Christopher Columbus created a 3 day weekend for us, so Ron and Kathy invited us to Galena. Primo viewing time for the fall colors. We couldn't wait for Saturday, so we drove up Friday night, arriving at 11 pm. Saturday morning, Kathy and Pat prepared a delicious egg and bacon breakfast, and sent Ron and me off in the boat, while they visited a craft show.
View our photos and video clips at:
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z2/donndavidson/Galena%20October%2011%202008/
We happily began fishing., but time goes by way too fast. No catches for me, but Ron caught about 7 fish, including a nice perch and a nice crappie that went into the live well. I had one giant bite that chopped off the line. (this seems to happen to me a lot. I think I need to spool line that is stronger than 6lb. test). I did catch a Christmas Tree, and hauled it up, but it was not a keeper, so I returned it to the depths. Our wives joined us for a nice lunch on the boat, and we fished until dark. After a delicious dinner of home made chicken lasagna (Ron's recipe), and Marinara (Kathy's recipe), we went out for a night cruise, and that was fantastic!
Sunday morning, our wives were sleeping in, so Ron and I went out on the boat. Finally, I caught a large mouth bass. Ron started catching also, about 10 fish in all, no keepers. Our wives joined us again on the boat with sandwiches and refreshments. Pat caught her first Sunfish of the day, using a mini-mite plastic worm!
Ron gave me a Cicada Walleye lure to try out, so I dropped it on the bottom and drifted it, as I cast with my other rod. Suddenly, the drift rod slammed to the bottom of the boat, so I grabbed it. Ron asked if I was snagged (again), but no, this felt alive! I stood up and started pulling the rod up, and reeling. The line was stripping off, so I set the drag tight. Whatever I had was BIG! I had to walk from the back of the boat around to the port side of the boat, clearing my line over Ron's lines. Big commotion behind me. Pat getting the camera ready, Ron grabbing the net, saying "Oh Yes!". I'm pulling up and reeling, afraid the line will break - 6lb test. Finally, the fish surfaces, and it's a big one! Ron gets him in the net, and he is big! 21", big, fat Largemouth! After the photo's, I gently put him back, tail first, and off he went. This was my biggest fish ever!
Wow!
We went in at sunset, and had a wonderful dinner in town. Later on, we had an amazing bonfire, guitar music on my new Takamine, and roasted marshmellows. Life is good!
Monday morning, Ron and I got up at 6:15 am, and headed out early - still dark out. The ladies joined us at 10:00 with a brunch basket. Pat caught another Sunfish. I caught 2 more small Largemouths, and Ron caught one. Around 1pm, Pat and I had to start packing up, so we headed back to their house, concluding yet another great weekend with the McKays!
All in all, Ron and I clocked about 23 hours of boat time! What Fun!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Lake Gogebic - Sept. 2008
Finally, the fall "man trip" to Lake Gogebic arrives! Thursday, Sept 25 was consumed by the drive up. Friday, the 26th, and Saturday, the 27th, were fishing days. Sunday, the 28th was the long drive home. (Jack, Bob and I travelled in luxury in a rented, new, Lincoln Town Car!)
View our photo journal at:
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z2/donndavidson/Lake%20Gogebic%20Sept%202008/
Our group was made up of the usual suspects - Herb, Mike Northy, Bob, Jack and me. We also invited our avid fishermen Uncles - Uncle Ronnie, and Uncle Mike!
Three boats were invloved. The Uncles rented a "luxury" 16 footer. Jack, Bob and I rented a "tin can". Herb and Mike were in the only boat to catch a lot of fish, Herb's amazing "tri-hull".
Thursday evening activities involved getting the Uncles boat rental straightened out, and greeting Herb and Mike Northy. as they came in from the lake, followed by a delicious dinner at the lodge.
Friday, 9/26! Let's go fishin'! Weather was great, lake was choppy. I teamed up with the Uncles, and Bob and Jack got the tin can. Not much happening in the Uncles boat, until I got a big tug, and the line went stripping off like crazy. Couldn't be a snag, 'cause it was running. I yanked to set the hook, but the line snapped, and it was gone! Mike thought it was a Northern, biting thru the line. After couple of hours on the lake, it was a sandwich lunch at the lodge. Thanks to Pat for all the lunch food.
After lunch, Bob and I went out in the tin can. (We are two, wild and crazy guys!) Bob drove, and did a good job! No fish, though. Oh well, we had a good dinner at the lodge, and went to bed early. (Meanwhile, the economy was crashing and burning, according to the news).
Satuday, we got up early, and Jack and Bob and I went out in the tin can. Jack boated a walleye, but not a keeper.The weather went from hot and calm (too calm for drifting), to cold and stormy. The Uncles went out together, and caught 3 fish, one was a 26" Northern Pike! Around noon, the weather was really ominous, so we all came in for Pam's Delicious Chili!
I went out again in the afternoon with Herb and Mike Northy. Mike and I caught fish at the same time! His was a 15+ walleye, and mine was an 11" walleye. Mike and Herb were catching. Mike pulled up his rod, and my line was tangled with his, and there was a perch at the end of the tangle. It had taken the red hook, which was on my line, so Mike caught my fish with his rod! Thanks Mike! Later on, in a different tangle with Herb, up came a small mouth, also with my red hook in his mouth. Thanks Herb! This was my first small mouth, and it was nearly a keeper - 13 1/2".
