On the board. We had 3 eats yesterday which included two small muskies (25" and 33"), and this 43". Temperature was 63 degrees at 4am. It was down to 43 by daybreak and 39 when I caught this fish. The 20mph north winds made it almost uncomfortable, but totally worth it. 7 days until the close.
Vito, I don't know what you do for a living, but have you ever considered a starting fly-fishing guide service?
In real life, I manage a web development department for an internet service provider. I also perform on-water fly fishing instructionals through a local fly shop. I don't do many a year. Maybe a dozen, but I do enjoy them. I have been asked to join a few guide services and even helped out on occasion. I do not enjoy that as much for a few reasons. I am good friends with a few guides and it can make fishing less enjoyable, and does not pay well. It becomes a job, and at this point in my life, I don't think I could do it. I don't want to ruin something I enjoy this much. I must admit, I have never really been described as a hard worker. I've always gotten by on my looks and talents.
Oh, I was thinking unionized government worker, retired on "disability" and getting food stamps. I work in "IT" too so you do work about as much as I do LOL.
Congrats again man! I'm looking forward to hooking a couple myself this summer. Now, if only I knew someone who could tie me a couple of killer flies.
I may know someone. The question is, can you cast? I still can't believe you have had muskie waters like that in your backyard all this time, and have not taken advantage of it.
Better than any "fly fishermen" around here. You may laugh, but I would say pretty good. I think you forgot that this wasn't my backyard for 9 years. Before that, I was mainly a walleye and bass fisherman. *Disclaimer: When I say bass, I mean real bass.....Smallmouth. Not their big mouth cousin that are equivalent to carp....the Largemouth. :D
Cool!! When we go bowfishing those big dumb toothy fish will sit there until we practically hit them with the boat. The bass and crappie guys always tell us to kill them if see them.... which of course, we do not. I know they're not too easy to catch on hook and line, but it's amazing how you can 'sneak' up to them with a 18' pontoon boat with 10 halogen lights run by two generators and a 28 horsepower fan pushing the whole rig. LOL We do see some monsters. Same with bass and catfish.
Yeah they certainly don't fear anything. Being the top predator, they are rarely scared of a boat, especially on waters with a lot of boat traffic. When they are sitting what we call "high and happy", they are rarely feeding. Finding them in areas they want to eat, and getting them to eat, is the hard part. We sometimes joke they would be a lot easier to catch if you could spear them. They will often follow right to the boat and linger on the fly for a while. They are quite curious.
You can't shoot catfish? That's what I go for... everything else is "Practice!" Except an occasional gar that I'll make Boulletes with and the Asian Grass Carp which are very delicious smoked.
No catfish allowed here. Heck we had to change the laws to get get drum and shad allowed. I did go all the way down to the Muzzy Classic on Guntersville and brought a cooler for the cats... but a cold front came through and there were no catfish to be found.
If you get a chance to go to Santee Cooper in SC, the water is super clear and the cats are huge. The tailrace below Lake Moultry is really good also.
Big enough for the world record Channel and the one time world record Blue Bowfishing and Muskie fishing...2 things i would love to do that doesnt exist around here...
