16 MUSKIE..... July / August 2015

Transcription

Contents
MUSKIE magazine is published six times each year
and is the Official Publication of Muskies, Inc.
Ellen Wells, Administrative Secretary, 1509 Stahl
Road, Sheboygan, WI 53081. Ph: 1-888-710-8286.
© Copyright 2015 by Muskies, Inc. All rights reserved.
MUSKIE • Vol. 49, No. 4
Departments
About the COVER
1 About the Cover, Sean Landsman
Michael Handlogten sent in this image of his son,
Caleb, making a cast at sunset. Michael reports that
shortly before this photo was taken they released a
45.5 inch fish. I’d say this sunset is a pretty great way
to cap off a fantastic day! It’s fleeting moments like
these that we should all
cherish while we’re on the
water.
- Sean
2 President’s Message, Carl Phillips
3 Index of Advertisers
4 MUSKIE News
6 Lunge Log, Dan Koniewicz
11 Figure 8, Sean Landsman
13 Member Photos, Brad Waldera
19 Photo Contest, Brad Waldera
23 Chapter News and Views
BACK COVER Youth Zone
Features
12 Muskies, Inc. Hall of Fame Class of 2015,
Steve Budnik
14 Sun Induced Skin Cancer: One Fisherman’s Nightmare,
Erik Jacobson
16 Surviving as a Senior Muskie Hunter,
Lorin Nevling Jr.
20 Tournament Lessons for Everyday Fishing,
Marty Forman
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[email protected].
Please include your name, chapter number and
brief explanation of your submitted photo.
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MAIL TO: MUSKIES, INC. 1509 Stahl Road
Sheboygan, WI 53081
1-888-710-8286
(to find the number of the Chapter you wish to join, see the Chapter News & Views section)
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www.muskiesinc.org
July / August 2015.....MUSKIE 1
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
President, Carl Phillips
Phone: 612-709-8066
Email: [email protected]
VP Finance/Treasurer, Jim Shannon
Phone: 763-434-9729
VP Fisheries & Research, Dan Crooms
Phone: 507-744-4265
VP Internal Affairs, Dan Koniewicz
Phone: 847-682-9238
VP Membership & Marketing, James Ashton
Phone: 636-227-5248
VP Communications, Ron Teschner
Phone: 701-640-0544
VP Youth Activities, Kevin Bushnick
Phone: 847-987-3622
Corporate Secretary, Thomas Ardolf
Phone: 320-260-2262
Past-President, Jay Zahn
Senior Regional Representatives are also
Executive Committee Members
Regional Representatives
Region 1
Term Expires
*Eric Schultz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
Jeff Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016
Greg Kvale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016
Region 2
*Jeff Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
Robert Petzke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016
Joe Heil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017
Region 3
*Jim Evers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
James Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
Jack Moga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017
Region 4
*Earle Hammond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
Frank Walter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016
Kimberly Cates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017
* = Senior Regional Representative
Support
Administrative Secretary, Ellen Wells
1509 Stahl Road, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Phone: 888-710-8286
Executive Accountant, Kathryn Goon
Phone: 419-945-2940
Merchandising Director, Will Schultz
Phone: 616-447-1688
Web Master, Randy Loewecke
Phone: 815-520-3628
The President’s Message
by Carl Phillips, Muskies, Inc. President
Happy belated opener. Hope is in the air. By now we are hard at it and have
been so for a bit.
ABM - We had our Annual Board Meeting (ABM) in April in Green Bay.
My special thanks to the Green Bay Chapter for hosting this event. We had a
very positive meeting. We said goodbye and thanks to the outgoing members
and hello and welcome aboard to the new. The minutes and presentations are on
the website. Please let me know if you are looking for a particular item. The
proxy to increase the board size did not pass. We needed 50% plus one vote and
we received about 20% back. Of those received, the vast majority were in favor
of increasing the Board size.
50th Anniversary Celebration and Hugh Becker Symposium - Nice
segue into the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Symposium. Muskies, Inc.
celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2016. The Celebration Banquet is being put
on jointly by the Twin Cities and North Metro Chapters and will be held on
March 12th, 2016. In conjunction with this celebration, we will be holding our
ABM that same morning and the 2016 Hugh Becker Muskie Symposium beginning Sunday, March 13th and ending Tuesday, March 16th, 2016. This is an
action-packed five-day event. There will be much more to follow, but we want
you to save the dates now and all are invited! We would like every Chapter present if at all possible. We will conduct our ABM differently to allow Chapter to
Region communications if and when it becomes necessary. We really want to
involve our Chapters in this meeting and into this weekend event. The 50th
Anniversary of our organization is a big deal. Please join us.
Open Positions - We are still looking for volunteers for Vice President
Finance and Legal Counsel. Position responsibilities are on the website. Please
check with your membership and call me if you have any questions.
You will notice in this issue a Calendar Appeal letter from me. The Calendar
is our major fundraising event for the year. The current format is to send a calendar to everyone and request a donation. If you have not contributed please try.
I had the opportunity to attend a Trout Unlimited (TU) Regional meeting this
past March. Many attendees were surprised to find a Muskies, Inc. guy in attendance. Although I am a TU member, my name badge mentioned Muskies, Inc. I
was asked what my favorite fishing was. My response was – “fishing”. What
fishing gear I happen to have in my hand is secondary to being out and being
with friends and family. We all need to focus on what we have in common with
others, whether it is a fellow Muskies, Inc. member or someone outside the organization. If we focus on differences, we will quickly become mired in an emotional quagmire. Stay focused on commonalities and get things done.
Happy belated Father’s Day. Give your father a hug. I miss mine.
Tight Lines,
- CP
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
CHAOS TACKLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CHAPTER 6 TOURNAMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CHAPTER 13 TOURNAMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
FITTANTE REPLICAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
FISHHARD CLOTHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
HUGH BECKER MUSKIE SYMPOSIUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
JOE BUCHER OUTDOORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
LAKEWOOD PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
LURE PARTS ONLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
RED WING LODGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ST. CROIX RODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC
T’S TACKLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
TIMBER BREEZE RESORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
YOUNG’S WILDERNESS CAMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
MUSKIE Magazine Staff
Editor & MAGAZINE DESIGN
Amy Penza
105 Fairview Lane
Nekoosa, WI 54457
Phone: (715) 213-7206
ASSISTANT Editor
Sean Landsman
Phone: (217) 649-4449
PHOTO CONTEST EDITOR
Brad Waldera
Phone: (701) 403-5882
LUNGE LOG EDITOR
Members Only Fishing Contest
Jim Bunch
Phone: (715) 226-0295
ADVERTISING SALES TEAM
Kevin Richards, Advertising Manager
Phone: (573) 280-2300
ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES:
Harlan Fierstine
Phone: (218) 255-3461
Kevin Pischke
Phone: (920) 676-7893
PRINTING Account Manager
Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - Stacey Thielen
IllustratorS/CartoonistS
Richard Gross, Charles Weiss
FIELD EDITORS
Patricia Strutz, Ace Sommerfeld,
Kevin Pischke, Kevin Richards, Rick Helm,
Adam M. Glickman
MUSKIE is published exclusively for the membership
of Muskies, Inc. and subscriptions come with a paid
membership. Muskies, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit
organization. Membership classes and associated
annual dues are listed on the form at the bottom of
page one. Copies of MUSKIE magazine are available
at $3.00 each from the Muskies, Inc. Administrative
Secretary.
