Fall, 2022

Fish don’t have hands; to investigate, they open their mouth, and sometimes it’s someone’s foot.

Quote by  “Jeremy Wade“
Who knew that VBL was such a horror filled destination!! Beware…

Remembering back to 2014 when the River Monster crew were here during “Musky Madness”. It was a crazy week, and even crazier that it’s been 8 years already. How time flies! Best to get the Fall Blog report underway…

When you’re after pike you sometimes get a surprise! Jay Stanley with a 50″ musky on September 18.
Bob Swanson with a dandy walleye while out with guide Greg.

The Rusty Crayfish….when they’re not busy cutting down weed-beds they pull pranks on walleye anglers.
Big fish are often described as looking like a “log in the water”. This one was gently released to fight another day!
Nice fall weather along with a nice fall walleye!
In case of musky, pull red tab…
One of the reasons walking the portage trail is faster than taking the creek.
Fall is probably the best time to walk the portage trails….over the hill to McGregor Lake.
Lake trout, whitefish, shore-lunch!
Joe who?
Joe Moskal posing with Nancy’s 38 inch Northern….”Musky Madness Week 2022″.
Speaking of Musky Madness, it was becoming controversial while I lead my own competition with this 45 inch fish, caught while fishing with Len.
He liked my retro “Big Kahuna” buck-tail. Thanks Bob Stevens for retying the hair!
Here I lead the people with a rousing rendition of “God Save the Queen”…or did I? Nope, just Musky Madness awards night.
Len Belpedio, yodeling his way to winning the competition with a 47 1/2″ musky! Congratulations!
I did manage to win….a gift certificate good for a “date night with Susanne”!
While on the topic of competition, here’s Jeff Prieboy declaring himself “Numero Uno” in the 2022 Bull Perch Rodeo. Jeff hammered the competition with a 12 inch bull perch. Much to Andy Lewis’s dismay (11 3/4″) the hand carved wood trophy ( by Charles Weiss) slipped out of his reach. There’s always next year Andy!
Speaking of the artist Charles Weiss and slipping out of your reach, here he is tangling with Eagle Lake’s famous “exploding pike”
Dennis Planic with a yet to explode pike…

So a brief pictorial review…

To the end of the season of 2022….and 30 years of VBL! Thanks to all of you who made last year, and the last 30 years, so memorable and enjoyable! We’re looking forward to 2023 and beyond. I’ll leave you with a few more pictures to end with…

Early morning fog on the lake….the view never gets old!
The season coming to a close…
The same view but from today, November 19….lake is still open in the bay but I predict mostly ice by tomorrow morning. This morning a wolf ran along the edge of the ice heading towards the West….followed by our two hounds. They finally came to their senses and headed home!
End of the season and high water and flooding is a dim memory. Let’s see what next year brings! Stay tuned!

One day later….

As an addendum to yesterdays blog post I offer this update…November 20, 2022. Yesterday I posted the current lake view and postulated the bay would be frozen over by today. Here’s a shot from a few minutes ago…

Winter ice is officially here in Vermilion Bay.

One picture I forgot to include which I think is interesting for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it’s a giant of a laker….38 inches. Caught in October while casting for musky is not unheard of but it is unique. Of course the trout season is closed and fish at this time of year are all released. I think it speaks to the diversity of Eagle Lake and the quality of the fishery. Sure it can be tough at times, but this is not a “cookie cutter” lake with one or two species. Five major species with trophy potential for all of them. 68,000 acres, mostly undeveloped and remote. It never fails to surprise me.

Till next year….

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Testimonials

Thank you very much for making my get a way week so enjoyable. Dan and I had a great time. You and Susanne should be commended on how clean and well maintained your cabins and lodge are. I will recommend you to anyone that is looking to go to Canada fishing and I look forward to the time I can come back.

Jody Hansen