River Monsters!

Too hot for muskies?  That's fine.  The river levels finally dropped, and I can safely chase another freshwater beast.  Enter the sexiest fish in the river.  Aka: the catfish!  Since I personally haven't pursued any large fish for nearly a month, I couldn't have been more amped.  I have this urge inside that says, "Travis, you need to catch something huge today."  I can't control it and I certainly cannot explain it.  The only thing I know, is that I love every minute of it.

I could go into the details of the the catch, but I'll just sum it up right here.  There is nothing better than a bone crushing strike of a flathead catfish.  In the raging river waters, they have a mindset that if I don't get it right now, it will be gone.  With that said, my poor bait doesn't stand a chance when that big mouth decides to open.  In fact, I'm sure it's a terrifying situation to be in.  As the sun set last night I drowned a lively bullhead in a mass of sunken trees and logs.  It's been a while, but the incredible strike brought the past right back and I was able to horse the beast out of the log jam.  Man vs Beast, and this time I was the winner!

The cat last night was not a giant by flathead terms, but it was a good fealing to finally do battle again.  The heat and humidity that has sidelined the muskie fishing for most of the past month has made for a bit of a boring stretch.  I'm happy to report that a new option now exists.  The weather man says that the highs for the next several days will be in the mid to upper 80's.  It turns out that this catfish might be the best thing to hold me over until we get another break in the heat.  Either way, I just did battle again, so once again I thank God for spoiling me with another prize, and I will patiently wait for the next strike to occur.  Until then, maybe you should give catfish a try, or just keep on livin' your dream!

It Must Be The Shoes!

"I call these my lucky shoes!"  That was the quote Jeff stated before we left the dock last Friday.  He forgot his fishing shoes and was stuck with his office footwear.  We quoted them as the lucky ingredient but we had no idea what kind of luck they would eventually bring.

The morning started out with a mixed bag of adventures.  A group of several anglers and several guides gathered for a Lake Minnetonka Bonanza.  The goal of the day was to catch a bunch of fish and award one lucky angler with the coveted Rapala trophy.  The trophy was to be presented to the one with the biggest fish of the day.  With men and women from all over the country, we set out to see what would tug on the end of the line.

With a mixed bag in mind, the morning was a success and all the boats caught bass, pike, panfish and walleye like it was going out of style.  The amounts totalled in the hundreds and smiles were on the faces of every single angler.  There must have been something in the rainy air that day, because I haven't seen the bite that hot in weeks.  Even the guides were giddy with excitement.

After a lunch break, it was time for the second shift.  This is where the story really gets interesting.  My partner for the afternoon was Jeff.  Being an angler after the next big catch, he decided that he wanted to take a stab in the dark and chase the mighty muskellunge.  Knowing that the morning bite was very solid and the rainy cool temps were making the fish go crazy, he opted out of the multi-specie action and hoped for one big bite and his chance at a trophy of a lifetime.  Normally for this time of the year and the recent heat, this wouldn't have been an option for us, but the cool weather had dropped the water temps to a comfortable range and it was finally game on!

After a quick tutorial on the in's and out's, Jeff was hard at it.  Looking for his first ever muskie encounter, we had no idea what was about to explode from the surface.  About an hour and a half into his muskie fishing career, we were scared stiff when an absolute giant broke the surface and grabbed his lure within feet of the boat.  With a head like a monster it was an all out war between Jeff and the fish.  A battle that I'm sure felt like an eternity for Jeff, resulted in a muskie in the net in about 20 seconds.  In utter shock, we put the fish on the board to see the tail touch 53.5 inches in length.  A quick photo and the muskie dissappeared back to the depths.  Before we even knew what happened, the fish had already swam away.  To say that Jeff was excited wouldn't do justice.  As for the guide?  I was on cloud 9.  To have the opportunity to witness a fish of such magnitude is incredible.  To watch it happen on a first time muskie anglers line?  Lets just say that you can't put words to it.  It is the reason that I love what I do!

Jeff and I laughed and joked about the entire scenario over the next two hours.  We sent text messages to the rest of the anglers on the water, and created more hype than we knew what to do with.  It was one of the most enjoyable experiences that I can remember.  The clouds, rain and cool winds were exactly what the doctor ordered.  In all, we had 5 boats and 17 happy anglers that caught 2 muskies (both first timers), about a dozen walleyes, a 6 pack of pike, and too many bass and panfish to count.  While it seemed that the fish were almost jumping in the boat at times, Jeff only caught one, but it took home top honors and the the Rapala trophy too.  You could chalk it up to pure luck, but if you ask Jeff, he'll say that it was all in the shoes!  Congratulations Jeff, on your first muskie and the fish of 10 lifetimes!  Until the next monster strikes, keep on livin' the dream!

