March 2015 - Capital City Muskies Inc

Volume 32, Issue 3
March 20125
Prez Sez
March Meeting
As we put January and February in the rearview, we
can see the light at the end of the wintery tunnel. I am
not an ice fisherman so winter can really seem to drag
on for me at times, luckily between our membership
meetings, the various Fishing Expos, and the fishing
shows on TV I find ways to keep Muskie fishing fresh
on my mind. We held our Annual Awards banquet on
February 9th and I always enjoy seeing the pictures of
the enormous fish that our members catch and
sometimes the stories of the catch and the hi-jinx
surrounding the catch are even more amazing than the
fish itself. I would like to take a chance to yet again,
congratulate all of the release contest winners as well
as all of those who were recognized for other muskierelated achievements. The awards banquet always
draws a great crowd and it brings in some people that
do not attend many of the other membership meetings
and it is always great to see all of you again. I would
also like to thank John Eversoll for the beautiful
award plaques that he made for all of the contest
winners.
Our 14th Annual Intermediate and Advanced
Muskie School is quickly approaching and hopefully
you were able to sign-up for your classes and get
entered to win the $200 gift certificate to Dorn Bait &
Tackle. If you have not signed up yet, you still have
time and while you are at it bring a friend or two along
with you. I think I enjoy the school more and more
every year. Every single year I pick up some great
info and angling tips to use once muskie season
arrives. Geoff Crandall, Steve Reinstra, and all of
those involved with Muskie School do a terrific job
and it would not be the success that it is without their
fine work and hours of dedication they put into the
school.
~ Continued Next Page ~
The March meeting will be upon us shortly. After an
excellent awards meeting last month, this month we
return to a featured speaker in Jeff Van Remortal,
of WDH Guide Service, guiding in Northern
Wisconsin guide. The March meeting is March 9th
and start at 7pm at the 5100 Bar in McFarland
(www.5100bar.com). Jeff was one of the hottest
guides last year in the north-central part of the state.
His talk will be focused on those northern Wisconsin
muskies. Be sure you plan to attend
As with all our general meetings, they are free and
open to the public so bring your friends and/or
family. Come early for some fine dining and spirits
and enjoy talking muskies.
Jeff Van Remortal of WDH Guide Service a Northern
Wisc muskie guide will be our featured speaker in
March focusing on Northern Wisc Muskies. Make
you plans to attend.
Muskie Ink
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
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2/24/2015
Where else can you go and get top- notch instruction
in a small classroom setting from some very
knowledgeable muskies anglers and also get poolside
lure demonstrations from some of the best muskie
guides that you will find anywhere. If you have yet
to attend the Muskie School I urge you to make it a
point to do so.
Basketball Legend, Olympic Gold Medalist and
“Muskie Life” Founder Christian Laettner will be
the featured speaker at our Annual Fundraiser on
April 11th. I am really excited to hear him talk about
his passion for muskie fishing, the story behind
Muskie Life and I am certain he’ll find time to share a
few great basketball stories as well. I am certain he
will be the tallest speaker that we will ever have at
any meeting unless Shaquille O’Neal gets into muskie
fishing and starts his own lure company or muskie
fishing website. This will be a unique opportunity to
hear someone with his background compare and
contrast muskie fishing to being a professional
athlete. On top of hearing Christian Laettner speak,
our fundraiser offers an enormous amount of lures on
our numerous raffles as well as our pothole raffles
and numerous silent auction items. It’s a great
chance to pick up some great muskies lures, rods, and
other esox angling gear. Of course, the fundraiser is
being held at our usual CCMI home, the 5100 Bar in
McFarland.
Our website www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org contains
a calendar of events and provides important
information for all our upcoming events. The website
also has all of our past newsletters from the past two
and a half years archived by year. If you’re bored at
work or looking for a few quick reads is to catch up
on our past newsletters. The website also includes a
photo gallery, and the contact information for the
CCMI Executive Board. We are here to serve you so
do not hesitate to drop us a line.
It is more difficult for to kids to get into trouble if
they are out on the water so remember to take a kid
fishing. I hope you have a great month of March,
sneak South for some early muskie action if you can
and I hope you catch a monster,
2014 President’s Award Winner
Gary Hoffman Receives President’s Award
Gary Hoffman, the current Secretary of the Capital City Chapter
of Muskies, Inc., was the 2014 recipient of the prestigious
“President's Award” at the annual CCMI Awards Ceremony
meeting on February 9, 2015. The President’s Award is given to
that member of the club who has made a significant contributions.
