Last Thursday, Sean and his brother, Nathan, were ready to give the little ship a water check. They launched at Long Point State Park Marina, one of their favorite fishing spots throughout their entire lives, and Sean shared with his brother that they were going to target muskies just for the fun of it.

Trolling from the marina to the end of Long Point on the lake, they rounded the corner of the point and deployed a 6-inch Rapala in pink/purple color, with three black polka dots. Using a simple open-face spinning reel loaded with 30-pound braid tied to a barrel swivel, and with a 12-inch black wire leader looped from the other end of the swivel to the lure, they headed for the long sloping bottom of the lake just off the Long Point beach bath house. The 30-pound braid was chosen for its strength and durability, while the 12-inch black wire leader was used to prevent the musky’s sharp teeth from cutting the line.

At 9:30 a.m., the unexpected happened. A monstrous musky took the bait.

“It was a battle to bring the fish alongside the boat,” Sean said. “I was using a 7-foot Ugly Stick medium-action, medium-power fishing rod, but she did eventually tire out, and we were able to get her into the boat for a picture. Both of us were joking about catching a musky, but when it actually happened, we were over the moon. It was just my turn for a date with Ole Toothy.”

Photo courtesy of Mike Sperry Chautauqua Reel Outdoors is preparing for a good stretch of musky fishing that typically starts the first week of August.

Sean shared the thrilling news with his grandfather, and it was one of those rare moments that fishing gifts us.

Congratulations to Sean and his brother.

Over the weekend, noted Chautauqua Lake musky guide Mike Sperry shared a message from his Chautauqua Reel Outdoors Guide and Tackle Shop.

“We normally enter into a good stretch of musky fishing starting the first week of August, and we’re gearing up at the store,” Sperry said. “Red Dog spinner baits, Medusas and lots of other musky tackle is on hand.”

Sperry’s shop is located right at the Ashville Bay Marina off Route 394.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Aug. 1-2: 20th annual Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tourney — Dunkirk Harbor; three fish per bag/per day, two days; Contact Chris Surma: csurmy@yahoo.com. Captain’s meeting, July 31 at NCCC.

Aug. 2: Rattlesnake Hill Public Land Work Day w/NYSDEC, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., habitat improvement, lunch provided (free), Info: Megan Postel, email: megan@deerassociation.com. Email for meeting location.

Aug. 4-5: VIP Lake Erie Experience, Meet/Greet Aug. 4 evening — by invitation only, https://comefishlakeerie.com. Info: ELECBA President: Capt. Jim Steel at 716-481-5348.

Aug. 7-8: Cabela’s National Walleye Tour Qualifier event, Dunkirk Harbor. Professional angler TV event. Weigh-in events are open to the public. Visit www.outdoorteamworks.com.