The Quest...Part 3

To have a true quest for something very meaningful, it only seems appropriate that this should take some time, patience and persistance.  Again, I will restate that I am in search of the next state record muskie.  The Lake this time?  Mille Lacs.  The Goal?  55 pounds!  Yesterday almost seemed like one of those days that I should have been laying out sun tanning rather than fishing.  Dusty and Loge jumped in the boat, which got me excited because of the luck they seem to bring.  The weather started out very fishy-like, but the fish seemed to think otherwise.  When I make a run to this particular lake this time of the year, I typically don't see a ton of fish, but its all about quality.  Almost exactly the same as a week earlier, we saw the fish we were hoping to see.  "What the heck does a guy gotta do to get em to bite," was all that my companions kept saying.  Patience is tested over and again when it comes to this mission.  Once again we saw a couple of fish that if boated, would have been a new state record.  It's cool, but also frustrating to see fish that large.  Cool for the fact that they are freakishly large, but frustrating cuz all they seem to do is folllow the lure to the boat and sink below never to return.  I am confident that this will happen again and again, but I do know that one of these times that fish will make a mistake, and I fully intend on being there when this happens.

While I didn't score the new state record, I did get some pretty sweet shots from the unbelievable sunset that we had.  The sky was a bit hazy, and the lake was as flat as it has ever been.  I find myself taking pictures on every outing.  I just love looking at the sights and scenes that nature provides.  The little angles that so many never take the chance to experience.  A sunrise and a sunset can be the single most beautiful setting in all the world.  I just love it and cannot get enough of it!  I took a few shots, yesterday and a few days back.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I did living in it.

Travis Frank - Livin The Dream!

The Quest...Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of the quest!  How many parts???  Don't Know yet.  Let me fill you in on my journey and why I call this the quest.  For starters, this is a quest for the new state record muskie.  You might ask why I feel this is a possible feat to accomplish, but let me tell you why I'm not totally insane in the brain. 

Each year all species go on a feeding binge in the fall.  Like anything else, when you eat more often, you are going to grow rather fat in the mid-section.  Muskies are much the same.  Each fall muskies go on a huge feading binge before the ice forms.  In some lakes this means that they can grow 10 to 15 pounds heavier than at other times of the season, you could call it winter weight!  Once the ice forms, they pretty much shut down until the following summer, which is why they need to gain weight for the winter months.  Consider it like a bear in hibernation.  Now, if you couple this need to feed with the correct food, such as a tullibee or cisco (a fatty, oily forage), then you can really have a monsterous fall fish.  There are a few lakes in Minnesota that have all the right ingredients to make a 54 pound muskie.  Trust me, I have seen these lunkers lurking.

It sounds like it should be pretty simple doesn't it?  Wrong Muskie Fisherman!  There are so many factors that take part in this excursion that make it very difficult.  Heck, the record has been in tact for over 50 years.  Not only do you have to convince a very large fish to eat, you have to do it in the worst elements on water.  The cold temps blowing across open water doesn't even compete with the harshest of storms in your ice house.  Not even close!  The gear has to withstand the elements, which can be tough, and you tend to use lures that are way to big for a normal fisherman to cast.  For instance, the bait I am using weighs 1 pound, and I'm not exxagerating that one bit!  At times you can't feel your fingers or other body parts, and Ice can freeze the entire rig.  It's almost insanity.

Why do I do it then?  I think it's the thrill of the hunt.  The chance for something so big on the end of my line that it scares me.  The fact that I just might be nuts even encourages me, and it sure would be neat to catch the biggest one my home state has ever seen!

My quest continued this past Friday, and I chose to fish 2 lakes.  One is very large, and well known, and the other will take some folks by surprise if I can catch the fish I am hoping for.  Well, Friday came and went, but I can tell you that my partner Mike and I came very close.  We saw 3 of the fish that we went up there for, and 3 other really big ones that would make any muskie man smile.  When you raise a fish that large, it is hard to tell what it is.  Is it 50 pounds? 55?  I just don't know, but made the trip very exciting even without a catch.  Saturday I worked my tail off for a certain fish that I hoped to pose with.  Everything was textbook, until half way through the battle.  This is where the gear part comes to play in the cold.  Well, the fish broke my rod in half during the battle, and I was left with nothing to show for my cold weather outings.  Maybe that is why I love it so much.  Just maybe...But I will soon be back out there...At least until my lure bounces off the water!

