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Posts: 251
| So I am new to Muskie fishing but a friend of mine (who has a little experience in Ohio) and I are planning a Muskie trip. We have the time a some money (although not unlimited) and I wanted to plan the proverbial "dream trip".
I am currently looking at Lake of The Woods (NW Angle) but I have a few questions that I was hoping you all could help me with. First, based on my initial research I was looking at July since that seems like the hot time for traditional casting of bucktail, topwater, ect. and is before the bloom. I am thinking the week before Musky School since if that is the third week again next year (to avoid the added pressure).
Second, Has anyone ever stayed at Sunset Lodge on Oak Island? Their new facility looks great, rates are good comparatively, and they seem to have new, well equipped boats to rent (don't have my own yet). What do you all think of the lodge?
Lastly, I know there are truly legendary guides in the area and have many posts about the guides. Since we are both such Newbies to the lake and Muskie fishing one of my big criteria is looking for someone who is a great teacher and would not mind helping pass on wisdom about the fishing lake as well take the time to give us some pointers on fundamentals such as executing a good figure 8 or proper netting/release techniques.
Thanks for any advice ahead of time. |
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Posts: 224
Location: Madison | "Pressure" is pretty overrated during the schools, there is often some large group on the water whether its an MI club, the MH school, the guys from Cave Run, etc.
Since you're new to musky fishing and this is presumably your first time on the lake, I would definitely recommend the MH school. Get in the boat with Heiting on your first or second day, you'll learn a lot more than if you fly solo. Yeah it's expensive, but if it's your first time there very much worth it. |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | The week you picked in July is fine. The first week of July during the fourth is also a good time to go, seems to have a lot of numbers/ follows with less people out there chasing Muskies.
Not familiar with the lodge but it looks nice and seems priced well. The location is good too.
The only two guides I am familiar with for that part of the lake are both great options. Doug Johnson is a legend out there obviously, and Joe Cooper is a young guy who is on the water daily and knows his stuff. The most important part of your planning will be making sure you have the right tackle ( you can get plenty of help for that here), and the right maps/gps chips. Navigation is a big deal out there for both avoiding landmines and not getting lost...if you got that, you can figure out the rest, there's a ton of spots and a ton of fish.
Edited by Musky Brian 5/25/2013 2:14 PM
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| one of the best ways to teach someone who can not experience what you have in such a short time period is to share your experiences, opinions, and what you prefer, correct? guides could at least pretend to be bucher or saric and learn how to teach for the time they are being paid to teach.
if you want a common sense or do whatever you want answer to most of the questions you ask with no direction, advice, sound opinions, or reasoning behind it; hire an older guide. they usually stand at the front of the boat and throw one of three lures they know will produce on a consistent basis. yes this is the best way for someone to learn in the long run but not when you have 6-8 hours of there time on there 4-7 day trip. even the most well known and respected guides do this.
i would go out with someone young and energetic like brian malack suggested. to my knowledge brian malack would also be a great guy to share the boat with and learn from. they call him mister canada. i've heard stories of him driving all the way up to canada to fish big water for weeks at a time out of a 14 footer. the trips he made on the water through pouring rain and hail as his bass boat struggled to keep up with the amount of water being taken in to catch a muskie is some of the most die hard things ive ever heard of. if i were the passenger of that boat i would have been in fetal position on the floor with my eyes closed!
joe cooper is a very great guide and grew up fishing lake of the woods. 20 years on the same body of water can be just as good as 40. even the best fisherman can make a terrible guide. doug johnson has been fishing lake of the woods forever but for some reason when i asked him about a guide trip last fall he said he was booked late last season. then disappeared when i asked him about fishing in the near future. i did hear he had to be towed in with clients last year so maybe that had something to do with it? does dick pearson still guide?
Edited by Anonymous 5/26/2013 4:37 AM
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Posts: 251
| I thought the Musky School was a great idea but I was under the impression that you need your own boat, which we will not. Correct me if I am wrong. Has anyone here taken the course, if so I would love to chat; send me a PM if interested.
I assume people are spending most of their time to fishing among all the islands to north of oak island (where many of the lodges are)?
