Not The One

When Travis Frank of Trophy Encounters called me to see if I would join him for a day of muskie fishing, it was a very short conversation.  My answer was, "YES, where do I need to be and when".  I have been fortunate enough to get to grow up with Travis and call him a close friend of mine.  With both of our busy schedules we rarely are able to get into a boat together.  We often see one another on the water, but it is always special when we actually get into a boat together and go fishing.  

Yesterday was no exception.  We hit the waters of Lake Mille Lacs in pursuit of the elusive giant muskie and managed this one chunk(mid 40's").  The water temps were in the 30's and the lake is only days away from getting a skim of ice.  Althought this wasn't the "one", the 60lber we were after; it was still a sweet fish to catch.  The appeal this time of year is the size of the fish.  Muskies are at their biggest in Nov since they have been putting on their winter weight all fall.  Though this fish wasn't the longest fish, it was plenty large in the belly area.  It also made for some great laughs.  I hooked the fish and Travis proceeded to "coach" me through the fight....as if it was the first one I had ever caught.  He truly is a great teacher and someone I have learned so much from over the years.   Every time we hit the water I am able to learn from his great knowledge of these creatures.  But this was a different kind of "coaching" that had both myself and Wolf about wetting ourselves from the laughs.  I was thankful when the fish finally hit the net and gave a chance to share her beauty here with you.  

This particular fish fell victim to the infamous "pounder" by muskie innovations.   I am throwing the bait on a 7'9" super heavy mag rod with a Shimano Calcutta 400 on it spooled with 80 lb braid.  I can't say enough how important it is to have good equipment for the moment when a fish of this caliber is on the end of your line.  Your only connection is your hooks and your line, so make sure and always sharpen your hooks.  

This trip was everything I expected it to be and more.  The day was one I will not soon forget.  Thanks again Trav and until we can do it again, Fish On!  Get out and stretch the string.   

The Pursuit...

This song is exactly how I feel about this time of year..... I wake up every day in "the pursuit" of happiness and my dreams. Chasing giant muskies and world class whitetails is probably two of the most challenging things any man can choose. Never have I backed down to a challenge and this fall is no different. I fished this past weekend for 12 hours a day in pursuit of the world class muskie in Lake Mille Lacs. As many of the muskie heads know and many others are starting to learn, there is no better place than Lake Mille Lacs in Oct/Nov to catch a muskie over the 50lb mark.

But than comes the other creature I am in "pursuit" of... A mature whitetail buck; one of the toughest big game animals to kill with a bow. Pursuing mature whitetail with my Mathews has long been in me, but in the past 5-7 years it has taken me over about this time of year. We are only days away from the start of the most magical time of year in the woods-THE RUT! With next weeks full moon and these cooler temps it should get the mature deer up and on the hoof. It is lining up to be a great halloween and first week of Nov to be in a tree here in the midwest. Until the 50lb muskie or giant whitetail is on the ground I will continue the pursuit...and beyond! Keep your eye on the prize and get out in the woods or on the water. Hopefully will have pictures to come-soon!

Handing Out Dirt Naps

I spend much of my time away from the lake sitting in a tree stand chasing the wild whitetail deer with my Mathews bow. This video clip is from a recent bow hunt where I was able to give a few does a "dirt nap"! The reason we have to harvest a few does every year is so we can keep the herd in check. It also allows me to have venison for the next year. This video shows me harvesting a doe with my bow at 31 yards. It was a fun night in stand. My camera man for this particular hunt was Stanley Cup champion Dustin Byfuglien. It was his first time ever filming a hunt and his first time being in a tree in many years. Typically he is off playing hockey about the first of September, but since the NHL is locked out he has been able to take in much of the fall. Not only has be managed a few days of bow hunting he has also got out and shot a few ducks.
In the coming weeks I will be chasing record muskie and giant whitetail with all walks of life-it is that time of year.

Forecast Calls For Sun

Whether the weather forecast calls for a nice day or not I jump at the chance to try and catch fish at their "biggest"-FALL! Fish of all species like to put on the feed bag in the fall to allow them to have some "winter weight"! These largemouth bass obviously stay the course and have been chewing to add a few lb's.

Bass are not the only thing chewing come fall. Recent muskie guide trips as well as walleye outings have proved all the fish species are hungry! Not to mention the world class smallmouth fishing we have been experiencing on Lake Mill Lacs. Time to break out the ice armor suit and hit the water, whether the sun is shining or it is freezing, the fish are feeding!