Lord all Mighty, He finally caught one!

Cheese and Rice! I told Matt that I was going to take a picture with him holding nothing and put it on this website just so that I could explain to all of you that He had nothing to show for his efforts.  We made it out on the water 3 times last week, and every time he had at least one muskie hooked that found its way off.  Well it was more of the same on Friday afternoon when we hit tonka for my first time of the season.  As you can see from the sky in the background, it was one of those musky looking days when I just about go crazy if I'm not on the water.  We had action the entire time on the water, but it wasn't until close to the end that we finally put one in the boat.  We saw about 18 different fish on our outing, but after we had 3 or 4 fish spit the hooks, Matt finally capitalized with his first of the year at 42 - 43 inches.  It was a very fat little bugger, and definitely put on a show during the battle, not to mention the look on Matt's face when it came screaming at the boat and Matt couldn't keep up with it.  Nothin but musky fun. 

This picture makes me sick to my stomach!  I was about 50 yards away when I saw this floating white log, and I instantly knew what it was.  At a closer look, it appeared to be about a 52 incher that will never do battle again.  How it died could have come from many different things, but it is just a reminder to how fragile these fish can really be and stresses how important a quick and clean release can be.  If your hooks are too deep, cut them.  If you want a picture, make it quick, and hold the fish firmly with two hands.  Make sure you revive them before you let them swim away, and always be careful.  I don't want to sound like a nag here, but it is important when dealing with such large fish.  I enjoy catching them as much as the next person, and it is very sad to see a sight like this.  Oh yeah, if you are a bass fisherman that hates muskies on your bass spots, deal with it and find a new spot like everybody else.  It's part of the game, and it aint cool to kill them when you catch them.  It makes me sick to hear stories of angry bass fisherman who kill every muskie they catch on one of their "Bass Spots."  A true fisherman adapts to the changing patterns and finds new structure.  Sorry I flared here, but I just don't like to see this site on our lakes and I know this is happening elsewhere too.  Until next time fellas, keep on livin the Dream!