Call Me Crazy But I Would Like To Give It A Shot!

[PDXFisher]

I hope I don't lose points. I'm a diehard Canucks fan but they are out the of playoffs again. So my second team is the Calgary Flames.

My favorite team is whichever Marian Hossa is on, so that means the Pens these playoffs. Looks kinda schizophrenic when I wear my Hossa Senators sweater, but maybe only for one more game. Any team with a lot of former Winterhawks gets me cheering. Dallas has Brendan Morrow, one of my all-time favorites. The Wild I have to like just because it's where my girlfriend is from and where I do so much of my fishing ;)

I don't mind the Canucks at all, GM Place is still my favorite place to see a hockey game.

[kevinb]

I hope I don't lose points. I'm a diehard Canucks fan but they are out the of playoffs again. So my second team is the Calgary Flames.

My favorite team is whichever Marian Hossa is on, so that means the Pens these playoffs. Looks kinda schizophrenic when I wear my Hossa Senators sweater, but maybe only for one more game. Any team with a lot of former Winterhawks gets me cheering. Dallas has Brendan Morrow, one of my all-time favorites. The Wild I have to like just because it's where my girlfriend is from and where I do so much of my fishing ]

Oh man,....I love hockey. Sounds like I might have to start a hockey thread. Now where to put it?:-"

[kevinb]

Sorry Marc,
Took the thread for a joy ride and now returning it with a full tank.
Unless your a hockey fan? We might have to argue who drives first:-$

[Marc Martyn]

No, I'm not into hockey.

[Marc Martyn]

Keep us updated Marc on how you do. I know some other guys that are thinking of trying it this summer too.
Rosann

Well, the day arrived when Mike Grahm and I got a chance to give it a shot. Without reposting my report on the days activities, here is the link to my report:

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReportList.aspx?id=16

Now, I am wondering about a couple of things that maybe you guys can shed some light on-
>At what water temperature brings the spiny rays into the shallows? I have heard that 55-60 is a good range.
>The south end of Silver is very shallow and covers a large area. Wouldn't that water warm up much faster than the shallow shore line around deeper water?
>Are Muskies more likely to be spooked on calm sunny days? Would a little chop on the water and a cloudy day give them the illusion of cover?
>At what water temperature do the Muskies move back into cooler deeper water?
>Do Pike or Muskies follow ducks with babies?
>Finally, there have been reports of Muskies skimming the surface of the water with their mouths wide open. What are they going after, pods of tadpoles, small schools of baitfish?

Although my first first day was non eventful, it was fun trying out the flies that I have tied up over the winter. The reel worked great, although I wish I could have tested it under load. The line and rod are quite compatible and the flies have great color and action in the water. Now all I need to do is find the fish:cheers: I think that we were on the wrong end of the lake.

[Deadeyemark]

Marc,
I'll just answer one of your questions if that's OK.
Start fishing on the north end of the lake in the spring. The sun's in the southern hemisphere at this time so it shines on the north end of the lake the longest while the south end is shade most.
Best of luck.

[PDXFisher]

Now, I am wondering about a couple of things that maybe you guys can shed some light on-
>At what water temperature brings the spiny rays into the shallows? I have heard that 55-60 is a good range.

I have no ideas on that one.

>The south end of Silver is very shallow and covers a large area. Wouldn't that water warm up much faster than the shallow shore line around deeper water?

I think that would mostly depend on how windy it is. If it's calm the shallows could be warm anywhere, but yes, generally a large flat area will be warmer than a small shallow area next to deep water.

>Are Muskies more likely to be spooked on calm sunny days? Would a little chop on the water and a cloudy day give them the illusion of cover?

You want chop, definitely. It does give them the illusion of cover and lowers visibility. It tends to get them a little more in the biting mood.

>At what water temperature do the Muskies move back into cooler deeper water?

It's hard to say for a tigers, since so few people target them exclusively. Purebred muskies can handle 80 degrees no problem (well, it's tough on them to fight a fisherman at that temp, but they will go shallow still). Pike start moving back deep at around 65. There will still be some in the shallows in the 70s, of course, but they're usually of the smaller variety. I've read that tigers are in between the two, but I've also heard they can handle it hotter than either of their genetic contributors. I doubt they were out of sight because the water was too warm.

>Do Pike or Muskies follow ducks with babies?

They're been known to eat baby ducks, but I don't think I'd ever think of baby ducks as muskie chum. I have a baby duck lure (the "Persuader").

>Finally, there have been reports of Muskies skimming the surface of the water with their mouths wide open. What are they going after, pods of tadpoles, small schools of baitfish?

I saw that video. I don't think anyone really knows the answer, it didn't even occur to me that they were trying to eat something when I saw it.

Although my first first day was non eventful, it was fun trying out the flies that I have tied up over the winter. The reel worked great, although I wish I could have tested it under load. The line and rod are quite compatible and the flies have great color and action in the water. Now all I need to do is find the fish:cheers: I think that we were on the wrong end of the lake.

What'd ya use for it? I find people's rod choices at the higher weights somewhat fascinating after casting a bunch in my quest for a bonefish rod.

[Marc Martyn]

I never knew that there was a video of the Muskie near the surface. If you can remember the link I would like to see it.