Take A Kid Fishing!

We say the phrase all the time - Take a kid fishing.  This past Saturday, we raised the bar and took it to a whole new level.  Instead of taking a kid fishing, we took about 40.  Thanks to the help of many volunteers and the Waconia Lions Club, we were able to bring joy to many young anglers that would normally not have the opportunity.  Judging by their smiles at the end of the day, it was a success.

This is not the first year of the Waconia 'take a kid fishing day,' in fact, I remember my father being a part of it when I was very young.  He brought me fishing and a couple of other kids too.  I remember it as a fun outing where I got to do my favorite thing, fish, and some other kids got to come too.  Fast forward 17 years to the present, and I am blessed to have opportunities to teach and take people fishing on a regular basis.  Remembering the trip that I shared many years ago,  I jumped when the call came looking for more volunteers. 

The jist of the day goes something like this.  Local parents sign up with the Waconia Lions Club to bring their kids to the lake.  A large group of volunteers are gathered and local companies kick in some product to give to the kids.  The morning of the event, volunteers gather at the In Towne Marina and get everything ready to roll.  Boats, bait and tackle are all prepared and ready for the eager anglers.  This year we had several boaters and a couple of pontoons to accomodate the masses.  When the kids show up they are given a jiggle stick ready for action and the guides pair up with the as many kids as they can handle.  Some boats have several volunteers and several kids.  Since I was solo, I chose two.  Then we head out for a few hours on the water.  The kids catch fish, laugh, have fun and catch more fish.  The little fish get tossed back, but the keepers come home with each boat.  A group of guys are gathered at the end and all the fish are cleaned. A lunch is prepared on shore and goodie bags are sorted out for each child to take home. 

When all is said and done each child walks away with memories of the fish they caught, the ones that got away and a bag of fillets for the frying pan.  Each angler also receives a starter kit with tons of fishing supplies and a new rod and reel combo.  With all the volunteers, we were able to spend time teaching many of the kids how to tie knots and rig up their rod and reels.  A morning on the water that will hopefully last a lifetime. 

Looking back on my past, I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if somebody wouldn't have taken the time to teach me how to fish.  I guess it fuels my passion even more when I am put in a position to help someone else.  This is the reason why I enjoyed our morning so much, and why I encourage you to give it a try too.  It will make a difference if you 'take a kid fishing.'  Until next time, keep on livin' the dream!

Killin' Time...

Will somebody please put me out of my misery already?  Last night I hit the water and the graph read a steamy 83 degrees.  As I sit down and write this article we are a mere two days before a full moon.  Big muskies are likely on the chomp, but I wouldn't know.  It's been several weeks since I have wet a line for a metro musky.  Why?  Like many of you, I have taken the stance to put our resource before my personal desires of catching big fish.  In water this warm I don't want to put the fish at risk and take a chance at killing a trophy.  It's my prerogative, but I stand firm.  My previous article will share more about my feelings on the issue.  While I feel that I am making a valued commitment to the resource, it doesn't make the waiting game any easier.  I haven't made a single cast, and it's killing me. 

To pass the time I've been changing my ways and casting for "the other fish."  Big bass have been my obsession, and I've been giving them a run for their money.  To add an element to the game, I've been fishing several new lakes.  Each trip I've been trying to crack that 5 lb mark.  Not only does it make it fun to fish for the bass, it also adds another element to a sport that can sometimes be simple.  In the past week I have fished 4 different bodies of water, 2 of which have been first time journeys.  Each outing I have found some different results, but one thing has constantly remained the same.  The bass are biting!

We've caught bass in Lilypads, bullrushes, cabbage, milfoil and suspended over open water.  We've caught them on bass jigs, jig worms, carolina rigs, topwater, spinnerbaits and more.  They have come in sizes big, small and in everything in between.  One thing I've learned about bass fishing in the hot summer sun is that anything will bite a bass lure.  While the bass have at times been jumping in the boat, we've also hooked a ton of toothy pike, a nice tiger musky, a few walleyes and some panfish too.  Not to mention the always eager lake Waconia Sheepshead.

I've had the opportunity to guide some newcomers to the Minnetonka Bass scene.  The ins and outs of the bass strategies on the Tonka weed edges and places to find them. I've found that this has taught me a lot about the sport that I have forgotten or never knew.  I have had 4 new anglers in my boat and 4 others that I haven't fished with in months.  It's been a sweet time with great people and great memories.  As I look back over the last few weeks I can say that I have enjoyed every minute.  It has been this time away that really makes me appreciate the sport of muskie fishing.  An appreciation that is driving me nuts while I wait.  Which is why I plan on taking my game north.  And I hope to do this very soon!  For all of you that have given the muskies a break over this warm water period, I say thank you.  The waiting is almost over.  Until then, keep on livin' your dream!

