I've been waiting for this day on this water for 3 years now....The chance to time it right for a large late winter fish when the conditions line up perfectly between weather, water clarity and open schedule. My Buddy Knox and I have been burning through some busy work schedules, and the opportunity opened up to chase a fattened winter fish before the Spring floods and spawning season begins.
Fished tons of new water in the gray cloudy morning, and when the sun burned through, we motored and dredged flies through some timber that would be favorable to find a nice fish. Was starting to get the typical late afternoon fatigue and doubts of a musky encounter, when this big girl showed up...charging straight up from depths, and scarfing the fly. I landed a wimpy hookset in the chaos...but she dug strong in the deep water, and miraculously stayed hooked up. Knox did a perfect net scoop to get her landed, then instantly, out came the fly.
Very close to my heaviest fish. 47.5" x 22.5"
Soon after had another low 40's fish give me 6 good turns on the figure 8...I spun it around too fast on his kill charge, and he missed the fly with open jaws and flared gills.
We fished later till dark without another encounter...but it sure felt good to be out in 60 degree temps.
I'm very blessed to share such and awesome moment with a great friend.
