Hardly Strictly Musky 15'

[bmadd]

I had never fished for musky before last weekend. I didn't know what to expect, and I honestly thought those of you who have posted about them were a little crazy. Went to this big, Southern musky party/tournament in MacMinnvull, TN to find out what all the fuss was about. Fished with Yiman and a pretty cool yankee from Illinois.

Set up camp. Didn't have time to find a suitable tarp Doug, I had to make do.







Yiman tried this first

Blaine Chocklett and his photographer

Local


Stream side lunch courtesy of Yiman

Party was just getting started.

This guy had his own camera man.

These two replaced Roger Alan Wade, who sadly had woken up that morning in real serious shape. Day one ended with no muskies for team 09. I had one follow from a small largemouth. Nothing else between the three of us.

Day two started off a little warmer, and found us at another remote stretch of water. Didn't see another boat all day.







I made a cast to this spot as Yiman was on the oars, and Mike was taking a break. About two feet after my fly left the shadow, one bad ass mother fucking fish appeared. It followed all the way to the boat, it never sped up. I swept wide around the back of the boat, brought the fly back around and in front of his face as part of the biggest figure 8 I could. As I pulled the fly in front of his face again, he jerked his head towards it. And then, that dragon disappeared. We rowed back up and let the hole rest, but the fish never returned. I was jacked. Higher than the saffa. We fished on.

Yiman snagged his favorite fly for about the 40th time, unfortunately popping it off. Mike, being the good northerner he is jumped in after it.


Yiman wasn't happy about getting it back.


Two of Transylwader's favorite things.

I had the escort service over a shoal on the run back.

The man behind Towee Boats and HSM.

BRA getting recognized for a badass mural he painted on the back of that joint.

And of you'ns that caught a the beast to win. 49.5" long monster.

Sweet trophy with art from Brad McMinn.

I drank a lot of beer, met a lot of cool people, cast till my joints hurt on some beautiful rivers and didn't catch shit. But I had a follow, and it was the coolest shit I've ever seen. Y'all need to make this next year.

[Dougfish]

Cool report. 
I think.

That's my musky trip. W/o a follow.
Or slicksters.

[benben reincarnated]

Sweet.

[Jfey]

Awesome and that looked like some pretty fishy water.   I've had several follows and a few eats, but none landed.  Its about as exciting as it gets to see one of those big fuggers follow your fly.

[ptfranze]

Looks like an awesome time.  My dad is talking about getting an all Franzen team together for that next year.  My brother Chris was fishing with Alan, both their girl friends, and Peter Taylor.  Here is the picture they sent me of Alan's winning fish.

[bmadd]

Yea they all sat by us at the awards party. It's a cool time. Lots of free shit given out. And that was a heck of a fish

[driver]

They guy with the cameraman was Kelly Galloup. Did he fish or was just paid to be there.

[bmadd]

Yea there was a little sarcasm there. He was filming for an episode of some new show he's doing. The celebrities each had their own paparazzi.

[Woolly Bugger]

I was suppose to be a third on @chidester 's team, but got booted off,. Maybe @drifts would like to put a team together?

[DRIFTS]

I say we make it happen next year bro...so we need to start practice as soon as the stripa run is over

[Big J]

Very nice Bmadd.  Was wondering how the event went.  It makes my knees shake having a musky follow stalk my fly.   

[Dougfish]

I'm still waiting for the 15 foot musky pics. 

[Grannyknot]

best report without a fish in a long time if you ask me.
that little river sure has got popular over the last 5 years.

[Big J]

I'm not use to seeing such a skinny river holding Musky.  Bet it makes for an interesting fishery.

[JWJ]

Killer.

I hope to make it down to that event one year.