Lake Champlain United - Forums

With the weather lining up good for Saturday we headed to converse. We met NHJIM, Misstress and BlackGhost at the launch at 7 and the lake looked calm as a baby sucking tit.

Lake temps at 38.7 were almost a temp degree higher 25 down. We motored to whalons and setup. Riggers slide divers and 5-7 color lead were all deployed. By the time we got the set done the 1st fired and we had a salmon aboard by 730am.

The bite began and Joe and John struggled to keep rods deployed and after 2 hrs I heard a comment about needing a rest! By 9 am the counter was at 15 and we were missing
Clicks due to all the action. Near split rock it was lakers. It in the crotch of whalons the bite was salmon!

By 11am we had bbqed some cinnamon rolls and baked stuffed clams as well as some panko breaded shrimp. We decided to troll wide and change some water. As we hit the 290 ft line deep in whalons a rigger fired and Joe yelled damn laker! I said remember every fish is a brown till we see it, trying to make it better. Well when this fish surfaced I glanced over my shoulder at the wheel expecting to see slime in the surface. To my delight Joe was battling a beautifully brown trout!!

After netting we got a measurement of 22” for the 1st brown of the year! Later we landed another brown. Nice to get multi browns in our 1st trip if 2026.

BOth Joe and John had a rare catch each!
Each had a major fight from a salmon on the cheater and a laker in the main line to reel in 2 fish at a time. Signal of the heavy bite at times!!

After that we tucked into town farm to bbq some tbone and fillet steaks to feed the crew. Wow they were tasty, even if the bite slowed and got slimy in Townfarm bay.

We landed a nice 20” salmon that had a 14” adult lamprey on it. The salmon was happy to be stripped and released.

Good to see INSTAGATOR,
surprise and other boats
Out. I bet we had 8 boats in the lake today:)

Around 3pm we decided we had enough fun and started a slow pickup. The counter continued to climb all day and ended at 28 again this trip for 2 in a row with that number!

What a blast on the lake today! Thanks for the great memories guys!!

Fish on!

It was great to see you and the rest of the hardcore fisherman yesterday Matt! Sorry I didn’t get a chance to chat at the access with you all, we were on a mission to christen a new Frostbiter aboard the Mistress.
If I hear of Bobby Flay or any other cook show host coming to the area I am going to reach out to their production crew and nominate Reelax for a segment on their show. Glad I was upwind of you guys, my crew might have gotten hungry and wanted to bail early had they smelled those steaks grilling
See you all out there soon!
Pat

Great Day out.

Good to see the Trailers in the lot as I met John & First timer on the Lake Matt.

We deployed 2 riggers @ 30 & 35 and two lite bite slide divers out 75 & 80.

Did the rounds and just couldn't stay buttoned for Matt on Silver. He took home 2- 20 inch nice clean lake spawned Lakers to bake with Old Bay/ Brown Sugar & Butter with a squeeze of lemon at serving.

Had John's Blueberry Scones for Breakfast, Matts Cheese & Olives & I brought Clam Cowder for lunch.

Off @ 3:30 as Matt had a home commitment.

Yacked with NHJim & Partner Matt in the lot as they were buttoning up for their 2 1/2 hr drive home. We sure have it good being so close.

Fished alongside Mike Morin and Shootout Winner Ron Dusablon down to Hunter Bay.

Good to see all and speak with Black Ghost Ken, Relax Matt, Mike Morin & Ron Dusablon, Instigator Reggie, & NHJim & Matt, Swilly Will Nolan today.

May get back out mid week as we push to the middle of January with water still 39.7 in places. Bet we will be able to fish every week until March
now.

Thanks For Sharing The Day!

Mistress


Relax


NHJim & Swilly

Great job matty boy!!!!!good eats,good fishing and good friends,great way to spend the day.glad to hear you were able to get out there Randy and enjoy the beautiful weather and put some fish in the boat,keep it up fellas!!!

Way to go, guys!! Love the massive kype on that brown.

Rule #1 : Nobody goes hungry on Reelax!

Great maiden voyage to start 2026 beautifully. Nice pics of fish and food.
Always pleasant time reading your posts.

Pictures tell it all. Thank you Matt and Joe for a great day on the water !! Cant wait for the next one !!!!

Sounds like a fun day and nice fish. I cant wait to get up there in the spring. Thanks for the report.