1st Timers

Phil and Dawn came fishing for the first time with Hardcore.  They struggled for the first few days.  Oh my goodness, the last day was the best.  They ended up with 19 brook trout over three days.  They each caught one over five pounds.  Dawn also caught a 9-pound lake trout that she fought perfectly and landed.  After this happened, Dawn was catching some brook trout but was complaining that the drag wasn’t working properly.  I did not believe her and neither did her husband Phil especially after I checked her drag and it seemed to be working fine.  She ended up missing a big brook trout because of this problem.  If there is one thing I learned with Phil and Dawn, it not about how you start, but how you finish.  They started weak but ended strong. Congratulations to Phil and Dawn for figuring it out.  May God bless you and your family.  

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Best First Timers

Next comes Willy and Amos these two guys are Michigan rednecks for sure.  They are the x generation of the Bjorem family.  These two guys come out of nowhere to me, but they were booked because they knew Dick.  Willy and Amos caught 69 brookies over 3 days.  They also caught 7 whitefish and 5 lakers.  These two guys know how to fish but they also have common sense and respect for their elders. Willy and Amos caught 69 brookies on their first trip here which is also a new record.  Willy and Amos were the best first group that I ever had.  Somebody must have guided them as to what to do and expect.  These two boys have earned my respect as hardcore approved.  Willy has a new record as well.  He caught a Trophy brookie without his drag making any sound at all.  Willy caught a 6lber in 2 minutes without his drag.  This was no surprise as they were well-spoken by their elders.  Keep on rocking in the free world. To Willy and Amos may God bless you both in your families.  Hopefully we will see each other next spring.

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101 and Done

Okay now it is Ricks turn to shine and carry the torch.  Rick is the son of Dick and Jane.  Rick also comes prepared and ready to rock and roll.  He also chose to bring along a good partner in “caster Dave”.  These two guys smashed a record for most fish over 3 days.  Not only did they boat 101 Brookies over 3 days, but they also caught a 27.5-inch brook trout 3 times over 3 days. Rick caught it twice and Dave caught it once.  This fish was 7lbs.  Rick also caught one that was 21 inches long but had girth of 16 inches.  This fish was 6 lbs 11 oz.  Rick and Dave are true fishermen and pros as you do not set records and standards unless you put in the work and effort.  It is so bizarre that Dick and Jane had their worst year ever and yet Rick and Dave come and set records. That is because us children are to learn from our parents and add our own knowledge into the mix. Rick out fished Dave by a few fish and caught the biggest fish twice but Dave also caught the 27.5-inch brookie and they share the longest brook trout ever in my boat. Now here comes reality.  Rick has caught a brook trout that was 25 inches but had girth and that fish was 7.5 lbs.  To Rick and Dave, you guys were awesome and you earned the title.

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Second Chance

Well, it was Dick and Jane again and the numbers were way down from the past.  But hey, at 84 years old what else would you expect. They only caught 5 fish over 3 days, but what a three days it was.  We had a late spring, and the daily temperatures were single digits. The fishing was very tough as the water and air was so cold.  Dick and Jane went out every day and gave it their best even though they were not getting many bites.  If you want to catch a fish, first you have to get a bite.  If you want to get a bite, first you need a line in the water.  If you want a line in the water, it had better be a good line to catch the big one.  These people are always ready to go and get the job done.  Dick every night goes over the rods and reels and makes sure before bed that their gear is ready to rock and roll the next day.  This is because Dick was a Tournament Fisherman who fished for money.  He understood and knew that if you wanted to catch fish you needed the right gear.  Dick also knows if you are going to compete with a partner in a contest make sure your partner is the best.  And in life it seems like Dick and Jane have set the example as they enjoy life to the very end, will always support each other and fulfill their vows to each other. These people have spent so much time with me and my family that they are family too.  God has blessed me so much that he gave me two moms and dads and my children have an extra grandma and grampa. If there is one thing that we can agree on is that we will see each other in heaven as all Christians will have eternal life. Blessed are those who learn that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God is so amazing that he brings his people together over the love of fish. To Dick and Jane, I shout out. KEEP ON ROCKING IN THE FREE WORLD. To the younger generation take my advice, don’t ever give up, and listen to your parents and your elders as they can help you.

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50 - 50

Well, this post is long overdue. The year 2023 for Hardcore started with Daniel and Jacob helping Dad get ready for this season. This included checking ice conditions and fishing as well.  As usual, I took my boys up to Virgin for our spring fling and just have fun. We also did some ice fishing while checking ice conditions for Dick and Jane. Daniel caught this big bad boy who was a 22 incher and an even five-pounder. If you think my boy would have been happier to have caught this fish that is because his personal best is a 27-inch male with a 16-inch girth that was 9lbs.

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Old Times Again

Ron and Tammy came and it had been a few years since I saw them.  They each caught a brookie over 5 lbs.   Ron had the biggest at 6 lbs.  They also went walleye fishing.  Ron caught a 5 lb walleye and a 5 lb brookie in the same day.  It was a great time and it was nice to see Ron again as he is a long time customer of mine.  Congrats on getting married.  Hope you had a great wedding.

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New Times

Well, I didn't fish for five years and then suddenly, this spring I got the bug and bought a fishing license. Things took off from there.  Daniel, Jacob, and I started ice fishing brookies in May on Jessie Lake.  Then we went up to Lake Nipigon a few times.  My son Daniel started looking at the map at home and he started asking questions about Ombabika Bay.  I told Daniel that I had been planning to go up on Ombabika Bay for over 10 years.  When Daniel took out my maps, it got me excited, remembering all the old conversations and plans around campfires about walleye fishing Lake Nipigon.  Well, we had the time and we decided to go.  I made a phone call to Onaman River Resort, packed the truck, loaded our gear and away we went.  We had never been up there before, and I had heard of Onaman River Resort for years.  Our trip was great, and it was some of the best walleye fishing I had ever seen other then on Lake St. Joseph.  Simeon, Daniel, and I didn't make it to the Little Jackfish River, but we did get some nice fish and we spent two nights out there.  It was awesome as it was the first time in a long time that Simeon, Daniel, and dad all went fishing together.  It was so amazing that when we got back, I turned around and went back again this time with Melissa and Jacob.  This time, we did manage to get to the Little Jackfish River.  And this too was so amazing as man again is changing the course of river and altered the natural landscape.  Things get buried; the old campsites are gone.  We had a great time; dad got his 30-inch Walleye, the biggest walleye I ever caught.  I have had many 28’s, a few 29’s, but never a 30 incher.  Jacob and Mama laughed as Papa danced in the boat after the fish was released and the pictures were taken.  I am going back up there again and I'm definitely checking out the Onaman River Resort and spending more time out there on Ombabika Bay.  It was super amazing and I'm glad I got there, but wow, what a new playground.  It's amazing, Lake Nipigon is amazing and so is my family.  The fact that I can take my children or my wife who had to back the truck up and help me launch the boat. I couldn't do these things without my family, and I know we're going back.  We're gonna have fun because wow Lake Nipigon is God's country.

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