2012 Musky Country Fishing Reports
Musky Country Outfitters - Hayward, WI Area Fly Fishing Report 2012
General Fishing Opener in Wisconsin Saturday, May 5th thru Friday, May 11 2012
Howdy Sportsfans
Musky Country Outfitters is proud to be writing the first Weekly Fly Fishing Report of 2012. We will be updating and publishing this report every Friday for the entire 2012 Open Water Season from our base of Operations - Historic Boulder Lodge on Ghost Lake in Sawyer County.
General conditions around Musky Country (Bayfield, Washburn, Sawyer, Douglas, Rusk and Chippewa Counties) for the last week of April and the first week of May 2012 have been typical following a very atypical spring. Historically early ice-out this March (a month early!) set a trend for unusual conditions that likely will play out for the entire season.
Water levels have benefitted from this past weeks precipitation. We had our first thunderstorm of the season here at Boulder Lodge on Wednesday morning as well as several other soaking rain showers. Area rivers all show stable or slightly rising flow levels at or above historic means. This is a positive trend that will provide favorable conditions for the following week.
Water temps are another matter! And at this time of the season more than any other - water temp is THE TRUMP CARD for fishing action. Warm water is key. And to fish a single degree fahrenheit move up is a significant deal. Remember - humans can sweat to cool off, we can add layers of clothes to warm up and we have the ability to regulate our comfort level in many ways.
Fish on the other hand are cold blooded and must deal with the conditions of their watery environment. Basically, if the water temps are dropping they will be in-active or neutral...if water temps are steady to rising their metabolism is increased and their activity level will also increase.
Understanding water level and temperature cycle and fluctuation is a very important part of interpreting what is going on with the object of our desire as anglers;)
In a nutshell here is what to look for this Opening Weekend. Shallow, dark stained lakes with soft, dark bottom composition and emerging weed growth will have the best temperature profile for this period. If you find yourself on a deeper, clear lake...seek out the shallow, darker, soft bottom areas with emerging weed growth.
Stream Trout and Lake Superior South Shore Tributaries
Musky Country trout streams are in excellent shape! Water levels and temperatures are near prime and the early catch and release trout season showed us a great deal of 10"-14" trout that were all in excellent condition along with some very impressive fish in the 16" and up to 21" range coming to net with diligent effort.
Early morning and late afternoon/evening will be your best bets should we have sunny/clear conditions - especially for larger trout. Anglers fishing streamer patterns - muddler minnows, clousers and traditional bucktails such as the black nosed dace and micky finn are moving plenty of fish.
Overcast days will offer up good opportunities for mid day activity. Look for both mayfly and caddis fly hatch activity from late morning until dusk. Surface feeding has been steady for the dry fly lover - a number of #14-#16 dark mayflies have been emerging and #12-#16 grey caddis have been hatching as well.
Nymphs such as the pheasant tail nymph, gold ribbed hairs ear and similar generic representations have all been effective. Soft hackle flies such as the partridge and peacock and partridge and pheasant swung properly have really been the ticket. Dry flies like the Adams, Dark Hendrickson and Comparadun all have taken top oriented trout when drifted carefully.
South Shore Lake Superior Tributaries such as the Brule and the Sioux still have plenty of post-spawn lake run rainbows available. These drop-back fish will slowly migrate out of the river system back to Lake Superior and feed heavily to restock their energy reserves after their reproductive cycle. Anglers fishing big, black stone fly imitations such as a #4 brooks stone deeply in and around wood cover are getting bent.
Panfish
Normally easy spring panfishing has been anything but this spring in Musky Country. That's all about to change! Look for the big movements of crappie into the shallow water areas to happen any day. Anglers have been finding small numbers of crappie and bluegill starting to migrate from deeper/open water into the shallows in preparation for the upcoming spawn.
Watch for the surface activity of schooling panfish on calm days - these disturbances will show you where the fish are schooling. On windy days seek out the warm water and soft dark bottom areas adjacent to deep water access for the high percentage bet.
Small streamers in white, pink and olive have all been excellent producers when the panfish are IN. The always trusty #8 or #10 wooly bugger in standard and bead head is really all an angler needs in a variety of colors for this early season panfish assault.
Bass
Early Catch & Release Bass season is upon us here in Musky Country up until the third weekend in June. Please respect the resource and use single barbless hooks for quick and healthy release!