Travis Frank - Livin The Dream - Travis@mnbound.com

The Quest...Part 1

And the Quest begins...The Quest for the new State Record Muskie that is!  Last year's season ended with some unbelievable fish coming in the boat.  Needless to say, I have been jacked up all year waiting for these few weeks to return.  The cold, the intense conditions, and the absolutely massive fish have been played over and over in my head for the past 11 months.  Yep, it's time to get the giant fall muskie bite started.  Joining me for the first of many upcoming trips to the big pond, was my uncle Loge.  If you have followed my tales for the last couple of seasons, you are aware that we always catch fish when we are together.  I'm not sure what it is, but it just always happens.  I had these thoughts running through my head as we loaded up the gear and headed northbound.  The forecast looked pretty good, and our hopes were high, even though I felt it was a little early in the season.  Last year my best fishing occured around mid November, but nevertheless, we were pumped just to be giving it a shot.  Dressed to the max, we were prepared for the worst when we hit the water.  To our surprise, the conditions were better than we anticipated, and it was actually pleasant to be on the water.  One of the few times I have been up there and had great conditions.  So with the reports from every fisherman I have spoken with saying "they aren't biting, stay home," we were off for the full day of kicking our butts throwing huge baits.  About20 minutes into our excursion my heart almost exploded as Loge's rod locked up.  "Got one," he said, and I almost couldn't believe my eyes.  Could it be the one? That was our only thought as he started the battle.  As the fish appeared, our hearts sank slightly to see that it was a pike, but then we realized how huge it was, and the high fives began.  This was a huge Northern at over 41 inches, and very fat.  A great start no doubt!

We continued our morning mixing things up, and as we approached the location of last years giant, I started to get really excited.  I informed Loge that I boated a 50 pounder here last year and he didn't look to give a hoot (as usual).  Nevertheless, I was pumped.  About 5 casts into it, and 25 yards from last years monster, came Margarette from the depths.  Yep, that's right!  We have a new giant, and a new nickname as we caught sighting of what will take over my thoughts for the next several weeks.  Was it a new state record???  We're not sure yet, but you can bet I am going to give Margarette another chance to eat my lure.  Well, that instantly sparked our spirits again, and even though she followed Loge's bait down deep, we could tell that she is something special.  Exactly the reason I wanted to head up there.

A few hours had passed between our sighting of the big girl, and the next chance.  Coming into this with the mindset that I don't plan on having a lot of action helped big time, because I knew I was waiting for just one bite.  At about 2:15 I got that very bite.  I switched baits, and two casts later I had a fish screaming in.  "Here we go" I said, and started the figure 8 process.  This fish, (nicknamed scoliosis) was dialed in, and she followed my bait for 8 or 9 full turns, and the entire time, she was no more than 3 inches behind the bait.  It was awesome to watch her work the bait as I screamed left and out, down and right, and over and over again.  Finally she ate, and our first ski of the day was recorded.  A lot of work?  yep, but very worth it.  She wasn't huge, probably 40 or 41 inches, but this fish definitely had scoliosis or something.  I felt bad for this fish, and hope she recovers, but something traumatic happened to this poor girl, and it makes a muskie guy sad to see.

About 2 hours later we were on our next large fish, only to have it follow and turn.  We were fairly pleased to be moving fish considering the reports we were hearing, but it made me very excited to see fish using the same teenie tiny spots as last year.  I think the next few trips will treat me very nicely!  As darkness came upon us, we had very high hopes of seeing our newfound giant.  At about cast number 7 on her I spotted a fish, instantly I thought it was the one, but as it turned off my bait I was quick to see that it was a new fish, and a bit smaller.  That was the last glimpse we had for the night, and just like that, the fish were totally lock-jawed again.  No worries though, we did what we came to do, and any time you can see a fish of that size, it makes it all the more sweet.  I will be back again, and it won't be long!  Until next time, keep on livin the dream!

Uh Oh....

