Musky on the Fly

Fished the Namekagon last Saturday for a full day float with Matt and Brian.  We had 8 musky bites on flies but only got one in the boat.  Brian had one hit and a great hook set but somehow she came unbuttoned.  The river was super clear which was expected with the lack of rain - unfortunately there was a lot to look at and Matt and I both missed fish that were on our fly next to the boat while looking at others.  In total we saw maybe 10-12 muskies and caught 3 nice pike.  This was the only photo taken (it's pretty bad) - 29 incher.  I vow to start taking better photos and not just of people holding fish.

We mainly used 6 to 9 inch minnow patterns on sink tips and the fish were active.  Honestly, just about every spot that looked like it should hold fish did. 

Sunday we did a super short float (really sweetie) on the St Croix and didn't move or even see a fish. 

Week of fishing and exploring

I took last week off and started the weekend by hosting my brother's bachelor party.  It can pretty much be summed up with this time lapse video.

Matt and I snuck away Saturday for the St Croix by Cty Rd T.  We had really good luck for it being overcast.  Probably got a dozen SMBs and some nice pike.  Everyting on top-water.

The pike must really hide went the water is high - because Saturday when it came down we caught a bunch - and this nice 30 incher.

Sunday morning I took Jon out on the St Croix before he left and was able to land this beauty - biggest of the year for me - 19 inches.

Right away we turned around and hit the Namekagon from Cty K to Whispering Pines.  I don't know why I've never done this stretch of river before - it is possibly the best in the area.  Flows were fast and the SMBs were slow because of the high water.  But the plus side was the musky maddness.  Matt landed this 36 incher before the middle split ring was about to give.

Matt's hit a Skitter Prop mid stream with a cool slow take.  We floated with it for awhile to tire it out before netting.  Lou had one hit at the boat while Matt and I were recovering from his fish. 

I also had 3 bit offs with the fly rod.  Unfortunatley I wasn't prepared and didn't have my 20 lb floro for a bit leader and lost some nice fish that took the Bart-O-Minnow. 

The rest of the week I explored some nearby musky lakes and also floated the Totagatic from the County I Dam to Lake Nancy Road - and the St Croix from the Gordan Dam down to Cty Rd T.  Both were awesome water and hopefully I can fish this next week. 

I have a guide trip Friday on the St Croix above Grantsburg.  The flows should be prime with the Kettle falling quickly after the Duluth area rains - the 4th is shaping up for a good weekend.

Wisconsin Fishing Opener

I took the week off to work on cabin landscaping projects - which also happened to coincide with the Wisconsin fishing opener.  Everything was shaping up perfect except the rain.

Saturday Matt, Gus and I hit the St Croix way up by County Road T for a short and successful float (Gus really tested my knot-undoing-abilities - he's 7 and loves bombing casts).

 Matt's musky took a size 9 shallow shad rap in black and white right on the seam of this pool - it really whacked it too.

I caught this walleye in the middle of pool with a clackin-minnow.  The clackin-minnow in firetiger really works well on walleyes this time of year.  We also caught a few smallies on the smaller version of the whopper plopper which is a blast to cast.

Then the rain came.  This is the graph at Danbury and it was already a little above normal which happens depending on rain - but the increasing river levels and cloud cover cooled the fishing for Sunday. 

Sunday I missed on a nice smallie but that was it.  On Monday the fishing was better again and we hit the river right after lunch - which is really the best time for both visibility and water temp this time of year.  A few more smallies, a walleye and nice pike.

Otherwise for the rest of the week it was back to the landscaping and other cabin projects.  I broke free after lunch a few times and really hammered crappies and bluegills with the fly.  It's a real blast watching panfish slam a tiny popper or rubber ant.

Anyways, a very successful week - especially because I didn't get hurt - even though it was close.

Flambeau musky

Matt, Pete, Brian and I hit the Flambeau River east of Winter off Hwy 70 Saturday and Sunday.  We had planned on flyfishing most of the time but the wind came up and I wimped out after banging a 6/0 sailfish fly off my head a few times.  For the most part weather was good and as usual I should have taken more pictures.  We did manage some nice fish - and the motorbike worked great.

We had been fishing for a few hours not seeing a thing Saturday.  Matt and I switched over to gear as we came up to a big deep hole.  On about my 10th cast I had a good hit on a jerk bait but it was on the "jerk" part of the motion and I couldn't get tight for a good hook set.  We continued to fish for a while - getting more frustrated (I'm not that good of a musky fisherman yet).  I launched a cast into the trees and pissed off I reeled back in as fast I could.  Bang, this 33 incher comes out of no where and slams the Jimmy.  We got some nice pics but Pete thought it was better watching me still shaking from a great take.

Ten minutes later this 36 incher comes in and slams the Jimmy.  It got airborne and had a few good head shakes.  Right away we thought it was a bigger fish but it was still fun.  Notice the lack of pectoral fins?

Sunday we fished a stretch just up river.  The first half by Nine Mile Creek looks great and it was good to float different water.  The fish were right where we expected them to be but a little more cautious.  Pete had a really good follow and I missed a nice fish on the same "jerk" portion but after Pete inspected the hooks we later determined that cheap hooks hitting rocks for 2 days can really dull a lure.

Brian did manage a nice pike on the fly (which we are lobbying for Pete Jr. to be named).  Too bad I didn't mange a better picture.





Overall we managed 3 muskies in the boat, 2 missed takes and saw another 3.  I have fished this stretch of river 4 times and managed a musky every time.  It was a great weekend and a good getaway for all of us - a fantastic way to finish up the year.