The past couple of weeks, I have put trout fishing aside
besides for a couple of trips to some brown trout water. The extreme heat and
low stream levels have put a hurting on area trout streams. My last two outings,
I ventured out from 7:30-9:15 pm with only two little browns to hand. I have been
throwing Panther Martins, X-Raps, Countdowns and Floaters with no takers. I did
not have any access to a nearby feeder stream and perhaps that is the missing
component? With the extreme temps and humidity I have explored plenty of new
water catching Smallies, and my first ever walleye a couple of weeks back. My
purchase of a new Old Town Saranac 146 XT canoe awhile back has allowed me to
fish a wide variety of species. I have come to realize that in the larger
rivers you have no idea what you are going to hook into.
Today,
I left the canoe behind since I did not have anyone to float with. My goal was
to target a major river that has a couple larger trout streams flowing into it. I was
hoping to hook into a large brown sticking its nose into at the mouth of the
feeder. I started off at a spot that is known to have its fair share of nice
Smallies and I thought my chances of hooking into a brown were quite good. I
waded out into the river where the feeder stream dispersed its cold oxygenated
water into the larger body of water. I was able to walk out about 20 yards into
the river. I started off throwing a gold Rapala Floater Size 9, with no takers.
As I was reeling in and turning back to shore to switch lures, I noticed several
large fish swimming in place a pole length away. I splashed the water with my
rod after a few casts with my Rapala and three large Carp darted in front of me.
However, one large fish 40-45” didn’t move an inch. I took a step back and the
fish jetted directly in front of me hanging tight to the rivers bank. About 5
yards downstream the fish exposed itself for the first time with a gigantic
leap out of the water, a MUSKIE!!!! It was absolutely going crazy swimming in
circles and making one leap into the air after another! The fish had its nose
right where the trout stream fed into the river, hunkered down in 3 feet of
water. I was unaware that so many species hunkered down near the colder water
during the summer months.
I
exited the water and went back to my lure bag to tie on a leader and the
biggest bait (Mepps Aglia Size 5 with a silver blade). My instincts told me to climb up
the bank and make my way downstream where the fish was last seen. I was now
standing directly above where the Muskie and the 3 large carp were swimming. I
looked over the edge of the bank to see the 3 carp back again, but no Muskie. I
made one cast downstream of the carp and about halfway into my retrieve an immense
strike was felt down my rod into my hands. I was certain that I had either
hooked the Muskie or a Carp that was originally unaccounted for. After a
loosening of the drag, I was able to bring the fish to the surface as a got a bird’s
eye view of the fish from the bank. I was shocked to see that it wasn’t the
Muskie or a Carp, but rather an enormous WALLEYE! I slid down the bank into the
feeder stream to get a better angle on directing the fish. After a couple of
minutes the fish was in my net and a quick measurement indicated 29.5 inches! I
was absolutely sick to my stomach as I had never thought in my wildest dreams
that today would one of the greatest fishing experiences of my entire life. After
getting the fish under control, I was able to get a more accurate measurement
of the fish and the tip of its tail brushed the 30 inch mark. Follow the link
to my blog page to see photos of the Walleye. Also, feel free to follow my blog
page as I try to update my page on a bi-weekly basis.
