William and his son Peter were with me this morning on another unbelievable day of weather. Flat calm water and bluebird skies along with high temps for the third straight day! Although the morning air was a little chilly we knew that it would change pretty quickly. Peter, at only 7 was an amazing fisherman and hoped to tangle with a sturgeon today. As they were only doing a half day, I wasted no time in getting set up. Well it didn’t take long before we were into the first fish and William took the rod to battle his largest fish of his life. I wasn’t sure what we were dealing with as it never jumped showing its size. In just under 10 minutes he was able to bring the fish to net and was shocked to see just how large it actually was. He had a hard time holding it for the pics but finally got a good grip on his catch allowing me to snap a few shots. I wanted Peter to fight one but it had to be the right size or he would have to receive help from one of us. Not long after releasing the first fish, I noticed a bite on one of the rods and seconds later was hooked up. I handed the rod to his son and told William to reel in the other lines. I had noticed movement on the middle rod when I locked into this fish and as luck would have it, William grabbed that rod and we had a double. I really don’t like two at once and knew it was going to be chaos. As Peter seemed to be doing well, I decided to clear the other rod at the exact moment that the little guy’s fish went airborne. It was a monster compared to him and seconds later William’s also took to the air. They were almost clones and I definitely had my hands full. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do and just concentrated on Peter’s fish with him. William was seeming to be doing alright but I still needed to get these fish into the boat, sometime! I’ve never come across a situation like this before and was just happy that the two fish never really crossed lines during the fight. After what seemed like an eternity, or 10 minutes, I saw Peter’s fish and was able to get it in the net. At that exact time, William also had his up to the surface and I decided to try and take the second one as well. It wasn’t easy but we managed and now I had two big sturgeon laying in the giant net. Father & son had doubled up and fought fish almost equal in size, only to land them at the same time. There was plenty of laughter and talk as I unhooked their catches. I think we were all amazed at the fish but what we were overlooking was the fact that a 7 year old had just fought and landed something almost equal to his own body weight. I was caught up in the moment but took the time to congratulate this little champ on his amazing accomplishment. He had done it completely on his own and during a time of major chaos! Although the battle was over, the hard part was about to begin, starting with me getting them into the boat. I heaved them over the rail and somehow managed to not hook any of the mesh, on anything along the way. Part one was over but now  I had to figure out how to get the pics done. There was no way Peter would be able to hold his fish so I decided that a floor shot would have to suffice. William picked his up and the little guy remained below holding the sturgeon’s tail. I quickly shot multiple pics from different angles before releasing them both back to where they belonged. It was going to take a while to calm down after this. Laughter was all around as everyone talked about this insane feat of accomplishment. Not wanting to waste any more time, I reset the lines and hoped for another fish. We were lucky enough to hook up about 20 minutes later and Peter was ready for this fish. It was a perfect size for him after what he had just gone through. In about 5 minutes time he brought it to net and now had 2 sturgeon under his belt. I knew that if I propped it in his hands he would be able to hold it and did just that. We were quick to shoot the pictures for fear of the fish kicking and injuring one of the other. I tossed it right back after and thought we’d try one more time seeing as these fish were biting good this morning. As luck would have it, we did manage to hook up on one more but after a couple of minutes, the hook popped out. I gave them the option to switch up for bass and walleye and they gladly jumped on the offer. We packed up and headed to cast for a different fish! The lake was like a mirror and the heat was becoming almost unbearable so I knew what I had to do. I gave a quick demonstration and hooked up immediately on a walleye. They went to work on catching their own and Peter picked up two walleye pretty quick. His father was having a difficult time but I refined his technique and he too was now hooking into fish of his own. In the last hour or so we managed to land a bunch of good bass & walleye before ending the morning trip. They had wanted to bring a couple of walleye home for dinner, so I livewelled two for them to eat.  It had been a great morning, filled with all kinds of exciting things and both William & his son Peter were fully satisfied with the outcome. We were done for the day and apparently just in time too as the lake was getting a little too busy to stay out. I was really glad it was a half day and pulled out, zig zagging around all kinds of people blocking both the parking lot and ramp. « Weekend Warriors » will be done after today and I can’t wait to get back out tomorrow with practically no traffic on the water. A great half day of fishing was had by everyone today and hats off to Peter who impressed us all!!

