Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 8/20 to 8/27 2005

Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 8/20 to 8/27 2005

Hello from Fireside Lodge in Northwest Ontario, Canada, where the fishing is great because we are keeping it that way. Things have cooled down a bit, however we are getting beautiful 68 to 75 degree temperatures along with a little much needed rain. Cool evenings are welcome and the beautiful starry nights, and the great show of the northern lights are much more visible because of the earlier darkness at this time of year.

Third time return guests of Joe wetzel, Jim Riechard, and Paul Steger from Crystal Lake, Huntley, and Glen Ellyn, Illinois were back to catch big fish. Very quickly into the trip Jim established the goals for this group as on the first day he landed a 30, 36, and 38.5 inch Northern Pike, and missed a 40 inch plus Musky, while Paul landed a 30 inch Muskie. Great first day. Jim kept the hot hand on the second day, and the third day in addition to several larger Northern Pike in the 30 to 36 inch range he caught a 40 inch Master Angers Award Northern Pike. On this same evening I found Jim sitting on his lakeside cabin deck, having a drink, and watching the beautiful sunset, while Paul and Joe were fishing trying to play catch up. Their last two days they caught a lot of Northern Pike in the 26 to 30 inch range, with several being landed in the 36 to 38 inch range. All had a fabulous stay and Joe has already put down his deposit for 2006.

Father and Son Bob and Dave Reinhardt from Orland Park and Orland Hills, IL, were here with Charles Geinosky from Burbank, IL for their first fishing experience at Fireside Lodge. Another BIG fish group they had a very successful first day ever on Little Vermilion Lake. They caught 6 nice Northern Pike up to 34 inches, a 33 inch Musky, Charlie lost a Big Muskie on a Tailwalker, and Jon had a HUGE Muskie blow up on his Jack Pot surface bait, but he set the hook too soon, and pulled it right out of the fishes mouth. Second day Jon caught the Northern Pike of his life, and maybe lifetime, as this time using the Jack Pot he did not set the hook too early, and landed and beautiful 44 inch Master Anglers Award Northern Pike. WOW, what a fabulous catch for just the second day ever on Little Vermilion Lake. The third day they again caught a good number of Northern Pike in the mid 30 inch range including two 36 inchers. The third and fourth days they caught a lot of Northern Pike and caught some very Big Northern Pike, Bob catching a 36 inch, Jon a 38 inch, and Charlie in one day caught two Master Anglers Award Northern Pike measuring 40.5 and 41.5 inches. WOW!!!!! What a fantastic day for Charlie. Last day for these three was exciting as they caught a lot of Smaller to medium size Northern Pike and Bob got on the board as he landed a Master Anglers Award Northern Pike measuring 40.5 inches. Also Charlie missed the Musky of his life, estimated at somewhere around 50 plus inches, on a jump and run at boatside the fish took everything Charlie had. What a fabulous toothy critter trip for these three as the walked away with 4 Master Anglers Awards for Northern Pike catching many in the 33 to 39 inch class, and lost a few HUGE Muskie. Pretty darn good for the first time ever fishing Little Vermilion Lake.

Jim Gancarek and Larry Sparks from Crestwood, IL were back to Fireside Lodge for their second year in a row, and this year brought Jim's brother Jon from Reno, NV, and brothers Mike and Frank Hranicka from Alsip and Palatine, IL. First day out Larry caught a 36 inch Northern Pike and a Master Anglers Award Northern Pike right at 40 inches. Way to go Larry. Jim also caught a nice 35 inch Musky and 36 inch Northern Pike. All had fun and caught toothy critters. By the second day Mike had caught two Muskie, Jim one Musky, Larry one Muskie, and Frank one Muskie. Excellent Musky fishing for a group of 5 people. Third day was one of those humbling days, but they were positive going into the fourth day. Just goes to prove that a positive attitude always pays off as the boat of two Mike and Frank caught 20 Northern Pike and the boat of three, Jim, Jon, and Larry caught 60 to 70 Northern Pike, and two Muskie, with Jon landing his first ever, and now had all 5 of them catching Musky at the end of their fourth day. The fifth day was also very good with all catching a bunch of Northern Pike and another Musky. The last day this group went out on fire landing 7 Muskie, hooking four others, and having some other follows. They also caught a whole bunch of Northern Pike up to 35 inches, and about 4-5 Smallmouth up to 17.5 inches. Jon is a special story because after just catching his first Musky two days earlier, on this last day he landed three Muskie and lost an over 40 inch Musky on his fly rod when this huge brute jumped right in front of the boat and got off. Great Action, Great Catching, and Great Fun was had by all in this group.

Father and son in law Tom Miller and George Carney from Madison, Wi. were fishing at Fireside lodge for their first time. First day was spent finding their way around and getting comfortable. Next day they found Northern Pike, and did well with catching a good number of Pike on a plain white spinner bait. Their third day was very similar to their second day having fun and catching Northern Pike. Their last day was spent going to one of our creek accessible lakes, which I refer to our jungle cruise ride. The had a fabulous day catching a lot of Northern Pike and having a wonderful shorelunch with the delicious fish we provide in the shore box. Both had a great four days and are considering returning with George's son, Tom's grandson, in 2006.

