Reel Addiction Charters

     Made it out last night only to be run off the lake by a thunderstorm that fired up right above us.  After taking shelter at Gordon's Lodge on North Bay for about half an hour we made it back out.  Unfortunately the winds began to blow and over the next 3 hours the waves built.  The clients landed 2 of 3 fish on the bumpy ride but had a great time telling stories, eating desserts they got while at Gordon's Lodge and holding each other up as they battled the fish. 
     Today, because of winds from the south at 25-30mph, I had to cancel the evening trip.  Tomorrow things are suppose to be a little better as winds switch to the west and die down to 5-15mph.  Good luck on the water.

     A group of 4 fishermen from southern and central Wisconsin landed only 2 for 7 fish this morning but it wasn't their fault.  The fish seemed to be just toying with the lures and not feeding aggressively.  They would give it a quick hit, be on for 10 seconds and then they were gone.  The 2 we did get to the boat, one 12lbs and the other 18lbs, both fell off in the net after barely being hooked.
     The water temps are still very cool at 55-57 degrees with no thermocline to speak of.  After this week of predicted warm weather, I hope the fish start to get going up here. 

     A friend from Northern Wisconsin and a few of his family members went out this morning to try their luck.  The fish were around but we only landed 4 kings total.  The fish were in a passive mood.  We would mark them on the sonar but they just wouldn't bite.  Reports from the Green Bay side are the same.  Few are being caught.  With the weather changing this afternoon maybe they will become a bit more active by tomorrow.  Good luck on the water.

     Today was the first morning trip of the year when we saw the sun rise at just a little after 5am.  The seas were calm, temperatures mild, and fishing was horrible!  We marked a lot of bait and a lot of fish but very few seemed interested in biting.  I think they were just enjoying the first sun we have had in more than a week up here. 
     The group of three fishermen landed only 1 for 4 fish.  The big ones did get away this morning only yards from the boat.  It is very frustrating to battle big fish for 10-15 minutes only to have it get off just out of the reach of the net...but so goes fishing sometimes.

     A group from Advanced Chimney Service fished this morning and had a very successful trip!  They went 11 for 17, catching kings on riggers and dipsy rods rigged with flies and spoons.  All were healthy 2 to 4 year old fish with the biggest going about 16lbs.  I will be out again tomorrow morning and hopefully the good fishing will continue.

     My cousin and 2 of his civil engineering battalion buddies had a foggy but productive morning on the water.  They landed 10 of  the 16 fish they had on, releasing 1 smaller one.  Three of the big ones went 15-17lbs. 
     The water is slowly warming up and so is the fishing.  Like 2 days ago, the fish were caught on spoons and flies on riggers, boards and dipsy rods.  There wasn't a preference, all rods caught fish. 

     Fish are starting to show up.  Last night a father and son from Illinois landed 4 for 6 fish on a 3 hour trip.  It was their first time on Michigan and despite the slow fishing they had a great time.  Check out their pic on our photos page.
     This morning a group of 4 went 6 for 8, landing 5 kings and a coho.  All fish bit before 6am and then the lake went dead for the final hour and a half of their 3 hour trip.  Fish came on spoons and  flies on boards, dipsy rods and riggers.  There was no preference this morning. 

     The first trip of the year was a slow one with a great group of 4 guys going 1 for 3, landing a 17lb king on a fly.  Water is 52 on the surface and fish are few and far between.  Luckily there were some great stories shared that kept everyone laughing throughout the morning.  Things need to warm up but the forecast for the week looks less than promising with rain and below normal temperatures predicted.

     Was out for the first time scouting for fish last night and this morning.  My father landed 2 kings last night, both fat fish weighing in at 16 & 18.5 pounds.  This morning, our friend Bryan Pelant, landed  our only fish but, it tipped the scales at 20.8lbs!  Fresh salmon on the grill tonight!
     The water is still cold, about 50 on the surface, and fishing appears to be about 2 weeks behind.  My first run with clients is tomorrow morning and unfortunately, I predict slow fishing for the next few days.  Things just need to warm up more.

     After a 10-day visit to Alaska, Kathy and I are back in Wisconsin.  What an amazing state!  I am tempted to pull the Reel Addiction and move north after this season!  I will be leaving for Door County on Friday morning and doing scouting trips for fish on Friday night and Saturday morning.  Sunday we offically open for the summer season.  Hope to see you soon!