238037 Muskie-July Mag

Transcription

Fishing.
Landing.
Two totally
different things.
PETE MAINA
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CHAD CAIN
Contents
MUSKIE • VOL. 39, NO. 5
®
magazine
Jack Burns
Pete Maina
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Departments
Features
8 Chapters “Up Close”,
Mike Kanaval
2 Editor’s Desk
THE ESOX TEAM...
3 President’s Message
10 One More Try,
Colby Simms
4 International News
Rob Kimm
Chad Cain
&
Dan Craven
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24 Migration of the Mighty Muskie,
James W. Colgan
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28 1987-2003 Illinois Muskie Creel Project,
Ray Thompson
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MUSKIE is published monthly and is the Official Publication of Muskies, Inc. International Office: Terrie DuBé, International Sec., PO
Box 120870, New Brighton, MN 55112. Ph: 888-710-8286, Fax 651-784-0068. © Copyright 2005 by Muskies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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8 ISSUES
12 I S S U E S
39 Showcasing MI Supporters-Frabill,
Patricia Strutz
40 Muskie Tales by
Bob Jennings
42 Member Photos
Russ Warye
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Laura Morrison
23 Photo Contest April Winners
33 Chapter News and Views
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Bruce Shumway
17 Webster Lake Muskie Study,
David Cates
31 Spotlight:
Hellraiser Tackle Co.
LEARN
Joe Bednar
13 Lunge Log
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Esox Angler, Inc. PO Box 280 Stone Lake, WI 54876
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www.muskiesinc.org
May 2005.....MUSKIE 1
MUSKIE Magazine Staff
Rod Ramsell, Editor Emeritus
Keith Ogden, Editor Emeritus
MANAGING EDITOR
Jim Smith
15045 W. Double Tree Way
Surprise, AZ 85374-8568
Phone/Fax: (623) 388-3225
Cell: (623) 810-9103
Email: managingeditor@muskiesinc.org
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Juris Ozols
Phone: (952) 431-4727
Email: grumpy@minn.net
ADVERTISING MANAGER “MUSKIE”
Cherek Group • Scott Cherek
3902 Cribbon Avenue • Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone: 307-635-8899
Email: cherekgroup@bresnan.net
PUBLICATIONS TECHNICAL MANAGER
Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. • Ross Rieke
25123 22nd Ave. S. • St. Cloud, MN 56301-9189
Phone: 888-253-8808 x122
Email: rrieke@sunrayprinting.com
MAGAZINE DESIGN
Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - John Windschitl
ILLUSTRATORS/CARTOONISTS
Richard Gross
FIELD EDITORS
Colby Simms, Patricia Strutz
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Mike Kanaval, Colby Simms, Patricia Strutz,
David Cates, James W. Colgan, Ray Thompson
MUSKIE is published exclusively for the
membership of Muskies, Inc. and subscriptions
come with a paid membership. Muskies, Inc. is
a non-profit organization. Membership classes
and associated annual dues are listed on the
form at the bottom of page one. Single copies
of MUSKIE magazine are available at $3.00
each from the Muskies, Inc. International
Office.
Contributors grant rights for M.I. to publish
once in MUSKIE Magazine, both the print and
on-line versions, including archives and on the
M.I. Web site.
Submissions to
MUSKIE Magazine
Persons interested in submitting articles for
publication are directed to our website
www.muskiesinc.org. There they will find a
link to MUSKIE Magazine. From there you
will find links on the left side of the page
providing
information
necessary
for
submissions to MUSKIE Magazine. Further
questions will be answered by Jim Smith,
Managing Editor. Submissions may be sent
to: 15045 W. Double Tree Way • Surprise, AZ
85374-8568. Phone: (623) 388-3225 or you
may
Email: managingeditor@muskiesinc.org.
2 MUSKIE.....May 2005
How I See “It”
The President’s Message
A view from the editor’s desk
I
am sure most of you have heard of our most recent
induction of members into the Muskies, Inc. Hall of
Fame. This year three very deserving people were
inducted. Former M.I. Secretary, Pat Johnson, Past
President, Paul Framsted, and West Virginia Chapter 09
President, Jim Moore. Congratulations to each of you.
You’ll enjoy reading about their accomplishments; their
stories are being shared with all.
Last month I mentioned your Executive committee’s desire to spotlight some of our
lure manufacturers and local area tackle shops. You may recall we featured Rollie & Helen’s
Musky Shop in December 2003. Speaking of Rollie & Helen’s, if you haven’t received their
latest catalog you need to get your own copy. It’s about 175 pages, all in color and it is
gorgeous. Their toll free number is (800) 453-5224.
This month Mike Kanaval writes his first chapter article “Muskies, Inc. Chapters
Close-Up (Fargo-Moorhead). Patricia Strutz “Show Cases our Supporters” with a story
about Frabill Company. I had an opportunity to fish at the World Musky Hunt in
Minocqua last August with Pat Wingo, President of Hellraiser Tackle Co. and owner of
Captain Hooks Tackle Shop in Lake Tomahawk. I have put together his story in this issue.
Special Alert!
I just received an Associated Press Release that discusses a recent decision that will
require anyone traveling out of the country to have passports in their possession in order to
return. Heretofore all you needed was a driver’s license or photo I.D. In part it states,
“WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans will need passports to re-enter the
United States from Canada, Mexico, Panama and Bermuda by 2008, part
of a tightening of U.S. border controls in an era of terrorist threat, three
administration officials said Tuesday...”
More information will be forthcoming. In the meantime if you don’t have a valid
passport, I would suggest you obtain one. For anyone going to Canada this summer you
should carry your passport with you. No need to be delayed at the boarder.
Well, back to this month’s issue. Colby Simms wraps up his three-part series with
“One More Try”. James Coglin writes about the “Migration of the Mighty Muskie”.
David Cates has just returned from a day on the water with the Indiana DNR and writes
about a Webster Lake Muskie Study.
I have to write this column prior to the Board Meeting on Saturday. So I don’t have
anything to discuss. Knowing what little I do know about what is happening, I’ll just have
to wait and see where we end up. Hopefully, it will be good news and everyone will come
away happy.
– Jim
Jim Smith, Managing Editor
MUSKIE Magazine
The Official Publication of Muskies, Inc.
Email: managingeditor@muskiesinc.org
Coming next month:
June is our Junior Members issue. We have a full complement
of junior articles that you are just going to enjoy.
Dawson’s Muskie Story
Fishing Tips & Children
Tips for Kids
Everything
And much more, including an article on developing a kids
fishing derby for your chapter – the complete How-To-Do-It!
There should also be news from the April 9th board meeting.
by Greg Wells, Muskies, Inc. International President
Email: president@muskiesinc.org
International
Officers
President, Greg Wells
Phone: 920-457-3720
Email: president@muskiesinc.org
Symposium! Symposium! Symposium!
Yes I’m going to visit this topic again. The eyes of the entire Muskie Industry are
upon us. There is an anticipation brewing with high expectations. This event will set
Muskies Inc apart and in the lime light of all the Muskie World. We will shine fellow
Muskie Inc members. The Hoosiers, bless their hearts, have put forth a valiant effort and
will produce a quality product. Sure there have been some ups and downs but they/we
have prevailed. The speakers are in place, the technical papers have been selected and now
it is up to us to show our support. We need to send our DNR people, to attend ourselves
and provide supportive financing. Some chapters, individuals and corporate partners
have donated and we thank you. All of us need to chip in and show our support.
Vice President/Finances, Jim Beaty
Phone: 618-235-3646
Email: beatyjh@msn.com
Vice President/Research, Ron Mazur
Phone: 708-458-0055
Email: Lowmuskie@aol.com
Vice President/Internal Affairs, Dick McPike
Phone: 816-436-4909
Email: mcpikerl@msn.com
Vice President/Membership, Bob Timme
Phone: 715-462-3053
Email: kingfish1@centurytel.net
Muskie Stocking
Here is something to think about and sample some feed back. With the sate DNR
budgets being cut we know that muskie stocking will be affected. How will this effect
muskie fishing in the future. Each year we see an increase in the number of muskie
fisherman so when will this problem hit the critical category? How will Muskies Inc step
up and assure that this doesn’t happen? Can we amass a National Muskie Stocking
Program?
Vice President/Communications, David Cates
Phone: 574-457-3222
Email: david@gclawoffice.com
Treasurer, Pete Barber
Phone: 847-726-7267
Email: pjbassoc@hotmail.com
Assistant Treasurer, [ search in progress ]
Phone:
Email:
Catch and Release
Is this a dead issue? Not by a long shot. There are estimated to be over 300,000
muskie fisherman in the nation and we haven’t reached all of them yet. Plus what about
the other fisherman and those incidental catches? It is my opinion and of others that we
need to resurrect the catch and release motto. What is your opinion?
Muskie Tag or Stamp
Wisconsin is playing with an idea to implement a muskie stamp. One idea is that to
fish for muskies you would need to purchase a stamp to be allowed to fish for muskies.
This would not affect the bag or size limits. Another idea that has risen out of this is to
go to a muskie tag like they do for deer. So to fish for muskies you would have to buy a
tag and you would be limited to one take for your tag a season. This would also mean
that other fisherman who incidentally catches a muskie would have to release them by
law unless of course they bought a tag. What is your opinion?
Members Only Fishing Contest, Jim Bunch
Phone: 715-723-8343 • Fax: 715-723-8354
Email: lungelog@muskiesinc.org
Web Master, Ron Groeschl
Phone: 262-271-1002
Email: rong@thegroeschlgroup.com
Int. Administrative Secretary, Terrie DuBé
PO Box 120870, New Brighton, MN, 55112
Phone: 888-710-8286 • Fax: 651-784-0068
Email: secretary@muskiesinc.org
At Large Directors
Term Expires
Dick McPike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Dan Narsete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Art Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Jack Moga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Ron Mazur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Muskies, Inc. Past Presidents
Ken Karbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Jim Shannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Gil Hamm
Lou Cook
Steve Statland
Edward T. Peterka
Peter Hadley
John Hotle
Robert Hill
Bob Schmidt
Jim Blaubach
Robert Shoop
Larry Ramsell
Steve Budnik
Frank Schneider
Lou Cook
Jim Smith
David Cates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008
Peter Hadley
Keith Ogden
Paul Framsted
Patricia Strutz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008
DuWayne Bakke
Bill Davis
Perry Smith
Karl Scherer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008
www.muskiesinc.org
Bob Timme
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Jim Beaty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Bob Osborne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Laura Morrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008
Don Jahnke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008
Pat Johnson
I attended my first board
meeting at Telemark Lodge in Cable,
Wisconsin in 1981. There I had the
pleasure of meeting Gil and Midge
Hamm and many of the “who’swho” in Muskies’ Inc. for the first
time.
It was decided at the Fall Board
meeting in 1984 that I should begin
taking minutes of the Board
meetings. I started taking minutes at
the Spring Board meeting in 1985
and never missed any of the twice a
year meetings. I tape recorded over
I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E WS
I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E WS ◆
Gregg Tichacek
Glenn Wilson Jr
Larry Park
Jeff Knapp
Tom Long
Wayne Baxter
Dr. Richard Narske
Michael & Deanna
Persson
Jim Moore
Dewey Johnson
David Rouse
Gerald Butkus
Jim became a member of
Muskies Inc., in 1982, was elected
chapter president in 1989, an office
he stills holds today. Since Jim
became president the West Virginia
Chapter has become much more
involved and active in addressing
issues concerning the fisheries.
Under Jim’s leadership, we have
made our voices heard and have
positively affected musky fishing in
West Virginia and Ohio.
In 1994, our chapter initiated
the effort to have areas designated
for Release Only muskie fishing. Stream sections of Middle Island
Creek and the Buckhannon River were designated by the WVDNR.
Jim Moore participated in public hearings concerning this proposal.
In 1996, Jim Moore arranged for our chapter to join the Wayne
National Forest as co-sponsors of a Youth Fishing Day. This has
grown to the point where over three hundred people attend this
annual one-day event.
In 1998, Jim Moore set the example for trophy release to other
WV muskie fishermen by becoming the first person ever, to our
knowledge, to release a 50” muskie in West Virginia waters. This fish
was caught in a chapter tournament at Stonewall Jackson Lake.
In 1999, we gave our support to the West Virginia DNR
Cleithum collection project. The cleithum bones are taken from
muskies that die accidentally or were going to be kept any way. They
are collected by the DNR and are forwarded to Dr. Casselman in
Ontario for analysis. Jim Moore wrote a letter to the West Virginia
Taxidermist Association requesting that they cooperate in the effort.
He helped develop materials about the project, which are on display
on a bulletin board at Stonewall Jackson Lake.
In 2002, Jim Moore and other chapter members began helping
DNR electroshock muskies on Middle Island Creek. Also, we
purchased a scanner to recover information from muskies implanted
with “bar code” tags.
In 2002, Jim Moore worked with chapter member Jason Isaacs
to develop a West Virginia Chapter web site, which contains
Muskies Inc information, provides information on WV bait makers,
interesting and educational articles by chapter members, chapter
reports, photos and updates.
In 2004 Jim obtained $1800 from Columbia Gas to purchase
for the WVDNR specially designed nets to net muskies from the
new North Bend Lake for breeding purposes. That same year we set
up a booth at the WVDNR National Outdoors Show that exposed
our chapter to 15,000 outdoors people. We also were able to get the
Shawn Van Scoyoc
Will Schultz
Steve & Kay Budnik
Jeff Peterson
Tom Robbins
Gerald Peters
Bruce Ruppel
George Coles
Jim & Diane
Mazzone
Alan Park
Chris Von Allmen
Ralph Buckles
Richard Helm
Glen Dauenbaugh/
Jennifer Pipitone
On behalf of Muskies, Inc., thank you for adding a
bit extra when you renewed your membership.
– Pete Barber, Treasurer
WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans will need passports to reenter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Panama and
Bermuda by 2008, part of a tightening of U.S. border
controls in an era of terrorist threat, three administration
officials said Tuesday April 5th. Similarly, Canadians will
also have to present a passport to enter the United States,
the officials said.
Asked about the changes in an Associated Press interview,
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States
had to take every precaution to screen out “people who want
to come in to hurt us.” Rice also said the changes were made
after consultation with Mexico, Canada and others in the
Western Hemisphere.
The announcement, expected later Tuesday at the State
Department, will specify that a passport or another valid
travel document will have to be shown by U.S. citizens, the
officials said. These include a document called Sentri that is
used for Mexico travel or a Nexus for Canada travel.
Until now, Americans returning home from Canada have
needed only to show a driver’s license or other governmentissued photo identification card. Americans returning from
Mexico, Panama or Bermuda currently need only a
government-issued photo identification card plus proof of
U.S. citizenship like an original birth or naturalization
certificate, according to the State Department’s Web site.
The new rules, to be phased in by Jan. 1, 2008, were called
for in intelligence legislation approved last year by Congress.
Safeguarding U.S. borders are a top concern of U.S.
intelligence and security officials. The concern increased
after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the World Trade
Center in New York and on the Pentagon. The travel industry
has raised concerns that the changes might hamper tourism,
one official said.
The announcement follows a three-way summit last month
that President Bush held with Prime Minister Paul Martin of
Canada and President Vicente Fox of Mexico. Speaking at
Baylor University at Waco, Tex., Bush said border controls
with Mexico had to be tightened to make sure that terrorists,
drug runners, gun runners and smugglers do not enter the
United States.
Besides a passport, re-entering Americans could use
another approved travel document like frequent travel cards,
which are issued to some people who travel often between
the U.S. and Mexico. These cards typically are used to avoid
long border-crossing lines. But in most cases, only passports
will do, another U.S. official said.
The new system will deal first with the Caribbean, then
Mexico and Canada. It will start at airports and subsequently
spread to land crossings, said an official speaking on
condition of anonymity. U.S. inspectors will bear less of a
burden with the changes because they won’t have to sift
through different kinds of travel documents, the officials said.
For more about this policy or to get a precise timetable, you
can use your personal PC to log on the web and go to
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
(Associated Press reporters George Gedda and Lara Jakes Jordan
contributed to this report)
www.muskiesinc.org
I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E WS
Paul has been a continuous
member of Muskies Inc. since 1990
(membership number 44-24199).