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 material
for publication should contact the Editor.
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. website.
www.muskiesinc.org
Corporate Attorney Position Available
Muskies, Inc. is seeking someone to take on a position as our
Corporate Attorney (Legal Counsel) position. The Legal Counsel
shall provide legal advice to the President and Board of Directors
of Muskies, Inc. as the need arises. This includes the review of
proposed contracts, such as those for independent contractors and
insurance. He/she may also provide interpretation of the bylaws as
requested.
If you are interested in applying and/or seeking more information about the position, please contact Ellen Wells at [email protected] or Carl Phillips at president@muskiesinc.
org.
Impressions From an Outstanding Annual Board
Meeting, April 2015
Thank you to Bob Volm and the Titletown Chapter for hosting
the 2015 Annual Board Meeting at the Tundra Lodge in Green
Bay, WI.
Meeting minutes from the meeting and all other meetings are
online for those who want specific details and vote results. The
effort to amend the Articles of Incorporation to expand the size of
the Board was withdrawn because of a failure to follow proper
procedure. The response was overwhelmingly positive, but there
was not enough time to receive the proper amount of member
participation. This item will most likely be revisited in the future
with higher probability for a successful outcome.
Muskies, Inc. is coming of age. Through countless volunteer
hours, from many longtime board members, the transition to
regional format has been accomplished. Bylaws and Policies are
up to date and the framework is in place
for our organization to grow and prosper.
Under the leadership of President Jay
Zahn, Muskies, Inc. has evolved into a
very functional entity. Thank you.
Through the years there have been many
hot button issues. Reflecting on this,
these have been largely resolved and
have put the organization in a better
place. Meetings are productive and professional where best options are the normal result.
Looking Back at Controversial Issues
The website: After several false starts and
much expense we finally have a functional website. It is now a tool for MI that
meets our requirements and can be
changed as needed. Randy Loewecke
deserves a ton of thanks for what he’s
accomplished. We need to take advantage
of the website and use it more.
MUSKIE Magazine: The transition from
twelve issues to six is done and all issues are available online. The
reduced expense from this and other cost cutting will result in an
under-control budget. We are living within our means. There is
always more that we would like to do, but that has to come with
growth.
Advertising with Keyes Outdoors: This was a budgetary risk that
was not without controversy. Advertising on Keyes may have
saved Muskies, Inc. from aging out of existence. Before we started, the average age of a Muskies, Inc. member was approaching
60, but is now in the mid-40s. Although our total membership has
remained consistent, we are younger. Advertising with Keyes will
continue next year. Episodes and videos are available online and
are free to the public. Their website will direct you to the episodes
and more, www.keyesoutdoors.com.
The retention of members continues to be a problem. We are
all encouraged to meet with former members and ask others to join
Muskies, Inc. The board decided to use Teuteberg (a marketing/
mailing company) to compile a promotion to reach out to past
members. If this is successful, we may do more in an effort to
increase membership. Through muskie shows/expos and feedback, there is an awareness that the great muskie fishing today is
largely due to the efforts of the Muskies, Inc. membership and is
being encouraged as a way to increase muskie fishing opportunities.
Kevin Bushnick, VP Youth Activities, has started an amazing
program running youth camps for Muskies, Inc. These camps are
being recognized by community and state leaders with rave
reviews. Kevin is looking to expand the program in the future
from Wisconsin to other states. Youth participation is our door into
the future of Muskies, Inc.
Communication within Muskies, Inc. is improving greatly.
The use of online meetings is becoming an ever increasing
resource. We do all Executive Committee meetings with Go to
Meeting. Region 3 is meeting monthly and all regions are going to
be encouraged to meet quarterly. President Carl Phillips is setting
up a monthly meeting with Chapter Presidents. These are all great
opportunities for solving problems and opening the lines of communication. Please take advantage of this option. We have the
tools, but we need to seize the opportunity. Along the same line,
we are not using social media, such as Facebook, Twitter,
etc., anywhere near their potential. This is something for all
members to work on.
I would like to welcome Tom Aldorf (Corporate
Secretary), Jim Ashton (VP Membership and Marketing),
and Dan Crooms (VP Research and Fisheries) as our new
board members.
There is a big celebration coming, as Muskies, Inc. turns
50 in 2016. March 11th and 12th will be the Anniversary
Celebration, hosted by the Twin City and North Metro
Chapters. The Hugh Becker Muskie Symposium will follow
on March 13th through the 15th. Both events will be amazing. Details of both events will be in MUSKIE Magazine and
on the website. Plan to help us celebrate any way you can.
Muskies, Inc. is in a good place. We are coming to 50
years of age and have the tools and leadership to achieve
greatness. Let’s communicate and make it happen! My glass
is half full, let’s celebrate and fill it to the top in the next 50
years.
- VP Communications, Ron Teschner
Following a Dream
The leadership of Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail had
a dream. And a challenge. The Illinois Muskie Tournament
Trail (IMTT) is a not-for-profit organization in Illinois.
Founded in 2003, the organization’s mission is to promote
interaction and camaraderie among muskie fishermen in the
State of Illinois and help maintain and expand our Illinois
fishery. While the IMTT is not affiliated with Muskies, Inc.,
a majority of IMTT members are Muskies, Inc. members,
and annual tournaments conducted by three Muskies, Inc.
chapters (Fox River Valley - Chapter #39, Shawnee Muskie
Hunters - Chapter #28, and Quad County Hawg Hunters Chapter #17) are part of the IMTT’s annual tournament trail.
The IMTT conducts three programs – a Scholarship Program
for fishery biologist students, a Youth Program to encourage
young anglers to develop an interest in muskies, and a
Fishery Support program that funds projects like purchasing
equipment for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Fishery Division.
It’s good to know that even though this isn’t a tournament created by MI, some of our chapters have joined in on
co-hosting the IMTT and those chapters are: Chicagoland
Ed Fitzgerald and Brian Paasch are the 2014
IMTT Illinois State Champions.
www.muskiesinc.org
Muskie Hunters (Chapter #3), South of the Border Chapter
(Chapter #14), Shawnee Muskie Hunters (Chapter #28), Fox
River Valley (Chapter #39), and Quad County Muskie Hunters
(Chapter #17). Additionally, two independent muskie clubs Midwest Musky Club and Lake Shelbyville Muskie Club - are
also co-hosting.
