Posts: 8
Location: Sioux Lookout, ON | Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/9 to 7/16 2005
Hello From Fireside Lodge in Northwest Ontario, Canada. The heat of
the summer came upon us this week, and we received temperatures that
were up to 20 degrees F over our normal, reaching up to 95 degrees.
This did not seem to affect the fishing activity, but it certainly did
affect the fisher. The fishing stayed good, but some people tended to
get off the water in the middle of the day.
I will start off this weeks report with a father and son returning to
Fireside Lodge for their second time in three years, Michael and
Andrew Prtitzl from Racine, Wi. Here for a short three days of fishing
they got started off with catching 18 nice Smallmouth Bass between 15
to 17.5 inches, and Andrew caught an 18.5 inch Master Anglers Award
Smallmouth, all in about three hours on the day of their arrival. The
second day while fishing for Northern Pike, they caught 23 of these
toothy critters, Mike landing his first Muskie ever, and a 34 inch
Northern Pike, and they caught four Smallmouth Bass. The next day they
focused on Smallmouth and they had a great day fishing landing 52 of
these bronze back beauties, most were substantial size Smallies. The
last day was a great finish to a terrific three day fishing trip as
they caught 63 Smallmouth and two Muskie, with Andrew this time
landing his first Musky. Great father and son fishing trip, and
wonderful father and son memories made at Fireside Lodge.
Don Perry and Dale Oswalt from Naperville and Bourbonnais, IL were
back to Fireside Lodge for their fourth time, and brought friends Russ
Bryan also from Naperville and Mike Klick from Montgomery, IL. Here
for three days they had fabulous fishing and fun during their stay.
For Russ and Mike this was their first time fishing in Canada, and
they never caught a Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, or Muskie before.
On their day of arrival within about 3.5 hours of fishing time both
Russ and Mike caught their first Northern Pike and several others, Don
landed the Muskie of his life measuring 38.5 inches, and Dale caught a
BIG 17.5 inch Smallmouth Bass. Great Start!!!! On the second day of
their trip they were in fishing heaven as they landed 120 plus
Northern Pike, and both Russ and Mike caught their first Muskie ever,
Russ landing a 30 inch Musky and Mike matching Don's catching a 38.5
inch Musky. WOW! Could you imagine never catching Northern Pike
before, and then catching that many in a day plus your first Musky
ever? Spoiled forever is what Russ and Mike will be. Don also came up
with two big fish himself catching a 36 inch Northern Pike, and a
Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass measuring 18 inches. Fantastic
day of fishing for four people. That same evening Dale had further
excitement when surface fishing for Smallmouth. As he was fighting a
Smallmouth it jumped and through the plug back at him so hard that he
could not get out of the way in time, and the popper hit him right in
the cheek. Lucky he did not get hooked, however it sure hurt at the
time. The last day they concentrated on bigger Northern Pike and
caught about 25 to 30 fish most around the 30 inch range. Great trip
was had by all, and an unbelievable fishing trip for first timers Mike
and Russ. I think their the ones that got hooked this trip.
The F-Troop were back for their 6th consecutive year to Fish at
Fireside Lodge. Fred Shadrick, Clark Benton, Mike Rothermel, Martin
Jeakle from Troy, Grand Rapids, Jenison, Berkley, Mi and Matt
Shadrick, Robert Gall, John Leon, and Jeff Brenzel from Hingham, Ma.,
Danville, Ca., Cypress, Tx., and Woodbridge, Ct. were back to do what
the F-Troop does, fish, and have fabulous fun amongst family and
friends. If you are wondering why the name "F-Troop," think back to
the 60's comedy series, and these guys fit the script just about
perfect, and are always trying harder to attain that perfection. They
had a great fishing trip as always, and they a great catching year.
One father and son day with Fred and Matt had them having one of their
best days ever Smallmouth fishing as they caught 49 of these great
fighters. Most of the group also did well Smallmouth fishing that same
day. They also had several fabulous days fishing for toothy critters,
as John and Mike tore them up together one day, with John keeping up
with Mike, which is hard to do. Matt also had a great day with Rob as
they caught over thirty toothy critters Matt landing 19 himself,
including a 36 inch Northern Pike. That same day Martin and Jeff also
caught a lot of Northern Pike. With this group catching fish is the
bonus, as they just like getting together, fishing, conversing,
debating, playing cards, and giving out their famed award called the
F-Trooper. This year Mike surly got my vote (which does not count) and
won hands down. By the way this group always, in their 22 years of
fishing together, goes home with the biggest catch of all. THE
MEMORIES. Thanks for making Fireside Lodge part of your tradition.
