Penn’s Outdoors

Fireside Lodge near Sioux Lookout, Ontario ranks in the top 5 of my Ontario wish list fishing trip destinations.  I have been on their mailing list for a few years and look forward to receiving their newsletter every winter.  I religiously follow their fishing report updates on their web site.

I want to go to Fireside so badly.  But unfortunately for me, they are a bit out of my price range.  Many of you know that the two things I never leave home without on a fishing vacation are my two sons, Austin and Cole.  Fireside doesn’t have a children’s rate.  So, I have to multiply the cost of their adult package x 3. 

While it doesn’t fit my budget, I bet it is in the price range for many of you.  They offer a drive-to American Plan lodge on Little Vermilion Lake (as well as several portage lakes).  Northern pike and Smallmouth bass are the major draw for PA fishing vacationers.  Muskie finishes a close third. I believe that you can find some walleye fishing in the area but it is not the major emphasis at Fireside.

They don’t get a ton of Pennsylvanians due to the 20+ hour driving time.  But I thought it might be helpful to pull out the fishing reports for PA guests from their web site.   

May, 2007

Bill Stayer from New Freedom, PA. returned to Fireside Lodge for his fourth time and had his best trip ever catching more Smallmouth, Northern Pike, than ever, and also had incidental catches of Lake Trout and Muskie. Bill was here for 8 days a landed 9 Musky including 34, 35, 36, 38, and 40 inchers, with the 40 inch Musky being his biggest catch ever. Smallmouth he caught up to 17.5 inches and caught his share of Northern Pike in the 30 inch range.

Glenn Steiner and Frank Vandergrift from Allentown, PA. returned to Fireside lodge for their second time. They had a great extended stay of 10 nights / 9 days. During that time Glenn had fun catching some Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass. Several times Glenn missed landing a large Northern Pike getting off right at boat side. The one that did not get away was a beauty of a Musky measuring 42 inches. This photo is on our 2007 Photo section of our website. Another day when Frank decided to stay in for the day another guest Frank Hazzard invited Glenn to fish with him. Well they had a bang up day catching 27 Northern Pike, 12 Smallmouth Bass one being an 18 inch Master Anglers Award Smallie, and Glen missed the fish of his life estimated to be a 45 inch monster. Glenn also loves to take wildlife photos and got some wonderful pictures of loons and other wildlife and scenery which makes fishing in Northwest Ontario more than just catching fish. Thanks for returning and Glenn before leaving was also trying to figure out a time period to return with his daughter.

June, 2007

 One of Four Muskies Caught in One Day by Joe from Kempton

Joe Richter from Kempton, PA. returned for his fourth trip in three years with son Michael from Phoenixville, PA. son in laws Frank Rucci from Smithsburg, MD. and Evan Roth with his son / Joe’s grandson Shawn from Emmaus, PA. First day was rough having a cold front with high winds, and the results were as expected during these conditions, without much to write about, however a great accomplishment was had by Shawn as he caught his first Smallmouth ever. Second day had father and son, Joe and Mike, Muskie fishing, and Joe caught three mid 30 inch Muskie, Mike caught one and a HUGE, over 40 inch Muskie, was lost at boat side and I am sure the discussion as to how the Musky was lost it is still an on going debate. The last two days were dream days for any adult let alone a 7 year old like Shawn. Between the five of them they caught 307 Northern Pike, a Musky or two, and several Smallmouth Bass With Joe landing two and Evan landing one Master Anglers Award Smallmouth over 18 inches. Great memories were made between three generations, and all went home felling their time was too short.

July, 2007

 Great Picture of a Very Nice Smallmouth Caught by Shannon from Landenberg

Many year return guests Bob and Jeff Babcock from Midland and Saginaw, MI, Jane Waldron from Greensboro, NC were back to Fireside Lodge and this time Bob’s brother Michael and his Daughter Shannon from Landenberg, PA joined them. All had fun filled time as usual. They had some very good days, catching from 20 to 45 Northern Pike in each boat. Bob, Jane and Jeff had a few days searching for the BIG ONES and found them but could not land any. A few were Master Anglers Award size Pike that Jeff or Bob could not out whit. Mike and Shannon had an absolute ball, as expressed on their smiles in the photos on my website. One day they caught 20 plus Northern Pike and Shannon caught 11, and another day she caught 19 Smallmouth Bass herself as Mike said they caught smallmouth all day long. All had fun and made many family memories, and also talked a about seeing us next year.

