Wild Bill's North Country Roundup 2010

[J Francho]

I head the pleasure of being invited to a friendly "big bass" tournament on Upper Saranac Lake.

Big Thanks to Burnie, Wild Bill, Lucky Craft, Snag Proof, Rod Glove, Bass Pro Shops, and everyone that showed up with food.

Here's my report:

Upon arrival, I was able to meet many folks at Colgate Camp, including Bill's brother Fred. According to Bill, he's very secretive, but we hit it off well, and spent a couple hours fishing, while he explained some of the things he figured out over the years. He worked a grub, while I targeted submerged boulders with a drop shot. Rotating Gulp gobies, leeches, and two sizes of minnows, finding the leech to be the bite.

I met up with my roommate, Tim (TVal). Tim's a nice guy, and put up with my constant "blah, blah, blah" just fine. The rooms at the Saranac Golf Club Inn are clean, spacious, and more than adequate. At $90 per night, its priced right as well. We had a great steak dinner at La Bella Ristorante in the village of Saranac Lake. You have to go just for the bread and dipping dressing. Great service and decent prices. The two of us ate for less than $50.

Later in the evening, Bill took Tim (Tval) and I out. After realizing that the topwater bite was not on, and neither Bill nor I would win the Sammy vs. Super Spook bet, I decided to chuck and wind big swimbaits, while Tim threw more appropriate finesse baits, and caught. Lightning chased us off the lake too soon.

The next morning I got down to the launch early, to find Bill and Burnie already there, setting up. Many boats started filing in, and my anticipation was growing. I'd had a great morning the day before, and had high expectations for this day. I was paired up with rt36crazyfists, and it was a good match. While we don't fish the EXACT same baits, we fish very similar, with the same aggressive style. Conversation was good as well, and both had great "non-boater" stories to tell, LOL. Unfortunately, we didn't run into any hot bite, and no real big fish. Just in case, we brought a 15" or so LMB for a boat ride, but he didn't measure up. I had a great time on his boat, and many thanks for the ride.

The Food. What can you say? I love these dish to pass deals, get try new stuff, and share your own delicacies.

"After the Catch"

I'll let Maico share his version of events and pics, then tell my side of the story, LMAO. Needless to say, he and Jim were great hosts, and I had a great time.

Got home to real bad news, my buddy Roger had passed away the night before, but that doesn't diminish the trip at all. He was watching from above, and probably contributed to my afternoon mayhem, LOL.

Thanks to all that came, brought food, and to all the new friends.

Some pics from the day.

On my way up, I made sure to stop for pics at this particular turn off, despite the rabid deer flies. I believe its on Rt. 30. My new toy, before its coating of bugs...

The reason for my stop, a tree growing fro a stump.

I wanted some good footage.

I left early enough to fish a few spots on the way up. This is the Cranberry Lake public launch.

I found many bedding rockies willing to cooperate with my Sammy 100.

Accommodations at the Saranac Inn Golf and Country Club were great.

Ransom and his band of Honorary WNY Team Pro Snaggers. Great to finally meet them. We'll have to make plans to tear up the City Dump.

Maico molesting the hot dog buns, while rt36crazyfists, Triton Bassboy, and TVal look in horror and disgust.

Chriss55 of "Camp Chaos." I stayed with him two years ago. Class act. Give this man a Genny Light!

The Fleet.

Demonstrating the Freedomhawk 12 Ultralight. Video By Burnie Haney.

Henderson Harbor, on the way home - almost halfway there!

I hope to see everyone there next year, and maybe meet some new faces.

[Skunked in DR]

Nice report.  Love the picture of the bench with the light coming through the clouds.

Sorry to hear about your friend.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Great pics, Francho.  Looks like you guys had a great time.  Sorry to hear about your buddy though.

[brushhoggin]

wow that kayak is cool. a buddy and i were just discussing bass fishing from them. we were trying to figure a way to accommodate having to stretch after a certain period of time, and looky there. how much for one of those?

[oteymc]

Good story, cool pics.  Condolences on your loss. 

Thanks for sharing

[Big-O]

Now that looked like a fun get together and you made new friends....Perfect  Another great reason to FISH 

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Paul Roberts]

Very nice.

Sorry to hear about Roger.

[Grey Wolf]

Sorry to herar about your friend passing.

[J Francho]

Thanks for the support, and I'm glad you enjoyed the story and pictures.

brushhoggin, the standard Freedomhawk 12 runs about $1000, the 12 Ultralight is $1100, and the 14 is $1300. They come with a basic seat, two rod holders, and leaning bar.

Big O, I'm waiting to get pics of the afternoon from Maico, but I took them to school on a t-rigged Rage Craw. Maico was real impressed with the bait.

I'll pass the condolences along to Roger's family.  Dude could fish: