We had a cousin show up from Missouri that wanted to try the fishing out here. We took him to Deer Lake and was on the water just before daylight. It was about 35 degrees and a little chilly. Started out of the Narrows trolling a "Laker Taker" in silver with a white lightning bolt. We were using leaded line with about seven colors out. About ten minutes into the troll the pole went down and the cousin grabbed it. He kept telling me that it was snagged. As I had a flash light shining on the end of the pole I knew better. I told him to just keep reeling. As the fish got closer to the boat, it started fighting pretty good. We pulled in a 15.2 lb. Mackinaw. Barely fit in the trout net. It was his biggest fish that he had ever caught. We took it in, cleaned and filleted it, put it in the brine for smoking. Went back out, this time for trout. I put on a couple of streamer flies, trolled 3 colors about 2.5 mph and the first pole to go off, the cousin grabbed. Another good fight and a 5.5lb Rainbow this time. He was awed. I told him that he had done better than a lot of the people that lived on the lake. We took that fish back and called it a day. The neighbor smoked the Mac and I barbecued the trout. It was a great dinner and the cousin is already planning his trip back for next year. Great Day of Catching...

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