Page 17 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 45

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Wishin I was Fishin...

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Angler Lands His “Fish of 10,000 Casts”

By Todd Anderson

challenging fish to catch, the muskellunge

A has been called “the fish of 10,000 casts” by

fishermen referring to the time and patience required
to land one. Local angler Shawn Little can attest to

the difficulty of capturing the prized fish.

“If I was counting, I would say it would be very
close to 10,000 casts. I caught my first (musky) in

2014 on the Ottawa River. I was shutout in 2015.
This year I have three so far. It can be long hours
with nothing to show, very frustrating, but also very
rewarding when you catch a big one.”

Perhaps 10,000 casts is an exaggeration regarding

successful musky fishing, although, landing a fish

like Little did this past July 13 generally does take
time and patience.

During a fishing trip on the Kemptville Creek,
Little landed his largest muskellunge yet at just over
20 pounds. It basically happened by accident, as he

and his fishing partner were actually looking to enjoy

a day of bass fishing. Luckily, Little brought along
his musky rod equipped with 50-pound test braided

fishing line, as well as a handful of musky lures.
“I decided to throw out some musky lures to finish

up the day,” Little recalls. “It was my fourth cast

and (a fish) hit seconds after my lure hit the water. Shawn Little realized his dream of landing a large musky after capturing this one on July 13 in
I knew right away it was a musky and knew it was Kemptville. It tipped the scales at just over 20 pounds. Photo submitted by Shawn Little
heavy with my rod tip bending into the water. After a
minute or so I could see its colours as it was coming resort when musky chase their bait to the boat. of opportunity to fish.”

closer to the boat. The fight was maybe three minutes

long, I am not positive about that though, it happened Muskies are one of the more popular species Little says he enjoys all kinds of fishing with his

so fast it seems.” fisherman strive to land as trophies. In most areas, family – wife Lynn, and sons Owen and Josh – as

anglers are encouraged to return the fish to water well as friends, but he prefers casting from his boat
Little’s friend Dan Kearney was his net man and
(catch and release) because of their low population the most.
played an important part in landing the fish, as well numbers.

as releasing it successfully back into the river. Earlier this summer Little participated in a
“I have never considered keeping a musky,” says
“It would have been very difficult to do it myself,” tournament, the Bass Challenge, in Gananoque but

Little. “I like the idea of letting them go so they can
Little admits. didn’t have the success he was hoping for.
grow to be giants for others to experience catching.”
Little has visited the Rideau River, which the “I didn’t do well. I caught six pike. I wish it was

In fact, Little rarely keeps any of the fish he catches.
Kemptville Creek meets north of the town of a pike tournament.”
Kemptville, on about six other occasions he says. He He has other reasons to head out on the water.
has had several musky follow his lure, but none this “I like fishing because I find it peaceful and Still, it was a day of peace and relaxation as he

large have latched on – even after he has employed relaxing. I fi sh pretty much every day that I don’t worked his way to another 10,000 casts, waiting for

a popular figure 8 manoeuvre anglers use as a last work. I’m lucky I work shift work. It gives me lots the next trophy fish to strike.

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