Outgoing President Lee Bartolini noted that many individuals
have helped make CCMI the success that it is, and selecting a
winner from so many candidates was a difficult choice. Gary was
a board member and Vice President several years ago, and he
wrote the Chapter News and Views column for Muskie Magazine
at that time. He then stepped aside for a short while because of
work and other matters, but once he retired, he came back full
force. Last year he took on the difficult task of planning and
coordinating CCMI’s new fall PIT TAG Challunge. He recently
ran for and was elected for the position of Secretary. When Liz
and Don Hollatz retired from the positions of Raffle Coordinators,
he jumped right in and volunteered to do that job, as well – a very
difficult and time consuming responsibility. The various
contributions and reliable service provided by Gary Hoffman are
extremely important and highly valued,” noted Bartolini. “Gary is
very deserving of the 2014 President’s Award.”
Luke Vike Sr.
Luke Vike, Sr. - President
Link - http://madisonmuskyguide.com/
Muskie Ink
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MEMBERSHIP REPORT
By Gerard Hellenbrand
822 S Gammon Rd #1, Madison, WI, 53719
608) 669 – 5046 E-mail gerardh@charter.net
Hi members, in January ts felt like a normal winter, not being bitter cold, but what a difference a month
makes. February has been real cold and not many want to be out in that stuff for a long time. Thank
goodness we have some fishing shows and our annual school to give a a few things to do inside. The school
was a great idea 14 years ago and continues to be a fantastic event due to the high quality of our instructors.
We can’t do much without them as they are the ones that make this event great. I look forward to the day of
talking fishing and instructing on single strand leaders. Also look forward to seeing many of you there.
Looking at new members that have signed over the past month. We have two regular members and one
family. From McFarland Travis Seija and Paul Stacey from Evansville. Our family membership is Josh
and Heidi Behm and their kids, Aiden and Grace and they hail from Johnson Creek. Welcome All!!!
If you don’t know, the National does not send out memberships cards anymore. You can however print your
own. If you want me to print a card for you. I will gladly do it, but I would need your muskies.org password
to do so. If that is the case I want you to call me (evenings would be best) and I can print it while you are on
the line with me. Then we can make arrangements to get it to you or I can mail it. I would use card stock, but
they should be laminated to preserve it. Till next month………….
Email link - fatmuzkey@yahoo.com
2014 Hat Trick Earners
Winston Hopkins
Hat Trick
36.33
Tom Penniston
Hat Trick
39.83
Troy Schoonover
Hat Trick
40.00
Lee Bartolini
Hat Trick
40.67
Matt Hill
Hat Trick
40.92
Andy Schutz
Hat Trick
41.33
Paul Myren
Hat Trick
41.42
Bobby Dixon Jr.
Silver
41.83
Brian Wienski
Silver
42.00
Steve Reinstra
Silver
43.17
Peter Kangas
Silver
43.67
Louie Lunn
Silver
46.08
Link – www.leetauchen.com
Champion
Link - http://www.dsbait.com
Muskie Ink
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
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2/24/2015
2015 Muskie Shows
Mar 6th – 8th - Wisconsin Muskie EXPO at
Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center
(formerly The Patriot Center) in Wausau, WI
http://www.wimuskyexpo.com/
March 7th – Wilderness Fish and Game’s annual
free fishing clinic at the store in Sauk City.
Featured speaker is walleye pro Chris Gilman and
from Lindner’s Angling Edge Jeremy Smith on
river smallies and pre-spawn bass.
Mar 9
General Meeting @ 5100 Bar featured
speaker Jeff Van Remortel, a N WI
Muskie Guide
Annual Cap City Seminar with
featured speaker Christian Laettner,
basketball great turned muskie angler.