Father and sons George, Scott, and Mike Burns from Chicago, and
Naperville, IL were at Fireside Lodge for their first time. These
three had fun on and off the water. The had permanent chairs on the
lodge screened in porch, as after every day of fishing they would have
a few refreshments and snacks before supper. Then after supper it was
back on the water for the evening fish, and after returning you would
see them in position to watch the beautiful Canadian Sunsets we have
right in our bay. They caught Northern Pike throughout the week with
Scott landing the biggest at 36 inches, and had great Smallmouth
action one day catching over 30. All three had a great time and, no
doubt made some father and sons memories for their family log book.
Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge to do so.
Father and son Jerry and Eric Taylor from Nixa, Mo and Sauk City, Wi
returned to Fireside Lodge for their second time. This father and son
combo racked up the numbers for the week. First day out they caught 40
Northern Pike and lost 20 to 25. Second day they caught 28 Northern
Pike, largest 36 inches, and one Muskie. Third day they were strictly
Musky Hunting and had some action with Eric landing a nice full bodied
Muskie. The fourth day they caught 33 Northern Pike and Jerry caught
his first Musky. Their fifth and final day they landed their normal of
32 Northern Pike. They had a great five days of fishing and ended up
with 5 Muskie, which is one a day, and Eric had the largest at 38.5
inches. The BIg monsters eluded them, but I am sure Jerry and Eric
will return to even the score.
Steven Jensen from Battlefield, Mo was back for his second year in a
row with good friend Jon Harrison from Ozark, Mo. Fly Fishing only for
these two. After several days of not have the proper conditions, and
catching few nice Smallmouth Bass, on their third day they had a fly
fishers dream day. They not only did they hook and land 30-40
Smallmouth, but had fabulous activity with the Smallmouth very
visible. They actually sight fished for the Smallmouth most of the
day, and had fish actively swimming along with the one they were
catching. Steve landed the biggest of the day measuring in at 17.75
inches. So close to being a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth, he wanted
Jon he step on it, but Jon said no way. The last few days were spent
catching Smallmouth, and Jon accomplished his goal of landing a
Northern Pike on a fly rod. Both had a fabulous time, and have already
secured their reservation for next year at the same time.
Bill Baird from Wooster Ohio was back for his 8th time and came with
father and son Mark and Andrew Smiles from Colombus, Ohio and Ken
Smiles from Loveland, Ohio. The tone was set for this fishing trip
within Andrew's first three casts. Andrew, on the day of arrival while
fishing with Grandpa Bill, on his third cast hooked and landed a
monster 40 inch Master Anglers Award Northern Pike. He did this while
rigged for Smallmouth fishing on Bill's brothers rod and reel from
when Bill's brother was in his 20's. WOW, what a great catch and an
equally great story. This set the tone for the next four days as they
had great fishing. The next day this grandpa / grandson combo
accounted for 32 Smallmouth, and while Mark and Ken caught 7 nice
Northern Pike and about 15 Smallmouth Bass. The next day each boat
caught about 20 Smallmouth, Mark catching a 32 inch Muskie, and Andrew
came up with another Master Anglers Award catching a Smallmouth Bass
measuring 18 inches. The third day Ken and Bill fished together, and
when I saw Ken at the end of the day he expressed that he just had the
best Smallmouth Bass fishing he ever had in his life, and him and Bill
got into a bunch of Smallmouth Bass 15 to 17.5 inches. Ken said at one
point they were catching Smallmouth one right after another. The last
day was their best, as they caught well over 100 Smallmouth, most
being 14 to 17 inches. Great memories were had by all, and for Bill
this was a very special trip, of his many to Fireside Lodge.
