The seasons are a bit different at the 60th parallel. Spring is usually a three week period between ice out and the first hot, calm period. This year spring lasted five days. We started with cool and windy weather for our first group and then went directly into mid-summer: hot, hot, hot. The 2013 season opened on June 11 with full sunshine and a light breeze. It was in a word: perfect. The first group of anglers kicked off the season with a high level of energy and focus, but that first group had only one of those perfect days, then four days of a cold front, but they came to fish and have a good time and that is exactly what they did. As is typical for early season everything was shallow. Even the lake trout were caught in just a few feet of water. The veteran guide team (averaging 11 seasons at Scott) went to every corner of the sprawling lake to find fish for their clients and they were successful. Everyone caught lots of fish, some of course more than others. The first trophy of the season went to long time guest Doug Roche who landed a trophy pike early on the opening day. Many followed. Over the first ten days of the season 170 trophies were landed, nearly all of them pike. With the cold water temps allowing the lake trout to roam anywhere and everywhere on the lake, trophy trout were scarce, but Steve Abbot landed a 41” beauty and Jamison Viljaste got a fat 38 incher. But the aggressive northern pike were the show: they were angry and hungry after a long winter under the ice with slim rations. As is typical of the early season, they came in bunches—big bunches.
There were some memorable days on the water. Jeff Rennaker got a girthy 45” pike. Rocky Santulli nailed a 44 and a 45 spotted in a shallow bay. Joe Daugherty added a 45 to the second group’s totals. Connie Schmidt put a 44.5 and a 45 into his guide’s hands. Joe Lasnoski took a fat 19” grayling on a four weight fly rod. So many big fish and so many big bunches of big fish. Jeff Berg grabbed a four-pack of trophy pike in one great day. Tom Kehoe Sr. and Jr. had a father/son trip they will never forget. They combined for an incredible 23 trophy pike in their five days on the water including one that stretched the tape to 45”. Mike Sumeraki had an impressive five trophy day. But the single most amazing day of the early season belonged to Mike Rogers and Jameson Viljaste who together brought 14 trophy pike into their guide’s cradle in a single day with four of those fish exceeding 44”. And they kept it rolling throughout the week reaching a total of 25 trophy pike for their five days on the water plus one bonus trophy lake trout. Mike Rogers who has been on Canadian fishing trips for many years called it “the most incredible fishing adventure of my lifetime, beyond anything I could have imagined.” Fishing partner Jameson called their effort an “assault on the big fish in the lakes”, adding that the fish were both eager and cooperative”. He believes that “no other lodge anywhere can provide such a complete fishing experience.” Now that’s a happy customer. And that’s what catching dozens of nice fish a day can do to one’s mind. There were many happy customers in those first two groups, especially in the lucky anglers fishing in the second slot, June 16-21. They had five absolutely perfect days with full sun and hot, hot weather along with hot fishing. Who could ask for more?