Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Show off your catch An Epic weekend with the Herman Brothers!

I'll leave the literary accolades to the others, but let's just say it was an EPIC weekend with the Herman Brothers at Norris Lake in Illinois.

Thanks, Brothers!

Here's our buddy, and new ice fishing expert Al with a massive ice-caught bluegill.



And here's of one our gracious hosts, Justin Herman with a mega-gill.



And here's TJ, the orchestrator extraordinaire with the biggest bluegill of the trip. (sorry, but there's a raindrop on the lens due to the fact it rained like crazy for the entire first day).



Our good friend Alex from Recycled Fish with a gorgeous 'eye.



Yolkie (Dr. Dave) with another beautiful walleye.



One of our moderators Josh (Omaha) with the biggest walleye of the trip.



Another shot of Alex with a beautiful bluegill.



Our buddy Sprkplug (Tony) with the biggest largemouth bass of the trip.



And the whole gang!!!



Thanks to our amazing hosts!! You guys are the best ever.

That's a big bunch of ice holes!!!!


Looks cold, but fun!! and power tools!!!

That seems really awesome

I knew you guys would have a blast!

I have to admit I had no clue what to expect, but my first hard water trip was just way to much fun. The fishing was great, but the complete trip was what made the memory. I had many babysitters on this trip who went out of their way to make sure I was doing things correctly, and helping me with rods, bait, advice, etc.

Saturday was the best day, and I got to see Ohmaha(Josh) pull a Reggie Jackson World Series moment as he pulled WE after WE out of the same hole, including one that he shared with a young boy so he could get the experience also. I thought that was a very classy move, until he walked half a mile down the ice to pick up minnows for everybody else. That was classier. And Yolk Sac(Dave), on his first ice trip also, who shared the hole to begin with what may have been the classiest move.

Add to that day Chief Todd, dragging all his propane cooking gear out in the middle of a lake to home cook us another great meal of clam/crappie chowder, perfectly seasoned pork chop sandwiches, and all the fixings.

My moment to remember was Friday evening when Nate, in the middle of a thunderstorm, moved me to a hut that Justin and Jarred(sp) were fishing, and I got to use the Aqua-Vu camera to see a huge BG slowly swim in from the distance, and grab my jig. It was definitely a "Jaws" moment, and one I'll never forget. I had a completely successful trip at that moment.

Just as a public service announcement type thing, never ever get between Sprkplug(Tony) and his fish. He may be one of the most intense fisherman I have ever seen. I've got a pic somewhere of him hunkered over Friday evening in the middle of the pond by himself in total concentration. There's a reason he catches so many fish.

Bruce may post more pics of other fish, as he repeatedly stopped fishing to take pics of everybody's fish.

Finally, the Herman family including Chef Todd, are some of the kindest and most sharing people I have ever met. Everything was handled to a tee, and I would make that long drive again in a heartbeat. I've never felt so welcomed before.

TJ, you did a great job setting this all up.

Finally, a report!!!

Nice report. Many thanks to Dr.Bruce for taking time out from fishing to snap some great pictures and put together this neat visual report.

It takes a lot of effort in soaking cold conditions to immediately stop what you're doing and manage to take incredible photos for friends with numb fumbling fingers. I tried to get several shots on the trip but by the time I could manage to get out my camera and skate over several photos were already taken and the fish was released. Big thanks to photo experts!

Bruce, with a Walleye on the line and Justin ready to assist.



TJ, on the hunt...



Matt, fishing some structure..



Popping Crappies at the edge...



Alex and Al, showing perfect form in the team augering event...



Lunch on the ice, courtesy of Chef Todd. Mere words cannot do this meal justice. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

Quit rubbing it in guys! (just kidding). That pole barn looks familiar. I was there, what, 2 years ago or was it 3 for a QDMA Seminar.

Looks like ice cleats would have come in handy.

Nate, any thoughts to doing it again next year?

Steaming hot fish chowder with freshly iced crappies, crayfish and clams was off the charts...definitely firing that up on my next day on the ice on the farm.

Tony, I meant to bring up that same point. Whenever somebody hooked a good fish, the closet guys always dropped their rods to come help or take pics. Teamwork definitely came into play.

YUMMMMMMMMMMMmm

I'll put this one up here also. For whatever reason, it just speaks to me today.

Tony, I can see why.....

Same here...

Thanks for the report and pictures. That looks like a lot of fun...

Nice work guys -- a great tribute to a classic PB event !

A perfect weekend ended with a rendition of Purple Haze. Thanks Tony and Mr Jimmy !!!

Excellent pic & post sprkplug!!!

Thanks, but while I may have taken this photo, I can't accept credit for the idea. I was walking out with a bucket in one hand and an auger on my shoulder, when Alex, who was in front of me, turned around to snap a pic. I told him I would move out of his shot, to which he replied: "You are the shot".

That's when I turned around. I was in such a hurry to get to my spot and punch a hole that, although aware dawn was breaking, I simply hadn't stopped to observe it.

When I got where I was going, I grabbed this photo with Chef Todd silhouetted against the sunrise.

Observing Alex reminded me that it often pays to spend a moment taking it all in.......I am equal parts thankful, and awed, from having experienced that sunrise on Norris.

Looks like a great time...Thanks for sharing!!!

Wow...looks like a great time was had! Awesome pic there at the end.

An amazing adventure. Not only the fishing, but the company. Words can't express how amazing the company was. The passion for fishing, learning fish, and sharing ones own knowledge with others...

I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Josh is sight fishing uber clear water, trying to jig up a bass.


Tony, ready for a new day on the ice


Omaha with one of his epic facial expressions


TJ with a last minute walleye, courtesy of Nate with the save.


Dave showing off the crappie




I got kinda envious watching Josh outfish everyone on the walleye





Jason Mitchell meatstick picks up the slightest bite...



Chef Todd in on the eye action



Herman Bros heading out for the last morning.








The Herman brothers hard work, and obvious passion for everything outdoors, coupled with outstanding hospitality makes for a lifetime type trip. Met some great guys that were a true pleasure not only to fish with, but just to hang out and chat.

Headed straight to Iowa from the weekend to speak at the Iowa LICA (land improvement contractors association) but am back now and hopefully will get a chance to post some pics... I have some awesome ones of these guys!!

TJ's walleye though in the bottom of the 9th inning though is for sure a highlight!!