It’s 6 am and over cast, the wind has picked up and a light rain has begun. We could feel the cold Labor Day air slapping us in the face as we jet up the river.  We blow by the giant bolders just under the waters surface and the grass that jets out from the riverbank and just when you think your face can’t take anymore, I roll to a stop. With our target area in sight I immediately start the trolling motor. In full on stealth mode, we slide into place and begin to retrieve our rods. We worked quietly and efficiently pulling out line, letting it drop at our feet. I can feel the muscles in my shoulder screaming. I was sore and tired. Our fingers cracked as we wrap them in hopes to save them from further friction.  Each strip a little more painful than the last.  It’s quiet and calm. The gray sky left a dismal feel in the air like something was is going to happen. Like there’s something watching you, lurking just below you, watching your every move, waiting for the perfect prey to present itself. Will we see the notorious fish of 10,000 casts today? Will we fool one into thinking that our fly is the perfect prey? Will we hold this elusive fish in our hands in victory? Or will we go home in defeat?

Day one 

It’s early, barely light out as we set out on our first day. We’re excited and anxious.  We’ve thought about this trip for weeks. We’re hoping to land one of Maine’s most elusive fish.  The fish of 10,000 casts is in our crosshairs and we’re ready to hold this striped predator in our hands. 

As we pull up to the boat ramp I see a friend already on the water.  We quickly gather our gear and load up the boat.  We travel up river to say a quick hello to him and find that fishing has been slow the last few weeks. He’s had only 2 follows and a small 30” fish.  This wasn’t very encouraging but we didn’t let that stop us. We say our goodbyes and zip up river. As we approach our target spot we slow the boat and get rods ready.  It didn’t take long to see it was going to be a tough day of fishing. The wind was blowing and the skies were overcast and gray. But a friend once told me you want the  worst conditions. You welcome the wind, gray skies and the chop on the water. This will get you the eats you’re looking for.

The water was murky from the rain a few days earlier.  Not your typical ideal fishing conditions but we’re talking Musky which changes everything. Forget typical. Musky are tough, not typical and unpredictable.  It’s because of all that, that I tied some flies with rattles and push a lot of water. Hopefully this will get their attention. We make a few casts and soon see the effect the new fly has on the Musky.  I was stripping my fly in fairly fast. It came into sight and I could see a fish, well over 40”, following my fly. It’s nose almost touching the fly.  I do my figure 8 but no take. I look at Jax and tell him what just happened and showed him my hands.  They were shaking, there is nothing like it. We fished for several more hours with seven more follows but no eats. Day one goes to the Musky.

Day two

Day two we decide to change it up a little and head to a lake. It’s an hour away so we are on the road by 4 am.  As the lake comes into view we see someone camping at the lake. It happens to be a friend of mine and a fellow musky hunter. You may have seen him in the Musky Hunter Magazine last month. He was holding a 53” musky he caught on a fly in Minnesota last year.  We showed each other flies and talked about past fish. Sharing what has worked in the past and thoughts on what may work today.  We wish him luck and head back to the boat. 

We cross the lake and make our way deep into the back side of the lake where most can’t reach.  We’re hoping to get to waters less fished. The fog was slowly trying to release its grip on the water and each corner revealed another Maine treasure. Moose, deer and so many birds and duck, too many to count. The water was totally different from the river we fished the day before. It was crystal clear and you could easily see what was in the water.  

Jax had been fishing hard.  He would fish the shore, then the middle of the lake, rotating every cast. We had some small fish follow but nothing big. I kept working the shoreline.  Cast, strip, figure 8, repeat. Jax gets up from a short rest and throws a cast to the middle of the lake. After a couple of strips his fly sinks into something. He thinks it’s a log but his instincts are telling him to set the hook so he does. The log  starts to move and a fight ensues. I soon realize my net is too small.  The log turned out to be a musky taping out at 37”.  A three foot fish! 

