To: Don Causey - The Angling Report From: Michael D. Coe Re: Fishing trip to Ontario with The Moose Bay Co. Date: August 16, 1994
We had understood from a previous report that this trip was to be an angler's dream lots of bass in beautiful surroundings, many or most of them to be taken on flies. While the surroundings were indeed marvelous and the camping was enjoyable, the reality turned out to be otherwise.
The problem lay with the guide. On arrival at our camp, we told him that we expected to do most of our fishing with fly rods, and understood that he had been so informed by John Herrick, the owner. His immediate reaction was a surly "fly fishing that's for yuppies." His style of fishing was bottom fishing with live leeches (he had 3 pounds of these), and that is what we mostly did. He knew little or nothing about fly fishing, nor did he care, and we were seldom put in a position where we could cast properly not an easy proposition at best, with three in a canoe. We did manage to sneak in some casts with sinking line and Lefty's deceivers, and caught some nice bass, but this was definitely not with his help.
More satisfactory were the rare moments when we caught bass on topwater plugs, but even better were the infrequent opportunities to catch pike in weedy bays with floating lines and small poppers.
The guide was singularly uncommunicative; his few general comments centered around his resentment of "environmentalists" who, among other sins, were responsible for the lack of motors in Quetico; they were put into the same category as "commies" and other enemies. Canada and the Canadians didn't rank high in his estimation, either. Incidentally, we spent two hours of our last morning in Quetico bottom fishing for walleye, all of which were destined for his own table, to entertain his in laws.
As a final example of how a guide should not behave, right from the beginning he fished with us, without asking our permission usually with the benefit of an electronic fish finder whose readouts were seldom shared with the guests. We were clearly "yuppies," "environmentalists" or something worse.
This could be a wonderful experience, but I would not recommend it to fly fishermen unless John Herrick himself were the guide. I do believe that he is dedicated to this style of fishing, but the guides who work for him are not. Fly fishermen are still a rare item in northeastern Minnesota.
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To: Don Causey - The Angling Report From: John Herrick - The Moose Bay Co. Re: Michael D. Coe's complaint Date: October 10, 1994
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Michael Coe's letter. I am, of course, disappointed to read such a report about The Moose Bay Co. I have devoted 32 years of my life to guiding these waters and have not had any negative comments.
I would like to apologize to Mr. Coe. This is such a beautiful place and a wonderful fishing resource, it's a shame Michael spent a week with a guide he didn't get along with. Not everyone sees Bob Hargadine the same way. I have enclosed a letter from a family Bob guided in August, 1994. If you would like to call Craig, the number is 319-359-3250.
Other than the personality conflict, it appears Mr. Coe rated our facility and fishing resource good. He said he would enjoy returning for another trip if I would be his guide.
Our resource for smallmouth bass is incredible. Basswood Lake has produced four of the 6 IGFA fly rod line-class world record smallmouth. Larry Dahlberg has recently fished with us and filmed the landing of a fly rod line-class record smallmouth bass for his TV series "The Hunt for Big Fish," shown on ESPN, October, 1994.
I believe The Moose Bay Co. is a first-class fishing destination and I will do my very best to correct any future client disappointment.
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To: Don Causey - The Angling Report From: Ed Rolka Re: Michael D. Coe's complaint about The Moose Bay Company Date: December 14, 1994
I take exception to remarks made in the December, 1994 issue regarding Bob Hargadine of Moose Bay Co. I have taken two trips with Moose Bay, one guided by John Herrick and the other guided both by John and Bob.
I fished two days with Bob and found him extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Yes, he does not talk too much, but he is not "uncommunicative." And fly fishers - eight of us were there in June of 1994 and Bob had high regards for the ethics we practiced. Barbless hooks and all smallmouths released.
Bob did fish while with his clients in the canoe. But that was only when we tried for walleyes for supper. Maybe Mr. Coe did not like the fact that Bob outfished him. I am quite positive that if a client requested that Bob not fish, he would oblige.
John Herrick has an extremely efficient fishing experience in Quetico. I hope that Mr. Coe's remarks do not dissuade any persons planning a trip with Moose Bay.
cc: Moose Bay Co.
