Latest Fishin' Expeditions News Archives

Here’s the note I received from Dan shortly after we returned from Trophy Bass Lodge and Lake Huites last June:

“ For years the late Wild Bill Skinner had advised my fishing partner and I to come fish Huites in May or June. “The big bass school up and you can really catch them”, he said.

These words were repeated by David Fields and Head Guide Louis as Gary Clark and I fished early in the last season. Why should an angler who has suffered through a tough Illinois winter and finally now had some good open water fishing go to a place we anticipated would be hot we wondered?

 But Gary, I and our mutual friends set a date to give the lake and Trophy Bass Lodge a shot in late May. As the date approached we heard reports that the lake was down 60 feet and it was difficult to locate quality fish in any numbers. Wow was a trip this late in the season going to be a bust?

 Anticipating the fish would be in a summer pattern recalled an episode on the Ultimate Match Fishing television show. Host Joe Thomas and viewers were blown away as Kelly Jordan would wait till near the end of the contest to pull up on a deep underwater river ledge to cast a large spoon and pull in lunker after lunker on every cast.

Several of the large Lake Fork spoons Kelly had used were purchased and helped to push the weight of my tackle box up. As owner of the Historical Fishing Display™ and a ‘Lureaholic’ it wasn’t unusual to have to pay the airline extra for over- weight luggage. Time after time though, specific lures have made a big difference on a trip. Anticipation of these journeys and packing for them also add so much to the actual experiences, so I paid the extra without a second thought.
  
Arriving at Trophy Bass Lodge I was pleased to find the evening temperatures very tolerable. The new loose fit Under Armor long sleeved shirts were a help but donning rain gear for warmth on early morning take offs made them briskly comfortable. My fishing partner was a late cancel due to his mother’s illness so the first day I was partnered with a man on his first trip to this lake. That morning we caught a great number of fish on top water lures and my partner was ecstatic with more bass action than he had ever enjoyed.

However I was after “lunkers” and numbers didn’t mean much to me. David Fields saw us late in the morning and waved us over to an underwater island where we did catch some nice fish.

After lunch guide Chalo and I went out and I said it’s time to go deep for the big-un’s. As Buck Perry, the father of structure fishing used to say. “When they’re biting where are they caught? Then go out and find the deep structure where they live.”

 Chalo and I proceeded from the underwater island out to the main river channel and the locator lit up with fish from 20 to 60 feet. Many were suspended but a number of them were near the bottom positioned as biters.

I cast the spoon, let it fall to the ledge, lifted it sharply and let it flutter down like a dying shad. Bam...it was game on… Big bass after Big bass! The afternoon winds blew us off the ledge and we had nothing to mark it with but we were high as a kite that we were on a winning pattern. The next day we were equipped with homemade markers from water bottles, old braided line and small sections of conduit for weights.

 Each morning our group switched guides and it was a pleasure to go with each one to his different favorite areas then to expand by finding the ledges. The spoon was the best way to find the fish, but a 5/8 ounce jig with a Zoom Ultra Vibe trailer would mop them up to as would a hard bodied swim jig with the Tsunami’s leading the charge there. There were bass up to 25 inches in big numbers with fish after fish on consecutive casts. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Talking with Kelly Jordan, following this trip, I asked if he had a video on spoon fishing. He directed me to Bass Pro Shops’ Classic Patterns Collectors’ Edition Series 2 titled: Kelly Jordan CLASSIC PATTERNS for deep bass. The primary lure he used is a swim bait but the spoon works as well or better he said. I can’t recommend this DVD highly enough. Too often we anglers concentrate on the equipment when knowledge is the key.   

Watching this DVD brings back May memories as the multiple hits on so many casts and huge sizes of fish… finding, marking and staying on structure is exactly the way it was for us on this trip. The only difference, we caught a lot more big bass on the fabulous Lake Huites!”

This truly was a “Text Book Perfect” trip for those of us that enjoy the challenge deep water structure fishing. A set of marker buoys; a good depth finder; a Lake Fork casting/jigging spoon, a Tsunami swim bait or a 12” YUM PaddleTail worm along with a couple gallons of cold bottled water and as Dan says, “It was game on!”