Paul served as M.I. International
President 1999-2001. During his
term as President he instituted the
insurance coverage we now have for
on the water activities to protect all
International and Chapter officers.
He initiated the raising of funds to
give our website financial stability
when we were at risk of loosing it.
He initiated the first official
contracts that the International has
with our Insurance provider and printer, bringing M.I to more of a
business stature.
Paul served as Vice President and has served as chairman of the
Membership and Fundraising committees. He has written articles
for MUSKIE Magazine.
Probably his most outstanding
contribution to M.I. was his instituting the first Muskies Inc,
International fund raising event held at the 2001 Spring Board
Meeting in Minneapolis, MN that raised almost $20,000.00. The
second fundraiser was held at the 2002 Spring Board Meeting in
Chippewa Falls, WI that raised approximately $20,000.00 for M.I.
The third fundraiser was held at the Spring Board Meeting in
Morehead KY, which raised another $20,000.00 for M.I. Paul will
have served on the Executive Committee for eight years.
At the Chapter level, Paul is a member of the Colorado Chapter
Hall of Fame. He was the Chapter RVP for four years, has chaired
the Annual Chapter Banquets for a number of years, assisted the
Division of Wildlife with stocking muskies, assisted with the Kids
Fishing Derby’s, attended sport show booth displays, etc. He was
also a member of the Colorado Chapter’s Gil Hamm Chapter
Challunge team 1992, 1993, 1994.
In addition, Paul held the Colorado State Tiger Muskie record
in 1994. He currently holds a World Line Class Record (Trolling)
with the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
DONATIONS – MARCH
SPECIAL ALERT!
Paul Framsted
WVDNR to change their “Trophy Muskie Citation Award” to a
“40 inch Release Citation” instead of going by weight only, which
anglers had to kill the muskie to get a Citation.
Since Jim has become chapter president our membership has
grown from 50 to over 150. We have 120 attend our annual awards
banquet; one thing Jim takes pride in is that the banquet is free,
including the meal. ❖
Your 2004 Hall of Fame Inductees
400 hours of meeting minutes and spent hundreds of hours
transcribing from tapes to paper. I was always glad to have the
minutes done and mailed out!!!
I worked with 11 presidents, Bob Schmidt, Larry Ramsell, Lou
Cook, Keith Ogden, Bill Davis, Steve Statland, John Hotle, Jim
Blaubach, Steve Budnik, Jim Smith and Paul Framsted.
When I started in 1981 we had 2000 members. I typed all
membership cards for renewals and new members with the
typewriter until I got a computer in 1983. By 2001 we had 7,000
members and I had processed over 30, 000 new membership
applications and sent out thousands of renewal notices. For the first
5 or 6 years I put postage stamps on all mailings by hand. After that
a postage machine was used.
When I started there were 22 chapters. During the 20 years I
worked with over sixty different chapters, many of these have since
dissolved. In 2001 there were 45 chapters.
M AG A Z I N E N OT E S ◆ M AG A Z I N E N OT E S ◆ M AG A Z I N E N OT E S ◆ M AG A Z I N E N OT E S
ABOUT THE COVER–
Our second “Fish” cover in a row, but this one taken
underwater- a unique picture. It was shot by Eric Engbretson, a
professional
underwater
photographer. His story on
the photo:
“It was taken last year in
early May in Vilas County
Wisconsin, just outside of
the town of Boulder
Junction, self proclaimed
"Musky Capital of the
World". This is a small lake
about 200 acres that's known
for good numbers of muskies
but it's certainly not a trophy
fishery by any means. I like
photographing here early in
the year because all the
Muskies are concentrated in a narrow band of emerging weeds along
the shoreline. It's not unusual to see a dozen muskies in an hour as
I swim along a weedbed that's maybe 200 yards long. Later in the
year, Muskies are harder to find, so I get most of my musky photos
early in the season when the water is just warming and the fish are
all very shallow and easy to spot.”
“The water temperature was 54 and the weeds were just starting
to come up. We're in about 6 feet of water. By July, those weeds
(coontail I think) that you see under the fish reach the surface. At
this time of year, this lake is pretty clear, but by summer, visibility
drops to only a couple of feet because of algae blooms.”
“Muskies being at the top of the food chain show little fear of
divers and will often approach me to investigate, as was the case
when this picture was taken. When scuba diving, finding Muskies
is surprisingly easy. If there's one around, he'll usually find you first.
Adult Muskies will come very close if you don't make any
threatening or sudden movements so it's possible to get some really
good pictures.”
“How big is this fish? I'm not really sure. Underwater, it's
difficult to judge size. Because of the magnifying effect of water, fish
and everything else you see are only three-fourths the size they
appear to be. So a fish that looks 50 inches underwater is in reality
only three fourths that size, or 37.5 inches. (Next time you see a 50incher swim by the boat, it's really only 37.5 inches. Using the boat
as a measuring tool is useless. As long as you're looking through air
and the fish is underwater, it will ALWAYS be only 3/4ths as large as
it appears.) My point is that I can't really tell you how big this fish
is with any degree of certainty. I'd be very surprised if it was 40
inches. I think a good guess might be 36.”
I shot this picture using a Nikon N90 35mm SLR in an
underwater housing. I used Kodak E100VS film. Shutter speed was
either 1/60th or 1/125th; aperture was f5.6. I often use underwater
strobes, but this picture was taken using natural light. On bright
sunny days in shallow water like this you can very often get suitable
results using natural light.”
Note the Very interesting comments by Eric on the location of
spring Muskies in weed beds and the magnifying effects of water on
apparent fish size. Food for thought. I’ve brought up the possibility
of Eric doing some underwater shots for us with a lure in the water.
If that works out, we might get some truly spectacular photos.
Eric can be reached at eric@underwaterfishphotos.com. ❖
Purposes of Muskies, Inc.
• To promote a high quality muskellunge sport
fishery;
• To support selected conservation practices
based on scientific merit and carried out by
authorized federal and state agencies;
• To promote muskellunge research;
• To establish hatcheries and rearing ponds and
introduce the species into suitable waters;
• To support the abatement of water pollution;
• To maintain records of habits, growth, and
range of species;
• To disseminate muskellunge information;
• To promote good fellowship and sportsmanship among men, women and children.
ABOUT THE
CENTERFOLD
JUNE JAM MUSKIE
TOURNAMENT
JUNE 11-12, 2005
The second weekend of June draws the best sportsmen in the region to the famous Muskie
waters of Deer, Bone, the Apple River Flowage, Blake, Cedar, Round and Wapogasset
Lakes in Polk County, Wisconsin. 175 Open-Division participants compete for fabulous
prize packages from our sponsors and bragging rights until next June. Plus, all paid opendivision participants are entered in the drawing for the Grand Prize: one week of lodging
at Red Wing Lodge on Lake of the Woods. The awards ceremony will be held at Wilkins
Resort on Bone Lake on Sunday, June 12 at 1:00 p.m. Thanks to Sportsman’s Warehouse,
the special guest host for the Awards ceremony will be TV, radio, and magazine
personality Steve Scepaniak of Predator Guide Service .
The June Jam is a 100% catch and release muskie tournament hosted by the North Metro
Chapter of Muskies, Inc., emphasizing sportsmanship and respect for the resource. The
June Jam is also a family event, with a special prize package for the Junior Division.
All participants must follow Wisconsin DNR fishing and boating rules at all times.
Entry Fee: $40 for Open Division Participants if paid by May 11, $50 if paid after May
11, 2005; Junior Division Participants: $20 (open only to individuals 15 and younger).
For more information and updates, or to download Rules and Registration forms, visit:
www.northmetromuskies.com and click on June Jam. Registration is limited to 175 open
division participants, so sign up now!
"A Muskie on the cover, and a centerfold
of “Just Muskies” this month. These pictures
have been submitted to the Photo Contest by
members over the years. They capture our
beloved fish in a variety of settings above, on,
and in the water.
Many thanks to Paul Amberg, Bill Barkley,
Michael Butler, Will Dykstra, Paul Framsted,
Todd Frank, Chris Haley, Greg Ide, Mark
Johnson, Frank Maus, Ben Modica, Jon Russo,
and Jeff Sacco for these photos. And especial
thanks to Jim LeMay who regularly sends me
excellent and varied photos documenting all
kinds of things about our Muskie world."
www.muskiesinc.org
UP CLOSE ◆ CHAPTERS UP CLOSE ◆ CHAPTERS UP CLOSE ◆ CHAPTERS UP CLOSE
Muskies, Inc.
Chapters “Up Close”
Chapter #2:
Fargo-Moorhead
by Mike Kanaval
E
ver since joining Muskies Inc. and discovering that the local
Chapter I joined is more than just a muskie-fishing club, I
always wondered if all of the other Chapters do the same type
of things that we are doing or what they have planned for the
upcoming year. Do they have an Annual Outings schedule like ours,
do they have community events scheduled, do they have a Kid’s day,
and where do they fish? I know at the beginning of every year I always
look forward to seeing what will be on the agenda for the best part of
the whole year, Muskie Season.
Clearly there is more than just fishing contests going on for each
Chapter. With the kind of people that join everyone seems to want
to contribute their time to helping others. They look to work with the
local communities and park districts on local lake projects or clean up
days just picking up trash and help in any way they can. This is the
kind of spirit you can find in every Chapter.
But of course, the members of Muskies Inc are also very serious
about Muskies. Each Chapter is committed to learning everything
about these fish and members will drive for miles to fill that need.
Every Chapter is looking to discover something new that they didn’t
know to help them become better anglers. As just one example, they
hire guides to come speak at their monthly meetings to update them
on the recent patterns that are putting fish in the net. Anything they
can do, any angle that will help their members get the most recent
information to improve there chances at a fish of a lifetime and then
release it. What a group!
Muskies Inc has 52 Chapters all over the Unites States. Each
Chapter is comprised of elected officers to lead them with events that
are for the benefit of its members and their Community. But you
really wouldn’t know all that much about these kinds of things they
do unless someone decided to write about it.
Each month we will feature Chapters to see what they are doing
compared to your local Chapter. We’ll include their Scheduled
Outing events, how many members are in each Chapter, who’s
catching all of the fish, Kid’s events, what each Chapter is most proud
of, all of that kind of thing. Basically we’ll try to introduce you to
people that are doing the same things we are, but just live in a
different location.
MISSION
S TAT E M E N T
“Muskies, Inc. is an active, service-oriented, non-profit
organization with the single focus of improving the sport of muskie
fishing for men, women, and children.
Our mission is to unite all muskie fishing interests for the
promotion and protection of a high quality muskellunge sport
fishery in the United States and Canada.
We will accomplish this by supporting conservation practices
and research based on sound scientific merit, and carried out by
authorized federal or state agencies, appropriate academic
institutions, Muskies, Inc chapters, and their members.
We are committed to the abatement of water pollution;
maintenance of records for muskie habits, growth, and range; and the
dissemination of muskie information to everyone.”
Adopted, April 2002
The Fargo/Moorhead Chapter was established in 1972, they are
lead by president Brett Waldera and are 145 members strong. I asked
Brett some questions about his Chapter wondering if they are
planning the same type of events our chapter has planned for 2005.
My first question was do you have any famous members that we may
recognize from all of the magazines and TV shows we have been
watching this winter. The first name on the List of Dick Pearson was
someone every muskie angler knows; with his book Muskies on the
Shield and a new video, he is one angler that most of are familiar
with. Other names are Doc Cotton, Al Skaar, Roger Halvorson &
Bob Strand. The events for the year start off with an outing for the
Min opener followed with the annual fishing contest where
approximately 40 - 2 man teams have a one day tournament and the
results are usually 30 to 40 fish caught. Other outings include hosting
the Gil Hamm Chapter Challunge this year at the Paradise Cove
Resort in Minaki Ontario. They also have a Wednesday Night fishing
league as well. I asked Brett who had the most catches for their club
last year, and Will Hardy had an astounding 180 caught with his
brother Joe Hardy catching 178 fish in 2004. Looks like it runs in the
family. The largest fish caught through the Chapter was Brian Grote’s
54.5” he caught while fishing on Lac Suel.
I asked Brett if they have any plans for stocking their favorite lake
this year or other activities that may include involving the local
community and kid’s. They are involved in purchasing several docks
for the DNR in their area as well as donating money to the YMCA
youth Club. They also donate money to the Detroit Lakes youth club,
the Fergus Falls Youth club and the local boys scouts. They work with
the local DNR and fund them with minnows for the rearing ponds,
and this is only what they have planed for this year. They have been
involved with projects every year and continue to find ways to help
improve their local community any way they can.
My last question was. Brett, what is it that your most proud of
about your Chapter.
“ OUR MEMBERS was his reply. They make this very fun for
everyone by sharing information, many members have caught
50 inchers due to the fact that they share information and patterns.
He said “I can’t believe how un-selfish our members are with the
sharing of information, and their ability to step up to any challenge
put in front of them. They fish hard and play hard and this helps our
chapter run very smooth.” ❖
Moving?
Send your change of address to:
Terrie DuBé,
PO Box 120870,
New Brighton, MN 55112
888-710-8286
Or e-mail to:
secretary@muskiesinc.org
One More Try
Part 3 of “Triggering Following Muskies”
by Colby Simms
in conditions. This is a tactic that the muskies are not
conditioned to and have very few defenses for.
When a muskie follows our lure but fails to strike, we
always employ a change up presentation to attempt to trigger
the fish immediately. We’ll usually try a couple of different
lure options quickly in the area where the muskie was last
seen. When this fails to produce a strike, we do not leave the
area, but rather continue fishing the same structure. Good
spots tend to be good spots, and it’s likely that if there is one
active muskie in the area there are more active muskies in the
area. To leave the area is a mistake, as many times other
muskies can be raised or even caught from the same location.
After we finish fishing the structure, we go right back
through and fish it again. The majority of the time, we’re
back on the spot where the follow occurred within about ten
to fifteen minutes. The bottom line is that the muskie is
probably still going to be fairly active, as it had just chased a
lure a few minutes earlier. It’s likely to be on the same exact
spot and still in a mood to chase, we just need to get the fish
to hit. Speed can be an incredible strike-triggering ingredient
thrown in the mix when trying to get a muskie to eat when
it may only be in the mood to chase. The tactic that we
employ is to burn a small lure past the muskie at extremely
high speed to trigger a reaction strike. We’re trying to prey
on the muskie’s instincts. The faster that we can burn the
lure past the fish’s nose, the better
chance we have of catching it. When a
lure or prey item zips away from a
predator, its natural instinct is to attack
ONTARIO, CANADA it to prevent it from getting away. Many
times this is exactly what happens.
S
everal years ago I discovered a new tactic for taking
following fish that won’t strike at the boat. This tactic
is somewhat unorthodox, and that may be one of the
reasons that it works so well, but the main reason I believe
that it produces fish when nothing else will is because it
preys on the muskie’s instincts. This deadly tactic uses a
muskie’s instincts against it, triggering a reaction strike. I
began using these tactics many years ago on my home water,
Kinkaid Lake, in Southern Illinois. Since that time, my
guides and I have employed this tactic successfully
throughout the south and all the way north into Canada.
Traditional thinking requires an angler to use a set
system of tactics when a muskie follows but does not strike a
bait at boat side. The tactic generally employed is called a
change up presentation. The change up presentation is just
like it sounds. We change lures and throw something
different back at the fish to try and elicit a strike, but what
do we do when this tactic fails? Most muskie anglers believe
that it’s best to leave the area and stay away from the muskie
for a good while, then return only under a light or weather
change later in the day for another shot at this fish. While it
is true that this tactic can work, there is another approach
that muskie anglers can take to try to catch these fish. This
particular tactic has been more effective for us than going
back to the fish later in the day during some type of change
Muskie Fishing in
beautiful Nestor Falls
PO Box 250-P
Nestor Falls
Ontario, CA POX1KO
www.allenscrowlakelodge.
com
Email:
crowlake@nwonet.net
1-888-CROW LAKE
1-807-484-2628
You may come as a stranger…
But you will leave as a friend!
