Jamie & Pete were with me this morning for some deep water smallmouth action. I met them just after 7:30 and we headed out to the abyss in search of big brownies. After an instruction of proper presentation, they dropped down to where I hoped the fish would be. It had been about a week since I had fished here and after a quick exploration, several decent bass had been caught. Would they still be here today? Pete was in the front of the boat and Jamie in the back, but the front scored first. Although not really big, it was what we were looking for and they couldn’t believe that bass actually lived in these depths. No need for a pic, just a quick release insured the survival as it dashed straight back down. Shortly after, Pete was into another around the same size and things were starting to look up. Although it did take a little more finesse to refine their technique, they eventually caught on and were both in the game. On our first drift through the area, there were plenty of chances and about half the fish were hooked up. We even had a double with a couple of good ones coming aboard. I was covering water looking for little irregularities in the bottom to locate the larger fish in the area and it was working. Whenever I came across a depth change, someone had a shot. As the morning got on, it became obvious that we were going to get fried. Air temps had began in the upper 60’s but were heading towards the mid 80’s and fast. There was absolutely no wind and not a cloud in the sky for almost the entire day. Later in the afternoon a few clouds came in and it was a welcomed arrival for all. For a brief period, it was almost bearable, but also short lived. Eventually they disappeared and we were back in the heat wave once more. Although there were long stretches of nothing, they did manage to catch a pile of fish with a never before used technique. This was more important than filling the boat and knowledge that they would take back to their local waters to try. By 5:00, we had all had enough and after Pete landed a couple more bass from deep water, we called it a day. They now had a better understanding of where to look and what to do in the summertime. Instead of just fishing the shallows with plastics, they would be able to explore many other places on waters closer to home. I’m sure their long drive back was filled with plenty of talk about today and plans for their next outing, soon to come. I can’t wait to find out what happens when they use this technique again. I’m sure the information gained from today’s fishing will aid them for many years to come!!

Bram, Neil & Jamie were with me this morning after a rescheduling from the day before. The winds were just too big and from the wrong direction to get out on the lake we wanted, so we postponed the outing. Today was a little better but the ramp had 2 footers blowing in on it due to the east winds and it was a little tricky launching & keeping the boat dry. Once we were away from the shore, the ride was a whole lot better and everyone was ready for the hunt for big fish. We started out trolling for a few hours in search of the elusive musky and that’s exactly what it was, elusive! I likely marked several, but they just wouldn’t take our offerings and we changed up in hopes of a different species. Next on the list were the sturgeon and although skeptical, they agreed to giving them a try. I set up where I marked plenty of large fish and anchored the boat in this horrible wind direction. In fact, instead of having the rods all pointing out the back, I had them all out one side. With the east winds and the SW current, it was twisting me around making it more complicated than usual. We fished the area for about 45 minutes, all the while having a hard time with boat control. I believe that we may have had a few bites but with the boat rocking and bouncing it was almost impossible to detect. I eventually changed up locations and not long after, Jamie was into the first fish. He had never fought anything this big and with a little coaching was able to bring it boat side, after a lengthy battle. Once in the net, everyone was in awe with the overall mass. At over 50 inches, I estimated it to be in the 35 pound range and Jamie posed for a few pics. Once we were done, it was returned to the water and immediately bolted to the depths. All three of them had never seen anything the likes of this before and they all wanted more. Back in the lines went and a little while later Jamie had another one on, but it was short lived. He wasn’t able to keep it pinned and it was off as fast as it was on. We set up once again and the next rod to get hit was Neil and he was locked! Unfortunately mishap occurred when the other two crossed his line while trying to clear theirs. A little slack while I was untangling them and this fish was also gone. Disappointed, they regrouped and were back in the water again. It must have been about 15 minutes, when Bram finally hooked one of his own and it was game on! Now he was going to have to land this one for bragging rights! By the way it was fighting it was considerably larger than the one Jamie had landed earlier. This battle lasted a long time before we were to get a look at her and she was big. In fact she looked like "Medusa" when she came to the surface as there were a few lampreys attached to her back. I think Bram was relieved to see her on top, figuring that the battle was over. Apparently it wasn’t as she sounded once more and kept him in pain for a little longer. I know he was hurting by the way he was double fisting the rod and just laughed! Eventually she did come back to the surface and I was able to get the net under her. It took a couple of attempts as she wouldn’t curl when in the net and 62 inches straight just doesn’t fit. This fish was over 5 feet long and Bram was unable to hold her alone for the pics. The three of them decided to handle this beast making everything go much easier. We released her immediately after and she disappeared back down to the abyss. Although we did attempt to hook up Neil afterwards, it wasn’t going to happen today. Along with the two big sturgeon, they landed a nice walleye and several other smallies later. By 5:00, they were all ready to call it and we headed back to take out. This day may have been a little difficult by weather standards, but we stuck it out and made the best of it. I know this family will remember today for a long time with the dinosaurs they battled and have sore muscles to remind them as well. Targeting big fish isn’t for everyone but the rewards are definitely worth it. Today was a perfect example of patience and perseverance!!

