Fishing Reports at Fireside Lodge: Fireside Lodge Fishing Report 7/20 to 8/3 2013

Fireside Lodge Fishing Report 7/20 to 8/3 2013

Trophy Fishing for Smallmouth Bass at Fireside Lodge Canada by Tom Nayder

The week started out with a severe summer cold front & temps on Saturday stayed in the high 50’s for most of the day just hitting 60 for 4 hours. The Fishing slowed on that day a bit but the Big Bass were biting.

Ladies Fishing at Fireside Lodge for Trophy Smallmouth Bass by Jill

Bill & Jill Westbrook from New Philadelphia, OH returned to Fireside Lodge for Bill’s 11th & Jill’s 4^th time. 1^st day out Jill wasted no time catching a 16.5 & a Trophy 18” Smallmouth on her first

Catch Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada

two fish & both ended up catching 12 Smallmouth Bass and 10 nice size Northern Pike. 2^nd day they had a big Smallmouth Bass day catching over 30 and Bill came up with the trophy 18” Smallmouth. 3^rd day was very windy bring them in a noon after catching a few fish & Bill caught a few more in the afternoon. 4^th day was FABULOUS as they caught over 35 Smallmouth, most 16-17.5”. Jill caught a 19” Trophy Smallmouth Bass & Bill caught 4 Trophies 1 at 19”, 2- 18.5”, & a 18”er. WOW!!!! 5^th & final day was a shorter day ending at 2:30PM to pack but they caught a bunch of Smallmouth Bass using ever last leech, of 48, & Bill caught another 18.5” Trophy Smallmouth. Both said they had a great trip & hope to return with their sons next year.

Trophy Smallmouth Fly-Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada by Leah Bezin

Fishing Pink for Big Northern Pike at Fireside Lodge Canada

19.5-inch Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing at Fireside Lodge

Returning, since 1999 for 15 consecutive years were sister & brother Leah Bezin & Tom Nayder from Berwyn & Orland Park, IL. DOA they got right to it and caught some nice Smallmouth Bass on their new-found method using sinking worms wacky style, & Tom caught a bass that could have possibly qualified as a trophy but he just threw it back. So, Tom’s new motto is when in doubt just throw it back. 1st day was windy however they produced over 25 fish, and Tom was rewarded from his throw back motto by catching a 19.5” Monster Trophy Smallmouth Bass. 2^nd day was cold front conditions but the BIG Smallmouth Bass were biting. Tom caught an 18 & 18.25 “ trophy & about 14 between 16-17.5” & Leah caught 10 Smallmouth & a large Northern Pike. Their last two days were also excellent catching a lot of fish but even more exciting was finding new fishing locations. After 15 years, just in the last day as they were catching over 30 Smallmouth Bass & Northern Pike, they fished in nine new spots they never fished before. Just imagine all of the other great fishing locations to be found in future years? Both had a great trip & hope to return soon.

Terrific Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada by Joe Bergen

Big 36-inch Northern Pike are common Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada

Tim Bergen with son Joe from Orland Park, IL returned to Fireside Lodge for their 11^th trip. Joe & his brother Adam were 10 when they first came. Adam could not make it as he is attending summer school. This trip was focused on Musky fishing & the first two days they made plenty of contact getting a bunch of follows & catching some Northern Pike. They had a special incident when at the end of retrieving a lure back to the boat & lifting it out of the water a aggressive Muskie took a flying stab at Joe’s lure, leaping completely over the length of their boat ending up back in the water after its tail hit the transom of the boat. They were both stunned wondering if what they saw really happened. 3 ^rd day they caught some nice Pike, but those Muskie were still following & not being very aggressive. 4^th & final day was a weather change day & the fish were on as they caught plenty of Northern Pike, Tim landing a 36”er, & Joe caught two Musky both measuring 35”. Great finish to another memorable father & son trip.

BIG Northern Pike by Kent Williams Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada

Kent Fishing Trophy Smallmouth Bass at Fireside Lodge Canada

Kent Williams & Bill Black from Atlanta, GA returned to Fireside Lodge for their 10th consecutive year. 1^st day was great catching 5-6 Northern Pike each and a combined total of 17 Smallmouth Bass, Kent caught a Trophy 18.5” Smallmouth & a BIG 36” Pike. Bill had 2 BIG Northern Pike break off which was disappointing, but after a little counseling Bill was back out with Kent fishing on day 2 catching 15 Pike & 11 Smallmouth Bass. Day three had them catching 12 Pike & 10-12 Smallmouth Bass. 4th & final day they did great catching a bunch of Northern Pike & 10 Smallmouth Bass. In all they said it was their best trip ever and hope to visit us in 2014.