Many time return guests Bob and Andrew McCrosky from Kalamazoo and
Dearborn, Mi came with first timers Randy Kaja, David Rice, and Scott
Davis from Richland, Vicksburg, and Schoolcraft, Mi. Bob and Andy had
another good father and son trip as they caught a lot of toothy
critters and had a ball doing so. One of their highlight days was
catching 47 Northern Pike and a 36 inch Muskie. WOW, what a GREAT day.
Another was Andy catching two Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass,
one 18 inches and the other a monstrous 19 incher. Bob and Andy also
learned something new on this trip, which was jigging for toothy
critters and fishing off of slightly deeper weed beds and drop off
areas to catch bigger fish and best of all Bob and Andy made another
set of Father and son memories which is the biggest catch of all.
Friends Randy, Dave and Scott had a great first stay at Fireside Lodge
catching a lot of fish, mostly toothy critters, with a variety of
presentations. First day ever fishing Little Vermilion Lake these
three caught 25 -30 Northern Pike and 12 to 15 Smallmouth Bass, Scott
also caught a 38.5 Inch Muskie and 30" Tiger Musky. They had very good
fishing through their five days, and their best day had them catching
well over 100 Northern Pike with a lot in the 28 to 32 inch range.
David also caught an 18 inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass.
Rob Little, Randy Molson, Michael Moskowitz and Jason Toledano, from
Toronto were back for their third consecutive year. Even though
Fireside Lodge is in the same Province as Toronto, we are a world away
as for what we have to offer in wilderness, fishing, wildlife, and
peace and quiet. In fact driving time from Toronto is about 24 hours,
but flying makes access to Fireside Lodge easy and quick, and anyone
from Toronto can be fishing at Fireside Lodge with just a few hours
travel time. They did well fishing as in the past having a few great
days Northern Pike fishing, and some very good Smallmouth action every
evening. Several days when they targeted Smallmouth Bass they caught
many, and the fact is 3 of the four, Rob, Jason, and Mike all took
home a Master Anglers Award for Smallmouth Bass caught between 18 and
19 inches. Upon departing Randy said as soon as they figure out their
schedules for next year they will be making a reservation for 2006.
Jerry Miller Sr from Erwin, Tn. was back for his 10th consecutive
year, with his son Jerry from Unicoi, Tn. who has come with him many
times. Another fabulous trip for these two, as they always have had
the ability to find fish, and catch a lot of fish every day. First day
while Smallmouth fishing they caught over 50 with all being 14 to 17.5
inches, and four Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 18",18.25,"
and two at 18.5 inches. Jerry also had a great time catching his first
Musky ever, along with three Northern Pike. The second day these two
caught over 30 Northern Pike and 10 Smallmouth. The third day they
caught over 50 Smallmouth with over 50% being 15 to 16 inches, and
four were 17 to 17.5 inches. Jerry had an exciting moment when he was
catching a perch a HUGE Muskie came up and ate the perch Jerry was
fighting. Score Musky one, Jerry Zero. The last two days were fabulous
as they caught over 50 and over 60 Smallmouth each day. Wonderful
Fishing, Wonderful People, and Wonderful Memories made by Jerry Sr and
Jerry at Fireside Lodge. Before leaving they reserved their week for
2006.
Kent Williams and Bill Black from Atlanta, Ga. were back fishing at
Fireside Lodge for their second time in as many years. Bringing some
knowledge from last years trip, they did well fishing on their first
day catching a good number of Smallmouth Bass. Next day was fabulous
with them discovering a new area, and they caught 50 plus Smallmouth
Bass, all BIG, and Bill caught two over 18 inches, which are Master
Angler Award Smallmouth. The last two days were productive catching
Smallmouth, and Bill landed another GIANT Master Anglers Award
Smallmouth measuring 19 inches, and Kent topped out at a 17.5 inches.
Kent also lost a huge Northern Pike near the boat. Great time had by
these two and they were both talking about returning in 2006.
Hot Lures of The Week: Twitchen Stick Baits, Mepps, and Blue Fox
Spinners, Fantastic Plastic, Swim Baits, Leeches, Black Maribou Fly
Catches of the Week: 40 inch Northern Pike, 19 inch Smallmouth Bass,
38.5 inch Muskie.
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
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Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 7/9 to 7/16 2005