Well, the time draws near for our 22nd straight year of a week long fishing trip to Lake St Clair.  We took a bucket list trip and made it an annual affair.  What started as an invite from some internet acquaintances turned into a long lasting group of lifelong friends.  Originally it was 5 of us.  3 of us were pro staff for Bass Pro, one owned a tackle store and really the reason for starting the trip was my fishing partner here in Virginia whose father was the famous Marine Sniper White Feather.  I was introducing him to world class smallmouth fishing.  The first couple of years we stayed at one of the Bass Pros house, another year moved to the tackle store owners house and then we decided it would be a better use of our time to just rent a cottage on Harsens Island.  In the following years, most were spent in the same cottage which was on a canal next to Browns Bar.  Skipped a year while the owner did renovations and another year we did a week in a cottage owned by a Canadian.  Ultimately the owner of our long term cottage decided to sell and it was no longer available. We have been at our current cottage going on 4 years and although a bit expensive, its a great location.  In 22 years we have pretty much fished the entire lake and it takes a very special situation to keep us off fish.  That comes from fishing with high level locals who have grown up on the lake as our mentors.  Throughout the years we have faced unexpected death, divorce, sickness but our group has pretty much stuck together.  We’ve had the sons of locals join us, we’ve had a pro from the LBT/LBAA stay with us (she is still a friend), a buddy flew in from Australia and we’ve had the privilege to fish with Zona, VanDam, Kim Stricker and a few other notables.  We’ve added a guy from Phoenix, we’ve taken 2 of our Virginia friends and got to witness the sheer enjoyment they got to experience on what we call the Smallmouth Disneyland.  The camaraderie has always been something to behold and we’ve since made many local friends as well.  I’ve perfected my gear selection even though that lake always seems to want something different every year and I’m down to 8 rods/reels, a boat bag and a couple of 3700 Planos that go in the boat, and a backup bulk bag that holds extra plastics, new offerings and replacement gear.  This year there will be 6 of us and we will each take a night to cook dinner and we save one night for leftovers or a walleye fish fry if we decide to target them. It’s always nice to bring home a couple bags of walleye fillets. We have a routine where we go to one guys house upon our arrival Friday, have dinner, rig rods, exchange baits and relax after a day on the road. Breakfast at a local restaurant Saturday morning, a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up and needed essentials, gas up the trucks, boats and portable gas cans and then take the ferry over to the island, drop our gear at the cottage, drop the boats in the lake, take the trucks trailers back to the cottage and fish the rest of the day.  I’m going to take you all with me this year and will give you a little taste of St Clair. 

Wow!!! This will be amazing to see pics and read the stories!!!! Hope ya have an amazing time. 

If its another drop shot bite, I'm OUT

Good luck and I hope the weather is very fisherman friendly for you guys.

A-Jay

Great write up regarding an enduring tradition of fishing and camaraderie @TOXIC, looking forward to seeing more photos and reading about your fishing trip. Good luck and great fishing!

I don't have much of a bucket list.

 

Maybe just two things right now:

 

1) Buy a boat

2) Hire a guide on St Clair

 

I'm a simple man. 

 

Looking forward to your story.

Whereas the fishing has been clearly outstanding per your stories and photos, your enduring friendships surpass all those big, countless brownies. The span of the brotherhood speaks to the character of you men. I'm grateful you let us cyber-tag along. 

1 hour ago, gim said:

If its another drop shot bite, I'm OUT

🤣 me & you both! 

Nothing like the anticipation of a big trip like that. For me it's been lake of the woods Ontario the last 2 years but family happenings mean I'm sticking to a more local musky trip in september this year. The long drive goes quick on the way there due to excitement, and quick on the way home rehashing all the catches and stories.

Excellent. Looking forward to the stories & pics. Have a great trip.

That is awesome!! Can't wait to see pics! Have a grand time!!!

I envy the fishing, but it’s the camaraderie and long-term friendship that’s the real story. I had that for a time years ago deer hunting in the northern PA mountains in a true, old-fashioned Pennsylvania deer camp. Memories such as those are not easily forgotten. It’s everything. From planning the trip, getting there, settling in, eating and drinking together, cracking jokes, playing cards and simply just hanging out with old friends. 
 

Enjoy it! 

Although this was written a few years ago, it does capture some of the special qualities of this trip.  Oh the stories I could tell and the things we have been through in all of the years.  I feel very blessed to count myself one of the original members and organizers.  We will keep the tradition alive as long as we possibly can.  Gotta go gas up my truck because part of our deal is my truck and my partners boat.  He’ll come to my house tomorrow and we will load his gear into my truck, hook up the boat and head out Friday morning.  

can't wait for the reports and pictures!  I hope you get some 1-4 mph winds for the week and the sun/clouds of your choosing.

Thanks for including us, can't wait.  Had a similar kayak fishing group; only one left now and it's not me.

22 hours ago, gim said:

If its another drop shot bite, I'm OUT

They won’t bite it if you don’t throw it 

Sounds awesome! Looking forward to hearing about it.

We had a similar group years ago. Sadly now most have passed away and the couple that are left have moved away. It’s not the destination, it’s the time with friends,,,the fishing ‘ La Familia.

 

Enjoy it while you can. Good fishing!

@TOXICWhat a great story. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful tradition 😎