Last Minute Muskie for 15 year old
After fishing with Frank the previous weekend (11-5) and boating 9 for the weekend, I decided to risk the weather and try for one more day to finally get my 15 year old his first muskie.
A little history before I continue. My son Jace, was with me last year at the beggining of the season when I boated a 49" & 50" in the same day. Since that day, he has not let me fish for anything else. We used to enjoy the quick trip close to home for whatever was biting, but that had all ended. It was Muskie fishing or stay home. Makes me wonder whare Frank was about 16 years ago (hmmm?).
Earlier this summer my son & I went out casting with Frank. He up on the front, me in the back, and my son in the middle. It was another one of those exceptionally active periods, Frank got two or three, I got a couple, and approx 25 follows. My son right in the middle of us both had one chance at our very last spot where he wasn't paying attention where the fish took it out of the water, spit it out in mid-air and gone!! He was devastated. I was actually watching him at the time - he was studying Frank and his style better than he ever does in class.
So my son has now put in 150 to 200 hrs fishing muskie and has spent every penny of his extra money on lures. In other words the elusive muskie is living up to its reputation. Needless to say, he was getting ribbed by the rest of us pretty good.
Fast forward to Saturday 11-12-11. We arrive at Bay Store around 9am after leaving central MN at 3am. It was 22 degrees when we left and 30 when we get to the Angle. Wind is about 15 mph. We invited Frank with, but he had a much needed and hard to get repairman that just called & was coming this am. We decided to meet again at 1pm. My son & I decide to go troll some of the close spots and lo and behold - First pass a 47". I thought he was going to faint. His legs were shaking and he could hardly talk. Just a huge grin across his face. The trip was obviously worth it now. But wait there is more. 2nd pass same spot 40.5". 3rd pass same spot 39'' (Yes - he made me net them - and he pulled them in, measured each one and got pictures).
Then like many times before with this sport, the fish went cold. We fished until meeting with Frank at 1pm with no luck. We then went out with Frank until dark. Right at dusk around 5pm - bang - the center rod starts squeeling -My son grabs it (turns off the clickers) and tells us "Its a snag". Frank smiles back "Are you sure?" - Jace puts his finger on the spool and tugs "Oh, its a fish!". Frank is now grinning ear to ear. After its all said and done - Jace becomes the newest menber of the LOTW 50" club on pretty much the last day of fishing for the season.
Thank you Frank - you helped make "The Best Day of My Life" for a 15 year old and maybe his father as well.
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Originally Posted by Frank Walsh
