IMTT July 2016 Newsletter - Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail

ILLINOIS MUSKIE
TOURNAMENT TRAIL
FISH ON!!
_____________________________________________________________
It’s hard to believe, but we find ourselves in the heat of the summer. Seems like just weeks ago
we were huddled under the tent at Kinkaid trying to stay warm and dry. Here we are in July and can’t
find a cool spot to sit in the shade. Mother Nature has turned up the heat in the Midwest. Every state
in the Midwest has seen day after day at or near 100 degrees. With this heat Muskie fishing in Illinois
has just about come to a halt. The water is just too warm to safely catch and releases the fish.
Now is the time for those great trips to the North Woods. Although there have been some
unusual hot temperatures as far north as Minnesota, the waters are still a lot cooler than here. The
Muskies should be ready for some great fights over the next few months. I know many of you have
the yearly north trip planned and counting the days until you hit the road. I would like to ask each of
you to have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Remember you may be fishing with new/different partners on these trips. Remember to make a
final walk around before you launch. Your tournament partner usually does certain things to the boat
before you launch. Check everything as your partner may not be aware of what your regular partner
normally covers. Nothing is worse than being 100 yards out and you start getting wet feet (drain plug
left out) or the cooler is left in the truck, or anything else that seems like it just always was done and
the boat was ready to go. So take the time to ensure a great day on the water. Take lots of pictures
and share them with the group.
The first half of the Trail has been a great sucess. We have had great participation at all the
IMTT events. Also the club tournaments have had some of the best participation in years. Thanks to
everyone that help make these tournaments a great success. With your participation the IMTT,
Shawnee Musky Hunters and The Fox River Valley clubs have all been able to make substantial
contributions to the IDNR and other programs that benefit the Fishery in Illinois. As we have talked
about in the past it’s all in the numbers. The more participation we have, the more money we have
to donate to these great programs.
I would like to mention that we are falling behind on two of our programs. We have fallen way
behind in the raffle sales for the IMTT/Glenwood Lodge Scholarship. And to date I have not received
any entries in to the IMTT Youth Muskie Trail. I would like to remind each of you to consider
purchasing tickets for the chance to win a one week stay at Glenwood Lodge on beautiful Lake
Vermillion Minnesota in 2017. Also I want to remind all the youth (parents) to send in their Muskie
photos to me to have a plaque made up and a chance to win some nice prizes at the end of the year.
Enjoy the summer, I hope to see everyone at the fall tournaments, there is a great race on for
the Angler of the Year. It should be an exciting race to the Championship.
Be safe and we’ll see you on the water in the fall.
- IMTT President Howard Chambliss
Young Gun Dominates at Shawnee Muskie Hunters’ Spring Fling
The Shawnee Muskie Hunters Chapter of Muskies Inc Spring Fling Tournament was held April 30th &
May 1st. There were twenty six boats entered in the two-day event. A total of twenty fish were
caught, ten fish on Saturday and ten on Sunday. The father/son duo of William and Byron Gaddy of
Bloomington IL won the tournament with three fish (43, 40, 35.5) caught trolling. Byron’s 43”er was
the Big Fish of the tournament! Way to go Byron! Second place went to John Ashton (39) & Mike
Schmitt (36.5). Third place went to the father/son team of Mike Hopkins and Luke Hopkins (35, 32).
Other anglers with fish were:
Ray Wheelock……..……42.5
Ken Ryder………………...41.5
Jean Williams……..……40.75
Phil Gutmann….………..40.5
Randy Hilger………………...40
Jerry Dingus…….…………..38
Orry Pursley………………37.5
Jerry Ford………………..36.25
Lucas Kroening…………….36
Justin Taylor…………………35
Kyle Kroening……….…34.25
Justin Campos……………..33
Larry Owens……………32.75
BYRON GADDY SHOWS HIS 43” MUSKIE CAUGHT DURING
THE 2016 SHAWNEE MUSKIE HUNTERS’ SPRING FLING
For more information on or to join the Shawnee Muskie Hunters please visit:
www.shawneemuskiehunters.org
Fox River Valley Chapter Challunge on the Chain
On May 14th the Fox River Valley of Muskies Inc held its annual Challunge on the Chain. The one day
event drew anglers to Stietz’s Resort looking for a Fox Chain Muskie (or two…). At the end of the day
a total of 14 Muskies were recorded by 12 different teams. Finishing in first place was the team of
Tim Konz & James Reiter with two fish measuring 38” & 35.5”. Another team finishing the day with
two fish was the team of Joe Baraglia and Richard Miscinski. Their fish measuring 36” and 34” earned
them second place honors. Third place went to Ken Miller and Dan Koniewicz with Dan’s 43”er
which was also Big Fish of the tournament. In fourth place was the team of Gino Testone and John
Kliczko with Gino’s 41” Muskie.
