July 13 report

[Tony Scime]

Yesterday Scott Kitchen texted me asking if I'd like to go fishing with him. I responded that I planned to go tomorrow (today) and that he was welcomed to go with me if he liked. He did.

We met at the foot of Sheridan at 6am and launched the boat. Started at Frenchman's. I might have had a fish on right away but was busy with my electric motor remote and lost it, if it was a fish. Second drift, using a walleye (copper) colored tube I hooked a fish  and we landed, tagged and released a feisty 33 incher. Netting and tagging a fish was a lot easier with Scott doing those things.

Second drift and I hooked another fish. This one was 41 inches and Scott again did a great job with the net and tags. Both these muskies took the tube pretty deep, which is unusual in and of itself, and I was fortunate to have Scott there to help with removing the hooks.

After a fishless period along Strawberry we took a ride up to UN1. Near the end of the drift I hooked another fish which felt and looked bigger than the 41 incher. Unfortunately the tube popped out before Scott got a chance to net it. At least we got a look at it.

Back down to Frenchman's to drift down river. Hooked another fish. This one was a feisty 38 incher and made some spectacular jumps. I had the GoPro going, but it was sitting upside down on my head (I'm not always as smart as I should be) so the video isn't as good as it could have been. But I did get some nice shots of the jump. Again Scott did a great job at netting and tagging.

I have a new appreciation of having someone with me on the Niagara to help with the catching and releasing as Scott was a very gracious and willing guest. Next time I hope he does the catching so I can practice on my netting skills.