Articles : Weather Or Not It Matters

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Weather Or Not It Matters
By: Steven James Rusteberg

Several of our top scientist in the country say that the weather can affect our very existence. Emotions, impulses, and reactions are under mother natures control. Being sad, happy, lonely, frightened, and even hungry are effects of the planet’s climate. This article is not about human interaction with outside elements, but the Muskie and it’s impulses, reactions, and behavior to weather.

Understanding how weather works, may not help us catch a Muskie every day we are on the water, but can help in critical decisions regarding lake type, bait choice, and speeds of presentation. As a Mukie Hunter making good decisions based on weather conditions make the difference between good fisherman, and great fisherman.

Weather is something we have no control over. Therefore, understanding how it works is critical in decision making. Most Muskie veterans will tell you that as a general rule of thumbs, fish clear lakes on overcast days using bright (florescent) lures, and stained lakes on sunny days using a more natural presentation (depending on water clarity). Some of us are fortunate enough to have several Muskie lakes to choose from, others (such as myself) have to make the best of what the weather brings, because of the lack of Muskie lakes in our region. Therefore predicting and understanding mother nature becomes that much more critical.

This article will describe what a Muskie hunter needs to be looking for in cloud formations. Understanding their shape, texture, and movement will help you make that critical decision of whether you are on the right lake, fishing the right lure, and in the right spot.

There are three basic types of cloud formation’s Cirrus, Cumulus, and Status. Each determine what kind of day you are likely to have on your favorite lake, and all have easy to identify chacteristics.

Cirrus clouds are the highest of the cloud types and usually occur somewhere in the neighborhood of forty to fifty thousand feet. These clouds appear in the sky as thin whisks, most commonly associated with those blue-bird days Muskie fisherman complain so much about. This is a clear cut sign of the cold front! But wait! Before you flee in fear, fish... and fish hard! I look upon the cold front as just another Muskie fishing day. Is fishing going to be tough? Yes, with all likelihood fishing is going to be harder under cold front conditions, but some of my biggest fish have been caught on these very difficult blue-bird days. Sometimes I prefer these days, because in my experience, the typical fish tends to be bigger. If it is numbers you are after, try a stained lake or even a river that is less likely to be affected by the front. INSIDE TIP- Boot Lake in Villas Co. , WI. has been a very good numbers lake for me under these conditions. Why? Simple, heavy weeds, heavy stain, heavy population.

Another common type of cloud formation is the Cumulus cloud. This cloud can form at as low as eight thousand feet, to as high as thirty thousand feet. These clouds appear in the sky as puffy white cotton balls, and can commonly warn of a distant approaching storm. These clouds have the ability to grow to huge porportitions, and often build in the sky. When this cloud is building, it pushes upward and creates what looks like the head of an anvil. Muskie fishing is often thought of as good when this is taking place. A change in conditions, triggers something in that little pea like brain that says “go on the feed bag”. We have all felt this as the storm approaches. It’s that tingle in the stomach, and it’s not a hunger pain! It’s Muskie time, and they are usually active somewhere in the lake. It would be an exaggeration to say that most of my Muskie that I have caught have not been caught under these cloud conditions. However in one form or another this is probably the most typical type of formation, and appears in the sky on average more times than not. INSIDE TIP- I tend to spend time on harder to fish, big fish water under these conditions such as : The Flambeau Chain, Preschool Island Chain, St. Germain, Big Arbor Vieta. Why? Clearer water, Chance greater that a Super Fish is active, Lower ceiling, Lots of atmospheric activity.

The last type of basic cloud formation is a Stratus cloud. It typically is the lowest of the clouds in the sky, sometimes even becoming fog on the ground. It only hubbers about two or three thousand feet above the ground. Chacteristics include a thick even blanket of mass across the sky. It often times carries a light drizzle, or heavy downpour as it crosses the sky. Completely overcast conditions mean moderately clear water to the Muskie fisherman. Fish those lakes that look like you can almost drink from them. The overcast conditions give the Muskie fisherman the advantage of low light, and for a Muskie with no eyelids this means trouble. The fish doesn’t have to hide to protect it’s eyes from the rays of the sun, meaning it will explore further and longer for food. Fishing in the rain is no fun with a restrictive rain suit on, but can commonly be nonstop action for the one who tolerates it. INSIDE TIP- Fish moderate clarity lakes such as North Twin, High Lake, Shishabogoma, or Gunlock. Why? Moderately clear water with overcast skies let the least amount of light penetration, fish are more exposed, travel further, eat longer.