I know most folks make their trek “South of the Border” to catch the giants of these Mexican waters. But I must say that when everything lines up just right and the 5 – 9 pounders start schooling on structure in May and June each year, there is just something incredibly awesome about spending a few hours catching fish after fish of this size.

Maybe you like to pull the trigger in the States during the fall…perhaps April – June fits your schedule better but you’ve worried that it’s “too hot” in Mexico or that the fishing is “tough”. I’ve consistently said, “ the hotter the weather…the hotter the fishing.” It proves true year after year…post spawn equals Big Bass on structure and it can be “Text Book Perfect.”

FISHING ROCK WALLS IN THIS MEXICAN LAKE CAN LEAD TO 100 BASS PER DAY! By Larry Larson

Check out his story in Larson's Adventure Travel Magazine. Here's the link:

http://www.larsenoutdoors.com/html/huites.html

 The word is getting out that Huites is back!

L to R:    Jeff Samsel, PR Coordinator for PRADCO-Fishing

                  Ryan Gilligan, Editor of North American Fisherman

                  Ronell Smith, Editor of Fishing Tackle Retailer 

                  David Fields, CEO Trophy Bass Lodge

                  Mark Davis, TV Host of BigWater Adventures

                  Delbert Davis, Veteran Angler/Agent of Mexico

                  Gary Tramontina, Photographer ESPN & BassMaster

                  Pictured Later in Report:

                  Brett Graham, Trophy Bass Lodge

                  Luke Graham, BassMaster on the Rise

As host of this great group of guys I could write forever on the stories I heard around the table about the three days great fishing on Huites aa well as the accommodations and staff of Trophy Bass Lodge. But as CEO of Trophy Bass Lodge you might come away thinking I'm a bit self-serving so I'll just leave it with the following emails to sum up their trip.

Here are some E-mail¡¯s from the group:

Gary and I enjoyed a great day on the water the first day out catching up on our travels since our last visit. Gary follows the BassMaster Elite circuit for ESPN. When you are reading BassMaster Magazine and run across one of those incredible pictures that leave you wondering, "How did they do that?" It is usually one of Gary's pieces of art that you are left pondering.

Early in the afternoon we began fishing some deep points and bluffs up the El Fuerte River and it wasn't long before Gary hooked up with one of the Huites Kids on a Bomber Fat Free Shad. He said it was his biggest Mexican bass to date...with a hook!

From Gary Tramontina: "David, Thank you! I had a fantastic time...as always. Attached are a few low res images. Let me know what you think." __Gary Tramontina Photography

Gary doesn't say much. His ability with the lenses says it best!

Dad's just have a way of wigglin' their way into the picture as well. That's Luke's dad, Trophy Team Member, Brett Graham in the photo's below. I asked Luke several times over the trip if he "put it on dad" that day. Although he wouldn't say for sure, I suspect he did and if he didn't, it wasn't for lack of effort. Luke was up and ready early every morning...fished hard all day...and was the most sensible one in the group...early to the rack every evening. I'd be proud to share the casting deck or bunk up with Luke Graham any day!

From Luke: "Ever since I can remember I have been wanting to go to Lake Huites with my dad.  He surprised me and took me down for spring break in March.  It was the best fishing trip I have ever had.  I am sure I caught more fish in 4 days than I have caught in my whole life so far.  And I fish a lot!  The mountains were awesome, and Freddy’s meals were awesome.  It was great to meet Jeff, Mark and all of the guys. George, the lodge manager, was really nice and took good care of us.  It will be a trip I will always remember.  I can’t wait to go back."

That my friends is what it's all about...

Now for what's coming up:

April, May and June are some of the best months to fish Lake Huites. Especially if you if you like to hunt them in their deep water haunts. Lake Huites is a structure fishermans' bonanza. Stump infested, wood laden and rocky shore lines are the standard bill of fare on Huites.