The dream led to a challenge, and the challenge to a unique
solution. Now all the IMTT and the co-host clubs need are for
muskie anglers from all over the Midwest to join them on October
24th and 25th for a weekend of fun, camaraderie, and supporting
the fishery we love. For more information on the 2015 Illinois
Muskie Tournament Trail and the Illinois State Championship
Tournament, visit www.ILLMUSKIE.com.
- Chapter 28 member, Randy Hilger
Donate Today!
Your donation to the Muskies, Inc. Calendar Program is critical to the success of Muskies, Inc. as well as our local and national projects. The Calendar Program is our major fundraising program. Please help us meet the challenge by sending your tax
deductible donation to MI today. Your contribution is critical to
helping to support the chapter based programs and projects for
Youth, Fisheries, and Research. Our 2014 calendar donations were
$6,000 less than the donations in 2013. So far the donations in
2015 are trending at less than 2014. We need your help.
Because of the support of our members, we were able to contribute $10,000 towards two Youth Muskie Hunts in Hayward,
Wisconsin. Without your continued support we would not be able
to sponsor these outings. The Youth Fund is one of the funds you
can aim your donation towards. Gil Hamm, Kermit Benson, Perry
Smith, the Symposium fund are a few more. Your support is
greatly needed and greatly appreciated.
If you have already contributed, we want to thank you very
much. Your personal donation, and the special support of a handful of the Muskies, Inc. chapters, can put the Calendar Program
over the top this year.
Remember, for every $50 donated, you will receive a gift card
of $10 from Gander Mountain. If you lost your slip funds can be
mailed to Ellen Wells at
Muskies, Inc. Administrative Secretary
1509 Stahl Rd.
Sheboygan, WI 53081-8894
Thank you for your support.
- President Muskies, Inc., Carl Phillips
Participants in the 2014 IMTT State Championship gather for
a group photo.
boated two for the year. Then there was the one that
got away in 2008 on Crow Lake in Canada. It was a fish
that Dave caught and estimated at about 52 inches,
but it jumped out of the net before Dave and his
partner had a chance to get a measurement. Being an
honorable guy, Dave did not count that catch because
he did not get a proper measurement.
Dave, like most members, loves to talk about his
muskie fishing exploits and his 100th release was no
exception. For the record, it was caught May 7th on
Pewaukee Lake and measured at 35.25 inches. It was
caught on a homemade bucktail that Dave calls a
“puke” color. Congratulations Dave on the life
achievement of catching number 100. And Dave, get
those boys Nick and Ben out fishing more.
A Man and His Boat
Hello fellow members and welcome to this edition of
the Lunge Log. Year to date, membership has registered
958 muskies releases. At this same time last year we had
amassed a total of 1,132 releases. It looks like we need to
get out there and fish. As for the quality of the catches in
2014, we only had two 50s being caught, but now in 2015,
the membership has caught and released five. Please keep
the catches coming in so we can surpass that 2014 release
number.
Instead of highlighting the big catches of the past few
months, I am going to try something different and bring
your attention to some interesting members of Muskies,
Inc. I will catch up with the lunker stories in the next issue.
In Search of 100
When you receive an email entitled “Press Release, It
Finally Happened” it gets your attention. That is the
subject line used by member Dave Dawson, of the
Milwaukee Muskies, Inc. Chapter 35, calling attention to his
100th release. Well, that got my attention, and I knew that
I had to chat with Dave.
Dave started fishing for muskies in 1994 at the age of
12. His high school buddy, Phil Stoberl, whom he still fishes
with today, turned him on to the toothy creatures. It took
Dave a few years to get his first recordable release. That
first release came in 1998. It was a 33-inch fish and was
caught two days before his first son, Nick, was born. I can
tell you that there was no way my wife was letting me fish
two days before her due date, so I guess you can call Jane,
his wife, a saint. Either that or she really wanted Dave out
of the house. Spring forward 17 years and a total of 71
fishing partners, and muskie number 100 happened this
year.
This momentous fish did not come easily, however.
When entering 2014, Dave only had to catch three fish for
the number to reach 100, and it turned out that he only
When we think about how we present our lures to
muskies casting, trolling, rowing, and position fishing all
come to mind. But when you introduce a new method
and you get Jim Bunch to add a new category, there
has to be something special about it. I am talking about
kayaking.
For the past two years, when I have been out fishing
on the Fox Chain of Lakes here in Northern Illinois, I
have noticed a crazy individual paddling his kayak and
pulling muskie baits. For the record, the Fox Chain is the
busiest inland waterway in the United States. I often
have thought to myself, who is this crazy individual? Let
me introduce you to Muskies, Inc. South of the Border
(Chapter 14) member, Jeff Batt.
So, where do you start when talking to an individual
who you have perceived as being crazy? The first thing
I spoke with Jeff about was safety. Power boats all
around and Jeff in his small non-powered kayak, I
asked if he has had any close calls. Jeff said he’s yet to
have one, but he does take safety seriously. His kayak is
bright orange with a large orange flag on a pole and he
always wears a life vest. Jeff says he always gets off the
Unique among Muskies, Inc. members, kayak muskie
fisherman, Jeff Batt of the South of the Border Chapter
(#14), holds a dandy 45 incher.
Women's Division for 2015
Men's Division for 2015
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Rank / Member
Muskies Chapter
City
State
Points Date Caught
Name
Caught
Matt Pelletier
59
Albuquerque
NM
48
441
2/4/2015
David Goodrich
59
Prewitt
NM
26
244
2/2/2015
Mike Woelfel
52
Ona
WV
16
207
1/11/2015
Shaun Cox
52
Sandy Hook
KY
12
153
1/3/2015
Seth Davis
52
Hazard
KY
10
146
1/18/2015
Bryan T. Smith
52
Huntington
WV
12
130
1/11/2015
Brandon Schorle
39
ELGIN
IL
14
121
1/23/2015
Aaron J. Bork
11
Davenport
IA
12
118
4/15/2015
Roger Wayne Hinkle Jr.