When the day was done, we tallied up the fish count. Herb and Mike boated 89 fish, with 13 keepers. 7 for Herb, and 6 for Mike. I boated 3, with one keeper. The Uncles boated 3, no keepers. Jack boated 1, unfortunately not a keeper.
Thanks everyone for another memorable fishing trip to Lake Gogebic, and a special thanks to Uncle Ronnie, and Uncle Mikey! And another thanks for our wives for all the food that kept us going!
View our photo journal at:
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z2/donndavidson/Lake%20Gogebic%20Sept%202008/
Our group was made up of the usual suspects - Herb, Mike Northy, Bob, Jack and me. We also invited our avid fishermen Uncles - Uncle Ronnie, and Uncle Mike!
Three boats were invloved. The Uncles rented a "luxury" 16 footer. Jack, Bob and I rented a "tin can". Herb and Mike were in the only boat to catch a lot of fish, Herb's amazing "tri-hull".
Thursday evening activities involved getting the Uncles boat rental straightened out, and greeting Herb and Mike Northy. as they came in from the lake, followed by a delicious dinner at the lodge.
Friday, 9/26! Let's go fishin'! Weather was great, lake was choppy. I teamed up with the Uncles, and Bob and Jack got the tin can. Not much happening in the Uncles boat, until I got a big tug, and the line went stripping off like crazy. Couldn't be a snag, 'cause it was running. I yanked to set the hook, but the line snapped, and it was gone! Mike thought it was a Northern, biting thru the line. After couple of hours on the lake, it was a sandwich lunch at the lodge. Thanks to Pat for all the lunch food.
After lunch, Bob and I went out in the tin can. (We are two, wild and crazy guys!) Bob drove, and did a good job! No fish, though. Oh well, we had a good dinner at the lodge, and went to bed early. (Meanwhile, the economy was crashing and burning, according to the news).
Satuday, we got up early, and Jack and Bob and I went out in the tin can. Jack boated a walleye, but not a keeper.The weather went from hot and calm (too calm for drifting), to cold and stormy. The Uncles went out together, and caught 3 fish, one was a 26" Northern Pike! Around noon, the weather was really ominous, so we all came in for Pam's Delicious Chili!
I went out again in the afternoon with Herb and Mike Northy. Mike and I caught fish at the same time! His was a 15+ walleye, and mine was an 11" walleye. Mike and Herb were catching. Mike pulled up his rod, and my line was tangled with his, and there was a perch at the end of the tangle. It had taken the red hook, which was on my line, so Mike caught my fish with his rod! Thanks Mike! Later on, in a different tangle with Herb, up came a small mouth, also with my red hook in his mouth. Thanks Herb! This was my first small mouth, and it was nearly a keeper - 13 1/2".
When the day was done, we tallied up the fish count. Herb and Mike boated 89 fish, with 13 keepers. 7 for Herb, and 6 for Mike. I boated 3, with one keeper. The Uncles boated 3, no keepers. Jack boated 1, unfortunately not a keeper.
Thanks everyone for another memorable fishing trip to Lake Gogebic, and a special thanks to Uncle Ronnie, and Uncle Mikey! And another thanks for our wives for all the food that kept us going!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Galena - July 19-21, 2008
We are back at Ron and Kathy's home, in Galena Il, a long anticipated visit! Our wives graciously suggest that Ron and I go out fishing, while they spend the morning site-seeing! We're on the lake by 9:30, and Ron is already catching Large Mouth bass, 14 inchers! I started out with a couple of bass, and a sunfish. We are really looking for the "big" fish that have been biting lately.
The next morning, Sunday, is looking cloudy. The gals suggest that Ron and I head out, so we do, grabbing some libations, a bag of cherries, and a half of a sandwich. We started out at the dam, and Ron has success with his yellow frog lure, skipping it across the weeds. I set my Cabela's rod down for a minute, and sure enough, a bass has jumped on! We are catching 12-14 inchers, but not the big ones yet. The day passes quickly! My lunch is a beer and a cherry. Too busy fishing!
Ron called our wives and suggested an on-board picnic. What a great idea! They rustle up fried chicken, fruit, chips, and more libations! After the feast, Kathy suggested that I use some of the fried chicken leftovers as bait. I baited it, and on the first cast a fish took it but not the hook! I baited some more, cast, and another fish did the same thing! Apparently, they like chicken!
We headed back toward the dam, and suddenly, the bass started biting! They were coming up to the surface catching the water bugs. We could see ripples all around us, where they were surfacing. Too bad that the other boats had just given up and left a few minutes ago! Ron started catching 18 inch Large Mouth Bass.
He prophetically said "Donn, I hope you catch the fish of your life". (I hadn't caught any big bass yet). And then I did! I caught about an 18-19 inch bass. Pat was taking pictures of us. The action was fast and furious. We were netting each others catches. At last, I caught a 20-21 inch Bass, which indeed was the largest ever for me! Ron took out the tape and measured it.
A beautiful sunset, and we headed back to their home.
