A little NDR fun with the fishes

Huntindave McCann

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This past week I was in Canada chasing Muskies on Lake of the Woods. Saw quite a few, (a lot more follows than previous trips). Had several on the line for a few seconds to a few minutes only to give them a premature release. [frown] However, we were able to bring several to the net for a photo op.

Had a cold front come thru which shut them down for that afternoon and the next morning. As the sun came out midmorning the following day and the water began to warm, so did the Muskies. Had 16 follows that day and numerous times the fish would blow up on the lure knocking it clear from the water without getting hooked up. Twice we had double follows and double hook ups within a 5 minute period covering 50 yards of water.

Saw a couple really really nice fish come right to the boat. On of them stayed behind my lure for several minutes as I continually did the figure 8 maneuver. Never was able to get her to pull the trigger and eat my lure. Both exhilarating and disappointing, at the same time.

Here is a 42 incher I caught the second day of the trip. And a 45 incher my friend caught. (low res photo pulled from the video I was shooting)


View attachment IMGP0396.JPGView attachment screen shot4.jpg
 
Those are lot bigger than the only one I ever caught, a `14" tiger muskie!!!

Catch any pike for dinner???
 
Chris Finch said:
Looks like a good time!

It's a blast when a 48-54 inch fish charges your bait at boat side. Especially if the water is green with algae and you don't know she is there in the first place. I go back there in three weeks for another go-around. I already picked up a few new crankbaits to try. ( I don't no why,,,,,,,,, I already have more than I can even get wet in a week of fishing) [sly]
 
Huntindave McCann said:
I don't no why,,,,,,,,, I already have more than I can even get wet in a week of fishing) [sly]

Cuz you neeeeeeed em. At least that's what I tell myself when I see a lure I can't walk away from
 
I thought things were suspiciously quiet lately..? [;)] Where on LOTW are you going? Cheryl and I will be a bit south of Kenora mid Sept.
 
George Goodsell said:
I thought things were suspiciously quiet lately..? [;)] Where on LOTW are you going? Cheryl and I will be a bit south of Kenora mid Sept.

Quite? Who rattled your cage? You and your wife fishing Walleyes or ?

We fish Sabaskong Bay and stay at Buena Vista Resort north of the town of Morson, Ontario. It is an 11 1/2 hour drive for me, as I have a 3 hour detour to get to my buddies house, prior to leaving for up north.
 
We're at Witch Bay Camp just S of Kenora. Eyes, Northern, Muskies, S M B. Just goin to have fun... Cheryl gets a week of no cooking or cleaning, just relaxin and fishing! Makin deals with her to get a wire bender and components to make BIG bucktails before the trip. Kinda running out of time though. We're meeting the son in law and grand kids in the Cities and dragging two boats up.
Whaadoyamean, who rattled my cage? Bet there were others that thought it was "Suspiciously quiet" here also!
 
That brings back memories Dave. Used to stay at Rex Tolton's Miles Bay Camp (NNW of Morrison) in the 80's and 90's for spring bear (archery) and walleye. Then the libs in Toronto stopped spring bear in about '97 I think and haven't been back since. Last time up there I hauled my Lund up to the end of the road north of Morrison and drove up to Miles bay from there. Been thinking about going back the past couple of years now that spring bear season has been reinstated but most of the guys I went with have other things to do that time of year. Always a fun time up there and the walleyes have never tasted better.
 
That's great Dave.

I had the privilege of encountering several muskies in my years in Michigan. Lake St. Clair has become a mecca for the big fellas.

Right you are: the heart rate goes sky high when a musky follows right beside your boat and lure.

What a great privilege that in retirement you get to go back in three weeks.

Larry
 
Looks like retirement suits you well. Nice fish! Gotta be a rush catching monster fish like that.
 
Pete,
I've fished the Miles Bay area a few times. Usually don't get that far (from BV Resort) in our search for active fish. We see bears on occasion. The Mayfly hatch will draw the bears to the water where you can spot them.
 
George,
I had fish follow almost every lure I threw. Caught several on hair or mylar. It is funny how over the years, the size of bucktail spinners keeps increasing. I can remember when you had two choices, Mepps Muskie Killer or Mepps Giant Muskie Killer. Now the regular Muskie Killer looks like a Smallmouth lure compared to a Double Ten in-line spinner. I have to watch which reel I use, need to drop down a gear ratio just so I can crank one of those in all day.

Good luck on your trip. May the wife out fish you. Safe travels.
 
Larry Eckart said:
That's great Dave.

I had the privilege of encountering several muskies in my years in Michigan. Lake St. Clair has become a mecca for the big fellas.

Right you are: the heart rate goes sky high when a musky follows right beside your boat and lure.

What a great privilege that in retirement you get to go back in three weeks.

Larry

Ya, I have a bit of a problem with my heart and am trying to control it with medication. My Doc would like to see me doing some regular exercise to strengthen my heart. I keep telling him, fishing for Muskies provides the same benefit.

We actually have many locations here in Iowa where Muskies can be caught. In fact, I've caught them just 7 blocks from my door.
 
Ed L. said:
Looks like retirement suits you well.

Ed, It's been a real struggle. I wake up everyday at 4:15 and get dressed in work clothes. Wolf down a quick bowl of cereal before grabbing my keys to head out the door. It is then that I realize there is no longer a "shop key" on my key ring. I end up dejected and mope around all morning wondering what to do with myself.
.
.
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Oh wait,,,,, it not like that at all. [w00t]

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my work. I just have a few other things I enjoy more.
 
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