Lure Options:
The first key is to choose a small
lure. Most small lures can be retrieved
much faster than larger ones, and they’re
much easier to throw all day long. Lure
size is not to be confused with weight.
Sinking lures need to be heavy for their
length, so they can stay under the water’s
surface at high speeds. Floating lures are
typically much lighter in weight, but
they have to run true and track straight
to be effective for this purpose. Some
baits are more effective for running at
high speeds than others, but many will
often need to be tuned so they can attain
maximum running speed. The two lures
that have been proven to be the most
effective for this tactic have been the inline bucktail spinner and the lipless
crankbait. Spinners need to be heavy for
their size, not only for high speed retrieves, but to be able to
make long casts. Another important key when choosing a
spinner is the style of blade the lure has. Colorado, Indiana
and other round shaped blades make poor choices, create too
much lift and will pull the lure to the surface with a quick
retrieve. The best blade choices for this type of high-speed
fishing are French or willow leaf style blades. These narrow
blades don’t create much thump in the water and allow the
in-line spinner to run deep even at high speeds. Flash is also
a powerful strike-provoking trigger. Predator fish know that
a flash means lunch, and flash can help increase a lures
ability to catch muskies. Willow leaf and French style blades
provide maximum flash for great visual appeal.
Lipless crankbaits are a great option to use for this
technique. Lipless cranks seem to work great on muskies that
are in a neutral feeding mode, such as those that follow to
the boat but will not go into the figure eight. Like heavy,
small bladed bucktails, lipless crankbaits can be burned as
fast as you can crank a reel handle. They produce a tight
wiggling action for a unique vibration. These great lures are
very easy on the angler as they slice through the water with
very little resistance when compared to lipped crankbaits.
Lipless crankbaits from about 3/4 to 11/4 ounces in weight
are best for this technique.
smooth and fast. A rock solid instant anti-reverse system is
another important quality to look for in a reel. Having
absolutely no play in the handle will ensure powerful and
deep penetration with relative ease. Speed is the real key, so
choose reels with high-speed gear ratios such as a 6.2:1
rating.
Proper line and leaders play yet another critical role in
this unique fishing tactic. Lighter line and leaders should be
paired with smaller lures. Extremely thick heavy line and
steel leaders can deaden a small lure’s action. I choose 17 to
25 pound test castable fluorocarbon fishing line.
Fluorocarbon line is a low stretch line, but unlike the nostretch super braids, it will stretch just a bit. This helps us
boat more muskies that we hook on small baits. When using
steel or titanium leaders, 30-pound test is about right, but a
50-pound fluorocarbon leader seems to work better, with a
9-inch size the best for casting presentations.
The proper execution of the figure eight maneuver,
followed by change up tactics, and finally, the turn and burn
tactic is a one, two punch combination followed with a
powerful knockout punch to seal the deal. These tactics can
help to boat more muskies that might otherwise ignore our
attempts. Good Luck! ❖
Equipment:
The use of proper equipment is critical to
success with this tactic. Anglers should choose
long rods that are lighter than most standard
muskie outfits. Seven to eight foot long rods
are preferred. They should have a heavymedium to medium-heavy power and a
moderate to moderate-fast action. Rods that
fall in the lightest end of the muskie fishing
spectrum, or better yet the heavy end of the
bass fishing spectrum, are right for this
application. The softer action of these rods
helps to keep the muskie on during the fight.
Because of the muskie’s size and strength, it’s
easy for them to throw any kind of lure. Hard,
fast headshakes and jumps can dislodge a bait
from a muskie’s mouth, and small, heavy lures
such as the ones that we use for this technique
seem to be easy to toss. Longer rods with
softer actions will ensure a high catch to strike
ratio when using these types of lures.
Reels are another incredibly important
tool. Using the proper reel for this tactic will
definitely increase success dramatically. Reels
must have a smooth drag system to be able to
land big tough fish like muskies on small
lures. The line needs to peel evenly from the
spool when the fish runs, or the hooks will
tear large holes in the muskie’s mouth when it
surges. Once the hook holes are opened up, it
becomes all too easy for a ski to spit the bait
like he was just toying with you all along.
Reels should facilitate long casts, have the
power to fight big fish and bring a lure in
www.muskiesinc.org
www.muskiebaytacklecompany.com
by
Ji m B u n c h
50 Inch Muskies, Where, Lure!
The Lunge Log to date, which means all members fish reported
since May of 1970 now has 201,785 entries. That is a lot of hook
setting. So here we are wondering when the next 50 inch muskie will
come to our boat. There are just a few variables involved here. Some
of the facts involved include, where you are fishing. It also includes
what lure you are using. We will concentrate on those two facts this
month. All of you know there are many other factors involved. This
includes water temperature, structure, wind, sky, moon phase, time of
day, depth, style, etc, etc, etc. The Lunge Log has all of this data that
has been provided by members. In reality there has been 2,984
muskies reported to us that were 50 inches or more since May of
1970. This comes from a data base of nearly 202,000 entries. So in
reality terms, if you have caught 100 muskies, one and a half of them
should be 50 inches. I always have a problem with that half of a
muskie thing. So if you have caught 200 muskies, 3 of them should
be 50 inches. We can say that because that is the fact that we have here
at the Lunge Log. How are you matching up here? Ya hey, I suppose
most of you are just like me, a bit behind the odds. So here we go,
here are the facts, where and lure.
Where?
50 inch muskies in the Lunge Log. This month we have provided you
with a list of the specific lakes with the most 50 inchers. In the
magazine we cut the list to the top 100. If you desire to see all 294
and their rank just go to our web site at http://www.muskiesinc.org
and you will find it. Our list of the top 100 is actually only 99 as there
are 18 lakes tied for number 100. This list is a bit skewed as we must
deal with the Not Specified thing that was part of us for a number of
years. Going forward we have eliminated that issue but still must list
them as part of our past. For example, number two on the list is Not
Specified and a total of 242 fifty inch muskies. They are no lake, no
county, no state or province, and no country. In reality they are useless
data. They are real, but serve no purpose in our data base. You will
also notice there is a Lake Of The Woods with no state or province.
This one has another 23 fifty inchers just kind of hanging out there.
Another issue is when a lake has multiple counties going through its
waters. In the list we do not separate by counties in Canada but do in
the United States. The best example would be Mille Lacs in
Minnesota. It is huge cannot see across it. You will notice on the list
that it is 12th and 13th and 73rd. When you add these together Mille
Lacs is actually ahead of Lac Seul on the list. Speaking of Minnesota,
this is the change in the wind. For the last 12 years the muskie waters
in Minnesota are like a charging bull. I believe that if you added them
up for all waters in Minnesota they are approaching 630 fifty inchers.
That is about 21% of all fifty inchers in the world in our data base.
Just remember these names: Vermilion, Leech, Cass, Mille Lacs and
countless others in the Gopher state. Another name is Lake Of The
Woods; yes some of that vast expanse is in Minnesota.
Enjoy the list; it has important information for you. Now where
are the biggest ones? We are talking about muskies that range from 57
inches and up. This of course eliminates a lot in the list. Here at the
Lunge Log we have some facts and we have big ears. Here at
command central I talk to a lot of people who know of huge muskies
that may actually challenge a world record. What is the world record?
Today do we really know? That is another can of worms. Facts say
that the Woods and Lac Seul would be candidates; even Minnesota
could be in that mix. However my ears have been picking up a
different note. Some tell me that if you took off in an airplane from
Detroit and flew northeast right straight up Lake Erie and right over
Buffalo and Niagara Falls and continued on up the middle of Lake
Ontario looking as far north as you could see. Momma muskie maybe
there some place. You could not see Georgian Bay from that far away
but it is a candidate. Word is that on this flight viewing eastern
Ontario that once you get to Montreal, turn the plane around and
come home for your boat. Keep in mind this whole time you have
To catch a 50 inch muskie takes a little study. We have studied
this over the years and it is almost like we could copy the notes from
every year and just print it again. For those of you more intent
though, there is a change in the wind. The overall stats continue to be
dominating. If you can ignore Lake Of The Woods, then you are
blind. We need to understand one simply fact here, the Woods is
huge. If you have never been there, you don’t understand. If you
wanted to drive around it in one day, you will need lots of gas, several
(Continued on page 14)
border crossings, and a lot of patience. If you cut Lake Of The Woods
into 40 separate lakes, it would have more muskie
Leap-R - 51/2˝
fishing than many of the states in the U.S. It has a
The
Also available
rich history, ageless in time. It has thousands of
“Best darn Magnum Leap-R 71/2˝
resorts, not crowded though; it has many expert
musky/northern
Bait Co.
lures I ever used!”
muskie fishing guides ready to put you on the big
Augie Machtig
one. One thing to remember though, it is just like
Sheboygan, WI
the rest of North America, it is still at the mercy of
An Instant Musky Meal – Just add water!TM
The Gopher
Leap-R
Mother Nature. If it is turned off the week you are
• Top-water wooden bait • Chrome plated steel
Available at:
there it is just like the rest of the muskie world.
• Slowest bait in your
• Jerkbait
Rollie & Helen’s Musky Shop, Minocqua, WI
tackle box
The
Gopher
Crazy - D - Tackle, Elk Mound, WI
• Two sizes: 5 1/2’ - 1 oz.
However, if conditions are right and Mother
81/2˝
Hayward Bait & Tackle, Hayward, WI
• Two sizes: 8 1/2” - 2 oz. & 7 1/2’ - 2 oz.
Kolar Bait & Tackle, Carol Stream, IL
Nature favors the muskies mood it is the scariest
and 5 1/2” - 1 oz.
Ye Olde Tackle Shop, North Webster, IN
place in the world to muskie fish.
DMS Tackle & Guide Service, East Grand Forks, MN
Smokey’s Muskellunge Shop, Pewaukee, WI
Free Brochure: Gopher Bait Co.
In the overall picture, the province of Ontario
and other fine tackle dealers.
9759 Middle Road, Oostburg, WI 53070 • 920-458-4488
Also available
with its great mass has recorded about half of all the
Dealer Inquiries Invited
Visit our website: www.gopherbaitco.com
Baby Gopher - 51/2˝
Gopher
www.muskiesinc.org
Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g
g
Lunge Lo
e
th
been flying over the St. Lawrence Seaway. There is lots of history
there. Muskie Inc members include the finest muskie anglers in the
world. We feel one of them in the next ten years is going to catch a
muskie that will set this world record thing to bed. We all have the
potential based on one fact, bait in the water. If God looked down
and said Jimmy write a book. It would be called, “Bait In The Water”.
When I retire, that is what I am going to do. I am going to put a bait
in the water in as many places that I can and Muskies, Inc. is going
to show me where.
Lure?
Now that we have decided where we are going, open your tackle
box, look at your lures, look at our lure list and then go and get a loan.
Here are the facts, use it as you see fit. The Lunge Log is not here to
advertise for specific bait, that is not our intent. However, the facts are
reality, if you need to adjust your tackle box a bit this list is what you
are telling us. There are 430 different bait names that have caught a
fifty inch muskie. For the sake of mass, we have reduced that to 100
for the magazine. Actually it is 109 because there were 15 lure names
tied for 95th place. If you have a need to see all 430, go to our web
site at http://www.muskiesinc.org.
In the list, the top ten have not changed a lot except that #4 the
Jake is a fairly new lure in history and climbing up the ladder at an
amazing pace. Number one on the list is Eagle Tail, the second
youngest in the top ten and has been totally dominant in recent years.
These are the facts you present us, of course there are many variables
that come into place here, the most being the color. If an Eagle Tail is
black, chartreuse, red or gray, obviously this would make a difference
in a muskie’s response. We did not separate the colors for each
incident as then the list could have grown to several thousand. Use
some common sense here; I have most of the top fifty on the list and
still one muskie away from my second fifty incher. There must be
something else to this muskie thing. Next month, who has the most
fifties all time? You need a month to prepare for that mentally, it will
blow you away. ❖
Paradise Cove Resort
Da Bunchman
lungelog@muskieinc.org
715 723-8343
Minaki, Ontario
1, 2 and 3 bedroom, fully equipped
modern cabins
Well Kept Rental Boats
Guide Service and New Dock Facilities
Available
RV Hookups with Sewer, Showers and
Laundry Room
Located 150 Miles north of International Falls,
Minnesota. Minaki’s surrounding lakes offer
Muskie, Pike, Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing
807-224-1107
E-mail: info@paradisecoveminaki.com
paradisecoveminaki.com
www.muskiesinc.org
LUNGE LOG (Continued from page 13)
Webster Lake
Muskie Study
by David Cates
U
nless you are new to the sport of Muskie fishing or live under
a rock, you undoubtedly have heard of Webster Lake in
Northern Indiana. Comprising approximately 800 acres of
surface water (including Backwaters), Webster’s estimated population
of 3 adult Muskie per acre have certainly earned the lake its title as a
premier muskie fishery.
The muskie fishery in Webster was created roughly a quarter
century ago when the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
began their stocking program. The original goals were to help control
the shad population and help diversify the local fishery. Since then,
Webster has become Indiana’s brood stock lake, providing the adults
from which are produced thousands of fingerlings for stocking
throughout Indiana.
The DNR has continued to monitor Webster Lake and its
Muskie population. Most notably, in 1998 an extensive tracking
study was conducted. The objectives of that study were to identify
potential spawning sites and brood stock concentrations, quantify
seasonal muskie movements and learn more about musky behavior.
Seven muskies were implanted with radio telemetry tags, and
substantial data was obtained from five of those fish. While
admittedly a small sample size, movements of those five fish provided
significant data. Key results from that study were that the Backwater
area was not as important for spawning fish as anticipated, and the
bulk of the muskie population seemed to congregate in an area just
east of the center of the lake. Note that the area indicated consists of
a large, historically weed spotted flat near some of the deepest water
on the lake. This it not to say to say, however, that all the muskies
were found in that area or that any muskie was always found there.
The DNR plotted each muskie’s location on a map. Figures 1,
2, 3 and 4 show plots of the locations of four of the fish during the
late spring of 1998 (see inset maps on page 27). As you can see, the
eastern end of the lake was a significant area for musky activity.
Whether this means that the sampled fish had home ranges consisting
of the eastern end of the lake and other fish occupied the western end
of the lake, or that the western end contained less favorable habitat is
www.muskiesinc.org
unknown. The study also did not determine growth rates or the
impact of fishing pressure upon that population.
In 2005, the DNR began a new study of the muskie population
in Webster Lake. Trap nets were set March 28, 2005, and fish
sampling began the next day. That morning, 81 muskies were each
measured, had their fins clipped so age class could be determined, and
implanted with passive integrated transponder (P.I.T.) tags. While
the old radio telemetry tags required surgery for implantation in the
muskie, P.I.T. tags can be inserted under the muskie skin using a
syringe. The tags themselves are similar in size to a grain of rice, and
100 of them can fit in a vial roughly the size of an adult’s little finger.
By utilizing a wand type reader, DNR personnel (or your average joe
muskie fisherman) can record data regarding captured fish, such as
location and length, and can identify particular fish. Because P.I.T.
tags have a life expectancy of approximately 75 years, each tag will
easily outlast any muskie in which it is implanted, and should provide
Indianapolis, IN
“Building for the Future”
October 28-30, 2005
• Over 30 Research Presentations
• Development of a North American Strategic Plan
• Presentations by top Anglers such as Jim Saric and Steve Heiting
Registration fee includes all meals. Please send this form along with a
check or money order to the following address:
Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone: (
)
E-Mail Address:
Muskie, Inc. Chapter:
Muskie, Inc. Symposium
13476 Britton Park Road
Fishers, IN 46038-3583
Fee for registrations postmarked before May 31, 2005,
is $80.00 and before September 30, 2005, is $100.00.
The fee for all other registrations is $120.00.
For more registration information please contact Chairman Fred Boso
by phone at (317) 841.8364 or e-mail muskiesym05@sbcglobal.net.
And for hotel information please call (800) 736.5634 or
visit www.martenhouse.com.
• Please refer to Group # 703352 when making reservations.
Photo Contest – May Winners
by Juris Ozols
Two beautiful examples of color this month.
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ur first picture, a gorgeous October scenic
from Spider Lake in Iron County, Wisconsin,
comes from Dave Steiger. He took the photo
as they were loading up for the last trip of the year.
