For Whom The Bell Tolls, Redux

[Frank Walsh]

Doug Green rings in the first tonight with a 51".

[s grabow]

way to go on the first ringy dingy! hope to do it myself when the flatlanders invade in a couple weeks.

[Frank Walsh]

Rob Powell with number two of the season. A 50 1/4". He also caught a 27 inch walleye today, but who's counting.

[Frank Walsh]

I'm going to jail for sure. Here is Doug's fish. Note the 4/13 date. Thank god the lake was frozen then, or we would certainly be accused of fishing before the season opened.

[Tim Kelly]

What a nice clean looking fish, no spwning battle scars and sores. Keep 'em coming!

[dpear]

Tim,
I agree.Hard to get cleaner,prettier fish.Congrats to both guys!

[bozo]

Great week! Great hosts! Thanks Laura for taking care of us and thanks to Frank (and Dick) for the sage advice and sharp insults. We had a great time! I do believe Doug has decided to keep coming back with us.

[Frank Walsh]

Randy Meyer picked it back up again with a 50 1/4" this evening.

[Frank Walsh]

I asked Randy if he wanted to say a few words, and all he could do is profusely thank his guide......Shannon!

[Frank Walsh]

The Bermingham family tradition continues with Colin's first (but not last) entry into the 50 inch world.

[Frank Walsh]

Ron Koenig got a 50 1/4 today, and another guy in his cabin got a 51 + a few days ago. Pictures to follow.

[Frank Walsh]

Craig Timko's 51 3/4".

[Frank Walsh]

Tom Gilbertson's 50 incher off a birdshit rock.

[Tim Kelly]

Nice fish guys! Looks like the weather's a bit warmer and drier than recently!

[Frank Walsh]

Not much. Some rain most every day. Have a few more to post yet.

[Sully]

I know that Bird Shit Rock!

[Frank Walsh]

No you don't. However, it looks the same. As a side note, I did catch one on your birdshit rock on Tuesday.

[Frank Walsh]

Ron's 50 1/4", and his son Ryan, Mr. Honest. With a 49 1/4" most people would have rounded to 50.

[dpear]

Its starting to get noisy around here.My ears are ringing.

[Frank Walsh]

Andrew, with his first of what should be a bunch of 2009 biggies. A 51". Note the fine ride!!!!!!

[Frank Walsh]

Dick's 53" from Sunday. All he had was his classic home video. Beautiful fish. What you could see of it.

Today will be self timer 101 classes for his camera.

[dpear]

Nice.Cheap shots don't detract from quality video of Oscar winning footage of multiple fish.As to the 'timer',you've been saying there's a timer on my camera for 2 years.I see you don bifocals and 'search' modes,settings,and god knows what else besides taking the camera apart yet all I get is timed out.Its time you find the timer.

[dpear]

OK,OK so the old boy found a 'timer'on my camera yesterday.Its a one shot wonder though and you have just seconds to do things that should take longer.Nevertheless I gave it a 'shot' this morning and it did work.Not a 53 but over 50.
Managed to still cut part of the tail off but Sow Susie was captured via the 'timer'.
Not sold on it and likely the first and last 'self timer' pic unless someone can give me a technique that is more fish friendly.
Thank god I turned on the video cam right away so I have Oscar winning footage-of the type often maligned by some on here.:(

[Frank Walsh]

Here she be. Even a chimp can learn to use a timer.

[AndrewH]

Holy look at the girth on that fish. Nice one.

[musky1969]

Nice clean fat fish, if they are this fat now can't wait tell Oct. Nov.
But the ice will proable come late Sept.:(
Darren

[musky1969]

I think I know that spot, its that one island up there with some small trees and rocks on the shore right?
Darren

[dpear]

Darren,
Thats the one,the one with trees and rocks.Straight west of Wiley Point.
Andrew,
Would have loved to get a couple more pics that really show the girth.Sweet one weight wise for this early.(although maybe they're already pigging out fearful of ice over soon).

[dpear]

Well I was feeling sorry for a certain landlubber so mentioned to him I had a new spot that was crawling with 50s.Of course he was interested in that so we went there this evening and by golly he got one.(I took a 45 and left the 50 for him being a gracious host and all).
I'm sure he'll post the pic I,DPEAR took and also sure he'll want to appologize for previous comments he's made about my photographic skills.
Finally,if he mentions something about 'reels' and fish that get away,ignore it,simply not true.
Thank you.

[kdc]

nice to hear some guys are fishing!

that picture of Burl Ives (hard to tell with all that white facial hair) with the tubby girl looked great!

see ya'll soon.

[Frank Walsh]

Looks like mine's bigger, but who's counting?????

Don't know if he makes a better guide, or photographer.

We report......You decide!