Another morning and another « No Show »! Waiting with the boat in the water for someone that never even made it to Montreal drives me crazy. Several texts later I find out he’s still back home, wherever that was and isn’t coming. Claimed someone left me a voice message about a week before telling me he wouldn’t be able to make it. Must have left it with someone else! I never got it! I wasn’t about to waste the day regardless of how pissed off I was and headed out regardless searching for new walleye areas. I also called Christiane and she would be coming to join me shortly too. I did find some really good fish and after about 5 overs, got the call to pick her up at the dock. We headed right back to where I had been fishing and I continued hooking into fish. Christiane was having a difficult time detecting the bites but with a little coaching, she was soon hooking fish. Along with the walleye were many big smallies with most of them tournament caliber. We stayed until about 1:00 and after several limits of walleye were landed, we headed back. I had kept enough for us to take home for dinner. Too bad too because today’s client wanted to take a limit home with him. Definitely his loss! We were on our way back and having fish for dinner! A disappointing but productive & relaxing day on the lake!!

Eric and his son, Nathan as well as his father in law Bill were with me today looking for some sturgeon.  The conditions were perfect to be able to hook them up! We had no problem with the anchor holding with barely a ripple on the water and were set up quickly. With three lines in we waited anxiously for a bite. The first fish of the day felt rather small so I passed the rod to Nathan. At only 11 years old I wasn’t sure if he would be able to land a sturgeon and I knew this was something else. In the end, he managed to bring a nice smallmouth aboard and although a little disappointed, still happy to have landed the bass. We resumed our fishing after several photos and Bill was the next one to get the rod. He was locked up on a definite sturgeon this time and it was a screamer. It peeled off so much line that I wondered if he would be able to get it back. It turned out to be a long battle and after about ten minutes of fighting this thing, we were able to bring it to net. I told him it was a good starter fish and wanted bigger! We were immediately back at it after some pics and although it was a while longer before the next bite, it was well worth the wait. I reared back on one of the rods and thought it was a catfish by the way it was acting, I handed the rod to Nathan once again. Although it felt big, I was sure he could handle this one and instructed him on what to do. Well, a couple of minutes into the fight we got the surprise of our lives when while pumping the fish up, it torpedoed out of the water. Not only wasn’t it a cat, but it was a good sturgeon too! This little guy was about to land the largest fish of his life. He fought the sturgeon like a champ and I think it was mostly adrenaline taking over that allowed him to do it. It wasn’t really a long battle, but it was still close to 10 minutes and definitely long enough for someone this young. He was thrilled and exhausted when I finally netted his fish and glad the fight was finally over. I would have loved for him to be able to hold this thing alone for the pics, but there was no way he was going to be able to lift it. This fish was about half his body weight, so his dad gave him a hand as we shot multiple pictures. Back it went right after and back we went as well. I know the little guy will be talking about his fish for quite some time and bragging rights will keep it in the conversation with his family too. We resumed fishing and I really wanted Eric to battle one of these monsters next. By now we were really late in the morning and there was a lot of boat traffic all over the water. This caused us to switch from the rod holders to holding them instead. Everyone knew what to do and out of nowhere, Bill started reeling and was locked up! I cleared everything out of his way and he generously offered the rod to his son in law to fight. Eric now had a chance at battling his first sturgeon and felt the power they delivered. The fight was quite spectacular and so was the first jump. I always love it when they take to the air as it gives you a good idea of just how big they really are. This one was large! All I know is that the fight lasted about ten minutes and when it was over, Eric felt it in his arms. Mostly the rod holding arm of course as this is what takes most of the beating. It was a great fish and worthy of many pics before being returned to fight another day. The afternoon saw us bouncing around a lot both from the traffic waves and relocating to new spots. Almost each time we moved, we got bit pretty quickly. If we didn’t have to constantly re bait the hooks due to the goby minnows, I’m sure we would have caught many more fish! We had a couple of disappointments while Eric was battling big fish when the hooks pulled out and left him with an empty line. Bill managed to get into another one and although smaller than the usual ones, it was lean and mean. In fact, this fish fought harder and longer than any of the others we had throughout the day. Nathan got to fight and land what I thought might have been a catfish but turned out to be an Eel. I hate