Fishing Reports 2005

August 6, 2005...The weather was another mixed bag, mid to high 90s with several thunder storms...3.5" rain Wednesday night. Good fishing report again this week. Two days were a bit slower than normal after the bad storm. Lots of northerns this week with several in the 40" plus range. Most days walleyes were reported in good numbers and size. Most fishermen said 22" to 25" was common. Gary Pullen's group probably did the best for numbers and size. The 4 fishermen estimated well over 100 eyes in the 22" to 26" range. The group did manage to use most of their 6#s of leeches and 500 crawlers. Again spinner rigs with bottom bouncers 25' to 35'...same as last week! Everyone sure likes our depth contour maps with GPS locations. Most seem to think the maps and info contribute in part to lots of big fish and fishing in areas never fished before. (Wildewood provides guests with these copyrighted maps exclusively). 83-year young Rocco Crea outfished the kids again this year. Trout and northerns in the teens. And by the way, Don Ackley (on his way up this week) now has competion for falling in lake...Rocco 1, Don 2...all have been safe. Gary Pullen hooked his fish of a lifetime while reeling in a 4.5# walleye. "I think I'm snagged!" Sometime later, he got it to the boat...largest northern he'd ever seen and Gary has seen many big guys. "I'm sure it was larger than the 59.5" caught in 1994 at your camp!" There is no mistake about it, Lake Savant has world class fish. Gary did land the 4.5# walleye too. Everyone saw several moose and caribou, many in the bay in front of camp.

July 24, 2005...Weather remained hot with several thunderstorms until a cold front moved in Wednesday evening dropping temps from 96° down to 39° by Thursday morning. Needless to say...it slowed the fishing. Until then, lots of fish were reported. The Downie family, first-timers to Wildewood, said they caught more fish than any other Canadian fishing trip. Fish for lunch everyday! Spinner rigs, bottom bouncers, and night crawlers worked best. Ron Delbridge's group of four, Jerred, Tim, and Fred reported some great days. One morning early, 5:30-7am, the guys caught and released over 100 walleyes, most in the mid 20" range. Many days 25" to 27" eyes were common in 15' to 20' of water. Again crawlers, bottom bouncers, and gold blade spinner rigs. Dick Feller's group caught some nice fish as well, mostly on crawlers and leeches until they ran out. They switched to minnows and they all agreed the crawlers out-produced minows 3 to 1. We always found this to be true from mid-July through August. Slot size northerns were the norm and again, Neil was the top dog on lakers, numbers and size. Many caribou spotted including the one that walked past the fish house in camp.

July 19, 2005...The weather this week was HOT 98-100 degrees most days. There must be something to the global warming. However, it didn't stop the fish from biting. Lots of northerns in the slot 27.5" to 35.5". Don Lenick's 37"er was the largest reported. Walleyes in good numbers and many from 22" to 27.5". Jigs and spinner rigs tipped with leeches and minows. Leeches seemed to be the most productive. Crawlers are a good choice for the summe months. No trout fishermen this week, too busy catching eyes and northerns. Neil reported lakers ranging in the 45 to 60 foot levels. Surface temps in the low 70s. The best set ups for lakers this time of year is three-ways with 4 to 6 oz. weights, non-stretch high tech or wire line. Spoons looking and and action similar to that of cisco always a good bet.

And this is from 6/18...had to snail mail to Jeanie....Missed fishing report due to a bad thunderstorm and high winds (75-80mph). Phones were out of service for some time and when they did work too much static for the fax...life with radio phones. However, Don Ackley and Don Bohnsack groups did report some good fishing most days. Pictures (scrapbook) showing Don and Dan's group relaxing after one of Neil's shore lunch specials. The only complaint the crew had was the fish were cleaned, fried, and on the table before they had the first can of beer open! Gary Cole and son's Kevin and Connor enjoyed their trip to Lake Savant. As pictured (scrapbook), dad said he didn't get much fishing time in, the boys kept him busy netting fish! But he didn't mind. Andy Vosburgh (scrapbook) seems like a happy camper with his laker caught on Tom Manning's Savant Spoon. He and Neil did manage to boat 7 or 8 more that afternoon.