Deep water structure of humps, saddles, ledges, points and bluffs make up a plethora or opportunities for the angler looking for the post spawn Big Girls. If you like fishing swim baits like the YUM Sweet Cheeks, deep water cranks like the Bomber Fat Free Shad, heavyweight spinner baits like the 1 oz. Booyah Blade or plastics like the YUM 10" PaddleTail Worms then this is your time for Huites.

Sure it's hot in Mexico in April, May and June but the fishin' gets just as hot as well! You'll have ample time for air conditioning in the rooms at Trophy Bass Lodge but when the bite is on it's time to be on the water...and these three months provide exciting action from top water at daylight to the lofting of the last cast at dusk.

So don't miss out...don't delay any longer...there's no debate...It's Huites in 2008!

Give me a call soon to book your next fishin' expedition to the number one Bassin' Destination in all of Mexico. I want to see you at the lodge...Trophy Bass Lodge on the shore of Lake Huites so you can experience this awesome fishery!

I have some special prices available on select dates:

$1150.00 per angler 3D/4N through June 15th, 2008.

$250.00 Extra Days

Super Sweet Deal: (only 3 spots remain)

May 28 - June 4 (6 full days fishing 7 nights lodging)

$1900.00      Save $400.00 and apply it to your airfare!

If you are a fall angler...Huites is awesome in the fall...pick your dates and call me soon. We are already booking October through December! Don't let the dates you want slip away. Call me soon!

Hey guys… 

Hey guys…  I just thought I would share with you just a few highlights from our last R&R.  We went to Trophy Bass Lodge on Lake Huites.  It was a beautiful trip.  This lake is in Mexico near Los Mochas which is on the West coast.  It is a premier bass fishing lake.  One of the top rated in the world.  We caught a lot of fish every day and almost all of them were 2 pounds and up.  We caught so many fish I lost track and we caught fish every single time we went out.  I have never caught so many fish, or fish of this size.  I had several around 7 pounds and had one almost 10!  If you like to fresh water fishing, this is a great place to go.

George and Valerie Johnson

"Huites is truly an amazing experience!"...John Thiel

David,

My wife Pam and I recently returned from our trip to TBL on Lake Huites and it was a truly amazing experience! We are both biologists in fisheries
management so this trip was sort of the ultimate "busman's holiday" for both of us. I am involved in reservoir fisheries management so it was very
intriguing to see this spectacular highland reservoir first hand.

First and foremost, the average size of the largemouth population is amazing, with fish in the three to six pound range being common. The first
afternoon I was fortunate enough to boat an 11.53 lb. and a 10 lb fish on swim baits on deep water points. Per your advice, we tried to time our trip to coincide with the large female bass staging off the spawning beds in the central and downstream portions of the reservoir
and the timing was perfect. The surface water temperatures ranged between 670 and 690 F. 

The beauty of this system is that due to the large surface area and varied habitat, anglers can experience different stages of the spring spawn at the same time depending on where you chose to fish.

While we were there the water levels were very stable which indicates that the dam was being operated in a "run -of -river" mode which is very
beneficial to the fishery during the spawning period. We were able to take advantage of the many habitat types Huites offers by choosing protected and shaded coves for excellent surface bait action in the morning, then switching to submerged brush for Texas rigged soft plastics or spinner baits later in the morning. We saved the mid day high sun periods for slowly working 4 or 5 inch swim baits up the main lake points for the egg laden females.

The condition factor of these gravid females is truly amazing with several of the specimens we caught exceeding 18 inches in girth.  We spent part of the day going for numbers of 3 to 6 pound fish on spinnerbaits and lizards and then concentrated on fish over 7 lbs for the second part of the day. Catching over 100 fish per day was not uncommon. We simply lost track of the number of fish seven pounds or less and only photographed fish over 8 pounds!  My wife boated 6 fish between 7.5 and 9.8 pounds while I was fortunate to land a 10, 10.4 and 11.53 lb fish. On the
final day we had run out of swim baits however two other anglers in camp, George from Las Vegas and Hank from Texas generously offered us their
remaining baits for the final day!

Thanks to these folks we landed an 8, 10 and 10.4 pound fish on the swim baits they had given us at the final spot we fished . Thank you gentlemen!

