We are finding fish out in deeper water on rock piles and reefs which is their normal summer pattern.  If there is grass on the reef we sometimes find largemouth, smallmouth bass and pike all on the same reef.  We have a great many reef locations stored and marked on our GPS units which can take us right where the fish are.  We normally put out one or more of our “Tall Boy” marker buoys which help to mark the reef.  We make and sell this one of a kind marker buoy right at the lodge.  It is a high visibility marker that can be seen at great distances even in the roughest wave activity. (Check them out at the ACGS Store Link.)  We then drift toward the reef aided by the buoys that clearly mark the area we wish to fish.  We drift on both sides of the reef and it is always interesting where we find the fish.  There are times when the fish are right on top of the reef and other times the fish are located in deeper water on the edges of the reef.  This is fun fishing and you can’t help but get excited as each cast brings you that much closer to the reef.  When drifting the reefs first thing in the morning the topwater bite can be explosive as the fish comes flying out of the water after the lure.  It is not usual to miss the first couple of fish as we all set the hook on the splash and not the feel of the fish on the line.  There is nothing as exciting as seeing a big smallmouth bass hit a topwater lure again and again.  There are mornings when the fish want a big topwater lure like a full size Zara Spook and other mornings when all they will hit is a small Zara Puppy.  Some of the fish pictures in this month's update were actually caught in previous months. 

We were able to catch some good size Long Nose Gar on a lure with no hooks that we make ourselves.  This is sight fishing and casting in the shallow weedy bays that everyone would enjoy trying.  I wish more of our clients would give this type of fishing a chance since the fish gives you a real good fight, they are large and you can see them come for and take the lure, its great fun.  We do see some fish that are 4 to 5 feet long sunning themselves in the shallow water of a weedy cove.  Many people don’t believe that this unique fish is in Lake Champlain and that they can be caught, but we have the pictures to prove it. 

Long Pond fishing has been great considering how warm it has been this month.  Big numbers of largemouth bass have been caught by many of our clients.  We have noted that no real monster bass have been caught but that is not unusual when the water gets this warm.  The real big female bass feed at night and certainly don’t have to feed as often.  Senko type lures have certainly been the most productive lures and have been producing since mid May.  Don’t forget to return our boats to the storage area up on the grass when you leave for home.  This procedure certainly helps us not to constantly have to pail out boats that are left in the water by clients.  Below are just a few pictures of the many bass that were caught this month.  

We offer “Guide Service” only packages (no meals, no lodging) for people who might be vacationing in the area and want to try the great fishing Lake Champlain has to offer.  The clients can be picked up at almost any motel or hotel in the area and returned to that same location at the end of the fishing day. Fishing equipment and lures can also be supplied if arrangements are made ahead of time. The cost is $370.00 for a party of one or two people and $410.00 for a party of three people.  This is for one full day of fishing with a NYS licensed guide on his boat. What a deal, that comes out to about $137.00 per person for a party of three people for a full day of fishing.  Don’t wait until the last minute to arrange this type of trip call now for information (518) 963-7351 or email us at the lodge guide@adirondackchamplainguideservice.com

Lamprey Update
Sea lamprey control seems to be having a positive affect on lake trout and salmon in Lake Champlain.  Early reports from the LCI Derby indicate that more big fish were being taken this year and with much less scaring on the fish.  Sea lamprey control is scheduled to continue this fall with another treatment of the Winooski River and the first treatment of the Missisquoi River.  Let’s hope these treatments actually take place this fall as Vermont is scheduled to continue their program.   

Bring Back the Walleyes
The Lake Champlain Walleye Association is a very hard working organization that we want to encourage our mailing list members to join.  If and that’s a big if,  walleyes are ever going to flourish in good numbers again in Lake Champlain the LCWA will be the reason why.  We have seen many more of our clients catching good size walleyes this season and hope that it is a preview of better fishing to come.  If you take a few minutes to go to their website www.lcwalleye.org you can see why they are so vital to bringing back the walleyes in Lake Champlain.  The states of Vermont and New York do not have a stocking program for putting walleyes into Lake Champlain but the Walleye Association does.  You can read all about it by going to their website.  For a mere $10.00 a year you can support this fine organization by obtaining a regular membership.  The LCWA is very valuable to the future of walleye fishing in Lake Champlain and we encourage you to join.  They also have family ($15.00) and junior ($5.00) memberships all explained on their website.  We have established a direct link to their website under the Links portion of our website to make it as easy as possible for you to join. There is a printable membership form that can be downloaded direct from their website that will help you to become a member if you want to mail a check.  You can also join right on line by using your Visa or MasterCard.  We have been members for years and again encourage you to join the battle to “bring back the walleyes” to Lake Champlain by becoming a member in the LCWA.

Joke of the Month
Does your boss know why you missed work yesterday? 

“Michael,” the boss bellowed.  “I happen to know that the reason you didn’t come to work yesterday was that you were out playing golf!  What do have to say for yourself?” 

“That’s rotten lie!”  Michael protested, “And I have the fish to prove it!”