Going out to the dock he looked up and saw the sun
hitting the patch of autumn colored trees. He ran back
and got his camera and the rest of their party – he
knew the moment wouldn’t last. Nor did it. He
managed to snap just two shots (Pentax SF1 35mm,
Vivitar 70-210mm zoom lens, Kodak 400 film) and
then the sun disappeared back behind a cloud and the
scenery turned dull again.
Dave says: “The fog and wood smoke hovered
over the lake on that cool October morning and
seemed to “frame” the last of the colors across the bay.
I hope everyone enjoys the picture as much as I do.”
Blue sky mirrored in the water, white fog drifting,
brilliant trees – fall photos don’t get any better than
this.
The second photo is one of those “into the sunrise” pictures that
can sometimes turn out stunning, as this one did. Gary Myshak took
it on Stone Lake, Oneida county Wisconsin. He reports:
“The time of day was sunrise on Stone Lake, and it was another
fun day with wifey Charlene on a
beautiful morning. As I was putting on
a different lure I looked up and said to
myself, “Wow!” I took just one picture,
a snapshot, and Char didn’t even know I
took it until I got the film developed.
The camera was a 35 mm Canon
Sureshot AF-7 with Kodak ISO 200
film.”
This picture is as good as any of this
kind that I’ve gotten sent in to the
Photo Contest. It centers your attention
on two things – Char’s head and her
hands in front of the sun. There’s a
composition technique in photography
called the “Leading Line,” and here you
have a good example as the fishing rod
draws your eye from the dark water
right into the sun and Char’s hands.
Furthermore, her head is bent down,
and that also focuses your attention into
the center of the picture. The foggy
background provides a beautifully
colored setting without being obtrusive.
A wonderful photograph.
and Gary saw and recognized instantly an opportunity for a great
photo and took full advantage. It’s fine when it happens, but it’s
actually better to be proactive. I’ve said it before - be on the lookout
for the many, many great photographs that always surround us if we
just pick up the camera and capture them.
Then one more comment.
Note that both of these photos are
morning shots, as were three of the
top five winners in our photo
contest last year. If you’re one of
those Muskie fishermen who can
manage to get up before dawn to
start your hunt, then you almost
always have a readymade photo op.
Fog is often present, the sun on the
horizon is colorful, and the water is
still and flat. Before you start that
motor and get going, stop and look
around you. “Carpe Diem!” Seize
the moment and seize your camera.
You won’t be sorry.
I still need “action shots” and I
also need “boat shots,” which show
people fishing from boats. We’re
looking to have a calendar month
for 2006 for each of these topics,
and I need pictures. Would really
appreciate some.
Juris Ozols
May 2005
Tips and Comments
There’s a concept in psychology
called the “Aha! Moment,” and both
photographs illustrate that. Both Dave
www.muskiesinc.org
Chad was finally able to net her and calm her down. After he cut
et the hook,” Chad shouted excitedly as he jockeyed his big
Ranger around into a better position. “Set the hook again the hooks free and lifted my surface lure from the net, he took
measurements and finally said, “Looks like a forty-seven incher Jim.
because that’s a monster muskie.”
Chad’s advice was seconds too late because the muskie hooked itself It’s just one inch shy of the legal limit, but you were going to release
on a single hook on the rear treble of the lure, but as luck would have it, her anyway.”
Pictures are worth more than a thousand words because they help
instead of swirling away from the boat, she rolled and in doing so
rekindle
memories that are sometimes blurred with age. With pictures
became imbedded with the front treble, thus ensuring a good hook hold.
“I’d rather be lucky than good,” I yelled back to a very busy Chad, taken, Chad gently cradled the muskie in his large hands and eased her
back into the water like handling a baby, being careful to revive
“and this big girl hooked herself before I could even think
her and watched her swim away under her own power.
about setting it.”
You’re probably guessing I was fishing one of
I had been using a top water lure all
the many northern muskie lakes in Wisconsin,
morning. There were several follows by
Minnesota or Ontario. No! I was fishing in
curious fish more interested in the surface
April when many of the northern lakes are
commotion than eating, but no serious
still under winter’s spell of ice, snow and
takers until this big spawned-out female
cold winds.
decided she was hungry.
I was fishing one of the many
At the exact moment I lifted my
southern lakes having open, ice-free
surface lure from the water in
water year round. And, I practically had
preparation for another cast, she
the entire 2,750-acre lake with over 82
attacked my lure. I quickly glimpsed a
miles of shoreline to myself. When I
single hook barely protruding from the
arrived at the launch ramp on Lake Kinkaid
corner of her jaw as I automatically pressed
the freespool thumb-bar and knew any
at 8:30AM, there were only six other trucks
pressure she exerted would cause the hook to
with empty trailers in the huge parking lot and
pull free from her flesh. But, luck was with me
most of those fishermen were after crappie.
and she rolled into the other treble with two Chad Cain and the author’s wife, Peggy, with a
Some of America’s muskie fishermen are
37-incher caught at sunset.
of the hooks becoming firmly imbedded.
finally coming in out of the cold. The word is
She then made a dive away from the boat and as the line cut getting out and spreading fast that there are lots of muskies south of
through the water around the bow of the boat, she decided to become the Mason/Dixon line and they are growing big and fat on a year
air-borne. What a beautiful sight! As I played her out, the struggles round diet. Thirty pounders have become a common occurrence on
became less intense and I could see both trebles solidly hooked under southern lakes, while forty pounders are occasionally caught, and
her massive jaw.
there are record fish recorded up in the fifty-pound class.
These long green migrants from the north were introduced in tolerable and usually
inviting.
southern waters during the fifties and their progress carefully downright
monitored. Other southern states liked what they saw and they too There are many balmy
began experimenting with their own stocking programs through the days during the winter
sixties, seventies and eighties until more than a dozen states stocked when the sun warms
muskies on a regular basis. These new plants adapted very well and even the temperature into
the seventies, and the
flourished in many lakes growing long, fat and fast.
Years ago the skeptics argued against stocking muskies in southern spring and fall brings
lakes basing their case on economics and mortality rates. However, the with it those rollerpast fifty years has proven our northern finny friends can adjust to our coaster fronts with
southern climates and fare well in their new environment, provided alternating sunny and
they are stocked regularly since natural reproduction is rare and cloudy rainy days. Since
unlikely. And, stocking is far and wide going to the deep south of fishing a front with a
Georgia, Alabama and Texas, and to each coast including the Carolinas falling barometer is my
and Washington. There are now thirty-six states that stock muskies preferred time on the
regularly and fourteen other states watching the results of their water, I try to be on The author and Chad Cain, boat partner and
guide, with a Muskie caught in the Marina.
Lake Kinkaid in the
introduction.
It’s hard to believe two of these southern states have verified spring when the redbuds and dogwoods are in bloom.
Fall is another time to be on Lake Kinkaid. Surrounded by lush
muskies weighing over fifty pounds according to the records of the
National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin. warm colors of red, orange and yellow along the shore complementing
the azure blue of the water and sky, the falling
Ohio registered a 55-13 and Iowa registered a 50-6.
temperatures cool the water to a comfortable level and
Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska, Missouri and
signal the onset of winter. Muskies react to these
Indiana have produced record muskies over forty The word is getting
pounds while Illinois has claimed a muskie just three out and spreading fast cooling temperatures with a sense of urgency as they
begin to feed more heavily to pack on the necessary
meals shy of forty pounds. Is it possible one of these
weight to get them through the winter.
southern states will produce a sixty-pound muskie in that there are lots of
But it is the rugged, ever changing beauty of the
the next decade or two? Who knows? But remember, muskies south of the
lake itself and surrounding Shawnee National Forest
southern states are open and ice free all year long with
Mason/Dixon line
that brings me back time and again to Lake Kinkaid.
a tremendous forage base.
of every description is abundant and
Over the years many changes have taken place in
and they are growing Wildlife
undisturbed by private and commercial residents.
the fishing world including new concepts in
Many times instead of reaching for my rod and reel,
conservation and management, and different big and fat on a year
I’ll grab my camera to capture a colorful moment of a
attitudes among sportsmen. It is now commonly
sunrise, sunset, landscape, or animal near the shore.
acceptable that muskies can be stocked in many round diet.
Outside of a marina and couple of campgrounds, the
waters that provide favorable living conditions for
them. More importantly, the Conservation Departments across area remains unspoiled and undeveloped.
The lake is studded with cliffs, islands, falls, fingers and coves of
America have initiated programs and laws, which have helped the
survival rate of our newly introduced sport fish. Also, the attitudes of every description and has every imaginable structure muskie fishermen
anglers’ have changed with catch and release being the norm. search for including numerous weed beds. As my favorite boat buddy
Photographs of large muskies have replaced the live-mount as a trophy. from Wisconsin often said, “Find the weeds and you’ve located the
All the states bordering my home state of Illinois now have muskies.”
While a number of fifty inch muskies have been caught in Lake
resident muskies in their lakes and they are stocked on a regular basis.
Illinois has at least thirty-four lakes stocked with muskies and they seem Kinkaid, the Illinois state record was caught in the spillway waters
to like their new home as they are thriving on a wide range of available below the Shelbyville Dam in the Kaskaskia River, but DNR biologist
Mike Mounce stated that pure muskie of 38 pounds, 8 ounces and over
forage.
Undoubtedly the most scenic lake in Illinois, with an abundance 50 inches was undoubtedly an escapee from the lake up above the dam.
I’m told by many muskie fishermen there’s a great deal of
of wildlife protected by the Shawnee National Forest, Lake Kinkaid was
built in 1972 and stocked with muskies in 1985. Having a rich and difference between muskie fishing techniques in the northern states and
varied range of forage to feed on year round based mainly on shad and Canada, as compared to the southern states. Most of these anglers are
suckers, the muskies have grown long and fat with a noticeable increase trollers, which leaves me at a loss since I cast for muskies all the time. I
in numbers and size. This increase may also be attributed to a spillway fish both northern and southern waters and have found little difference
barrier installed across the dam in the fall of 1998 to stop the muskies in lure selection and presentation for catching muskies in either area.
from escaping during periods of high water flow. The continual increase However, I choose not to fish the summer months for muskies in
in numbers and size of muskies has become an important concern of southern waters and that could make a substantial difference in the two
the Conservation Department and caused them to establish a techniques. I’m told trolling deep in the summer months in southern
minimum size of forty-eight inches. These fat muskies measuring over waters is the best way to catch muskies.
One sure method of catching muskies in southern waters during
forty-eight inches and up over fifty inches could weigh from twenty-five
the spring, fall and winter periods is to cast in-line and tandem
to forty pounds.
Except for the dog-days of summer, from mid June through mid- spinner-baits. Size and color of the baits should be your personal
September when air temperatures soar up into the nineties and preference because too often emphasis is placed on the specifics of the
occasionally reach above one hundred degrees and bring with it water lure and not enough given to the techniques being used. Change the
temperatures reaching into the upper eighties, the weather is more than
www.muskiesinc.org
Migration of the
Mighty Muskie
by James W. Colgan
The author holding a 47-incher taken
on a top-water in Spring.
“S
MIGRATION (Continued from page 25)
size, weight or color of your lure after forty or fifty unproductive casts
and vary the retrieve regarding speed, pauses and depth. Work on
your accuracy, presentation and retrieve, and as you improve on your
performance, you’ll also find your luck improving as well.
My favorite lures float. I’d rather catch a muskie on a surface lure
than any other type of lure for a number of reasons and southern
muskies like top water baits. Many times I’ve been told to change to
another lure like a crank, twitch or jerk bait and improve my catching
ratio, but if I feel there’s even the slightest chance of bringing a muskie
up to the surface, I’ll continue to throw my assortment of top water
baits.
Occasionally I’ve been chided for putting three tackle boxes in
the boat with hundreds of different lures in them. I’ve been told to
choose one lure and fish with it until I have complete mastery of it
and I’ll eventually catch more fish. To the contrary, I fish a lure from
thirty to fifty presentations and if I get no response, change. I’ll
usually begin with a surface lure in the early AM and finish with a
similar type in the late PM. Throughout the day I’ll throw twitch,
jerk, crank and spinner-baits until I get some kind of response. If I
just have to catch a fish and they won’t cooperate at all, then I’ll go to
my desperation lures, the spinner-baits. I’ll stick with them varying
the size and color until I get a follow or hit. Spinner-baits will
eventually catch a fish.
The muskie has often been referred to as the fish of 10,000 casts.
This is certainly true in many cases because many anglers including
myself have made thousands of casts over a week’s time without ever
seeing one. Yet, the muskie is a fish of many contradictions because
when conditions are perfect, they have been known to strike with
abandon.
To show you the extremes of these contrarians, consider the
following. One cloudy, overcast day on Loon Lake (invented name)
WEBSTER LAKE (Continued from page 17)
in Wisconsin, the Professor and I were casting into the teeth of tree
bending winds when we approached a mid-lake weed bed. Retrieving
his spinner bait at a rapid rate, the Professor got a hit, hooked and
played a thirty incher to the boat, only to release it and quickly make
another cast about fifty yards downwind.
The lure no sooner hit the water when another thirty-inch
muskie hit and was played to the boat. Again, fifty yards farther
downwind the Professor made another cast and again caught a third
muskie in as many casts, which was boated and released. It’s seldom
anyone catches three muskies on three consecutive casts, but that’s
part of the charisma of the muskie. He’s the exact opposite of any
given rule at any given moment and will defy logic and reason in most
cases.
It looks like the perfect trade-off for America’s muskie fishermen.
They can fish the northern waters during those hot summer months
down south, then with cooling temperatures fish the southern muskie
waters during those cold winter months up north, leaving the spring
and fall seasons open for their favorite waters, be they north or south.
More opportunities now exist for the ardent muskie angler than
ever before as more lakes are stocked with their favorite fish and those
very fish now inhabit lakes with no closed season. For many of those
northern anglers, that closed-in claustrophobic feeling called cabin
fever will be replaced by a fervid fever for action to get out and chase
their toothy game fish year round in dozens of different states, and
possibly catch the fish of a life time.
If boring holes in the ice and sitting on a bucket watching a
bobbing cork is your idea of winter muskie fishing, then remain up
north wearing your thermal coveralls and insulated gloves. But,
should that nagging, closed-in oppressive feeling grip you and you
long for the roll of a boat under your feet, casting heavy lures in open
water on balmy days reaching into the sixties and seventies, then head
south to new muskie waters holding long green fish that regularly
grow past fifty inches. ❖
the DNR with extensive information
regarding the muskie fishery in Webster
Lake for years to come.
By the time this article is published the
DNR should have their tagging process
completed (as of April 4, 2005
approximately 600 muskies had been
tagged!). At that time, the DNR will be
providing to the Webster Lake Musky Club
(MI Chapter 49) one of the P.I.T. tag
readers. By utilizing that reader, a successful
muskie fisherman can identify a P.I.T. tagged
fish. With the tagged muskie in the net,
simply pass the reader over the tag (typically
slightly to the left and rear of the muskie’s
dorsal fin) and the reader will display the tag
number. The fisherman can then provide
the tag number, location of the fish, and
length to the DNR. Providing this
information will assist the DNR in assessing Webster Lake’s muskie population.
Members wishing to utilize the Webster Lake Musky Club’s P.I.T. tag reader should
watch the club website for information regarding access to the same.