19
Akron
OH
9
111
4/5/2015
Steve Bates
21
North Saint Paul MN
13
109
5/2/2015
Robert W. McCloud
19
Kent
OH
9
100
4/16/2015
Randy Huizenga
11
East Moline
IL
9
93
4/17/2015
Sam Reichenbach
18
Cadiz
OH
7
91
3/25/2015
Jason Chalmers
19
North Canton
OH
7
87
4/17/2015
Greg Knight
9
Harrisville
WV
8
80
3/19/2015
Zachary Kirkpatrick
19
Reno
OH
6
79
3/26/2015
Taylor Linkous
9
Blacksburg
VA
5
77
1/2/2015
Chuck Kuhlman
19
Cuyahoga Falls
OH
6
77
4/16/2015
Luke Armitage
39
Beach Park
IL
6
65
3/20/2015
Sylvester Trunkett
19
North Ridgeville OH
6
65
4/17/2015
Nick Gibson
9
Philippi
WV
4
64
1/9/2015
Ed (James) Walzer
64
Damascus
OR
4
64
5/9/2015
Tim Connoy
21
Mound
MN
5
60
4/4/2015
Jason VandeKopple
47
Grand Rapids
MI
5
60
4/25/2015
Matt Dixon
64
Port Matilda
PA
4
56
2/8/2015
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Rank / Member
Muskies Chapter
City
State
Points
Name
Caught
Nikki Swain
42
Upland
IN
12
167
Donna Bork
11
Davenport
IA
10
81
Darlene Kelley
9
Salem
WV
3
37
Vickie Banks
52
Wellington
KY
3
26
Beth Custer
9
Coolville
OH
1
18
Leah Pelletier
59
Albuquerque
NM
2
17
Debbie Bever
9
Harrisville
WV
1
14
Jennifer Martinez
19
North Canton
OH
1
10
Stephanie Neville
41
Summit Station OH
1
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Rank / Member
Muskies Chapter
City
State
Points Date Caught
Name
Caught
Chase Gibson
9
Philippi
WV
6
57
1/3/2015
Charles Neville
41
Summit Station OH
3
26
3/21/2015
Aaron James Eric
59
Prewitt
NM
4
25
5/11/2015
Madeline Frustereo
19
Chardon
OH
3
18
5/2/2015
Kyle Williamson
59
Albuquerque
NM
2
16
4/12/2015
Ethan Cain
39
Gilberts
IL
2
14
3/25/2015
Ian Jakob Erb
23
Mineral Ridge
OH
1
14
5/16/2015
1
2
3
4
5
6
Rank / Member
Chapter
City
Name
Matt Pelletier
59
Albuquerque
David Goodrich
59
Prewitt
Ed (James) Walzer
64
Damascus
Kevin Menicucci
59
Alburquerque
John Ringenbach
19
Lakewood
Leah Pelletier
59
Albuquerque
Date Caught
4/17/2015
3/17/2015
5/5/2015
3/21/2015
5/3/2015
5/4/2015
5/3/2015
5/3/2015
3/21/2015
Juniors Division for 2015
Fly Division for 2015
State
NM
NM
OR
NM
OH
NM
Muskies Points Date Caught Caught
27
252
2/4/2015
26
244
2/2/2015
4
64
5/9/2015
3
21
5/8/2015
1
17
3/1/2015
2
17
5/4/2015
Men's Masters Division for 2015
Jeff Batt’s kayak sits atop
his vehicle.
Dave Dawson (Milwaukee Chapter
#35) with his 100th muskie caught
from Pewaukee Lake on May 7th.
The fish fell to a homemade
bucktail and was 35.25 inches long.
www.muskiesinc.org
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Rank / Member
Muskies Chapter
City
State
Name
Caught
David White
18
Moundsville
WV
23
Charles R. Carpenter
9
Harrisville
WV
21
John Cade
9
Clarington
OH
14
Rick Swain
42
Upland
IN
14
Bob D. Marshall
19
Bowerston
OH
12
Rusty Welker
42
Kokomo
IN
16
George Weber
56
Kettering
OH
11
Kevin LaRoche
19
Aurora
OH
12
Michael Floyd
57
Auburn
WA
9
Bill Boggess
9
Vienna
WV
9
Danny Kurttila
0
Riverton
WY
10
Bill Looney
9
Amma
WV
6
Michael J. Sall Sr.
18
Martins Ferry
OH
7
Edward T. Lawton
9
Blacksburg
VA
4
Tad Martinez
19
North Canton
OH
5
Sam R. Butler
16
New Matamoras OH
5
Walter Krause
28
Collinsville
IL
6
John Ringenbach
19
Lakewood
OH
4
Jeffrey Aromi
12
Laona
WI
6
John Kaltenecker
9
Parkersburg
WV
4
Ray H. Elkins
19
East Canton
OH
3
Phillip Gutmann
39
Lake In The Hills
IL
3
Cliff Honeycutt
41
Westerville
OH
3
Frank L. Maus
31
Kittanning
PA
3
Stephen J. Koreski
9
Mineral Wells
WV
5
Points Date Caught
264
262
193
191
144
140
129
129
110
108
88
83
66
64
64
58
56
54
52
51
44
43
42
35
34
3/21/2015
1/15/2015
1/2/2015
4/17/2015
3/22/2015
4/22/2015
4/4/2015
4/18/2015
4/10/2015
3/31/2015
3/8/2015
1/1/2015
3/21/2015
2/27/2015
4/28/2015
4/14/2015
1/28/2015
3/1/2015
5/15/2015
3/31/2015
3/25/2015
3/22/2015
1/2/2015
1/4/2015
4/29/2015
water before all of the powerboat
Juniors Top 18 for 2015
Rank / Member
activity really heats up.
Chapter Length Date Caught
Lake
County State
Lure
Name
I then asked Jeff, “How would 1 Chase Gibson
9
41.00 3/22/2015 Tygart River
Barbour
WV Homemade Glider
someone get started fishing for 2 Ian Jakob Erb
23
40.00 5/16/2015 West Branch Reservoir
Portage
OH Xtreme Shad
9
36.00
1/3/2015 Tygart River
Barbour
WV Bull Dawg Jerk
muskies from a kayak?” The story 3 Chase Gibson
4 Charles Neville
41
36.00 3/21/2015 Piedmont Lake
Guernsey OH Homemade Crank Bait
started about 12 years ago when 5 Ethan Cain
39
36.00 3/25/2015 Kinkaid
Jackson
IL Baby Depth Raider
Jeff got hooked on muskie fishing. 6 Chase Gibson
9
36.00 3/29/2015 Tygart River
Barbour
WV Shum Shum
41
35.00
4/5/2015 Salt Fork Lake
Jeff would fish out of his friends’ 7 Charles Neville
8 Kyle Williamson
59
34.00 4/12/2015 Bluewater Lake
Cibola
NM Ducktail Warrior
boats in the absence of his own. 9 Madeline Frustereo
19
34.00
5/2/2015 Pymatuming Reservoir
Ashtabula OH Wiley Crank
Then in 2012, Jeff booked fellow 10 Aaron James Eric
59
Cibola
NM Whopper Plopper
9
33.00
1/3/2015 Tygart River
Barbour
WV Bull Dawg Jerk
Chapter 14 member, Nick 11 Chase Gibson
12 Charles Neville
41
32.50 3/21/2015 Piedmont Lake
Cammarata, to take him fishing 13 Madeline Frustereo
19
32.00
Ashtabula OH Boss Shad
on the Fox Chain. Nick started 14 Chase Gibson
9
31.00 3/22/2015 Tygart River
Barbour
WV Homemade Jerk
59
Cibola
NM Whopper Plopper
teaching him about the Chain 15 Aaron James Eric
16 Ethan Cain
39
30.00 3/25/2015 Kinkaid
Jackson
IL Bucher Depth Raider
and Jeff had success with Nick. Jeff 17 Madeline Frustereo
19
30.00
Ashtabula OH Boss Shad
read Tom Gelb’s book Musky 18 Aaron James Eric
59
Cibola
NM Whopper Plopper
Strategy and was inspired. Jeff
put together the basics he learned
Hybrid Top 23 for 2015
Rank / Member
Date with Nick, the teachings he got
Chapter Length
Lake
County
State
Lure *
Name
Caught from Gelb’s book, and added a
1 David Goodrich
59
47.25 4/10 Bluewater
Cibola
NM Fly
kayak.
