Some thoughts for the 2005 Northwoods Classic

OK, I've heard enough mumbles and grumbles about Boom Lake. So, here's my
thoughts for 2005.

We can still stay at the Claridge Best Western, still have Thursday night
dinner at the Rhinelander Pub and Cafe, Friday night's Al-Gen Fish Fry and a
wild game feed at my place.

We can all trailer our boats about 20 miles west to Lake Mohawksin and have
the tourney there. This is a body of water roughly the same size as Boom
Lake (1,500 - 1,800 acres) and is also part of the Wisconsin River system.
I've fished it for roughly 12 years and it's been a great smallmouth
fishery, as well as one for walleyes, northern pike and muskies. Yes Warren
and Charles, it also has dogfish in it as well, so rest assured, you'll
still be in the running for largest non-bass. ;-p This would make the NWC
primarily a smallmouth tournament.

I've caught many nice smallmouth bass (some approaching 6+ pounds) on this
lake and it's my go-to lake if I have a client request a smallmouth guide
trip. Kevin "Heavy" Hare, Ronnie Garrison, Chris Rennert and Zenbasser have
all fished this water in the past and have done pretty good. After the last
NWC, Ronnie and I went there and had a pretty good morning, and I even
caught my first largemouth on that lake, a healthy fish around 4 pounds.

One of the reasons that I haven't had the NWC on this lake before is the
distance from Rhinelander, so let me know if anyone objects to trailering
1/2 hour in the morning and evening.

Another reason that I haven't had the NWC there is that there is an
additional potential for disaster on this lake when it comes to hitting
things with a prop. But, unless you're Jerry, I can mark maps and show
people where they can run on plane, and where they should slow down. BUT,
the possibility still exists to make the prop shops more money.

Another reason that I haven't had the tournament there is because there's
always a fairly large regional club tournament the same weekend as the NWC.
I didn't want our guys to be fighting for places to fish with another group.

In order to avoid this, and to clear up time for me and my somewhat odd
work/filming/hunting schedule, I was thinking of moving the NWC to the
weekend BEFORE Labor Day. While this might mean a little more recreational
boat traffic, it also might make it easier for others to come, with their
kids and make this a family outing and also means that I can catch the
archery season for rutting bull elk in Wyoming!

I've got a call into a Tomahawk area tackle shop to make for certain that
there isn't a tournament on the lake that weekend.

So, what do you think?
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com