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I Resolve To Catch A...
I always like to make one of my New Year's resolutions catching a species of fish (on the fly) that I'd never caught before. It usually turns out to be the only resolution I actually keep. This was a particularly good year, because I added sea-run brown trout, sabalos (South American ocean fish) and freshwater dorado to the list. Next year, I'm thinking it will have to be something less exotic.
I've never caught a muskie on a fly. Maybe muskies should be my 2009 fish. But where's the best place for muskies on a fly?
Maybe crappie would be better. Because for as crappy as the 2008 economy has been, I think it would be appropriate to just plain set out to make 2009 a "crappie" year. "I'm going to have a crappie year in 2009, dammit, and nobody's going to get in my way." Hmmm. Maybe not. Any ideas for what my fish for next year should be?
Have you though about your 2009 "resolution" fish?
Deeter
Midnight Brown on a mouse pattern is a shared goal for the coming year with a buddy.
Posted by: ninja | November 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM
What he said.
Posted by: Stebe | November 19, 2008 at 10:29 AM
How about a channel cat? In the summer I catch quite a few on local rivers.
It's a lot of fun, I just wade up and down the river with a five-weight, drifting hopper patterns through holes and along undercut banks.
Now that I mention it, you've probably already done that.
This year, though, I'm going to catch a white bass (sand bass to us Okies) on a fly rod. I've never done it but I always thought it'd be a blast.
Posted by: Chad Love | November 19, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Its a toss up between some sort of Billfish and a Tarpon.
Posted by: flyfishergirl | November 19, 2008 at 01:39 PM
I can tell ya where to find some Michigan muskies on a fly. If you get up this way, let me know. I'd say it's a better time than a fall steelhead on the Muskegon river.
Posted by: A. Moeggenborg | November 19, 2008 at 02:32 PM
For me, it's winter run Great Lakes steelhead. I need heavier flyfishing equipment before going for our king salmon.
Try Lake St. Clair (Michigan) for muskies. Here's a link to an article by a local guide service:
http://lakestclairflyfishing.com/fly_fishing_for_musky.html
Posted by: Mike | November 19, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Not a hard one for me since I've never caught anything but trout...thinking bonefishing for birthday would be great!
Posted by: Kara | November 19, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Atlantic Salmon with Saltwater Grand Slam to round things out.
Finishing it all off with some BC Steel...
Posted by: Jeff | November 19, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Thanks Mike. If I hook that up, want to go along?
Posted by: KD | November 19, 2008 at 02:58 PM
I keep the dorado addiction...
Posted by: Rodrigo | November 19, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Sea run stripers on the Delware River.
Posted by: Koldkut | November 19, 2008 at 03:45 PM
I keep the dorado addiction...
Posted by: Rodrigo | November 19, 2008 at 03:47 PM
I resolve to catch: A fish
Posted by: Evan V | November 19, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Deeter, I might take you up on that! Careful, though - Lake St. Clair can be addicting - besides the fish, there's the bikinis. Plan on a "side" trip to the Au Sable River for brook and brown trout (hex hatch is late June/early July).
Mike
Posted by: Mike | November 19, 2008 at 03:55 PM
I was up in Wisconsin all last week for Musky.
Caught one Musky out of Sand lake on a drifted sucker. Did not get any action on the fly, but got a nice Northern on a buck tail out of the weeds.
It was a constant 27 degrees and windy in Birchwood near Lake Chetac where we were staying. Casting a huge streamer on the 10 weight all day was all I could do to try to keep warm, being the desert rat that I am.
So, Musky is still on the wish list, but I think that this year I will resolve to get my big butt down to Costa Rica... try to catch a rooster fish. They just look so darn cool.
-A
Posted by: Fat Guy Alex | November 19, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Another thought: I'm going down on the Red River this summer to fish for alligator gar. I'm specifically trying for at least a 75lb fish.
I hadn't thought about trying that with a fly rod but I think I just might. I think that would be a blast, but it means I'd have to buy a (much) bigger fly rod...
Posted by: Chad Love | November 19, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Look up Brad Bohan in cheeseland..he guides strictly fly drifting WI rivers unknown. Matter of fact its on my list as well. Can you say ESOX
Posted by: M.T.E. | November 19, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Smoky Mountain Brookie........we make an annual pilmagrage every spring but never seem to get up high enough in the Park to get into Brookies. Would very much like to try a Smoky Slam, 'Bow, Brown, and Brookie in the same day, maybe the same stream?!?
Posted by: Wags | November 19, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Hey Deeter, i want to get a brown on a fly, or a muskie... but
MY REAL goal is to get a chanct to beat you in a fly match on you're home rivers.
Posted by: Alex Pernice the fly rod winner | November 19, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Okay tough guy...
Posted by: KD | November 19, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Newton Reservoir in northern Utah is a great little lake for getting a musky on a fly. Mid-April is the best time, when they are cruising the shorelines. Plus, its not too far from Colorado.
I would like to hook into a tiger trout.
Posted by: summit creek lures | November 19, 2008 at 07:40 PM
reds and specks on the louisiana coast
Posted by: jerry k | November 19, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Lol Deeter, you would win, I don't trout fish but it would be fun anyways.
Posted by: Alex Pernice the fly rod winner | November 19, 2008 at 08:29 PM
A Large Mouth over 12lbs!
Posted by: TJB | November 20, 2008 at 05:30 PM
muskie on a fly, up here at St. Lawrence University I have a real shot this year of getting one.
Posted by: michael pepi | November 20, 2008 at 09:00 PM