Author Topic: Wading  (Read 2131 times)

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Plateau Angler

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Wading
« on: November 02, 2011, 03:21:04 PM »
I'm not looking for any spots as I would like to find those myself.  What I would like to know is would I be wasting my time wading rivers that have musky?  I'm really hoping to catch one sometime in the next few months but enjoy wading and want to know if its worth my time or is a boat really the only way to go...?

gaspergou

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Re: Wading
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2011, 03:35:59 PM »
It's not a waste of time at all... but as river flows increase in Dec and Jan it's going to be difficult to get to the fish as easily, especially if you're throwing flies.

TWiles

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Re: Wading
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2011, 03:16:57 AM »
Most fish I find are in steep banked holes over 8 ft deep.   Not saying it can't be done, but you'd have to be creative.

Plateau Angler

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Re: Wading
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2011, 01:08:17 PM »
It's not a waste of time at all... but as river flows increase in Dec and Jan it's going to be difficult to get to the fish as easily, especially if you're throwing flies.

I'll be throwing flies exclusively at this point and realize that I may have a substantial drought before finally hooking one.  It will still be fun to get out and explore though...

gaspergou

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Re: Wading
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2011, 01:31:26 PM »
Deep water with cover is primo but usually hard to work from the bank or wading. You might want to look for shelves or vegetated flats immediately adjacent to deep water. I saw several decent fish last week that were holding in <3' of water, but all were near deeper water. In all the rivers on the plateau, deep holes offer critical summer low-water refugia, and fish won't be far away. Approach cautiously -- they get spooky when they don't have lots of water or cover over their heads. They may also follow farther back then they otherwise would; blew a shot at one by picking up the line and starting another cast just as the fish came into view. Also consider sticking to an I-line or floater and topwaters; without being able to get to snagged flies you'll bust off a bunch...



MikeA

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Re: Wading
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2011, 01:49:49 PM »
I'm confident that musky move into those shallow fast riffle areas early and late to feed. It's just a long shot that 1. you can get to that area without a boat and 2. that you can fish it effectively without spooking them.
Musky fishing for me is about covering alot water looking for an aggressive fish. I wouldn't waste my time if I could only fish a small area unless I just knew there were a few fish and even then it'd be a tough sell. Spawning locations are another story.
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