Trophy Fishing TN Forum - Caney Fork Trout Fly Fishing - Caney Fork Trout Guide

Warm Water Fishing Reports => The TN Muskie Addiction => Topic started by: TWiles on March 22, 2011, 10:30:47 PM

Title: 11th Hour Noli Musky
Post by: TWiles on March 22, 2011, 10:30:47 PM

I spent Friday hiking upstream from my house to explore some promising musky water.  I got a late start, but found some neat holes that I know will be future places to entice me as the weather gets warmer.  Saw a fellow floating solo who had landed several smallmouth.  He confirmed my plans of owning a German Shorthair pointer one day as I saw his dog obediently ride in the cata-raft with him.  It's hard to believe they made it down Class III and even IV rapids together...but that's what I love about this place---it draws some die-hard adventurers.  I cast every bait imaginable in the evening shadows and murky water..but no luck---my hopes are strong for this water this spring.  Two of my patients came this week with great musky stories from these holes.

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3486.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3487.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3490.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3489.jpg)




On Saturday, my buddy John and I decided to float a several mile stretch down from the house in his Star EZ Fish Raft.  More of a scouting trip than anything.  That's what we called it, but we kept waiting for a monster to scare the hell out of us.  Threw mostly large plugs, gliders, and swimbaits in the deep holes.  The water was still a bit high and silted, but we had a blast getting splashed by some respectable rapids.  We lost a nice musky net off the back of the raft through a rougher stretch. After several hours and no glimpses of a fish, my hopes dwindled for a hookup as we fished areas that I have spotted fish in the past.  It didn't matter...the scenery was awesome, we found some great water, and just enjoyed the experience.
As we neared the takeout, I took the oars and gave John the flyrod to hit some bankside cover.  At the last possible moment to sneak in a cast, John starts panicking..."Hey Man!, I've got a fish!"  His line starts racing upstream as our boat nears the ramp.  I swung the boat upstream, and I could see a huge tail beside the bank racing upstream.  The line kept swimming toward midchannel and headshakes unfolded.  Soon after...the line goes limp, and the fly comes emerging from the depths.

"SHIT!!!!!!!! I never even strip set!"  John learned the painful lesson of musky paralysis...when you can't believe one just ate the fly.

I can't wait until the next moment of panick these fish give me.

Travis

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3492.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3480.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3497.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3498.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3499.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3500.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r22/traviswiles/IMGP3501.jpg)

Title: Re: 11th Hour Noli Musky
Post by: MikeA on March 22, 2011, 10:46:29 PM

Be nice if you could find a more scenic place to fish.  ;D

Title: Re: 11th Hour Noli Musky
Post by: Glenn Hawkins on March 23, 2011, 06:23:14 AM

Great report Travis.  Thanks

Title: Re: 11th Hour Noli Musky
Post by: Steve H on March 23, 2011, 08:54:05 AM

Great report Travis. Keep 'em coming.

Title: Re: 11th Hour Noli Musky
Post by: jkilday4 on March 23, 2011, 03:36:25 PM

That was an awesome trip, Travis.  And sorry again about the net... :'(

Beautiful water and all the wildlife - the bald eagle we saw twice, 20-22 wild turkeys in a bunch on a steep wooded slope, that huge beaver with tail shown broadside, two groundhogs playing that actually climbed a tree together, wood ducks and blue herrings.  I'm still trying to strip-set that fish as I lie down to go to sleep each night!  >:(  But even still, it was encouraging to get one to eat a fly which was a first for me.

Title: Re: 11th Hour Noli Musky
Post by: jarrod white on March 23, 2011, 09:35:57 PM

travis, I know that place exactly and I have walked those tracks several times :) they will aslo lead you to Lost Cove just a little further down and turn up the hill and keep walking. I love that stretch of the river .

                JW

Title: Re: 11th Hour Noli Musky
Post by: Racer X on March 24, 2011, 12:29:05 AM

Your reports are always fun to read, Trav! 

btw, Scott and I installed my first restaurant venue yesterday.  Over three years waiting to get here.  I may be back soon.  ;)

Title: Re: 11th Hour Noli Musky
Post by: Gofisher on March 24, 2011, 08:42:19 AM

Nice report Travis. C'mon J4, you gotta set the hook!  ;D