WDNR Conservation Congress
Hearings @ your county seat
General Meeting @ 5100 Bar featured
speaker Captain Matt Firestein Lake St
Clair Guide – casting and trolling
Apr 11
Apr 10th – 12th - Minnesota Muskie EXPO at
Ganglehoff Center in Concordia University in St
Paul, MN
http://www.minnesotamuskieexpo.com/
Apr 13
May 11
More complete details at
http://www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Link - www.lawtonandcates.com/
Muskie Ink
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
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2/24/2015
11th Annual “Iowa Hawg Hunt” Outing
Saturday April 25, 2015 7am – 5pm
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Join the fun at the 11th “Iowa Hawg Hunt” Outing at the Pleasant Creek Recreation Area which is located 15
miles Northwest of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. See:
http://www.iowadnr.com/parks/state_park_list/pleasant_creek.html
Urbana Inn (Formerly Super 8) in Urbana, Iowa at (319) 443 - 8888 has suitable accommodations not too far
away from the lake. Food and sodas will be provided for lunch - $5/per person. There will be an optional
friendly non-cash door prize contest - $10 per person. Please contact Geoff Crandall at
crandall@msbnrg.com or call (608) 831-6020 (please pay PRIOR TO APRIL 20 for your food/pop ($5) and
door prize fee ($10) prior to the outing).
Contest Rules are as follow:





Eligible fish: Must be caught between 7am - Noon or 1pm - 5pm. A witness is required (another outing
participant is o.k.) for all entries a photograph is required of eligible fish.
Fish entries including photos must be submitted to Geoff Crandall, Greg Goltz or John Eversoll before 5:30 pm.
Eligible waters are waters within the Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area.
Must comply with all IDNR regulations. Catch & release only, live bait is permitted, no transporting of fish, all
muskies measured to the ¼ inch.
Only 30” muskies or longer are eligible for an award.
Please pay for your lunch by the 20th of April however, to be eligible for the non-cash prizes your fee must
be must paid & received before the start of the outing. Award certificates will be given for the following
categories:
 Longest Muskie
 Second Longest
Winners may win only one category
Lunch & Awards
Lunch will be provided at a location to be determined adjacent to the lake. Fishing stories & door prizes,
awards ceremony will be held at 6pm at a location to be determined. (NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO
CASH AWARDS OR PAYOUTS AT THIS OUTING.).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2015 Sign Up Form:
NAME ______________________________________________
NAME ______________________________________________
NAME ______________________________________________
NAME ______________________________________________
TOTAL - $_______ Contest Eligibility: Must be pre-registered and fee received prior to the event to qualify
for contest non-cash awards. Fill out form and mail (make check payable to Geoff Crandall) to:
Geoff Crandall 5306 Jonquil Ct Middleton, WI 53562
Muskie Ink
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RELEASE REPORT
Michael Winther mike@winthernet.net (608) 844-1382
Congratulations to the 2014 award winners! I hope everyone enjoyed the Awards Meeting in February; it was
great to hear the stories about so many big muskies.
The groundhog might have taken a bite out of the Sun Prairie mayor’s ear, but spring will get here eventually.
As you start preparing for the 2015 season, here are some reminders about the CCMI member contests that are
available for you to enjoy.
Release Contests: All members who register their catches are automatically entered in our club release contests.
Prizes are awarded to the champion who earned the most points in the categories of Junior’s, Women’s, Men’s,
and Men’s Masters. There is also a special award category of Distinguished Master for any member who wins
the Masters Division 3 times.
Reproduction Contest: Any muskie 45” or longer is eligible to be entered in the reproduction contest. Along
with being entered in the Lunge Log within 30 days of the catch, a picture of the fish (or a witness statement)
must be submitted to the Release Coordinator. The club awards payment for an artistic reproduction (graphite
replicas, custom paintings, etc.) for one fish caught in Wisconsin and one fish caught outside of Wisconsin.
Hat Trick: Members are recognized each year for catching muskies from 3 different Dane County waters.
There are additional prizes for a Silver Hat Trick (all 3 fish 40” or larger), Gold Hat Trick (all 3 fish 45” or
larger, this level requires photos or witness statements) and for the Hat Trick Champion (hat trick with highest
average length). Please note that the lake must be specified for each entry – “Madison Chain” is not an eligible
lake name entry. (Editor’s note – 2014 Hat Trick award winners listed on page 3)
Lunker of the Month: The largest muskie released each month (minimum 45” long) is recognized as the
“Lunker” for that month.
Special Awards: Individual awards are also presented to the Rookie of the Year (first year entering a muskie in
the Lunge Log as an adult), the Largest Muskie, the Largest Hybrid Muskie, the Largest Muskie from Dane
County, and the Largest Muskie released by a junior member.
