Fishing Reports at Fireside Lodge: Fireside Lodge Fishing Report 7/9 to 7/16 2016

Fireside Lodge Fishing Report 7/9 to 7/16 2016

Trophy 48-inch Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Dan Lex

This week ranged from very cool weather to pleasant temperatures along with a day of very heavy rain and high winds. At least that lasted only 1 day and the rest of the week was good weather along with good fishing.

HUGE Northern Pike Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Al Wortz

Long time return guest Al Wortz was back with his son David from

Trophy Smallmouth BAss Fishing by David Wortz

Howards Grove & Milwaukee, WI and with them were Al’s friends Karl Tremmel, Prior Lake, MN & father & son Mike & Dan Lax from Dublin, OH. DOA Karl set the bar for Northern Pike catching a nice fat 36”, & David had a 33”.


1st ever Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge

BIG Northern Pike Fishing by Karl Tremmel

First ever Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Mike Lex

Terrific Trophy Smallmouth Fishing by Al Wortz

1^st day Al & David did great catching 20 Pike 6 Smallmouth Bass & David caught his 1^st ever Muskie & his 2^nd Muskie plus Dan also caught his 1^st Muskie. 2^nd day was a super GREAT day catching over 50 Northern Pike, with at least half 30”-36” plus Dan caught his 2^nd Muskie ever and It was an absolute MONSTER measuring every bit of 48” and had a massive girth. 3^rd day brought very fast action and had them catching over 75 Northern Pike. That evening Al & Dave tore up Smallmouth Bass on surface baits including 3 Trophy fish 18-19-inches. 4^th & final day they had good fishing but it was very hard to top their 1^st three days. All left having had fabulous fishing & loads of fun among family & friends with their last words being, ”We Will Be Back”.

Big Muskie are GREAT Fishing at Fireside Lodge

Richard Santos, Pasco, WA returning for his 3^rd consecutive year

Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Ron Santos

with Dennis Collins for his 2^nd from Kennewick, WA and with them were 1^st timers Dennis Kreid & Ted Poston both from Richland, WA. 1^st day they had a fabulous day catching more Northern Pike than they could keep track of along with a few Smallmouth Bass.

Fly Fishing for BIG Smallmouth Bass at Fireside Lodge by Dennis Collins

2^nd day they caught Smallmouth Bass however the bigger fish somehow evaded them. 3^rd day was a repeat of the 1^st. 4^th day, changing tactics, they did very well catching Smallmouth Bass finding the larger ones in the weeds or on weed lines. The summer transition has happened. 5^th day was great catching many Northern Pike & Dennis got into some Big Smallmouth Bass Fly-Fishing a popper. All left thoroughly enjoying their stay.

Beauty Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Bill Radez

Returning Guest David Montovani, Indianapolis, IN brought 1^st time Guests Bill & Walker Radez, & Joey Droter, from Carmel, IN, Bloomfield, CO & Chicago, IL for their 1^st experience Fishing at Fireside Lodge. 1^st day they tore it up catching 80 Northern Pike plus Bill caught a 17.5 and a Trophy 19” Smallmouth Bass. 2^nd day was slower catching some fish but they were spoiled from their 1^st days results. 3^rd day was good with Bill having the best day on both Northern Pike & Smallmouth Bass. 4^th & final half day was good weather & good fishing. All left expressing what a great time was had by all.

Beauty Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Bill Radez

Catching BIG Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Todd Busdiecker

Long time guests father & Son Wayne & Todd Busdiecker from Centerville & Waynesville, OH returned for their 9^th time ready to fish. DOA they got right to it catching 16 Northern Pike & a Smallmouth Bass. 1^st day was terrific Northern Pike fishing as they caught 50-60 Northern Pike. 2^nd day was also a very good day catching a bunch of Pike 28-35” plus Todd landed a beauty 38” Muskie. 3^rd & final day the Northern Pike just kept coming catching another 40-45 fish making it a great finish and they hope to see us again next year.