For breakfast on Monday, I made my newly discovered whole wheat blueberry pancakes. Ron and I went out one more time, and again, I caught a very nice 16 inch Large Mouth.
Ron was fishing by the shore line, in the weeds, when it looked like he snagged on something. It was solidly stuck, but it also felt like a fish on the end of the line. The line was tight, and he pulled and pulled, but what was it stuck on? He backed the boat up, and the line came free, with a fish on it! The clever fish was in the weeds, maybe under a log, when he took the bait. But Ron wins again!
At that point, I took my rods apart, and we headed in to start packing.
It's always difficult to leave Galena, and this time was no exception. Thanks again to Ron and Kathy for a memorable weekend!
View our photos!
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z2/donndavidson/Galena%20July%2019%202008/
We have sandwiches on board, and a beverage or two, so we're set for the day. I catch about 10 fish total, and Ron catches many, many. It's his tecnique of slow retrieve, with a twitch here and there!
Suddenly, it's dinner time (where did the day go?), so we head back for a BBQ dinner of salmon (for me), and steak (for everyone else). After dinner, we all go out on the boat for late afternoon, and twilight fishing. We're catching fish, but lightning starts high in the clouds, so we hurry back to the dock. A lovely evening!The next morning, Sunday, is looking cloudy. The gals suggest that Ron and I head out, so we do, grabbing some libations, a bag of cherries, and a half of a sandwich. We started out at the dam, and Ron has success with his yellow frog lure, skipping it across the weeds. I set my Cabela's rod down for a minute, and sure enough, a bass has jumped on! We are catching 12-14 inchers, but not the big ones yet. The day passes quickly! My lunch is a beer and a cherry. Too busy fishing!
Ron called our wives and suggested an on-board picnic. What a great idea! They rustle up fried chicken, fruit, chips, and more libations! After the feast, Kathy suggested that I use some of the fried chicken leftovers as bait. I baited it, and on the first cast a fish took it but not the hook! I baited some more, cast, and another fish did the same thing! Apparently, they like chicken!
We headed back toward the dam, and suddenly, the bass started biting! They were coming up to the surface catching the water bugs. We could see ripples all around us, where they were surfacing. Too bad that the other boats had just given up and left a few minutes ago! Ron started catching 18 inch Large Mouth Bass.
He prophetically said "Donn, I hope you catch the fish of your life". (I hadn't caught any big bass yet). And then I did! I caught about an 18-19 inch bass. Pat was taking pictures of us. The action was fast and furious. We were netting each others catches. At last, I caught a 20-21 inch Bass, which indeed was the largest ever for me! Ron took out the tape and measured it.
A beautiful sunset, and we headed back to their home.
For breakfast on Monday, I made my newly discovered whole wheat blueberry pancakes. Ron and I went out one more time, and again, I caught a very nice 16 inch Large Mouth.
Ron was fishing by the shore line, in the weeds, when it looked like he snagged on something. It was solidly stuck, but it also felt like a fish on the end of the line. The line was tight, and he pulled and pulled, but what was it stuck on? He backed the boat up, and the line came free, with a fish on it! The clever fish was in the weeds, maybe under a log, when he took the bait. But Ron wins again!
At that point, I took my rods apart, and we headed in to start packing.
It's always difficult to leave Galena, and this time was no exception. Thanks again to Ron and Kathy for a memorable weekend!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee, June 2008
June 19 finds us at Pam and Dave's lovely home on Old Hickory Lake, in Nashville, Tn.
Friday night finds us in downtown Nashville, at Demo's Spaghetti House, followed by a walk along the main streets of downtown. Lots of great music going on, inside, and outside. We saw a Blues guitar player on a street corner bottle neckin' like crazy. (how do they do that?)
Saturday morning, Victoria catches more fish. Chuck, Lisa, and Cami arrive for a visit. We gave Cami a little pink fishing rod, like Victoria's, and we went fishing. Cami is 3 years old. She drops the line, and needed help pulling it up - because there's a fish hooked on it! A nice large mouth!
Cami said, "I want to catch another one!". Oops, she's also hooked! (so my work is done here - I got my two great-nieces hooked on fishing!). When Cami was asked later how big her fish was, she spread her arms as wide apart as she could, and said, in true fisher-woman style ,"This Big!".
Sunday, we were fishing off the dock. It's David's turn to catch fish. He caught two Whiting fish (from Whiting, IN?). From his neighbor's party deck, he caught a Large Mouth Bass, and a Blue Gill. Nice! We spent the day relaxing and fishing, while Pam had to work a double.Sunday night, and we're all trying to catch something. We had some night-crawlers, and Pat had a lot of worm-eating bites, but no catches!
Monday, and it's time to leave. I went to the lake for a few last casts, and on my last cast, I finally caught a nice sized Large Mouth Bass! I quit while I was ahead!
The fish count was:
Victoria - 6 fish
Cami - 1 fish
David - 4 fish
Donn - 3 fish
"SummerTime, and the living is easy...the fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high.." (my favorite version of this classic is by Janis Joplin). The fish are literally jumping out of the water. I suppose they are jumping for the water bugs, but it is an amazing sight to see. There are plops and splashes in every place that you are not fishing in.