snakes so we did a boat side release with just a water shot. After a few more moves, I got a good bite immediately after the lines were in and reared back on a big fish. I told Nathan it was a small one and handed him the rod once again. This time he had practice and fought it even better than his first one earlier in the day. Everyone was in awe as his sturgeon took to the air and proceeded to scream line from the reel. He hung on for dear life and muscled the fish in only to have it take everything back out from him again. This fight would have been tough for an adult and this little guy was putting on a clinic! He may have been hurting all over but he wasn’t going to give up! He was bound and determined to land this fish by himself. When I was finally able to net it he practically dropped from exhaustion. Saying he was glad the battle was over was the understatement of the day! Not only had he battled a giant, but this fish weighed almost as much as he did. His father took most of the weight for the pictures but the prize was definitely all his! He now had what may have been the largest sturgeon of the day and something to brag about at school and amongst his family too. We regained our composure, reset the lines and tried for one more bite before we had to leave. As luck would have it, Eric did get bit but it turned out to be a drum or sheep head and we called it a day. I don’t think any of them had anticipated how this day would go and were 100% satisfied at the outcome. We headed back and they relived all the memories that occurred throughout the day. They will be doing that for quite some time now as they have plenty of pics and video to show everyone they know. Great day with great people and one very happy kid! I hope to see all of them again, someday soon!!

Herm & his grandson were with me today, looking for at least one sturgeon bite for Hunter. He was hoping for a big one and so were we as both of us wanted to see him battle a beast. The weather looked good except for the NE winds blowing opposite the current. We had big rollers as we neared the location and although doable, it wouldn’t be easy. We soon found out that the rod holders wouldn’t be of any help and had to hold them instead. There was just too much movement from the waves to detect any bites. A few false strikes were followed by a solid take on Hunter’s rod and he was locked up. I had instructed him on what to do and he did it perfectly. He now realized what I had been talking about when I said that these fish are strong but fought through the pain to eventually bring his prize to net. Not a real monster but definitely a good one nonetheless! It was also his first sturgeon and several pics were taken to show off later. Lines were reset and we were back at it once again when Herm received his first official bite. Seconds later he too was tight to a big one and it wasn’t coming in easy. When it jumped behind the boat, I realize how big it was and knew he was in for a long battle. She actually jumped three times during the fight and made countless runs taking plenty of line from the reel. It was all Herm could do just to hang on, but eventually he also brought the fish to net and was in awe at its size. This one would require the help of Hunter to bring it aboard and even at that, it was difficult. It was a two person job to hold it as well and they were glad to toss it back after the pics were done. We fished through the rest of the morning easier, when the wind calmed down and we were able to finally use the rod holders. There were 3 more good sturgeon and a nice channel cat caught by noon and we decided to end it for these fish in pursuit of some walleye. Hunter hadn’t caught a walleye before either and as luck would have it, he was the first to hook up. Although not one he could take home, it was a real nice picture fish! He also caught the second one and this time it made the cut and wound up in the livewell for them to take back later in the day. We made multiple drifts over fish but with limited success. With very little wind for movement and tons of floating weeds to contend with, it was tough. I switched locations a couple of times and although I was seeing them on the bottom, we weren’t getting bit. I knew I needed to make an adjustment and pulled out another rod to try something different. Within a few casts, I was hooked up and brought an over to the net. Several casts later, another fish came aboard and fell in the slot making it into the well. I immediately switched Herm up and he too got in the game with one over and another keeper. Next up was Hunter and a little while after he had a bent rod but was into a nice smallie instead. We managed to get into a pile more fish both overs and keepers in the remainder of the afternoon and they at least had one limit to take home. By 4:00 we were done and headed back to the ramp to take out. Herm really wanted Hunter to experience a sturgeon and possibly catch some fish to eat and today he managed to do just that. In fact, he got to battle several large ones and learned a few new techniques that should help him on his home waters. As they had a long drive, we parted ways quickly, satisfied from the day we just had. Who could ever imagine fighting that many big fish in one day? I know Hunter will be changing all his media pics very quickly, showing him as the « Great Hunter » from now on!!

