Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/10 to 7/17 2004

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/10 to 7/17 2004

Hello From Fireside Lodge in beautiful Northwest Ontario. This week brought some of our nicest summer weather so far. It was warm by day and cool, but not cold by evening, and most days were gentle winds or calm. The fishing was also very good, and I will start with a group which has been with us over five consecutive years. Dave and Father Dick Hamilton from Laurel, Md and Reading, Pa, Al Sins from Asheville, NC, and Geoff Jones from Columbia, Md. This is definitely a toothy critter bunch. They did well in that category by catching 184 Northern Pike, or averaged over 30 per day, and caught 7 Muskie which averaged over 1 per day. With this they had, as quoted by Dave, a ton of follows. The best lure for this group was a Tommy Gumppers or a Tommy Toupee's? This is simply a nickname for Mepps without hair or Mepps with hair. As you can tell this group has a little fun. Even though this group does not devote much time to Smallmouth fishing, they caught 46, with Dave catching the most, and just about all were on a fly rod. His hot fly was a Hexogenia Nymph? Yea, that's right I did not know what it was either. Dave's nickname for this fly is, stick fly. This group has so much fun that they are always laughing and telling jokes, and very rarely is there a silent or dull moment. A rare happening, happened to Dave and Geoff one day when, on a clear calm day, they saw very large school of perch in a very tight ball estimated by Dave to be 10X6 yards. As they looked closer they saw a number of good size Muskie at one end of the perch school, and a bunch of huge Smallmouth at he other end. Both were herding the school a feeding on these perch. As Dave said "It was too hard to decide what to fish for! Do I use a fly rod for a big bass or do I throw muskie stuff?" These types of things people usually see on National Geographic, but here Dave and Geoff were seeing it first hand. Audrey and I also had a ball with this group as always with great conversation, and many laughs in the evening at the Lodge. Al caught the most, especially leading in the Northern Pike category, Dick had some great Northern Pike days, and caught more fish than ever, Geoff caught the most he ever had and Dave was leader with Smallmouth, catching an 18 inch Master Anglers Smallmouth on a Fly, and on the final night out with Geoff, here is Dave's accounting of that night. "The last trip of the week with Geoff & I going to Cedarbough was everything the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce could hope for. We got Geoff a 31" muskie on a figure-8 in Cedarbough. Then the final cast of the week got me a 37" er in Little Vermilion at the mouth of the creek to Cedarbough. That was enough to insure that we'll be back next year!" Thanks for you patronage and hope to see all in 2005.

A group on their seventh consecutive year coming to Fireside Lodge are the Kleinwachter's George, Gerry, Jim, Jeff Aiken all from Warrenville, IL, and Herb and Matt from Yorkville, IL. It was the first year Gerry's son, Joe, was not with him and as Gerry did, we missed him being here. This group has always comes in mid July to August because they have found that they can catch a lot of fish and enjoy some of the nicest summer weather we have to offer. One day this group landed well over 100 Northern Pike, with Herb catching the largest at 38.5 inches, and a lot were in the mid to lower 30's. Jim and George had a great day, and expressed it in the dinning room that evening. This was all very new to Matt, as it was his first trip to Canada, and he was all smiles after cathcing all those Northern Pike. Jerry and Jeff on the next day caught well over 50 themselves with a lot of 27 to 33 inch fish, and caught a few Muskie. In fact as a group they caught about 9 Muskie in five days. Another day found Jerry and Jeff catching 75 to 80 Smallmouth Bass. The other two boats also caught a lot of Smallmouth and some Northern Pike that day, and their last day they all caught a lot of Northern Pike and a few Muskie. Great fishing was had by all, and as Jim said the comaraderie, laughs, and memories is what their trip is really all about. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge as your place to make some of your most important memories in life.

Mike Gerulski and fifteen year old son Zack, were back to Fireside Lodge for their second consecutive year. They arrived with bells on and ready to fish. Their first day they caught 21 Smallmouth by supper time, and Zack already had a fish story. While letting his lure sit about three feet from the boat all of a sudden a big explosion erupted and all Zack saw was big toothy jaws coming at him. Well, he was startled to say the least, as he watch this big fish disappear as quickly as it surfaced. Their second day, of their short 3 day stay, brought great action as they caught 27 Smallmouth by 10:30 am and 12 Northern Pike by 1:00, when they had to come in from a hand injury from a toothy critter. After supper they went back out and caught 25 more Smallmouth. What a great day. Their last day was also great, and they were both very sad to see their trip end, but as the old saying goes "all good things must come to and end" however the memories made will last forever for Mike and Zack.

