Fireside Lodge Fishing News/Photo Report 6/20 to 6/27 2009 Part 1

This week was a repeat of last weeks weather, as we had temperatures from 77 to 85 degrees for highs and only had a few quick thunderstorms roll through. It was just what the beginning of summer should bring, and all guests at Fireside Lodge seemed to be enjoying their time on the water.
Best friends and fishing partners Dan Szkola and Don Landbo from Sugar Grove and South Elgin, IL were back for their eighth trip to Fireside Lodge These two started off right by catching 29 Smallmouth on the day of arrival. First day fishing they caught 72 Smallmouth Bass and Don landed the first Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18-inches. Second day was phenomenal as they caught 74 Northern Pike, 24 Smallmouth Bass with Don catching two Master Anglers Award Smallies over 18-inches and Dan also landed one. A lot of their action for Pike was on the surface using buzz baits, and they had countless misses when the fish would strike. Third day was tremendous catching over 80 Northern Pike along with 12 Smallmouth, leaving them a total of 102 fish. Five of the twelve Smallmouth were over 18-inches. WOW! What a great day. Fourth day they caught 44 Smallmouth Bass and 22 Northern Pike with a lot in the 30 to 34-inch range, and Dan caught the largest at 35.5-inches. The fifth and final day was just crazy as they caught 128 Northern Pike and 7 Smallmouth, each landing a Master Anglers Award Smallie over 18-inches. Both had another great stay at Fireside Lodge and reserved their dates for 2010, when they will both celebrate their 40 birthdays.
Dan Moiser from Lincoln, NE with son Nathan was returning to Fireside Lodge for their eleventh fishing season. Day of arrival they caught 26 Smallmouth, each landing a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth over 18-inches within 20 minutes of being on the water. Dan Also lost a HUGE Tiger Muskie, and Nathan lost what looked to be an over 40-inch Northern Pike. Very nice way for the lake to welcome back Dan and Nathan. First full day had them catching some nice Pike in the 30-33-inch range, and Smallmouth Bass. Second day was dedicated to exploring new areas where they caught a lot of Smallmouth Bass and Dan saw a Giant Muskie. Third day Nathan made his traditional lure purchase from me buying a spoon and Blue Fox spinner. At supper Nathan told me that the lure I sold him was defective, and it did not even hold up to a day of fishing at Fireside Lodge. That’s because Nathan caught 80 Northern Pike on the lure and it was mangled beyond use. They caught 133 Northern Pike total and Nathan retired his lure and purchased a new one from my tackle shop. Fourth day they again did well catching many Smallmouth Bass and Dan had a BIG Muskie following his lure, but just could not get the monster to hit anything. Fifth and final day these two finished with a bang catching 122 Northern Pike and a few Smallmouth Bass. Both had a fabulous fishing trip making lasting memories once again.

Father Phil Spahr from Fairborn, OH and sons Brad also from Fairborn, and Tim from Marlborough, MA and good friend Todd McGehee from Helotes, TX returned to Fireside Lodge for their ninth consecutive year. First night out a few Pike were caught and Brad lost a Muskie in the 40-inch range. First full day was fabulous as they caught 157 Northern Pike and several Smallmouth, Todd landing a 17.5-incher. WOW!!! Great first day. Second day was a planned Muskie hunting day and they got results by landing 5, loosing 1, and having many follows. Both Tim and Brad caught two and Phil landed a nice Tiger Muskie, all were 30 to 36-inches. They also caught 12 Northern Pike and 8 Smallmouth. Third day was a crazy Pike catching day as they landed 113. Their last three days they caught 54 Northern Pike with a lot over 30-inches, up to 34”, 15 Smallmouth with Tim catching a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth at 18”, and two more Muskie were caught. Todd caught his first and Tim landed his third of the week. Besides the great fishing this group had, the most important catch they had was just being together as family and friends, enjoying the time and experiences making memories in our wonderful wilderness setting. Before leaving they made reservations for the same dates in 2010.
Al Fishhaber and Robert Delamatre from Northwood and Sandusky, OH returned to Fireside Lodge for their sixth time. First day was a warm still day which is less than ideal when fishing for tooth critters but they managed to catch a few nice Northern Pike, and had a lot of follows from both Muskie and Pike. Second day was a Muskie hunting day and they found a few, having some follows and Rob caught the first Muskie of the trip. Third day these two had a fabulous day fishing and catching Northern Pike. They estimated between 60 to 70 Northern Pike caught possibly more, but said it was honestly too fast a furious to count. Al also caught his first Muskie of the trip. Fourth day had them catching fish all day long at a nice consistent pace, and Al came up wit another Muskie. Fifth day was another unbelievable Pike day as they again caught too many to count accurately so they did not even try to give me a number. What matters is they had a memorable fishing day between two friends. Sixth and final day had them searching for Muskie in the morning with no luck. It was one of those calm sunny days, so they changed there approach and caught a lot of Northern Pike all afternoon. Rob and Al went out for one last shot to catch a BIG toothy critter to no avail, however not without effort right to the end. Both had a great time and intend on returning with a larger group.
Father and son Paul and Tony Capecchi from Inver Grove Heights, MN returned to Fireside Lodge for their seventh consecutive year. First day was great as they caught well over 100 Northern Pike and 25-30 quality Smallmouth Bass, landing 8 Master Anglers Award Smallmouth over 18-inches. WOW!! What a GREAT start. Second day had them catching over 50 Northern Pike and 30 Smallmouth Bass, each catching Master Anglers Award Smallmouth. Third day they did not keep track of numbers but told me they caught tons of Northern Pike. On their fourth day they fished for Muskie and Smallmouth catching about 20 nice Smallies and landed 4 Muskie, Tony catching three, his first being a GIANT 41.5-inches. The last two days were spent catching countless Northern Pike, a few Muskie, and many Smallmouth. At the end of the week it was determined they caught so many Pike they number was impossible to calculate. They caught many Smallmouth including 14 Master Anglers Award Smallmouth between the sizes of 18 and 19.5-inches, and 8 or 9 Muskie with Tony catching 7 or 8. These numbers are great but the real catch is the wonderful time spent between father and son in a wonderful wilderness setting. Before departing Paul made his reservations for the same dates in 2010.


Make sure to read Part 2 of this weeks fishing report.


Make sure to go to our website listed below to see the 2009 Photos

Hot Lures of The Week: White Twister Tail Jig, Blue Fox Spinner, Tiny Torpedo, Senko Worm, Mepps Spinner, Buzz Bait
Fly Fishing surface poppers


Catches of the Week: 41-inch Muskie, 39-inch Northern Pike, six 20-inch Smallmouth Bass, and 121 Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass between 18 to 20 inches were caught.

Please note that we have a “NEW” email address below.

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