Editor’s Note – Full winners are at www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org under “CCMI Member Contests”
Link - http://www.wildernessfishgame.com
Free Fishing Clinic and Sale – March 7th
Muskie Ink
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Link - http://www.muskie.com/
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Madison Chain Outing: Saturday May 16th, 2015
Come join us for our Madison Chain outing on May 16th, 2015. The outing will begin at 7 am and ends at 2 pm.
The $12 per person registration fee includes lunch served at the Green Lantern on Lake Waubesa at 3pm and
entry into our outing raffle. There is lots of on the water parking at the Green Lantern so there is no need to
trailer your boat to attend the luncheon. This outing is open to the public and you need not be a CCMI member
to attend.
Outing Rules
Must comply with all WDNR regulations
Catch and release only and no transporting of fish
No live bait is allowed
Only fish caught between 7am and 2pm on 05/16/15 will be eligible.
A witness or a photograph of the fish is required for all entries.
Eligible lakes are Monona, Waubesa and Upper Mud Lake.
Only muskies 30" or longer will eligible for an award.
Participants must complete and submit a “release of liability form.” Participants’ boats
must be marked as noted below. The spring outing is,by definition, a WDNR
tournament. Therefore, each boat in the contest must be marked. Participants should
mark their boats by wrapping a single layer of blue “Painter’s Tape” around the cowling
of their motors. A Release of Liability form must also be signed and returned with the
outing entry form.
Lunch & Awards
Lunch will be provided at 3pm sharp at the Green Lantern on Lake Waubesa. Relax, compare notes and enjoy a
nice meal with friends. Fishing stories, awards ceremony and door prize drawings will be held right after
lunch. Awards will be presented for the most combined inches of fish caught to the ¼ inch, first largest and
second largest muskie. Winners may only win one award.
CCMI Madison Chain Outing Registration Form
Names_________________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________
City____________________State________ Zip ___
Mail To
Capital City Chapter of Muskies, Inc
PO Box 8862
Madison, WI 53708-8862
For more information contact Karen Phillips mskyldy@aol.com or 608) 873 - 0599
_________Zip__________
Muskie Ink
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2014 Reproduction Winners
Link - www.getthenetmuskyguide.com
The 2014 Reproduction Drawing was held on Awards Night
and Junior member Seth Niday and longtime member,
Gerard Hellenbrand won. Seth won with a fish caught from
other waters, in this case Lake St Clair and Gerard won for
Wisc waters with a local fish from Waubesa. Congrats guys!
Available at Dorn’s @ Midvale and D&S Bait
Links - www.grandmalures.com or www.spankybaits.com
Muskie Ink
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
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Awards Night Photos
2014 Big Fish & Divisional Champs – Left to Right – Distinguish Master Jeff Hanson for largest muskie and
largest Dane County muskie, Seth Niday, largest junior muskie and junior champ, Leif Spilde Men Master’s Champ
and largest hybrid, Peter Kangas, Men’s Champ, and Nick Foulk is 2014 Rookie of the Year.
2014 Lunker Winners
Present that night were - Left
to Right
MJ Johnson for October,
Jerry Georgeson for May,
Steve Reinstra for
November, Craig Eversoll
for September and Jeff
Hanson for July.
`14 Hat Trick
L to R – Peter
Kangas, Lee
Bartolini, Steve
Reinstra, Brian
Wienski, Tom
Penniston, Paul
Myren, Matt Hill,
and Andy Schutz
Muskie Ink
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2/24/2015
14th INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED MUSKIE SCHOOL
Saturday March 14, 2015 – held at Waunakee High School
The Capital City Muskie School is now taking enrollees for their 14th Annual Muskie School. This event is
being put on by the members and friends of the Capital City Chapter of Muskies, Inc. and the event just keeps
getting better. Duffy Kopf has made a promo about the school and it’s worth the few minutes to watch. Link to
the promo is http://vimeo.com/109944109 The enrollment form is available on the Capital City MI web site and
that link is http://www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org/ under “Calendar of Events”. If can’t or are unable to print the
document out, contact Gerard Hellenbrand at gerardh@charter.net or call (608) 669 – 5046 and he will gladly
mail you a form. Forms will also be available for pick up at the Madison Fishing EXPO at the Alliant Energy
Center, the Wisconsin Muskie EXPO in Wausau, and the general membership meeting on March 9th at the
5100 Bar in McFarland. The $35 enrollment fee not only included the classes, but coffee and rolls in the
morning as well as a fine catered lunch. After March 9th the fee will increase to $45 for those enrolling after that
date and walk-ins the day of the school. If you have any questions about the school please call or email Steve
Reinstra at mpd339r@charter.net or (608) 770 – 7131.
