From the get-go, the guys from the McCoy gang were all smiles and after a minor feud with the Hatfield group in Cabin 3, it was time to hit the water in search of some toothy critters. It can be all too easy to look back at all the big fish pictures and forget the hours of scouting, the hundreds of fish less casts, and the big ones that got away. The search for truly trophy sized Northern pike is a legitimate hunt but the key to having a successful and enjoyable trip is simply being able to enjoy being out of doors with the people that we care about… the big fish are after all, just a bonus, in my opinion.
As fishing guides we can be our own worst enemy at times; constantly analyzing and re-analyzing our fishing approach and trying to make the proper corrections to put those big girls in the boat. The McCoy group's awesome attitude and ability to have fun and find the best of every moment is what made them an absolute pleasure to fish beside. Despite challenging weather conditions, these guys made the best of every aspect of our time together. The laughter could be heard for miles as shore lunch was prepared, and enjoyed by good friends. The picture below describes the energy from this group better than words ever could.
Extreme cold fronts are pretty much the epitome of a northern fisherman's worst nightmare and boy, was it ever a chilly trip! As water temperatures cooled, the fish spread out into deeper water and were relating to rocky structure, with the best fish being landed in relation to spots holding concentrations of walleye. All the while the McCoy gang maintained a truly positive, appreciative, and happy demeanor. On the fourth and final day of the trip, we took up wings and headed to the renowned, CRAZY BEAR LAKE! Troy and I fished together for the majority of the trip and he is pictured below with his beautiful Bear Lake trophy. Thanks for sticking it out with me, you were an absolute pleasure to have in the boat buddy!
Boat morale was at an all time high as each boat landed several high 30 inch class pike or greater. It was the perfect ending to the trip and I was left with an uplifting feeling of happiness as we boarded the float plane to head back to our castle for supper. At the end of the day, it would be honest to say that fishing was tough during the four day period but you'd never know it based upon the attitude of the guys in this group. Thank you to all the guys in the group and a special thanks to Doug and Greg for making it happen! YOU GUYS ROCK!