Another season opener has arrived and it is one of my favs: The musky season opener. Actually, if you know the right people you can have two musky openers. The first is the Wisconsin Southern Zone which is basically everything south of State Highway 10. That season opened on May 7, along with the inland fishing season. The Northern Season opened on May 27.   

To celebrate the southern opener, I was the guest of Captain Justin Durand. He is neither a captain nor is his last name Durand. I gave him that title because we fished from his boat which meant that he drove, and he lives in Durand. Justin is a very capable net man and he catches more fish in my boat than I do in his. I’m not sure if that statement says more about his fishing talent or my guiding ability, or vice versa.   

Before moving forward, here is the 411 on fishing early season muskies. Prior to hitting the water, expectations are not very high in terms of dealing with fish because by and large, the fish just aren’t that active early on. Yes, you can still boat fish, but my historical batting average tells me not to get too excited about catching one. There is still cause for celebration because I’m throwing big lures after such a long layoff and in the immortal words of Lloyd Christmas: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.” 

I wish that I could now transition into a great musky battle story, but it didn’t happen on this day. The muskies remained elusive, but I was still grateful to be on the chase. No matter, there would be more productive outings and soon. 

When the northern season opened, I was Captain and Justin jumped into my boat. We hit the water again with tempered enthusiasm. Even with the odds being long it was still a great morning. We were one of the few boats on the water allowing us the simple pleasure of a quiet, peaceful lake. That in itself is worth the effort of getting up so early. 

The day wasn’t much to talk about in terms of muskies but there is always time to talk about new lures and gear. Throwing new lures and hoping the latest and greatest will become the new all-time-favorite by catching the new all-time-biggest personal record. Again, this is where I wish I had a great musky catch to close but that simply did not happen. 

To make a long fishless story shorter, the muskies just didn’t cooperate but there were two distinct catches on both openers: ME!! Those big slimy brutes got me hooked for another season.  

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