Flyin for Musky

[Jmeyers]

Been out a few times and seen some fellas in waiters fly fishing for muskies on certain lakes. Never got a chance to go talk to them about what it's like and was wondering if any of you have tried it? I can imagine the fight is something to die for...

If I got into it what size rod would I be looking at and is there a certain reel? I'm not familiar with Fly fishing in any way and was just curious to hear..also what type of fly do Musky's bite on? larger? smaller? just curious...

[Zelmsdawg]

I'm sure you could search the site and internet and find a bunch of stuff. If I was ever to try it, I'd do this

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/novdec08/muskie.html

I went up there last summer and while it was quite the trip in, had a blast for the 3 or 4 hrs I got to fish it. Maybe not necessarily go to shoepack, but I'd look to target a lake with the strain so there'd be more aggressive fish and none big enough to destroy your tackle.

Zelmsdawg

[TheHawgTrough]

I usually spend some time each summer chasing muskies on flies. I'd look at a 9-10 wt. rod, although I've caught them on 7 wt. rods without too much trouble. Keep it simple. I like to just use 100# power pro for a leader (around 8 ft) and tie (Or buy- Whistlers or Bunny Leeches) up some 6-10 inch. flies with lots of flash.

[Jmeyers]

Cool article Zelm, if i ever found the time, money, and some to go with that would make for a fun trip. it needs to be done sooner than later though its sounds like considering it's a "young mans" trip haha

Thanks for the help Hawg!

[Lakeside_Nelson]

I have never done muskies on the fly but I have caught some nice pike. Here is a link of a photographer that fishes Tonka for muskies on the fly

[TheHawgTrough]

Also dug this up:

http://www.thetrophystalkers.com/?p=522

[Jmeyers]

Thanks for the articles guys, can't wait to give it a go

[brad coin]

Jmeyers

dont know how close you are to twin cities but the great waters fly fishing show is April 1st 2nd 3rd in Blaine,,,a shop from Hayward comes to it and they spend a ton of time on fly fishing muskies,,Im sure your aware of the book 'muskies on the fly',,,,but they have all kinds of cool leaders,flys,and seminars/techniques, some of their tactics are pretty cool

they have on occasion come to the Minnesota Muskie expo but dont know if their comming this year

[rkhinrichs]

Muskie on the Fly by Robert S. Tomes is a great read and has a lot of good pictures that breaks everything down. Harris lake out side of ely is a good spot, good numbers but small in sizes kinda like Shoepack Lake. if you have a 4x4 truck you can get back there!

[Jmeyers]

Jmeyers

dont know how close you are to twin cities but the great waters fly fishing show is April 1st 2nd 3rd in Blaine,,,a shop from Hayward comes to it and they spend a ton of time on fly fishing muskies,,Im sure your aware of the book 'muskies on the fly',,,,but they have all kinds of cool leaders,flys,and seminars/techniques, some of their tactics are pretty cool

they have on occasion come to the Minnesota Muskie expo but dont know if their comming this year

Thanks for the heads up! I'm in st. paul so about 25 minutes from Blaine, I'll make sure to mark the show on my calander. Hope to see ya there!

[OnAFly]

I bought a 10wt two years ago and didn't get to use it as much as would have liked that summer. Last summer I had a little more time, so I got out more. I caught lots of pike, but only hooked a few muskie. The longest fight I had was only a few seconds, but it was a lot of fun to watch a tiger hit a fly only a few feet away from the boat. I never did land one, but that's not going to stop my from trying.

One thing you need to think about it casting big flies over and over and over again. It takes a toll. Don't try to rocket a cast 80 feet. Shoot a 40ft cast and strip in. You'll either learn to shoot line on your backcast & forecast or wear out your shoulder in an hour.

The guys at the fly shop in Cabela's in Rogers fish muskie. They can help you out with gear and tactics. They'll probably take a rod out and cast with you a little bit. Thorne Bros has a fly shop called The Fly Angler. They fish muskies too. Go into these places and just soak up the info. Any of them will be more than willing to talk about fly fishing for hours on end...trust me I know

[rkhinrichs]

thats a blast to go to. i love hearing all the diff. seminars