We headed out right away. Right to a spot Pat knows for a good early am bite on the Specks. Well, 7 casts in, I CRUSH my pb speck!!!!! I am dancing while fighting this 23+” speck, and Pat says, “It’s a walleye LOL” Nope, no walleye, just a giant specimen of a speck, and my pb crushed!
Not only was I over the moon with that fish, Pat said, well, I think this spot is done, next cast….
Pat lands a beauty too!!!!!!So, then it was ok, pb Speck, done. Wanna try lakers???? OK! We set up on the east side, and it was 180 FOW right off this cliff!
We began the troll… I’m a down rigger dummy, but my bud Pat was all over the back of the boat. Riggers, boat control, and stories that made me laugh till I cried! So, pb laker???
Yup, that was my new pb laker! I know, many have caught way bigger, but that was my pb. 2 down, one to go.
Next morning we were met by rain. No problem, lets go right for lakers….
PB broken!!!!! Another 2 boat side, and I was ecstatic!!!! We mulled for pike, but again, not giants in the weeds. Many low 30”ers, but not the beast I needed for the 3 time world heavy weight champion of Nipigon, the Triple Crown eluded me. Though, we headed on a troll for specks, and BAM!
!st ever speck on the troll!!!!!! Pat Was on fire with the specks also,
So, the next day it was a laker mission…. This is where it gets ugly….. We set up in new water to Pat, and began the troll. The second rigger was not even off the boat and this unfolded…..
PB AGAIN!!!! The next few pics was just anarchy!!!!!!
And then THE SLOB
These pics I know the dates are on them, but we were shaking 12-14 lbrs off saying we want pics of bigger! We caught over 50 lakers in 5 days, and at least 10 went over 20 lbs!
Now, back to the specks. Pat was on fire, over the course of 8 days we landed 12 specks. Only 2 went onder the 22” slot limit. I got 3, Pat got 9. Here is some of my favorite shots of the specks we caught. (By the way, all fish were released, Lakers, pike and specks.)
This one, Pat saw it eat my bait in 4FOW he yelled SET THE HOOK LOL
My favorite shot
So, on the night of day 4, I know this report is all over the place lol. We were still searching the weed beds for big pike. Mid 30”ers were around, and many bite offs while trolling for specks on the reefs, and shoals. While heading back for dinner on the speckie troll, my rod went. I said fish…. This battle ensued for 10-15 minutes, it’s almost a blur. I was using 8lb fluorocarbon, on a 6’6” St Croix Med rod, no leader, just flouro to jig The fish comes boat side, Pat said “Float, it’s a GIANT! I am not aware, until Pat says “This is the biggest pike I’ve ever seen!” Pat has guided for a few yrs now and caught numerous giant fish before his guiding days. So I get excited to say the least!!! This was an emotional fish, for my brother 5 years ago got a pike in the same area over 50’s long. It was not 50”s it went 44”s bang on, but as thick as a truck tire! My new PB pike, in the same area my brother got his, it was truly a moment I shall never forget, and cherish for the rest of my life!
The triple crown accomplished!!!!!
The day before we were to leave, we came upon the MNR doing netting for research on the lake! I asked politely if I could take a few pictures.. The 2 were quite happy to oblige, and many questions were asked, and answered. They were doing a “Pike” survey, also with 3 other boats to the north, a sturgeon, and laker survey. I took a few shots of the nets being hauled, which was cool to see. In the nets were, pike, 1 speck, whitefish, perch and suckers. Out of 3 nets, we followed, one was for lake sturgeon, but was empty.
Just awesome to see, and get information about the lake, and their program!
So, we head to our last day of fishing…… We just went out on a search and have fun mission. We found a few high 30 and 2 40”ers on some new weeds, and I got a bonus Whitefish trolling for specks in 3 FOW!
This was hands down, the trip of a lifetime I flew from Ottawa to Thunder bay, return for 450$ as opposed to a 17hr drive. I owe sooooo many thanks to my family for making this happen, and 85 million thanks to my long time bud, and guide who I would recommend to ANYONE. If anyone wants to think about a trip up north, and wants not only hospitality, whether it’s a rustic setting like we did camping, or a lodge aspect, trust me, and the pics are the proof, contact my buddy Pat!
Until I go back next year, hope all enjoy the pics.
Float.
8 ) 
Great pics and love the MNR interaction. What a cool job that would be.