I’ve been on a roll in 2022 as far as competing in fly fishing tournaments. The World Championships in Italy could not have been better and 2nd Place at the Jackson Hole One Fly was certainly acceptable. So why not challenge myself to enter another?
There isn’t a reason. Especially when the competitions I’ve fished are fundraisers that work towards restoring fisheries and fish habitat. So, when buddy Tom Smedley offered me a seat in his boat to fish the 44th Annual Fall Hayward Muskie Tournament, another fundraising competition put on by the Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc, I pulled out my schedule.
There were things to consider. First, this tournament is a far cry from fly fishing only. It’s likely I’d be the only fly fisher out of a daunting 503 contestants. Fellow contestants are experienced full on muskie anglers chucking 10” lures on huge spin rods and bait casters. Tom included. Though I’ve taken some nice muskies on fly over the years, I am not experienced.
Second, this tournament is based on individual angling. Tom invited me to share a seat in his boat with him but we were each fishing our own one man team. It would be unlikely I’d beat Tom let alone another 501 anglers!
Last, there was the schedule thing. This competition is three days long – Friday thru Sunday. This gig required some dedication. But all things aside, I juggled my schedule and was thrilled to make it work.
One of the main reasons I made it work was because I got to spend three days fishing with Tom. Tom and I are longtime friends and he knows muskie. I could learn a lot. Not only would I have three days to observe Tom’s tactics, but at the events I could mingle with other top muskie anglers. No doubt I’ve proven to myself there’s tons to learn about muskie angling.
Today was Day 1. My alarm went off at 5:15 AM but I was already awake. I brewed some coffee and headed for Toms. When I arrived there at 6 he was ready. By 7 we were towing his boat for Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO). One of the larger and more popular muskie and walleye lakes in the Hayward area.
The temperature was nice and the wind blew lightly as we headed across the calm lake body. LCO is so big so it’s unlikely I’ll ever put my tiny blue boat on it. It’s a gorgeous lake and really nice to see it. As nearly always, the shorelines are lined with homes and cottages but the trees along with, are showing colors of fall. It’s a very pretty time of year in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
After a ten minute boat ride Tom cut the engine and explained that we were casting to weed lines on the edge of deep water. We had six minutes before start at 8 so we putzed along slowly studying the area. Then at 8 sharp we went to work. Tom with a monster lure of sort and me with my 9-weight Air Salt and a medium sized Warpath Jig Fly in black and gold.
I’d be the first to strike a fish. I missed that one but minutes later I connected. While the initial slam felt strong, I’d learn in seconds that I didn’t have a muskie. But with a smile I caught and released a perfect fly rod sized pike. Any tug in a competition feels good at the start of the day.
As the first hour moved along we could see more competitors arriving and moving location to location. We found ourselves in Musky Bay with three other boats. Neither Tom or I like sharing water but with the name of the bay, we had to give it a try. We each picked up another pike.
Fishing was good if you weren’t after muskie. I caught three more pike including a 30” fish that put on a heck of a fight. Then when I brought him aboard to dislodge my fly he went nuts. Pike can be a hassle sometimes. I had to break out the jaw spreaders to get this one off, a tool required in every boat for pike and muskellunge fishing. Unfortunately, this toothy pike trashed my fly and knocked me out of commission for nearly ten minutes.
Fishing slowed late morning. It slowed down big time. Nonetheless, Tom and I never took a break other then to eat lunch. I actually ate and chewed mine while stripping in my casts. My slogan during any competition is, “It only takes one cast”. This weekend that one cast could be a 50 incher that wins it all. But fishing hard didn’t matter. No fish species were to be found.
We didn’t actually catch a single fish between about 11 AM and 4 PM. Those were painful hours. Finally, Tom went tight on what at first felt pretty good. But nope, not a muskie. Tom ended up with this bass then another. Pretty nice largemouth however.
At 6 PM the tournament ended for the day. We went muskie-less. Sure, we caught some fish but unfortunately we scored zeroes for Day 1. While numbers were low, there were some nice muskies caught. Here’s a look at the scores and sizes of all muskies caught.
Tom and I are bushed. My frame is used to casting big rods on and off all day, but to heave it constantly for ten straight hours, I feel my casting shoulder and stripping arm. I’ll be fine though. We refueled at the Angler’s Heaven Resort tonight and it looks like I’ll hit the sack by 11 PM. We’ll be right back on the water first thing tomorrow. Feeling confident!
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