Lake Gogebic Spring 2009

Lake Gogebic – May 29,30,31, June 1

This is my fourth trip to Lake Gogebic, but it’s Herb’s 106th!
I drove up myself this time in the Accord, left at 4:45am, arrived at 2pm. Forgot the lunchmeat, had to find a Walmart. I drove Pat crazy with my lists and sub-lists around the house. Not to mention the trips to Bass Pro shop and Cabella’s.

Anyway, the drive was long, but since there was to be fishing at the end of it, not so long after all! Piece of cake after Steven’s Point.

After unpacking, I went out with Herb, and Mike, from 5pm to 8pm. Weather was cool, but tolerable. Mike was getting hits every 15 minutes! At one point, he got a double! Hits on both of his rods! Mike was using red line, with red hooks. Herb was of the opinion that Mike had gone over to the "Dark Side" by using this line. He ended up with boating 5, keeping one 17 1/2" Walleye. Herb was fishing the front of the boat, and nabbed 2 throwbacks.

Zig and Ben arrived while we were out. Kenny and BG, and Sam are due in on Saturday.

We dined at the bar Friday night, sampling their delicious pizza, and we called it a night.

Saturday morning, 5:30am, Herb woke me up with the words I'd been waiting for - "Let's go fishing!". On the water at 6:00, pretty wavy, and coldish, around 46 degrees. Mike grabbed 4 throwbacks, Herb 3 throwbacks, with one 20" keeper Walleye. I got a 8" throwback, while I was not looking. (Mike pointed it out to me). We stayed out until 9:30, and headed in for our "breakfast". We had coffee, and sandwiches, and then the weather got worse. I called home and woke Pat up!

The weather turned and stayed evil. Too choppy to go out!

Meanwhile, Sam arrived, driving in from Kansas! After unpacking, Sam and I went shore fishing, from the "point" up to the "Yooper House". We got some nibbles, but no catches.

Dinner is grilled Bratwurst, and Turkey Brats (for me), grilled on the little grill on our deck.

After dinner, Ken and BG can't take the no-fishing non-activity, so they decided to go out, and invited me along. BG managed to get a 14 1/2" throwback, and Ken caught a 15" keeper! The weather was getting worse, so we headed in, and off to the bar.

At the bar, we got the "Juke Box (fancy, internet version)" cranked up, and enjoyed a lively evening of beers, and songs. One of Herb's favorites was "God is great, Beer is good, and People are crazy"! (along with the every popular "Maggie May".)

On Sunday, Herb work me up with "Hey Donn", and out we scooted to get on the lake. Very iffy weather going on. We fished from 6-10:30 am, and came in amidst storms coming. Mike caught one throwback, and Herb caught 2. I caught 1 throwback.

Back at the lodge, we have 9 guys trying to find something to do. The TV committed suicide, and we finally figured out how to get behind it, and re-boot it by unplugging it and plugging it back in. Naps were in order but Zig and I decided to re-rig our rods.

I brought in my gadget to spool line. and changed to red, 8lb. line, thus switching to the "Dark Side", like Mike. Zig was rigging his 9 foot rod that he brought along. Rigging is a very quiet, and peaceful process, and we were aware of each others work, but absolutely concentrating on our work. It took about an hour.

The weather was getting worse and worse, so we gathered around the now-working TV to watch the always funny but endlessly long "Ground Hog Day" movie.

We had 5 laptops, and many cellphones, so we decided to check out the weather forcast for the evening.

It looked to us like there was a "window of opportunity" from about 4pm to 6pm, during which the storm would pass by, followed by another storm front in a couple of hours. Zig and I decided to head for the lodge and wait. This is where we encountered the painter.

A nice enough guy, 70 years old, and very proud that he was in such good health. The secret to good health is to not let the stress get to you, he claimed. Which is why when not painting houses, and decks, he could be found in a bar. After about 5 minutes, Zig and I hated him, but he wouldn't stop talking.

Finally, so as to not miss our "window of opportunity" we went back to the cabin, put on our rain gear and out on the lake we went! The white caps were smaller, and Herb caught a 13" throwback. Just as it started raining harder, we made our way back to shore to prepare a dinner of steak, chicken, and potatoes. Sam said Grace, and we all added our personal prayers. A delicious meal, with good friends!

We finished up cleaning the dishes, and returned to the lodge bar, where, sure enough, the painter was still not-stressing, and telling the same stories he had told to Zig and me. We avoided him like the plague, but by then he had been not-stressing for several hours and no longer recognized us.

I began to pack it up, as I was leaving first thing the next day. Another memorable trip to Lake Gogebic was history!


Check out the photos:

http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z2/donndavidson/Lake%20Gogebic%20May%202009/