2 John Williamson
59
Cibola
NM Ducktail Warrior
In 2013, Jeff and his kayak 3 Pete Bergman
57
44.75 4/18 Mayfield
Lewis
WA Savage Gear Freestyler
made their maiden voyage. 4 David Goodrich
59
Cibola
NM Fly
57
43.00
5/2 Merwin
Cowlitz
WA Mepps Musky Killer
Rigging up and figuring out 5 Pete Bergman
6
Ed (James) Walzer
64
43.00
5/9
Merwin
Cowlitz
WA
HM Fly
where to put the two rods, the
7 Matt Pelletier
59
Cibola
NM HM Fly
net, the camera, and GPS were 8 Michael Floyd
57
42.00 4/24 Mayfield
Lewis
WA Savagegear 4Play
all decisions that Jeff had to make 9 Ed (James) Walzer
64
42.00
5/9 Merwin
Cowlitz
WA HM Fly
59
Cibola
NM Warrior
that first year. All of these riggings 10 Matt Pelletier
59
41.00
2/6 Bluewater
Cibola
NM Fly
did not turn out well the first 11 David Goodrich
12 Ed (James) Walzer
64
41.00 5/16 Merwin
Cowlitz
WA HM Fly
time, and Jeff has made many
13 Matt Pelletier
59
40.50
2/4 Bluewater
Cibola
NM HM Fly
refinements along the way, and
IRaizor Action 59
Cibola
NM
with them has come success. Jeff 14 Matt Pelletier
Lures BarFighte
57
40.50 5/15 Mayfield
Lewis
WA Savagegear 4Play
caught four muskies in 2013, seven 15 Michael Floyd
57
40.25
5/1 Mayfield
Lewis
WA Savagegear 4Play
in 2014, and has five so far in 2015. 16 Michael Floyd
17 Bill Looney
9
40.00 3/31 Little Kanawha River Calhoun
WV Amma Bamma
His biggest is a 45-inch fish he
18 Steve Alan Walker
19
40.00 4/18 Piedmont
Belmont
OH Strike King Spin
caught this year.
19 Michael Floyd
57
40.00
5/1 Mayfield
Lewis
WA Savagegear 4Play
Then I had to ask, “Why a 20 William Gorman
59
40.00
5/3 Bluewater
McKinley
NM Suick
IRaizor Action kayak?” Jeff told me there were 21 Matt Pelletier
59
Cibola
NM
Lures BarFighte
two reasons. The first being the
22 Pete Bergman
57
39.00 5/16 Mayfield
Lewis
WA Mepps Musky Killer
cost of entry in a fishing kayak 23 Michael Floyd
57
38.75
5/1 Mayfield
Lewis
WA Ducktail
versus a boat. The second being it
* HM = Homemade
gets you into shape. Jeff told me
Lunker of the Month
that he will burn as many as
Date
Member
City/State
Water
Length
3,000 calories during a day of
1/1/2015
Bill Looney
Amma, WV
Elk River, WV
50.50 Inches
kayak fishing for muskies.
Blacksburg, VA New River, VA
44.50 Inches
So, if you are out fishing the 2/27/2015 Edward T Lawton
3/30/2015
Zachary Kirkpatrick
Reno, OH
Piedmont, OH
49.00 Inches
Fox Chain and see Jeff in his
Sandy Hook, KY Cave Run Reservoir, KY
49.50 Inches
kayak, slow down, give him a 4/19/2015 Shaun Cox
break from the wakes, say “Hi,”
and visit awhile. If you are interested in knowing
Women's Masters Division for 2015
how to set up a kayak for this sport, look Jeff up
Rank / Member
Muskies Chapter
City
State
Points Date Caught
and he will be more than happy to help you
Name
Caught
get started.
1 Charlotte Fuchs
19
No Canton OH
2
24
4/6/2015
Until the next issue, happy hunting.
Men's Top 24 for 2015
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Rank / Member
Date Chapter Length
Lake
Name
Caught
Bill Looney
9
50.50
1/1 Elk River
Rick Swain
42
50.50 5/12 Sawmill Lake
Rick Swain
42
50.00
5/5 Webster
Shaun Cox
52
49.50 4/19 Cave Run Reservoir
Zachary Kirkpatrick
19
49.00 3/30 Piedmont
David White
18
48.50
4/6 Piedmont
Bob D. Marshall
19
48.00 3/25 Piedmont
Bruce Jameson
52
48.00 4/11 Green River Lake
Matt Pelletier
59
47.50
5/6 Bluewater Lake
David Goodrich
59
47.25 4/10 Bluewater Lake
Brian Skaife
8
47.25
5/2 Monona
Daniel Buzzard
9
47.00 3/21 Mid. Island Creek
Matt Dixon
64
Luke Armitage
39
47.00
5/8 Fox Chain
Brandon M. Buckner
63
46.75 5/16 Stonewall Jackson
John Cade
9
46.50
1/2 Stonecoal Lake
Seth Davis
52
46.50 1/25 Kentucky River SF
David White
18
46.50
4/6 Piedmont
Robert A. Basic
23
46.50 5/17 West Branch Reservoir
Bryan T. Smith
52
46.25 1/11 Jackson River
Frank L. Maus
31
46.00
1/4 Allegheny River
Walter Krause
28
46.00 1/28 Kaskaskia River
Derek Wenzel
9
46.00 3/28 Mid. Island Creek
Nick Adams
52
46.00 3/29 Kinniconick Creek
www.muskiesinc.org
County
State
Lure *
Braxton
WV Amma Bamma
Kosciusko
IN Harasser
Kosciusko
IN Poe's Jackpot
Rowan
KY Phantom Jerk Bait
Belmont
OH Crank Bait
Belmont
OH Tuff Shad
Belmont
OH Tuff Shad Jerk
Adair
KY Super Stalker
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Dane
WI Medusa
Pleasants WV Grandma Crank
Rowan
KY Shad Rap
Lake
IL Dadson Bullet
Lewis
WV HM Bucktail
Lewis
WV Bull Dawg Jerk
Clay
KY Red October
Belmont
OH Tuff Shad
Portage
OH Lunge Lumber
Alleghany
VA Red October
Armstrong PA Rapala Magnum
Shelby
IL Storm Wild Eye
Tyler
WV Sidewinder
Lewis
KY Medusa
* HM = Homemade
Women's Top 25 for 2015
Rank / Member
Date Chapter Length
Lake
Name
Caught
1 Nikki Swain
42
46.00 4/17 Tippecanoe River
2 Charlotte Fuchs
19
45.00
4/6 Piedmont
3 Darlene Kelley
9
45.00
5/9 Mid. Island Creek
4 Beth Custer
9
44.00
5/3 Stonewall Jackson 5 Nikki Swain
42
43.50
5/5 Webster
6 Nikki Swain
42
42.00
5/3 Tippecanoe River
7 Nikki Swain
42
40.50
5/3 Tippecanoe River
8 Nikki Swain
42
40.50 5/13 Sawmill Lake
9 Donna Bork
