About Our Guides

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT...

Our guide staff is made up of dedicated professionals working together, combining their knowledge and experience to give our customers exceptional quality every day on the water.  From lodging to tackle Kentucky Mountain Muskies will do everything we can to give you a lifetime of memories.

When you book a trip with Cave Run Muskie Guide Service you can expect complete satisfaction.  From the moment you contact the guide service we will make your vacation as enjoyable as possible.  Our guide service has created one of the most impressive, professional muskie staffs in the world today.

Our guides have line class records, the states largest registered fish and largest number of total fish caught in a single year.  These are the elements that we have used to create a guide service that keeps people returning year after year.  We strive everyday to provide quality staff, boats and equipment.  If you have a map feel free to bring it along.  You may be spending an entire week at Cave Run, a couple of days with our professional staff and you will know when, were, why and how.  During your stay we will continue to give you any information needed.

After booking your fishing adventure with us you will be directed to Mountain Muskie Lodge.  Your confirmation letter and  map will direct you from major intestates into the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Cave Run Lake recreation area.  As you leave the interstate and head towards the foothills a stop will be required, We are in a rural area, so to fully enjoy the stay a packed cooler is necessary, this is also a dry county.  There is nothing like a fresh grilled steak and a cold one among friends after an exciting day on the water with our staff, the fish stories are sure to fill the night air. Small restaurants are located in the area and a full service city is located within thirty minutes.

STARTING THE DAY

As the sun rises you should be preparing for one of the most educational, fact filled, and fun fishing adventures you have ever been introduced to. Packing a simple lunch, snacks and drinks is a good idea.  We do have coolers on the boats, but do not provide lunch or drinks.  Rain gear and polarized sunglasses will also make your day more enjoyable and productive.  You can end the day any time you wish but we offer you a full 8 hours on the water, sometimes more.

THE NIGHT SHIFT

Don't overlook our July-August night fishing!  This is an adventure for the true grit outdoorsman.  As the summertime traffic of jet skis and boaters start to leave the lake a small group of anglers will show up at the launching ramps.  The years of experience obtained by Cave Run Guide Service has taught them to consistently boat fish during the pressured days of summer, NIGHT FISHING is the key to busy lakes on summer days with heavy fishing pressure.  While you're on vacation with the family this summer give yourself an enjoyable evening on the water with a qualified guide.  If you are a business executive in Lexington or Ashland that can't seem to get away during the day, spend the night with a guide on Cave Run Lake.  Due to the mature nature of this adventure only one client per boat please.  This type of fishing takes a lot of concentration due to sight disadvantages.  When you battle a fish at night, even the smallest muskies seem like the Lockness monster.  These nighttime adventures start at $150.00 per person, due to safety precautions, fishing experience is required.

Muskie Fishing Packages

Packages include:  Guided Day Fishing, Boat, Lodging, All Gear.  Prices include up to two people.

• 1 Day   - $350.00
• 2 Days - $675.00
• 3 Days - $925.00
• 4 Days - $1175.00

Fish Only Rates:  Prices include up to two people

• 1/2 Day - $200.00
• 1 Day - $300

For turkey and deer information please call: (800) 452-1600

Tony Grant

Tony Grant's fishing experience dates back to his childhood. He has been fishing and guiding for muskies on Cave Run Lake, in Kentucky since the late 80's.  With this kind of experience, he has gained a wealth of knowledge relating to the "King of Freshwater", the mighty muskie.  Early on in his muskie fishing adventures, Tony realized that this fish was far superior to any other freshwater predator.

Tony has focused on educating others on the art and technique of muskie fishing with a "catch and release", "give back what you take" attitude. We are fortunate to be able to make a living supporting something we both enjoy so much.  Educating America's youth on the numerous conservation efforts for muskie as well as all species has been a top priority over the years.  Tony has given over 150 educational seminars and by the end of 2001 will have given over 40 more.  Including the Chicago, Milwaukee and Minnesota Muskie shows.

You can find articles written by Tony in numerous outdoor publications and on several Internet sites.  He also writes quite a few articles for Musky Hunter Magazine on southern techniques that he has successfully used throughout muskie country.  He can also be heard on many outdoor radio shows including the ESPN radio network in southern Ohio.  The highlight of Tony's television career thus far was a spot on Cincinnati's "Sports of all Sorts" fishin' edition as well as a Co-hosting spot on several Outdoor Connection shows. In 2001 Tony also appeared on "The Tom Richards Fishing Show" aired on the Outdoor Channel.