Other anglers with fish were:
Mike Herzog……………….39.5
Luke Armitage…………..38.75
Tom Wienerowicz…….38.75
Nick Doessel……………….37.5
Jason Reinke………………37.5
Keith Hanson………………36.5
Corbin Pennino……………..36
Eric Stadig…………..……..33.75
For more information on or to join the Fox River Valley Chapter please visit:
www.frvmuskie.com
MUSKIE CREEL SURVEY REPORT CARDS
aka GREEN CARDS
The IMTT, IMA (Illini Muskies Alliance) and IDNR (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) requests
all Muskies caught in Illinois be recorded on a paper Muskie Creel Survey Report Card (GREEN CARD)
or online at: http://www.ifishillinois.org/science/muskie_survey.php
The statewide Muskie Creel Survey Project, jointly sponsored by the Illini Muskies Alliance (IMA) and
the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), was initiated in April of 1987. Funds for the
project were primarily provided by the IMA. The project was modeled after the very successful
voluntary creel survey which Mike Sule former District Fisheries Manager introduced.
CLASSIFIEDS
To list your “For Sale” items in the IMTT newsletter
Contact Bob Taylor at imtt2014@gmail.com or at 309-262-9720.
All listings are free of charge and subject to IMTT approval.
Sellers are responsible for contents of ads.
1st Annual Mike Sule Memorial Tournament
at Fox Chain of Lakes
On June 4th 2016 the IMTT held the first annual MIKE SULE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT at the Fox
Chain of Lakes in northern Illinois. Mike Sule worked as a Research Biologist, Field Biologist and
District Fisheries Manager for the IDNR. Mike was a key advocate in starting the Muskie stocking
program in Illinois. Near Rochelle IL just northwest of the junction of Interstate 88 and Interstate 39
is the stocked Muskie lake bearing his name.
MIKE SULE FAMILY (Foreground)
Twenty eight teams competed on a day which started calm and dry then turned into a bilge pumping
deluge from which there was no chance of remaining dry then back to clear but windy. At the end of
the day six teams had boated Muskies. First place and BIG FISH goes to Phil Gutmann (43”) of Lake in
the Hills & Sam Wilson of Forest Park IL. In second place was Paul Heideman (34”) & Eric Vizanko of
Wonder Lake IL. Third place goes to Ken Miller (33.5”) of Elgin IL & Dan Koniewicz of Algonquin IL.
Finishing in fourth place was the duo of Frank Becker (33.5”) and John Korinke.
Other anglers with fish: Kyle Kroening - 33”; Tom Shafar - 31.5”
TOP 10 TRAIL STANDINGS AFTER SPRING SESSION
Place
Member
Points
Place Member
Points
1
KYLE KROENING
158.25
2
PHIL GUTMANN
157.5
3
BYRON GADDY
148.5
4
KENN BLAIR
139.5
5
JUSTIN TAYLOR
117.5
6
DYLAN GANO
114.75
7
LARRY OWENS
101
8
JAY SCARBROUGH
91.75
9 (Tied)
BOB TAYLOR
89.5
9 (Tied)
RAY WHEELOCK
89.5
2016 FALL SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER 17th IMTT GREGG TICHACEK MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT on LAKE McMASTER
Contact Bob Taylor (309)262-9720 or imtt2014@gmail.com for details.
September 24th Quad County Hawg Hunters tournament on Lake Evergreen.
Contact Duane Landmeier (815)761-5182 or dlandmeier@frontier.com for details
OCTOBER 1st & 2nd IMTT FALL CLASSIC on PRAIRIE LAKE
Contact Bob Taylor (309)262-9720 or imtt2014@gmail.com for details.
October 22nd & 23rd Shawnee Muskie Hunters’ Fall Brawl on Lake Kinkaid
Contact John Wright ((618)698-4893 or Ray Wheelock (618)234-7192 for details
NOVEMBER 5th & 6th IMTT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP on LAKE KINKAID
CONTACT Howard Chambliss (618)214-5918 for details
IMTT RULES
It is the responsibility of IMTT tournament participants to know the rules for competing in any
IMTT event. For a complete list of IMTT Rules visit:
http://www.illmuskie.com/trail-schedule/
IMTT/Glenwood Lodge
Fishery Scholarship Fund Raffle
One Week / Four Person Stay
Glenwood Lodge
 Located on the shores of Lake Vermillion;
Tower, Minnesota
 Two bedroom cabin. Four people……. Valued
at $1,350.00
o Fresh linen blankets and pillows
o Full kitchen with cooking utensils
o Webber Grill
o Free Wi-Fi
 Selected week to be mutually agreed on
between winning bidder and Glenwood Lodge
personal
 Does not include boat gas, boat/motor rental
or bait
(info@glenwoodlodge.com)
Raffle Dates: 10/01/15 - 11/01/16
Ticket Prices: $5 each or 5 for $20
For additional information about this raffle please visit the IMTT’s Scholarship Page at
http://www.illmuskie.com/programs/scholarships/
Or contact Howard Chambliss at: (618) 214-5918
The Shawnee Muskie Hunters are asking for your help to spread the word on an outstanding event
for our IL High School students. The 3rd Annual IHSA Muskie Tournament is being held on a Sunday
October 9th & Monday October 10th (school holiday for Columbus Day) at Lake Kinkaid near
Murphysboro IL. In 2015 7 teams from 6 schools participated in the event. Schools are limited to 2
teams per high school.
Our Sponsors
The IMTT would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the IMTT’s generous sponsors, without
whom our season would not be possible. We invite all members to support these community-minded
organizations by showing our continued support to those who support us.