Yes, it's a reel sad story...indeed. I'm sure if you ask reel nice, there's a reel good chance to hear the reel scoop on the reel nice fish that somehow managed to get away. This story is so bizarre, that Norm Wild would not believe it.

[dpear]

Well I'm not admitting anything reely happened but if his story is reel,he reely can't deny that he was messing with my reel while it was possibly happening.And that reely is the reel truth.

[Sully]

I see even a "Gray Squirrel" can find a nut now and then :D - thank goodness I was not there to misnet it!

[Lisa]

What a treat to see these pictures of our camera-shy host (aka Frank) and Dick with the fish I dream about catching! Great job, guys!
Lisa

[Sully]

Dick,

On closer observation...I see you are still fishing my spots.

[dpear]

Sully,
You must be confused again.These fish were caught on the Woods,not lake Wingra in Madison.
Sadly I have to leave again in the morning.I envy the guys coming in tomorrow.The fish are going.Good all day and Frankie and I had a good evening.One of a number of highlights tonight was a fat 42 inch type that hit my Gramma at the end of a cast and set an all time record for continuous headshaking.It lasted about 10 seconds and covered about a boat length.Then it slugged it out all the way in.Sweet!
Didn't talk to Steve tonight so not sure how they did but I suspect good.LOTS of fish caught today.
Glad you aren't here.:)

[Frank Walsh]

You get him Sully. He's burning out both of your two spots. The barge, and the floating dock.

Lisa, far better than the Chef Boy-AR-Dee gig. Funny, but it's the August period that you cannot catch fish in. Hope all is well with you guys.

[Frank Walsh]

Rocco Bratta's 50 1/4" from last week.

[dpear]

Congrats Rocco!Hope your partners thumb is OK.Nasty wound!Too many 'windswept points'and big fish.:)You guys had a heck of a week.

[Rocco]

Thanks Dick!

We did have a great trip as it seems things were really heating up last week. Total was 10 fish with the biggest one pictured and several other mid 40 " fish and several others on and lost plus surface action to boot! Totally awesome and my personal best week.

My buddy's thumb was pretty messed up so a word of advice for anyone who gets stuck by a hook or develops a good cut while fishing, don't handle fish with that hand or wear a glove. I think the slime from handling fish infected his thumb. He's doing alot better and thanks for your concerns. Also wanted to buy your video "muskies on the shield" how can I get one?

Rocco Bratta

[dpear]

Rocco,
Sent you a PM.Let me know if not received.

[Frank Walsh]

Mike Szopinski, with his 52 during the week.
Guess who will show up with a few beast as soon as he forwards me the pictures????

[Frank Walsh]

Joe Vandermeir with a 51 1/2" from today. Still waiting for some pics.

[Frank Walsh]

Who's pictures are we waiting for? Why of course Andrew. With his usual covey of weekly 50's. Beautiful 50 1/2 & 52 1/2 beasts.

[dpear]

Wow,3 nice ones!I'm gonna hire a different guide!

[AndrewH]

Just got lucky and was in the right place at the right time. The learning curve sure has been shortened by coming up to Bay Store. I wasn't much of a weed fisherman unless they were combined with rocks but this week sure changed that. There is still lots of learning to do but every year I learn something new. The fish sure seemed to be showing themselves this last week, looks like the guys in camp should have a good week.

Hey DP was that 48 the morning I left off a certain spot I may have seen you on. There were quite a few fish in there at one point, not sure if that still is the case.

Frank go get those 2 big girls on you know where.

[musky7600]

Joe Vandermeir with a 51 1/2" from today. Still waiting for some pics. Wow !!! What a beauty. The kids were amazed .......wish you could've seen there faces when I showed them this picture. Have fun!!

[jkwiegand]

If you know how tall Andrew is, that fish is even more impressive! Just think if Frank was holding it... it would look like the world record!

[Frank Walsh]

You obviously have never met Tony Rizzo. Even Ruhmann looks down on him.

[Frank Walsh]

Another week......another 51 for Andrew.

[Frank Walsh]

Guy comes up for one day, and another 51. Note, this is the Hellkat fish without the dental device.

Think I should have titled this post, "The Andrew Show"??????

[Frank Walsh]

He's back.................................

Think this picture was taken to hide the spot??????

[AndrewH]

Nice fish Dick. Looking good. I was sorry Becky and I just missed you. Give em Hell.

[dpear]

Yes, i'm back. after over a month off the water got here last nite.In time to net a biggie for Frankie again,get cut and bruised releasing his fish again,nothing changes I guess.(we did have quite an evening though:))
Overslept this morning but all is well.Got 3 fast including this one I've waited 40 years for on this Lake.Sweet.Sorry about the 'self portraits' but it was a nice one-precisely measured.
My skills with a camera are what they are but.....Very pleasing day-and we are heading out now so it likely isn't over.
Nice fish Andrew and I AGREE on the HellKats!!!
Here's the other pic-as bad(or good) but....
Sorry.