I hit the water this morning with Stephane & his girlfriend under picture perfect conditions. The last time out we had a boat load, but today we had enough room to carry all kinds of gear. I was loaded for bear and started with the musky rods in an area that had given them up before. We trolled several passes and unfortunately came up with just a couple of pike for our efforts. I thought we’d change locations and do a few more runs seeing as how we were already set up but the results were the same. Plan B was to try for the dinosaurs that had been coming aboard lately and we set up residence in the depths & waited. It felt like watching paint dry as we sat there in anticipation of our first bite. Fortunately the top was up and under these scorching hot conditions, it was a welcomed treat! After what seemed like eternity and only a few missed bites, I decided to pull the plug here and try for smallies instead. Off we went into the shallows and it was here that we started finally catching. Both of them fought bass but the largest seemed to be only in the three pound range, with the exception of the two small sturgeon that inhaled the deadline. I had dropped another rod in & baited it in hopes of a possible bite and was rewarded with two landed and one lost. Although the biggest only went about 15 pounds, Stephane realized that this was what he wanted and asked to go back where the real big ones lived. He was willing to play the waiting game again and it was on! For some reason, the fish were just mouthing the baits today and every time we lifted up on them, they were gone. We had about three shots at them before we were finally into a solid hookup. Stephane got his wish and was battling the beast that he had wanted. This time the fish stayed deep and never came up making the fight last even longer than usual. After a while I was beginning to wonder if he might have locked up with another monster but eventually saw that it was just an average one. Today I had gotten smarter and brought a net to land these things, making my life much easier. When I finally got a chance, I took it and Stephane had his first official sturgeon over 30 pounds. We wasted no time taking several pics and he released the fish unharmed, back to the lake afterwards. These things are so strong that it seems like they could fight forever and swim off like they were never even hooked. I was really glad that we were at least rewarded one for all our efforts. We had spent the bulk of the day searching for only big fish and devoted most of our time without any luck until very late in the afternoon. Time to end on a high note and we readied for the run back. I was glad he had decided to go back and try again because just one makes it all worthwhile. The ride was a little bumpy despite the windless day and took even longer than usual. I think everyone who owned a boat was out and it actually felt like being in a washing machine! We took our time and just went with the flow and reminisced about the one that didn’t get away. Great day for fishing!!

Mike & Cory were finally with me today after several attempts at hooking up this season. Work always tends to get in the way! Unfortunately we were going to get wet and once I launched the boat, we wasted no time getting away from the rain upon us. I was able to escape the worst of it, or so I thought, when I stopped on our first spot. With rain all around us we were fortunate to be in a small pocket where we could get set up. Once the lines were in however, we did get crushed and it wasn’t from the fish. It poured for about 20 minutes but they were at least fishing. I was marking all kinds of fish on the bottom but only an occasional one was taking their offerings. There was a lot of moss floating through the water column and every time they reeled in, it was on their lines. Although they did manage to catch a few bass and even had a double, I wanted to relocate. When the rain finally stopped we made our way back to the ramp to check on Mike’s sun roof. He was pretty sure he had closed it but needed confirmation. It was and we went to a couple of areas nearby, trying our luck at drop shotting once again. Limited success had us not staying long when I saw the same thing all over. Plenty of fish marking but not many takers! I tried several places with similar results after these and they just picked at the fish in each one. Mostly bass were being caught with a few perch and an occasional pike but I still wasn’t satisfied. I decided to see if the sturgeon would cooperate a little better and went to check them out. For well over an hour and a half we tried for them but unfortunately it wasn’t happening there either. I was marking plenty but they just weren’t active as Cory was the only one to have a shot and he missed the take. Mike was more interested in bass fishing, so we decided to devote the remainder of the day targeting them. Soft plastics in the shallows for one and a small crank for the other had both locked up almost immediately. I wasn’t sure if the fish would still be here with all the overcast & waves but received a quick confirmation with their double. This move proved to be the right one and they had better success here for close to two hours. I continued searching different sections around with success in every one. Mike was definitely enjoying the raw strength of these bass in the shallows! Late in the afternoon when the sun finally came out I gave them the option of trolling for walleye, or trying for the dinosaurs once again. We would give the beasts 15 minutes and move on if it wasn’t happening! As luck would have it though, it only took 10 before both of them simultaneously were locked up. Cory’s decided to take to the air and made a spectacular leap in front of us before throwing the hook. I wasn’t too disappointed as Mike was tight to his. This battle lasted quite a while before I tailed the fish and brought it aboard for a few pics. Quickly