Muskie Fishing at with Family at Fireside Lodge by Phil Spahr

Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing by Stephen Spahr

The Spahr family Father / Grandfather Phil, Sons Tim & Brad & Grandsons Stephen & Christopher from Fairborn, OH & Marborogh, MA returned for their 18th consecutive year. Fish were caught right on the DOA & 1^st day started with Stephen catching a BIG 33” Pike & Phil landing a 35” Muskie.

Muskie Fishing Holding Dad's Muskie by Tim Spahr

Big Smallmouth are a Blast by Christopher Spahr

Tim also had a Muskie on until it jumped & threw his lure & they caught 28 Northern Pike 10 SB plus had 6 Muskie hooked landing 3 nice fish, Phil catching his 2nd. 2^nd day Phil did it again landing 2 more Muskie on a Mepps & his favorite Beatle Spin. 3^rd day was unreal as they caught 81 Northern Pike & 6 Smallmouth Bass before suppertime.


Bigger Northern Pike Are Great Fishing by Brad Spahr

BIG Northern Pike Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Stephen Spahr

4^th day was a complete wash having heavy rain all day with strong winds but they worked on an old fashion puzzle keeping them busy all day. Brad did manage to get out with Tim losing a big tiger Muskie & catching a 34 incher. 5^th & 6^th days were more focused on Muskie with both Stephen & Christopher catching one plus Brad had a big 36-inch Northern Pike. All left having a wonderful family fishing vacation making priceless memories together.

First Tiger Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Lisa Vincent

Spotted Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge fishing by Ron Vincent

Consecutive year guests for 17 years, Ron & Lisa Vincent from Sherrills Ford, NC were thrilled to be back. DOA & 1^st day these two caught over 60 Northern Pike, 3 Smallmouth 17.75-18.5-inches plus Ron lost a 40-inch plus Northern Pike. 2^nd day they caught LOTS of Pike & Smallmouth & both caught a Muskie; Lisa with a Tiger & Ron caught a 36-inch Spotted Muskie. 3^rd day they caught 27 Pike 6 Smallmouth Bass 17-18-inches plus each caught a Tiger Muskie 30–35-inches. 4^th day despite being a stormy rainy day they caught 15 Northern Pike & had a Moose sighting on the lake. 5^th day they were on fire catching over 75 Northern Pike plus caught 3 Trophy Smallmouth between 18-18.5-inches. 6^th day was a day off for Lisa & Ron alone caught 26 Pike a 19.5-inch Trophy Smallmouth & had 2 huge Muskie follows.

Super Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Ron

7^th & final day they caught 25 Pike, 15 SB plus Ron, while fighting a Smallmouth Bass, a BIG Muskie came up ate his Bass and got hooked. The fight was on but with Ron only having 6lb test & no leader the odds were with the Muskie, which ended up breaking off during a netting attempt. Both left having another wonderful trip & hope to return in 2017.

Great BIG Northern Pike Fishing at Fireside Lodge

Brothers Johnny & Leo Cauzo plus Leo’s son Gianluca from Pointe Claire & Montreal, Quebec returned for their 2^nd time. 1^st day they had fun catching 20 Northern Pike. 2^nd day was another good day Pike fishing catching 32 total. 3^rd & final day was fabulous catching a mix of Northern Pike & Smallmouth Bass, and had shore lunch by Twin Falls. All had great family fishing making memories to last a lifetime.

Tiger Muskie are HUGE Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Ted

Ted Payseur & Jan Anderson from West Des Moines, IA were here for

Father & Son Fishing Memories Trophy Smallmouth by John Sr and John

there 2^nd year in a row bringing with them 1^st year fishers, John Sr and John Nelson, & Allen Scheef from Racine, WI. 1^st day this group had great

Tiger Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge by John

Northern Pike fishing with Ted & Jan catching 45-50 & John Sr, John & Al saying they caught about the same. 2^nd day was slower still catching some fish. 3^rd was a rainy windy day but all had good success, mostly on Pike, & at suppertime Jan & Ted were searching out my tackle shop to find the lure that was working. John Sr, John, Al had a very good day also catching a lot of Northern Pike 28 to 35”. 4^th was another good day Pike fishing. 5^th they finished strong catching many toothy critters Ted catching a very heavy 38-inch Tiger Muskie, John with a 37-inch Northern Pike & Al had a 39-inch just missing the Mater Anglers Award for the Northern Pike category. All left having w wonderful stay & before departing Jan & Ted discussed dates for 2017.

