Time to Fish!

[Red Childress]

Saturday was a good day on the water. Anthony (who is 14), caught his first musky and he had a larger fish shake off a couple hours later on a Rig Boss 7”. Craig had an extremely tight follow just before noon but couldn’t get the fish to commit and that was it for us. Noon to 2pm was the dead zone for my boat.

A little later start for our musky hunt today as travel plans get tweaked a bit.

I have gotten away from posting pics the last couple years but since this was Anthony’s first musky, here it is:

[Red Childress]

Sunday’s musky hunt started off with us visiting each spot where we had action the previous day with the hopes of finding a hungry fish. Instead, we fished thru those areas 2x but no action at all. We ended the day without seeing an Esox anywhere.

Water temps were 63-64.5 where we were fishing and clarity was very good. Another week of school in NY and then back at it again for the weekend.


Good luck and stay tuned!

[Red Childress]

We had a very slow morning looking for an Esox until Ben hooked his first-ever musky around 1pm. He fought the fish thru the first set of headshakes and then his line went slack and the fish was gone. That was the only action of the day as we quit at 2.

River temps were 62-64 depending on location with some stain leftover from Wednesday’s heavy rains.

Today, we will chase muskies again with some first-time musky hunters. Let’s hope the lightning holds off long enough to squeeze in the trip.


Good luck and stay tuned!

[Red Childress]

Another crew of first-time Esox hunters decided to try their luck on Sunday as John kicked off the day with his first-ever pike around 8am and then Steve (father) scored his first-ever musky around 10am. I’m sure glad I had the proper release tools because the fish gator rolled himself into a giant web of netting. After cutting some hooks and pulling the net out of her mouth, we managed a successful release. Steve also lost a big smallie after a few acrobatic jumps.

As soon as we get some consistent warm temps, I think the river will wake up and come alive again. I am just not seeing the normal surface activity or baitfish schools like I was just a couple weeks ago. The birds of prey hunting the river have been scarce which usually means their food source is staying deeper where the water is warmer. We have actually lost a degree or two since last weekend.






Good luck and stay tuned!

[Red Childress]

We pounded on a steamy Chautauqua Lake yesterday looking for muskies. After a slow few hours, we had an upper 30’s come in on a Musky Bomb, take a couple laps and left. The second fish was much larger (mid to upper 40’s) on a Beaver and showed up last-minute from underneath…….One lap later she left but we brought her back for another 1/2 lap and gone. The third fish was around 40 and went around a few times, left and came back and left for good. A fun day and a little frustrating.

Back at it Saturday looking for bass/walleye.


Good luck and stay tuned!

[Red Childress]

We set sail yesterday looking for walleye and bass during a serious weather change. This cold front is about as bad as you can get. We had on extra sweatshirts as well. There was still some overcast during the first few hours and that was when all of our action occurred. We scored a few bass and had a small muskie boil at boatside. Then the sun popped out and we saw nothing the rest of the day. The river levels are low for sure.

Today, Jeff is chasing a musky with the fly rod. We are hoping the crazy winds from yesterday have calmed a bit.


Good luck and stay tuned!

[Red Childress]

We had a successful day as Jeff was able to score his first PA musky on the fly rod. He also had another (larger) fish hooked up for a few head shakes until it rolled on the surface and was gone. The first fish came out of nowhere and crushed his fly at boatside. It was one of the coolest boatside attacks I have seen in awhile. That fish measured at 37”. I will post pics as soon as I get them.

Today will be a little shorter musky trip while using traditional reels.





Good luck and stay tuned!