The 1998 DNR tracking studies yielded fascinating information regarding muskie
movement and habitat usage in Webster Lake. The 2005 study promises to provide
much more. ❖
Authors Note: I wish to thank Jed Pearson, Brad Fink and Keith Bikowski of the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources for allowing me to tag along on March 29, 2005 and
participate in the trapping and tagging of 81 Webster Lake muskies. I also wish to thank
Jed Pearson for allowing the generous use of diagrams and information from his earlier
tracking studies.
www.muskiesinc.org
1987-2003 Illinois Muskie Creel
Project Summary Report
by Ray Thompson
T
he 1987-2003 Illinois Muskie Creel Project Summary
Report was released by the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources in November 2004. The project began in April
1987 based on a voluntary creel survey conducted by former District
Fisheries Manager, Mike Sule on Pierce and Shabbona Lakes in 1985
and 1986. Funding is primarily provided by the Illini Muskies
Alliance, an organization composed of all of the muskie clubs in
Illinois. “Green Cards” for reporting any size Illinois natural or
hybrid muskie are provided at local concession stands, bait shops,
state park offices, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at
One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271 or the
state’s website; www.ifishillinois.org. Information on the project and
Green Cards are also available at the following clubs:
IMA Member Club Meetings
Central Illinois Muskie Hunters-tcimh.org
Chicagoland Muskie Hunters-chicagolandmuskiehunters.org
Flatlanders-flatlanderschapter.com
Fox River Valley-frvmuskie.com
Mississippi Valley-qcccexpocenter.com
Midwest Musky
Quad County Hawg Hunters-quadcounty.muskiesinc.org
Shawnee Muskie Hunters-jesc@piasanet.com
South of the Border-muskiesob.com
South Side Muskie Hawks-jejaneck@earthlink.net
Lake Shelbyville Muskie Club-shelbyvillemuskie.com
Fill out a postage paid Green Card and drop it in the mail. The
following year, you'll receive an updated copy of the report and a
certificate, suitable for framing, for your registered fish. Copies of
the annual Creel Survey are also available by writing the department.
The Survey originally comprised 27 Illinois lakes, but now
contains catches from 48 bodies of water. From 1987-2003, there
were a total of 6,603 fish reported. In 1987 330 fish were registered.
The numbers of entered fish has generally increased, to a yearly high
of 608 muskies in 2003. The following list gives the top ten lakes in
order, based on percentages of fish captured that were 30" or larger,
from 1987 thru 2003. Also included are the top four lakes in 2003,
for muskies 30", or larger for comparison.
1987-2003: Kinkaid-19, Fox Chain-16, Carlton-12, Shabbona-11,
Shelbyville-10, Heidecke-9, Otter-5, Spring (North)-3, George-3,
Loon-2
2003: Shelbyville-44, Kinkaid-34, Fox Chain-6, Shabbona-5
The next list gives the top ten lakes in order, based on
percentages of fish captured from 1987 thru 2003, that were 36" or
larger. Also included are the top four lakes in 2003, for muskies 36"
or larger, for comparison.
1987-2003: Kinkaid-24, Fox Chain-19, Shelbyville-14, Carlton-11,
Shabbona-8, Otter-5, George-3, Evergreen-3, Loon-2, Heidecke-2
2003: Shelbyville-44, Kinkaid-38, Fox Chain-4, Shabbona-1
1987-2003: Kinkaid-30, Fox Chain-15, Shelbyville-14, Carlton-10,
Shabbona-6, Otter-5, Evergreen-4, George-3, McMaster-2,
Storey-2
2004
Lake
# fish largest fish acres
first stocking
McMaster
1
50"
142
1991
Shelbyville
2
52"
11,100 1978
Storey
1
5
The Survey provides the following information for the six most
productive Illinois muskie lakes from 1987 to 2003, for fish greater
than or equal to 36".
2003: Shelbyville-46, Kinkaid-25, Shabbona-9, Fox Chain-5
1987-2003: Kinkaid-31, Shelbyville-16, Fox Chain-15, Evergreen-7,
Otter-7, Shabbona-7, Carlton-4, Storey-3, McMaster-3, George-2
2003: Shelbyville-44, Kinkaid-20, Shabbona-12, Fox Chain-4
The following thirteen bodies of water produced muskies 48" or
larger that were registered in the Survey from 1987 thru 2003, in
alphabetical order. The list identifies the lake, minimum size limit
and the number of fish captured. Also included are the top five lakes
in 2003 and the number of fish produced that were 48" or larger, for
comparison.
1987-2003
2003
Lake
Size limit # fish
Evergreen-1
Carlton
36"
2
Johnson Sauk Trail-1
Crystal
36"
1
McMaster-1
Evergreen
48"
10
Shabbona-2
Fox Chain
48"
9
Shelbyville-4
Johnson Sauk
Trail
36"
1
Kinkaid
48"
10
McMaster
42"
1
Otter
48"
6
Shabbona
48"
7
Shelbyville
48"
7
Storey
36"
1
Zurich
36"
1
Not Specified ?
1
The final list shows the eight lakes that have produced fish from
1987 thru 2003, that were 50" or larger and the total number of
such fish, followed by the largest fish reported, the acreage and the
year that the lake was first stocked with natural fingerlings. Also
included are the lakes that produced 50" or larger muskies in 2004,
based on the preliminary 2004 creel survey, and the total number of
such fish registered, for comparison. Note, while the Survey contains
an entry for a 53" fish, registered in 1994 from Lake Kinkaid, I,
(along with IDNR personnel) feel that the entry made in 1994 was
suspect. There has never been any other muskie 50" or larger entered
from Kinkaid, including the past ten year period.
first
1987-2003
Lake
# fish largest fish acres
stocking
Carlton
1
50-1/2"
76
1978
Evergreen
3
51"
886
1990
7,110 1981
Fox Chain
1
50-1/2"
Kinkaid
1
53"
2,750 1981
McMaster
1
51"
142
1991
Otter
2
51-1/2"
765
1981
Shabbona
1
50"
318
1980
Shelbyville
4
53"
11,100 1978
Channel Cat: Not for certain, but
believed to be 13-1/2 pounds.
The initial stockings by the IDNR was a piece-meal effort,
consisting of fry (1"-2"), small fingerlings (4"-8") or fish received in
trades from other states. When the Jake Wolf Hatchery became
operational, the state pursued an aggressive rearing and stocking
www.muskiesinc.org
Muskie: 49 3/4" Long, 25" Girth,
and weighed 43 pounds, 8 ounces.
program (about 30,000 4"-10" fingerlings annually) of hybrid
(muskie/northern pike) fingerlings. This stocking policy changed
over the years and the hybrid stockings eventually ceased, because of
poor survival. The stocking efforts were supplemented by fish
purchased by donations, at first, through the Chicagoland Muskie
Hunters’s Project Illini and later by the IMA member clubs. These
donated fish were usually larger (12" to 24") Wisconsin or
Minnesota (Leech Lake strain) natural fingerlings, some of which
were 2 year old, overwintered fish.
Much more information is available in the Survey for individual
lakes. However, the large data base of information on fish reported,
supports several general trends. The Illinois muskie fishery is getting
better, with more and larger fish being captured, with less effort. The
Spotlighting Muskie Shops and Manufacturers
Home of 2004 Chapter Challunge
Hellraiser Tackle Company
Captain Hooks Tackle Shop
Pat & Sue Wingo
7251 Bradley Street – P.O. Box 265
Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539
Email: hellraiser@frontiernet.net
Over
ies
7,000 Musk
d
Release
On Sabaskong Bay
Five-time Muskies, Inc.,
Chapter Challunge Headquarters
1983, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2003
• Ultra-modern one, two, three, or four bedroom cabins
• American plan, housekeeping or camping
• Floating docks, electricity for charging batteries, Lund Boats with swivel seats
and depth finders, Honda motors with electric start
• Dining room with food and liquor available for registered guests only
Call or write for data on musky catches:
www.redwinglodge.net • www.redwinglodge.on.ca
Family owned and operated for 40 years
Pat and Sue Wingo pictured here in front of their Captain Hooks Tackle shop
in Lake Tomahawk. are a real team effort.
Pat, with a college degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin
at Stout, decided it would be more fun to be a guide, design original lures, and own a tackle
shop. He started their Hellraiser Lure business in 1989 in Wisconsin Rapids. At one point
they were manufacturing 80,000 lures a year, employing just four people. Currently, Pat
manufacturers around 10,000 lures a year and still finds time to run the tackle shop. They
intend to re-group this next year and get the lure business back up.
Last year in April they found the perfect opportunity and purchased a store (pictured
above) in Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin. In addition to a full line of tackle and bait, they
carry a very nice variety of assorted gifts.
The Hellraiser Tackle Company products are well designed and all products carry a
lifetime warranty. The product line consists of ten products: surface baits, jerk baits, and
bucktails. The interesting thing is the bucktail line all have cherry wood bodies and are
tied with bear hair. In addition to the lure and bucktail selections that are available, Pat
has manufactured a line of 9” ball bearing leaders. Soon he will be coming out with his
new fluorocarbon leaders and sucker rigs.
Pat is a former guide and now spends his time sponsoring ten of the WMT Wisconsin
Musky Tour Tournaments where he is the largest sponsor. He guides for the World Musky
Hunt in Minocqua. He also supports the local kids fishing derby’s and sponsors the kids
divisions as well as the muskie divisions in a number of tournaments. He holds a local
muskie contest in his Captain Hooks Tackle Shop.
Pat and his wife Sue have four lovely children, 2-boys and 2-girls ages 3, 5, 13, and
15 years old.
But here is the true bottom-line….Captain Hooks is open more than any tackle shop
in the country and quite possible, the world. They are open from 5:30 a.m. until 10:00
p.m. seven (7) days a week.
For more information please visit their website at: www.hellraisertackle.com or
contact Pat at: (715) 277-2405. ❖
www.muskiesinc.org
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28
Chapter News and Views
Chapter, Address
Phone #
www.muskiesinc.org
2005
May 7
Jake Wolf Memorial Tournament on the Fox
Chain of Lakes, IL. Hosted by South of the
Border Chapter #14.
Contact: Frank A. Walter, 1-847-689-2133 or
email fawalter@gmail.com.
July 20-23
Chapter Challunge - Minaki, Ontario
August 25-27
World Musky Hunt - Minocqua, WI.
Contact: John Farrow at (262) 549-1445.
September 9, 10, 11
World Championship Musky Classic,
Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters,
Presque Isle, Winchester.
Contact: Joan McDonald at (715) 686-2558.
September 18
Central Illinois Muskie Hunters fundraiser
tournament at Lake Shelbyville.
Contact: Randy Kakara at 815-672-5320.
October 28
M.I. International Fall Board Meeting
(Friday) – Marten House Hotel and Lilly
Conference Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
October 28, 29, 30
Dr. E. J. Crossman Symposium – Marten
House Hotel and Lilly Conference Center,
Indianapolis, Indiana.
Contact: Scott Law, Phone: (317) 776-3040.
Email: scottandlisa4@juno.com.
Kenton Smith, Phone: (317) 570-5636
Special events are provided at
no charge to Muskies, Inc chapters.
To list your chapter's event, email to:
managingeditor@muskiesinc.org
or by ground mail:
Jim Smith, 15045 W. Double Tree Way,
Surprise, AZ 85374-8568.
Please send announcements
at least 2 months in advance.
CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS
01............Twin Cities, 5704 Wentworth Ave. South, Mpls., MN 55419 .....................612-861-8930
02............Fargo-Moorhead, Box 2021, Fargo ND, 58103.........................................701-298-9032
03............Chicagoland Muskie Hunters, 7600 Kilbourn Ave, Skokie, IL 60076 ........847-677-0017
05............Pomme De Terre, PO Box 5, Hermitage, MO 65668 ................................417-745-2381
06............First Wisconsin, PO Box 122, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 ........................715-726-8896
07............South Side Muskie Hawks, 8212 S Mulligan, Burbank, IL 60459 .............708-430-4444
08............Capital City, PO Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708........................................608-274-3479
09............West Virginia, 1270 Federal Road, Little Hocking, OH 45742 ..................740-667-3571
10............Heartland, 239 8th St SE, Mason City IA 50401 .......................................641-424-0827
11 ............Mississippi Valley, 5301 11th Ave “C”, Moline, IL 61265 ...........................309-797-1803
12............Headwaters, PO Box 652, Eagle River, WI 54521....................................715-479-1821
13............Hayward Lakes, PO Box 609, Hayward, WI 54843 ..................................715-634-4543
14............South of the Border, 28926 W. Big Hollow Rd, McHenry, IL 60050 ..........815-385-9026
15............Star of the North, PO Box 516, Coleraine, MN 55722 ..............................218-245-2960
16............Three Rivers, 119 Bus Lane, Renfrew, PA15136 ......................................724-789-7866
17............Quad County, PO Box 185, Plano, IL 60545.............................................815-695-1494
18............Hopedale, 15 Township Rd 125, Dillonvale, OH 43917 ............................740-769-7269
19............Akron-Canton Muskie Maniacs, 1503 S Main St, Akron, OH 44301.........330-724-7592
20............Between the Lakes, PO Box 61, Sheboygan, WI 53085-0061 .................920-564-3226
21............North Metro, PO Box 41216, Plymouth, MN 55441 ..................................763-537-0781
22............New Jersey, 5 Carmita Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070...................................201-703-8469
23............Cleveland, 5608 Brave Chief Lane, Ravenna, OH 44266 ........................330-296-2398
24............Brainerd Lakes, 25505 CR 5, Merrifield, MN 56465 .................................218-765-4183
25............Red River Valley, 602 N. Central Ave, Crookston, MN 56716 ..................218-281-5577
26............Central Wisconsin, PO Box 263, Medford, WI 54451 ...............................715-748-2630
27............Central Illinois, 1191 Sandra Lane, Monticello, IL 61856 ..........................217-762-8070
28............Shawnee Muskie Hunters, PO Box 602, DeKalb, IL 60115 ......................815-756-3231
29............Upper Great Plains, 1788 Hwy 4, Estherville, IA 51334............................712-362-2501
30............God’s Country, PO Box 1461, LaCrosse, WI 54601 .................................608-786-4062
31............Penn-Ohio, 309 Spring St, Jamestown, PA 16134....................................724-932-5815
32............Flatlanders, 6259 Walnut Grove Rd, Loves Park, IL 61111.......................815-282-3334
33............Lake Superior, 2031 Hwy. 33 S., Cloquet, MN 55720...............................218-879-2712
35............Milwaukee, PO Box 28842, Greenfield, WI 53220....................................262-789-1255
37............St. Cloud, 427 - 17-1/2 Ave No, St. Cloud, MN 56302 ...............................320-253-3621
38............Vikingland, 609 S. Otter Ave., Parkers Prairie, MN 56361........................218-338-5441
39............Fox River Valley, 1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 60123......................847-741-9771
40............Leech Lake, 7249 Baywood Drive, Walker, MN 56484.............................218-547-1221
41............Central Ohio, 8494 Fall Gold Lane, Westerville, OH 43082 .....................614-451-0485
42............Hoosier Muskie Hunters, PO Box 501371, Indianapolis, IN 46250 ..........317-577-8050
44............Colorado, P.O. Box 270064, Louisville, CO 80027 ...................................720-938-4109
45............Kentucky, 212 Linden Ave., Southgate, KY 41071....................................859-441-1666
46............Bemidji/Cass Lake, 11551 Misty Meadows Rd, Bemidji, MN 56601.........218-759-0098
47............Michigan Muskie Alliance, PO Box 512, Caledonia, MI 49316 .................616-447-1688
48............Arrowhead, PO Box 82, Virginia, MN 55792.............................................218-482-5217
49............Webster Lake Musky Club, PO Box 670, No. Webster, IN 46555 ............574-834-1669
50............Penn-Jersey, 372 Kingwood Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406 ...................610-962-0632
51............Ohio Valley Muskie Hunters, 211 Mann St., Bowerstown, OH 44695.......740-269-1216
52............Daniel Boone, 428 N. Wilson Ave., Morehead, KY 40351 ........................606-784-3933
CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS ◆
No.
Special
Events
CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS ◆
25
CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS ◆ CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS ◆ CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS
5704 Wentworth Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612-861-8930 – Joe DeMars
www.twincitiesmuskiesinc.org
Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Knights of Columbus,
1114 W79th St Bloomington, MN, near the SE corner
of the intersection of I-494 and I-35W.
I would like to take a minute to introduce myself.
I am a new board member for the Twin City Chapter
of Muskies INC. I am not new to the Muskie
addiction however, having caught the bug in June of
1972. A friend introduced me to Muskie fishing, now,
almost 32 years later I am starting to fish Muskies
with my 5 year old grandson.