Check out pictures and video clips at:
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z2/donndavidson/Pam%20and%20Dave%20June%202008/
Also visiting are Tuk, Brian, and 7 year-old Victoria. First time fishing for her! We brought her a pink Disney Spincast outfit, and Grandpa David showed her how to cast. First, she caught him on his pants. Next she threw the rod into the lake. Finally, she got the hang of it and caught a nice Blue Gill.
After that, she said "I want to catch another fish!" She was hooked! She caught a big striper, that broke the line when we pulled it up, followed by another Blue Gill, and then another striper!
I caught a striper, and a Blue Gill, but mostly I was busy pulling fish off of Victoria's line. After about an hour, she's way beyond the little Princess rod, and is ready for the Ugly Stik that I brought along!
Thursday evening, we had grilled salmon, with a Jack Daniel's sauce, skillfully prepared by Chef David. Delicious!
On Friday, we went for a ride in the new pontoon boat, a real beauty! Rods in the water, we're trying to catch fish. My Cabela's rod tumbled into the lake, probably yanked in by a rebel fish. Gone for good.
After we got back to the house, we were all out fishing again, with Victoria doing the catching.Friday night finds us in downtown Nashville, at Demo's Spaghetti House, followed by a walk along the main streets of downtown. Lots of great music going on, inside, and outside. We saw a Blues guitar player on a street corner bottle neckin' like crazy. (how do they do that?)
Saturday morning, Victoria catches more fish. Chuck, Lisa, and Cami arrive for a visit. We gave Cami a little pink fishing rod, like Victoria's, and we went fishing. Cami is 3 years old. She drops the line, and needed help pulling it up - because there's a fish hooked on it! A nice large mouth!
Cami said, "I want to catch another one!". Oops, she's also hooked! (so my work is done here - I got my two great-nieces hooked on fishing!). When Cami was asked later how big her fish was, she spread her arms as wide apart as she could, and said, in true fisher-woman style ,"This Big!".
Sunday, we were fishing off the dock. It's David's turn to catch fish. He caught two Whiting fish (from Whiting, IN?). From his neighbor's party deck, he caught a Large Mouth Bass, and a Blue Gill. Nice! We spent the day relaxing and fishing, while Pam had to work a double.Sunday night, and we're all trying to catch something. We had some night-crawlers, and Pat had a lot of worm-eating bites, but no catches!
Monday, and it's time to leave. I went to the lake for a few last casts, and on my last cast, I finally caught a nice sized Large Mouth Bass! I quit while I was ahead!
The fish count was:
Victoria - 6 fish
Cami - 1 fish
David - 4 fish
Donn - 3 fish
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Lake Gogebic - Spring 2008
Lake Gogebic - May 30, 2008. Jack invited me to come up to the Spring trip!
Pictures and movie clips are at:
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z2/donndavidson/Lake%20Gogebic%20May%202008/
It's 480 miles from home, 8-9 hours, but well worth the drive. Jack, Brian and I drove up in the SER Friday, listening to the greatest Cubs comeback in a very long time! We arrived around 8:30 or so, and unloaded our stuff. Saturday arrived early, with Jack tapping me on the foot at 5am, rarin' to go! We rigged my two rods, and walked around enjoying the morning. After Ben brought back eggs, we prepared a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, potatoes, and toast.
Sam arrived, and immediately went shore fishing at the "point", and landed a nice walleye, but a throwback. I cast and caught and lost a nice something.
Soon we were involved in putting boats into the water, pulling boats out of the water (due to a missing plug), and greeting the rest of the guys as they arrived.
Busy, busy. I had a fine lunch consisting of a beer and a striped mint from the bar. I moved from the young-bucks cabin into the old-bucks cabin.
We wanted to go out in the boats, but there were whitecaps, and it was cold. Finally, Jack and the young-bucks went out in the tin can.
Zig and Tom said they were going out so I hitched a ride with them. Heavy coats, and rain suits were needed. Quick, get some lines in the water. I get a walleye on a minnow, but too small. Boat rocking like crazy, but great fun. I've got my rod rigged wrong. Long sinker line, short leader! But it worked anyway. After about an hour or so, the cold got to us, and we came in. We went to St. Rita's church in Presque Isle, and stopped in a wonderful roadside bait and tackle shop "UP North Sports N' Gifts." They normally closed at 5pm, but stayed open a little while longer for the "church crowd".
This store was amazing, with racks of every type of lure, hook, line, rod that anyone could want! We got some buckets of minnows, and some leeches for Sunday's bait supply. (I could have spent an hour in that store jsut looking at everything!)
Dinner was sandwiches, and then back to the bar for social hours...
Sunday came around, and we're up and ready to go. The day was beautiful! Sunny, and a North wind - perfect for drifting! Things move fast so we can get out. Eat Cereal, drink coffee, wash dishes, get rods ready. I had to re-rig my rods so that sinker line is short, leader line is long.
I hitch a ride this time with Kenny and BG, and we're on the water. Lines baited and dropped.
