The trip to Hayward last week certainly changed my muskie fortunes. Although I didn't land any whoppers, I was treated well in the land of cheese and muskies. Each time I visit northern Wisconsin I am impressed with the resource and the vast, unspoiled country. I had the pleasure of fishing with Brad Bohen of Musky Country Outfitters and Blane Chocklett of New Angle Fishing Co. Both are top notch fly fishing muskie guides and true professionals. As I was leaving western New Yorkers Justin Damude and Nate Carr arrived in Hayward to fish in the Musky Fly Fishing World Championship and placed 2nd out of 25 teams. It looks like a great event and I plan to participate in 2014. The next month can provide the opportunity to take a true trophy muskie. 

I have definitely had more luck catching pike this year than old Mister Muskie. Here is pike and a mouth full of fly from a trip last week. Jack Hanrahan took this photo which captures the teeth and eyes of a predator. I am head to Wisconsin tomorrow to chase muskie with Brad Bohen and Blane Chocklett. I hoping to turn things around even though Mother Nature promises to make it rough.

The Fall 2013 issue of the new on-line magazine Swing the Fly - The Voice of Spey is now live. Check it out at www.swingthefly.com. The vision of the magazine is to support the growing number of Spey casting and swung fly enthusiasts. 

Even though it didn't feel much like autumn in the northeast today, the time is upon us. I enjoy the early portion of the steelhead run because the fishing pressure is usually a bit lower. But it is the opportunity to intersect a chrome, silver fish fresh from the lake that excites me about late September and early October. Today I met up with Mark Myott to swing up some aggressive fish. The fish pictured here took a black and purple marabou that showed up well in the water that was stained by overnight rains. The bump of water had some fish on the move. The action probably would have been better if water temperatures didn't push up into the high 60s by noon. I am looking forward for the weather to start feeling more seasonal.