One Lucky Muskie Freak...
Travis Frank
"I'd rather be lucky than good," was all Tim had to say after his last antics on the water. Friday evening he and I snuck out on the water for a couple of hours of fishing before the sun set on our day. A perfect way to end the work week we figured. When we left the dock I was prodding Tim with thoughts of continuing his hot streak. The lucky walleye/bass guy has a batting average hovering around 1,000% when we muskie fish together. We may only muskie fish together a couple of times a year, but he always gets 'em. He laughs about it and chalks it up to the guide, but there almost has to be something more behind it. He literally catches every single fish that tries to eat his bait, and for that, I have to tip my hat. You know the saying, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." Well, I guess this horse drinks every single time, and I love it!
I've been toying around with a rather new bait, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. After a brief explanation and demonstration of the lure in the water, Tim mastered the art. I explained that about 70 percent of the action will occur at boatside with this new thing, but he laughed and said he wanted it to happen out where he couldn't see the fish to mess it up. About 20 minutes into our outing his exact desires became a reality. A monster fish devoured his bait several yards from the boat, and the battle was on. A fish that rocked him from the depths showed her massive face and soon found the net. This beast of a muskie got him in the 50 inch club and kept his unbelievable streak alive. All I could do was laugh and give him a high five. What else can a guy do? His perception of muskie fishing obviously must be skewed by the non-human like results that he has had the last 3 seasons that we have muskie fished together. I tipped my hat once again, and could do nothing but laugh at his success.
While he has had some incredible luck, the last two times out he has put a curse on me. He laughs at what he calls my "rookie mistakes," because I keep losing fish by doing the exact opposite of what I tell him to do. Haha! That's muskie fishing I guess, but I am really starting to wonder what is happening to me. I've lost some dandy muskies that I battled for a bit, and his joking attitude doesn't let me forget anything that I have done wrong. I guess that's why I love this sport so much, but more impostantly why I enjoy fishing with him. Our evening ended with Tim entering the 50 inch club, and myself losing one of the 10 other muskies that attempted my bait. We saw a giant of a fish that we have named Brutus, and solved a few of the world's problems during out short trip. Just another perfect way to spend an evening if you are the luckiest muskie freak on the water. Great night and a great fish! Until next time, Keep on Livin' the dream!