Update: Reel
classes are
now full as
they were only
limited to 6
students per
session.
Muskie School is ready to begin, enroll today!!
Like Us on Facebook - Cap City & Muskies, Inc
Capital City Muskies Inc. is now on Facebook. For those who are active on Facebook you can now “like” us at the
official Facebook web site. Cap City link is
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Capital-City-Chapter-of-Muskies-Inc/443352929085585?fref=ts
For Muskies, Inc on Facebook. Use this link is:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Muskies-Inc/118841754815660
Muskie Ink
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Page 10
2/24/2015
April Semiar
2015 Capital City Muskies, Inc Outings
Outings for 2015, mark your calendars
April 25: Iowa Hawg Hunt – Pleasant Creek, IA
May 16: Madison Chain Outing – Lakes Monona and
Waubesa
June 13: Wisconsin Youth Muskie Championship – Lake
Waubesa
June 20: Bill Wood Memorial Outing - Sawyer Cnty WI
Aug. 15 – Aug. 22: Lake of the Woods Outing – Mylie’s
Place Resort
Aug. 21 – Aug. 23: WI Muskie Alliance Musky
Championship – Eagle River, WI
August 26 – 28: 2015 Gil Hamm Challunge
Leech Lake, MN @ Horseshoe Bay Lodge hosted by
Fargo-Morehead Chapter
September 26: CCMI Fall PIT-TAG Challunge – Lake
Monona
October 9 &10: Vilas County Outing
Make sure you mark for Saturday, April 11th on your
calendar. It’s the day that the Capital City Chapter of
Muskies, Inc. holds its annual seminar and fund raiser in
2015. The place is the 5100 Bar on Erling Ave in
McFarland. This year’s featured speaker is Christian
Laettner of Muskie Life. If that name sounds familiar
maybe it’s because he was a basketball star at Duke
University, a members of the USA 1992 gold medal
Olympic basketball team, or even one of the teams like
Timberwolves, Hawks, Pistons, or the Heat over his 13
year pro career. This event is always a great time with
plenty of raffles, like pothole, card deck, early bird, and
silent auctions items, too much to list. The funds raised
mainly goes to stocking the Madison lakes with muskies.
The event starts at 1pm, but you can get there early for a
fine lunch and great spirits served up by the fine staff of
the 5100 Bar. Don’t miss it!!!!
One outing date not yet known at this time is the State MI Larry
Kleeba Challunge hosted by Hayward Lakes. Details will get
posted as soon as they are available.
Link – www.monsterlures.net
Muskie Ink
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Page 11
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PRESIDENT
Luke Vike
25 Millard Ct
Evansville, WI 53536
608) 576 – 0697
tomahawkdr@yahoo.com
VICE- PRESIDENT
Winston Hopkins
504 Greenwood St
Madison WI 53716
608) 577 – 3184
winstonjhopkins@gmail.com
TREASURER
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Matt Newman
7102 Prairie Dr
Middleton, WI 53562
262) 903 – 2635
matthewnewm@gmail.com
Submissions due by the 15th
Gerard Hellenbrand
608) 669 - 5046
822 S Gammon Rd #1
Madison, WI 53719
gerardh@charter.net
Board of Directors Term Exp
RVP
Tom Penniston
PO Box 985
New Glarus, WI 53574
608) 558 – 9657
pennistn@wekz.net
SECRETARY
Gary Hoffman
7104 Twin Sunset Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
608) 698- 5388
glhoff29@gmail.com
Todd Berge 660) 441 – 0129
Tony&Dawn Enger 228 – 5594
Gerard Hellenbrand
Henry Hempe 233 – 3331
Don&Liz Hollatz 222 – 5631
Rick Lane 873-5228
Mike Milia 467 – 7552
Karen Phillips 692 – 6880
Dan Reim 512 - 9561
Andy Schutz 235 – 1352
Michael Winther 844
- 1382
Muskie
Ink
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www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Past Presidents
Bill Wood
Don Borchert
Gil Nimm
Steve Budnik
Kevin Wegner
Gary Greene
Brian Walsh
Fred Bachmann
Kevin Black
Norm Vike
Craig Eversoll
Geoff Crandall
Steve Reinstra
PageOlson
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Jim
Lee Bartolini
2/24/2015