I have my own nice humminbird portable fish finder/GPS that I can get the lakemaster chip for. I assume that would be recommended for navigation? Also, I see that they offer a Lake of the Woods map for Contour Elite. Has anyone used this? What do you all think about using this for planning? Worth the ~ $124 it costs? |
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Posts: 251
| Thanks a lot that is the kind of info I am looking for. I really want a guide who is going to take as much time to teach as fish if that is what we want/need. Someone who would be willing to sit down and go over my weeks fishing plan, tell me how he would change it and teach me why. Help me work on adding the best action to my lures, correct my figure 8 if it sucks, ect. I am new to Muskie fishing but I am one of those who like to do everything I can to shorten the learning curve since I can't spend all summer on the water. That includes, reading forums, books, and going out to work on my casting/lure retrieves at local lakes.
I have really enjoyed Dick Pearson's Book and if he is half as good teaching on the water as in the book then I would be very happy for him to guide us. I would like to hear the opinion of anyone who has used him as a guide. I have seen a few posts where people ask the same question about whether he still guides or not but if anyone has his contact info then let me know. |
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Posts: 173
| Pearson hasn't guided in several years. He does have a cabin at Walsh's on Oak Island .
JMO but for what you want in the way of actual knowledge one of the Musky Schools would have the most to offer. Several operate in that area every summer. Quite possible to pair up with another angler with their own boat if you express that desire early to whichever school interests you. |
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Posts: 2063
| My advice for your first trip to the angle.. stay at a muskie camp Sandy's or Baystore top the list (try to make friends, most guys that stay at either camp go every year). , before you book see if Bill or Frank can take you out your first day, book either one if you can. Baystore will cost a little less, Franks a good guy, and knows muskies...You will see Dick P. if you wake up before sunrise 
Re-read your post and see you need a rental boat, you might call Dan @ flag island. and see what they can rent you for a week, obviously you are going to want something with a good bow mount . Flag island is a good resort, nice bar and restaurant.
Edited by IAJustin 5/26/2013 12:09 PM
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Posts: 371
Location: Dixon, IL | I dream someday one day I go to LOTW or other lakes in Canada but I don't want to drive to get there. How you bring all stuff with you to Canada? I go to Florida and bring 2 pieces rods case for bass and panfish. But my Musky rods is one pieces from 7 to 8 ft plus large lures, etc! |
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Posts: 2063
| ILmuskie - 5/28/2013 7:33 AM
I dream someday one day I go to LOTW or other lakes in Canada but I don't want to drive to get there. How you bring all stuff with you to Canada? I go to Florida and bring 2 pieces rods case for bass and panfish. But my Musky rods is one pieces from 7 to 8 ft plus large lures, etc!
So you want to fly? Most of Ontario's best muskie lakes would be difficult to get to, I guess you could fly to Duluth or other fairly large city and jump on a float plane the rest of the way - big $$$. And if your gonna fly, just hire a good guide they will have everything you need. |
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Posts: 897
| Anonymous - 5/25/2013 10:09 PM
i would go out with someone young and energetic like brian malack suggested. to my knowledge brian malack would also be a great guy to share the boat with and learn from. they call him mister canada. i've heard stories of him driving all the way up to canada to fish big water for weeks at a time out of a 14 footer. the trips he made on the water through pouring rain and hail as his bass boat struggled to keep up with the amount of water being taken in to catch a muskie is some of the most die hard things ive ever heard of. if i were the passenger of that boat i would have been in fetal position on the floor with my eyes closed!
I heard it was a canoe and that he jumps out and wrestles muskies into the boat! He won't get in the water for anything less than 60", though... |
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Posts: 224
Location: Madison | IAJustin - 5/28/2013 8:35 AM
So you want to fly? Most of Ontario's best muskie lakes would be difficult to get to, I guess you could fly to Duluth or other fairly large city and jump on a float plane the rest of the way - big $$$.
Naw. You can fly into International Falls, tons of people hunting/fishing do it. Take a cab (again, lots of people do this, there are vans) across the border, Rusty Myers and other float plane operators are right there. Is it more expensive? Yeah, but it's not crazy more expensive when you factor you're not paying for gas and mileage on your vehicle. Definitely same ballpark. Biggest downside is getting your gear there and back intact. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | whynot - 5/28/2013 10:48 AM
Anonymous - 5/25/2013 10:09 PM
i would go out with someone young and energetic like brian malack suggested. to my knowledge brian malack would also be a great guy to share the boat with and learn from. they call him mister canada. i've heard stories of him driving all the way up to canada to fish big water for weeks at a time out of a 14 footer. the trips he made on the water through pouring rain and hail as his bass boat struggled to keep up with the amount of water being taken in to catch a muskie is some of the most die hard things ive ever heard of. if i were the passenger of that boat i would have been in fetal position on the floor with my eyes closed!