I was using my Orvis 9wt. 9ft. I have RIO "The Clouser" floating fly line. I quickly realized that casting the Umpqua Pike Fly is a bit of a challenge. Barry Reynolds in his video makes it look very simple. He is also using a "double haul" cast. That is a technique that I am going to work on. Haven't used it much at all. Using that does get the line speed up.

[PDXFisher]

I never knew that there was a video of the Muskie near the surface. If you can remember the link I would like to see it.

I was using my Orvis 9wt. 9ft. I have RIO "The Clouser" floating fly line. I quickly realized that casting the Umpqua Pike Fly is a bit of a challenge. Barry Reynolds in his video makes it look very simple. He is also using a "double haul" cast. That is a technique that I am going to work on. Haven't used it much at all. Using that does get the line speed up.

I never tried the Orvis. Does it load with a small amount of line out, or do you need 50 feet before it starts casting right? Or do you overline it? I tried a Scott, a few Sages (Xi2 and Z-Axis) and a couple GLoomises before settling on the Winston BIIx. Nothing else I cast had near the range of sensitivity and power. Never thought I'd end up with a Winston, but I couldn't deny it after casting the others. I actually like my backup Echo rod more than the Sages I cast. Xi2 is a pool cue and the Z-Axis was a noodle that struggled with lots of line out. I'm sure the Z-Axis makes a nice 4wt, but as a 9wt, blecch.

My double haul technique is pretty poor, I tend to end up with inside loops on the forward cast. Most of my problem is that my hand/wrist just isn't strong enough to push the rod correctly with a ton of line out. I need to learn to shoot more, too...same problem most trout guys have, too many false casts. I always make one too many, which is a hard habit to break (but especially important when fishing for bonefish, for example). I can still cast most of my line with a single-haul.

I think huge waterlogged bunny flies are worse than the Pike fly. hough that thing is just so wind resistant.

I saw a link to the video posted either on Muskyhunter.com or fishingminnesota.com a few months ago. If I can find it I'll let you know.

[Marc Martyn]

The Orvis rod is a first generation graphite that I won in a fly club raffle. It has only been used a few times and is like new. I am quite sure that it doesn't compare in design to the new rods. It seems to load fine and handle the line well. My days of long powerful casts are pretty much gone. My hands are worn out after 40 years of hard work. The middle knuckle of my right hand is basically bone to bone. Maybe with some physical therapy and exercises I can regain some of my strength. At present, my casts are not very powerful and of moderate distances.

[kevinb]

[quote="Marc Martyn"]I never knew that there was a video of the Muskie near the surface. If you can remember the link I would like to see it.

Hey Marc,
Heres a link to the video. Its kind of like what I saw but stayed around,was more aggressive. And it sure looked like he was top feeding...on what? that I'm sure of. http://youtube.com/watch?v=TO7u77qio0I

[Marc Martyn]

In the video, it appears that the Muskie is swimming with it's lower jaw above the water line. It didn't seem to be feeding in my opinion. In seeing it, I was thinking that maybe it was hunting for something on the surface, much like a gator does. I'll send the link up to Clive Schaupmeyer up in Alberta. He fishes a lot for Northerns. Maybe he has see this also.

[kevinb]

In the video, it appears that the Muskie is swimming with it's lower jaw above the water line. It didn't seem to be feeding in my opinion. In seeing it, I was thinking that maybe it was hunting for something on the surface, much like a gator does. I'll send the link up to Clive Schaupmeyer up in Alberta. He fishes a lot for Northerns. Maybe he has see this also.

The video tiger had its mouth closed. But the one I saw had a mouth wide open.

[Rollin with Rolland]

i have seen pike/muskie do that right after being caught. i have not seen them swim around so much, but if it is a long battle and a bad hook, i have seen them stay on the surface with their mouth out of the water, even "chomping", like their mouths hurt or something. this will go on for multiple minutes, then they go under for a few minutes only to come back up and do it again!! maybe the muskie in the video had a sore mouth or something caught in there. just a thought....

[kevinb]

Its a good thought. Very interesting:-k

[muskie guy]

I posted that video on youtube, and I was really hoping some fishing super-mega-genius could tell me why I see tiger's doing this every place I fish for them. I haven't found a study on this behavior after searching for many months and no one has a definitive, scientific (non-folklore based) answer. When I get a reply from the S-M-G fisher person I will post it immediately for the benefit of all man kind!!!!

[Deadeyemark]

Last summer Jed Volkman(Bikini Baits)and I were fishing Curlew Lk when Jed spotted one coming right at the boat. It swam right past the boat with it's head above the water line. It was within a few feet of us. Just looked up at us as we stared down at her. She went under after passing the boat. Just then Jed says 'here she comes again". She came right past the boat on the other side within a few feet doing the same thing.
The evening before I released a fat 39"er at this spot and removed a small hook w/line from her mouth. I wanna believe it was her just saying thanx.
Actually I've seen this many times but don't have any answers as to why.

[chironomid_guy]

I'll be out on Curlew Saturday........... I'll let ya know if I see "her". If your out there, just look for a big aluminum (19ft) with a 50 horse yamaha 4stroke tiller.TTFN

[kevinb]

I'll be out on Curlew Saturday........... I'll let ya know if I see "her". If your out there, just look for a big aluminum (19ft) with a 50 horse yamaha 4stroke tiller.TTFN

How was Curlew? Any tips?
We have a tourney out there at the end of the month.