Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report 6/13 to 6/20 2009 Part 1

Hello from Fireside Lodge in Northwest Ontario. Our weather finally turned, having a few spring like days, and then we had summer temperatures move in with daytime highs reaching the mid-80’s. This weather sure helped the Smallmouth to start their yearly spawning ritual.

Tom Nayder from Orland Park, IL, son Joel from Chicago, IL and Tom’s sister Leah Bezin from Berwyn, IL were back fishing at Fireside Lodge for their 10th consecutive year. First full day of fishing they had a great day catching a mix of Smallmouth and Northern Pike and some were while fly-fishing. Second day these three caught many Smallmouth Bass, Joel landing the largest at 17-inches, some Northern Pike up to 33-inches, and they had a lot of Muskie follows Tom catching a nice 3-footer. They had lunch at Twin Falls and while fishing in rushing water at the poolside they caught 12 nice Lake Trout Third day was fabulous testing some new areas, after some discussion and planning in the morning Tom, Joel, and Leah caught Smallmouth Bass in every new spot, along with a few Northern Pike. They also caught a few Lake Trout at Twin Falls while having lunch. That evening after supper Tom and Leah had fantastic fly fishing for Smallmouth Bass and landed four Master Anglers Award Smallmouth, Leah with three and Tom catching one. Leah’s measured 18,18.5, and a HUGE 20.5-inches, and Tom’s was 18.5-inches. The action was so hot Tom and Leah doubled up while fly-fishing. The photos are great and can be seen on our website at http://www.firesidelodgefishing.com Fourth and fifth day were full of fun catching many Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Tom landed two Muskie. They also had some great wildlife experiences as they got very close to a nesting Loon and also watched a very large Moose walk along a shoreline in the distance for what seemed to be 30 minutes. They got memorable photos of both and again banked another set of wonderful memories fishing together.

Good fishing buddies Charles Row from Maitland, FL and Jim Deck from Easley, SC were fishing at Fireside Lodge for there first time. First day on new waters they caught 12 very nice Smallmouth Bass up to 17.5-inches and lost at least as many, having to adjust their methods to accommodate the fighting ability of Smallmouth Bass. Second day was great as they caught 28 Smallmouth Bass with 60% being over 14-inches, each caught a 17-incher and Charles came up with the Smallmouth of the day landing a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 18-inches. Third day was fantastic Smallmouth Bass fishing as they caught 34 Smallmouth Bass and they were all on top-water techniques. This was a perfect calm day for surface fishing and in addition to the 34 Charles and Jim caught they each had as many blow-ups, or fish that got off after being hooked. Over half of the Smallmouth were 14-inches or better, only 5 under 13-inches and Jim caught two 17-inchers. Charles also caught a 28-inch Northern Pike. Things just get better every day for Charles and Jim as on their fourth day they caught 40 Smallmouth and each missed a dozen and again it was all on top-water fishing with Tiny Torpedo’s. Charlie caught another Master Anglers Award Smallmouth while Jim caught two more 17 to 17.5-inchers. Another great day for these two which had them talking about and planning their second trip to Fireside Lodge. Fifth day they did even better catching 42 Smallmouth Bass all being quality fish. They had 27 Smallmouth over 15-inches with 11 being 16-inches plus, 6 were 17 to 17.5-inches, and 4 were Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 18 to 18.5-inches. WOW what FANTASTIC day Smallmouth Bass fishing. Their sixth and final day was even better as they caught 57 Smallmouth, Jim catching two over 18-inches, 4 at 17.5-inches, 4 over 16-inches and 3 at 15-inches, and Charlie caught a HUGE 19-incher, 7 between 17 to 17.5-inches, four over 16-inches and 6 over 15-inches. Great finish to a fantastic fishing trip at Fireside Lodge.