Landing that trophy of a lifetime is an experience for all fisherman to cherish.  There is nothing better than holding that big muskie or giant walleye.  It's what we are out there for.  Today's fisherman has never been more educated in the art of CPR, or Catch, Photo and Release.  This is one of the major reasons for our trophy fisheries in this state.  Heck, I can remember fishing with my grandpa many years ago, and anything and everything went into the basket.  Well, that mindset is gone, and for good reason.  We are doing far more good to our resources by selectively harvesting certain fish, and releasing the others to fight another day.  Without this excellent approach, it is possible that the two fish I recently encountered would not have even been there.  So this leads me to my point, and the story behind the pictures.  Out on a favorite metro lake of mine, I recently slowed the motor down to come across one of the worst sights possible as a fisherman.  At first I thought it was a muskie floating dead, but as I got closer, it was obvious that it was a huge walleye.  I measured it at 30 plus inches just to see what we were dealing with.  The very next day on the water, and in a very similar spot, I slowed down to yet another floating fish.  This one was even larger.  Yep, a muskie.  Floating dead, and this one was in the mid 40 inch range.  A fish of a lifetime no doubt, but what happened? 

I'm sure that I will never know the answer to why either fish were floating dead, but it just brings me to my point.  While it is great that the majority of fisherman now practice catch and release, the whole "release" part is only good if the fish is released properly.  It makes a guy think a little about the next fish that comes in the boat.  Are we really being good stewards of the water if we release a fish that is certain to die?  While I have handled several hundred large muskies and other trophy fish over the years, to the best of my knowleadge, every one of them have lived to battle another day.  I don't know if something happened after the release, and I will never know that.  The only thing that I do know is that I have a plan each and every time out.  When that big trophy does bite my bait, I know just what I am going to do.  I have the appropriate gear, and a game plan.  Those giants are going to go back for another day, at least I go far out of my way to ensure this.  I think seeing a horrible sight like this is just a reminder to how fragile these big fish can be.  It's a fun sport, but we must protect it.  Next time out, consider a game plan when you do catch that trophy of a lifetime.  You will be very happy you did, and trust me, it all happens very quickly.  Until next time, Keep on Livin the Dream!

Travis Frank - Livin the Dream - Travis@mnbound.com

One Cast Wonder!

To tell the story correctly, I must be honest.  It was not my first cast of the day, but it might as well have been. This past Sunday morning I climbed out of the deer stand staring at some very muskie looking skies.  I headed home, grabbed the boat, and off to the lake.  I once again made this decision with short notice, but ran into Pauly down at the Marina.  As I was putting the boat in, he said he was going to run home and I shoudl pick him up on the dock...that is if the wife ok'd his outing of course.  So i headed his way, and stopped at a spot real quick for a couple of casts.  After about 4 casts the phone rang and I was off to his dock.  So to proceed with the story of the first cast, it goes like this.  Pauly fishes walleyes mainly, but has been curious about this whole muskie deal that I am so consumed with.  I said it isn't very easy, but sometimes it seems like it, and that we are going to go catching today, and not fishing today.  As we pulled up to the spot, he grabs his rod, and I start explaining the drill as I have thousands of times over the years.  Without even thinking, I chucked my bait over my shoulder and started retreiving it like I usually do.  In mid conversation, I happened to glance at my bait, just in time to see the large wake appearing behind my topwater.  Get ready....Here he comes....Take it...GOT HIM!  That's pretty much how it went down, and Pauly just shook his head and smiled saying "No Way!"  As it approached the boat he screams..."It's HUGE!"  Not the normal start to the day, but heck I'm not going to complain about a 51 incher on the first cast.  Everything was textbook about the topwater bite, and now Pauly gets to see why I love this sport so much.  I'm sure he'll be getting a muskie stick soon.  Sorry Shelly!  The rest of our hour went quickly, and we had one other fish that should have come in the boat.  Oh well, A one cast wonder that won't soon be forgotten!

Now I jump further ahead to Wednesday evening.  I just got my boat back from the shop, and like any honest man, I wanted to see how it was running.  Of course I would never do this without a fishing pole and a couple of good buddies.  So Bails and Whorl jumped on in and we were off.  Yep, everything was running right...turn it off....do it again...Yep, still good...ok, now we can fish!  It didn't take too long, and we were dancing the muskie dance.  This is kindof a shot to Todd at my office, but he was suppose to be out that evening with me, but he had to pick out counter tops with his lovely lady.  So I am sorry to hold your fish Todd, but somebody had to.  The 43 incher nearly gave us a heart attack, but that's what I love so much about it. 

Some serious hunting stories are coming up next, so stay tuned for that.  By the way Darrin, did you find your gun yet?  Man that's a bummer!  Until next time, Keep on Livin the Dream!