July 10, 2005...The week started out with rain but Monday the sun came out and it stayed sunny all week with light winds and temps ranging in the 80s-90s. J.D. Hartshorn and Todd Buchanan reported lots of walleyes 23" to 25" during the day and 25" to 27.5" evenings and after dark. Todd's big one got away after it bit off his 30# test line! Good numbers of northerns in the slot. Jigs and Little Joe Spinners type baits worked best with leechses and sometimes minnows. Tom Barrix and his group did well all species...many walleyes up to 24" and slot range northerns. John Kraus, first time to Wildewood, has his personal best fishing trip. Shore lunch everday, even the day they forgot the forks and spoons...doctor spoons with hooks removed worked well! Ron Chmill's group of father and sons was successful. The boys reported outfishing the dads and much the same with "cards" in the evening too. Most of their walleyes ranged 18"-22" with 26" being the largest. Largest northerns at 38.5" and 41". Roger Utter's family group had a fun vacation and fishing was not bad either, Kyle landed the big fish of the trip...42" and 20#s. Lots of walleyes and Marvin Utter boated the largest eye at 25". One morning Neil and Richard landed ten lakers averaging 7-9#s...Neil boated 4 more that evening with 21#s being the largest...smoked trout is in the air!

June 19, 2005...Rain and windy the first few days...so what's new? But late Tuesday...sunny and mid 70s prevailed. Fishing picked up with the improved weather. By mid week, the walleyes in the 20" to 26" range were common and in good numbers. Largest northern reported at just 40" by the Rankin group with good numbers in the slot. Best lake trout reports were from the Rickard group with many in the 30" to 35" class. Leeches and crawlers were best for the "eyes." Little Joe's, 1/8 oz. jigs, and floating jigs...in some cases bait walkers were used with good results in deeper water. Dale Ketterhagen was caught taking a 14-hour nap by the Lois group. It was said he couldn't keep up with the big dogs! Lots of moose seen this week. Several bulls, cows, and cows with calf...one with twins. Several caribou were spotted swimming. Neil and Richard flew up to check on Redman camp only to find a bear decided to use the Honda generator and take an extra can of gas. It seems he decided to do a little work on it before giving up...removed the gas cap, plug wire, and fuel line. The genset is now back up and running again. Looks like a better weather forecast this coming week.

June 11, 2005...Cool and windy with rain most days...but that didn't slow down the fishermen or the fishing. Two days were slightly off pace with four days when fishing was considered "fantastic by most anglers!" Reports of 60 to 75 fish per day was the norm with lots of 24" to 28" walleyes caught and released. Northerns were also plentiful most days. Tom Manning took top honors with a 50' northern and several more in the mid 40" class. Savant Spoon's Jake 45 was the bait of choice. Andy Vosburgh also landed a 45" trophy as well. Don Ladig and Tom Manning reporeted many eyes in the 22"-26" range. Two anglers decided to portage\into one of our boat cache lakes and were they glad they did. As one fisherman said "Non-stop and lots of big fish...live bait was a waste of time. I think a beer can and bare hook would have worked!" Largest laker for the week went to Bob Apple Sr. at 23.5#s, 39.5". Bob's group reported several in the teens with 6-10 lbs common. The group managed to land several 40" plus northerns...with many slot size or just above. Gus Erdmann said they had days with many 5-8 lb. walleyes. Jim Richards, Pete Zwiefelhofer, and Gary Kohlenberg each caught trophy walleyes for the wall. Everyone commented about how great the fishing was most days despite the unstable weather. The bay in front of camp started producing many good walleyes as well. Gary Kohlenberg got excited while cranking in a nice walleye...a large northern grabbed his catch and wouldn't let go. He did land and release both fish. Happy Father's Day!!!

