bigcreekdad

Chris...I'd have to agree with that observation. If I had a choice between early Sept vs early Oct, I'd go in September.

One attraction to October is way fewer boaters, and lovely Fall scenery.

Huh??? I saw nothing wrong with his post. Hell, he's asking about safety concerns!

Nice way to welcome someone to the board.

So...Smithy...I've fished that water at least 3 times a season for the last 10 years. Try to get some kind of map and I'll bet the lodge owners will steer you away from a lot of hidden stuff. Also, go slow if in doubt, and give all points a wide berth. You should be OK.

Fishing that time of year can be tough, as if muskie fishing isn't tough enough. Cover a lot of water. Mix trolling and casting.

Another thought....hire a guide for a day. He'll put you on at least a few spots or areas that you can return to. I know of a guide on that water who really likes to fish musky. This would be money well spent. I could put you in touch.

I might be up there myself then. Maybe we'll cross wakes.

UPDATE...i found a post I made last year looking for same info. There were numerous recommendations on it (including from Mike Borger), so I think I'm good to go. Thanks to those who replied already.

Been a few years since we were looking for a fly in...alas, my son's schedule just never meshed ( US Army Special Forces). He's now out and we are looking at an August trip for just he and I. The only "must haves" are indoor plumbing. We have both "been there, done that" re: the alternatives.

He and I have fished Ontario for 25 years, so we're not rookies (please...I'm not bragging...just trying to give you a feel for what we've done). As long as we could catch some "eaters" we would sacrifice quantity for quality, and much more appreciate a varying lake...lots of island, differing structure, rivers in an out etc.

Any recommendations?

Planning our second trip to the West Arm/West Bay area the first week of September. We target muskie about 75% of the time, and bass 25%.

On our first trip two years ago, we saw six muskie....landing two, and breaking the rod on another (likely a flaw in the rod). However, all our muskie action was on the West Arm. Of the bass we caught, I'd say they were evenly split between the Arm and the Bay. Due to the better muskie sightings, we probably fished the Arm 60% of the time.

We would really like to learn the Bay better, but are wondering if the discolored water that time of year, or the relatively shallow depths, lower fishing results other than early and later in the season.

Any thoughts from folks who fish those waters?

Thanks in advance.

Good luck to. Great positive attitude....that will go a long way in helping you lick this.

I've had my Alumacraft Pro Magnum tiller since 2000....damn fine boat! I think often of replacing it, but just cannot come up with a good reason. I'm on my second Yamaha (a 50 for the first 10 years, now a 60)...love them!

I had a Suzuki on my first boat...no complaints at all...good motor. Had a Johnson on my second boat...couldn't wait to get rid of it. When I was a kid, Mercury's were terrible...we had two...both lousy. A guide in Florida 10 or so years ago, told me the guides down there (Sanibel area) called the Mercs "black anchors".

If I was buying again, I'd go Alumacraft, and either Yamaha or Suzuki on the power.

I fish lakes in northern michigan, as well as the French river (usually 4-5 weeks a season.

Tell us what you end up with.

Actually, my small lake fishing is done in northern Michigan. Have a cabin there and use the drifter on the Au Sable River, but there are a ton of small lakes within a 50 mile radius of me. And I'm looking for contour maps. Thanks

Have decided to buy a hand held that can display lake maps. My reasoning is that I often fish some small lakes with a drift boat with an electric motor, as well as my larger boat.

Any suggestions on a unit, and on map sources as well?

Thanks

First time we went to the Caribbean 25 years ago, I threw in a pack rod, a few jigs, and twister tails. Had a blast....from bar jacks to a few fruitless tussles with tarpon at night. Now I take several fly rods and a heavy spinning rod.

Report back....I'll bet you will have success.

Let us know how you like it.

In northern Quebec a few years ago, my boat partner brought some gripper (orange) that we used on lakers...it worked well.

I agree the big nets are an issue sometimes. Twice this last season I got my Abu Revo Winch handle caught up in mine....I have no idea how it got so tangled, but each time took a good 15 minutes to free up.

Just curious Mike...why don't you take the Frail with you all the time, especially since you seem to have a good history of hooking them while fishing for walleye? Space issue?

I've been making my own for a few decades. Just need jig heads, bucktail (any fly tying outfit will have them - the whole piece of the tail is cheapest), a cheap fly tying vice, and a fly tying bobbin with strong fly tying thread. It's easy, and you can make them as long and thick as you want, in many colors, and can paint the heads any way you want.

Mike

What do you use when targeting muskie?

Can I have your dogs?

Nice report.

Simms not only has great gear, but the best customer service I've ever encountered. I purchased their Guide's Jacket around 10 years ago...at the time it was around $400. It was awesome...always kept me dry. After about 5 years the zipper began catching the material and it became harder to unzip. I put up with it for another year but then my aggressiveness in trying to get it unzipped started to tear out the teeth in the zipper. I emailed Simms and asked if there was an easy fix, as the coat was still in good shape. They asked me to send it in. within 10 days, I received a brand new jacket (about a $500 item at the time). No questions asked on their part...no proof of purchase etc. Heck, I could have picked it up at a garage sale. I also have had their lightweight stocking foot waders for at least 6 years. No leaks, and i have a cabin near Michigan's Au Sable River and fish quite a bit. Finally, I tie flies for one of the best fly shops in the Midwest and know the owner quite well. He will readily tell you that Simms waders, while not cheap, are the best in the business and well worth the money.

Go for it.

Hopefully life will get way better now Cliff. Go fishing!

Google Spencer Berman....very good guide

Matt

Where r u going on the French?

John

Awesome!!

Homeland...Fargo...True Detective.... The Night Of....Game of Thrones...House of Cards.

Major TV network stuff stinks....only caters to idiots, in my very humble opinion

Dan...glad to hear you did well at Bryers. Just bad luck on my part maybe.

Rook....Mid September will find me either at Crane's or Memquisit. I'm hoping that the hot weather was partly responsible for my last trip to Lochaven. Hoping cooler temps will get the fish a bit more active.

Crane's is my favorite lodge....and I've seen some God awful big muskies there.

Rich...when are you going to Memquisit? Might be going myself in September.

Hope so...thanks.

Howdy.....you ever mosey up to the French?