So. I've watched a lot of keyes outdoors lately; all of their shows are online so i tend to fall asleep watching these since there is a vast majority online for free. i have seen more and more episodes of muskies in small river water systems and it makes me really second guess the river system at thornapple. I didnt think that there would really be that many muskies that would travel down the thornapple much past the first shallow spot on the river. I have fished that river system as a kid for smallmouths and would hole jump across hastings knowing that smallmouth would always be pooled up in these holes. i caught walleye and nothern also doing this but never muskie. i just didnt think that they would be there, and if there was one caught downtown at tyden park in hastings that it was something out of the norm. Am i wrong to believe this? I've read in the past that muskies are curious and will travel and they like there space from each other. have any of you pushed down thornapple before with success? i thought about trying it with my brother this spring but i dont want to waste valuable fishing hours if it is highly unlikely. i have somewhat of a unique advantage being so close to it's proximity that it sounds appealing but i dont want to waste the spring bite on something that we be viewed as a waste in your guys' minds. i filled up two tackle boxes of baits in the last 2 months. im counting down like a kid for christmas im so excited to fish this year, way more than last year. i see the weedlines and downed trees in my head when i close my eyes!
I've not so far caught or seen a confirmed muskie downstream past where we all go in our usual lake rigs. But it hasn't been that many trips in the jon-boat and kayak, and to me always worth it either way for the smallies and pike. My last visit I worked the small flowage looking area and up from it at that first small dam well down from Thorn, using muskie baits, determined to at least see one in that area. There's a decent little access for a small boat and I just had the kayak. I paddled up a few miles for the exercise and fished back slowly, an approach I force myself to do since I like to eat and drink a lot. I finally had the rush of a large esox at one point but it was a nice pike, not that I was complaining.
I've also ventured up from Thorn in the kayak a couple times, its full of downed timber and lots of work. There's some depth in the outside bends that I think would have potential, especially with the nice cooler water up there in mid-summer. But so far still no musky contact.
368
31
1 Guest(s)