Musky Vacation Destination for 2010

[Red Childress]

I am searching to find a reputable lodge located on excellent BIG musky lakes or rivers. There are so many choices. 6-day/7-night package is also a goal for me....... I am also looking for a CASTING ONLY destination and will hire a guide for the first day or two, if necessary.

Can anyone give me some input on some places that might satisfy my needs??


Thanks in advance.

[muskie24/7]

Hey Red, I can set you up with a nice package deal on the Yough! LOL! I would probably get a reputable guide/s on LOTW to put me on some big fish spots! Or even get a different guide each day for a couple days. Get some different techniques and different spots to fish. Its kind of the take it all in and then sort it all out approach!

Brian

[Ivan]

What are you looking for Red? Big fish, numbers...probably big fish? Do you want to be somewhat secluded or you don't mind some crowds. Lake or River? Taking your boat or renting one? Hiring a guide?

some of he places I would consider are:
LOTW
Mille Lacs
Ottowa or St Lawrence Rivers
Lac Suel
hear good things about Andy Myers Lodge on Eagle

Those would probably be my top choices, almost in order. I haven't been to any of them, except the St Lawrence. Would also like to try Green Bay, but that's trolling. I don't have any experience with lodges, but best thing to do is figure out where you want to go and post the question about lodging and guides on Musky Hunter and/or Muskie first.
Good Luck.
Adam

[Red Childress]

As I sit here waiting for Splash Lagoon to open this morning, muskies are still on my mind...

I might drag a boat or I might fly in somewhere. It just depends on the quality of service provided where ever I choose. I had thought about the Ottawa, LOTW and Mille Lacs. Mille Lacs is pretty much a night fishing gig during summer for good shots at big fish which is cool but that would probably force me to hire a guide due to the sheer size and difficulty of not having WPT's to travel at night...which is fine. I do not mind paying a fair price for a reputable product in return.

This trip will be sometime during July or August so timing will play a big factor as far as which body of water has a good bite going then. I do not mind other boats around but not looking for a rat race while chasing big fish either.

Thanks for the help, guys!

[Larry Jones]

Red,I would go fish a day with Steve Herbek at Andy Meyers Lodge on Eagle Lake and then do the rest of the week on your own.
http://www.andymyerslodge.com/

[Red Childress]

Getting mixed reviews on AML........That was one of the first places I had thought about but after a few emails/phone calls, I am not too sure about that choice now.

Thanks for the input.

The investigation continues.............

[cband]

I spent a week last september in the Minneapolis area. Tons and tons of different lakes to fish their. Good choice if you want to fish yourself and then hire a guide for a night on the big pond.

[Larry Jones]

Red,What time of the year are you planing your 2010 Muskie Destination?
A good place to take your new boat in July is the Saint Johns River on the border with Maine & Canada.You would be fishing a river that has flows like the Alleghney and has some big muskies.
http://www.muskiesnb.ca/

[Red Childress]

Larry,

I am most likely looking at July or August.......kinda thinking about very late-August so the Northwoods early-Fall bite can have time to start-up.

[Larry Jones]

Rideau River, Ontario In July and August, cast DC-10's in Black & Silver skirt with White Blades over the sunken weedbeds lining both shores of the river between Burritt’s Rapids and Andrewsville. Also where the Rideau flows into Lac St.Louis (Ottawa River)drift with Storm Fire Eye Swim Shad in Bunker color.
Eagle Lake early August work Magnum BullDawgs in Black with FireTail at weedbed edges.
These are a couple good options!

[the yeti]

Red,
I've fished with Gregg Thomas in Kentucky.
Always wanted to head up to Minnesota for a trip with him.

You probably know him from the shows. he's a great guy, one hell of a fisherman, and you'll get top notch service from him.

Can't argue with the fact that he places in the top 5 just about every year in the PMTT too!!!

If i had the money, i'd fish with him up in Minnesota in a heartbeat.

[MuskyBob2]

Hi Red,

If you can hold off til September when the powerboaters slow down, I would highly recommend Cave Run for both numbers and lunkers. Just buy a topo map map and you wont need a guide. But if you want one I would recommend either Crash Mullins or his son at Crashes Landing, or Mike Tackett at TNT Guide Service.

[Red Childress]

Been looking at the Kenora (ON) area the past couple of days as well.....lots of possibilities North of the Minnesota border....

[blkdrs]

Hi,

You might want to consider rowan lake, remote fly-in lake. Big fish, big water, gin clear, great casting, low boat traffic & very scenic. I would highly recommend Nielsen's Fly In Lodge, Don Pursch/owner,guide. (807) 226 -1234. Lodge is a first class operation. http://www.nielsensflyinlodge.com/

Silvia Spitzer

[Red Childress]

Sylvia,

I have heard that Rowan fish are quite spooky with the ultra-clear water, and that most of the bigger fish go at night......any truth to that???

Thanks for the info!

[blkdrs]

Hi,

I wish it were true that they only go at night! lol I like to night fish & some yrs the night bite can be great. The majority of big fish are caught during the day. Of course last light of the day can also be great.

As far as the fish being spooky, not true. 70% of fish caught by us last yr. were at the boat. It doesn't get any better! imho

Silvia

[Red Childress]

That is good to hear......Looks like Rowan gets put back on the short list.


I appreciate the help.

[Red Childress]

Does anyone have any input on fishing Vermillion?? Is packed full of boats/jet skis, etc....??

Looking at possibly staying at Spring Bay Resort....

[cband]

Get a hold of RichW, he has fished vermillion and stayed at Spring Bay Resort. I have heard nothing but goods things about vermillion from several people.

[Red Childress]

There is no doubt that Vermillion is prime right now but I just do not want to dodge jet skis for 7 days.....I can go to Chautauqua for that crap.


Earth to RichW., come in Rich, over??

[Red Childress]

I have decided to hit Spring Bay Resort on Lake Vermillion. My little brain got a serious workout over this decision!

[muskie52]

Good luck!!

[Red Childress]

We booked our week at Spring Bay last week and settled on the last week of July for 2 main reasons: the new moon and the largest fish ever caught out of the resort was on July 25th, 2008 @ 58-inches.

If anyone is planning a trip out there, you might want to stay away from the first 2 weeks in August unless you have kids going along. The first half of August is VERY family oriented, according to the owner.

This past summer, the bite was way off during July with the freaky weather. We have rolled the dice so hopefully last summer will not repeat in 2010.

[Katmai Kid]

Let me know when and we can stay at our cottage on the St. Lawrence if you're interested. We are on the Canadian side just east of Alexandria Bay. Dock space and the whole nine yards. We don't musky fish it a whole lot but Mark Cloutier a good friend and musky guide always dose well right around Butternut Bay.

[Red Childress]

That sounds like a great offer. Be sure you are serious because I might just take you up on it.


Thanks!