Soooooooo Close!

[TWiles]

Woke up Satuday morning at 6:00AM and made my way into the high country for some fishing.  After sliding down a sandy bank and dragging my Crawdad boat up several sets of rapids, I finally wound up in some fishy water I scouted this spring.

After a couple hours of slinging 10" flies, I started to wonder if all the effort was worth it in my pursuit of these elusive phantom fish of 10,000 casts.
Then it happened!
I stripped the bright orange articulated fly (my attempt at a Brad Bohen Hangtime) over a deep  log filled pool, and out of the depths a beautiful 40+ inch musky scarfed the fly.
I reared back in a Bill Dance Hookset, and the battle began!
"Oh my God!"  I repeated several times.
I clumsily cleared all the line and engaged the reel as the fish raced in a 30 yard run.
Then began a 1.5 minute chaotic tug of war as the fish stayed deep head shaking a lunging.
In the back of my mind was the thought, "DAMN! I never strip set!", But my arms just seemed unable to reset the hook as I kept the rod bent on the fish.

Then, as fast as it began, it all ended when the tension eased and the fly came swimming up out of the stained water.

The scenery was gorgeous and the solitude was peaceful.  Here's the scene just after I lost the fish.

Upstream View:



Downstream View:



The pursuit continues and the Fever Grows!

[MikeA]

Ahhhww man! Keep at it man it'll happen for ya. I may go this weekend.

[icthus]

LOL,

That sucks, I hate those fish, you have more success then me and I tip my hat to any man that chases them around here.  The Hell with those Musky.  I'll stick to carp, snook, reds, hybrid and tarpon.

Best of look
Icthus

[TWiles]

My attempt at a video to show how cool this fly swims in the water.  Mike's experimental test fly inspired me to make one.  It takes a while to make, but another hookup would make all the tying effort worth it.

Travis

[MikeA]

Looks almost just like mine. How did you get it orange. My spray paint method worked but it does come off eventually.

[TWiles]

I got a jumbo Fire Orange bucktail and tied reverse flare segments on it (tying it in forward and flaring the tips back.  I'm not the best at the muddler style heads, and the less hollow bucktail makes stacking the hair a little harder than hollow hair like elk. 
I also added some SF blend, bleeding red to make fuller in the articulated segment.

I've got another all black, and a black and mocha brown that I think will do just as well as this one.

TW

[jarrod white]

the only thing musky around here is the smell in the air from all the sissy boys cologne after they walk the dog while holding hands with their partner. LA is a musky town

[TWiles]

Took a couple hour excursion with Crystal to a spot near the house.  I put several Spring days without  even a glance at a musky, but I remembered a beastly fish I spotted there last March...so I figured what the hell...let's go back. 
We launched the boat, motored up to where the photo was taken and began casting.
10 minutes in a small musky follows the fly boatside and disappears in the murky water.  20 yards later...a medium sized musky takes a swipe and misses on a figure 8.

20 minutes later, I saw a colossal fish turn broadside on a sandbar and commence to chase my fly for 20 feet.  He quit on the 8....but I'm sure it's the biggest musky I've ever seen.  He made me feel undergunned with a 12wt. I was guessing 50 ", but my adrenaline was flowing.
I rigged Crystal with every muskie bait imaginable, but no dice.
Can't wait for fall to come and my next chance at another go at these gators.
Travis

[MikeA]

Travis can we get a Drift boat in there?

[TWiles]

In that stretch it's doable, but it takes some creative launching, and a private access takeout, which I'm pretty sure we could gain permission.   I know a few guys who do float drifters on occasion.

I have to drag the Crawdad up and down a steep bank to get there.
Went back today a few hours with Rusty and had 2 follows...both medium sized fish.  No goliaths.