Time to Talk Muskies in the Wausau Area!

Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of being an avid musky fisherman is “surviving” the off-season. Sure there’s some hunting to be done, ample opportunities for ice-fishing, and a variety of other outdoor-related events in which one can participate during the Wisconsin winter, but it’s just not the same as chasing those toothy critters from the bow of a boat.

With the exception of traveling South to states such as Illinois or Kentucky which have musky fisheries that remain open in the wintertime, perhaps the next best way to scratch the proverbial itch is via sport shows and clinics. The Midwest is home to a variety of outdoor related shows over the course of the winter months. Some last for a timeframe of over a week while others run over the weekend or even just one day. There are a handful of musky specific shows - the perfect place for the ardent esox angler to spend some time.

Residents of the greater Wausau area will not need to travel far this year to explore two such musky-related events. The first is a musky fishing themed clinic known as ‘Musky Road Rules Cabin Fever Clinic’, an event that will be held at the Cedar Creek Holiday Inn Sunday, February 26th. The Cabin Fever Clinics are winter clinics structured to provide anglers with knowledge that they can apply to the up-coming season. These six hour classes consist of seminars and guide talks by my friends and colleagues, professional fishing guides Gregg Thomas and Tony Grant; in addition, there will be a guide panel consisting of local experts to answer your questions on musky fishing in our area. There is a “New Product Showcase” sponsored by Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop displaying new tackle and equipment for the year, with each product being highlighted and demonstrated at poolside, and several door prizes to be given away during the course of the clinic, allowing each participant to have several opportunities to win free musky gear.

The following weekend will see the inaugural Wisconsin Muskie Expo take place at the Patriot Center, also in the Cedar Creek area. The Wisconsin Muskie Expo will run from Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4. The show will play host to a variety of lure manufacturers, guide services, resorts, boat companies, tackle representatives, and much more. Seminars will be held daily for attendees to view, there will be a musky painting raffle, and if you bring in an Abu Garcia reel, you can learn how to clean it for free.

If you attend either the Musky Road Rules or the Wisconsin Muskie Expo, I’ll be there - stop by, say hello, and let’s talk muskies! 3 months until opener, I’ll see you on the water…

Tight lines,