I get something! Pull it up. It's a clam! And it's a keeper! How the clam jumped on my hook, I'll never know. I bait with minnows and leeches(a first time for me!). I get 3 small walleyes, but throwbacks. After about 2 hours, we return to dock, and go for a delicious breakfast at the Fishtales (used to be the Fisherman) restaurant.
Afternoon suddenly appears, and we decide to go out again. This time it's Ken and me, and we go for a boat ride. We each catch walleyes, but again, no keepers. The weather is great, and we're happy to be on the lake. Jack and Vince came up to us so that we could drift along together and chat. Soon another boat, not of our group, came roarin' up, thinking we were catching fish! (Of course, we weren't). Later on Herb and the guys also pulled up next to us.
Ken optimistically got his stringer ready, but we didn't need it. I got a bite, and as I was reeling in, my reel came off the rod! (rookie mistake). Kenny leaped into action, grabbed it and untangled it, while I was holding the line with the fish on it! He re-attached it, and I reeled in a nice walleye, but still not a keeper. After a while we decided to head back, and as we pulled up out lines, there was a walleye hooked on my line! Still too small, but fun.
Back at the Lodge, Herb comes in with a giant walleye! 24 1/4", 4 lbs 10oz! It's amazing. He entered it into the local contest, and we're all hoping he wins!
We began preparing for the steak and chicken dinner, with Mike doing the cooking! Nice job, Mike! The food was delicious, the company was great, and the beer was cold. Since some of us were leaving the next day, Herb wisely began the accounting process of who owes whom for what. I don't know how he keeps track, but he does.
To end the evening, Herb, Mike and I head for the bar, much to the dismay of Julie, who wanted to go home early. Just as it looked like she would get her wish, the rest of the guys all appeared at the bar. We finally cleared out at midnight, after hearing many fine musical selections by Herb, the DJ for the evening. I would say that Maggie May, and Ina Gada Da Vida where the most played selections of the evening, along with the classic "Dog named Boo".
Jack, Brian and I headed home the next morning, rested and happy. Thanks again for the invite!
Pictures and movie clips are at:
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z2/donndavidson/Lake%20Gogebic%20May%202008/
It's 480 miles from home, 8-9 hours, but well worth the drive. Jack, Brian and I drove up in the SER Friday, listening to the greatest Cubs comeback in a very long time! We arrived around 8:30 or so, and unloaded our stuff. Saturday arrived early, with Jack tapping me on the foot at 5am, rarin' to go! We rigged my two rods, and walked around enjoying the morning. After Ben brought back eggs, we prepared a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, potatoes, and toast.
Sam arrived, and immediately went shore fishing at the "point", and landed a nice walleye, but a throwback. I cast and caught and lost a nice something.
Soon we were involved in putting boats into the water, pulling boats out of the water (due to a missing plug), and greeting the rest of the guys as they arrived.
Busy, busy. I had a fine lunch consisting of a beer and a striped mint from the bar. I moved from the young-bucks cabin into the old-bucks cabin.
We wanted to go out in the boats, but there were whitecaps, and it was cold. Finally, Jack and the young-bucks went out in the tin can.
Zig and Tom said they were going out so I hitched a ride with them. Heavy coats, and rain suits were needed. Quick, get some lines in the water. I get a walleye on a minnow, but too small. Boat rocking like crazy, but great fun. I've got my rod rigged wrong. Long sinker line, short leader! But it worked anyway. After about an hour or so, the cold got to us, and we came in. We went to St. Rita's church in Presque Isle, and stopped in a wonderful roadside bait and tackle shop "UP North Sports N' Gifts." They normally closed at 5pm, but stayed open a little while longer for the "church crowd".
This store was amazing, with racks of every type of lure, hook, line, rod that anyone could want! We got some buckets of minnows, and some leeches for Sunday's bait supply. (I could have spent an hour in that store jsut looking at everything!)
Dinner was sandwiches, and then back to the bar for social hours...
Sunday came around, and we're up and ready to go. The day was beautiful! Sunny, and a North wind - perfect for drifting! Things move fast so we can get out. Eat Cereal, drink coffee, wash dishes, get rods ready. I had to re-rig my rods so that sinker line is short, leader line is long.
I hitch a ride this time with Kenny and BG, and we're on the water. Lines baited and dropped.
I get something! Pull it up. It's a clam! And it's a keeper! How the clam jumped on my hook, I'll never know. I bait with minnows and leeches(a first time for me!). I get 3 small walleyes, but throwbacks. After about 2 hours, we return to dock, and go for a delicious breakfast at the Fishtales (used to be the Fisherman) restaurant.
Afternoon suddenly appears, and we decide to go out again. This time it's Ken and me, and we go for a boat ride. We each catch walleyes, but again, no keepers. The weather is great, and we're happy to be on the lake. Jack and Vince came up to us so that we could drift along together and chat. Soon another boat, not of our group, came roarin' up, thinking we were catching fish! (Of course, we weren't). Later on Herb and the guys also pulled up next to us.
Ken optimistically got his stringer ready, but we didn't need it. I got a bite, and as I was reeling in, my reel came off the rod! (rookie mistake). Kenny leaped into action, grabbed it and untangled it, while I was holding the line with the fish on it! He re-attached it, and I reeled in a nice walleye, but still not a keeper. After a while we decided to head back, and as we pulled up out lines, there was a walleye hooked on my line! Still too small, but fun.