Lake largemouth bass have been active in the shallows in the evening period chasing minnows and small panfish. A #4 clouser minnow in white/olive is just a great fly to target these early lake bass.
For the real bass action this Opener fly anglers should seek out the river smallmouth. The fish are pre-spawn and HEAVY and Hungry this time of the season. Again, water temps will be the key to finding active fish...and as always find the bait and you will find the bronzebacks. Crayfish and minnow patterns fished deeply in and around rapids are money combinations in early May.
Look for more bass reports and analysis in next weeks Musky Country Outfitters Area Fly Fishing Report as we will have had a chance to actually target these fish for a spell!
Toothy Critters - Walleye, Pike, Musky
Two of the big three toothy critters will now be in play in Musky Country. Walleye and northern pike season opens - REMEMBER - MUSKY SEASON is not open until May 26! MCO guides recommend that conservation minded anglers utilize only single barbless flies when targeting all predator fish at least until the Musky Opener.
Walleye fishing in lakes will be a crap shoot. Of all the Musky Country species walleye are the most impacted by the early ice-off and unstable temperature increase over the past six weeks. Consensus is that nearly all of the spawning went off early but the up and down temperature cycle has kept things very interesting. Do not rule out spawning fish this opener...but do not count on them either!
Look for lake walleye to be adjacent to the migrating panfish populations...on the deeper edges and off the first major drop off near - you guessed it - warm, dark, shallow structure! Fish deep and slow with the clouser minnow in black and silver and black and copper bouncing the bottom often and slowly lifting and dropping the fly in the lower 3 feet of the water column.
River walleye should be right in there with the smallmouth bass! Making for a nice mixed catch situation.
Northern Pike might just be the best action bet for the early season warm water angler. Pike are super active right now in the shallow waters of both rivers and lakes. There is not a better time of the year to target a big Uscg pike than right now.
Again, find the bait and the warmer water temperatures and the water wolf will be close at hand! Watch the shallow shoreline areas for explosions as pike school up small panfish and baitfish and attack. Fly rod anglers can make hay this Opener with any Musky Country Outfitters predator streamer patterns - river pigs and hang time optic minnows are SUPERIOR!
Misc. Observations and WhatNot
Full Moon is observed on Saturday, May 5. This could have an impact on fish movement if weather conditions remain stable. Moon Rise on Saturday is 8:14 pm and Moon Set is 5:10am (Sunday) making the hour prior and post to each observance a good bet to be in your hot spot!
Coincidentally the Sun Rise and Sun Set times for Saturday, May 5 and Sunday May 6 are 8:20 pm and 5:45am respectively. For those who believe in the power of the opposing orbs on the horizon this is a cross-over moon/sun occurrence and is a situation worth checking out! MCO guides are mixed in their allegiance to these observances fyi...but this writer would put some money down based on personal experience if he was a bettin' man;)
For the latest updates on the Hayward Wisconsin Fly Fishing action please visit - www.MuskyCountryOutfitters or our Facebook page under Musky Country Outfitters!
Best of Luck in 2012
Musky Country Fly Fishing Report - Week 2
Musky Country Outfitters - Hayward, WI Area Fly Fishing Report - Friday, May 11th thru Thursday, May 17 2012
Howdy Sportsfans
Musky Country (Bayfield, Washburn, Sawyer, Douglas, Rusk and Chippewa Counties) was in prime form for the opening week of the General Season. This past week saw major precipitation in the headwaters of the Namekagon/Chippewa/Flambeau watersheds. Area water temps in still and moving water systems have continued to increase - a trend key to fish activity. Both feeding and spawning behavior are heavily influenced by a steady increasing temperature profile at this point in the season.
Area rivers all went up to at least bank full capacity for several days mid-week and have now crested and are coming back into mean-flow levels. The water table is now fully charged across the territory and will provide excellent conditions for the coming week unless we experience more significant rainfall (which is in the forecast).
Stream Trout and Lake Superior South Shore Tributaries
Musky Country trout streams are in excellent shape! Water levels and temperatures are prime - setting the table for long trout feeding windows and the possibility of daytime surface feeding situations.
Early morning and late afternoon/evening will be your best bets should we have sunny/clear conditions - especially for larger trout. Anglers fishing streamer patterns - muddler minnows, clousers and traditional bucktails such as the black nosed dace and micky finn are moving plenty of fish.