June 3, 2005...Great weather, great fishing....largest walleyes came in at 28.5" by the Mohr group, plus two 27.5"ers too. Doug Kehr and Allen Tatman brought in three 26"ers. Several eyes were even caught with bobbers during the day and rapalas in the evening this week. Numerous 24" to 25"ers caught...lots of nu,bers. "Hard to find the small ones" was heard a few times around camp. Vaughn Bowman hooked and lost a giant northern pike on a floating jig head...said it was larger than any he had caught and he has a 46"er to his credit from another fishing trip to Wildewood. The Mohr group reported catching two 40" northerns. First time fisherman, Ken Fix from Denver, couldn't believe he could catch so many fish! Several lake trout were reeled in early in the week in shallow water...26" was the largest. Moose, caribou, and bear were all spotted out on the lake and lots of great shore lunches were enjoyed. The Morrisey group had a run in with a moose on the drive up...driving a van and pulling a trailer just south of Dryden on 502, the moose crossed the road to the right then the left...hit his nose on the passenger side mirror...no other damage..."Lucky us!!!"And smart too...it was 3am and they were travelling about 40mph...could have been a disaster. (Three of the six fishermen reportedly threw their underwear away in Dryden.) Be careful driving up, lots of wildlife.

May 28, 2005...Opening week began just after two weeks of unstable weather including several cold fronts. First two days started slower than normal but things started picking up by Monday and improved as each day passed. Reports of catching in excess of 75 "eyes" per boat each day...the larger ranging in size from 4-8 lbs. Joe Young reported the largest for the week.

Northerns ranged to just over 40" and Keith Logan landed the largest for the week. Best day for lakers was reported by Donnie Weaver and Matt Jones with eight fish in 2.5 hours...largest being 12 lbs. Paul Miller's group reported fast and furious action mid-week on with lakers feeding best after 6pm, which is unusual. 1/8 oz. and floating jigs were best for walleyes and Sutton Spoons and suckers worked best for the lake trout. Several caribou with calves and three moose were spotted and tasty shore lunches were enjoyed most days.

April 17, 2005...Spring Update...The good news is Richard’s crystal ball predicts ice off early May. Mild weather and heavy snowfall early on slowed the ice making process this winter. Just ask Neil! Thin ice put a sudden halt to Neil and Richard’s ice fishing excursions...4-wheelers do float! (Pictures and more details at camp.) And yes, fishing was just getting good.

From Richard’s notebook...Fishermen shouldn’t overlook some of the newer scented biodegradable soft baits. They can actually outfish live bait 80% of the time. They’re not only great walleye producers, but lake trout and northern pikes like them too. The larger weighted shad tail versions, Burkley power baits, Gulp, and Storm offer some good options. These baits are often the choice of saltwater fishermen as well.

P.S. Neil doesn’t recommend swimming this time of year unless you are a polar bear. Speaking of which, a long time guest and friend, Jack Smythe, is hunting polar bear with a bow no-less. Don’t wear your seal suit Jack, I think they like seals! Should have an update on that hunt soon.

Think BIG fish and lots of them...make reservations now! Best time to get hold of Richard or Neil is early mornings or in the evenings.

March 30, 2005...Richard and Neil have arrived in camp safe and sound. Had to make their way through about 5 feet of snow to get in the house. Getting in the trail wasn't too bad. (Neil had gone in a few weeks back to give it its first groom...thank you Neil!) They had one tipover...took 20 minutes to stand back up on their feet! The phone is on and working. If you call, you'll want to try before 8am or after 6pm..they are already busy working getting things ready. Opening day is May 21st. Still some openings for the tournament and lots of moola to be won...same fishing vacation you've always enjoyed, just a little spin to it! Give Richard and Neil a holler.

March 7, 2005...Richard will be at the Milwaukee Sport Show (Milwaukee Hournal Sentinel) March 11-20, 2005. Stop by and say hello!

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Fly-In Fishing & Hunting on World Class Lake Savant in Northwest Ontario Canada