Long time return guest Doug Shelly from Mount Joy, PA was back with Robert Skacel and Charles (Andy) Martin from Lititz, PA and David Seaman from Elizabethtown, PA. Here on a four day fishing trip they did FANTASTIC, The day of arrival, in about 6 hours, they caught 63 Northern Pike and 5 Smallmouth Bass. Day one was 103 Northern Pike landed with a bunch of other action. Day two they caught 111 Northern Pike and 18 Smallmouth Bass, day three was 23 Northern Pike and 59 Smallmouth Bass. Their fourth and final day had them catching 73 Northern Pike and 7 Smallmouth Bass. All had a blast and went home tried from catching fish. All mentioned returning to Fireside Lodge, and Andy wants to return with his wife next year. Andy took full advantage of our facility as he Kayaked for about 10 miles one evening just to take photos and captured some pictures you sometimes pass up as you are traveling up a lake with in a boat. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge as the place to be in Northwest Ontario.

August, 2007

 Nice Smallmouth Bass Caught by John from McMurray

Returning to Fireside Lodge for their second time were father and son John and Michael DiSalle from McMurray, PA. and Rochester, NY and also David Spahr from Caronsburg. PA. They had a good first day fishing for Northern Pike and despite the high winds managed to find a calm enough spot on the water so Michael could accomplish his goal of catching a Northern Pike while fly fishing. In fact he caught several Pike while fly-fishing, and congratulations to Michael for accomplishing his goal. For several days they did well locating fish, catching some, getting a lot of big follows, and losing a few good size fish. What was to be their last day was fabulous fishing and catching as they landed many, many Northern Pike and as Michael termed it. “We slayed them all day long,” and I mean all day long, from 8 AM to 8 PM. Well, after an airline cancellation (BAD NEWS) they ended up staying one more day (VERY, VERY GOOD NEWS). Don’t you wish all airplane cancellations could strand you a Canadian Wilderness Fishing Lodge. This bonus day ended up being one of the best fishing days ever, as they caught countless toothy critters, mostly Northern Pike, and John tied into, and landed a HUGE Smallmouth Bass. I guess the airlines knew what they were doing. One unusual story happened on this last day; as Michael was trying to land a Northern Pike it got off only to go directly too, and hit John’s lure that he was trying to reel up in order to net Michaels fish. John ended up catching this fish, which was a team effort among father and son, and a memory to last their lifetime. All three had a GREAT fishing trip, and hope to return one day soon.

 A Not Quite 18″ Smallie Caught by Mark from Doylestown

Father and son Tom and Mark Reese from Bartlett, TN and Doylestown, PA returned to Fireside Lodge for their 6th consecutive year. Mark told me when he arrived that his Mom asked him when he and his father start planning their fishing trip to Fireside Lodge, and Mark replied, “As soon as we leave Fireside Lodge and are driving to the airport to go home. Mom”. First day on the water Mark caught 10-12 Northern Pike, 28 to 32 inches, and Tom caught 4-5. Second day was a picture perfect day, and they had a wonderful father and son day just enjoying where they were, spending time together and catching a few fish. Third day they caught a lot of Smallmouth Bass and Mark, with his celebration camera took some fabulous eagle pictures, several being in mid flight, and the camera paid for itself just with those pictures. Well, Almost?? Fourth day was fast action for Tom as the first thing in the morning as he caught 6 Northern Pike in 9 casts before Mark could even get started. They continued to catch Pike, and also caught a number of Smallmouth Bass. Last day they caught two Northern Pike trolling, then found some Smallmouth Bass that just would not stop biting. They had to come back to the lodge for more leeches, and used all of those up before suppertime. They caught a lot a good size Smallies, from 14 to 17 inches, and Mark caught a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth measuring 18 inches, and Tom had one in the 17-inch range. Both had a great father and son visit at Fireside Lodge and made a ton of memories again.

