From: 10/27/2017
To: 10/27/2017
Type of Water: Freshwater
Species: Muskie
I've been waiting for colder water temps to fish for Muskie for a few months now and I finally got what I wanted. The water was in the low 50's, perfect color and perfect level. It was a beautiful sunny day with air temps in the mid 30's for lows and it got to the upper 60's for a high.
I started fishing at daybreak and I was throwing one of my favorite Muskie flies from Streamer King Flies...a 12" Sucker pattern. The first spot has some downed trees scattered around and the fish naturally like to hide around them. I was working the edges of the timber when fish number one launched itself out of the water and viciously attacked my fly. Instantly I aggressively strip set several times ,sinking the hook deep into the predator fishes top lip. After a few minute tug of war I was able to View more...I've been waiting for colder water temps to fish for Muskie for a few months now and I finally got what I wanted. The water was in the low 50's, perfect color and perfect level. It was a beautiful sunny day with air temps in the mid 30's for lows and it got to the upper 60's for a high.
I started fishing at daybreak and I was throwing one of my favorite Muskie flies from Streamer King Flies...a 12" Sucker pattern. The first spot has some downed trees scattered around and the fish naturally like to hide around them. I was working the edges of the timber when fish number one launched itself out of the water and viciously attacked my fly. Instantly I aggressively strip set several times ,sinking the hook deep into the predator fishes top lip. After a few minute tug of war I was able to beach the toothy fish. What a beautiful specimen which I range to be around the 35"-37" range.
After my adrenaline subsides I head downstream to my next spot and on my next cast a smaller Muskie strikes but I whiff on the strip set and he's gone. But not without damaging my heavy leader with his sharp teeth. I tie on a new leader and move on to new water.
I fish my way down through some very fishy water but I have no other takers so I start fishing my way back up. I get to a spot that I fished earlier and i get three strips into my retrieve when I see the barracuda looking fish following my fly but he doesn't take it..I even try to "figure eight" him but to no avail. I'm under a time constraint so I must continue my way upstream.
The next spot is the downstream side of the timber where I caught my first fish. I start working the edges again, this time from a different angle and I see a fish coming hard at my fly. I strip my fly almost completely back when he lunged out of the water in an effort to eat my fly but he totally missed! Being waste deep in the water and having one of these fish attack your fly a mere feet away from you is a surreal experience! I continue casting and stripping back, casting and stripping back, when out of nowhere he torpedoes out of the water and inhales my fly! The fight is on and we battle it out for several minutes but I'm able to bring him to shore and I have my second Muskie of the day.
What a morning of fishing! I decide that two is enough and I end the day on top! It takes the whole hour long drive home for my adrenaline to subside.
