bigcreekdad

If you fishing the Wolesey Bay area, I can recommend a good muskie guide.

JUst summing up my French River muskie fishing over last15 years or so.

I could probably write one for you...."tales of weeping, exhaustion, episodes of desperate heavy drinking, nightmares, and the emptiness only experienced by those soon to be doomed to hell. Occasionally interrupted by wild exuberation, childish screaming and laughing, and shaking limbs."

topwater mouse patterns....i fished with one a bit on God's River. I caught nothing on it, but a brookie I'd guess an easy 6-7 pounds porpoised over one and I was damn neat speechless....couldn't raise it again....hell yeah, try one!!

The Zoo Cougar was invented by a guy (or guys) who fish Michigan's Au Sable River. Check out the book "Modern Streamers For Trophy Trout by Bob Linsenman and Kelly Galloup (sp?). If you are a streamer flinger for big trout it will geek you up pretty good. As for God's River, the brookies are like freakin footballs!! And the river is wild. The 8 wgt fly rod advice is dead on. However, the water isn't so deep and a good medium sinking head line ( I used a Teeny T-300) will work fine. I find casting the sinking heads ( the 20-25' ones) to be much easier to cast big flies, and you can usually get a decent distance cast with only one false cast. Just my opinion. Also, that rig will work for the big pike on God's Lake, although I moved up to a 9 wgt (with the same line) for pike. Have fun!!

Just sharing my thoughts. I moved over 12 years ago from a 16' console to a 16.5' tiller. HUGE difference in space....especially if you are casting a lot. Also, if you like to bait fish, the tiller, IMO, gives you much better boat control trying to stay over a spot. And a must with back trolling. My first boat was a 14' Lund with a 25 tiller....it did not take long at all for me to feel it was too small. My next move was the 16' mentioned above. As for solo launching....I do it all the time with no problem (and I'm a fat senior citizen). My rig is a 16.5' Alumacraft Pro Magnum, with a 60hp Yamaha tiller. Bought it with a 50hp, and traded 4 years ago (after 10 seasons) for the 60. Let us know what you do. Shopping for a new boat, and making a decision you feel good about is the goal. At least for me, I keep boats way longer than cars. Also....have fun!!

Does this affect there French River at all?

Three trips to Crane's on the French....Early June. Early July, and late September. One trip to Bulldozer Lake outpost thru White River Air in mid August. The rest of the Spring, Summer, and Fall I'll be chasing trout with a fly rod on Michigan's Au Sable River. WE have a cabin on one of its feeder streams. That season has begun well. Couple pics attached.

I almost didn't open this post....I was sure you were going tell us of having to put a dog down ( a horrible thing to experience). Instead, I nervously opened it to the sight of a goergous pup! Great!!

Just booked a mid August trip there with my son. Many thanks to Mike Borger for his help...first class guy. Has anyone ever fished this lake? Just looking for a little feedback, tips, etc to get the juices flowing more than they are.

pass me the Koolaid.

You might also want to consider Crane's Lochaven Lodge on the French. It's a 20 minute boat ride out of Wolsey Bay. Great camp....clean, comfy cabins, good food, and wonderful owners and staff. I'm usually there 3 times a season. Bass fishing can be quite good. Pike can be hit or miss, but you'll certainly catch some. And there are absolutely no big muskies there....I mean it....don't even take muskie gear....they are all gone. If you happen to see me casting muskie plugs there, it's only an illusion.

Any recommendations for an outpost for my son and I? Running water would be a must. Thanks in advance.

Lew So sad. Been there. Had to put down our beloved flatcoated retriever, Seamus, at a young 8 years old a few years ago. I cried like a baby. It still bothers me. I've said this before, and will say it as long as I live....dogs are way better than most people I know. Hang in there.

Entropy....you are correct. My post was purely delusional, and why I should not try going off my meds. Doesn't it dry up by early July anyway?

The Pickeral holds some very large muskie. Definitely worth fishing. If you are looking for a lodge, Camp Wanikewin is very reasonable and has been run for a long time by the Baker family....nice folks. I haven't fished it in 20 years, but it's on my bucket list to get back there.

lye, or any type of corrosive acid.

As for speed going from a 50 to a 60 4s, I went from a top of 30 with just me in the boat to 35.

I had a 50 hp fs yamaha for ten years....zero problems, quiet, great on gas Bought a 60 hp yamaha, and traded in the 50......after 4 years, same results. In my youth, we had several Mercs....all were troublesome, although that was some time ago. However, I was fishing with a guide off Sanibel Island in Florida about 8 years ago, and he referred to the Mercs as black anchors....most of the guides had Yamahas. Maybe Merc has improved since, but, for me, the choice is easy.

I had a PD....hated it. Difficult to deploy and stow. Footpedal was problematic as well....went through two before I gave it away. Bought a Maxxum 70....love it!

can I go next year?

Holy Moly....one awesome fish Moose!!!

Great video...loved the tune as well. Thanks

Rich Nice report....thanks. I was above you from the 13th thru the 19th at Cranes. I echo your experience for that period. I saw three muskie....one was maybe the largest I've seen in the water, but none of the three was aggressive. Even more troubling, I only caught seven pike....usually catch several each day casting for muskie. Very frustrating, but the weather seemed to change daily. Oh well....if it was easy, etc etc.

That is one awesome fish! Congrats. I might even recognize that beach behind you. Friggin awesome!!