For the past several weeks, I’ve been anticipating my Jon boat to be finished. I hired a local welder to help me construct a front casting deck with brace, with even spaced batteries and onboard charger, LED lights, and an 80lb thrust Minn Kota Riptide with quick release bracket. Last weekend, I bonded some textured rubber/vinyl flooring to the front deck and rod holder. I also strapped and taped 4 PVC pipes together and attached a Rod Saver strap (with silicone) to secure the rods to the flank of the boat.
I got all this finished in the nick of time, and was able to take my friend Adam fishing this weekend on the quest for his first musky—on the fly .
Day one, Adam got a follow in the first 10 minutes, and froze on the figure 8 out of terror/surprise. I just knew this was going to be a great day. I rose a small fish in the next hour, and was sure we would find some willing takers. Nope. Winds beyond 20 mph pounded us into the bank for the rest of the day. I was very pleased at how the boat performed. No more fish the rest of the day. Just windburnt faces and sore backs and casting arms.
Day Two: Clear bluebird skies and calm winds. Perfect conditions for spotting fish in the greenish but still clear water. I landed a nice fish in the first hour of fishing, and soon after had another follow. Needed the boga, jawspreaders, and long nose pliers to get the 12” fly out of the back of the fish’s deep jaws. I was very lucky to not have to use the bolt cutters-but had them ready. The fish released strong.
Once again…thought it was going to be a great day. It was tough. We were able to cast our flies into the gnarliest logjams and Sycamore overhangs that have brought me many active fish chases before—Nada today. Nobody home. I’ve read before that March and April are difficult months for finding muskies due to their migrations and spawning behavior. That’s my guess….but they weren’t showing themselves.
About 10 hours later of hard casting and nothing spotted: Adam finally hooked his first feisty musky. A beautifully striped firecracker of a fish. He paid some dues with many fishless hours spent on several trips. Now that he’s broken the ice…I’m betting he’ll catch another real soon. We’re already planning on getting his raft to some nice fish surrounded by whitewater where few can go.
It will probably be May before I can get back after these gators again. Smallies, whitebass, walleyes, and stripers are on the list for the rest of March and April.
