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3. Muskellunge

I floated a river in northern Wisconsin. I caught this fish out of my inflatable pontoon. It was a serious cluster f*ck, but the fish was safely landed and returned to the water. I had yet to break 40", this fish was 42". I was very excited! Now off to try and break 50"...

Wow Kyle your pretty awesome! Great job of hooking, fighting, landing, and releasing a mighty muskie on a fly rod! Probably there are not many fellows on this forum that can say they hooked and landed a muskie of similar proportions out of a pontoon boat. What weight rod were you using and how long was the streamer? What color?

Thanks, Matt! I caught it on a 10 wt with a 9-10" articulated streamer. It was a mostly white pattern with some lighter blue flash and a gray head. Unfortunately I didn't tie it, but I'm ordering some Whiting 8-11" schlappen packs soon so I can start. I may have to tie a few with flash tails before the feathers come.

WOW!!! Well done Kyle! You have officially reached "Fly Fishing Stud" status! And doing it all on your own out of a personal pontoon! Congrats! Gee, maybe I could wrangle one of those things in my little yellow banana boat...

Jonathon

P.S. I do believe that the term "cluster f*ck" is military terminology - at least, I first heard it in Army Basic Training at Fort Knox...

P.P.S. 42" is both the legal limit for musky in MI and an automatic Michigan Master Angler Award (minimum size for catch-and-release category). Just FYI... ;oD

Jonathon

P.P.P.S. Can't figure out who's grin is toothier, Kyle's or the musky's...

Awesome fish and awesome experience Im sure!! Nice job!!

Thanks, Adirman! It definitely was an awesome experience. I suggest trying it sometime if you get a chance.

Jonathon - Not quite a stud, or master angler, just damn lucky. I only hope I get lucky again soon...but, don't we all?

Wow! Great fish. Great photos. Great experience. Now that's living. Way to go, Kyle.

Atta boy!

WOW, that's a massive fish! Makes me think about hitting Murray Lake, just east of home here in MI, and throw some bucktails or divers...wonder if my 8-wt is up to it??!


Roguerat

I Peter 5:7 'Cast your cares upon Him...'

The alligator of the north woods!

Good job!

Spence

In case no one has noticed...I'm posting tonight because it is the first time I've had a good connection to the web in 21 days or so...:)

When I get back to snivel-ization I'll bring you up to date...

Paul - Thanks! It's an experience I won't soon forget.

Gutcutter - What's the biggest you have caught on the fly? Ever fish musky in rivers?



Don't see why not, just be careful and let them run if they need to. You can catch king salmon on an 8 wt. Different type of fight, but a very strong, heavy fish nonetheless.

Spence - Looking forward to reading about it!

Good work; beautiful uglymean fish!! The second photo with the bluegreen filter is especially cool.

Kyle that's a great fish! Way to go. Looks like you had your hands full with that one.

Thanks! I am lucky my fishing buddy is a photographer.


Very much so, both literally and figuratively. I wish there was video of me fighting and landing the fish.

Ha! I bet. I've had some truly comical moments trying to fight and land some fish. Sometimes things just go awry.

The traditional origin(s) of the name Muskellunge is from an Ojibway word,
Maskinonge- or versions thereof...they all refer to 'big ugly pike' which is somewhat appropriate given the fine choppers and malicious glare most Muskies sport.
I humbly admit the one- and only- Musky I've caught on the fly measured a full 19" when stretched. I hooked him/her in Muskellunge Lake, located near downtown Trufant, Michigan which is well-known as the Stump-fence Capital of the World. It IS on the map, and it's a nice little lake.

That is one admirable fish, again. This is inspiration to do some research and flog the water for other species.

Roguerat

I Peter 5:7 'Cast your cares upon Him...'