Fishing reports are written weekly throughout the open fishing season based on Fireside Lodge guests reports of their daily fishing experiences while fishing at Fireside Lodge
Except for having one heavy Thunderstorm the weather most of
the week was very nice having cool nights and mornings with very pleasant days.
Water temperatures are still staying cool for this time of year and weed growth
is very slight. Water levels are really good and in fact high to the point we
need to be careful of some floating logs when travelling down the lake.
Returning for their 7th consecutive year was the
family of Don & Audrey Holesinger from Fulton, IL & son Matt from
Roscoe, IL. They were here to target Smallmouth Bass and boy did they ever.
First day before supper they caught well over 40, and then caught 20 more after
supper. They caught a lot of Smallies 15 to 17.5�?� and Don caught two trophies
both measuring 19, and they even managed to play cards after fishing. Second
day was more about quality than quantity, catching 24 Smallmouth Bass with all
being 17�?�plus Audrey catching three 18�?� trophies, and Matt caught a MONSTER
trophy Smallmouth Bass measuring 22-inches. Third day they went out and caught
over 60 Smallmouth Bass between 14 to 17.5�?�. The Smallies kept them so busy
they did not even get to their nightly card game. Fifth and final day had them
almost toping their record day from past years as they caught 111 Smallmouth
Bass before supper with most being 15 to 17.5�?�, and Don caught another 18�?�
trophy. They were so worn out they did not even think of fishing after supper,
as they always do, and could not even get up enough energy to paly cards. All
had a FABULOUS time, and made another set of wonderful family memories. Thanks
for choosing Fireside Lodge for spending your special family time together.
Long time guests since 1993 Jack & Dorie Hires from
Valparasio, IN were here for their first of two trips with us in 2013. This
couple seems to make new friends every time they visit Fireside Lodge as they
are very good conversationalists along with being engaging with others. Dorie
became famous for her fishing feat last August as she caught two trophy
Northern Pike 42 & 42.5-inches on consecutive days with help from her
husband & guide Jack. This visit they caught some nice Pike &
Smallmouth Bass, and to Jack�??s surprise he caught 5 very sizable Lake Trout
while fishing in less than 15ft of water.That along with the Smallmouth Bass still in their pre-spawn stage tells
us everything about the water temps. Jack & Dorie left in tears saying
goodbye to the special people they met and are looking very forward to their
return visit this August.
After reading my fishing reports for many years Steve Person
& Bill Birkby from Columbia, MO were here to test our waters at Fireside
Lodge. DOA brought Steve 2 nice Smallmouth Bass several Northern Pike plus a
surprise large 27�?� Lake Trout. 1st full day they learned the waters
while catching a few Pike, and by days end got unto a good number of Smallmouth
Bass. Next day was special as Steve caught his first ever Musky and then his
second Musky both measuring 35-inches. They continued to catch fish
consistently throughout the week really getting onto Smallmouth Bass on the
top-water bite several times. Their last day ended that way with them having GREAT
top-water Smallmouth Bass action in the morning and after supper with a lull in
mid-afternoon. These two not only enjoyed the fishing but, met and enjoyed
conversation with other guests, Steve being a birder and having great interest
in Butterflies enjoyed identifying different species and actually found three
types of butterflies he had never seen before. For those of you interested in
seeing one of the Butterflies we have a picture posted on our Facebook page.
Both had a very enjoyable time on their annual fishing trip, and we are glad
they choose Fireside Lodge.
Long time guests Walt LaCasse & John Hietala from Minnetonka
& Northfield, MN Dick Oksnanen & Jim Jones from Mabank & McKinney,
TX & Ron Ditillo from Pittsburgh, PA returned for their traditional fishing
trip with us at Fireside Lodge.
Experience does count as there first day fishing Walt, Dick,
& Jim caught over 40 Northern Pike with Ron & John catching a lot of
Smallmouth long with some Northern Pike. 2nd day they had a lot of
action on Northern Pike and Walt came up with a surprise Big 30�?� Lake Trout.
Their 3rd day was more of the same except Dick caught another 30�?�
Lake Trout. 4th & final day Dick and John went searching for
Trophy Northern Pike & Muskie while Walt & Jim intent was just to catch
fish and did they ever. These two landed over 100 Northern Pike and caught some
Smallmouth Bass including Jim catching a GIANT 19.5�?? Trophy Smallmouth. All
left having a Great time and hope to return in next year.
Guest Since 1999 Dan Mosier & Son Nathan from Lincoln,
NE arrived ready to make another set of memories fishing at Fireside Lodge. 1st
day these two got right to it catching a bunch of Northern Pike &
Smallmouth Bass & Nathan landed an 18.5�?� Master Anglers Award Smallmouth
Bass. 2nd and 3rd days they caught well over 20 Smallmouth
Bass along with some Northern Pike and a lot of the Smallmouth fell in the 16
to 17.5�?� range. It was exciting fishing as most were caught on top-water
poppers. When this happens you miss as many as you catch but the missed fish
are just as exciting as the ones you catch. 4th day was hard for anyone to
comprehend as these two caught 195 fishing total, 193 Northern Pike and 2 Big
Smallmouth Bass with Dan catching a Master Anglers Award Trophy measuring 18�?�.
WOW, what a GREAT day fishing & catching. Both were so exhausted at days
end they went right to bed with Dan saying the next day he had Pike elbow from
handling so many Northern Pike. 5th and final day was another
terrific days fishing and in just 5.5 hours of fishing these two caught 11
Smallmouth Bass all 17 to 18�?�, with Dan catching another Trophy over 18�?�, and
51 Northern Pike. Both left having made another set of father & son
memoires at Fireside Lodge and reserved their dates for 2014.
Make sure to go to our website listed below to see some GREAT
Fish Photos. For Fabulous Fishing Video, Wildlife Events, and Current
Happenings go to our Social Sites Below.
Hot
Lures: Blue Fox Spinner, Pop-R, Chug Bug, Baby Torpedo, Spinner Bait, Live
Leeches, Gulp Alive, Floating Rapala, X-Rap, Various Plastic Baits
Catches
of The Week: 22�?� Smallmouth Bass plus 2-19.5�?�, 3-19�?�, 2-18.5�?�, 4-18�?�, Lake
Trout 2 at 30�?� several 27-30�?�,Steve
above catching his 1st Muskie & 1st Tiger Musky ever in the same
day both 35�?�
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
