I recently had the oppurtunity to go west to visit some South Dakota country. Roy Lake Resort and Lodge was our destination. How was fishing?The fishing wasnt good…..it was down right FANTASTIC !
The trip was challenged by bad weather and a lot of rain but did not seem to make any difference to the fish.Now I am no smallmouth bass fisherman,but by the end of our trip I was starting to convince myself that I might be , thanks to Gary Gangle and son Scott who guide for Jan at Roy Lake Resort.It took the boys less than ten minutes to get me hooked up to this 18 incher.What a great start to some of the best two hours of fishing I have ever experienced!
Photo 2 shows Gary and myself with one of several doubles during our short outing.These fish just wouldnt quit fighting and didnt miss an oppurtunity to showoff there gymnist like jumping techniques! These fish really put the test to my St Croix light action rods.
Light jigs and splitshot rigs were the finesse presentations required for our hook-ups.I did try several crankbait presentations later and just didnt make them work for me.I am sure the weather fronts had something to do with that or more probable I am not a very good bass fisherman!
This fish was slightly over 20 inches , the biggest of my stay.The vast majority of the smallies caught were in the 17 to 18 inch range.
Scott Gangle got in the action a another average fish that we caught that day.It was really a treat fishing for a couple of hours with you guys…. your time proved invaluable for us catching fish on our own for the remaninder of our stay. Thankyou and I hope to make a return visit this fall for some combo pheasant and fishing time!
Lynn and I took quite a bit of time to look for walleyes on the trolling bite. This presentation did not fail us South Dakota rookies as we managed to boat several walleyes and pike trolling JSR #5 in Firetiger and perch patterns on leadcore and hardline.Nothing huge to the boat but lots of activity!This was the first chance to try out my new Trollmaster am I am wondering what took me so long to get one,guess I am a slow learner!
Another segment of time was devoted to pursuing the panfish bite there.When we could keep those pesky smallies away,we enjoyed nice catches of crappies,perch,and my favorite bluegills ! With out a doubt , the smallmouth bite was hot and everything else required a bit more effort.
Jan and Charles at Roy Lake Resort did a great job in making us feel right at home on our trip even though we took our camper and stayed in the state campground.The cabins are very nice and wished I would have left the camper home this trip.They have many options available for your trip in regards to cabins,food,bait,tackle,guide services and of course,Great Fishing and freindly faces at the resort.If you havent been to South Dakota,I would highly recomend Roy Lake .Thanks for a great trip and I look forward to a return visit!
Lynn with a walleye trolling.
We found some crappies and perch too!
Bluegills as well.
Jan and grandaughter with a nice crappie from there dock!
A very scary ride home when your reciever hitch decides to fail you! It could have been much worse.Just a reminder to double check all your towing equipment,you never know when something can go wrong!
If I ever hear you say that again, I will come down and cause more trouble than BK ever could.
Sounds like a great time and glad to hear that no one was hurt with the trailer hitch fiasco
Ron
Well done Dean. Welcome back!
Nice report Dean. Sounds like a lot of fun!
Very cool Report and nice pictures. Sounds like you dudes had a blast
By the looks of the last picture, it could have been a lot worse. At least it looks like the front of the boat never smack the back of the vehicle
Nice report Dean. I can\’t wait to get back up that way this winter. Did you guys hit any other lakes or just Roy?
Sounds like a good time to me. I just might have to think about finding my way to South Dakota.
I want to see Lynn put that Guide wear to use this winter on 4.Great report and pics!I think I\\\’ll be heading out there soon.
Sounds like a place to go to.
By the looks of that one picture, I would have to say a certain someone
(catfish) was with you 
We spent a day on Enemy Swim……pretty much got my butt handed to me there.Several small fish,a very good looking lake though. I did not have near the coaching for that lake that I did on Roy.A little help can really help the catch rate!
Yes Lynn was very happy with her new Gamehide outfit.The weather was definately testing or raingear!They really make a difference in being comfortable in miserable conditions!
Great report Dean!
Glad you are back; but I have to say in all seriousness that Brian and Stuart saved my butt last week. They went above and beyond for me! 
Joel
Great report Dean!
Looks like a great place to get away to. 
Glad your hitch incident wasn t any worse.
Did BK install that for you.
Great to hear you guys had alot of fun and caught some VERY nice smallies too. Hope there wasn\\\’t any damage to the boat or trailer when that hitch broke. Thanks for the report and pics.
Thanks, Bill
Looking good Bassman
I resemble that Ben!
Over the last two days when Roy Lake was mentioned…a big smile came across Dean s face.
I\’ll be coming out to see you Jan! Need anything fixed?
Dean,
There’s something about South Dakota that gets in your blood! I have heard nothing but good about Roy Lake Resort and will have to try it sometime. We usually go a few hours farther west but it’s all good. I see an alarming trend lately of good walleye sticks crossing over to the green side. I think we need some snow and cold to clear everyones system and get you all back on the right track.
Sounds like you had a great trip Dean! Well except for the ride home, you didn’t let BrianK work on the truck did you?
Welcome back.
Jami
Sounds like a great time Dean!
Those sure look like they are put together well! WOW!
Lock the doors if you see BK show up with a tool box and grin
Dean, what do youthink happened there? Wow that must have been ugly!
-J.
Great report Dean!
We’ll make a smallie fisherman out of you yet. 
Bass………Priceless!!!!!!!!!!
I am doing some more construction next week and the contractor is in a cast for a broken back. If you are really looking for some work and great fishing on the side and a lot of laughs, I have been known to fall off the dock for my customers, etc. I think I should go back to blond so I can keep the word “blond” and “funny” together.
The construction work is on the lake. We could catch fish and you could watch. We are so funny???,,,//Jan
I’d like to hear from others about Trollmaster. I got one this year to my T8. I can’t wait for fall fishing to use it. A great tool that LilRipper told me about. I was at Roy Lake in late April and the smallies were the same way. They claim Roy Lake is best in mid-September. Glad you had a good time.
Lynn;
– Someone takes good care of you 
Wow! New Gamehide
We expect a field test on your home pool this fall
B,L,S & R
Well done,cept for the hitch thing.Looks like a successful trip,even got a few eaters out of the deal!
Number one, that woman looks good holding fish. And number 2 did you have permision to put on that firetiger. No one called me. Great report.
#2…LOL….was wondering if I was gonna get in trouble for that
Dean,
Great PICs, and nice trip for you….
YOU sure look like a BASS MAN to ME…
such a big smile….. from a Walleye Guy..
Jack..