Charlie Walton returned to Fireside Lodge for his second consecutive year this time with his son Ben both from Hudson, OH, Mike Lewis from Akron, Oh and Juerg Schmid from Bath, OH. Charlie, Mike, and Juerd are all avid fly fishers. First day on the water it was only a threesome as Juerg was do to arrive at suppertime. Charlie, Ben, and Mike had a great day fly-fishing catching 22 Smallmouth Bass and five good size Northern Pike on the fly. After supper Ben and Juerg caught some nice Smallmouth Bass. Mike and Charlie caught 10 more Smallmouth and Charlie also caught a 19.5-inch HOG Master Anglers Smallmouth. WOW!!!!! That’s fabulous fly-fishing. Second day was another picture perfect fly-fishing day, and this group caught a lot of Smallmouth Bass between 14 to 18-inches. Ben and Juerg went out in the evening to enjoy more of the fun fly fishing they had earlier in the day. Well, it turned out to be quite an evening as they caught 30 fish, two Pike and 28 BIG Smallmouth with Juerg catching 4 Master Anglers Award Smallmouth all while fly fishing. WOW!! Third day was even better as they caught plenty of Smallmouth between 13 to 18-inches and some nice Pike. Juerg again had the hottest hand as he caught another HUGE Smallmouth measuring 19.5-inches and several Northern Pike between 28 to 30-inches. Fourth and final day was the best as Mike and Juerg alone caught 67 Smallmouth and no dinks. Many were 14 to 17.5-inches and Mike came up with an 18.5-inch Master Anglers Award Smallie. Juerg, Mike, and Charlie discussed with me how fabulous the fly-fishing was and look forward to future fishing at Fireside Lodge.

Long time guests of Fireside Lodge Larry Psyk and Larry Jr. (LJ) from Onalaska and LaCrosse, WI. Jim and James Nelson, from Oak Brook, IL and Livonia, MI, and Ken Beta from Fox Lake, IL. This year was a very special year in this groups 31 years of fishing together as Jim’s Grandson Bobby was being introduced to Canadian fishing for his first time. Great to see that the tradition of fishing with family and friends being passed to a new generation. First day on the water these guys did well catching some
Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike, seeing fish everywhere they went. It was a great day with calm winds, warm temperatures in the 75-degree range, blue bird skies making it a very visual day. Last day you expect to catch a big Muskie according to all the experts, Right? WRONG!!!! LJ caught he fish of his life as he landed a huge, 30lb 46-inch Muskie while fishing for Smallmouth Bass with a number three Blue Fox Spinner on a light fishing rod using 6-pound test line. WOW!!!! What a terrific catch which can be seen on our website at http://www.firesidelodgefishing.com Congratulations to LJ for a great catch. Next day Jim Sr and Ken hooked up for 27 nice Smallmouth Bass, had many follows from BIG Pike and Muskie and Jim landed a good 35-incher. Larry and LJ had more follows from BIG toothy critters, and at times had up to three fish following one lure on the same cast. Larry Sr. said in all his years fishing Canada he never saw anything like what he saw today. Larry Sr. did land a 37-inch Muskie and they caught eight Smallmouth Bass. James and nephew Bobby had a spectacular day as they caught Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike but the real story is Bobby catching his first fish as he caught 3 Smallmouth Bass and 3 Northern Pike. He also learned about how fast a Northern Pike could attack a cut your line. Bobby had a smile ear to ear at suppertime thrilled to tell his fish stories. Third day had Ken and Jim Jr. catching 19 Smallmouth Bass, some Pike and plenty of BIG follows from toothy critters. Larry and LJ did good catching Smallmouth and a few Northern Pike, and Larry caught an 18.25-inch Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Jim Sr and Bobby caught some early morning Smallmouth, Bobby catching three more, and then came in to relax and take a long nap. Sounds GREAT. Fourth day 67 Smallmouth were caught along with some Pike, and Bobby caught more Smallmouth and several good size Pike. Fifth day over 75 Smallmouth were caught, and Bobby was really picking up the pace as he caught about a dozen Smallmouth, some being 16.5 up to 17.5 inches, and he caught some Northern Pike 28 to 32-inches. Last day is always a sad day for this group as they hate to leave, but they left on a high note as they caught 134 total fish, most being Smallmouth, however Ken and Bobby while fishing before a storm had fast action on Northern Pike having three doubles, and Bobby ended up the day with 25 Smallmouth Bas and a dozen Northern Pike. Excellent for his first fishing trip ever. Family and friends once again made many memories, and the tradition of over 30 years fishing together initiated a new member, Bobby, to hopefully carry on their tradition for many years to come.

Read Part 2 of this weeks fishing report

Hot Lures of The Week: Black Twister Tail, Floating Rapala, Tiny Torpedo, Blue Fox Spinner, Ring Worm, Senko,
Hot Flies of the Week: White Deer Hair Pooper, and Frog Spun Deer Hair Pooper, Lefty’s Popper
Catches of the Week: 46-inch 30 pound Muskie, 20.5-inch Smallmouth Bass
Well, that's it for this weeks Fireside Lodge Fishing News Report, Please stay tuned for next weeks report. Until then "Keep On Fish'n" Alan
http://www.firesidelodgefishing.com
http://www.firesidelodge.com
800-545-0815
mailto:fireside@xplornet.com