I heard it was a canoe and that he jumps out and wrestles muskies into the boat! He won't get in the water for anything less than 60", though...
You should see the gas bills I get for a week on big water with the 619 I now drive around....those will really make you get in the fetal position with your eyes closed on the floor of the lodge after they hand you a bill at week's end
Edited by Musky Brian 5/28/2013 2:34 PM
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | Musky Brian - 5/28/2013 2:33 PM
You should see the gas bills I get for a week on big water with the 619 I now drive around....those will really make you get in the fetal position with your eyes closed on the floor of the lodge after they hand you a bill at week's end
Why not bring your own gas? I bring a full tank in the boat and five 6 gallon cans of gas. Planning on buying five more cans. They pay for themselves first trip. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | dtaijo174 - 5/28/2013 3:09 PM
Musky Brian - 5/28/2013 2:33 PM
You should see the gas bills I get for a week on big water with the 619 I now drive around....those will really make you get in the fetal position with your eyes closed on the floor of the lodge after they hand you a bill at week's end
Why not bring your own gas? I bring a full tank in the boat and five 6 gallon cans of gas. Planning on buying five more cans. They pay for themselves first trip.
if he gets there at noon on Saturday that'll get him to about Sunday afternoon ... |
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Posts: 2063
| dtaijo174 - 5/28/2013 3:09 PM
Musky Brian - 5/28/2013 2:33 PM
You should see the gas bills I get for a week on big water with the 619 I now drive around....those will really make you get in the fetal position with your eyes closed on the floor of the lodge after they hand you a bill at week's end
Why not bring your own gas? I bring a full tank in the boat and five 6 gallon cans of gas. Planning on buying five more cans. They pay for themselves first trip.
Most camps in Canada highly frown on this, I've always been told it a liability issue...but most likely they want to sell you $6/ gallon gas |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | IAJustin - 5/28/2013 3:21 PM
dtaijo174 - 5/28/2013 3:09 PM
Musky Brian - 5/28/2013 2:33 PM
You should see the gas bills I get for a week on big water with the 619 I now drive around....those will really make you get in the fetal position with your eyes closed on the floor of the lodge after they hand you a bill at week's end
Why not bring your own gas? I bring a full tank in the boat and five 6 gallon cans of gas. Planning on buying five more cans. They pay for themselves first trip.
Most camps in Canada highly frown on this, I've always been told it a liability issue...but most likely they want to sell you $6/ gallon gas : )
I always ask up front & have never had one say no or that it would be a problem. I bet you're correct that it does happen from time to time. They won't get my busniess if it does. I want my non-oxy 91 octane. Their pumps won't have it. |
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Location: Elk River, Minnesota | I also bring my own gas in. Being that I don't know how long the gas they have in their storage tank has been there, I don't want to risk any problems with my motor due to a fuel issue.
I don't have the big 619, but I do find I burn about 10 gallons of gas a day, which adds up... I don't think liability is an issue...it might be storage, and I could see that some operators see that as a loss of $$ coming into their resort, although I would suspect they don't make much money off their fuel...
Steve |
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Location: Warroad, Mn | Just to let folks know. I think all the resorts in the Angle and the surrounding Islands are running non-oxy 91 octane. I get my gas from the local supplier as do most of the resorts and that's what I get. The resorts in general pump lots of gas and I'll bet it's as fresh as most gas stations. Usually gas in the Angle is around $.40-.50/gal more than it is in Warroad, it's a little higher in the US islands due to transportation, still higher on the Canadian island side due to duty.
There's nothing wrong with the gas prices in the Angle, but there's something wrong with gas prices in general.
Sort of a long way off from the orginal "Dream Trip" post, but it's part of it, as expenses can make a Dream Trip a "Nightmare". Depending on your boat and miles traveled it's very easy to spend $80-100.00/day on gas. It's a big lake.
Doug Johnson
Edited by dougj 5/28/2013 5:30 PM
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Posts: 518
Location: Cave Run Lake KY. | IAJustin - 5/28/2013 4:21 PM
dtaijo174 - 5/28/2013 3:09 PM
Musky Brian - 5/28/2013 2:33 PM
You should see the gas bills I get for a week on big water with the 619 I now drive around....those will really make you get in the fetal position with your eyes closed on the floor of the lodge after they hand you a bill at week's end
Why not bring your own gas? I bring a full tank in the boat and five 6 gallon cans of gas. Planning on buying five more cans. They pay for themselves first trip.