Trophy Northern Pike Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Allen

The Gillam Family Bill, Claudia, Blair, & Charlotte from Elwood, IN &

Having Fun Fishing for Northern Pike by Blair

Chantilly, VA. Returned for their 3^rd time. 1^st day all caught some fish and enjoyed the wilderness fishing we have at Fireside Lodge. 2^nd day was almost a complete wash out with heavy rain & wind but they really caught up on their sleep. 3^rd day the skies cleared & sunshine was welcome bringing a change in the fishing as they had some good action with Blair

Barred Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing at Fireside Lodge

catching his biggest Northern Pike. Charlotte also had an accomplishment finishing the book she was reading. Audrey always says fishing means different things to different people. After Blair & Charlotte departed Bill & Claudia stayed one more day enjoying some great weather while catching Northern Pike. They also experienced a very large, over 40 inch, fish follow their boat for over 20 minutes staying very near the boat and at times was so close to the surface it’s fins would come above the waters surface. This made a great finish to a wonderful family trip.

Tiger Muskie Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Dave Hamilton

Returning were 16 year guests Al Sins, Asheville, NC Dave & Pam

Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing by Pam Hamilton at Fireside Lodge

Hamilton, Raleigh, NC & Charlie Dotson also form Ashville for his 1^st experience. 1^st day all caught fish and had some Muskie follows. 2^nd day the weather prevented them from fishing much

Trophy Smallmouth Bass are Common Fishing at Fireside Lodge

as we had 1.13 inches of rain with high winds. 3^rd day was great fishing with each person catching over 20 Northern Pike plus Dave caught a Trophy Smallmouth Bass. 4^th day Al & Charlie caught some 30” Northern pike & had 10 Muskie follows but no takers. The biggest catching was had by Mr Eagle as all saw a Bald Eagle swoop down to grab a fish, but the fish was too big to go air born with it so the eagle swam with the fish in it’s talons & dragged it up on shore. What an amazing sight to see. 5^th day Al & Charlie caught some nice Pike had Muskie follows and Al caught 2 Muskie while Dave & Pam also caught some nice Pike but saw as quoted by Dave “The Chamber of Commerce Fish” which was a HUGE Muskie. Pam also caught a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth Bass.

Trophy Northern Pike Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Dave Echert

Lots of BIG Northern Pike Fishing at Fireside Lodge by Lois Echert

Dave Echert from Haubstadt, IN returned for his 2^nd year in a row

Steve Weber Fishing Trophy Smallmouth Bass at Fireside Lodge

with his wife Lois & brother-in-law Steve Weber. 1^st day was great as they caught over 25 Northern Pike up to 31-inches. 2nd day the action was great hooking 50+ Northern Pike landing close to 30. 3^rd day was windy with heavy rain & a little tougher catching 15+ Northern Pike Steve landing a few in the mid 30” range. 4^th day they had good Northern Pike fishing. Deciding to stay an extra day paid off as they caught a lot of bigger Northern Pike & Smallmouth Bass with Dave landing a 19.5-inch Smallmouth & a 39” Northern Pike. After catching 2 fish on 2 casts Steve was about to throw Dave in the water had he caught a 3^rd consecutive fish. All left have a great time & hope to return.

Fireside Lodge Trophy Smallmouth Bass are HUGE Fishing by Dave

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Hot Lures: Yo-Zuri Stick Bait, Mepps Musky Killer, Pop-R, X-Rap