As I write this update, it is mid March and most of
us are sick of the ice and snow. Those who enjoy ice
fishing have had to remove their houses from the
lakes, and now most of us have been reduced to
cleaning boxes, sharpening hooks, changing line,
reading the Muskie magazine, and attending sports
shows. One of our member’s however, started off
2005 with a bang. Patti Slack caught and released
a 44’ Muskie on January 1st at 12:35 PM. I am not
sure if this is the first fish caught this year, but I am
sure it was the first Muskie caught in Canada this
year. Patti was in Canada, Lake Trout fishing when
she caught her fish. Way to go Patti! Speaking of
Sports Shows, George Wahl a longtime Twin Cities
Chapter member just finished the 2005 version of his
Muskie Expo this past weekend. It was a great
show. The space was sold out and on Saturday
George had a record attendance of over 1700
participants.
The Stocking and Rearing committee, led by John
Newman, has put together another great fund raiser
raffle for 2005. The grand prize is a Lund 1650 SS
Yamaha 40 hp motor & Shorelander trailer. Other
prizes include Gift Certificates at Thorn Brothers and
Joe’s Sporting Goods, as well as a Minn Kota
Trolling motor and a depth finder. As incentives for
members to sell tickets, the committee has secured
35 incentive prizes, including 4 fishing trips to the top
4 sellers. If you would like to support our Chapters
efforts and have a chance at some of the prizes,
contact John Newman at (651) 699-8676.
Our Frank Schneider International Muskie
Tournament Committee is also very busy working on
our annual tournament scheduled for September 9th
-11th 2005. If you have never fished this event, it is
worth making the trip to Minnesota. September
weather is usually beautiful, and the fish usually
cooperate including many fish over 50’. I will provide
more details on this in future updates.
Our March meeting featured guest speaker,
Lance Christensen. Lance has been involved in the
Muskie for a lot of years and his talk was captivating.
Lance spent a good part of his presentation
discussing what he called “the basics for some of the
newer members to Muskie fishing”. His talk took us
through changes in Rods, lines, lure colors and
scent. Based on the membership participation, he
provided plenty of things for the beginners as well as
the “veterans”. I made notes of several things that I
am going to try this season.
“Give something back to the resource”
Bob
02
Fargo-Moorhead
Box 2021 • Fargo, ND 58103
701-298-9032 – Brett Wade Waldera
bjwaldera@i29.net
Meets 4th Monday 7:00 PM, VFW in West Fargo.
The Fargo-Moorhead Chapter met on Monday,
March 28th.
We began our March meeting by listening to Jerry
Wendlandt of the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources. He was here to talk about the Lake
Miltona Muskie Angler Diary, and about how they net
and tag Muskies in the spring. Last year they did not
get a very accurate count because of the fluctuations
in water temperatures. They netted 26 fish last year
as opposed to the 100 or so they normally get. He
said that the DNR used to stock about 1400 fish
every other year, but because of the situation they
faced with the “No More Muskies” group, they now
stock about 800 fish every other year. Their goal is to
raise fish to grow to 40 inches by their 8th year. He
said on Lake Miltona from 1986-1991, 2% of angler’s
were targeting Muskies. By last year that number
had grown to 26%. He had a lot of interesting
information, and the F-M Chapter thanks him for
coming.
We then talked about our club’s Award’s Night,
which was scheduled for April 1st. I’ll have a list of our
Award Winners next month.
President Brett Waldera then talked about an onice clean up that he organized for Big and Little
Detroit Lakes. Many of our club members
participated, and we’d like to thank Mark Stenger
and Bob and Chuck Collins for providing four
wheelers to better access the lake. Enough refuse
was collected to fill an entire pickup box, and this
project will definitely be continued in the future. Brett
stated that more lakes might be added to the clean
up list for next year.
We then listened to our second speaker of the
night, Bob Strand. He had a wealth of knowledge to
share, and I won’t even attempt to fit any of it in here.
I’ve been a member of this Chapter for about four
years now and have never been so glad that I was
able to attend a meeting, as I was this month. The
question and answer session that followed his
speech was in itself worth coming for. Thank you
very much Bob.
Gary Reno of Custom Lures had Spinnerbaits and
Bucktails for sale at the March meeting, and we’d
like to thank him as well.
We ended the meeting by talking about the lack of
an agenda for the Spring Board Meeting. Some
members stated that they were not too impressed
with the leadership shown at the International level.
It looks like we’ll have plenty to talk about at the April
meeting.
May all your follows strike!
Brad Waldera
05
Pomme de Terre
P.O. Box 5
Hermitage, MO 65668
417-745-2381 – Carl Marks
www.missourimuskies.org
Meets: Various days-Call for schedule
Spring Fling Tournament Results
The Spring Fling this year had just about
everything you would want; wind, calm, cold
weather, hot weather, murky water, and cold water
temperatures. A little something for everyone. Not
everything good, but it was all there.
A full field of 24 boats participated in the event
with more fish being caught this year than in past
years. Earl Hammond had a 29 inch muskie on
Saturday and Matt Ginnings started out his day at
7:30 am with a 36 inch muskie. There was another
30 and a reported fish over 40 inches caught by folks
not in the tournament.
Sunday brought two more fish being caught.
Ralph Bigham boated a 30 inch fish and Andrea
Kirby boated a 39 inch muskie.
Final Results
1st Place- Jon Kirby and Andrea Kirby with a 39 inch
muskie
2nd Place- Matt and Sue Ann Ginnings with a 36 inch
muskie
3rd Place- Ralph Bigham and Kirk Harlow with a 30
inch muskie
Congratulations to all that caught fish in these
tough conditions. There were very few reported
follows and there were maybe two other fish on that
were lost before they got to the boat. One of those
was Sue Ann Ginnings and the other the Kirby’s.
Shows that when you are hot you are hot.
Bass Pro Shops donated a Pete Mania rod and
reel for the tournament. The rod was a 7 ft 4 in
heavy action rod (good for lures to 10 ounces) and a
model 3000 reel. Total value of the package is about
$200. When the numbers were drawn, Sue Ann
Ginnings was the winner. A 2nd place finish, a fish on
and lost, and win a rod and reel. I would call that a
good weekend for Sue Ann.
Thanks to everyone that participated. When you
get more boats you have more fun. We have plans
to expand the scope of the tournament next year,
maybe have a dinner on Saturday night and do
some other things. If you have any ideas about the
tournament, please let us know.
08
Capital City
P.O. Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708
608-274-3479 – Gerard Hellenbrand
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Meets: 2nd Monday 7:00 PM Park Ponderosa
McFarlan, WI
February and March are always busy months and
this year was no exception. We had our usual booth
at the Madison Fishing Expo and most of the usual
suspects were there to trade fish stories, promote MI
and sell alliance boat raffle tickets. Tickets were sold,
information doled out and lots of big fish stories
(some of them true) were told. Thanks to all who
worked hard there to help out. I worked in the DNR
booth on Saturday morning and man, there was a
crowd of folks there. I really enjoy talking with all the
people. Even the ones who have a burr under their
saddle about something. It’s an opportunity to win
them over.
March 12 we held our Intermediate Muskie
School at the high school in DeForest. It’s great that
we get so much support from our community to
barge in and take over the school for the day. We
had over 90 attendees and staff was given a very
high grade for their efforts. It amazes me how this
has taken off. We actually get people asking when it
will be next year. Judging by my meager catch
results last year, I should be first in line to sign up.
Classes included poolside demos, DNR policies on
muskies in our state, boat control, sonar and
electronics, bucktail making, sucker fishing, trolling,
fall techniques and more. What a line up of activities
for all muskie nuts.
Our annual awards banquet was held on March
14 at the Park Ponderosa. They provided us with a
good meal in addition to their spacious facility.
Craig Eversol again gave us a very informative
computer generated presentation on who caught
what and where. My catch graph was plotted on the
negative axis. Good thing there are lots of others in
our chapter who catch muskies. Over1200 of them,
in fact.
Shake-‘em-up Denny had a big raffle for the
evening and lots of people went home with
something. What a great event this is. If you missed
it, you lost out big time.
Gary hoping-for-spring Greene
Headwaters
12
P.O. Box 652
Eagle River, WI 54521
715-479-1821 – Paul Hansen
www.headwatersmuskies.com
Meets 1st Wednesday 7:00 PM
Into the third week of March and the Eagle River
area is still having an extreme winter as night temps
are dipping sometimes to below zero, while the day
temps are reaching mid to upper 20’s . Up until now
there has been no sign of a thaw or early spring, and
the ice is still firm at about 30 inches, and four feet of
snow. Only today as I place this article are we seeing
signs of some forecasted warm up. However, March
has brought us more movement in the organization
as we prepare for that open water season to come.
Highlighted issues of the March meeting were that
our membership stands at approximately 420
members with just a small variation month to month.
The Chapter will continue its support for the Tom
Botten Memorial Youth Program
The Headwaters Banquet (April 2nd) will probably
be over by the time some of our readers see this
article but we are gearing up for a great feast and
tens-of-thousands of dollars in door prizes ready to
go. Three Canadian trips with lodging, and three
Wisconsin trips with lodging, are apart of the leading
prizes; with many great musky fishing items, such
as, several musky rods and reels; nine local guide
trips and many other artifacts.
Headwaters Chapter 12 (only) is requesting all of
its members that have an email address to become
a part of a new data base. The new Group E-Mail
service will provide time sensitive information
between newsletters, such as; work details, outing &
meeting reminders, special notices etc. The future
may even hold the newsletter to be transmitted by
email as an option by those who wish it. To become
a part of the Chapter 12 Group Email please send
your name, email address, phone number,
membership number, (optional) home address and
brief bio to: Director Fred E. Brogle at
guiding@haverodwilltravel.com .
We are all looking for that opening day and our
first outing which is scheduled for May 28th. It’s not
that far off.
Getting well prepared is our tournament
committee, who in preparation are making great
plans for the Spring Classic. This will be the 25th
annual and many special features are present in this
year’s line up, which will be held June 11th and 12th.
$5,000.00 has been given from Heckles’s Marine as
a major sponsor. The money is to be used for the
building of a special, one-of-a-kind anniversary bait,
where one will be given to each contestant. Planned
is a special crankbait built by a major manufacture in
unique colors suited for the Chain.
Our March meeting is also our annual meeting
with the local DNR forces, many guides, and
members of the general public come to hear the
latest news and possible regulation changes. It is a
time when the local DNR reports any changes in the
laws and any possible changes. Changes in our
government take two years to impose with studies,
proposals, and alterations. Most changes occur with
walleyes but some how affect our muskies in the
long run. A close look is needed on Wisconsin Musky
Restoration and the genetics validity. One of our
noted fisheries biologist Jordan Weeks did give us
the update on his fish studies of the Manitowish
Chain. Although this study was primarily for walleye,
Jordan did radio tags on several muskies and I found
his findings to be very interesting. (Tip): Do not be
afraid to fish for those big esoxs in DEEP water
as suspended fish. Study showed some of these
fish may have stayed in deep water ALL summer and
may have never entered the weeds.
Good Luck and Good Fish’n
Fred E. Brogle, Acting Secretary
Have Rod... Will Travel...
22
to stock high quality juvenile muskies. High quality
implies that they're larger, have developed their
predatory instincts and unlike pellet-fed fish, do not
suspend at the surface. It all adds up to higher
survival rates post stocking.
Craig, a great guy and valuable club member also
explained that New York has done away with their
Tiger Muskie program in Greenwood Lake. Without
being critical he explained that these tigers are not
thriving most likely because they're small when
stocked, and are not raised on live forage.
Therefore they're very suseptible to predation
themselves and are not "trained" in feeding. With
our encouragement, he feels NJ can make up at
least some of that gap by stocking our own Tigers.
Craig and company will soon be netting breeders in
GWL and Echo in an effort to produce this Fall's
true strain stockies. Of note, our request for a
greater minimum size limit in all NJ waters has been
turned down. Hopefully by educating the fishing
public we can do our best to promote catch and
release.
Pres. Chuck Graf reminded us that there have
been problems with unlawful people snagging
muskies in the springtime and asked all to be alert
and ready to report such violations. Looking ahead,
the April meeting will be 'awards night" combined
with an outdoor demo of lures on Lake Arrowhead.
A number of guys will also be giving a seminar at
Gander Mt. in Middletown, NY. Guide For A Day is
May 14-15 and the June Tournament is on the 18th.
Cost is $25.00 per person and features fishing, a
dinner and prizes. Watch mi22.com or call any
officer for details. Kevin Johnson has an interesting
idea - a pot luck drawing whereby members fish with
someone new. It's a good way to get to know
everyone while learning new areas, presentations,
etc. Anyone interested, contact Kevin and keep an
eye on the site.
2 new members attended the meeting- Paul Claro
and Mike Thomson. For those who haven't heard,
before joining the club Mike caught and released a
56" monster last October and has pictures to prove
it! We congratulate and commend him on his efforts
and example. That may be the biggest release ever
in NJ! Welcome aboard guys.
Mike Kopp
reminded us that since "it's time" we should always
fill in and submit release forms (available on the
Muskies Inc. International site). This valuable data
helps with research and record keeping in general
and also documents the value of our stocking
program. As featured in the March 2005 Muskie
Magazine, there is a major symposium in October
which is geared to both the biologist and fisherman.
We hope to send Craig Lemon and one or two other
members.
Contact us if you're particularly
interested. Lastly, due to broader and broader
participation the chapter and the NJ fishery is going
strong. It pays to get involved.
Submitted by Gordon Campbell, VP.
Cleveland
23
5608 Brave Chief Lane
Ravenna, OH 44266
330-296-2398
Meets 2nd Monday 7:30 PM
New Jersey
5 Carmita Ave.
Rutherford, NJ 07070
201-703-8469
The Tue. 3-29-05 meeting was well attended and
featured a full agenda. Our spring fundraiser is
running at a record pace thanks to our efforts at the
Parsippany Outdoor Show and to our ad in the
compendium. It looks certain that we'll now achieve
our goal of both supporting the hatchery with funding
for live forage plus those nets to cover one or more
ponds. As chapter member Craig "Fishmaker"
Lemon reiterated, this cooperation enables the state
www.muskiesinc.org
The upcoming year will be one full of exciting
ventures, as the ice is just about gone, and the
thoughts begin focusing on catching fish. When this
appears in print, we will be a few days away from our
opening tournament. This years opener will be the
Tom Bishop Sr. Memorial at Pymatuning on May 14th
and 15th. Cost is $12.00 and Everyone is welcome to
attend.
Our club has a new youth venture this year, as we
are heading up the fishing experience for the
Youngstown Inner City School’s Outdoor Experience
Program. It is anticipated that approximately 600+
youth will attend this outing. Anyone interested in
assisting in this project, please contact Chris
Depaula. We can use all the help we can get.
Finally, the buzz around our club is the exciting
news that Mike Clemente is just 14 releases away
from his 1000 releases. The question is not if he gets
these releases but when. Mike is one of the good
guys not only in our club, but in all of Muskies Inc. I
hope and pray that I just didn’t jinx him. Good Luck
Mike!
Just a reminder to all of our members, beginning
the 2nd Monday of June, our meetings will be held at
the pavilion by the East Boat Ramp at West Branch.
As of this writing, I don’t know if you will need the
State Park Pass to get to the meeting as the
beginning date for this requirement has not been
announced.
Tight Lines,
Ron Sigman (siggy45@yahoo.com)
Brainerd Lakes
24
25505 CR 5
Merrifield, MN 56465
218-765-4183 – Jeff Wohl, Pres.
www.brainerdmuskies.com
Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Water Fall Inn,
Hwy 371 north of Brainerd by Brainerd
International Raceway.
The month of March was an extremely busy, but
successful month for the Brainerd Lakes Chapter.
On March 5th, the Brainerd Lakes Chapter hosted its
second annual banquet fund raiser at the Craguns’s
Sports Center. We had an excellent turnout this year
(approximately 300+ people) with some new faces
attending, as well as many familiar faces attending
this event for the second time. Our guest speaker
was Jim Saric from Muskie Hunter Magazine. Jim
did a terrific job as speaker. If you haven’t had an
opportunity to see Jim speak, I would encourage you
to do so. He is a very energetic speaker and
maintains a high interest level throughout the entire
presentation. The night included dinner, chapter
update, awards, Jim’s presentation, and last, but not
least, the raffles. Lots of long hours and hard work
was donated by the BLC Banquet Committee.
