What to Expect/Timeline

Expect to be fishing from my Stealthcraft Hooligan raft or my RO Skiff Driftboat most of the day . There may be spots you want to get out and wade fish as well but the vast majority of the time will be float fishing. I will use two local southern Wisconsin rivers for Musky and both are larger rivers ranging approximately three to four lanes to give you some perspective. You will be fishing from the boat and I will position the boat to give the angler(s) the best advantage for nailing the appropriate cast. Because these fish are challenging to catch, a cast of 30 feet and longer is advantageous as well as a solid cross body backcast is helpful. We will fish almost exclusively streamers and occasionally topwater frogs depending on the time of year and what the fish are feeding on. George will choose a location that offers the best conditions for that day, including weather, water levels, and proximity.

Here is a general timeframe, however, times are subject to change depending on location, season, and conditions.

• 8:00 Arrival, meet/greet, and gear up/shuttle vehicles
• 8:30 Begin float and fishing
• 12:00 Noon 30 minute Lunch Break
• 5:00 End fishing, unpack/load raft and shuttle vehicles

About the Trip

George and the client(s) will meet at an arranged location depending on the river and section we will be fishing. We can meet for breakfast or at the river. George will have the boat ready to float but some locations require client(s) to help carry gear or drag the boat. George will be on the oars all day positioning the boat for the client(s) to nail the appropriate cast. If two clients are fishing, then they will rotate between the bow seat and the back seat to provide equal opportunity from both spots. We will target the outer banks, structure and what George calls “pockets”. It's all about nailing the cast so George will advise and suggest spots to put the fly. We will also put more attention to certain spots on the river where musky like to feed. These spots will often have many rough fish like suckers and carp.

This trip is not recommended for beginners since it involves casting large flies on a 10 weight rod and having to cover distance as well. However, for the beginner fly fisher who wants to do a musky float trip, George will modify the day to include about an hour of instruction before we launch. George will provide instructional tips and casting help throughout the day and wading some parts can be quite helpful for the beginner so expect to get out of the boat. Expect to get help, guidance, and instruction throughout the day, with the goal of learning the art of fly fishing and also catching fish.

The two rivers we will fish are located in southern Wisconsin and provide miles of high quality musky water with good numbers of fish. We will also have opportunities to target pike and smallmouth bass so we can downsize the flies and get some bass into the net as well. No matter what river or section of river, expect to get some high quality shots at musky with the goal of landing this elusive fish. Trophy musky over the 50” mark are lurking in these rivers. Both rivers also contain high numbers of Pike and we can also target those with similar flies and a bite wire tippet for these toothy critters. Northern Pike up to 40” live in these rivers and can provide an amazing strike and fight on a fly rod.

*Waiver & Release of Liability Claims and Assumption of Risk Acknowledgement

All patrons of In the Flow Fly Fishing Guide Service must complete the waiver form before the beginning of any fishing trip. I hereby acknowledge that participating in fishing activities presents a risk of personal injury, death, and damage or loss of personal property which may result from, but is not limited to the following: fishing bodies of water; boarding and un-boarding of watercrafts; natural hazards including, but not limited to, lightning storms and other adverse weather conditions, domestic or wild animals, fires, travel either on foot or in a vehicle in unfamiliar terrain or over fences and other structures, artificial and natural obstructions, and unimproved roads as well as traveling in company owned vehicles. I hereby acknowledge and recognize the existence of these risks, and ASSUME ALL RISKS COMPLETELY, and agree that I SHALL HOLD HARMLESS AND TAKE NO ACTIONS OR SUITS, FOR DEBTS, DUES, SUMS OF MONEY, CLAIMS OR DEMANDS WHATSOEVER AT LAW OR IN EQUITY against In the Flow Fly Fishing Guide Service and its owners, agents, and employees, his or her heirs, executors, assigns, administrators, property or other guides or aides for injury, death, property damage or loss associated with relating to or arising from those risks enumerated above or otherwise that occur while I am participating in any stage of a fishing package trip(s) with said guide or charter service. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless released parties from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or my use of In the Flow Fly Fishing Guide Service’s equipment, including any such claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of released parties. Should In The Flow Fly Fishing Guide Service, or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. This means that I will pay all of those attorney’s fees and costs myself. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage that I may cause of suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition that I may have. I understand and acknowledge that by signing this document that I have given up certain legal rights and/or possible claims, which I might otherwise assert or maintain against In The Flow Fly Fishing Guide Service and its owners, agents, officers and employees. These rights are specifically, but not limited to, rights arising from claims or demands for acts of omissions or negligence in any degree of In The Flow Fly Fishing Guide Service, their guides, aides and all other related persons or entities. Under no circumstances will In The Flow Fly Fishing Guide Service and/or its owners, agents, and employees be held liable for damages in excess of the price of the price of the trip. I understand that this contract reflects our entire agreement and that my signature indicates that I have read and understand this document and that I have signed this document of my own free will. I understand that this waiver applies to any and all trips I participate in with In The Flow Fly Fishing Guide Service and its owners, agents, and employees. I further state that I am of lawful age to sign this release and waiver agreement or that I am signing it on behalf of a minor for whom I am legally responsible. If signing for a minor you are legally responsible for, please sign again below.

For a print out of the Waiver & Release of Liability Claims and Assumption of Risk Acknowledgement click here.