Back at the Lodge, Herb comes in with a giant walleye! 24 1/4", 4 lbs 10oz! It's amazing. He entered it into the local contest, and we're all hoping he wins!
We began preparing for the steak and chicken dinner, with Mike doing the cooking! Nice job, Mike! The food was delicious, the company was great, and the beer was cold. Since some of us were leaving the next day, Herb wisely began the accounting process of who owes whom for what. I don't know how he keeps track, but he does.
To end the evening, Herb, Mike and I head for the bar, much to the dismay of Julie, who wanted to go home early. Just as it looked like she would get her wish, the rest of the guys all appeared at the bar. We finally cleared out at midnight, after hearing many fine musical selections by Herb, the DJ for the evening. I would say that Maggie May, and Ina Gada Da Vida where the most played selections of the evening, along with the classic "Dog named Boo".
Jack, Brian and I headed home the next morning, rested and happy. Thanks again for the invite!
Monday, May 19, 2008
May 10 - Crappie Fishing Lake Maynard
May 10th, 8th time fishing! 2pm. Went to Lake Maynard again, and was amazed to see little fish just going crazy in the water, boiling over onto the gravel shore! I learned that these were called shad. There were a couple of large-mouth bass that were also just watching the shad. I tried to drop my lure right on top, but they weren't at all interested. Finally, I moved slightly away from the roil, into deeper water, and was casting away. A mom, black dog, and her 6-year old daughter wandered over, and the little girl started asking a million questions. What are those fish doing? Can you catch one? Can you handle it if you do? Just then, I did catch a good sized Crappie! The hook came out easily (no barb) and the kid wanted to touch the fish. Her mom said go ahead, and she did! We gently returned the fish to the water. Now she wants her mom to take her fishing! Another convert! I caught two more Crappie, but the lake took two more of my lures, including my Wooly Bugger! Another good afternoon!
Friday, May 9, 2008
First Fish since last September
May 8, 2008. Sixth time fishing. Back to Maynard Lake, in Munster. I wanted to learn how to cast with my baitcasting outfit from Bass Pro Shop. Practiced all week, in the back yard. Constantly getting the dreaded birds-nest tangle. But I took my spinning reel outfit, so that if I gave up on the baitcast, I could still fish. Surprised to find 2 little groups of other anglers already at it. Temperature was around 50 degrees, and very windy. After several mishaps, like 4 horrible birds-nest tangles (which I untangled using my trusty toothpick), I finally made a few good casts. Then I picked up my tackle box, which I hadn't closed properly, and everything fell out on the deck. After picking up tiny lead weights, hooks, and lures, I moved to another spot. Here I hooked my thumb and finger while trying to tie a tiny knot in gale-force winds. The sun was going down, and I went back to my car for my cell phone. The last guy was leaving, and he said that they were catching fish in the cove by the north-west part of the lake. He said they had caught 4 fish, including a 16". So, I wandered over to this cove, and started fishing again. Around 7:45, I caught about a 12" Large Mouth! I was using my spinning reel, with a weedless minnow spoon on it. I had flattened out the barb on this lure because I was fishing catch-and-release. Suddenly, this fish hit it, and what a great feeling. Heart pounding, legs shaky, rod-bending, what-do-I-do-now feelings. I lugged him up, grabbed him on the lower lip, easily removed the lure, held him up sideways like they do on TV, and then gently lowered him tail down back into the lake! Whis is the first fish that I have caught by myself, with no one to ask for help! It was great!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Maynard Lake - Munster
April 30, 2008. Fifth time fishing in my life! We have a new park in Munster, with a nice little lake. I called that park department to find out if the lake is stocked, and it is! It is 5 minutes from our house, so I decided to go fishing! I got there about 7pm, temperature around 60. I decided to use my open spinning reel, on a Cabela's ultra-lite rod, with 6lb. test line. I picked out a silver spoon, and finally got it tied on. I could cast it pretty far, actually to the middle of this little lake. After a few casts, I thought I had a bite, but it was just snagged on something. I finally had to cut the line and lost the spoon. As the sun was beginning to set, a flock of geese began landing on the lake, with their wonderful honk-honk voices. I decided to try the brown plastic worm. I got some good casts, and I could see fish rising close to me to catch the bugs that were landing on the water!
I set the rod down, and was rumaging thru my tackle box looking for a diferent lure, when the rod jerked and starting sliding into the water! A Bite! I grabbed it and tried to jerk it, but the fish let go! At least I know there are fish in this lake. The sun went down, and the scene was beautiful, with the honking geese, and me casting away. Finally, my line came of in a big tangle, so I had to give up for the evening. A great way to spend a couple of happy hours!
