Preston Hoffman and I went for an earlier start today than yesterday for our Flylords – Costa shoot. We were pumped up about Tuesday’s good fishing and figured we had things all figured out. We returned to the exact same waters hoping that perhaps there would be an early morning bite and perchance a mountain lion where I park. Instead, we spooked a snowshoe hare and the fish were quiet due to intense cold. Today marks the first day of thin layers of ice across the top of Northern Wisconsin ponds and river edges.
We hit some of yesterdays money spots. I got a strike but I couldn’t see the fish or any type of swirl that indicates a good size fish. I’m guessing it was a small pike. After fishing the large run of river hard for about two hours we went for a long walk. I fished meticulously through a lot of good looking areas casting to dying off weed lines and sunken trees. Nothing.
Things warmed nicely by noon. The temperature was around 31° when we started and it was up to around 41°. It may sound funny but it felt good. The sun was trying to bust though and occasionally it succeeded. But 41° would be our high.
We returned to my car at that time for our stashed sandwiches and to drive to a completely new section of river. When we arrived at the new spot Preston noticed we had nearly a flat tire. Bummer! What was worse, two of my lug nuts wouldn’t budge no matter how hard we torqued. We ended up bending my tire wrench attempting.
To add to our problem, neither of us had cell service at our remote location. And chances of anyone driving by were slim. I knew there was a gas station about eight miles away. It was our only hope to get afternoon fishing in let alone get back to Hayward today – I drove ten miles an hour all the way to the station. We put air in the tire and it held enough to drive at a faster pace ten more miles where we found a mechanics shop. They loosened our frozen lug nuts and sent us on our way. They didn’t have time to test the tire for us. We hauled butt back to the river watching the tire closely. At least if flattened again we could change it now.
The late afternoon fishing was decent. I hooked into another small muskie. I got the approximately 25 incher nearly to hand before he jumped in a last ditch effort for escape. It worked. But I was happy not to need to tangle with teeth unnecessarily. We weren’t looking for a small musky.
That would be it for the muskies but like yesterday, the pike were on the prowl during the last hour. I got numerous strikes and landed three. All three were small guys ranging from 15” to 22”. At least we caught some fish!
Today was our last day of the Flylord Costa shoot. This was more of a lifestyle shoot rather than hunt for big fish. Therefore, it was a success. You can’t beat the amazing beauty of a Northwoods river in October. And to our luck, we made it home on the deflating tire. Strange but I’m glad!
For me today was the end of an amazing fish-a-thon. Three days at the Driftless, two on Lake Superior and these last two on a wilderness river. Seven days on the water over eight days. I can live with that. Time to get back to the office!
Don’t forget the holidays will sneak up on you! Visit my online store for “Gifts for the Angler that has Everything”. Or order a Cliff Fly Box with my original sharpie art, a painting or order my decals as the ultimate stocking stuffer from my friends at Pescador on the Fly!
“…the amazing beauty of a Northwoods river in October”. YUP! Way to go Jeff!