Weekly Recap; 6/9/25-6/15/25

This article I am going to change up the format. It will be more of a true journal recap with pictures paired with that daily review; versus having all the photos at the end separate from the days events. It was a great week with book ends of catching fish!! 

Monday; 6/9/25

My good friend Ed and I decided to take a walk despite the on and off rain. I am sure glad we decided to go! As we walked, we bounced from spot to spot and I made a few casts in each area. I even said "I have never caught a fish in this stretch so we shall see."

As we started walking, I turned around and ran to my car to get a trash bag. Ed and I ended up filling a whole grocery bag full of trash. It is sad to see, but it felt rewarding cleaning it up. Then we were rewarded with the beautiful Smallmouth bass.

They both ate the 3/8oz White Double Willow Spinnerbait. That is the first moving bait I ever caught a bass on and I still love it to this day. This little outing scratched the itch, especially after not catching anything the week prior.

Wednesday; 6/11/25

The Strawberry Moon-

There had been some talks of this with friends, customers and coworkers. When I looked it up, Google said it was at 3:44am, so naturally I did not think I would see it. Thankfully though as I was driving home around 10:30pm I saw the first few shots you see below.

They are neat photos but do not do any justice to the beauty I saw. After driving and not getting any other good shots, I went to Delaware Park to see if being in an opening helped me to get some photos.

It only helped mildly, it is not easy to capture the moon with a phone camera. Hoping someday soon to have a nice camera so I can better capture these amazing still moments. It was really neat to be in the city of Buffalo and seeing the full moon. Especially when driving by the Albright Know Gallery.

If you did not see the Strawberry Moon, hopefully these pictures give you some idea.

Some super cool art pieces got worked on this week as well. Both from different hikes the week prior. The first an Eastern King Bird and a Baltimore Oriole. The second a Gray Catbird and a Brown-headed Cowbird. They are not finished but I am happy with their progress. 

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Started a Smallmouth piece that also features a Mallard. Just a different take on a scene of the Upper Niagara River. 

It is almost officially Summer! And from the photos you can see there are plenty of flowers blooming! Absolute beauty. 

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The bees are out doing their job keeping the flowers blooming and the fruits and veggies growing. 

The whitetail deer are in their red summer coats and the bucks are starting their velvet antlers. 

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Wrapping up the weekend was an awesome out on Lake Erie with my Dad and brother Jeremy for Father’s Day. Here is the report…

Sunday; 6/15/25

Lake Erie 

Fun fishing with Dad & Jeremy 

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Air temp: 64°-77°

Water temp: 53°

Wind: E 9MPH

Conditions: Mostly Cloudy

Depth fished: 15’-35’ 

Time fished: 10:30am-2:30pm 

Water clarity: 5’ + 

Pattern: Prespawn-> Spawn

Total caught: 11 Bass, 4 Sheepshead, 1 Walleye, 1 Rock Bass, 7? Gobies

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Drop shot was the ticket. It is an essential tool for catching all species of fish. It caught every single fish of the day. Various baits worked, 3/8 or 1/2oz JDO weights and 8lb test line. 

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We just cast and let the East wind push the boat along. Popping the bottom and getting smashed by various species as we drifted for 45 minutes at a time. 

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Not once did we repeat a spot either. We did different drifts each time. We did five or six full drifts in the time we were out. Not a bad day. Especially for getting out on the water later. The benefit to that was missing the boat traffic and especially traffic at the launch. 

It was great to spend time fishing with my Dad and brother on Father’s Day. My Dad did catch the biggest Smallmouth of the day, and the biggest Sheepshead AND the only Rock Bass and Walleye. 

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The man who taught us how to fish definitely still knows what he is doing. We have learned a lot over the last six or seven years of fishing. It has been some struggle. Now though I do feel confident catching fish almost no matter the conditions. 

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That may seem bold. It is a level of confidence I’ve built fishing Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara especially over the last seven years or more. There are still days we stroke or struggle majorly. That is the hand Mother Nature deals. 

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Regardless, I am grateful for the time we spent out there. A lot of laughs and excitement catching these beautiful creatures. The Waldo did end up getting cooked into an absolutely delicacy. 

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After cooking it, I went in the kitchen to find my Dad eating both the Walleye cheeks! Hey, it is his day, he deserves it after all. Happy Father’s Day Dad! 

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It is going to be a busy week of work ahead but then there is the sweet reward of going on vacation to the St. Lawrence River. One of my favorite places on Earth! 

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Many fish will be caught up there and much needed sunshine as well as relaxation. The article that will come out of that journey will be quite lengthy. 

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Stay tuned for all the adventures ahead. Tuesday June 17th at Aura Juicery I will be holding a Guided Meditation Class. This is the first time I am doing this and excited for the opportunity. 

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If anyone is interested in attending, check out the Aura Juicery Instagram for all the information! 

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Anyway, as you can see it is a frantic time of year doing a lot of different activities! 

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Podcast episode 112 of the Two Angles on Angling podcast will be up on YouTube soon! 

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Enjoy the photos below! 

Tight lines and catch ya soon! 

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Jordan H. DiVirgilio