I set the rod down, and was rumaging thru my tackle box looking for a diferent lure, when the rod jerked and starting sliding into the water! A Bite! I grabbed it and tried to jerk it, but the fish let go! At least I know there are fish in this lake. The sun went down, and the scene was beautiful, with the honking geese, and me casting away. Finally, my line came of in a big tangle, so I had to give up for the evening. A great way to spend a couple of happy hours!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Ice Fishing 2008
Jan. 20, 2008. We are at Ron and Kathy's home in Galena, and Ron and I are going Ice Fishing! Unbelievably cold out! Saturday morning, the temp showed -18 degrees! We decided to venture outside and test the lake to see if it was frozen. It seemed weird stepping off the pier onto the lake, where before I'd step into Ron's pontoon boat. Hanging on to the posts, I carefully walked further out, and to my horror, Ron started jumping up and down on the hard water!
Apparently, the lake was frozen, but so were we, so we sensibly (does this word really apply to ice fishing?) headed back to Ron's to warm up. We would go fishing tomorrow, Sunday!
Sunday dawned at only -10 degrees, and as the sun came up it warmed up to 6 degrees (above!)
Tackle, auger, fish finder, mittens, buckets, seat cushions, ice scooper, libations, a can of corn (for bait), hugs from the wives, off we went, headed for adventure.
We stepped off the pier, and strolled out to the middle of the lake (actually, Ron strolled - I crept along listening intently for any cracking sounds).
The hard water held, and soon we were using the hand auger to drill a hole in the lake. It's hard to do - takes a lot of downward pressure, while turning the handle. Hole drilled. Corn can opened, corn on the hook, we lower our line from our special ice-fishing rods.
No luck - let's drill another in a different spot. So we did, and again lowered our lines. Things started breaking. Ron's transition glasses seemed to freeze to black. His camera froze closed. The little plastic ice fishing rod broke. We're getting the idea that it's just too cold! The hole keeps freezing up, so we scoop out the ice. The lines are freezing up with a chain of ice, as we bring them up. We take some pictures using Pat's camera, and decide, sensibly (again that word!) to head back to a nice warm fireplace and then dinner.
So we did, and that was that!
Apparently, the lake was frozen, but so were we, so we sensibly (does this word really apply to ice fishing?) headed back to Ron's to warm up. We would go fishing tomorrow, Sunday!
Sunday dawned at only -10 degrees, and as the sun came up it warmed up to 6 degrees (above!)
Tackle, auger, fish finder, mittens, buckets, seat cushions, ice scooper, libations, a can of corn (for bait), hugs from the wives, off we went, headed for adventure.
We stepped off the pier, and strolled out to the middle of the lake (actually, Ron strolled - I crept along listening intently for any cracking sounds).
The hard water held, and soon we were using the hand auger to drill a hole in the lake. It's hard to do - takes a lot of downward pressure, while turning the handle. Hole drilled. Corn can opened, corn on the hook, we lower our line from our special ice-fishing rods.
No luck - let's drill another in a different spot. So we did, and again lowered our lines. Things started breaking. Ron's transition glasses seemed to freeze to black. His camera froze closed. The little plastic ice fishing rod broke. We're getting the idea that it's just too cold! The hole keeps freezing up, so we scoop out the ice. The lines are freezing up with a chain of ice, as we bring them up. We take some pictures using Pat's camera, and decide, sensibly (again that word!) to head back to a nice warm fireplace and then dinner.
So we did, and that was that!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Lake Gogebic Man Trip 2007
Man’s Trip Sept. 27-30, 2007. My son Jack invited me and his new father-in-law Bob on a fishing trip to Lake Gogebic, Michigan. Since it is about an 8 hour trip up and back from Indiana, Thursday and Sunday were travel days. Friday and Saturday were for fishing, if lake conditions permitted.
I was armed with a newly purchased tackle box and Bass Pro Shop 6ft, 6 inch Micro-Lite rod combined with a “Pflueger 1806” spin casting reel. The McKays had helped me purchase this rod and populate the tackle box 2 weeks earlier, so I was ready and rarin’ to go!
Bob drove, with Jack in the back, and me riding shotgun. Herb had come up the day before and was already catching fish!
We finally arrived around 7pm, just in time for dinner in the Lodge’s dining hall. We met all Jack's and Herb’s friends, and had a pleasant evening.
We went to bed early, eagerly anticipating the fishing day.
Saturday at last. Cold already. About 45 degrees. Jack rigged up all the rods. The plan is to drift fish, so the rig is tricky. Main line drops to bottom. Another line in the middle, with a live worm. The drift of the boat moves the bait along. Our job is to watch the tip of our rods for a twitch.
Herb has been coming to Lake Gogebic for 30 years or so. Jack has been coming along for 10-12 years. It was a real honor to be invited on this fall "Man" trip. Herb is the consumate angler. He is attentive, always aware of the water and what it is telling him. He was considerate of us "newbies", and was always there to help. I learned a lot just by watching him. He was "at one" with the lake.
Herb’s boat is a tri-hull, and is a perfect fishing boat. We drew cards to select our positions in the boat. Four guys, six rods. Two rods are shared by the guys at the ends of the boat. When a shared rod gets a bite, then the next guy gets the next bite.
Breakfast over, we head out on the lake! First spot, little action, but Herb gets the fist fish of the day, and delivers the first-fish kiss!
Second spot on the lake. My rod jiggles. I ask Jack (sitting next to me) – was that a hit? He said wait, maybe, hold on..YES..hold on, YANK it to set the hook!