Special thanks goes out to Jeff Young, Banquet
Committee Chairman and BLC President; Jody
Young, At Large Director; Donny Hines, BLC Vice
President; Dawn Hines, BLC Treasurer; Tim
Schulke, BLC Regional Vice President; and Dee
Schulke. Their hard work and dedication has been
instrumental in our chapter’s success.
Three days later, we host our March monthly
member meeting. Another great turnout took place
as we had 60+ members attend the meeting (IN
MARCH!!). I think the banquet generated some
excitement for the muskie season to come! We had
open discussion and feedback in relation to our
banquet, what went well, what can be approved
upon, etc. The members voted on an important
issue this month to support or to not support off-site
tournament weigh-ins. Members voted unanimously
against issue of off-site weigh-ins including all
species of fish. Harlan, Walker fisheries manager
from the Minnesota DNR, discussed and explained
differences between muskie strands in Minnesota
lakes. Harlan also talked about encouraging news
that there is evidence of natural reproduction of
muskies taken place in Millacs Lake and Lake
Vermillion. Next up, Brian from Figure 8 Guide
Service completed a 30 minute presentation on the
use and success of plastic baits. He reviewed lures
and color patterns, and revealed some of his favorite
color patterns to those only who attended. He also
discussed the use and success of throw back lures,
picking up where Jim Saric left off at our banquet.
Meeting adjourned with Raffles at 8:45.
Come join the Brainerd Lakes Chapter! Visit our
website for chapter information and upcoming
events: www.brainerdmuskies.com
01
Twin Cities
1191 Sandra Lane
Monticello, IL 61856
217-762-8070
www.tcimh.org
Meets 3rd Thursday 7:00 PM, VFW club in
Bloomington, IL.
27
The Central Illinois Musky Hunters 6th annual
fundraising banquet was held March 12 in Normal, IL
was a complete success. It was a nice turnout to
enjoy a good meal and an excellent presentation by
Tony Grant. Tony spoke on targeting giant tigers in
northern area lakes. Tony can be reached at
KYMuskie.com.
M.C. Duane Serck did an outstanding job of
organizing the banquet and the actual running of the
event. It was fast paced and had a good flow.
Duane keeps the banquet moving and does not
allow it to be drawn out. Thanks to all that put time
into making the fundraiser a success.
CIMH would like to thank the following sponsors
and donors.
Club members
Guides
Steve & Christi Pallo
Thad Hinshaw
309-726-1860
Jeff Sacco
Rich Gallager
www.biggomba.com
Jay Maplethorpe
Duane Landmeier
www.mainlymusky.com
John Kennedy
John Askins
309-968-6453
Lorin Nevling
Larry Ramsell
www.larryramsell.com
Jeff Gillis
Al Nuttywww.kinkaidlakeguides.com
John S. Jackson
Paul Center
309-454-8942
Mike and Lee Ann Steffa
David Quinn
All other fine sponsors
Red Wing Lodge-1-888-488-5601
MRG Custom Lure Painting- www.mrgmuskies.com
St. Croix- www.stcroixrods.com
Burr Oak Knives-217-887-2252
Gander Mountain- www.gandermountain.com
Musky Hunter Magazine- www.muskyhunter.com
Figure Eight Lures
Sheri-Tails- 815-765-9136
Rodd Umlauf- www. Umlaufstudio.com
Phantom Lures-763-434-4263
Musky Innovations- www.muskyinnovations.com
Leo Lures- www. Leolures.com
Shakespeare Tackle- www. Shakespearefishing.com
Moores Lures-715-356-6834
Muskie Bay Tackle- www.muskiebaytackle.com
Cats Tails Lures- www.catstailslures.com
TNT Marine- www.tntmarine.net
Jason Parsons-Ranger Boats
Winterland Marine-815-945-7548
Fisher’s Autobody
American Sports-309-543-3968
R & H Farm and Home-217-632-2238
Crazy Dog Saloon-217-487-7588
Ted’s Tavern- 217-632-7110
Comlara Park- Evergreen Lake
First Community Title Services
Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail-www. Illmuskie.com
Larry’s Fishing Hole- www. Larrysfishinghole.com
Just keep on pluggin along, John S. Jackson
Shawnee
28
P.O. Box 602
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-756-3231 – Gary Dew
(815) 529-1159
Shawnee Musky Hunter of the Year was Mike
Tomse, who puts in hours of administrative work
organizing and registering contestants for our
tournaments. Congratulations Mike!
Our special spring tournament was held March
19-20, the sole purpose being to raise funds for a
new motor for biologist Shawn Hirst’s boat. Since the
IL DNR’s funding has been cut to the bone, they
cannot (or will not) replace his worn out motor. We
had 25 boats registered, and raised approx. $1,800+
dollars. 100% of this goes toward the motor. Also,
one of our members, Chad Cain, took the initiative of
collecting donations for this fund. If anyone would
still like to donate, do so through Chad or chapter
president Gary Dew. Shawn works very hard for
Kinkaid Lake and is a great friend of the Shawnee
Muskie Hunters; donations are really appreciated!
Tournament results were:1st- Jim Cunningham/ Roy
Cox, 40 1/2” (Jim is a new member and this was his
first musky!); 2nd- Jim Beaty/ Shannon Beaty, 37
1/2”; 3rd- Mike Hopkins/ Thad Hinshaw, 37”; 4thWalt Krause/ Ken Ryder, 36”. See ya on the water!
Scott Taylor
Meets: varies-call for schedule.
We held our annual awards banquet on March
12th in Carbondale with about 22 members present.
Special guests at the meeting were local DNR
biologist Shawn Hirst, Southern Illinois University
grad student Pat Beck, and SIU researcher Ron
Brooks. Shawn informed us about his recent netting
efforts, and told us he was in the process of trying to
introduce smallmouth to Kinkaid Lake. Pat and Ron
filled us in on the telemetry study they are
conducting on muskies in Kinkaid. Their efforts have
revealed some interesting habits of muskies in the
lake, and they hope to determine how much the fish
are stressed during the hot water period. These
three gentlemen want to remind anyone who
catches a tagged or transmitter-implanted fish to call
them so they can record information. (Shawn 618687-4546; Pat 618-889-6921)
Jim Beaty invited interested members to consider
joining the chapter at the Chapter Challunge in
Minaki, Ontario, on July 16-23. The cost will be
around $350. Call Jim if interested.
The chapter presented our newest junior member,
Shadrick Beechem, with a rod and reel, tackle bag,
and lures to get him started on his musky fishing
quest.
Annual awards in the Members Only Release
Contest were as follows: Juniors- Blake Friedrich, 5
fish, 64 pts.; Men’s- David E. Clark, 46 fish, 490 pts.;
Women’s- Diana Mindar, 2 fish, 15 pts.; Master’sWalt Krause, 43 fish, 506 pts.
29
Upper Great Plains
1788 Hwy 4
Estherville, IA 51334
712-362-2501
Meets 3rd Thursday , Legion Club, 1709 Okoboji
Ave., Milford, IA.
All I have to say is that if you not excited about
casting out “old reliable” or that shiny new “hot bait”
you bought this off season and performing an
instinctive figure 8, then you may not have muskie
fever! We have survived winter and the 2005 muskie
season has begun.
2005 is going to be an
unforgettable season for all members of UGP
Chapter. Board members have been working
extremely hard planning memorable events that will
make this year special.
On June 25th the chapter will be holding an outing
on Big Spirit Lake. Fishing hours for the outing will
be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for
the two biggest fish caught. In addition the chapter
is holding a door prize drawing making each
participant of the outing eligible for a fishing trip to
Shingwar Resort at Sioux Narrows on Lake of the
Woods. A mailing will be sent to chapter members
that will provide additional information regarding the
outing.
Muskie league dates and times have been set for
May and June, so be sure to mark them on your
calendar. Fishing hours are 6:15 p.m. – Sunset and
entry fee is $5.
May 25 - East Okoboji Lake - Triggs boat ramp
June 8 - Big Spirit Lake - Templar park boat ramp
June 22 - West Okoboji Lake – Triggs boat ramp
In closing, the proper handling of fish for a healthy
release, has been a subject of past chapter
meetings. So if you’re like me, you’re excited about
that first fish of the year but you might also be a little
rusty. On that note, lets all step back and think
about the proper tools and techniques of handling
fish so we are all ready this spring. So get your
pliers, hook cutters, and landing net ready because
that first fish may come sooner then you think.
Sincerely, Pete Hildreth
Flatlanders
6259 Walnut Grove Rd.
Loves Park, IL 61111
815-282-3334
www.flatlanderschapter.com
bupnorth1@aol.com
Jeff Blanck, Pres.
Meets 4th Thursday, 7:00 PM, Loves Park VFW.
32
This is the Big Man here reporting for The
Flatlanders Chapter, May is coming real quick and
we will start off our Wisconsin season on the
Madison chain once again. The Flatlanders have
been talking about hitting the bigger lakes to find the
bigger fish. I know I can’t wait to be able to cast once
again; the musky box is full with new lures that are
ready to get wet.
We will be having a kids day at Rock Cut State
Park on June 11th from 10am till 3pm. Amy
shackelton is in charge of putting the whole thing
together and hopes that the Flatlanders will lend in a
hand and help out with the many activities that will be
going on that day.
Also once again, I would like to welcome our new
members to the club including, Jerry Larson, Al
Hufford, Jeffery Lindstrom, Tom Peterson, Rich,
Bernadette, Ryan and Abby McCormick. Welcome
to the flatlanders and catch a lunge, I know I can’t
wait for the day I can catch a lunge and the only thing
that has been on my mind is good old Lake of the
Woods. We will be having our annual Lake of the
Woods outing July 16th -23rd. I hope that this time
around the conditions are better then last year.
We had a great speaker at our March meeting
which was Patricia Strutz, She talked about all the
tactics she uses with her row trolling technique. She
was a great speaker and had some good points
about row trolling. In other news we have another big
raffle going on with a brand spanking new rod and
reel combo, this combo includes a Gloomis rod and
a calcatta 400 reel. This will be limited to 50 tickets.
Well that’s all I have for your now guys,
Sin Yours Brian Big Man Wienski
St. Cloud
37
427 17-1/2 Ave. No.
St. Cloud, MN 56302
(320) 253-3621 – Mike Ruff
www.stcloudmuskies.com
Meets: 3rd Tues. 7:30 PM American Legion, Waite Park.
Our March meeting was held on March 15th at the
Waite Park American Legion. We called it our “Lure
Swap and Awards Night”. Over 40 members
congratulated the following members for their
outstanding achievement during the 2004 fishing
season.
Fox River Valley
39
1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 601230
847-741-9771 – Rich Gallagher
www.frvmuskie.com
Meets: 2nd Wed (Exc June/July) Poplar Creek Country
Club, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates, IL.
Finally, boats on the water and fish in the boat!
Sunlight is staying with us longer; water
temperatures are starting a slow and steady climb.
The season is on!! The Board of Directors
representing Chapter 39 wishes all our members an
outstanding and safe season. It is our hope that you
will participate in and enjoy the outings and events
we provide promoting fishing camaraderie and
community events.
This month starts with our very popular Club
Meeting/Pool Demo Night. This will be held on the
regular second Wednesday of the month. (This
month May 11th.) Rather than a speaker we have
the opportunity to be at the Dundee Township Park
District Recreational Center. Here we have reserved
access to the swimming pool for an evening of
poolside bait demos. This is a great chance to see a
variety of baits “worked” by representatives and
volunteers. Pick up pointers in “real time” and ask all
the questions you may have about various baits and
how they may be used. The meeting kicks off with a
complimentary pizza dinner provided by the club. Be
sure to join us for an evening of fun, food and
learning. See our website for directions.
The following weekend Sunday May 15th. We will
be hosting the Boat/No Boat outing and BBQ. We
will be fishing the Fox Chain of Lakes in the morning.
At 1:00 p.m. take a break for Burgers, Brats,
Hotdogs and “Bull Session.” Lunch will be at Catfish
Cove Picnic Area in the Chain of Lakes State Park.
Following lunch we will have a prize raffle. After that
you can call it a day or get back on the water. Our
website will have a sign up for those without boats to
hook up with a partner and a boat for the day. We
look forward to seeing you there.
On Saturday the 21st of May we will be sponsoring
the Spring Boy Scout Fishing Merit Badge Outing at
the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation in Elgin. At the
event, the FRV Chapter sponsors local area Boy
Scouts at the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation in
earning their fishing merit badge. On the 4th. Of June
the Chapter will participate in the Elgin Fish for Fun.
The Elgin Fish for Fun is a fishing derby for kids. In
addition on the same day, the chapter will be
participating in the DuPage River Sweep. This is a
Conservation project, which deals with the clean up
of the DuPage River
Also in June we can look forward to the first of our
two “On the Water” meetings. If you can “get a note
from your doctor,” take a “sick day” or half day to fish
the Chain of Lakes. At 8:00 p.m. stop by the Thirsty
Turtle for a bite to eat a pint to wash it down, “fish
talk,” and our prize raffle.
Our regular club meeting dates are the second
Wednesday of the month. (June and July on the
water.) The Poplar Creek Country Club provides us
with fine accommodations. A Buffet style dinner is
provided before the 7:30 p.m. meeting and a cash
bar is open through out the evening.
All are welcome. You need not be a member to
attend, so please stop by and see us. All information
and updates can be found on our website
www.frvmuskie.com.
As club members we encourage you to get in
contact with anyone sitting on the Board of Directors
if you have questions, comments or suggestions
concerning the club. We are constantly working to
bring you the best outings and events we can. Your
input is important to us. Help us to make your club
the very best it can be. The names and numbers of
the Board members can be found on the front
section of the newsletter. We also have a section on
the website where you can retrieve our e-mail
address to contact us in that manner. If you are
interested, any and all club members are welcome to
sit in on our Board of Directors meetings. They are
held the Monday evening after our General Club
Meeting. The place is the home of President Rich
Gallagher. You can contact Rich or any BOD
member for time and directions. Stop by and see
1st Russell Nelson
2nd Jim Bidwell
3rd Carl Peterson
Women’s Division
1st Stephanie Amberg
2nd Cheri Bidwell
Juniors Division
1st Spencer Fenske
2nd Justin Bidwell
Masters Division
1st Dave Mendel
You kind of get the impression that the Bidwell’s
do a lot of fishing as a family.
Remember our upcoming events: April 11th
Anglers Diner Fund-raiser, April 15th Dinner at the
Blue Port on Lake Alexander, April 19th Dick Pearson
will be our speaker at our regular meeting, April 30th
Gander Mountain General Fishing Day.
Submitted by Royce N. Nies
(send comments to Royce@niesgroup.com
Men’s Division
Vikingland
38
609 S. Otter Ave.
Parkers Prairie, MN 56361
218-338-5441 – Bruce Lamar
koepbait@midwestinfo.net
Vikingland chapter members are continuing to
prepare for our spring awards banquet. Members
can look forward to more prizes this year! Mike
Schmidgall brought members up to date on the latest
from the Minnesota Muskie Alliance meetings. The
MMA is working with the DNR to develope safer
ways of measuring and releasing fish during
tournements. Another topic the Allance discused
was how top promote a "pro-muskie" attitude within
the communities that we fish, specifically arounf nonmuskie inhabited lakes.
Scott Hokanson
www.muskiesinc.org
Central Illinois
how the ideas and events for YOUR club come
to be. Until later,
Return ‘em to the water Healthy and
Remember Our Troops, JT
41
Central Ohio
8494 Fall Gold Lane
Westerville, OH 43082
614-451-0485 – Ross Wagner
Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Buckeye Hall
of Fame Café, 1421 Olentangy River Rd.
Just a quick update, spring is still trying to
happen although they are predicting snow
tomorrow. I caught my first little muskie for the
year yesterday, the last day of March. He was
hanging with the saugeye I was trying to catch
off the beach area at Alum Creek. Not a bad
pattern, I read where another saugeye fisherman
landed 5 muskies the other day there with two
being over 40-inches. This past month was a
busy one for the club with all the excitement of
the Ohio Muskie Show, our annual banquet and
the March meeting almost all wrapped up
together. I hope Ross Wagner has the stamina
do it all again next year. The club reaped part of
the benefit of helping host the show with the
addition of the custom muskie box Ross added
to our club lure auction at the March meeting.
