Larry A. Smail's Blog

I guess I spoke words similar to those in the title upon seeing the nice Muskie leap totally out of the water two times!  At least, that is what my friend, Frank “Muskie” Maus told me afterwards. We entered the waters of the Allegheny River about seven this morning fishing for the elusive Muskellunge.

The early time on the river was covered with fog. However, the sun would quickly eliminate all traces of any fog in short time.   

We spent some time trying to entice the fish through surface casting and later deep water casting. I would see one Bald eagle and a hen Wood Duck in the morning hours.

Notice the trail of the mussel.

Suddenly sometime after ten I the morning I felt the strike and set the hook! Wow! The big Muskie started the fight. The sight was beautiful as the fish leapt completely out of the water two times.  I worked the fish finally getting the ‘ski to the side of the boat. Frank has a stick he uses to try to get accurate measurements, but it is not easy getting the fish to cooperate. I don’t know how he manages when fishing by himself. The Muskie was around 40-41 inches in length. We quickly remove the lure and release without bringing the fish onto the boat. this helps ensure the survival of such a grand fish.          

Wood Duck hen

Later, we began trolling. An interesting fishing adventure was to take place during our trolling time. Frank said something was happening with my rod wondering if weeds gathered on the lure.  the tip of the rod wasn’t appearing right. Normally, while trolling the action of the lure causes the rod tip to be bent and jerking. There was a distinct slack as Frank yelled fish. I heard the reel hum and reached for the rod . I felt weight and then nothing. The Muskie had spit the lure out of the mouth. Frank said that fish had the lure and was swimming at the same speed of the boat hence the lack of action upon the rod tip.  He had never experienced that fact before.

Beautiful morning