We've fished in the Upper Saranac, and I know what your saying about the lakers being non-coperative.
Tossed everything at them, but could get 'em to move, being pasted to the bottom.
What we have caught up there, were some BIG smb.
Matter if fact caught one once that was 26"!!
I do not know what the state record was/is but that fish taped just at 26".
Knowing that it was old, we tried to revieve it after being in the live well just long enough to show it off, but after a big effort, it did die.
Sounds like you guys had a large time up there!
The Tupper Lake area is nice!