 Northern Pike Caught by Harry from Pittsburgh

Harry and Susan from Pittsburgh, PA returned to Fireside Lodge for their third visit and joining them for the second time was Harry’s sister and Brother-In-Law Larry and Betty Schiffenhaus from Essex Fells, NJ. Just for a few hours before supper Harry started the ball rolling with a nice 33-inch Northern Pike before Happy Hour, ad all were laughing and having fun in the dinning. First day was a very fun day as they caught a few fish and enjoyed a fabulous shore lunch. Second day was full of fast actions and fun as they all caught a lot of Northern Pike, and had many follows. Third day this group had a blast have a terrific shore lunch and laughed all day long and caught fish. Fourth day they caught some fish, both Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass, and discovered the magic of leeches for Smallmouth Bass. Betty did very well at this method catching some big Smallmouth, and Larry’s comment was that this method was too easy and made him feel like he was cheating. Betty obviously did not share the same feelings. All had loads of fun and thoroughly enjoyed there day on the water. Larry enjoys photography and our wilderness area gave him plenty of great opportunity to capture some wildlife and scenery pictures. Fifth and final day they all enjoyed another fabulous shore lunch and all caught some nice fish. These four had many good times and made many memories during their stay at Fireside Lodge. Before leaving they all mentioned they would return as a group in 2009 and Harry will be returning with a fishing friend in 2008.

September, 2007

 Muskie Caught by Tom from Feasterville

Chuck Barreras from Douglassville, PA and good friend Tom Crooks from Feasterville, PA returned to Fireside Lodge for their second year in a row and for Chuck this was a special fishing trip as he brought his daughter Maria for her thirteenth birthday. Their first day turned out to be a fabulous day Muskie fishing as they had 40-50 follows, hooked five, getting two to the boat and landing two others, one each by Tom and Chuck. They also had a few other strikes and caught three nice size Smallmouth Bass. Maria had a lot of fun being part of all this action, and mostly just being with her dad. Second day they had loads of fun visiting Twin Falls at lunchtime, which Maria really enjoyed. They caught some fish, in fact all three, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Muskie. Chuck caught the Musky off of Burnt island, the same Island he caught three others in the last two years. Third day was very windy and a slower catching day, however Tom ended up catching another Muskie. It’s always a good day when you boat a Musky. Fourth and final day was a fabulous finish to a great four-day fishing trip. These three caught over 50 Northern Pike having constant action all day long. The smiles on their faces told the story and the memories made between Father, Daughter, and long time childhood friend “Priceless”. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge to spend special vacation time.

 Master Angler Smallmouth Bass Caught by David from Pittsburgh

Father and son David and John Carris from Pittsburgh and Hidden Valley, PA were at Fireside Lodge for their first time together, and for David it was his second trip in as many years. They had a ball their first day on the water getting lots of action and landing 10 Northern Pike. Second day they had an absolute blast on the water having fun, seeing wildlife, enjoying the wilderness, and caught nothing. It Happens!!! Third day they made up for it as they had a fabulous day fishing catching well over 30 Smallmouth Bass all being 14 to 17 inches, and each caught a Master Anglers Award Smallmouth, Dave’s measuring 18.5 inches and John’s was a GIANT at 19 inches. For this father and son the fish catching was the bonus as they just wanted to be together and enjoy conversing, laughing, telling stories, and making some memories that will last a lifetime, which they no doubt did accomplish. Thanks for choosing Fireside Lodge to spend you special time together.

Thanks to Fireside Lodge for granting me permission to post these reports and pics.  More lodges should publish their reports.  You can follow along with their 2008 reports at their web site. 

I’ll continue saving my money for a trip, spend time reading their reports, and look forward to my annual newsleter.  If you visit Fireside this summer or have been there and want to share about your trip, I’d love to hear from you.