[spfd jason]

Hey,

Looking forward to spending some time at the in-laws' lake cabin near Boulder Junction from Sept 2-6. Planning to bring an 8 wt SH and 8 wt switch. Will have access to a boat and/or canoe. This will be my first time fishing for pike or muskie. I've done the searches and have an idea of what I want to do. Plan to strip-retrieve a ska-opper to see what happens... Will look to re-purpose my steelhead gear to keep the expenses down.

If anyone is familiar with this area or has any advice, please feel free to share or send a PM. Is it just the lakes in this region or are there rivers to explore, too?

Thanks,

Jason

 

[shotgunner]

The surface holds strong appeal, as always. Another great option is a heavy point diameter intermediate line or tip. You can get some nice action from a floating fly on these, it will drop on the strip and slowly rise on the pause. Hang time is a huge trigger.. big turn on for followers. Flies with large heads and/or bulk move more water which tickles the lateral line. Another trigger.

Best of luck

 

[spfd jason]

Thinking of purchasing a 9 wt Ambush TT for the 8 wt SH. At 350 grains, should turn over fairly big bugs. Then I can use it for my skagit line for the 6 wt switch this fall on the Metolius.

Thoughts?

The 8 wt switch will have a 480 gr. AF Skagit Switch.

In touch with the fly shop in Boulder Junction. Should be fun.

 

[kweetech]

350 gr should be good if its a short taper. You'll be stripping all the way back into the leader at least on every cast.
Can you cast the switch overhead well? you likely won't be able to "spey" cast the big flies well....but overhead will be a different story. The guy in BJ will be all against using your switch, btw...but don't be discouraged. They can be a good tool on lakes...

and two words to remember...STRIP SET. Always.

btw...what lake are you?

 

[spfd jason]

Trout Lake

The Ambush TT 9 wt has a 24 ft front taper.

Thanks.

 

[Cphatts]

Trout Lake is very big and deep, and while it is a fantastic musky fishery (at least when I used to live there) it probably wouldn't be my first choice to target pike/musky on a fly rod in late summer. From what I recall from fishing there decades ago, a lot of the Trout Lake muskie will suspend over deep water this time of year...and you usually need to get down very deep....unless you fish at night. I would take your boat/canoe to some of the smaller lakes in the area.....preferably those that don't have as many cabins/resorts and thus boat traffic. Muskellunge Lake is close by (on the way to Sayner), Crab Lake up near Presque Isle (beautiful lake I might add-very Canadian-shield like), Palmer Lake by Land O' Lakes, White Sand Lake (on the way to Sayner) are all smaller and fish should be holding in shallower water. Palmer is the shallowest, and may be the easiest with a fly rod....but it's a little longer drive (maybe a 1/2 hour from Trout Lake).

That said, there is a fly shop in Boulder Junction and they will have a heck of a lot better advice than me....as I haven't fished there forever.

Have fun, I spent many summers up there as a kid and miss it.

 

[papenfus]

About a 2 hour drive puts you on the upper stretches of the Menominee River, one of the best smallie rivers in the country and unbelievable day floats if you have access to a pontoon or other fishing craft. It also has plenty of muskie and pike. Vilas county and all its lakes is a pretty special place, but floating the Menominee is worth the effort. I believe Dave Pinczkowski still guides the river if you want to fish with one of the best.

 

[spfd jason]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions about places to fish. One hurdle: the boat/vehicle situation isn't very mobile. I may be able to wade one of the rivers, however.

Anyone going to be in the area during this time frame?

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Peteo]

I vacationed in that area as a kid, but it was 30 years ago. I caught plenty of pike on the fly, but no muskies (caught some on gear though). Just watch those teeth, they are like razors. I still have a couple scars on my fingers from nasty cuts I got from pike teeth. Pike are also slimy as heck and smell. I sometimes brought a towel with me to wipe up the slime and blood (mine). I always found rivers to be more productive than lakes but many streams in that area have pretty mucky bottoms and wading would be an adventure. Enjoy yourself, that's an interesting area and if the pike and muskies don't cooperate there are always lots of bass, walleye, and panfish that will.

 

[kweetech]

wading the upper WI below eagle river, and below rainbow flowage is your best bet. Think smallies, with a chance of muskies. Fish the rainbow dam area for skis.