On September 30th, the last leg of my Nipigon guiding season for Lake Trout draws to a close. And, for me, it’s kinda like New Year’s Eve… you know, where we look back and reflect on the year (in this case, season) behind us, and at the year (again, in this case, season) ahead!!
The seasons to which I refer are my 2025 Brook Trout & Lake Trout Guiding Season that’s departing… and my 2025 Moose & Deer Hunting Season that will very soon be here!
As I reflect, 2025 offered up some “speck-tacular” fishing for Brook Trout… the summer water temperatures remained cool throughout the season; there was obviously an abundance of food as the fish were thick, heavy & robust; and catch rates all season long were very good, with a good number (>75 fish) of high-quality, trophy Brookies caught between 20 and 25 inches, and 3.5 to 7.32 lbs.
And although I do target Lake Trout throughout the season, they are not afforded nearly the same amount of time that Brookies get… nonetheless (so far, with a week still to go) more than 20 Lakers greater than 15 lbs were boated, and 7 of those were in the 20 to 30 lb range.
The “Top Fish” – by species – for my 2025 Guiding Season were:
Brook Trout – Nick Brevitz – 25” L x 15.5” G – 7.32 lbs
Lake Trout – Madison Tyynela – 42” L x 22” G – 30.1 lbs
Congrats to Nick & Madison on your extraordinary fish, and to every one of my clients – and there were many of you – who landed their new Personal Best.
As to the future, I’m excited for my Moose hunt!! This year we have a bull, cow, and a calf tag in our group.
As for the Outdoors column, here’s what’s up next… I hope you’ll continue to follow along as I transition from the Summer’s “On the Water” series to the Fall’s “Into the Woods” articles.
Enjoy the outdoors and be safe!
