Day two started a little better than the first as we were at least not being rained on today. Conditions were similar in all other respects with overcast skies and a wind from the SW blowing light. Water temps were slightly lower than the previous day but barely as we began our first drift. In only 15 minutes, three walleye along with a handful of smallies were boated and the day had just begun! This surely had the makings of a great one! We were able to feel the bottom pretty good and by dragging tubes we were getting a great start before the winds would blow. Pretty much all morning they were catching fish and mostly by jigs until Herm began throwing his new favorite lure. Once he let loose, it was all over! He got hammered by plenty of smallies but most of them weren’t staying pinned. Although he did manage to land several good ones, the better ones seemed to be getting off before the net. Back to dragging tubes and both were tight lined immediately! Winds had picked up considerably and the drifts were moving along quickly as we kept getting smaller fish in the 2 to 3 pound range. Another move was in order if they were to hit larger fish and I decided to make a long run to the next “Big Fish Spot”. Herm had a take quickly upon arrival and somehow never really got the jig buried as the fish came at him quickly. Another unpinned fish and I was sure it was a big one too! They weren’t eating too good and I could see by the number missed strikes that it was going to be difficult. Craig soon proved me wrong when he set into a giant and it immediately took to the air. All jaws dropped as we saw its massive frame and I instantly thought this could be the one. It tried everything to escape but soon came to the net, bloated like another fall pig. Unfortunately, it didn’t have the length needed to surpass the 6 pound mark but the girth placed her over 5.5 pounds when weighed. The long run had proved successful but that’s all she wrote. If you’re only going to get one fish I guess that’s the one to get! Back we went to the original area where we spent the remainder of the day hitting more fish. Although most were around 3 pounds, there were several over 4 and another one just above 5 pounds that Herm blasted on of course, the spinnerbait! We finished the day with both rods blazing the blades and fish were coming every dozen or so casts. Although they didn’t get that elusive 6 pounder, the quality of the bass was well worth coming out. Maybe the next outing will yield the “Holy Grail” that they come for each fall. If not though, all the smaller 3 to 5 pounders will have to be what they settle for. It’s tough but I think they can handle it!!

Craig was back once more with Herm, still looking for that elusive 6 pound smallie. They would be with me for two days this time and it looked like they brought the crappy weather once again. Rain and strong winds were what we would be in store for and just maybe a little cloud if we were lucky. Air temps never went above 45 degrees and the water temps were somewhere around 52.5 degrees in the mist and rain as we set out in search of Moby. They were both throwing jigs at the start and caught several decent fish up to almost 4 pounds before the strong winds really picked up. This time however, they were from the SW and at least we had that going for us! Drifting & dragging tubes in 20 plus feet of water helped as we caught a bunch of bass and even a couple of bonus walleye. Although there wasn’t really any of the giants I was use to, they were still picking at them as 3.5 pound clones were the norm. Eventually, I was forced to give Herm the spinnerbait rod and let him loose! After his last outing, he was glad to have it back in his hands once again. It didn’t take him long before he was tight to another smallie and actually smiling again. Several fish later he tangled with a bruiser, but we’ll never know just how big it was as it came unpinned before the boat. By the looks of her though, she was definitely a high five and maybe closer to 6! He redeemed himself a short while later by landing a 5.25 pound beauty and all was forgotten. Craig was also having his share of fish while throwing a spinnerbait but couldn’t better the 4 pound mark. Later in the afternoon though, he did manage another fish over 5 pounds and lose one real giant that I did get a close look at, alongside the boat. This one also hit a blade and bolted like a northern. By the width of her back and the length, I was pretty sure that this one was over six pounds. We’ll never know but we will have a good story of the one that got away! In the last hour of the day they had pounded a bunch of quality fish in the shallows despite the dark, gloomy mist that was falling. Another great day with loads of rain and wind but at least they caught plenty of great fish. What will tomorrow bring?

Darren, Mark & Dave joined me once again today for their annual fishing challenge. Competition was high as they all had a side bet for the best bass of the day. The weather was a little on the cool side but the sunshine made it feel a little warmer as we began fishing. Although the air temps were to reach into the low 50’s it wasn’t close at 38 when we arrived at our first location. Water temps were also cooling and were now holding just over 51 degrees in the high, murky water. Darren started out the feud as a chunky 3 pounder came aboard and all the others could do was look on in awe. Eventually after a couple more from Darren, the others started with several of their own and everybody was on the board. I found the fish to be a little on the small side and eventually made a move from this area in hopes of bigger & better. With the water really off color and the wind blowing NW it wasn’t getting any better the further we ventured downstream. Eventually I decided to try areas that held big fish in the past and one of them was holding! Mark managed to hit one that went over 4 pounds and Darren was officially bumped! Although they were all getting into smallies, the overall size wasn’t the greatest. We did have several in the 3.5 pound range and a couple over 4 but most were below 3 pounds and really lethargic. By mid afternoon the drift & drag became something that everyone could handle when the wind layed up enough for me to angle the boat properly. All were into many rocks and some fish but Mark took top honors with another big smallie over 4 pounds and an exotic species award for the walleye. Several drifts and plenty of fish later they decided to call it a day with Mark taking the win for this outing. I’m actually surprised that they haven’t had a trophy made yet so that one of them could gloat for the entire year. Probably next time they get together they will and I’ll have to be their referee! All in all a pretty good outing with lots of laughs, many doubles and even a couple of triple headers to remember from today’s competition! Can’t wait for next year!!