Our guide Louis was exceptional, very knowledgeable and highly entertaining. Evening refreshments, meals and accommodations were
excellent. It was also a treat to see our friend Frank Walker at camp while we were there.

The forage base of tilapia and threadfin shad makes for a perfect size range and abundance of pray for optimal growth. As long as anglers continue to practice catch and release, this system should continue to provide world
class trophy bass angling for years to come.

Thanks much David and Frank for a memorable trip.

Pam & John Thiel

GRAHAM GROUP JUST RETURNS

THERE'S NO DEBATE...IT'S HUITES IN 2008!

 THERE'S NO DEBATE...IT'S HUITES IN 2008!

Just over four years ago the following article appeared in the November-December issue of the International Angler. It would seem that the story, written by the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) Mexico representative was undoubtedly penned prior to what has been termed by many as "Huites devastating draw down of December 03".

"IGFA Mexico representative, Eduardo Perusquía Morán, recommends much of the Mexico Lakes for those Bass anglers who are looking for the next IGFA largemouth bass world record.

In direct relation to documented largemouth bass weight, the best bass lakes in Mexico are:

1. Lake Huites
2. Lake Bacurato (Baccarac)
3. Lake Comedero
4. Lake El Salto
5. Lake Aguamilpas
6. Lake Vicente Guerrero
7. Lake El Cuchillo
8. Lake Zimmerpan                

With analyzing each lake, pros and cons can be found.

Lake Huites
Lake Huites is also called "Pressa Louis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta" and located at the very north of Sinaloa. Formed by the El Fuerte River, it is considered the most productive bass fishing lake in Mexico."    Eduardo Perusquía Morán

The story may be found in its entirety elsewhere on this web site. I have had it posted on this site since shortly after it was published and I again wish to thank the IGFA for their permission to do so.

Fishing on Huites was nothing less that phenomenal in 2002-03. Huites had been know as perhaps the best numbers lake in Mexico since shortly after its first full year of fishing. By 2003 it was earning its¯ reputation as the hot new BIG FISH Lake of Mexico. The lake record was up to 15.30# where it stands today. As a result of the incredible fishing the subject story was written and Huites was ranked #1!

Unfortunately, the devastating draw down occurs in December of 03 and fishing goes "off" at Huites big time!

March of 04 would find this writer deep in negotiations for the acquisition of Trophy Bass Lodge and questioning his sanity! "Purchase a fishing operation...in Mexico...on a lake where the fishing stinks...are you_____"  But , Eduardo Perusquía Morán recommends it...right!

Much has since been written about that fateful six days of December 03 and the pundits have had all the Forum Boards tied up for four years now with their "insight" about Huites. But now we enter 2008 and you know what? Moran had the "real insight" after all. He was right on in 04 and now, as Huites slips into the 2008 season the lake is picking up right where it left off back in December 03.

As we enter 2008 Huites certainly sits in the #1 slot of "The most productive bass fishing lake in Mexico" as Moran describes it. Moreover, Huites is quietly returning to a top destination for the real Trophy Fish of Mexico and that's the Report from South of the Border today:

Huites is back and Huites is Hot! Great Numbers...Big Fish...a 30,000 acre un-pressured Bass Factory just waiting for you!

Over the last three months Trophy Bass Lodge guests have brought more Trophy Bass to net (fish over 10#) than during all of the past three years.

      A nice 10.30#              Raoul with the 12.13

Even I managed to stumble on to three over 10# including a 10.30 and a 11.80 last trip down in early December. The big fish of the three topped the scale at 12.13#...on Top Water...Awesome! The Big Fish are showing up with frequency.

But what's got me excited this trip is the ridiculous number of fish in the 6-9 pound class. I probably caught 50 in that size slot over 5 days of fishing.

Remember, these Huites fish grow up to 2lbs. per year. And the BIG GIRL season is just around the corner! Spawn begins in February when the Big Girls are full of roe.

I hope you can experience this great fishery in 2008. With the press that's beginning to show up again on Huites and the new TV shows just now hitting the airways, like Keith Warren Outdoors and Dan Hernandez Fishing, it's understandable why our winter/spring season is filling up fast.

