Fall Tiger Muskie Fishing

[Lucius]

I just figured out what us seattlens can do in the rain. Muskie fish. A few of us went out this last saturday and had a blast. It personnally was the best muskie day I have ever had (#'s wise in my boat). Brett caught 2 (34" and 37") and lost 4 I lost 1 and caught a 44" and we both had numerous other strikes and follows. Fall is a great time of the year so get out and enjoy the outdoors cause nature is putting on quite a show right now and that in itself is worth it even if you don't catch any fish although I know we prefer too!! OH and in case you were wondering Brett made that lure with the Chapter 57 emblem epoxied into the lure and that is what he caught all of fish on. It was the hot lure no jokes and as you can see we have the picture to prove it!!

[Lucius]

oh and a battle wound

[Rich McVey]

Right On, great job you guys!!!

[Dex]

You guys are killing me here....... Looks like a ton a fun.

Where you fishing at??? Remember that I be home for a short visit in December. Anyone up for some winter musky.


see ya then

[smoke14]

Caught this little fella Wednesday at Newman, between myself and fishing buddy we caught three along with 4 Small mouth.

[Lucius]

Caught this little fella Wednesday at Newman, between myself and fishing buddy we caught three along with 4 Small mouth.

That's a nice little muskie you got there smoke. What are the specs on that little guy? What was the water temp over there cause it looks cold based on your picture.

[smoke14]

Caught this little fella Wednesday at Newman, between myself and fishing buddy we caught three along with 4 Small mouth.

That's a nice little muskie you got there smoke. What are the specs on that little guy? What was the water temp over there cause it looks cold based on your picture.

It was in the low 30s air temp water surface was 50. I didnt measure him scale said 9lb. It wasnt as cold as the week prior we went out and it was 17 degrees, water was freezing up in the eyelets of the rod

[Rosann G]

Smoke14 you are a crazy man for fishing in that cold of weather but that is a nice fish. Glad to see some action from the east side.
Brett, Buddy and Perry, congrats on your fish from Merwin last weekend. Brett, nice lure you have there.

[Random Fly]

Greetings!

What a great discovery! Muskies in Washington...

I live just minutes from Lake Merwin and understand that there muskies there.

I must admit that although competent in fly fishing for trout, muskies look challenging and sporting, to say the least. I've also gathered that there is some level of tension between trout fly fishers and those who fish for muskies. I'm not sure why this is and have no desire to be a part of that.

All this to say, that I live on the south side of Lake Merwin and am 3 1/2 miles upstream from the Buncombe Hollow Road-Etna Road intersection. When on lakes I normally fish in my float tube, but also have heavier gear for larger fish such as salmon, steelhead and lohotan cut throat. I have a few questions:

- Can anyone tell me if I can fish for these muskies from my float tube?

- Are there muskies on the south shore near the old Buncombe Hollow swimming hole?

- Has anyone caught muskies on a fly?

- If so, what flies seem to be the most productive?

Thanks so much for any advice you may have!

Eric

[smoke14]

Greetings!

What a great discovery! Muskies in Washington...

I live just minutes from Lake Merwin and understand that there muskies there.

I must admit that although competent in fly fishing for trout, muskies look challenging and sporting, to say the least. I've also gathered that there is some level of tension between trout fly fishers and those who fish for muskies. I'm not sure why this is and have no desire to be a part of that.

All this to say, that I live on the south side of Lake Merwin and am 3 1/2 miles upstream from the Buncombe Hollow Road-Etna Road intersection. When on lakes I normally fish in my float tube, but also have heavier gear for larger fish such as salmon, steelhead and lohotan cut throat. I have a few questions:

- Can anyone tell me if I can fish for these muskies from my float tube?

- Are there muskies on the south shore near the old Buncombe Hollow swimming hole?

- Has anyone caught muskies on a fly?

- If so, what flies seem to be the most productive?

Thanks so much for any advice you may have!

Eric

Im sure you could catch muskie in a float tube, but it may not be suggested they have teeth like a dog and I wouldnt want to handle one with a hook in its mouth , as far as using a fly I dont know, I have caught them using crank baits and spinners. Good Luck and keep us posted if you do catch one on a fly it would be an experience to share.

[kevinb]

Musky fishing from a tube may very well offer up some unique advantages in terms of
stealth and access. I do some fly fishing but havn't attempted anything on this scale.
Their are a few books on the subject,one of which is written by a local angler http://www.amazon.com/Muskie-Fly-Master ... 0974642754
Good luck out there.

[Rich McVey]

Hmm.. A float tube and a 50 in Musky... That could be exciting for sure.

[Random Fly]

...now I'm concerned about a toothy torpedo biting a hole in my float tube!

[smoke14]

Musky fishing from a tube may very well offer up some unique advantages in terms of
stealth and access. I do some fly fishing but havn't attempted anything on this scale.
Their are a few books on the subject,one of which is written by a local angler http://www.amazon.com/Muskie-Fly-Master ... 0974642754
Good luck out there.

Stealth is not needed for Muskie they could care less about us and those I have seen show no fear of the boat. I just cant invision hooking a 40" muskie and pulling that fish close to me and the tube, I see nothing but bad things happening as that fish gets closer to the tube, not saying it cant be done but it could get hairy.

[kevinb]

I agree that their is an element of risk involved but I'd be more concerned
about hooks.

[kevinb]

For the most part I would also agree that muskies don't care to much for boats and don't appear to bothersome
but would also have to say that there are times that they spook easily..even
crossing into shadows.

[Lucius]

The gentlemen in the very first picture caught a 44" tiger muskie this January in a float tube. Granted it was pretty lethargic, but still pretty intense from what I gather. I know a few that have caught muskie on the fly before. Like kevin pointed out there are books on the matter that would be helpful. I know a lot of guys that fly fish for pike are using a bunny fly or big streamers!!

Welcome to the Jungle!!

[Rich McVey]

The gentlemen in the very first picture caught a 44" tiger muskie this January in a float tube. Granted it was pretty lethargic, but still pretty intense from what I gather. I know a few that have caught muskie on the fly before. Like kevin pointed out there are books on the matter that would be helpful. I know a lot of guys that fly fish for pike are using a bunny fly or big streamers!!

Welcome to the Jungle!!

Yea But... Brett is not your average Musky Angler. Brett could catch a Musky in his sleap, with both hands tied behind his back, locked in a box, in the middle of the desert.

I dont want to deter anyone from giving it a try, just dont expect the results Brett has.

[bad esox]

Hey Rosann,

Thanks for mentioning the fish I caught! I guess in all his excitement Buddy forgot about it! LOL...We all did have a great day out there in the rain on Merwin.

Sure you can use a tube to fish muskies as well as a fly rod. Guys back in the mid-west have done this for years.
Although, I have no personal experience muskie fishing from a tube..I bet it would be a blast to hook a large fish from a tube!

Brett who was our "Angler of the Year" for 2008 caught the majority of his muskies fishing from shore!

All one truly needs is the desire:)