Most camps in Canada highly frown on this, I've always been told it a liability issue...but most likely they want to sell you $6/ gallon gas : ) |
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Posts: 371
Location: Dixon, IL | waldo - 5/28/2013 3:06 PM
IAJustin - 5/28/2013 8:35 AM
So you want to fly? Most of Ontario's best muskie lakes would be difficult to get to, I guess you could fly to Duluth or other fairly large city and jump on a float plane the rest of the way - big $$$.
Naw. You can fly into International Falls, tons of people hunting/fishing do it. Take a cab (again, lots of people do this, there are vans ) across the border, Rusty Myers and other float plane operators are right there. Is it more expensive? Yeah, but it's not crazy more expensive when you factor you're not paying for gas and mileage on your vehicle. Definitely same ballpark. Biggest downside is getting your gear there and back intact.
I see and thanks! I will plan go to Chicago Musky Show and talk to several resorts! |
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Location: Not far enough north! | I drive up every year from southern IL. Worth every minute in the car. Hook the boat on fill up the car and boat with gear for three and hit the road. We usually stop in northern Minnesota for the night just cause the old man can only handle so many hours in a day. This leaves only a couple hours in the morning and ready for the day of fishing fresh. It's about 17 hours from my house to the dock. Not too bad... |
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Posts: 251
| That brings up a great point. Since I will be renting a boat, most of them seem to be lighter with a smallish motor (~60 hp) does anyone have an estimate of what I should budget for gas per day? This assumes we fish wherever we would like without too hindrances. We might not go way out since we are new to the lake though. |
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Posts: 2063
| You'll probably use 5-10 gallons a day (depending how adventurous you get) gas will likely be around $5 a gallon on the islands. |
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Posts: 2063
| ILmuskie - 5/29/2013 2:32 PM
waldo - 5/28/2013 3:06 PM
IAJustin - 5/28/2013 8:35 AM
So you want to fly? Most of Ontario's best muskie lakes would be difficult to get to, I guess you could fly to Duluth or other fairly large city and jump on a float plane the rest of the way - big $$$.
Naw. You can fly into International Falls, tons of people hunting/fishing do it. Take a cab (again, lots of people do this, there are vans ) across the border, Rusty Myers and other float plane operators are right there. Is it more expensive? Yeah, but it's not crazy more expensive when you factor you're not paying for gas and mileage on your vehicle. Definitely same ballpark. Biggest downside is getting your gear there and back intact.
I see and thanks! I will plan go to Chicago Musky Show and talk to several resorts!
I've flown out of I.F's/Fort Frances many times (but drove there)....getting a flight from Chicago and then transportation to the NW Angle, Eagle, Rowan, etc from Fort Frances is not in the same ballpark as driving yourself to a resort - two guys the expense would be close to double - but hey its only money. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | IAJustin - 5/30/2013 8:04 AM
ILmuskie - 5/29/2013 2:32 PM
waldo - 5/28/2013 3:06 PM
IAJustin - 5/28/2013 8:35 AM
So you want to fly? Most of Ontario's best muskie lakes would be difficult to get to, I guess you could fly to Duluth or other fairly large city and jump on a float plane the rest of the way - big $$$.
Naw. You can fly into International Falls, tons of people hunting/fishing do it. Take a cab (again, lots of people do this, there are vans ) across the border, Rusty Myers and other float plane operators are right there. Is it more expensive? Yeah, but it's not crazy more expensive when you factor you're not paying for gas and mileage on your vehicle. Definitely same ballpark. Biggest downside is getting your gear there and back intact.
I see and thanks! I will plan go to Chicago Musky Show and talk to several resorts!
I've flown out of I.F's/Fort Frances many times (but drove there )....getting a flight from Chicago and then transportation to the NW Angle, Eagle, Rowan, etc from Fort Frances is not in the same ballpark as driving yourself to a resort - two guys the expense would be close to double - but hey its only money.
yeah...as someone who goes up that way quite too much I have certainly looked into the costs of flying in the past and there is absolutely no comparison in terms of price. It costs about 5-600$ for gas costs for a round trip from Chicago and back. The costs per person to fly are not even close to that ballpark. Factor in the pain in the neck of transporting gear and the fact you will have a rental boat nowhere near in the caliber of the one you own makes that a pretty much dead deal.
For overall price though there are a lot of great options for LOTW if you do a housekeeping plan and don't drive a boat to the end of the earth on a daily basis..( i struggle with the last part ) |
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