2021 Kayak Musky Re-cap and 2022 Primer

Today marks the first day of spring, and for Musky nuts, that can only mean one thing. The countdown is ON!

Personally, I’m getting the itch bigtime! (Seeing some nice Kayak Muskies already being caught by our southern Neighbors, certainly doesn’t help.)
I had a decent season last year, placing second in the Kayak Musky Challenge and exploring some new water. I fished some beautiful sections of both the Ottawa and Madawaska Rivers (fortunate to live within a 20 min drive of each).

Our Kayak Musky group continued the tradition of an October Musky meet-up on the outskirts of Arnprior, Ontario. Nine anglers fished the Classic Fall Musky conditions of cold, wet, and wind. The group landed four Muskies in total, with double that number of follows and lost fish. We hope to continue the Kayak Musky meet-up again this year. Can we go three years in a row without a skunk? https://www.facebook.com/groups/460148457940463/

I also took a trip Algonquin Park during the prime Musky season. I was very fortunate to fish with James and Wil on their home Musky Lake (It was like having two personal guides). I’d go as far as to say this overnight camping adventure was EPIC thanks to a billion-star night sky, cold pints, awesome food, misty mornings, and feisty fish! Doyle Smith took some wicked shots for a record of the experience. https://youtu.be/iG-QbqOjJ_E

One can only hope that the upcoming season tops the previous. Although that may be hard to do, I’m looking forward to the Musky dreams that could come true in ’22. I’m Already signed up for the Kayak Musky Challenge. My reels have been serviced. I was gifted new leaders for Christmas (thanks mom). Buying a rod for Father’s Day (thanks kids). A few new Musky tubes just arrived in the mail https://bassmagnetlures-waterwolflures.com/product-category/water-wolf/tubes-water-wolf/. And my fresh JK Coosa is being born in Tennessee any day now. I’ll pick up some rigging accessories from Frontenac Outfitters, and I should be ready to go by opener (June 6). https://www.frontenacoutfitters.com/

This will be my third year specifically targeting the Muskellunge. I’ve only scratched the surface in trying to figure these fish out. However, I am very aware of the type of tools needed, size of the net, and proper CPR techniques. It is quite amazing how many kayak anglers already know this. The ‘pioneers’ of Kayak Musky fishing have been targeting these Apex predators for almost a decade, all the while educating us newbies. Other kayak anglers who may be targeting the species for the first time, are fortunate to have a ton of internet resources, including videos on how to quickly photo and release a Queen from a kayak. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxG_iXiqHl4

Outside of kayak fishing, excellent Musky research has been published by Dr. Sean Lansman from my alma matter Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario). His extensive Esox Masquinongy studies from telemetry to the effects of angling on fish mortality (I was quite surprised how low it is). https://carleton.ca/isap/people/sean-landsman/

Cheers to a great Musky season in 2022.! Stay safe and healthy release of the Skiis! http://www.ianglertournament.com/2022-kayak-musky-challenge