Get your fishin'¯buddies together and pick some dates then give me a call toll free at 877.755.4950. I'll work with you to schedule your fishing adventure of a lifetime to this incredible fishery.

There's no debate...it's Huites in 2008!

David Fields

CEO / Outfitter

TROPHY BASS LODGE ~ LAKE HUITES, MEXICO

Reservations Central Toll Free: 877.755.4950

Office USA: 618.755.4950  Fax USA: 618.755.4952

Cell USA/Mexico: 618.237.7384

Corporate Office:

PO Box 665  Mt. Vernon, Illinois  62864  USA

Email: david@fishinexpeditions.com

www.fishinexpeditions.com

Join me at the Lodge on the shore of Lake Huites at:

26° 54’ 14.19” N ● 108° 15’ 18.38” W

It's always great to find our clients fishing reports posted on the various boards and forums located throughout the WWW! Here's Gary's. After you have read his report check out the new pictures in the photo gallery.

FISHING REPORT

TROPHY BASS LODGE

LAKE HUITES, MEXICO

DECEMBER 3-7, 2007

The recent report I read said that one angler averaged 175 bass per day.  WOW!  I had to see that for myself, so my fishing partner, Dan Basore, and I headed to Trophy Bass Lodge on Lake Huites, Mexico, to prove it to ourselves. 

It had been 8 years or more since we visited the lake, but I remembered it to be the most beautiful lake I had ever fished.  It is a deep canyon lake of perhaps 30,000 acres, nestled in the Copper Canyon area about a 3 hour drive from Los Mochis, and the scenery must be seen to be believed.  It is simply spectacular and a photographer’s delight!

Well, what about those fishing reports?  While Dan and I are not fish “counters”, I can assure you that we certainly experienced days where we caught well over 200 bass up to 8 pounds.  The schools of bass from 2 to 7 pounds are truly amazing, and on several occasions we sat in one spot and caught bass after bass ‘till the world looked level.

Compared to many other lakes in Mexico, Lake Huites is very lightly fished by sportfishermen, and the small amount of commercial fishing was no problem whatsoever.

Additionally, healthy fish of all sizes are caught, indicating great past spawns and the promise of super fishing for years to come. 

While they weren’t attached to our lines---unfortunately---one lucky guy caught 10, 11, and 12 pounders while we were there---on topwaters!  The big fish weighed 12.13 on digital scales and I’m including a photo of the guide, Raoul, proudly displaying her.

 http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n129/GJCFish/Raoul.jpg

Our host, David Fields, had told us prior to the trip that our visit in early December might well be a transition time from torrid topwater action to deeper crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastics, and his prediction was right on the money.  We had good topwater results the first morning, but spotty action thereafter.  No matter---we couldn’t wait to get to those huge schools of bass lurking in deeper water that were eager to hit just about anything we threw to them.  Crankbaits, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, soft plastics rigged Texas or Carolina style, or simply attached to heavy jigs---everything produced.  One day we even nailed the 3 to 7 pounders on every “drop” right under the boat using heavy spoons and ¾ ounce Rattletraps.

My report would never be complete without telling you some things about Trophy Bass Lodge.  What a first class operation!  The rooms are immaculate and comfortable with private bathrooms, hot showers, and plenty of space to hang clothes and store gear.  George, the camp manager, takes care of all the transfers from the airport to the Lodge, and efficiently attends to any special needs or requests.  The boats are 19’ Carolina Skiffs, with 50hp Yamahas or Hondas, MinnKota trolling motors, Eagle electronics, and premium Optima batteries.  The boats are comfortable, roomy, and very stable and Dan and I often both fished from the front platform without any problem at all. 

The guides are courteous and very experienced.  Our guide for the week, Louis, spoke fluent English, and has guided for over 30 years.  What a comic he was, keeping us laughing all day with jokes and stories. More important, he was always ready to go well BEFORE we were, and suggested some terrific fishing techniques that Dan and I had never considered.  For good reason, David calls him “Drill Sergeant!  Actually, ALL

the guides are quite happy to fish from sunup to sundown.