Fabulous Northern Pike Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada

Jim Stalknecht from Ringwood, NJ returned with son Mike from Guthrie, IA for their 7^th trip. 1^st day they caught some nice pike having plenty of follows including the biggest pike they ever saw. 2^nd day they had a great time trying to hunt down big fish & found some, but getting them to hit their lure was a different story. Mike had a HUGE Northern Pike, bigger than he day before, follow his lure to the boat but only turned at the end to wave goodbye with its tail. 3^rd day was a torrential rain day as it came down in buckets, again having some nice Muskie follows while they caught a bunch of Northern Pike. 4^th & final day they finished strong in the rain & cool temps catching 25+ Northern Pike most 28-31” up to 34” along with a few Muskie follows.

Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing Wacky Worms at Fireside Lodge Canada

Father & son Bill & Blair Gillam returned for their 2^nd year in a row and this time brought more family, Bill’s wife Claudia & Blair’s fiancée’ Charlotte Ziny from Elwood, IN, Herndon, VA, & Fairfax Station, VA. DOA first evening Claudia caught a big 30” Northern Pike & lost what Bill said was a very large fish taking Claudia’s favorite lure a Baby Torpedo. 1st day had them catching mostly Pike with Claudia again having the hot hand & the technique using the same lure. 2^nd day was a windy rain out with all getting a lot of sleep. Well rested the 3^rd day they did well catching Smallmouth Bass with a few Pike mixed in, & Claudia again caught the big fish being a 17.5” Smallmouth Bass. 4^th & final day of fishing they did well catching a mix of Northern Pike & Smallmouth, & Blair had a big follow which left him with the thought of what could have been. All left enjoying their stay & discussing plans of bringing more family members next year.

19.5-inch Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada by Bill

Catch Many Northern Pike Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada

Paul Barlak, Jeff Wensing, & Pat Swinger from Broadview Hts, Strongsville, & Fairview Park, OH were here for their first time. First day Pat reported back to me at the tackle shop that they had a great day & were very happy with their fishing as they caught a bunch of Smallmouth Bass & Northern Pike & Pat caught a Trophy Smallmouth Bass. 2^nd day they had high winds & still managed to catch a lot of fish & Jeff had a GIANT Muskie on and up to the boat several times but in the netting process his lure got caught up in the net as the fish slipped back in the water & swam away. Well needless to say both Jeff & Pat needed a little counseling that evening. 3^rd day was as stated by Jeff at suppertime “The best outdoor day of my entire life”, & that’s from a guy that has travelled to Alaska. These guys experienced navigating two creeks, seeing a bear swim across a creek right in front of their boat, saw 3 beavers, caught 40 Northern Pike, and lost at least half that many. 4^th & final day was coupled with very heavy rain & a severe cold front which limited their fishing time to about 5-hours but they still caught 15 fish leaving very thrilled with their fishing experience.

19.5" Smallmouth Bass Trophy Fishing by Tommy at Fireside Lodge Canada

10-year Old Fishing Northern Pike at Fireside Lodge Canada

Brothers Fishing Northern Pike at Fireside Lodge in Canada

Fathers & Sons trip organized by Long time guest Rob MacKinnon included his 2 sons Robby & Tommy, Tony Castaldi with his sons Joe & Dominick from Sylvaina, OH, Matt Jacobson with son Henry, Andy Dykstra with son Charlie, & Paul Gottsacker with son Pete all from WI. First day out was fabulous as all from this crew caught fish and were at the tackle shop after supper to resupply on lures. Henry had the fish of the day up to the boat & right before an attempt to net it the fish came off. Henry & dad Matt said it was a huge Northern Pike. Henry was very excited & just glad to have had the fish on. 2 ^nd day’s success was evident by the tackle they bought at suppertime. Everyone caught a bunch of Northern Pike & Smallmouth Bass. Robbie caught the largest Pike at 33” and Doninick had the Biggest & most unexpected catch as while Dad Tony was trolling for pike in 15’ of water Dominick hooked & landed a huge 30” Lake Trout. The smiles tell the whole story. 3^rd & final day for was terrific fishing & catching as Matt & Henry caught 31 NP & 19SM Henry landing a 19.5” Trophy, Rob, Robby, & Tommy caught over 50 NP, with Tommy catching two Trophy Smallmouth Bass measuring 20.5” & 19.5”. Tony, Joe, & Dominick caught over 50 Pike with Tony catching a 21” Trophy Smallmouth Bass & Paul & Pete caught over 35 Northern Pike. WOW, what a terrific day of fishing & all left with the biggest catch of all making “ FABULOUS” father and sons memories.

Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing Fireside Lodge Canada by Henry

30-inch Lake Trout by Dominick Fishing at Fireside Lodge Canada

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