11
40.00 3/17 North Spring
10 Nikki Swain
42
11 Debbie Bever
9
40.00
5/3 Stonewall Jackson
12 Nikki Swain
42
13 Nikki Swain
42
14 Nikki Swain
42
15 Darlene Kelley
9
38.00
5/5 Stonewall Jackson
16 Nikki Swain
42
17 Donna Bork
11
37.00 4/11 Johnson Lake
18 Nikki Swain
42
37.00 5/15 Webster
19 Vickie Banks
52
20 Jennifer Martinez
19
36.00
5/3 West Branch Reservoir
21 Vickie Banks
52
36.00
5/3 Cave Run Reservoir
22 Leah Pelletier
59
36.00
5/4 Bluewater Lake
23 Donna Bork
11
35.50 5/17 Storey Lake
24 Stephanie Neville
41
34.50 3/21 Salt Fork Lake
25 Donna Bork
11
34.50 5/17 Storey Lake
Fly Top 25 for 2015
Rank / Member
Date Chapter Length
Lake
Name
Caught 1 Matt Pelletier
59
47.50
5/6 Bluewater
2 David Goodrich
59
3 John Ringenbach
19
43.00
3/1 James River
4 David Goodrich
59
5 Ed (James) Walzer
64
43.00
5/9 Merwin
6 Matt Pelletier
59
7 Ed (James) Walzer
64
42.00
5/9 Merwin
8 Ed (James) Walzer
64
42.00
5/9 Merwin
9 David Goodrich
59
41.00
2/6 Bluewater
10 Ed (James) Walzer
64
41.00 5/16 Merwin
11 Matt Pelletier
59
40.50
2/4 Bluewater
12 David Goodrich
59
13 David Goodrich
59
38.00
2/2 Bluewater
14 David Goodrich
59
38.00
3/1 Bluewater
15 Matt Pelletier
59
16 David Goodrich
59
17 Matt Pelletier
59
18 David Goodrich
59
36.00
3/9 Bluewater
19 David Goodrich
59
20 Matt Pelletier
59
21 Matt Pelletier
59
22 Matt Pelletier
59
23 Matt Pelletier
59
24 Matt Pelletier
59
25 Leah Pelletier
59
36.00
5/4 Bluewater
County
County
State
Lure *
Kosciusko
Belmont
Pleasants
Lewis
Kosciusko
Kosciusko
Kosciusko
Kosciusko
Tazewell
Kosciusko
Lewis
Kosciusko
Kosciusko
Kosciusko
Lewis
Kosciusko
Peoria
Kosciusko
Rowan
Portage
Rowan
Cibola
Knox
Guernsey
Knox
IN
OH
WV
WV
IN
IN
IN
IN
IL
IN
WV
IN
IN
IN
WV
IN
IL
IN
KY
OH
KY
NM
IL
OH
IL
Harasser
Tuff Shad
Battle Shad
Cowgirl/DBL Cowgirl
Live Bait
Harasser
Harasser
Harasser
Grandma Crank
Harasser
Tuff Shad
Harasser
Harasser
Harasser
Big Chimney Slab
Kickin Minnow
Grandma Crank
Harasser
Suick
Tuff Shad
Tuff Shad
HM Fly
Nimmer Swimmer
HM Crank Bait
Nimmer Swimmer
* HM = Homemade
State Lure*
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Botetourt VA Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Cowlitz
WA HM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cowlitz
WA HM Fly
Cowlitz
WA HM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Cowlitz
WA HM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Cibola
NM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
Cibola
NM HM Fly
* HM = Homemade
“...build better baits...”
Lure Parts Online, Inc., 580 North Street, Springfield, IL 62704
This is my favorite time of year and
has been for as long as I can remember.
The days are long, the foliage a vibrant
green, and the weather is generally
cooperative. More importantly, muskie
activity is at its peak. At times, it hardly seems to matter what lures you toss;
the fishing can be that simple.
However, July and August always posed a problem who enjoy fishing tournaments. His advice extends
for me as a resident of Illinois. Like many states in the beyond the tournament trail and should have value for
Midwest, it is not uncommon for water temperatures in the weekend warrior. Lorin Nevling offers true words
Illinois to exceed 80F for extended periods of time. of wisdom for the older anglers out there to make days
Interestingly, most residents (myself included) created on the water more enjoyable and safer. Eric Jacobsen’s
a self-imposed muskie fishing moratorium during the personal brush with skin cancer serves as a pertinent
peak of summer in an effort to reduce the likelihood of reminder of what can happen when we don’t take
causing angling-related fish mortalities.
proper care of our skin.
The solubility of oxygen in water declines as water
I would like to extend a heart-felt congratulations
temperatures increase and because tissues require oxy- to Greg and Ellen Wells as well as Frank Walter for
gen to function properly, warm water temperatures thus being inducted into the latest class of the Muskies, Inc.
place physiological stress on fish during the summer Hall of Fame. These three have set quite an example
months. What does this mean for anglers? It means that for others to follow.
angling for the fish we love to catch – and release –
Remember two things: 1) practice catch-and-release
could potentially kill them. Unless, of course, we are and 2) wear your sunscreen.
smart about how we handle them.
There are several things we
can do to ensure a good release.
First, have your release tools
handy at all times. You shouldn’t
be fishing around in your boat’s
compartments for the pliers or
“Rip-N-Lips” Muskie Extravanza
hook cutters. Second, use gear
We offer some of the best trophy muskie waters on
Lake of the Woods – Stevens, Stony and
appropriate to the task. Avoid
Sabaskong Bay
light lines, if possible. And per• Remote Island Camp (boat-in)
haps most importantly, keep air
• All-inclusive American Plan • Housekeeping cabins
exposure to a minimum.
