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Created by Scott McKee Oct 31, 2018 at 1:09pm. Last updated by Scott McKee Oct 31, 2018.

Thank you, Jay!

This site is sponsored by NMA Member Jay Nannen.

A couple of brief reports.

Went out about ten days ago. It was morning after a cold front. I’m usually able to hit a fish or 2 on such days. Decided to start by trolling the east river. Weeds were tough from Motor Island down, but not too bad from bridge to the former Holiday Inn. Also tried Tonawanda side with no success.

Moved to Frenchman’s to try a tube drift. Tough drifting with NW winds. No luck.

Moved back to the east river. Weeds were now tough all the way down. I was using two rods. Reeled one in, cleaned it, then put it back out. Immediately reeled in the second rod, cleaned it, and put it back out. Immediately reeled in …. Went on continuously. Reel in, clean, put out. Reel in, clean, put out. At least I always had one lure in the water. As a bonus, I had a good upper body workout.

I remember reading years ago that trolling was the lazy angler’s way of fishing (I think from Wisconsin musky anglers). They obviously never tried trolling the Niagara River in the summer, with the moss and all. Casting all day is so much easier.

 

Went out again yesterday. Started with the black tube at Frenchman’s. First cast or two I have a hook-up. Crank, crank, crank…. When I’m able to crank them all the way in they’re usually not too big. But a pretty 35 incher (stick measured in the water). Spotted fish. No more action here.

Ran up to Thompson’s and did the downstream drift. Wicked, evil snag under the International Bridge. Tried to pull it out with the boat cleat, but current was strong and boat started spinning. Broke the tip on my rod. Didn’t feel safe trying to get the line back on the cleat, so I played it safe and cut the line. Poor black tube.

Tried a couple more drifts from Frenchman’s and Triangle (now with puke tube). Nothing but a small follow next to Strawberry. Trolling time to the East River. No more trolling the East River for a while. Weeds were bad last trip, much worse this trip. Could not do it, not even downstream of the Grand Island Bridge.

Wind was picking up appreciatively. Hoped that might turn something on. Back to the Triangle. Tried a drift, but nothing. Quit about 12:30.

But my heart goes out to the black tube, of which I provide the following eulogy:

The short, rough life of black tube

Don’t know where black tube had its origin. Perhaps in the mind of Arena. Or the mad concoctions of Ketry. Or genius of Mann. But it’s such a marvel of a musky lure. Shadowy dark form, undulating, tantalizing, seductive flow of its tentacles. Few muskies can resist.

Black tube, my black tube, probably from the raffle table, pristine from its plastic enclosure. Only tube I fished this year until it’s unfortunate demise. I dragged it through the cragged, cutting rocks. Through the moss and the weeds. All the time it danced its tantalizing dance. Never complaining. Accepting in full its lot in life. And muskies were lured and fell for its deception. It’s pristine body cut and sliced and gouged by the rocks and teeth of muskellunge and walleye. But still it danced. Happy, it seemed, to go catch another. Maybe a short adventurous life was better than a long stay in a plastic box.

Black tube was in the water only about 12 hours. In that time it had relations with at least 6 muskellunge and one walleye. Quite a good record for any lure. Yes, it lost more than its share. But that may be more my fault than its. But it gave me a chance for at least one larger muskie, and boated two. Can’t ask much more from any lure.

I will miss black tube. I’m sure it would have continued its alluring dance down the river to the attraction of more muskellunge. Gone too soon.

If by chance you’re able to pull from a snag under the International Bridge a gouged, cut, sliced, and shredded black tube, please show it proper respect.

Funny, how we grow affinity towards certain of our lures.

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Your black tube euology is the funniest thing ever written on our site whether you intended it to be or not. Cleese, Palin, Idle, Chapman, Jones or Gilliam couldn't have done any better. I look forward to the next installment of Tony Scime's Flying Circus.
Great report Tony
It is funny the affection we feel towards our lures, especially the self made ones and productive ones.
Maybe next time mark the and we can ask Jimmy to recover the body?
Ala bala bala jojoout

Tony, Maybe it will end up in Davey Jones' Locker some day.

Rest in peace little fella, Black Tube.

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