David maintains a well-stocked tackle shop at the Lodge, complete with a huge selection of rods and reels for use by guests.  You may bring your own tackle, of course, but if you prefer to avoid the hassle of traveling with rods, you certainly won’t be disadvantaged by fishing with some of his during the trip. 

I must not forget the food.  Indeed, I will NEVER forget the food!  Freddy the gourmet chef, constantly surprised us with different gastronomic delights every time we sat down for a meal.  For instance, when was the last time you had Chicken Cordon Bleu at a fish camp for LUNCH???  A great shore lunch one day with fantastic scenery was appreciated and box lunches can be provided if you prefer to stay out all day.

All in all, it was one of the best fishing trips we have ever made, and I recommend it highly to everyone reading this report.  David and the entire staff make you feel like family, and that’s perhaps the best compliment of all.  It’s very important to us to fish with honest operator/owners of high integrity, and I can assure you David is all of that.

Contact him at www.fishinexpeditions.com or toll free (877)755-4950 to book a trip and see for yourself. 

In conclusion, was there anything bad about the experience?  Yes, definitely.  Dan and I are both thoroughly spoiled for quite awhile now!   We can’t wait to get back next May, when we’re told the huge schools of monster fish are concentrated on deep structure.  Got to check out that report!!!

Bass wishes,

Gary Clark

Kissimmee, FL  

FRANK WALKER, VETERAN ANGLER OF THE MEXICAN BIG BASS LAKES, REPORTS ON LAKE HUITES AND TROPHY BASS LODGE.

November 2007 Visit to Trophy Bass Lodge ~ Lake Huites, Mexico

Dear David,

I have just returned from my latest Fall trip to Lake Huites, Mexico.  As you know, I have been visiting Huites for around five years now, coming in the Fall as well as other months in your season. Ten trips so far!

I usually do not send letters saying what I have been lucky enough to catch with respect to fishing trips, the blind pig finding the proverbial acorn type of thing.  I have always had fine trips to Trophy Bass Lodge.  I write now because my last trip  is simply off the scale in every respect, especially when the fishing part of things is the focus.  The fishing there must be the standard by which all Largemouth Bass fishing trips must be measured.  Huites and Trophy Bass Lodge are the sine quo non, the measure that all other places must stack up against.

As I think back about the fishing of my latest trip in late October and early November, I keep telling myself that nobody is going to believe me when I tell them what I had caught.  It is easy enough to tell you how many fish I boated.  I averaged just over 171 fish per day over 10 ½ days of fishing.  This is not a per boat total, but what I caught myself.  This total included 6 fish in excess of ten pounds that were actually measured and/or weighed.  It included a good number of 7-9 pound fish that were caught during every period, am and pm, during each day I fished.  The really amazing part is the great number of 3-6 pound fish caught.  Many times when people talk about what they catch, many of the total are made up of 1-2 pound or less sized “dinks”.  Most days the 3-6 pound sized fish made up at least 50% of the fish caught.  This observation was also made by everyone else visiting Trophy Bass Lodge at this time.  In my humble opinion, these are the most fun size of fish to catch.

While it may be easy to convey to one and all the numbers of fish, how can I tell you with words what it was like to boat 30-50 fish by 8 am each morning on various topwater lures – most of which were 4 pounds and larger, some much larger?.  How do you put to words, the sound, the sight, the spray of a 10.44 pound bass smacking your buzzbait a mere 15 to 20 feet from the boat one early morning?

Nor were the topwater periods, both early and late, all of the story. The fish participated nobly for most of each day of my stay.  Choose spinnerbaits, choose crankbaits, choose flukes, choose stick baits, choose Texas rigged soft plastics – you simply could not choose wrong.  Heck, you could probably have T-rigged a Lucky Strike and caught fish.

