Muskie Flies

[John Jarosz]

Steve...thanks much for posting the pics & please be sure to thank him for supplying the details.  I've blown them up & printed them for future reference.   Very interesting.

I noticed, in the 1st pic, middle fly, he has a Marc Petitjean Majic Head.  That's the plastic head that looks like it's on backwards.  The water resistance is supposed to make the fly go squirrely.  

The bite guard that you mentioned is usually a wire leader, stranded or solid, about 12" in length.  Anything shorter could be easily inhaled by the musky & the fluoro cut through.  I'll be going with about an 18"-24" wire on the business end.  The barb idea is very interesting at least for hook removal.  If he fishes from a 'yak, I imagine he doesn't want to have to play around with a thrashing fish.

Thanks again & be sure to thank him.  It was very generous of him to share...jj

[Scott McKee]

Barb-less hooks penetrate easier.  I've never set the hook from a kayak (I can barely negotiate a shower without tipping over, let alone a kayak), but I bet that and easy release are why he pinches them down. 

[Scott McKee]

I must add that all of this chatter on muskies-on-the-fly is really exciting.  Between you. Dan, Russell and Jojo, I hope you guys all connect this year with the long rods.  First musky on the fly (in season) gets the cover of the newsletter.  I hope it's a PIG.

[John Jarosz]

A piglet of a fish wouldn't be bad either, but guys, did you read what Scott said?  This could be our chance to reach world-wide international fame, fortune and recognition.  I'm getting my fly gear ready: a 9'-10wt fly rod, a graphite large arbor fly reel, & a five gallon bucket of Ben-Gay to rub my shoulder down the next day.  Not "if", but when we get one, Tony will have to add another category to his C&R report (fly fishing).

[Scott McKee]

John, I don't know about world-wide international fame, but the 8 members who read the newsletter will be impressed.  I'm pretty sure Rich Sandig reads the rag, so that would be some international fame, I guess.

[John Jarosz]

Scott...I'm sure you'll be the one to give us the "recognition". So far, that's two out of three: international fame & recognition.  Only "fortune" is left & I'm not too optimistic about that one.  With fly-fishing, fortune flows out a lot more than it comes in.

[jojo wilczewski]

Good day fly guys . ALL my river flys for either esox are barbless and weighted with an inch of flattened thick 1/8 lead wire. Haywire twist 100 lb to the fly 60 lb flourocarbon Albright , 6 feet. No like a shorter leader so I can still L turn and skip the fly on the surface for the foollowers. Another good tip is to keep the tip of the rod in the water, to get more walk in your walk the dog. I also like the heavier wire bite leader since it makes the fly swim to bottom when the retrieve is stopped . They will hit on the drop.. Most of my flys went south with Larry. And Chris but I will try to bring sme next meetin. Lots of wackis and one to the net. Try steering a big guy to the net with a wet noodle?? . Remember river fish like it deeper then lazy lake fish. Jojoout

[John Jarosz]

Jojo...Thanks, can you bring a few to the next meet?  I'd like to take a look.  I'll bring some of mine that I tied so you can critique them.  They're the ones I had at the show.  I didn't weight any of them but there's always time to tie a few more.

Do you tie any kind of a snap or snap swivel at the end of your wire for us fly-changing junkies?

...and this thing about steering a big guy with a wet noodle, I was going to ask you to be my net-man hoping I wouldn't have to steer too much!  see ya' this evening for the L.O.

[Stephen Glassic]

John, Here are some articles about Mike Small, who tied the flies.

Mighty Muskie on a Fly Rod

Dr. Musky’s Stand-Up Fish Tips

Soldier reels in 47-inch muskie during muskie challenge in Brasher

[John Jarosz]

Steve...from the articles, I now have an idea of what I'm in for:

"bit right through the brand-new (brand name withheld to protect the manufacturer) landing net and swam off"

"They’ll break your heart the way they charge the fly without taking it..."

"The strike is ferocious and they fight like a freight train"

"You need to visit the doctor the next day after throwing the 6/0 flies"

Ahhhhh!...musky fishing at its finest.  I hope I'm fortunate enough to meet him one of these days.  It would e an honor.

Thanks much for the links.  Every article was excellent reading!!