Many anglers have a bucket list of fish species they would like to catch. One such fish which is on my bucket list is the Muskellunge or better known as the Muskie.
Muskies can attain impressive swimming speeds which are usually fairly short, but quite intense.
Once hooked, Muskies are known for their stunning acrobatic displays of jumping out of the water while shaking their heads in an attempt to throw the lure.
A combination of incredible strength and size, adult muskellunge are the true apex predators where they occur naturally.
My quest to catch one of these fish, (known to be called 'the fish of ten thousand casts'), led me to reach out to one of hottest new multi-species fishing website - Exist To Fish Canada ( http://existtofish.com/) - Pro Staffers Sam Ecker.
Sam was born in Hamilton Ontario. As a youth his father use to take him fishing when they went to their cottage in Port Dover, Ontario were they targeted Bass and Pike.
It wasn't until 2007 Sam turned his attention to Muskie fishing. Chasing Muskies and the long hours on the water, provided Sam the reward of catching a Big fish he was after.
After catching one of these brutes, Sam says he's a 100% catch-and-release Muskie angler. Watching one swim off after catching it makes him smile as he knows he will most likely have the thrill of catching it again.
During these times, Sam started gaining knowledge by fishing with his good friend Steve Close who taught him tons about Muskies over the years.
In 2008 Sam started camping at a trailer park that is located on Pigeon Lake, which is part of Kawartha Lakes. Here he meet up with a couple of brothers named Paul and Joe Aguis.
Sam credits both Paul and Joe with helping him with locations and lures to use which in turned helped Sam to expand his knowledge on fishing for Muskies even more.
As his knowledge for Muskie fishing grew and the success he was having on his home waters, some people started suggesting that he should try to turn it into a business.
Over the years Sam says he has had the pleasure of seeing the enjoyment on other anglers' faces while reeling in, fighting or holding one of these remarkable fish; so, with the support of his girlfriend of nine years, Emma Foster, along with his parents, he decided to start Figure Ate Guiding in 2015.
Sam says a big part of making this possible stems back to the times his father, Jim Ecker, brought him fishing at a young age.
Although 2015 was the first year for Figure Ate, Sam had built a name for himself over the years of fishing for Muskies.
This helped him to capture Sponsorships from Handlebarz Musky Lures, Fishbum Outfitters, Smith Optics, Northshore Musky baits, Exist to fish Canada, Beaver lures.
Some of the lakes Sam loves guiding on the Kawartha Lakes.
There are 14 lakes all joined by rivers and lock systems that connect Lake Huron to Lake Ontario. Sam also specialize on Pigeon & Buckhorn Lakes.
A couple of memorable Muskie trips that stand out in Sam's mind are when he experienced a double header with my father in-law along with the time he caught 52 3/4" Muskie while fishing with his 5-year-old nephew Cohen.
When I asked Sam why he agreed to be featured, he simply replied "Muskie fishing pumps through my veins! I love fishing for them or even talking about them."
During the off season, Sam works for the family business and attends fishing shows with Handlebarz Musky Lures and Fishbum Outfitters.
Although our schedules didn't allow us to hook up last season, I look forward to sharing the boat with Sam sometime this season for my chance to cross the Muskie off my bucket list.
If seeing a four foot Muskie follow your bait back to the boat, boat side strikes or landing a true brute gets your blood pumping, be sure to book your trip with Figure Ate by calling 289-775-8998 or emailing Sam at [email protected] .
You can also follow Sam on facebook for updates on Muskie products, pictures from a guided trips or for information about booking Guided trip.
Opening season for Muskies in Sam's areas are from the 1st Saturday In June to December 15.
Whether you're an angler or hunter; a camp, lodge, resort owner; or just holding an outdoor event and would like some exposure, please feel free to email us at [email protected]