Ken and Becky Roberts, from Alliance, Oh were back to Fireside Lodge for their second consecutive year, and Ken for his fourth. This time they arrived as newly weds, having their wedding the weekend before. What a great way to honeymoon, in the peaceful surroundings of the wilderness atmosphere we have to offer, and in a beautiful brand new cabin overlooking a gorgeous view of a Canadian Shield Lake. Well, they were also here to fish and that's just what they did. On their first day out they caught 60+ Northern Pike, and both Ken and Becky lost the fish of their lives. Ken lost an estimated 43-45 inch Northern Pike and Becky lost a Giant, near 20 inch, Smallmouth Bass. Second day they caught almost 30 Smallmouth and saw a 48-50 inch Muskie, and the third day landed 23 Northern Pike. The fifth day they caught another 30 Smallmouth with a lot 15 to 17.5 inches, and Becky landed a GIANT Master Anglers Award Smallie measuring 20 inches. WOW what fish. Look for their pictures on our new digital picture viewer in the lodge. Anyone with a digital camera can have their pictures viewed in the main lodge area for all to see, so don't forget your digital camera. Their last day they finished with catching over 25 Northern Pike. Ken and Becky had a wonderful honeymoon, and great fishing trip. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge for spending this special time together.

Frank and Pat Luth from Port Republic, Va, were at Fireside Lodge for their first time. The stayed for three days, and fished for two, spending their last day resting from the two days of fast action and fun of catching fish. Their first day they caught a lot of Smallmouth Bass, with Pat catching the largest Smallmouth on a Wacky Worm. They also spent 2-3 hours enjoying one of our natural wonders on Little Vermilion Lake, Twin Falls. Beautiful and being almost sedative, as you watch the tons of water glide over the natural rock formation. It is almost like a spa treatment. Their second day of fishing really wore them out as they caught Northern Pike after Northern Pike. They stopped counting at 25 and felt they caught well over 35 Northern Pike, and lost many others if not as many as they caught. Frank told me that it was without a doubt the best day Northern Pike fishing he had ever had. The last day from their brand new cabin they just enjoyed the beautiful surroundings Fireside Lodge has to offer, full of wildlife and nature at its best. Frank and Pat are planning a return trip with their grandchildren, so we hope to see them again one day soon.

Brian Bakke and thirteen year old son Kyle from Naperville, IL were back to Fireside lodge for their fourth consecutive year. That means Kyle has been coming to Fireside Lodge fishing since he was 9 years old. WOW how fortunate Kyle is to have this opportunity. Well, they had an absolute ball together as usual. Their first day was great catching over 20 Smallmouth and 6 Northern Pike 31",30"and Kyle caught a great 27 inch Pike. Second day brought even more Smallmouth, as they caught a bunch of these feisty fighters, and Kyle caught a Big 17 incher, and an absolute GIANT Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 19 inches, and Brian also caught a Master Anglers Smallmouth right at 18 inches. Their third and final day they went Muskie fishing, as Brian and Kyle were determined to catch Muskie. Well, they did it with Brian landing a nice 27 inch Muskie and Kyle landing a very BIG Muskie measuring 38 inches. What a great catch and even better picture as Kyle holding his 38 inch Muskie can be viewed by all on our digital picture viewer in the main lodge. Another great set of memories for this father and son, and they will continue their Fireside Lodge memory book as they have already made their reservations for 2005.


Steve Johnson and Jeff Gurosh from Palatine and Lemont, IL were back to Fireside Lodge for their 3rd fishing adventure. They started out on their first day Smallmouth fishing catching 17, and all nice size Smallies. Next day they caught over 25 more nice Smallmouth Bass and a few Northern Pike while Smallmouth fishing. The third day they portaged and caught well over 50 Northern Pike. Another day they portaged to a different lake and caught well over 100 Northern Pike. WOW what a day!!!!!!!
Their final day was spent enjoying and landing 17 bigger Northern Pike. They told Audrey and I that it was their best fishing trip ever, and we will see them again one day soon. Thanks.