• Free guided tour with map of muskie hotspots
I realize that I am likely
• Professional guide with 21 years lake experience
Write
or
Phone:
•
Specializing in personal service
preaching to the choir here. Be
We will donate
1-807-484-2930
that as it may, let this simply
5%
of your fishing
U.S. residents call Toll-Free 1-866-894-0674
package to the muski
serve as a reminder. Speaking of
e
Box 126, Nestor Falls, Ontario P0X1K0
club of your choice!
reminders, Marty Forman pens
e-mail: [email protected]
Ask for details
an article in this issue with some
www.youngswildernesscamp.com
good ones aimed at those of us
www.muskiesinc.org
5
1
0
2
5
1
0
Muskies, Inc.
Hall of Fame
Class of 2015
- Steve Budnik
The doors of the 25 year-old Muskies, Inc. Hall of
Fame swung open back in January to admit its 66th and
67th members. Greg and Ellen Wells, nominated as one
entity, and Frank Walter were inducted and became the
class of 2015.
Greg and Ellen have been active in the Between the
Lakes Chapter for many, many years in a wide variety
of positions. Greg has been both Chapter President and
served as chairman of their very successful banquet. He
has also been involved with their chapter’s annual
youth event. Greg has also served in a leadership
capacity in the Wisconsin Chapters-Muskies, Inc.
organization.
Greg became President of MI in 2005 and served in
that capacity for two years. Since that time he has
served MI as VP of Membership and Marketing. In this
capacity he represented MI at countless winter sport
shows around the Midwest. Greg has also served as an
MI representative on the State of Wisconsin Muskie
Management team.
Ellen has served her chapter in numerous capacities
over the years including their annual banquet. She has
been Merchandise Director of MI and currently serves
on the Finance Committee. Ellen has also represented
MI at many winter sport shows. She currently serves
MI in the critical position of Administrative Secretary,
taking care of much of the MI day-to-day business.
Together they have served MI well at every level
and continue to do so today. Due to their longtime
association with MI, they have been a valuable resource
and respected mentors to many junior leaders coming
up through the ranks.
Frank Walter joined the South Side Muskie Hawks
around 1985 and by 1990 he joined the South of the
Border Chapter near his home and became a board
member that same year. Soon after, he became Chapter
Steve Budnik (far left) and Jay Zahn (far right) flank
Greg and Ellen Wells following their induction into the
Hall of Fame Class of 2015.
Regional Vice President and served as the chapter’s
primary fundraiser. He became very active in stocking
efforts on the Fox Chain, and continued to be a one
man PR firm in spreading the catch-and-release
message.
In addition to serving as his chapter’s Outing
Chairman, he became the Chapter Delegate to the Illini
Muskie Alliance and eventually became Vice President
of that organization. Frank has also chaired a number
of Illinois muskie tournaments. As Regional Vice
President, Frank attended virtually all spring and fall
MI Board meetings for a period of 20 years. During the
1998-2001 timeframe, he took on the massive job of
rewriting the MI Bylaws and General Policies. He also
served MI as Parliamentarian from 2001 to 2008. In
2008, the Board elected him Parliamentarian Emeritus.
He has served on the Bylaws Committee since 2009.
Frank has continued to serve MI in a marketing
capacity by representing the organization at many
shows and meetings. He currently serves MI as a
Senior Regional Representative for Region #4. Frank
has long been involved with youth activities in his
chapter as well as helping out the MI VP of Youth
Activities. He continues to be a resource at every level
of the organization. He has served at every level over a
very long period of time. Enough said!
New Hall of Fame inductee, Frank Walter (left), and
former inductee, Lenny Szulc (right).
* Steve Budnik is MIHOF Committee Chair, and can be reached at [email protected] and at 715-686-7852. Nominations
for the Class of 2016 open September 1st each year with a deadline of November 30th. Please contact Steve for a copy of the
HOF criteria/qualifications before submitting a nomination
Chapter 64 VP, Phil Smeal,
caught this tiger muskie on a
fly while fishing Curwensville
Lake in PA.
Chapter 57 member, Mike Floyd,
caught this 44.5-inch tiger muskie from
Merwin Reservoir.
Chapter 57 member, Pete Bergman,
caught this 39.5-inch tiger muskie from
Merwin Reservoir.
First Wisconsin Chapter member,
Jason Smith, caught this 46.5-inch
muskie on LOTW last year.
Jack Tipping of Chapter 57 caught this
43-inch tiger muskie from Mayfield Lake.
Brett Olson of Chapter 57 caught this
44-inch tiger muskie from Merwin
Reservoir.
Akron – Canton Chapter member,
Paul Frusetreo, caught this 53.5inch muskie on a Boss Shad while
fishing Lake St. Clair.
During the North Metro/ Twin Cities Red
Wing Lodge Outing on LOTW last year,
Mark McHugh caught a 49 incher and also
this 48-inch muskie.
Mike Crisanti moved from Arizona and
joined Chapter 57. He had a lot of
success, catching 22 tigers in August,
with 11 of them over 40 inches.
NEW
W
NE
www.muskiesinc.org
Sun Induced Skin Cancer:
One Fisherman’s
Nightmare
- Erik Jacobson
Never get in a knife fight with a surgeon, because
they’ll probably win. It started out as an annoying
patch of dry skin. Then it rose up, turned a pinkish
color and started to itch. I figured it was time to go to
a dermatologist. So I called for an appointment and
they said the soonest I could be seen would be six or
seven months and instead of waiting, I went to an MD.
He told me it was sun damaged skin, and not to worry
about it. He gave me a cream to put on it for the next
month or so. I got home and started reading the
directions on the tube and it said to avoid direct sunlight
while using the cream. It was mid-June, prime fishing
time. This was an easy decision. I was going to wait
until fall to use it. Well, summer turned to fall and fall
turned to winter. Since so much time had gone by, I
Over
ies
13,000 Musk
d
e
Releas
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This photo of the postsurgery wound on the
author’s left temple
stands as a reminder of
what can happen when
we neglect skin care
while spending so
much time under the
sun.
figured I’d better go back to a doctor again just to make
sure using the cream was still the right thing to do.
Well, this doctor decided he wanted to do a biopsy.
A punch biopsy he called it, he took a small sample of
skin and closed it with a stitch. It came back positive
for skin cancer – sun induced skin cancer; basal cell
carcinoma is the formal term. Not to be confused with
melanoma, a metastasizing skin cancer that can spread
to other parts of your body. That’s the bad kind. Basal
cell carcinoma is a non-metastasizing form of cancer,
which will rarely, but not normally, spread to other
parts or organs. Nevertheless, it’s definitely alive and
will grow larger and larger on whatever part of your
body you have it on unless it’s surgically removed.
I had it on my temple and the upper portion of my
chest. I made an appointment for the surgery. It was
going to be a minor surgery with a local anesthetic, and
an excision to remove the cancerous areas. Little did I
know how difficult it would be for the doctor to get it
all the first time. Six stitches in my temple and five
stitches in my chest later, I got the news that he did not
get it all in either area. To make matters worse, it turned
out the basal cell I had was a sclerosing kind. In other
words, it was the obvious visual spot, but also had
branches that extended out under the skin that were
undetectable visually.
