Fishing usually ends for me around the time that the school year begins. Come Fall, I am usually calling it quits - not enough time to fish and my general tactics just don't cut it.
However, over the last 7 years I have picked up a new fishing style/passion/obsession and now continue fishing until first ice forms. This year I have started targeting bigger fish later in the year than I normally would. These toothy critters can reach lengths of 50 inches in the local rivers and lakes of the UP.
Most Michigan residents are aware of pike - musky are like pike, but cooler in every possible way. Where pike are seen as slimy nuisance fish (by many, not by me) musky are seen as prized rarities. I've never been much of a musky fisherman, usually just picking them up incidentally. This year everything changed.
With the help of some lures that Melanie bought me for my birthday, I have gone out and caught a truly huge fish. It's not yet a monster musky, but it is a step below that in the BIG category. My fish was 45 inches and weighed somewhere between 20-25 lbs. Melanie, my wife, had bought me a pike imitation lure (8 inches and jointed) and on the very first day of using the lure (and the first fish to boot) I hooked up with this killer musky.
I was extremely jazzed and got the majority of it on film. I put together a short video showing the fish and the fight. Check it out if and when you have the time.
Mighty musky swimming through the reeds.
Mighty musky chasing that impossible dream.
Lime colored torpedo,
Hook-toothed sub.
The biggest 'n baddest;
From the waters where you come.
A follow from you,
Is a reason to rejoice.
As the dentist says,
"It'll be just a pinch."
The hook won't hurt,
I practically swear.
The struggle won't last,
But a moment for you.
All I desire,
Is a simple pic' or two.
And then with a lazy slap,
And a fishy goodbye,
You will go down again into that murky river dye.
As always.
Catch.
Release.
Wander.
C'est la vie.
Pura vida.
Carpe diem.