This 42 inch 22 pound Tiger Muskie was taken on a size 2 Whitlocks near nuff crayfish. On my walks home from school I often find myself scanning the water usually for trout or grass carp, but on this balmy summer day I encountered this beast sunning in the shallows off of a steep embankment of about 15 or 20 feet. I figured if I was going to have a shot, it was now. After hastily assembling my rod, I double hauled the farthest cast I could muster and miraculously I put it about 6 feet offshore of her, and about 2 feet in front of her nose. I gave a couple quick strips to get the fly into her vision. She willingly sped forward, and after seeing her tail flare up, I knew I was in for the ride of my life. After a quick pop, she hit it, I set the hook and she took off. I slid down the embankment, struggling to keep the line taut and waded out to my chest to keep as little distance between the fish and myself. The fight was surprisingly brief, about 20 minutes, but she pulled hard and when I got her close the first few times she tail walked and got me soaking wet. Wet and weary, I finally managed to drag my coup de grace into my arms. The intense shimmering colors, and those big yellow eyes are rivaled by nothing. After trying to revive her for about 15 minutes I knew she just didn't have the strength to go back. I dragged her back to our family restaurant, Willow Creek, wrapped her up and called a taxidermist. I'll see that fish again any day now, and I'll have a great story to tell anyone who sees her hanging above the bar.
It is refreshing to see our youth getting into fly fishing. Especially when it requires such patience. Great job Greysen!!
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