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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Had to do a little fathering yesterday, but I'm back now.
Left the house yesterday morning about 5:30 encased in poly pro and layered in fleece to put Plan I into play with my tall friend Joel. By 6:15 sucker procurement was completed, and by 6:30ish we were under power and heading out onto Okauchee. Initially the day was going to be devoted to The Light Touch with Sensei Joel providing the lessons.
It was over the side for three of the suckers Joel had drafted for duty at Muskie Mikes. We chatted and I decided to watch the suckers instead of casting. Joel casted on a semi regular basis explaining the workings of several gliders. The morning wore on.
We were warmed by great conversation fueled by a couple of CC's and several snorts of Jager. While the two of us were extolling the various joys and benefits of fatherhood, we were really starting feel quite warm LOL, I glanced over and noted a slight bouncing of one of the rod tips and the line began moving. Joel says "that's a fish."
Rising from the seat I took the rod up to the front deck, reeled down, and gave her a hook set that did not fall in the gentle category. Joel's thinking maybe we have something nice happening, but I expressed some initial doubt.
That sentiment appeared to anger the fish enough to thrash quite violently and show herself. Then we got a little excited, with Joel shouting guesses of least 45". I calmly, if I say so myself, kept the pressure on, reeled her to boatside, and in the net she went. She was nicely pinned right in the corner of the mouth, Joel unhooked her, up she came, a quick measure of 47.5", and the photos taken. She thrashed out of my hand powerfully as soon as I layed her in the water for a quick release. Thanks to Joel for having a camera, as the battery was dead in mine. Doh.
I should mention she protested the short photo session by crapping in my drink, but I don't hold that against her. It only took about fifteen minutes for the slamming in my chest, the shaking, and the panting to subside. LOL. Bigger muskies are just that much more fun.
If this becomes the closure for my first year of musky fishing, it couldn't be cooler. The fish was caught not ten yards from the 32" I got with Joel as my very first musky last June in the IMTT. I will always fondly recall the area as "our spot". 
There were seveal more snorts of Jager taken in celebration, and I was very glad to be able to have lunch with Andrew, Magruter, and MuskieMike at the Hideaway. Very cool to have one of my other M1st mentors there as well as Joel.
No other action for the day, though Joel did a little yanking of the chains of the other boys in that regard.
Joel, what can I say? You rock. I really want to thank the sucker, by the way, The sucker that eventually offered itself up for my benefit, had been a little balky at first, showing its belly, not swimming much, etc, but in the end took its job quite seriously, thank you.
Here's a few pics of the 47.5" that came from "our spot".
Kevin
Plan I
(October fishing pictures 007.jpg)
(October fishing pictures 008.jpg)
Attachments
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 October fishing pictures 007.jpg (117KB - 69 downloads)
October fishing pictures 008.jpg (163KB - 58 downloads)
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut |
wow Kevin, that's a nice fish; both size and markings.
(and big enuf for the Lax contest too, I might add...)
but end of the year? seriously, that sounds a bit crazy!!
Sorno |
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Posts: 32880
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Now THAT is a cool story and picture. Way to GO, Kevin! The Journey Continues... |
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Posts: 367
Location: Chicago | Great fish. Congrats Kevin.
Ryan |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Awesome fish Kevin! Way to go!
Mike |
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Posts: 2024
| You should compile your fishing outings into a memoir, if not for yourself then for your daughter! Always a joy to read your posts, very eloquent! You remind me of that guy from Walker's Cay Chronicles.
Great fish, you worked hard all year. Not sure I've seen anyone as dedicated. Been fun watching your "apprenticeship" progress throughout the year. Keep it up! |
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Posts: 82
Location: Cottage Grove, Mn |
Good for You Kev ! Congrats ! |
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Posts: 617
Location: Clintonville, WI | Oh yeah......now THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout!!!!
Kevin, we've only PM'd back and forth so far, but I feel like I've been there with you on many of your outings this year. Thanks for the enjoyable "side bar" to my own fishing. Now, I only admit I know that Joel guy to certain people.....but it's cool that he is a big part of your plan coming together.
My mission in '07 is to get back down there to the old stoming ground and fish with you '07 (we could throw in a $10 Nassau for icing on the cake). |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Iowa | Congrats Kevin...well deserved and beautiful fish...
Big Perc |
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Posts: 32880
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Looks like a Front Page Headline to me! |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Ya Baby !!!!
I heard the roar all the way up in Retreat Wisconsin. Actually I got the call on the way up to Beavers trailer. I am sure Beaver heard it up there.
Joel, your the man. Kevin, very nice fish and great recap of the morning.
You guys scored it just after I called. Positive MOJO call for sure............and he scores !!!! |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | Congrats Kevin, awesome fish.
"That is why you lift all of those weights"...or get up at 4 AM  |
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Posts: 336
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | Adda boy Kevin. I was looking forward to seeing the pics when I got home and they didn't disappoint. A very well deserved fish. Joel has quite a bit of MOJO in that boat this year. Any further crazy comments from your wife after you got home? |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | Kev,
Congrats man! In one season, you have written a book, as well as beaten my pb of 45". Lori and I are always willing to have you up in the valley, and rub (do not get any ideas) some of yer mojo on our boat! |
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| You da man! Nice fish. Good work fellas. |
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Posts: 5874
| Way to go, Kevin. I love those Okauchee fish! Good job, joel, on teaching Kevin on holding the rod tight, all the way through the hookset! LOL |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Thanks for the responses, guys, and thanks to MuskieFirst for putting me on the front page. I wouldn't have believed that at the start of the year.
Kevin
Bigger muskies are just that much more fun.
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Posts: 476
Location: WI | Congrats Kevin! You deserved a nice fish to end up the season! Congrats.
GotOne |
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Posts: 327
| Kevin , congrats on your fish !!! Joel is the man , he can put you on fish and keep you going all day !! CONGRATS BOYS !!! Kevin , great story as well , you could write books that I'd read for sure !!!! |
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Posts: 216
Location: Belleville, WI | Congrats Kevin - very nice fish for sure! Now you can work on a plan to top that fish next year!
Mike Mousseau |
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Posts: 317
| what a great story, although that looks like it came out of Garvin *wink* Great job! |
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