Tony took his love for muskie fishing one step further when he started guiding for the local marina and then took another major step when he started Cave Run Muskie Guide service in 1992.  The guide service is now one of the largest services of its kind in North America.  In 1996, Tony and I published the first edition of the Muskie Release.  This little newsletter was initially mailed to 3000 recipients and handed out to about 5000 more.  It initially contained basic information about the Cave Run Lake area, conservation and muskie.  It is now triple the size and mailed to over 15,000 recipients and handed out to 10,000 more.  It contains the information mentioned previously along with articles, advertisers, tournament information, and has expanded to include information about other species around Cave Run including crappie, bass, deer and turkey.

Our web site, kymuskie.com, a big hit amongst muskie hunters as well as hunting and fishing enthusiasts was soon to follow and contains much of the same information.  Recently, we opened Mountain Muskie Lodge drawing visitors from all over the country and soon after built the Muskie Shack, an all muskie tackle shop.  We can't say we have come as far as we have alone.  We have had the invaluable support of a multitude of people.  Our sponsors whose logos are displayed in the sidebars of this article deserve to be recognized and thanked for their support.  David Christian, our manager, has been with the guide service since it opened and has contributed greatly to its success and to the success of numerous efforts being used to support the fish.  David is greatly appreciated for all of his efforts.

Tony also fishes in a multitude of tournaments and I'm proud to say that he had several top five finishes in the Professional Muskie Tournament Trail in 1999.  He placed 5th in the yearly standings, and achieved 3rd place in the tour invitational receiving big fish honors.  It has been quite inspiring to see such a diverse group of fishermen and women come together, competitively, while still upholding a true respect for the well-being of the fish we all admire.  Many of these individuals donate their time and money to ensure future generations have the chance to enjoy this sport.

Although, he also realized that even this superior species needs protection from it's many adversaries, most of which are caused by mankind. Tony's efforts to protect this fish far exceed his dedication to catch this fish.  While Tony truly wants to show as many people as he can the thrill and adrenaline rush of muskie fishing, he also wants to be sure that our natural resources are protected by these same people who have learned to appreciate the true value they possess.  Please take pride in protecting our natural resources.

Our future endeavors include an online rendition of "The Muskie Release", fishing clinics for kids which we have tentatively named Kentucky Mountain Youth Fishing Clinic, and an annual Kentucky Mountain Muskie school for the novice and seasoned muskie hunter.

 You can email Tony by Clicking Here.

More outstanding Mountain Muskie Guides

Scott Salchli

Scott has been fishing Cave Run and its contributaries since childhood with his father, Larry Salchli.  He started his muskie fishing career at the tender age of 8 with twenty legal size fish by the age of 12.  Scott started his guiding career five years ago.  Scott is a full time employee of Coca-Cola.  He takes several full weeks vacation to spend with his clients while also spending every weekend chasing these crazy fish.  Scott and his clients are on the water more that most full time muskie guides in the country.  He is touring pro on the Professional Muskie Tournament Trail.  He has multiple top ten finishes to his credit. Scott is also a three time world champiohship qualifier.  He is an active member of  Kentucky Silver Muskie Club and Muskies, Inc.  To add to his accomplishments, with KSMC he has been awarded Largest Relase in 1999, 2002, and 2003.  Most Released in 1999 and 2000.  He also has been awared the Largest Release in the state of Kentucky in 2002.  In March 2002, he recieved the International award for Lunker of the Month. Maybe his most notible accomplishment is a PMTT record setter, Scott and partner Anthony Smith have become the only team in the trails history to land legal fish in each of the 2004 quailfing events, this feat has never been done before in the 6 year history of the trail. Scott is on the pro staff for Producer Tackle, Frabill, T-N-T Tackle, Grim Reaper, Lamiglas, Okuma, Mepps (Sheldon Incorporated),  Power Pro, and Muskie Innovations.

Here Scott introduces daughter Carli to her first muskie experence, she don't look too happy!!!!

Charlie Thompson

 

Charlie for over a decade has been one of the most well like and respected guides on Cave Run Lake. His finishes in Cave Run tournaments has landed him high on the list. Charlie's year-round knowledge of Cave Run Lake is second to none.

Glenn Burchwell

Glenn has many accomplishments in the muskie world on Cave Run, Green River and even north to Wisconsin. He has landed and guided clients to many 30+ pound fish.

• 20 yrs Lake experience
• 8 yrs Guiding Experience

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