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Posts: 19
Location: chicago | Hi Folks.
My annual musky trip location has changed from Hayward to Three Lakes (staying on Big Stone). The chain is new to me and want to learn more about it. of course, i have a detailed map.
First, if you have any tips or advice that can help my trip, that would be appreciated. my dad is 81 and will be fishing--but he can't cast--only jig for ski's. So, we'll try to find some deep structure for him (is that a good idea?)
Second, i want to spend some time fly casting for the fish...anyone know any guides that can help with chasing musky on the fly? i have my own gear...
thanks!!! |
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Posts: 630
Location: Seymour, WI | The water on the 3-Lakes chain is stained in color. Most of the action will be in the shallow weed cover. Bucktails and surface baits are good lure choices. |
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Posts: 19
Location: chicago | thanks, grass. good ole big black mepps. confidence bait, for sure, too. you failed to mention cold beer, however...hope that helps cuz i'll be using that too. |
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Posts: 630
Location: Seymour, WI | Yes, alot of the breweries are releasing their Octoberfest beers at this time. Best time of the year for beer drinking. |
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Posts: 387
Location: In the slop! | Grass - 9/2/2026 11:57 AM
Yes, alot of the breweries are releasing their Octoberfest beers at this time. Best time of the year for beer drinking.
Is there a bad time of year for beer drinking? |
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Posts: 1732
Location: Brighton CO. | I haven't been on the Three lakes Chain for over thirty years, the fish run bigger then the Eagle River chain and I've herd of some very large muskies lost over the years. It can be very busy place like most places in Wisconsin. If you go to Eagle Sports in Eagle River simi retired owner George Langley (also a retired guide) is a Fly Fisher of Muskies but good luck on finding him in the store once October hits. Bill Sherer has "We Tie It" in Boulder Junction is Muskie Fly fishermen and even has a DVD on the subject. The White Stag in Sugar Camp is a good place to eat. We used to eat at the Cookery in Sugar camp it turned into Laura's then Dee Dee's. Ex employee's kept buying it and keep it going. You will have a great time. |
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Posts: 19
Location: chicago | chuckski -- thanks!
i called bill but he and his crew are booked until eternity! i am now booked with howard bass at the recommendation of bill. fingers crossed.
last year, my dad and bro were up in 3 lakes...they showed up at white stag and it was closed that day because staff didn't show up...i guess it is that way. |
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| paul worsterberg - 9/10/2026 9:45 AM
chuckski -- thanks!
i called bill but he and his crew are booked until eternity! i am now booked with howard bass at the recommendation of bill. fingers crossed.
last year, my dad and bro were up in 3 lakes...they showed up at white stag and it was closed that day because staff didn't show up...i guess it is that way.
Moondance Bar & Grill in Sugar Camp has good food, good service. One of the few places that has fish fry on Thursday as well as Friday. Specials each day. |
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Posts: 1533
| And if you're looking for that classic supper club, buzz up to Eagle River. William's Pine Gables Supper Club has treated me well in the past. |
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Posts: 1732
Location: Brighton CO. | When I posted about Muskie Fly Shops I had one I'd seen earlier this Summer and could not find it for this post, well I found it and it was "The Muskie Fool Fly Shop in Minocqua" it went under on the 3 of September. As far as the White Stag I know from reading the obits one of the family who owns it passed so one less reliable employee in the work pool. I fish a lot of times late in the fall and a friend who I go with went earlier this year and stuff was still closed down anyway. We had problems finding places to eat in late October. |
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Posts: 19
Location: chicago | well, here to report back. thanks again for everyone who provided info. went out with a howard bass on thursday. threw flies mostly but did get a small ski follow when throwing a black bucktail with orange single blade. darted off at the boat.
friday morning had the best action but nothing to talk about. good activity in the morning--my bro got two nice follows, i had a small one on for a sec then unbuttoned at the boat. then after about noon, everything shut down including all through saturday. fishing not catching.
i jigged a size 12 nymph fly with an orange hotspot for about 3 min and got one of the nicest crappie i ever had and then 30 seconds later a nice smallie on the same. the 2 weight glass rod was just about at its breaking point.
i pulled into town around 6:30 and there was no place open to eat or buy food or beer. bad. but thanks to 32 south bar and grill i didn't go hungry. went there 2 more times for dinner. then we ate at the german themed restaurant in town on friday. the place was great. i splurged on a ribeye which was daaaaammmmnnnn good but $45! char on the outside grilled to perfection red on the inside.
sunset grill has new extended hours and had a couple meals there too. that place is nice.
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Posts: 1732
Location: Brighton CO. | Thanks for the report, we always joke about not wanting to know the unit cost on the fish we try to catch. Yes again what's open and a kings ransom for dinner, maybe for the next trip it's eating frozen Pizza, frozen Pasties, Potpie's and that type of thing in the cabin and only eat out a couple of times. And gas ??? |
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