First muskie of the season

[carl schenk]

 Made the decision this spring to give the summer time to my grandkids and get them some fishing memories with grandpa. Too quickly the very enjoyable summer passed. School began..time to solo. Made one trip of 4 hours on the night of the presidential debate. No fish and a mountain of weeds reeled in, but I did see something big on the graph. Also had a dead feel from the lure that left me wondering if I had just had a fish hit. Went out again Tuesday night. Super moon with a partial eclipse. It was like I had no choice. I sent back one of my favorite big fish lures and decided to do nothing but pound the area with 'all the action'. Partway through the area I had a quick hit followed seconds later by a solid slam. Fish on, and it feels good. Surprisingly quick I brought the fish to boat and led it into the net. Big fish. As soon as I lifted the net the fish went nuts, luckily dislodging the hooks. It dug hard into the bottom of the bag while soaking me with its tail. It was literally towing the boat sideways and I began worrying about it ripping through the mesh. When the splashing stopped I could see I had reason to worry. The fishes nose (?) was poking out around 4 inches but luckily it was remaining calm. I quickly extended myself out over the net and stuck the palm of my left hand against its lips while trying to gather some net with my fingers from underneath the head to pull up on. The mesh was stretched so tight that I couldn't get my fingers under it, or move the fish backwards. No way to ignore the situation. I don't want his fish to get a second wind yet. I put my right hand and arm and part of my body inside the net, sliding my hand up to meet my other hand that is still holding the mouth shut from outside the net. Just to add to the fun, the lure was stuck in the net but not in the fish, and situated where my arm was marginally in slight danger. Please fish, don't move.  I pushed and wriggled the head out and was then able to turn the fish around, pointing it safely at the other side of the net. Routine from then on. Cut the lure free, swap the headlamp for the goPro with light, wet the bumpboard, grab fish, measure and release, watch it disappear back to the mighty Niagara, straight back to the dock, soaking wet with a possibly damaged shoulder, done. 

[Scott McKee]

Great report, Carl. How long?

[John Jarosz]

Congrats on the fish & double congrats for giving your grandkids the time this summer.

Next up...show the grandkids the fine art of ice fishing!

[carl schenk]

Oops. 49”. I have a short video on my Facebook page, but I lack Tony’s skills..lol