Ontario's Muskie Artisans
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing|Summer 2018

There is something inherently different about those whose passion lies in the pursuit of muskellunge. True, it is the king of freshwater gamefish, and maybe it is for that reason it takes a special breed of angler to catch them on a regular basis - if such a statement actually applies to this unique fish which, at times, suffers from a most selective palate, causing anglers no end of frustration. But sometimes it is the greatest of challenges that can bring out the greatest in creativity. This article is about six special Ontario anglers who, in a sense, are firstly artists and secondly anglers. Patiently they toil away in their basement workshops or garages, working by hand to turn wood into smooth, streamlined shapes that come alive in an underwater world. Painted with rich, vibrant colours they can deceive the skeptical eyes of even the savviest of muskies. They are Ontario’s muskie artisans.

Mark Forabosco
Ontario's Muskie Artisans

Frank Thurston

Frank Thurston comes across as a man with a calming wisdom. Growing up in Niagara, his love affair with fishing began at an early age. A craftsman who takes great pride in building baits, one would think Frank was an old salt with years of experience behind him. I was surprised, to say the least, when he informed me that he had been making his handsome lures for only a couple of years.

“I use cedar and run a through-wire design for the body, a loop hook hanger for the trebles and heavy gauge Lexan lips,” Frank said about his bait design.

Frank is very meticulous in his approach, applying two coats of protectant/sealer before and three more after the lure is painted in a way best described as “precision perfection”.

“The first muskie I ever landed on my lures was 42-inches, on Pigeon Lake. The largest came out of Lake St. Clair by a friend, a bulky fall fish pushing 40-pounds. The perch pattern puts lots of fish in the boat, but my favourite is purple and yellow.”

Frank attributes much of his lures’ success to their slow, thumping movement that makes it easier for muskies to detect with their lateral line. Thursty Lures, as they are commonly called in muskie circles, average nine-inches in length and dive between 12 and 15-feet. Frank is humble when it comes to his notoriety in lure making, acknowledging that most of his business comes from word of mouth.

“I’m hoping to make 250 for some of the muskie shows next year. As far as the future goes, as long as I enjoy building, and knowing that my lure might contribute to some angler catching their largest muskie, that’s the best reward of all.”

Denne historien er fra Summer 2018-utgaven av Bob Izumi's Real Fishing.

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Denne historien er fra Summer 2018-utgaven av Bob Izumi's Real Fishing.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BOB IZUMI'S REAL FISHINGSe alt
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

ONTARIO FISHING ADVENTURES

Last winter we did a special feature profiling several fantastic fishing resorts in various regions of Ontario. The article was so well received that we decided to do it again, with a new group of lodges. All of this year’s destinations provide top notch fishing for multiple species, they’re relatively unpressured and they are easily accessible by car. From high-end, full service resorts to more laid-back fishing camps, each of these locations offer a unique fishing experience. If you’re thinking about where to go for your next fishing getaway the following pages feature Bob Izumi's profiles of some the trips he made last year. Hopefully they will give you some ideas on where to look for a fishing trip that is sure to meet all of your expectations.

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10+ mins  |
Winter 2020
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

FISHING ALGOMA COUNTRY

Wil Wegman is an award-winning outdoor writer, seminar host and tournament angler from Bradford Ontario. In 2017 Wil was recognized for his dedication to the sport by being inducted into the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame. www.wilwegman.com

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10+ mins  |
Winter 2020
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

Tales from the Road

As you may know I like driving, so jumping in a vehicle and doing a road trip is appealing to me. For years I would routinely do 100,000 km per year or more on the road. So this Tales starts with me heading out again, back to Brennan Harbour Resort in Spanish, Ontario. Located in Algoma Country, this friendly resort is operated by James and Casey, who are a wonderful couple.

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10 mins  |
Winter 2020
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

CHAIN PICKEREL ON STRIKE

I’ve never stalked a whitetail deer, but I imagine doing so is a bit like fishing for large chain pickerel. Success is found by locating those prime areas where the big ones live, and by working those areas thoroughly and patiently with exact techniques.

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Winter 2020
What's Cooking
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

What's Cooking

Elk Tartare with Horseradish Crema

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Fall 2019
Tales From The Road
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

Tales From The Road

Since my last Tales article I’ve been averaging at least six days a week, sometimes seven, on the road. Road trips are, and have always been, a big part of my life. There’s just something about being on the go that I love. In fact, as I wrap up this column I’ll be hitting the road again and I can’t wait, even though I just got back a day ago. I think it’s ingrained in me so much that I don’t mind living out of a suitcase. I know it’s not for everybody, but I like it.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Fall 2019
The MGM Fishing Trip
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

The MGM Fishing Trip

On the first Saturday of June 2020, a group of 20 extended family members will celebrate an amazing milestone. They will be participating in the 50th consecutive year of a family fishing trip begun by four founding members way back in 1971.

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7 mins  |
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Hidden Gems
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

Hidden Gems

Every now and again we anglers are lucky enough to find lakes, ponds or creeks that feel so isolated from civilization that believing they are a reality is sometimes more difficult than finding them in the first place. Stumbling across, or being introduced to, a body of water with such enormous potential for catching fish is what any fishing enthusiast dreams of. Fortunately for myself, I have lucked out three times in one shot.

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8 mins  |
Fall 2019
Black Crappie
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

Black Crappie

The black crappie is a member of the sunfish family and features the same deep, laterally compressed body shape as other sunfishes.

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2 mins  |
Fall 2019
Fly Tricks For Fall Trout
Bob Izumi's Real Fishing

Fly Tricks For Fall Trout

In the fall, fly fishing changes. Not only does the weather cool, the bug activity often quiets down as well. Different techniques are needed to adapt to the rivers where fish are often looking for different food. Searching techniques and paying attention to details can improve your success.

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2 mins  |
Fall 2019