The proceeds from the box and two “Crazy
Chuck” glide baits donated by club friend Chuck
McKnight helped us reach a $1000.00 total. I
may sound like a broken record guys but if you haven’t tried
this form of fund raiser for your club, you’re really missing out.
Our April meeting will feature our annual Spring Fishing
Seminar which should help bring in some new members, also.
May will feature a presentation on Lake Mapping and June is
the lure swap.
Were are only a week a way from our big spring tournament
at Clearfork April 9th and 10th, hope I saw you there. You
should see this in time to try and make our second tournament
at Clearfork on May 14th and 15th. See our web site for all the
details.
Elmer
Daniel Boone
52
428 N. Wilson Ave., • Morehead, KY 40351
Phone: 606.784.3933
e-mail: lbesant@adelphia.net
President: Larry X. Besant
Meets on Fridays-call or email.
We at Chapter 52 want to start with a congratulations
mention of one of our members. Chipper Bushong, Treasurer
of the Daniel Boone Chapter, has already caught more
muskies this year than all last year- or the year before. From
January 30,2005 until the date I am writing this he has boated
12 Kentucky legals (30” or better). Six of these fish over 41”
and the largest, his first 50” fish (Go Chipper!), was February
Lunker of the month. All the fish, except one 46” which could
not be revived because it inhaled a spinner bait, were released
healthy. Chipper has caught all his fish in the tailwaters below
the dam on Cave Run Lake, where he is now on a first name
basis with all the crappie fisherman on the banks. In February
the water has been high, treacherous, cold, and swift, as the
Corp of Engineers have been letting out large amounts of
water to maintain the lake at winter pool, but that didn’t stop
Chipper from having his best month ever. During this same
time 19 muskies were collected and removed from this stretch
of water by KDFWR as broodstock in the annual stocking
program. Another big congratulation to Chipper Bushong !
Daniel Boone Chapter had their first fundraising tournament
for the year on April 9-10,2005 on Cave Run Lake; to all who
attended we hope you had a good experience. We have a full
calendar for the coming months with several members fishing
tournaments, continuing to build our membership, a kids
fishing outing, and we are looking at some community service
projects for the year as well. I will try to post some dates for
members outings next month, we welcome other chapters to
take part in our outings, remember, there’s nothing like a friend
made on the water. Good fishing and take care !
1987-2003 ILLINOIS (Continued from page 29)
fishery is still improving, with more 50" or larger fish showing up,
on a more consistent basis. Mush of this is due to catch and release
and the efforts and generosity of the public and the member clubs of
the Illini Muskies Alliance.
Generally, the number of all size muskies is increasing. The
average length has increased from 29" (1987) to 36 _" (2003). The
average length of kept muskies has increased from 34.4" (1987) to
41 _" (2003). The overall release rate has increased from about 75%
(late 1980's to early 1990's) to 95% (late 1990's to 2003). The
overall release rate is now 91%. Thus, catch and release is one of the
main reasons why muskie fishing in Illinois continues to improve.
This is verified by the fact that the average number of hours between
catches has decreased. (11 hours in 2002 and 2003 versus an overall
average of 14.3 hours).
The Survey also breaks down muskie catch by month, average
fish length captured by month and catch by water and month (top 8
lakes). On average, 2/3 of all fish were captured in April, May, June
and September. However, the monthly catch is higher during the
April through June period in northern lakes, whereas the monthly
catch is higher in the September and October period for southern
lakes. The overall fishing methods, types of lures and colors can be
summarized as; casting (73%), black or white (17%) colored
crankbaits (47%).
When analyzing the Survey, you must remember that
participation is voluntary. Many fish go unreported, due largely to
ignorance of the Survey, or personal efforts to keep catches secret
from the public. The IMA continues to support and promote the
Survey through education and articles like this one. Attitudes are
another issue. Despite the goals of Muskies, Inc. and private muskie
clubs, some anglers refuse to share their “secret catches from secret
lakes”. For instance, although only one muskie over 50" was reported
from the Fox Chain in 2004, I personally am aware of another six
more that went unreported.
If you learn anything from this article, I hope you absorb the
following (from the last paragraph of the Conclusion to the Illinois
Muskie Creel Project 1987-2003 Summary Report):
“Finally, it should be emphasized that the information derived
from this creel project is very important relative to monitoring and
gauging the status of established and developing muskie populations,
and will enable the Division of Fisheries to continue to maintain and
improve quality muskie angling opportunities. However, angler
participation is essential to ensure the continued success of this project,
so please make every effort to report your muskie catch. Thanks!” ❖
Showcasing our
M.I. Supporters-Frabill
by Patricia Strutz
ack in 1944, brothers Frank & Bill Matras started the Frabill suckers alive during fall fishing. It has a Micro-Bubble diffuser which
company. Their first product was a patented chain stringer. generates clouds of tiny bubbles, adding enough oxygen to keep up
From this humble beginning, the company has grown into to ten suckers alive in a 48 quart cooler.”
“Our #9865 lure retriever is another outstanding musky fishing
one of the premier businessses that market fishing products. Their
logo, “Innovating the Outdoors,” has held true for well over a half product. It telescopes down for easy storage, but extends out to 15’.
This is an essential tool for those fishermen casting crankbaits by
century.
An interview with Mark Gostisha, Vice-President of Sales, gives cribs. The retriever is paid for after salvaging just one or two lures.”
“Perhaps our most interesting new product in the musky line is
us a snapshot into Frabill’s history. “The business started in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is still based in this metropolitan area. It the Pow’R-Lok yoke system on our landing nets. This design
eliminates searching for the spring button
has grown to include many product lines.
and accidentally over-extending the
After the chain stringer, Frank and Bill
handle. With one quick snap of the wrist
started selling galvanized minnow
the net is set up and locked into place. It
buckets during the 1950’s, and eventually
makes landing a fish by yourself-or with a
expanded the product selection to include
newpartner who may be unfamiliar with
a full selection of live bait containers and
your net-much easier. This system is
landing nets. Frabill is the only company
offered on both our PowerCatch and our
in the world still making the galvanized
Pro-Formance landing nets.”
minnow buckets. Even though it may be
considered an antiquated product to
“Frabill wants to be a leading
some folks, there is still a call for them.
supplier-and we lead by innovation.
They are very traditional items that many
We’ve done that with the aerated minnow
anglers’ parents and grandparents fished
buckets and our landing nets. We were
with 20 or more years ago. It’s satisfying
the first in the musky market to offer
that Frabill can still offer these nostalgic
high-tech tangle free and knotless nets.
items along with all of our cuttingedge
Now, our Pow’r Lok system again
merchandise.”
introduces another angler and fish“Son Skip Matras was involved with
friendly feature. We are very aware of how
the company for awhile. The product line
conscientious and conservation minded
expanded greatly during this time.
today’s musky hunters are. There is a
Landing nets, basketball backboards, and
growing trend toward using the
goals were sold. In the mid 1970’s Frabill
traditional landing net for the actual
was sold to Huffy Corp of bicycle fame.
landing of the fish, but then transferring
Huffy did very well with the basketball
her over to a cradle to be measured. This
items but struggled with the regional
way the fish is never out of the water or
quirks of fishing products.
Frabill’s
Sales
Staff
doing
“field
research”:
Viceheld vertically. We will continue to
Products that you need on the east
President of Sales, Mark Gostisha, holds a nice musky
side of a state are different than on the while sales managers Bill Laufer and Jeff Slater help provide our knotless mesh, fish-friendly
cradle. Frabill Inc. has supported Muskies
west side of the same state. Fishing is very
enjoy the moment.
Inc. with the new membership drive for
regional-bikes and backboards aren’t.
Current Frabill CEO Jeff Marble worked with the original Frabill the last two years by offering hats to new members who sign up at
the big musky shows all winter long. They also help broaden the
and was then the product manager for Huffy.
He bought the Frabill fishing brand in 1982. We’ve been scope of our sport through their generous support of various fishing
focused on marketing a variety of high quality, innovative fishing programs that target children and women. ❖
products since this time.”
“Frabill is on a dramatic growth campaign. We are now offering Patricia Strutz is a musky fishing guide in northern Wisconsin. Strutz’s
several different product categories including bait trap & seine specialty, row trolling, lends itself to fishing with large musky gear in
products, portable ice fishing shelters, ice fishing tip ups and jig rigs, small row boats. She personally attests to the durability of Frabill nets as
live bait bedding, containers, and aeration systems, rod travel cases, many of her customers walk all over the hoop & yoke since the net is
many assorted angling accessories for open and hard water, and, of laying on the bottom of her boat. It takes a beating but continues to work
flawlessly. She may be contacted at: (715) 477.2072 or visit
course, our landing nets.”
“Many musky hunters think of Frabill as solely “the net www.ablondandherboat.com
company,” but we do offer other musky fishing related items. Our
#1400 Aqua-Life portable aerator, for example, is a great way to keep
B
www.muskiesinc.org
MORE on
BALLIVER B’s LOST REEL
– AS TOLD BY THE REEL –
I
n Lake Lod
a
ow
ge
R
don’t think anyone has ever looked real close at me. I am an Abu
Ambassadeur No. 5000 Four Screw, S/N 134552. After spending
years in a showcase watching all the other reels, knives, lures,
compasses all disappear, I was placed on a sale table along with cheap
tackle and junk that didn’t sell. I had no box, instructions or
accessories, as these had been misplaced to ‘who knows wheresville.’
Why I never sold is one of those unanswered questions. Then,
someone bought me along with other tackle, a good line and one good
lure; a Muskie Lazy Ike. He picked out the cheapest rod he could find.
Anyhow, I got pretty banged up on that fatal day when the
Muskie struck!! After breaking loose from the rods’ reel seat which put
a bend in my reel foot and a crack in my frame on the left side at the
rear pillar; I took all the guides and tip top off the rod before diving
into the drink scampering after that Muskie. My drag was set pretty
high! Upon entering the wonderful world of water, I did notice that
it was a pleasant experience seeing all the bubbles, tree limbs and weeds
go by as I merrily sped along. I spent awhile bouncing around over
rocks and gravel as the Muskie was trying to get rid of me.
I finally lodged in some thick branches of a pretty solid
underwater tree. That Muskie just couldn’t break free; try as he did,
he finally wound up just sinking to the bottom. After some time, the
current worked me loose and I just sank down to some sand and
weeds. Stayed there for sometime, then felt like I was being pulled
again. For a while I thought that the Muskie revived and was pulling
me. It didn’t take long and I was up and out of the weeds heading for
the surface…but never got there. I was under a boat swaying back and
forth. Finally, I came to rest on the bottom just under this boat. All
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of a sudden up and out of the water I came and heard a “What’s
this…well, I’ll be…the reel is still on the line.”
I got washed off somewhat, put in a display case with what
remained of my pulling partner, the Lazy Ike, leader and rod guides
and tip top all tangled up in the line.
Several people would come by, look and make comments like—
“WOW! Lookit the size of that Muskie Head.”—“Where’s the
rod?”—“How come there’s no rod, everything else is there.”—
“Wonder who lost this?”——-Not a dam thing about me!!!
Then, one day, a familiar looking guy came over and looked. It
was my owner! A short time later, he came back bringing his fishing
partner. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! I thought, will I be fished again?
Drat! No such luck! I overheard that I was on display and that I’d be
getting my friend, Mr. Rod as a cellmate….I mean display casemate.
Woe is me!
Then, later on, these guys came back. It was towards evening and
the light in the case was on. The fishing partner said, “Balliver B., that
reel sure looks like an Ambassadeur; I didn’t really look that close when
I was putting on the line. In fact, I didn’t have my glasses on.”
Hmmmm, this ought to be interesting, I thought.
“Ya know, I believe you’re right. It’s looks just like the one Rod
showed me.”
They disappeared and then returned with another fellow—the
manager. He opened the case and Balliver B. lifted me out, looked me
over and said, “I can barely make out Abu and 5000 through all the
dirt.” He then handed me to his partner.
“Yes, you are absolutely right, this is an Ambassadeur 5000.” The
partner announced.
Well, Well, I thought…..Dick Tracy solves another baffling
mystery!
“Would you mind if we take this reel and clean it up; it will look
a lot better.” Dick Tracy asked the manager.
“No, not at all, it is in rather bad condition.” The manager
answered.
“I’ll strip the rest of the line off and put it in the display case, clean
the reel and return it in the morning and rewind that part of the line
on it.”
“Sounds great!”
Well, it’s been awhile since that nice night getting all cleaned up
and oiled, line replaced and put back in the display case. A short time
ago, my new display casemate arrived…yup…. Mr. Rod. And, ya
know, we have great times reliving that Muskie Tale! I guess I’m the
proudest of all when everyone looks at us and says, “Hey, that’s an old
Ambassadeur!” The others look kind of sad until I remind them,
‘Brothers, we’re all back together again!’ Then, Mr. Rod wiggles its’
tip; Mr. Line says ‘I’m still as strong as I used to be;’ Mr. Leader says
‘So am I,’ and Mr. Lazy Ike yells ‘STOP BITING ME! I ain’t going
anywhere!’ ❖
www.muskiesinc.org
Just One
Bite
and You’re
Hooked.
Ken Jackson of the Headwaters Chapter got this 48incher while fishing in the snow last November. You don’t
believe fish are fatter in the fall? Just look at this one!
Gary Jacobs with a nicely colored 40-incher he
Brett Waldera from Fargo/Moorhead and a photo he took
on December 4th, the last day of fishing on Lake Miltona in caught last July during the Esox Musky hunt on Lac
Vieux Desert. Twenty minutes before this one his
2004. Brett’s appropriately named buddy, Dave Winter, is
wife Linda caught an equally pretty 41 1/2 inch
unloading his boat. Dave got a 49” fish that day.
hybrid. They came in 2nd and 3rd in the tournament.
Gander Mountain...
offering the right gear to
make that dream of a
muskie become
an obsession.
Stephen Bassler Jr., shown with his dad, holding
a very sleek 50 1/2” Muskie from Sand Lake in
Oneida County, Wisconsin, caught with a sucker
last November. A big head on that fish.
Fred Becchetti’s exquisite picture of sunrise on Elk Lake,
Michigan, near Traverse City, the day after Christmas last
year. Elk Lake has a land-locked population of Great Lakes
Spotted Muskies which were trapped by dams built leading to
Lake Michigan. They survive via natural reproduction.
This picture was taken by president Chuck Graf from
the New Jersey chapter of member Greg Calt ready
to go fishing in January. Do you suppose they
expect a sudden January Thaw there, and Greg
doesn’t want to miss a minute of fishing?
“Lucky” Libby Hoene
Gander Mountain
Pro Staff Member
Jason Schillinger putting back a 48- Richard Wren’s massive 56.5-Incher from Greg Kliss from the Headwaters Chapter
incher, an excellent “release
Georgian Bay last June. That fish tied for
with a beautiful 38 3/4’ hybrid from
picture.” Also, note the very similar first place in the Member’s contest with
Catfish Lake last July. Lots of hybrid
expressions on the faces of Jason
Duane Hill’s fish which was featured in
pictures from Wisconsin lately.
and the fish – they’re obviously both
the Member Photos last October.
very happy as to what is transpiring.
Steve Ingram, photographer, to Tim Raner,
subject: “Hey Tim, that’s not a Muskie!!”
Pre-opening day practice on March 26 at
Columbia Lake in Portage Wisconsin. (Upon
getting this photo I responded to Steve with
guidance on our policy on vertical holds.)
☞
Proper Muskie
Holding Techniques
for MUSKIE Magazine Photos
including Covers, Article Support,
Photo Contest Entries
& Member Photos
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FOR PHOTOS
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
FOR THE LOCATION OF THE STORE NEAREST YOU CALL: 1-800-282-5993 OR
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A MUSKY REQUIRES
SKILL, DETERMINATION,
COMMITMENT —
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www.stcroixrods.com

238037 Muskie-July Mag

Transcription

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