Hot Water - Dead Muskies

In the sport of muskie fishing there are two things that don't mix.  Hot water temperatures and big fish.  As an avidly obsessive muskie angler, I find nothing more gut wrenching than to come across my favorite fish floating on the surface.  Sadly, this has been an all too common occurance as of late.  My home waters in the metro have reached surface temps in the 80's.  A number that I have vowed as being too high to fish.  I have put the big rods away, and until things cool down, they won't come back out.  As a fellow musky fisherman, I am asking for you to do the same.

I know that there are no laws being broken and I have no right to do this, but I ask this anyway.  In a growing sport that has more anglers than fish, I think it is only fair for us to consider the resource before our very needs.  The fact that my livelihood has been put on hold and I have cancelled all of my muskie guide trips until it cools down should tell you where I stand on this issue.  If we think that we have no effect on the overall resource of our lakes, then we are wrong.  The truth is that we are recycling the fish with proper catch and release, and the current water conditions are making this a tough task to correctly do.

Here are a few things to consider when it comes to hot water and muskie fishing.  A muskie will battle to death when they are hooked.  This is no secret.  Having a good gameplan ensures that they are quickly put in the net, unhooked, measured and released before they fight too long.  When a muskie goes into battle they give it their all.  Similar to a human going from a resting position to running a 2 mile sprint.  Consider this anaology in that at the end of the 2 mile sprint, someone dunks your head under the water for 45 seconds.  While this might seem dramatic, it might be a fair comparison to what takes place when we battle a muskie.  Now consider doing this exercise in extremely hot temperatures.  I think you get my point.

Some other things to consider is the oxygen level in hot water.  I'm not a biologist, but research has shown that oxygen levels decrease as the temperature rises.  When we catch a muskie, they need time to recover.  This usually occurs boatside and on the surface, which is the hottest water in the lake, with the least amount of oxygen.  During a battle, muskies build up lactic acid in their bodies, and if the conditions don't allow them to appropriately recover it ends in death.  The hardest fact to consider in this equation is that it doesn't always occur immediately.  Studies have shown that muskies caught in hot water have been released only to die days later.  A sad fate for a fish that we cherish.

While I have put an end to my muskie fishing until the temps drop, there are some things to consider if you still plan on fishing.  First, plan your trips during cooler periods.  Night fishing can cool the surface slightly.  If you do choose to fish for muskies, come extra prepared and know exactly what you will do once a fish is hooked.  Time is of the essence.  Limit the amount of time you handle the fish.  A dozen pictures with your trophy will likely result in a dead trophy - even if you watch it swim away.  If you must take a pic in hot water, then a shot of the fish in the water is the best choice.  Leaving the fish in the water is by far the best option. 

Next, fish with a friend.  I don't want to step on any toes here, but if you plan on fishing solo, I would strongly encourage you to wait a few weeks until it cools down.  Another set of hands can make a huge difference in getting the fish back in the water and on its way to a speedy release.  Plus, if a picture is what you are after, trying to do it solo is a tough chore with a struggling fish.

This should apply all year long, but especially now - once you catch and release a fish, wait around for a while to make sure the fish is doing okay.  I can't tell you how many times I have seen fish swim away and resurface a short while later.  They need time to recover and we owe it to the fish to make sure they get back on track.

Lastly, become an educator.  If you are a musky fisherman that has the opportunity to be an influence on your friends or other anglers, then you should take the time and be the difference.  Become a positive mentor for another angler who simply might not know right from wrong or proper techniques.  You would be surprised at how a few technques and ideas can positively influence an angler that has never handled a 35, 40 or even 50 inch fish.  Positive encouragement goes a long way to preserve our resources.

On a positive note, this can be the best time of the year to head north.  All reports and personal experiences have indicated a good bite happening on big time muskie lakes up north.  I'm not saying you need to spend a bunch of money, but lets be honest here.  A tank of gas is the same as 2 muskie lures and we all have way too many of them in our box to let money get in the way of our passion. 

Whatever your plan, please consider that we are responsible for the state of our muskie fishing.  I am just one of the many muskie addicts that have taken the stance to wait until the water cools down.  I think I speak for many when I ask for you to do the same.  Besides, the wait will be over before we know it and the fishing will only get better.  Until the temps cool, catch a bass, a bluegill or a catfish, just keep on livin' your dream!