We were both pretty excited. After a few high fives and some quick pics the fish went back to the lake.  We were pumped and ready for another fish.  This rejuvenated us both. Despite being exhausted we both started casting again! We ended up with 7 follows and one fish landed for day two. At the boat launch we saw my buddy  again. They had a 45” follow and landed one in the 30’s.  Not bad for a day of Musky fishing. 

With one day left Jax and I are tired and beat up.  We’re hoping the next day brings us fish. We head back to the hotel for a shower and some much needed food and rest.

Day 3

It’s 6 am and over cast, the wind has picked up and a light rain has begun. We could feel the cold Labor Day air slapping us in the face as we jet up the river.  We blow by the giant bolders just under the waters surface and the grass that jets out from the riverbank and just when you think your face can’t take anymore, I roll to a stop. With our target area in sight I immediately start the trolling motor. In full on stealth mode, we slide into place and begin to retrieve our rods. We worked quietly and efficiently pulling out line, letting it drop at our feet. I can feel the muscles in my shoulder screaming. I was sore and tired. Our fingers cracked as we wrap them in hopes to save them from further friction.  Each strip a little more painful than the last.  It’s quiet and calm. The gray sky left a dismal feel in the air like something is going to happen. Like there’s something watching you, lurking just below you, watching your every move, waiting for the perfect prey to present itself.

We have had 15 follows and one 37” fish landed in the last two days of fishing. I was optimistic but still had no idea what the day would bring.  With no sun in the sky, the water looked black and we were unsure if we’d even be able to see our fly in the water.  I make my first cast and let my fly sink.  As it disappears I wonder what may be waiting for it below.  After a few strips I could faintly see what appeared to be a flash of color coming at me. And I’m relieved that I can actually see the fly.  It wasn’t until it was almost to the boat that I could see the olive and gold stripes of a musky.  I quickly went into the figure 8 in hopes the fish would take my fly. Instead I hit the fish in the head with my rod and then it was gone.  A 3 foot long fish,  close enough to touch, and you knock it in the head with your rod. This is the craziness called musky fishing.

Suddenly I felt it all.  My shoulder, my fingers and forearm are all on fire.  These predators are beating me up.  The last 2 days are taking their toll. Jax has thrown in the towel and is laying in the boat trying to stay warm.  I stood on the front of the boat letting the wind blow through me, wondering what I should do. I couldn’t leave without one let try.  

I refocused, checked my fly and shot it out there.  I wasn’t going home without a fish.  With my renewed determination I waited for my fly to sink.  I wanted to see what was down there, what was watching us.  Could I bring one of these stealthy predators up from the depths with some feathers and flash?   I make a strip and I sink the fly into something solid.  Not knowing whether it’s a fish or bottom, I set several times any way.  It doesn’t really move but then I feel it! The weight is heavy and it moves towards me. My heart is racing and I forget how sore and tired I am.  Fish On!!!!! I yell for Jax to get the net.  Jax is instantly warmed and jumps up. I tell him it’s a big fish.  The anticipation is killing me. I want to see what has surfaced from the depths.  We finally get a look at it and Jax instantly is nervous.  We can see that it’s a bigger fish than his from the day before. The fish makes a few big runs before I can get it to the boat.  Jax reaching out with the net and scoops it up.  The monster is so big it’s head and tail are both hanging off each side of the net.  Feeling like an elephant in the net I have to help him lift it into the boat.  We were able to get it measured and photographed without a bite.  Musky are beautiful but have razor sharp teeth that will split your skin without you even knowing it.  This massive beast taped out at 42”.  Not only was it my biggest musky, it was my biggest fish ever! 

These fish are the toughest, most exciting and rewarding fish I have ever targeted !

 I am already planing my next trip back in hopes of catching and releasing the state record!  This fish is not for everyone, you have to be at the top of your fly fishing game. You will cast and cast over and over again but when you have a follow or hook into one you will forget all about all those casts. You will forget that you’ve just spent days playing cat and mouse with a monster fish and gone home without a fish to hand.  You will forget about your aching body and bleeding fingers.  It will all be worth it.  You will go home dreaming of the next trip.  

If you want to try your hand at it lets get you on the water! We have dates available : 207-944-1691