Excitement is on – rod is bending, I’m pulling too hard – Jack says drop the tip of the rod lower, the fish is running – he reaches over and cranks up the drag. I keep reeling in, guys are moving, Jack takes the net from somewhere, misses the first time, gets the fish next time! It’s big! Walleye – 21” – a keeper! Herb ("the surgeon") deftly removes the hook, and puts it on the stringer.
Everyone’s yelling and excited! What a feeling!
We settle down, and set our rods. Bob gets a hit! Now Jack is netting Bob’s catch. I get a video of the catch! It’s a 13” perch, and also a keeper! Jack is yelling something like the “the father-in-law's are off their shney" which must be "yooper" for Bob and I catching our first keepers and are now official Lake Gogebic fishermen.
We hit a dry spell, so we head back for lunch and a nap. Since Bob and I are the newbies, Bob prepares the lunch (pork and chicken BBQ) and I have clean-up duties.
Down for a nap, and I post pictures for the wives at home to see.
In the afternoon, we venture out again, and catch some smaller walleye and perch. Herb catches a keeper perch and I help with the net. At one point, I have a catch on my rod, and my shared rod! Bob gets a Monster hit, but it breaks off – we didn’t even see it, but it was large!
We closed the day, and headed for another dinner at the Lodge.
Saturday looks good early, but when we start to head out, the waves are very choppy, too choppy for fishing. We spent a great day in the lodge watching College football games and laughing a lot.
Bob and I went for a ride around the lake, and had a mission to buy some candles for Jack’s wife. We found them in a crusty ol’ bar, and we were looked at askance, to say the least, by folks at the bar!
We escaped with our lives intact, but not our dignity!
We sadly let on Sunday for the 8 hour trip back to reality, but bringing back great memories!
I was armed with a newly purchased tackle box and Bass Pro Shop 6ft, 6 inch Micro-Lite rod combined with a “Pflueger 1806” spin casting reel. The McKays had helped me purchase this rod and populate the tackle box 2 weeks earlier, so I was ready and rarin’ to go!
Bob drove, with Jack in the back, and me riding shotgun. Herb had come up the day before and was already catching fish!
We finally arrived around 7pm, just in time for dinner in the Lodge’s dining hall. We met all Jack's and Herb’s friends, and had a pleasant evening.
We went to bed early, eagerly anticipating the fishing day.
Saturday at last. Cold already. About 45 degrees. Jack rigged up all the rods. The plan is to drift fish, so the rig is tricky. Main line drops to bottom. Another line in the middle, with a live worm. The drift of the boat moves the bait along. Our job is to watch the tip of our rods for a twitch.
Herb has been coming to Lake Gogebic for 30 years or so. Jack has been coming along for 10-12 years. It was a real honor to be invited on this fall "Man" trip. Herb is the consumate angler. He is attentive, always aware of the water and what it is telling him. He was considerate of us "newbies", and was always there to help. I learned a lot just by watching him. He was "at one" with the lake.
Herb’s boat is a tri-hull, and is a perfect fishing boat. We drew cards to select our positions in the boat. Four guys, six rods. Two rods are shared by the guys at the ends of the boat. When a shared rod gets a bite, then the next guy gets the next bite.
Breakfast over, we head out on the lake! First spot, little action, but Herb gets the fist fish of the day, and delivers the first-fish kiss!
Second spot on the lake. My rod jiggles. I ask Jack (sitting next to me) – was that a hit? He said wait, maybe, hold on..YES..hold on, YANK it to set the hook!
Excitement is on – rod is bending, I’m pulling too hard – Jack says drop the tip of the rod lower, the fish is running – he reaches over and cranks up the drag. I keep reeling in, guys are moving, Jack takes the net from somewhere, misses the first time, gets the fish next time! It’s big! Walleye – 21” – a keeper! Herb ("the surgeon") deftly removes the hook, and puts it on the stringer.
Everyone’s yelling and excited! What a feeling!
We settle down, and set our rods. Bob gets a hit! Now Jack is netting Bob’s catch. I get a video of the catch! It’s a 13” perch, and also a keeper! Jack is yelling something like the “the father-in-law's are off their shney" which must be "yooper" for Bob and I catching our first keepers and are now official Lake Gogebic fishermen.
We hit a dry spell, so we head back for lunch and a nap. Since Bob and I are the newbies, Bob prepares the lunch (pork and chicken BBQ) and I have clean-up duties.
Down for a nap, and I post pictures for the wives at home to see.
In the afternoon, we venture out again, and catch some smaller walleye and perch. Herb catches a keeper perch and I help with the net. At one point, I have a catch on my rod, and my shared rod! Bob gets a Monster hit, but it breaks off – we didn’t even see it, but it was large!
We closed the day, and headed for another dinner at the Lodge.
Saturday looks good early, but when we start to head out, the waves are very choppy, too choppy for fishing. We spent a great day in the lodge watching College football games and laughing a lot.
Bob and I went for a ride around the lake, and had a mission to buy some candles for Jack’s wife. We found them in a crusty ol’ bar, and we were looked at askance, to say the least, by folks at the bar!
We escaped with our lives intact, but not our dignity!
We sadly let on Sunday for the 8 hour trip back to reality, but bringing back great memories!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
