Nalod

I really wanted to go last year, but Chad talked me into doing an Ice Fishing contest...while we were on the ice, Chad said that he would have preferred to have gone to the Butler show! I have an inkling that I will be able to talk him into take a quick road trip --Joe

Everyone has a humbling fishing trip. Mine was last week, but not just because of the fishing. We started the trip (Saturday) with a Tornado hitting Mayville. I was first upset that I was not out before it happened to test if Musky bite better before or after a Tornado. I know Larry Jones was out there, so I will have to hear what he says about the bite. I ended getting the boat in the water for the first time on Monday morning. I met Larry on the lake and followed a similar pattern he was using. It really was amazing to watch such an amazing fisherman do his thing on the lake! I was not able to get a bite on the morning troll, but it was still a great learning experience and fun to watch Larry's charter get 2 hits while I was in the area! I lost my early week fishing partner on Monday afternoon and decided to spend time with the family and take them into the bays to do a little pan/bass fishing. That is when the boat decided that pan fishing was what it wanted to do. On Wednesday morning, the trip back to the cottage was pretty stressful. The motor just did not want to kick into gear. I ended up using the trolling motor all the way back (thanks to the new battery!) BlueEye arrived Wednesday afternoon to complete the week fishing for Musky, but he was in for a surprise. We ended up taking the boat (slowly) to the nearest launch...and yes, a storm came through when we were doing this. After checking everything that we know on the motor, we finally took the motor into the Chautauqua Marina for some repair. We met with Lou Clamente Jr and his father. They did everything they could without ordering new parts, but had no luck. We ended up renting the Marina's fishing boat for the morning and did a quick fishing trip that way. The boat was a lot nicer than I would have expected, but small beams and long lines make it easy for tangles! We did not have any luck in the morning. Everyone was struggling and giving a lot of thumbs down on the water. Looks like the Wednesday Night storm really flipped the lake. The trip did not lead to any new pictures to share, but was again a great learning experience. Also, I really cannot say enough great things about Chautauqua Marina and the Lou's! They really took care of us and we really appreciate it. When the boat gets fixed back up, I will be taking a redemption weekend trip! --Joe

Thanks Guys, I ended up taking a quick trip the Bass Pro in Auburn. They had 2 of the Salty versions on hold for me. They are nice! I cannot wait to clamp them onto the boat and give them a try this weekend. With my new poles, the plastic Scotty's were actually bending when I was trolling. I was really nervous that a good hit was going to snap the pole right out of the rod holder and into the water. Not what you want when you just bought new equipment! Zach: That stripertackle website is great! Their pricing was lower than everyone, and they have a great amount of product. I did not go with them just because I was nervous on getting them shipped in on time. I will definitely remember the site and go back in the future. --Joe

Anyone know where I should look for Down-East rod holders? Dick's is selling one, but they are the low end model that does not fit my poles. I am looking for the 2 D-clamp models they sell. I have tried the 3 bait shops around Chautauqua already with no luck. If anyone knows of a bait shop near Rochester or Buffalo, I will be happy to take a quick trip to buy them. Thanks! --Joe

This weekend is the 3-rivers tourney...possible that we are talking about different unspeakable lakes? --Joe

Wow, so many people at the unspeakable lake this weekend! Will anyone be fishing the tournament there this weekend? I will be there for a family vacation (24th-31st). I am hoping to find where they will host the awards ceremony. I would like to stop by and see how everyone does...and what familiar faces I see there! Hopefully will see many of you at the tourney, on the water, or having a after a great day on the lake. --Joe

I will not be able to attend this tournament Chad's wedding is on the same day as the tournament. Katie was not too happy with him when he mentioned that we needed 2 substitutes for the wedding so him and I can go fish. Maybe next year! With the few amounts of musky tournaments in this area, it is sad to see that 2 are competing for the same day. I wonder how the participation rate will be for both. Hopefully the competition does not drastically reduce one of the tournament's turnout thus causing reduced numbers in the future. Here's to hoping it all works out! --Joe

I will be at the "certain body of water" for the entire last week of July. Seeing pictures like this and also the sizes at the last tournament always gives me hope! I am really getting nervous of the water temps though. --Joe

Amazing fish zach! Congrats on breaking the 50 barrier. --Joe

Congrats on your first! --Joe

Only 31 so far Larry?!?! Keep up the great work. I know when you get back into town from all of your charters you will have lots of pictures to share with us... --Joe

My favorite pike lure has just changed to a Chautauqua Reel Outdoors single bladed size 8 bucktail! It seems to be the perfect size to get them going. --Joe

Great job Booty! We will have to get you down to Chautauqua one of these days and go for its bigger family member. I hear you have been wanting to go musky fishing --Joe

Brooke, It was great meeting you last weekend and getting to see the excitement of you getting second in the tournament. That picture is still amazing to look at. Now that it is on LOU, I will have to send a bunch of people to take a look at the size of it. I was the other person sitting at the picnic table during the awards party. I was sitting with Chad and Katie (the two getting married this fall). Welcome to the site. --Joe P.S. - Chad: Good luck with finding a sub! If you do, find one for me also

Really awesome looking Zach! I am curious to see how that screw lock holds up after a hit. Hopefully after next weekend you can post some pictures of this lure with some gnarly looking teeth marks in it! --Joe

Had a great time at the Pig Out Yesterday. Hanging out with Larry, Bob, Chad, and Kate made me even more excited about next weekend's opener! Thanks again Larry for the ticket. What a blast! --Joe

Bob - what was the problem you had with a clear case? Sun exposure ruin the paint jobs? I wonder if those Just Encase products has the same issue. --Joe

Very cool! --Joe

Definitely keep us updated with the process. It will be fun to see start to finish of your lure creations! Thanks, --Joe

Zach, They look amazing. From watching other sites for lure builders, it always seems to be the most difficult to do the paint job...yours are as good if not better as any lure on the market! --Joe

Every time I see this post come up on the message board, I think it is someone writing about a Storm Warning in Olcott. With the Pro Am this weekend, it scares me even more when I see the post! Great fishing report! --Joe

Hopefully the weather will hold up for you. Good luck on your trip...and bring back some pictures! --Joe

Haha. Great answer Zach! I will remember to steer away from your boat when I am out there...you may be dozing at the wheel. I am not a good camper (at least my back does not agree with the ground) and I do not think that I would last all night and all day fishing, so I booked a room at Webbs. If you have not booked yourself a room yet for the tournament, I urge you to do it ASAP. Most places are already booked for the weekend because of all of the things going on. Larry -- Any seminars the night before the tournament this year? I really enjoyed last year getting to meet most of the fishermen and also listening to the presentation by Mike Sperry. --Joe

Since it is getting close to the June 19 Musky Tournament, where is everyone staying? I have not picked a spot yet, but I know a lot is booked up already because of this tournament, the bass tournament, and opening day. --Joe

Happy Birthday Chad! Ray: The thing you get someone that has everything...Bass Pro Shop gift cards. He is always looking for a good excuse to drive down to Auburn --Joe