fly fishing basics over the weekend. We had a bit of adventure getting up there when the bearings on my truck went out at 5am and we were 35 miles South of International Falls. After two hours tracking down and waiting on a tow truck, praying a shop was open over the holiday weekend (thank you All Seasons Equipment!), and then going for breakfast at the Chocolate Moose while it got fixed, we were back on the road North! After that ordeal, the border crossing was easy. [caption id="attachment_3393" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Stranded"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3395" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Hot Chocolate makes everything better"][/caption] Once we got there, we unpacked and hit the water. I won’t give you a day-by-day rundown, but our week went something like this: Up and eat breakfast On the water by 9am We’d fish all day…usually on Clearwater. Some would head to High Rock. Dinner by 6pm Back out into VB for the evening bite [caption id="attachment_3392" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="VBL Sunrise"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3391" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Breakfast of Champions"][/caption] Clearwater didn’t disappoint and as an added bonus the creek was up, so all three boats could go over. We caught fish off all the common points. We were trolling small floating Rapalas in mostly blue/orange or black/silver combo. The Lakers were up in the water and that always makes it fun! [caption id="attachment_3397" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="His first Lake Trout"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3398" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="18" - 24" Lakers all day, every day"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3399" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Beautiful weather all week"][/caption] We also got into some pretty good Smallies on Clearwater: [caption id="attachment_3402" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tub jigs into the boulders worked like a charm!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3401" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="A great Clearwater Smallie"][/caption] Instead of Clearwater, just about everyday, one of the boats would make the journey to High Rock lake. It did not disappoint as we caught some great Smallies and Walleye: [caption id="attachment_3409" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Some nice eaters"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3408" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Tub jigs were getting Walleye & Smallmouth"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3407" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="He caught and released this beauty!"][/caption] While Clearwater and High Rock didn’t disappoint, most of our after dinner fishing was done within site of VBL…and it was equally as great. We caught 3 Lake Trout over 30″, the biggest was mine at 33″ and 15lbs. Mark caught two, almost twin Lakers (31″ & 30.5″) just 30 minutes apart. In fact, the first one he caught actually tried to hit his white tube jig while is was 4″ out of the water off the side of the boat! They cast at it as it swam away, and he caught it on the drop! I also caught the small perch to complete a 6-species week at VBL (Lake Trout, Walleye, Small Mouth, Pike, Whitefish, Perch). All these pictures are from within 5 minutes of VBL: [caption id="attachment_3416" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A beauty of a fish!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3411" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Landed this 30" in a boat by myself one night!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3412" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="One of a limit-out kind of morning right before we left"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3413" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hey, it counts for the specie total!"][/caption] Like I mentioned in a post before I went up, heading to VBL is about so much more than the fishing. It was a great time with my son building some memories, chatting in the boat, hanging with friends, drinking bourbon with Gord deciding John and Mark could just spend the night on the water and we’ll find them in the morning, and so many other things! It really was a great week and it’s why I love early season fishing trips! [caption id="attachment_3422" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Love the views from the deck"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3419" align="aligncenter" width="168" caption="Yep, he went swimming!"][/caption] ]]>
If you like GREAT fishing, hospitality and affordability, Vermilion Bay Lodge is highly recommended. I have been making the trip to Vermilion Bay Lodge for the past 10 years and have never once been disappointed. If you like great walleye, northern, musky and trout fishing, this place should not be overlooked. The fishing has been excellent… no matter what time we went. Gordy and Susanne are wonderful hosts that will make you feel right at home. Check it out – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