Day two for Jim and Alyssa saw bluebird skies and flat calm waters. Perfect conditions to get that big early morning bite! We headed directly to the sturgeon area hoping to tangle with a couple more before noon. With no wind at all I would be able to move around if needed, increasing our chances for a hookup. Once I located what I needed and dropped anchor, it was only be a matter of time. I knew we would have action and anticipated great results. With the lines set we anxiously awaited the arrival of our first bite and it was a surprise. A nibbler turned out to be a darn perch and I didn’t even pass them the rod. Bait thieves are all over the bottom down there but usually they are goby minnows and not perch. I re rigged the rod and we waited once again. The next time we were bit however, it felt like the real thing. Alyssa was up first and was now tight to what seemed to be a smaller sturgeon by the weight. The fight was tough but didn’t last long and she had the fish to the boat quickly. I was thrilled and surprised to see that it was actually a channel cat and it was big. It had been a couple of months since anyone brought one of these things aboard and I was excited to see this one. Apparently so was Alyssa as he had never caught one before! Once aboard, I boga gripped it and gave it to her for some pics. It was heavy alright as she struggled to lift the cat several times for pictures. We released it back afterwards and resumed the task a t hand. I really wanted to get them into a giant and hoped the next bite would be the one. Our first area went dead and I decided to search around looking for a better concentration of fish to anchor on. Eventually I found what looked good and dropped the lines in hopes of a bite. Several drive byes later, we got bit and I locked the fish up. Jim was getting this one and I knew it was the right one! He fought it for almost five minutes before we saw the size he was dealing with. One leap had jaws dropping! This was going to be a long battle and I was glad Jim was on the other end of the rod. I saw what he was capable of yesterday when he fought his first sturgeon perfectly. There were times when he had to do the sturgeon shuffle around the motor as the fish couldn’t make up his mind where to go. Another jump later it was screaming off line again, like it had just been hooked up! This thing just didn’t want to give up! It sounded to the bottom and he pumped it back up a few more times and then it jumped again. This time however, it was less than a foot from us and déjà vu was back! The damn thing nearly hit the side of the boat! Several times afterwards we caught a glimpse of the fish in the water and it was definitely large. I’m sure the battle lasted around fifteen minutes before I got it in the net. I don’t think either of them could believe the size of this thing, laying there. The fight may have been over but the hard part was just about to begin. We now had to hoist it aboard for some pics and this definitely wouldn’t be easy. I required the help of Jim to lift the net over the side and onto the tarp. This fish was heavy and pissed! It was all Jim could do to hold the tail and not get whacked! He decided right then and there that holding it was out. We would be doing the floor shot once again! His daughter gave him a couple of hands but this fish was so powerful that she could barely do anything to help restrain the monster. Once we were done, I had to lift the front end to release the fish and it was then that I realized the actual weight. Definitely one of the biggest this year! With difficulty, we somehow managed to roll it out of the boat and she was on her way back to the bottom where she began. Jin and Alyssa both agreed unanimously, we were done! We were going to fish for something smaller now with the remaining time we had left. They had to be back at the hotel for check out shortly after noon and we were pressed for time. I packed everything up and headed to a drop shot an area looking for smallies and walleye. With practically no wind and current, the boat was barely moving. Apparently neither were the fish either, as I was marking them but they weren’t eating anything. Jim locked up on a quality smallie but when it went to the air, it also jumped the hook. Time was ticking and I decided to head shallower and try trolling certain areas looking for a few more bites. We did have a couple but one ended in a bite off and the other was a smallie that jumped ant threw the lure as well. We decided to end it before noon and called the day. Despite difficult conditions for the bass & walleye, they were absolutely perfect for the sturgeon. I’m sure that if we had of remained anchored up there would have been others coming aboard. It’s quite understandable however not to want more when you deal with something that large! In the two days,  Jim & Alyssa  had caught some really great fish. Pretty large ones too! They would be heading back home with great memories of their Canadian fishing trip along with excellent videos and pictures as well. Hopefully I will see them again next year when they plan their father & daughter outing once again!!