Bob and Pauly Ahrens, with Daughter Jordan, from Castle Rock, Co choose Fireside Lodge for their wilderness getaway together, and that is just what it ended up being. Not only did they enjoy fishing and having fun on the lakes, as all Fireside Lodge guests do, but they were on a mission to see wildlife. In fact one evening they made a special trip down the highway at dusk to see Moose. See Moose the did not, however they did see three Back Bear. They were very excited. Wanting to see Moose badly I suggested they go to Hooch Lake, as this is a great Moose area. They made the trip, and caught a number of fish, and on top of that had a four Moose Day. WOW what excitement that evening at the supper table. I wanted to take a picture of this family as they described their moose experiences. It is something to see these great creatures in their natural surroundings, living the only way they know how. They had a wildlife bonus, as one night while sitting on their deck, they saw a large painted turtle walk up from the water and lay its eggs in the ground right on the side of their cabin. It is now a sanctioned area until the eggs hatch. What great nature experiences had up close and personal, which most only get to see on National Geographic shows. This family had loads of fun, laughs, good conversation, and went home full of memories and stories to tell. Audrey and I were very glad that Fireside Lodge was able to provide these special moments to a family memory book. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge.

Jerry Miller Sr from Erwin, Tn, and son Jerry from Unicol, Tn were back as father and son for their third time, and this is Jerry Sr's 9th year. They both had a fabulous fishing trip and bonding time as father and son. One of Jerry's comments was that this was the most exciting fishing lodge, with also being the most relaxing fishing lodge he has ever been to. The peacefulness in the evening time is great, and the excitement of the fishing during the day is terrific. Well, Jerry Sr and Jerry Jr certainly had terrific fishing. Their first day out while Smallmouth Fishing they caught over 40 quality Smallmouth, with half between 15 to 17.5 inches, and within 45 minutes caught 4 Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Two at 18 inches, one at 18.5 inches and one at 19 inches. All BIG HUGE Smallmouth. Second day they fished for Northern Pike and caught over 60 between 25 to 33 inches. The third day they caught well over 30 Smallmouth and Jerry Sr landed a 35 inch Muskie and a Monster 42 inch Muskie. Wow what a great catch. Fourth day found them catching 65-70 Northern Pike, which included a lot of good heavy fish, not to count all of the lost fish and follows. Their fifth and final day they Smallmouth fished until 3 pm and caught a bunch of Smallmouth. Their trip was so good, that when I went to their cabin to say good-bye to them, I found them planning their trip to Fireside Lodge for 2005. Jerry and Jerry caught a lot of fish, but for them it is not just about the fish. It is more about being together, away from their busy everyday lives, and continuing their wonderful friendship as father and son.

John Cahoon and Chuck Kaufman from Chillicothe, Oh choose Fireside Lodge for a fishing trip for the first time. I knew this son-in-law / father-in-law was going to have a blast all week by the way they were kidding each other during the lake orientation. Well, they did have a blast, and had some very good fishing to go along with their fun. First day ever on Little Vermilion Lake they caught over 20 Smallmouth Bass. Their second day they fished for Northern Pike and caught 31 of these strong fighters, and lost at least half that many. Secret bait for this day was a Swim Bait. The third day they fished for Muskie, and had opportunity as they had 15+ follows by some monsters, and they also caught some Smallmouth in the evening. The last two days they concentrated on Smallmouth and did great catching 64 Smallmouth on one day, and finished on their last day with 57 of these fantastic fighting fish. In all John and Chuck had a wonderful time. There was discussion about their return on 2005, so I have a feeling we will see both of them again.

Father Allen Shogren with sons David, Steven, and good friend Dan May, from Apple Valley, Lakeville and St Louis Park, Minnesota were at Fireside Lodge for their fourth consecutive year. Their goal is toothy critters. The first day of their short three day stay they did not waist any time tying into fish as Allen and Steven teamed up to catch 38 Northern Pike and 2 Muskie, and Dave and Dan landed well over 40 Northern Pike and also caught several Muskie. The second day was slower for Allen and Steven, and Dave and Dan caught some Smallmouth. The 3rd and final day was a very strong finish, with Allen and Dan catching near 40 Northern Pike and brothers Dave and Steve had the best fishing day of their lives as they caught 50 plus Northern Pike, and the best thing was they caught them, on buzz baits all day long. They had way more action than the 50 they caught, because they missed almost as many. Also Allen and Dan both caught HUGE 19 inch Master Anglers Smallmouth, and Dan caught another even bigger at 19.25 inches. Great finish to another memorable great fishing trip.

Hot Lures of the week: Swim Bait, Spoons (5 of diamonds and bule/silver), Buzz Bait

Hot Fly: Hexogenia Nymph

Master Anglers Awards Caught: 11 Smallmouth Bass

That's all for this weeks Fireside Lodge fishing news, so until next week, "Keep On Fish'n". Alan