[fishwizard]

Oh my god, that thing is a slob. I've seen plenty of pictures with you and a fish, but, despite the trick shot angle, that fish has got to be one of the biggest. Well deserved.

[Frank Walsh]

Butch Zens guided his brother Gary to this 50 3/4" fatty today.

[Figure8Phil]

Very clean, beautiful Lunge DP! Congratulations!

[Illinois Dennis]

Dick,
Congrats on the fish! How does it feel to finally get that piece of as_ after 40 yrs?

[musky1969]

Yes Dick congrads on that fish, so is she a "Legal" and I hope we get her in November :D

[dpear]

Yes.Yes.
Numbers today.Biggest I heard of so far was 47.Weather changing a bit-lil cooler.We'll see what happens.
Tony Rizzos old saying of 'any change,is a good change' is largely true I think-except when they already are going.:(

[Frank Walsh]

What..........again???????

[dpear]

Lets just call this one a 'test'.Poor Frank.So disgusted I cut off tails he rigs me a tripod.=cut tails.
Then yesterday he rigs my camera vertically on the tripod,makes me pose,marks the precise spot for me to place the tripod and for me to stand.Well he must have screwed up!!!!Certainly I,the 'mechanical man',can't screw up.
I think he fails to appreciate the 'age' factor.At my age its simply asking a lot for me to secure the net,set up the camera,hit the 'timer',scramble back to the fish,get a grip,then try 'pose',all in 10 seconds.Nowadays it takes me that long just to get to the trolling motor.Not to mention it was still poor light time.Give it up Frank.
On top of that,this 'Fall' fishing is too dam easy,I'm going hunting.

[musky7600]

Im not sure if anyone else is having this problem but when i pull up the bell tolls page there is only one page.I can only view the first page and thats it . any help app.

[Frank Walsh]

I would try the webmaster, if you get no help there you might try going to User CP, then Edit Options, and look at settings.

[Mr Musky]

Nice fish Dick! I think you should axe the 10 second camera pic idea and get a video recorder set up like Joe Bucher's. Tape the whole deal! Put it all on your second dvd and post You Tube clips on here and talk about what your doing. Man would that be awesome! Sure looks like some Sept fatties! I'd hate to see them in November. They are some dandies! Keep tallying them up.

Congrats!

Craig

[dpear]

Hi Craig.
Yeh I hear you.I need to focus(pun?)on a new set up for next year or just stop this.I feel its too stressful on the fish the way I'm doing it now.I actually have most of them on video anyway though so maybe someday i could put....
Anyways this thread is a good place to put some good news for those that fish here.This incredible stretch of warm stable weather has given us a glimpse of the fishery I think.LOTS of big fish around and an incredible population of 'nice' fish.
Been here 5 days and its hard to describe -or- believe.Fishing a few hours morning and evening has produced more nice fish than I've ever seen or caught.Multiple 5 fish days and only 2 the whole time under 40 inches.Been going out the last couple hours with Frank and think our worst night produced 2 fish.The only day we fished together morning and evening was slow-we only got 5 with an average of about 44 inches.
A word for Wendy.Wendy I heard from Butch and Gary you are flying in to fish a couple days with Frank.If this weather holds,you are in for a treat.He has at least 2 different knee knocker brutes lined up-REAL knee knockers.Should be your time!!!
To everyone else who is still coming for the Fall-you should get some incredible fatties this year.They are here,they are fat,and they appear ready to do business.Good fishing,heading home to hunt.

[Sully]

What a life. I missed a turn some where.:confused:

[dpear]

Yes Sully,that explains the 'loose screw'.

[DSmith]

Boy am I glad that DP went home and left a few fish without sore mouths for me. Enjoy the hunting Dick. I am sure that Frank kept a few secret spots for us to drag a lure through. Dennis, we might try your favorite spot one of the days. The bell has been sitting idle too long and rust is starting to form on the clapper. We will see what can be done about that.

[Frank Walsh]

Tim Grybowski scrapes the rust off today with a 51".

[Brett]

from somewhere,,,,way,,,,,,, far away from you.

Got it on that little lure I made and promised you one. Will get at it this winter and see what you can do with it.

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/265/french021.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6814/french005.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/9302/french007.jpg

[Frank Walsh]

I was pretty happy with my measly 49 this afternoon, until I saw Darren's 52.
Pretty awesome.

Brett, she's a beauty. How big????

[dpear]

Congrats Darren!
Are you sure it wasn't Carols rod?:)

[Frank Walsh]

Jerry Lally with a 50 1/4. And yes, it was on Carol's rod. She stayed in today, and it was caught in what would have been her position.

[Fisher]

Boy, that looks close to camp?

[Frank Walsh]

Photo Shop..........