Mike was with me today but this time his son Ryan wasn’t with him. Instead, he brought along his daughter Chloe for the first time. I was looking forward to having her experience what Ryan had on his first trip and was sure she would have a great time. The weather was definitely better than the previous day without the rainfall but we still had plenty of wind. In fact it was blowing from the NW and although the intensity was less it was still terrible for a drift. I had both throwing spinnerbaits right away due to the wind and Mike wasted no time boating several smaller ones up to 3 pounds. Chloe was not having as much luck but I was sure she too would soon experience the power of the smallie! Although it was a challenge in the morning wind, the fish were somewhat active and Mike was picking at them regularly. Finally it was Chloe’s turn and I could tell by her yell that she had a mean one on the end of her line. At 10 years old anything larger than a perch seems like a giant but the raw power of a smallmouth for a little girl is like reeling in a whale. She eventually managed to bring the fish to net and had her first ever 3 pound bronzeback. This was just the start for her as she managed to land a few more soon after, now that I had her casting with the wind from the back of the boat. One of them was probably the largest bass of the day at over 4 pounds and it really beat her up good. With all the hollering I could tell that she was having a blast! By mid afternoon, the wind had layed down some and I was finally able to drift & drag making their feel of the bottom much better. Until now, they were only able to cast blades but had pretty good action never the less. This time however, they were in contact with the bottom and there were fish down there by the hooks on the sonar. For the next couple of hours, there were multiple hookups and a mix of bass & walleye were coming aboard on each drift. Chloe was thrilled to have caught one of the walleye as they were bringing home two for dinner. Ryan had done the same thing several years ago and it was a big hit in their family too. By the time it was all over they both had landed plenty of bass and a couple of bonus fish that I’m sure would have the dinner table talking about with each mouthful taken. I think Mike’s going to have a tough time fishing again without Chloe tagging along as she had more fun today than her video fishing game. Good luck Mike!!

Craig was back today but this time he brought his son in law Derek along for the ride. They had planned on fishing with me for the day and hitting Lake Champlain the following two days, from his boat for smallies. Derek had caught bass before but not the caliber he was about to see! His personal best was soon to be bumped several times over as a four pounder is nothing to beat here. We started the day in a light mist and then the fun began. It rained all day long! Obviously Derek’s not his favorite son in law! Throw in a serious NW wind of 25 to 30 knots with stronger gusts and you’ve got the perfect storm for a first timer. Well I wasn’t going to let a little weather ruin the day so I took the punishment head on. I was forced to point the bow directly into the wind just so they could make a cast. We tried drifting along the current breaks but I soon realized that this wasn’t going to work. I eventually had Derek throwing a spinnerbait and Craig worked a tube. It was definitely difficult to feel a bite on the jig but he did manage a few decent ones. Derek also had a bunch of big fish hammer the blades and it wasn’t long before his personal best was almost five pounds. The winds were so intense that the rain was moving horizontally and actually going down my neck. There was nowhere to hide and I was committed to having Derek bust the five mark. Well, sometime in the afternoon after several over four, he finally hit one that topped out at 5.25 pounds and was thrilled. Not to be taken out completely, Craig also added another over 5 pounds and somehow the weather just didn’t matter anymore. Big bass were eating and they were getting theirs! This lasted the entire day and as we were losing light towards 5 o’clock we called it a day. Fog was moving in and we didn’t want to stick it out any longer than we had to. Safety first and it was time to leave. We gathered the livewelled bass and shot a few quick pics before releasing all back to the water. Although Derek’s hands felt like an 80 year olds and crippled while holding the fish, he was thrilled. If he could stick it out through all this misery, he can endure pretty much anything. To make matters worse, his rain gear didn’t repel water all that great and back at the truck realized why he wasn’t dry. I guess the adrenaline got the best of his body and catching bigger & better became his mandate for the day. The drive back home was a welcomed blessing with the heat blasting and a quick stop at the closest Tim Horton’s for a hot coffee. I think he’ll be back after the day he had and with any luck, his personal best will get beat once again. Mother Nature is back!!