The fishing was almost entirely around the banks, just like I prefer to fish.  All one had to do is set the hook and get ‘em moving as there are tons of wood and rock cover.  Compared to other Mexican destinations for the bass folk, I have never seen the numbers of quality fish I have seen on Lake Huites at Trophy Bass Lodge. El Salto has big fish, no doubt.  It simply does not have the numbers of big as well as good fish that Huites boasts.  If your world is made out of action, with an emphasis on big and good sized fish, Huites wins hands down.  Whereas El Salto has numerous lodges, a trailer park filled with bass boats and unrestricted commercial netting, Huites has two full time lodges, little netting activity and significantly more surface area.  Some days, you do not see any other boats on Huites. 

At the airport while waiting for a jet to wisk us back to the good ole USA, we had a chance to chat with about 10 bass fisherman from Massachusetts who had visited Lake Bacarrac.  They told me that they had caught on average 30-40 bass per day.  I didn’t have the heart to tell them that all of us had caught more fish than that each day over 4-5 pounds!

Besides the fishing Lake Huites and Trophy Bass Lodge have much more going for them.   In closing, I will try to share a couple of these things that are special to me.

The lake and surrounding area are truly beautiful.  From the brilliant glow of the stars each morning as we boat down the lake, to the rugged mountains and cliffs that ring most of the lake, to the chill of the morning, the warm but not too hot glow of the day, and the magnificent vista on the lodge porch, this place is special.  It is an all out assult on your senses.

One other thing that is very special and dear to me is the staff and management of Trophy Bass Lodge.  Sure the food is great.  Better plan on bringing a pair of britches one sized larger for your return trip!  The accommodations are clean and very comfortable.  Of course, you are looked after at every turn.  These things have come to be expected by most.  But what sets Trophy Bass Lodge apart from almost everywhere else is the manner in which you are treated by the folks there.  You do not have to look far to find service that is competent, polite and efficient.  Of course, and even more common is the impersonal or shoddy service has become the rule almost everywhere.  In a stark contrast,  the people who staff  TBL treat you like family.  Professional, yes in every measure; but cold and pedestrian, never.  In the final analysis, this is what makes Trophy Bass Lodge special and so very rare.  It has crossed the line from fishing destination to home.  Every time I pass through the gate, I say to myself that I have made it back "home" one more time.

Frank Walker
Hawk Lake Lodge
800-528-9045 (USA)
807-548-5606 (Canada)
www.hawk-lake.com

JUST THE FACTS...and the STATS!

Remember Dragnet's Joe Friday and his famous line, "Just the facts"?

This is "JUST THE STATS"

for the week of October 18-27, 2007

Unini River ~ Amazon Cutter Camp ~ Northern Brazil

12 anglers 6.5 days of fishing

1014 fish boated

106 "teeners" 13# or greater

11 over 20# (established a new camp record)

Angler and weights of 5 largest Peacocks:

Kuhn 19.5#, 18#, 18#, 16#, 15#

Bancroft ­20#, 20#, 18#, 16#, 13#

Gilly ­21#, 20#, 19#, 18#, 16#

Traczyk ­16#, 15#, 15#, 14#, 12#

Smith ­19#, 18#, 17#, 16#, 15#

Rockwell ­20#, 19#, 18#, 18#, 18#

Kelley ­22#, 19#, 18.5#, 18#, 18#

Hoover 18#, 17#, 17#, 14#, 14#

Romei ­19#, 19#, 18#, 18#, 18#

Smallenberg ­20#, 20#, 19.5#, 18#, 15#

Fields  20#, 20#, 18#, 17#, 16#

Primary Lures Used:

Chopper's, Yozri's & JoJo and Slevad Jig¡'s

Comments:

Travel...no hitches encountered    Equipment (boats and motors) great shape, no problems reported

Food...7 on a scale of 1 to 10    Accommodations ­great for the jungle w/ AC & Hot Showers

Anglers in this group committed for a return to the Unini 100%. Need I say more?

The Unini River continues its' reputation as the Big Fish River of the Amazon. The explosive action of the Peacock Bass and the floral/fauna of the rain forest are like magnets to those of us who have experienced it. Are you ready to give it a try? There are some select dates remaining for this season which will likely end in mid to late February.

Your inquiries and questions about this exciting sportfishing destination are always welcome, so call anytime.

David Fields

Outfitter