released, they wanted more and we set the lines in hopes of Cory getting his. Mike wouldn’t have been able to reel in another one after the last battle, so they decided Cory would be up if someone got into one. Guess what, Mike nailed another and it was game on! I don’t think Cory really expected what was going to happen next but he fought the goliath beast like a champ. The battle was lengthy and once we got a glimpse of the fish we knew why. I really need to start bringing a net! He actually brought the fish to the boat five times without being able to have it landed. Each time I tried to grab it, she sounded right back to the bottom and the battle continued. In the end, we had to figure something out as I knew this method wasn’t going to work and Cory was getting exhausted. I finally decided to try one of the nets just to get the head in and grab the other end so as not to allow her to sound again. Well it worked and with everyone’s help, we managed to bring her aboard. To say Cory was a little excited would have been an understatement. He was relieved! As she lay on the floor of the boat they stood there in awe at its sheer mass. I had to put a tape on her and was actually surprised to find out it went over 64 inches. All I know is that she was as fat as she was long and they both had a hard time holding it up for the pics. I shot several quick ones and had them torpedo her back as quickly as possible. The battle had been a long one and I knew she was tired too, but as soon as she hit the water, she bolted away like nothing had even happened. There was no way we were resetting the lines again so we just packed up and headed back. This was the nicest it had been all day with sunshine and very little wind, making the run back a relaxing one. It also gave Mike & Cory time to build up their strength again after battling the creatures from the deep. I don’t think either of them will forget this day anytime soon and they have pics to prove it. I may have to mix these fish into my regular fishing from time to time when conditions allow. Provided of course that the clients can handle all the pain that comes with the battle and today’s crew know that first hand! I guess that’s what they mean when they say, "The Fat Lady has Sung"!

Valerie & Max joined me this morning for a regular start of 7:30, under picture perfect conditions. It began with a cool morning air as we headed to our first spot of the day. Drop shotting deep rocks produced several bass & walleye before we shifted due to someone thinking he could just troll all around us again. He saw us net a couple of fish and moved in just like everyone usually does. People are unbelievable! I immediately pulled out and headed elsewhere. We hit another spot for smallmouth and I had Valerie tossing blades with Max cranking the shallows. After a couple of decent bass I was amazed to see Max hook into a walleye in only 3 feet of water. It’s definitely been a strange year! I resumed the fishing and unfortunately Max was the only one catching. Valerie had a few hits and a couple of follows but wasn’t able to close the deal. Time to change locations again! This time I made a long run in hopes of finding more fish shallow so they could cast soft plastics. It proved to be the right move as there were quite a few aggressive fish cruising around eager to eat. We hung here for a couple of hours with plenty of action before I had to leave to meet someone on the water. As they were pretty far away I thought a middle point would be best but arrived before. I decided to have both drop down while waiting and almost immediately Max was into a three pounder. No need to waste time when there’s fish to be caught! After the meet, I thought we would try back where we were previously but changed my mind along the way. I had run over an area that held big fish and gave them the option. They agreed and we began trying for the dinosaurs that lived down deep. Valerie & Max both hooked up at almost the same time but unfortunately Max’s fish came unpinned. It was a good thing though as she was into a giant! it was so big that she had to pass the rod to Max for a while so she could rest her arms. She resumed a little while later and was able to bring the fish close enough for me to grab. I didn’t have a net big enough to land this beast and was forced to do the two glove thing. I even had a hard time bringing it aboard and was happy to see the battle over. Just taking pics was difficult and after several good shots I returned her, apparently no worse for wear! We went right back to it and Valerie hooked up once again. This time the battle was shorter and she landed the fish somewhat quicker, with very little help. More pics and back in they went once again, when Valerie hooked up one more time. This time however, Max got the rod right away. She wasn’t ready for another battle and he was happy to accept it. When we finally caught a glimpse of the fish, I realized that it was even bigger than her first one. Several times it went to the depths but each time he managed to bring the goliath back. Unfortunately a little too much pressure had the hook pull out and back down she went. A little disappointed that it got off but not too much! These things are almost impossible to get aboard without a net and I wasn’t upset. They had their fill of the sturgeon so we headed back to something a little tamer. Smallies in the shallows and less of a fight! The remainder of the afternoon saw plenty of action from both of them and I was able to rest my back too! By the time it was all done, they had battled with loads of fish and landed lots of pounds doing it. This was their first time out with me but I don’t think it will be their last. I fully expect them back in the fall when the smallies are at their biggest and feeding before the freeze. I don’t think either of them could ever have imagined a day of fishing like this. The fish gods were definitely shining on them today!!