Double on Muskie!!

The muskie fishing adventures this year have numbered less than anticipated, but the trips we did take were productive.  Our first outing of the year rewarded us with three toothy beauties, including the first of the year over 40", but it was the second trip which really set the stage.  A friend, Josh, was visiting from Connecticut and his heart was set on hooking into a muskie.  As we pushed the canoe off the rocky shoreline, something just felt right and we wasted no time in wetting our lines.  An hour into the trip I was second guessing myself about it feeling right when Josh let out an exclamation as the rod tip came alive and dipped hard towards the water.  Ecstatic we slipped the 36" fish into the net and headed for shore for some proper pictures.  As we finished taking pictures and watched as the released fish slipped back to the depths, I decided I would try a couple casts as well since mission was accomplished.  We had just pushed off and Brent and I both let go with long casts.  The second my lure hit the water, it was followed with an explosion as I hooked onto a fish.  I had not even had time to exclaim, "Fish On!", when I heard Brent issue the same proclamation.  Turning I saw his rod was bent over as well.  A Double on Muskie!!!!  This was something I had heard of and even saw a YouTube video or two on, but had never experienced.  Brent quickly boxed his 37" fish towards the canoe and made quick work of getting it in the net.  He generously offered to release his fish without so much as a picture to free up the net for my fish, but I was feeling like taking a risk and we decided to gamble and try to get both fish in the net.  I played the fish for a bit longer and as it passed under my seat, I couldn't help but notice the fishes' girth or what I call "shoulders".  It was an impressive fish and I was starting to regret my suggestion of trying to put two fish in the net, but with a quick swoop and some teamwork with Josh and Brent holding the net, I made one final swing of the rod and guided it beside it's comrade and it was done, a double landed.  To top the sweetness of the double, the fished stretched comfortably past the 43 1/2" mark making my personal best fish.  After some picture taking and celebration we released those two beauties for another day.  Not to be outdone, Josh produced a 43 1/2" fish after less than 10 minutes of starting to fish again.  A truly gorgeous fish that would make just about anybody happy, but throw it in as a second ever musky on your first morning of muskie fishing and I think Josh might want to retire from his musky fishing career, because I am pretty sure we won't be able to replicate that again any time soon.  After exhausting our time limits, we headed back to the landing, but we had to stop for my famous "One last cast", when Brent hooked up with the 5th fish of the morning.  A skipper compared to our prior fish that day, but on an ordinary day a fun treat.  The muskie derby was coming soon, and I'll chronicle that adventure in a separate post, so stay tuned.

Spring Adventure - St. John River Canoe Trip

Early spring found our vehicle pointed into the North Maine Woods with a canoe strapped to the top.  Our destination was some of the upper reaches of the St. John River.  I love the St. John River and have spent countless hours on the lower stretches before it crosses completely into Canada, but I had never been on the upper portion, so I was really looking forward to checking out some new country.  We were also fortunate enough to be going with some really great people who knew the country like the back of their hands, as well as it's very interesting history.  I won't bore everyone with my rambling musings as I don't believe the vocabulary exists to describe how cool of a trip this is, I will let the pictures do most of the talking, and I would challenge everyone to go check out the scenery and the history on this fabulous stretch of river.  I am definitely looking forward to extending our "river rat" territory to the entire length of the river, but in a slow and exploratory nature to really check out and experience the history that surrounds you in what seems like an untouched land.  The year of 2018 we covered from Red Pine to Seven Islands, with hopefully new areas in years to come!

The Launch at Red Pine

Plaque on Blanchet Bridge

The Makings of a Picnic Table

After Construction

Camille Beaulieu's Trapping Cabin

Evidence of a Long Ago Farm 

Steam Shovel Used for Major Construction Projects of the Day