One could hardly blame Fred Lang of Cape Vincent for keeping his lunker of a lifetime, of course. Lang was trolling for walleyes just off Grenadier Island, where the waters of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence mix, on Aug. 20, 2004. He had just lowered a 4 1/2-inch jointed plug with his downrigger when the big one hit. It weighed 46 pounds and measured 60 inches, which makes it one of the longest muskies taken from the river since Lawton's era.

The smart way for the average angler to enter the race for the next New York muskie record is to hire one of the many good guides that work the Thousand Islands region. Be forewarned, though: Most guides in the region target muskies only in September, October and November, when these river giants go on a pre-winter feeding spree. In August, you'll have to ask around to find a guide who isn't booked for other, more plentiful species.

Start by calling the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council at (315) 482-2520. Ask for a list of guides operating out of Cape Vincent, Clayton and Alexandria Bay and start dialing. The council can point out local lodging choices, too.

GRASSE RIVER
Would you like to catch a muskie on a fly? Or would you be thrilled just to see a big one lying in ambush in a clear river pool? Then plan to wade or float the Grasse River, one of New York's more underrated muskellunge waters.

One reason the Grasse gets overlooked is its location in northern St. Lawrence County. For most New Yorkers, that's a far piece from home, and there are other, better-known muskie fisheries along the way. Nor are Grasse River muskies notably large, for their kind. The average fish is probably a 10-pounder, although specimens three times that size are possible.

Most muskies must be promptly returned to the water after landing, because the local minimum creel length is 48 inches.

Like the Cassadaga cakes, the Grasse is well suited to a canoe or other cartop boat for about 85 of its 115 miles. Muskies are most often encountered in the 36-mile section between Canton and Massena, where you'll find numerous bridges and other put-in sites, some officially designated and others not.

Among several other interesting float trips, consider the eight-mile stretch between Canton and Morley, which has lots of 3- to 6-foot-deep runs and pools supporting walleyes, smallmouth bass and muskies.

Anglers may order a detailed description of the stretch in Fishing and Canoeing the Grasse River, a publication, available free from the DEC Region 6 office in Watertown, at (315) 785-2261.

When you make your trip, be prepared to do some wading and dragging, since the Grasse has many shallow riffles between its deep pools. And don't forget your PFD.

To get to the Grasse, take Interstate 81 to Watertown in Jefferson County, and then follow Route 11 northeast to Canton. For information on motels or other accommodations, call the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce at (315) 386-4000.