had some others on and lost. Their third day they caught 57 Smallmouth with 20 of these being 15" to 17.5", and the biggest excitement of the day was when a near 50" Muskie tried to eat a 15" Smallmouth Jerry was catching. Well Jerry pulled out the biggest Daredevle he could find a tried to catch this monster, but he never returned to the seen of the crime. These two finished their last day by catching Muskie, Pike, and Smallmouth, and Jerry caught a 36" Muskie, 36" Pike, and a Giant 19.5 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. He also caught two other Master Anglers Smallmouth in the 18" range during their stay. What a great finish to a special week. Jerry told me at the beginning and the end of the week that he was always worried about who would come with him to Fireside Lodge year after year, and now that Wanda is hooked, he has the best fishing partner than anyone could ask for. Jerry will be back in a few weeks with his son, so they could spend some time together.
Dave Ryberg, and Jim Meyers from Lawrenceburg, In., and Dave Sand, from Cincinnati, Oh. were back for their 2nd consecutive year, with friend Doug Carpenter, from Maumee, Oh. These fellows caught a lot of fish as on their 3rd night at the supper table they said they had already gone over 100 Smallmouth Bass. Fishing is a big part of their trip, but does take second place to having fun and just being in good company. Dave Sand had the hot hand again this year with Muskie, catching several in the upper 30 inch range. This group also did well catching Northern Pike, and Dave Ryberg went home a Northwest Ontario Master Angler in the Smallmouth division catching a 18.5 incher. Both Dave and Jim will be returning in a few weeks with their wives, to enjoy the fun and fishing at Fireside Lodge twice in the same season.
Ken and Craig Hamstra, from Hudsonville, Mi. were at Fireside Lodge for their first time. They enjoyed spending quality father and son time together, and also made great memories as Craig caught his first Muskie ever soon into his stay, and they both enjoyed catching Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike. While fishing one day Ken had a Master Angler Award Muskie on, and twice while trying to net it, the fish took power runs, and the third time it just opened it's mouth and the lure popped out. Another time a Muskie was charging Ken's lure and all of a sudden a big Smallmouth came out of no where and hit the lure just as the Muskie was about to a attack the same lure. Both Ken and the Muskie were very surprised, and Ken caught the Smallmouth. It was a great trip for these two and many memories were made.
Ron and Brian Dombrowski, from Oak Lawn, IL., another father and son duo, were back at Fireside again, and Ron when arriving said, it's good to be home again. Thanks Ron. These two have always done well fishing on all of their trips to Fireside, and this was no exception. On their day of arrival, in just 3 hours of fishing they caught 16 fish, 9 Pike and the rest Smallmouth. The next day they caught 20 Smallmouth with a few Pike, and on their other days the caught, 24 Smallmouth 15-17.5 inches, 40 Smallmouth between 14-17.5 inches, and finished on their last day catching over 50 Smallmouth up to 17.5 inches. Ron also caught two Northwest Ontario Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass, one 18" and one 18.5" Smallmouth. Great going Ron and Brian, and thanks for making Fireside Lodge your home away from home.
Alan Book, from Kensington, MD., and Jeffrey Hiller, from Skilfman, NJ were at Fireside Lodge for the very first time. Their first day ever on our lake system and they caught 30-35 Smallmouth and Alan caught a Northwest Ontario Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18.5 inches. They were thrilled. Second day they caught so many Smallmouth, and a lot of big ones, they lost count, and this time Jeff caught an 18.25 inch Master Anglers Smallmouth. At supper the said it was their best first 2 days fishing anywhere they have ever gone. The third day they had a super day catching well over 75 Smallmouth, and both Jeff and Alan caught a Master Anglers Smallmouth, Alan's at 18 inches and Jeff caught a Monster 20inch brute of a Smallmouth. At the supper table after their third day of fishing they said this already was the very best fishing they had ever had, anywhere. The rest of their stay they did great catching a lot more fish and enjoying the atmosphere and wildlife opportunity we have to offer at Fireside Lodge.
Families William, and Judy Starrett, and their sons Colter and Newt, from Kirbyville, Mo., and Robert Starrett and Austin from Tulsa, Ok., were at Fireside Lodge by a friends referral for their first time. Well they did fabulous for their first trip ever, one day catching well over 60 Smallmouth, and Colter had a terrific experience as a big old Muskie attacked a Smallmouth while he was reeling it in. Well now the fight was on and Colter had the Muskie thrashing around, up to the boat, but of course it got off because it was really never hooked, as it just had hold of the Smallmouth, and finally just let go. How exciting is that!!!!!!!! Another day this group caught over 90 Smallmouth Bass, and two of the young boys caught Northwest Ontario Master Angler Awards Smallmouth, Austin Catching an 18 inch, and Newt a 18.5 inch Smallmouth. Great going guys. Scott and Robert also went home Master Anglers with an 18.5" and 18" respectfully.
This family had not only great fishing, but great fun making many memories.
Bob Gum, from Kansas City, Mo., was back at Fireside Lodge for his second time in as many years and brought a friend Michael Tripp. They thoroughly enjoyed their week at Fireside Lodge always fishing. It is hard to get Bob off the water for anything. Both caught good Northern Pike, Smallmouth, and a few Muskie, with Bob catching two Northwest Ontario Master Anglers Award Smallmouth one 18" and the other at 18.5 inches. They had a great time capturing the wilderness and fishing amongst this great setting.
Thanks for reading this weeks Fireside Lodge fishing news report, looking forward to seeing you at Fireside Lodge one day soon. Until next week "Keep On Fish'n". Alan