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Testimonial

Musky Road Rules: The Cave Run Seminar - March 16, 17, 18, 2007

I attended the class offered by Tony Grant, Gregg Thomas, and special guest Scott Salchli at the Mountain Muskie Lodge in Frenchburg, Kentucky. Cave Run and I have had a long love / hate relationship, and it was my belief that attending this school would refine my skills as a muskie fisherman and help me crack-the-code of catching fish at Cave Run. I was certainly not disappointed.

In general, the school was well-organized and well-run. The school consisted of four hours of classroom instruction on Friday afternoon, an evening of fishing, then morning and evening seminars Saturday and a Sunday morning class. Instructors Tony Grant and Gregg Thomas prepared a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation and each attendee received a color handbook that is filled with text, photos, and illustrative diagrams.

Gregg and Tony very obviously love their job and the sport of muskie fishing (maybe being a PMTT Top Gun has something to do with this?). They are both very, very good at what they do. I've met pro fishermen who can run circles around the rest of us fishing, but can't seem to explain how and why they succeed; these two know their craft and their at-ease manner of speaking makes learning the subject all the more pleasurable. I never got the feeling we were being 'spoken down-to', and there was no question too dumb to answer.

Now, I also have to give 'props' to Scott. He is by-far one of the best milfoil muskie fishermen east of the Mississippi, and the information he provided was presented simply and effectively. Knowledge levels in the class ranged from those of us who have been fishing muskie for several years, to a first timer (this gentleman did get his first fish during this course). To enhance learning and increase chances of success, the class is structured so local muskie pros are factored into the presentations, providing lake-specific pointers and tips. Since all three presenters are Kentucky natives who have years of experience at Cave Run, I was able to learn a lot about the lake and it's various moods and quirks.

OK, let's be honest about the fishing conditions before I delve into the course materials! Scheduling a fishing class for springtime in North Central Kentucky is a risky proposition, at best. March Madness can range from Muskies-Gone-Wild to Muskies-Hunkered-Down. After a harsh end to a cold, frozen winter, an early spring warm-up got the big fish moving: a 52 incher was caught earlier in the week, along with several fish in the high-40 inch range. Just as the bite was picking up, a major cold front sat down on us. Seventy degree days quickly gave way to spits of snow Friday evening as we went out on the lake. Howling, icy winds added to the mix. We wore a lot of clothes, and not a lot of fish were boated. Big Fish was a 37 incher on a rattle bait, and everyone was pleased that Gregg was able to bring a first muskie to his client while trolling.

Instructors reviewed lake-specific information with us, including lake size, forage fish, and some 'local color'. Topics presented seemed a first blush to be very basic: how to cast, trolling techniques, tackle and equipment, and the inevitable spot about Rattle Baits. It was the level of detail, though, that kept us all in our seats listening and learning. Personally, I get into fishing routines and habits that are not always productive - everyone does! New twists, different perspectives kept me taking notes. Some equipment that I'd never seen before - Twilly Tips for wire line trolling rods, and a Frabill net with the LED spotlight at the yoke, to mention two - gave us exposure to new technology.

Lake hot spots and spring patterns were reviewed. Printed diagrams with a 'Cast Analysis' gave us new perspectives on casting options. Casting vertical timber has always been a sore point for me, the zig-zag pattern suggested in the course was certainly an eye-opener to this fisherman. Feeding times (windows) included a discussion about sun and moon rise and set times for the weekend. As predicted, some of the fish caught were within those time brackets!

Perhaps one of the most overlooked subjects in previous seminars I've attended has been how to take good photographs of your catch. On a personal note, my personal best muskie was documented with what is probably my personal worst pose. Tony has a rubber muskie that made for an excellent model for practicing holds and demonstrating camera angles and distances. Grips, stances, holds, and release shots were discussed thoroughly, since everyone wants to take home a trophy shot of their catch.

Netting and unhooking large and often frisky fish can turn a great day into a disaster if not done properly. Slides, workbook photos, and live demonstrations (no, we didn't get Tony in the net!) provided memorable teaching moments. Release techniques to ensure the survival of the fish were reviewed. Stress on the fish must be minimized for a successful end to the cast-catch-release process. The instructors were most insightful, and their enthusiasm for the subject was both apparent and contagious.

I can't end this piece without discussing the food, accommodations, and hospitality. We ate like kings (in the lady's case, like a queen) and were treated like royalty. The money charged for this event was not small change, but was a value, nonetheless. Lunch - both at the lodge and carry-out for the boat, bountiful breakfasts both days, and two large dinners (including t-bone steaks grilled to perfection!) were included in the package along with sleeping rooms and some sponsor's baits. Our hosts were gracious and generous with their friendship and knowledge. And, while The Cave continued my reputation as 'One Fish Mikie' (I've caught one in many, many outings here) I know much more than I did before about how to fish for these crazy muskies.

Mike Moschell

Athens, Ohio