Overcast days will offer up good opportunities for mid day activity. Look for both mayfly and caddis fly hatch activity from late morning until dusk. Surface feeding has been steady for the dry fly lover - a number of #14-#16 dark mayflies have been emerging and #12-#16 grey caddis have been hatching as well.
Nymphs such as the pheasant tail nymph, gold ribbed hairs ear and similar generic representations have all been effective. Soft hackle flies such as the partridge and peacock and partridge and pheasant swung properly have really been the ticket. Dry flies like the Adams, Dark Hendrickson and Comparadun all have taken top oriented trout when drifted carefully. Hard to find Klinkhammer style dry flies are excellent at this time of the season.
South Shore Lake Superior Tributaries - the Brule still has post-spawn lake run rainbows available and water levels have been near optimum. These drop-back fish will slowly migrate out of the river system back to Lake Superior and feed heavily to restock their energy reserves after their reproductive cycle. Anglers fishing big, black stone fly imitations such as a #4 brooks stone deeply in and around wood cover are getting bent. Swinging the big water in the lower river in the Pacific Northwest style is a very good bet this week.
Panfish
Crappie have been on again/off again all week around Musky Country. The continued cold overnight air temperatures and variable sunlight periods have fish moving in and out of shallow spawning related areas daily. Anglers finding the right time and place have been reporting excellent catches of pre-spawn fish up to 14".
Bluegill anglers have been fairing very well throughout the entire region. Large schools of pre-spawn fish are surface oriented and readily available.
Watch for the surface activity of schooling panfish on calm days - these disturbances will show you where the fish are schooling. On windy days seek out the warm water and soft dark bottom areas adjacent to deep water access for the high percentage bet.
Small and natural offerings have been the ticket as well as numerous wet-fly classics that might normally be found on a trout leader.
Bass
Early Catch & Release Bass season is upon us here in Musky Country until the third weekend in June. Please respect the resource and use single barbless hooks for quick and healthy release!
Lake largemouth bass have been active in the shallows in the evening period chasing minnows and small panfish. A #4 clouser minnow in white/olive is just a great fly to target these early lake bass.
River smallmouth bass action has been excellent. Smallmouth are pre-spawn and very active mid-day. Slack water edges near wood and rock structure adjacent to heavy current has had bass swarming streamer patterns. Active feeding fish have also been located in heavy rapid sections featuring a deep hole near the tailout. This bucket water is key for the entire pre-spawn period which should last the next couple of weeks.
Musky Country Outfitters recommends minnow patterns in natural colors mimicking sucker minnows, shiner minnows and river chubs.
Toothy Critters - Walleye, Pike, Musky
REMEMBER - MUSKY SEASON is not open until May 26! MCO guides recommend that conservation minded anglers utilize only single barbless flies when targeting all predator fish at least until the Musky Opener.
Walleye in area rivers have been actively feeding on small sucker minnows, chubs and shiners. A deep and slow presentation keeping the fly in the bottom foot of the water column has been key.
Look for lake walleye to be adjacent to the migrating panfish populations...on the deeper edges and off the first major drop off near - you guessed it - warm, dark, shallow structure! Fish deep and slow with the clouser minnow in black and silver and black and copper bouncing the bottom often and slowly lifting and dropping the fly in the lower 3 feet of the water column.
Northern Pike might just be the best action bet for the early season warm water angler. Pike are super active right now in the shallow waters of both rivers and lakes. There is not a better time of the year to target a big UGLY(beautiful) pike than right now.
Again, find the bait and the warmer water temperatures and the water wolf will be close at hand! Watch the shallow shoreline areas for explosions as pike school up small panfish and baitfish and attack. Fly rod anglers can make hay this Opener with any Musky Country Outfitters predator streamer patterns - river pigs and hang time optic minnows are SUPERIOR!
Misc. Observations and WhatNot
Fiddlehead fern season was peak this week. Leaf out occured throughout Musky Country bringing a new look to the forests - THINK GREEN! The first voracious mosquitos hatched in force time for DEET;) Lots of black bear sightings this week. Whitetail buck deer and bull elk are showing developing antlers now. Canadian goose goslings are ripe for the picking in the musky waters...
For the latest updates on the Hayward Wisconsin Fly Fishing action please visit - www.MuskyCountryOutfitters or our Facebook page under Musky Country Outfitters!
Best of Luck in 2012