Richard Finlay and Mark Frey from Newmarket, Ontario were fishing at Fireside Lodge for their first time. The first day these two decided to portage to a Muskie Lake and had a typically frustrating Musky fishing day. They were very impressed with the lake as they saw more Muskie that they had seen in their entire life fishing, but just could not get any to cooperate. Their next fishing day however they discovered the magic of surface fishing, and Richard landed a great big 39 inch Musky, and Mark followed up with a 36 inch Northern Pike. Richard was using a Zara Spook, and Mark caught his on a Top Raider. Very exciting when a BIG fish explodes on a surface bait. The next two days, being very hooked on surface fishing for the BIG Long Toothy Critters, both Richard and Mark visited my tackle shop to purchase some big surface lures, and had an absolute ball getting a lot of surface action, catching some nice fish, and Mark landed another HUGE fish, a 40 inch plus Musky. Upon departure they said they figured out the pattern to use for the Big fish, and that's part of the fishing challenge, which true fishers always enjoy and much as the actual catch. Thanks for joining us and hope to see both again in the future.

Bill and Pam Hochstetter were back to Fireside Lodge for their third year in a row as a couple, and for Bill it has been a 20 year time span he has been fishing at Fireside Lodge, missing a few years here and there. First day on the water they had a great Smallmouth fishing, and catching day as they landed at least 35 and most were 15 to 17 inches. Great action and fun. The next day, while Muskie fishing, they had a few follows and caught a few Smallmouth. Next couple of days was an example of even the most experienced anglers getting stumped, as Bill came to me to discuss fish locations and try to figure out what the fish were doing. Last day they ended up have a good day catching some Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass. They had a couple of firsts, on this their last day, which also proves that no matter how long you fish, there are always new things that happen out there. Pam caught her first Northern Pike casting, and while Pam was fishing for Smallmouth Bass, and the same fish got off twice, her persistence paid off and she caught what she believed to be the same Smallmouth, a beauty that measured 17.5 inches. Both had a wonderful time and are making reservations for the same time in 2006. We are all looking forward to seeing Bill and Pam at that time.

Back for their second year in a row were Larry, Roy, and Lon Wahlstrom from LaPorte, In. and Los Angeles, Ca. They were with a group of 11 last year, and had so much fun they tried to get the same group together, however as hard as the other tried the had too many other commitments to get away. First day on the water they caught a few toothy critters, and had many more follows. Next day Larry caught some fish, however the other two did not, and Larry commented that they better start to pull their weight. Third day the went Musky fishing and during lunch, while Lon was cooking, Larry hooked and landed a Great Big 38 inch Muskie. Way to go Larry. Fourth day Both Larry and Roy caught 34 inch Muskie, and Roy caught a Monster Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 19.5 inches. The last few days they spent Muskie and Smallmouth fishing, and caught a few more Muskie in the 30 to 34 inch range, some Smallmouth and Larry became a Master Angler by catching a big fat 18.25 inch Smallmouth. All three missed the other family members on this trip, however Larry did say that he enjoyed spending some one on one time with his dad Roy and Lon. All enjoyed their stay very much, and will attempt to get the whole group together for the summer of 2006. Thanks for making Fireside Lodge the place to make some of your family memories.

Walt LaCasse from Minnetonka, Mn. was back for his second trip in 2005 and one of many visits to Fireside Lodge over the last 6 years, but the very first with his wife Tammy. First day out Walt and Tammy enjoyed the beautiful weather, 74 and sunny, caught some fish, and both had a ball as Walt showed Tammy around the lake. Second day was a great day fishing and catching as they had a lot of action on Northern Pike and Smallmouth, with Walt catching the largest Northern Pike at 33 inches, and Tammy landed the largest Smallmouth, and her personal best at 16.5 inches. Their third and last day was spent fishing but not as much catching as the day before, however Walt was testing out new waters and found some very interesting locations, sure to be investigated more when he returns in 2006 having already making two reservations. Until then both Walt and Tammy have the memories of this year, which are the biggest catch of all.
Thanks for making them at Fireside Lodge.

Phil Spahr from Fairborn, Oh. was also returning to Fireside Lodge for the second time in 2005, and also one of many trips to Fireside Lodge over the last 6 years, but this was the first time with Jerry Westfall, from Clarksburg, WV. Phil was very excited to show Jerry what he has talked about for the last several years. First evening of arrival these two kept it even as each caught two Smallmouth and two Northern Pike. By the way this was Jerry's first time ever catching a Northern Pike. First full day of fishing they hooked 23 Northern Pike and landed 16, both having a wonderful time. Second day they went on one of our portage lakes to fish for mostly Musky and maybe some Smallmouth. Well, on this day the Muskie were not cooperating, so they switched to Smallmouth and caught about ten. Their four and final day was a great finish as they caught 21 Northern Pike and Jerry caught his first Musky ever, and in Spahr family fashion, on his last day. Phil, and sons Brad and Tim all caught their first Muskie ever on the last day of a trip to Fireside Lodge. Phil also caught an absolute GIANT Master Anglers Smallmouth on the last day. A wonderful time was had by Jerry and Phil, and they plan on trying to make this an annual trip together.

Hot Lures of the week: Swim Bait, Blue Fox Spinner, Suick, Skywalker, Zara Spook, Jack Pot, Mepps

Catches of the week: Six Master Anglers Award Northern Pike 40 to 44 inches, 19.5 inch Smallmouth Bass, 40 inch Muskie caught on Fly rod, 40 inch Musky caught on Surface Bait, 7 Muskie landed and 5 others hooked in one day by five people.

Well, that's it for this weeks fishing report from Fireside Lodge, Please stay tuned for next weeks report. Until then "Keep On Fish'n Alan