The doctor asked if I wanted to let him have another
go at it or if I wanted to have a procedure called Mohs
done to it. After inquiring about what a Mohs procedure
is, he told me it was when they would remove some
tissue from the area, and would test it - right on site - to
see if the cancer extended to the edges of the sample. If
it did, the surgeon would go back in and take some
more, and so on and so forth until the cancer terminated
short of the edge.
I immediately inquired as to why he did not tell me
about this procedure prior to cutting me open himself,
so I would have only been cut up once instead of what
appeared to be at least twice now. He apologized and
Matt Pelletier of the New Mexico Chapter (#59)
sports a Buff sun scarf as he poses with a nice tiger
muskie. Buffs and those manufactured by others,
such as FishHard, are made of UV-resistant material
and can be worn a number of different ways. Their
biggest advantage is the large amount of skin
coverage they can provide.
A beautiful natural Canadian tiger muskie caught
slow-rolling a spinnerbait on a bluebird day in July.
Notice the author’s hat with the neck extension to
protect this easily-exposed part of the body.
referred me to a doctor that could do Mohs. Two months later I’m finally on the table for the Mohs procedure.
The surgery only took about 30 minutes and then I had to wait for the results. An hour and a half later the nurse
informed me that the doctor got it all on my chest, but they had to go back in on my temple for some more.
The second time was a charm and they informed me they got it all. They bandaged me up and sent me on my
way. The next day I went to a surgery center to have it closed up – or repaired as they called it. Since the one
spot was on my face, they felt more comfortable having a plastic surgeon do the repair. I had no idea how much
tissue they had removed. I saw the pictures, but it was hard to judge the size of the areas. When the dust settled
the next day I now had twelve stitches in my temple and
fifteen more in my chest. I couldn’t believe how much more
tissue they had removed.
I now realize I waited way too long – out of denial and
ignorance. I should have requested a biopsy the first time I
went to the doctor, but I didn’t know any better. I’m now
going to go to a dermatologist twice a year for the rest of my
life because I never want to go through that again. The
cancer I had removed was probably caused by sunburn I’d
gotten 20 plus years ago, maybe even longer. The doctor
said a good base tan is the best defense – just don’t get
burned getting the base tan.
The point of this article is to prompt anyone reading this
that has any questionable area of skin on their body to get it
checked immediately – the specialist I saw said “I see this a
lot in farmers and fishermen and you don’t look like a
farmer”. He also told me it’s not normal for a person to have
a dry or pink/red spot on their face or body. So don’t think
it’s going to magically go away like I did.
Be smart, use sunscreen regularly, apply it properly, and
wear sun protectant clothing. If you have kids, make sure
they have it on too. I’ve been putting it on every morning in the spring, summer, fall and winter - for the last ten years
rain or shine. I was 47 years old at the time of the surgery.
Don’t think it won’t happen to you like I did.
www.muskiesinc.org
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W
urviving as a
enior Muskie Hunter
- Lorin I. Nevling, Jr.
e are living longer thanks to advances in medicine
and nutrition. Muskie hunters are no exception.
The major goal of a senior muskie hunter is to keep
fishing as long as possible. For most of us seniors our
bodies have lost much of their former abilities, a
process that seems both inevitable and irreversible.
Given that we have lost some of our former physical
attributes such as strength, (particularly in the hands,
arms, and back) balance, flexibility, and stamina, we
may need to make adjustments. This physical decline is
too often accompanied by a decrease in mental
capabilities. What can be done to slow the decline?
Here are a few modest suggestions based largely on
personal experience.
ver have the experience of telling someone that
you are going fishing and getting the response
“That’s good, it will be relaxing”? They, of course,
picture you sitting quietly in a boat watching a bobber
and occasionally dozing off. Then you have to try to
explain that it will be the very opposite of relaxing –
muskie fishing is both a physically and mentally
challenging endeavor.
In preparation, consider
undertaking an exercise and stretching regime, but only
after consulting with your physician. For specific
exercises for fishermen, start with Troy Lindner’s Fit 4
Fitness and check online for other resources. You may
wish to consider CPR (real not fishy) training and
certification.
on’t kid yourself; we all have occasional lapses in
memory. There are a lot of suggestions out there
as well as medical remedies, but for the muskie hunter
the most productive exercise is to make and use
checklists. What do you need to go fishing? A fishing
license, first aid kit, personal flotation device, rods,
reels, lures, release tools, large net, polarized sunglasses,
etc. Don’t forget your passport, medications, insect
repellent, sunscreen (make sure you use it and not just
take it), raingear, and a variety of clothing, which you
can use in layers, depending on the time of year.
Include a ball cap with a bill as it, together with
sunglasses, provides extra protection for your eyes in
the event of a wayward cast or unsuccessful hook set.
E
D
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The installation of a hand assist bar and an extra step
up to the front deck makes moving around the boat
safer and easier. Photo courtesy Robert Kerans.
Going to do your own cooking? You’ll need a provision
list. Make sure you know of any food allergies in your
party prior to preparing your list. A boat list is necessary
as well – get gas, check trailer wheel bearings, charge
batteries, put in the drain plug at the ramp, drinking
water, safety equipment, etc. Some find a boat ramp
checklist helpful for last minute reminders before
putting the boat in and for taking it out. Remind
yourself to check that ramp for solid footing. Ice or the
gelatinous sheath of blue-green algae can make a ramp
super slick.
azards will occur with ground access to remote
lakes; trails may be rudimentary and with steep
inclines. Do not attempt to carry too much at one time.
At the end of a tiring day, the trails always seem uphill!
Try to limit trips on such a trail as much as possible, to
lessen the falling hazard. When fishing remote lakes,
my goal is one trip down to the lake, and one trip back
up when done. Let younger members of the party carry
the majority of the gear. They won’t mind if it will
keep their fishing buddy safe. Falls are to be avoided
as they can lead to serious or fatal consequences in
seniors.
here is no way you can regain the stamina that you
had when you were 25. Casting a full day may no
longer be possible. It may be helpful to switch to
trolling for part of each day. It may also be necessary
to downsize your rod and lure selection. Make certain
that you keep well hydrated, especially in warm and
H
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sunny conditions. Water and sports drink bottles may
be frozen and will stay cool in the warmest temperatures
for an extended period. Use them on a regular basis
whether you feel the need to or not. Leave the alcohol
ashore. A drinking water sanitizing straw might be
useful in an emergency.
f at all possible, fish from a boat with seats not
benches. It will allow you more fishing time before
your back and neck begin to complain. Sit down at
every opportunity. For those of you who regularly fish
from a seated position, use a boat seat cushion as it will
give you a bit more height.
f you try casting large baits for long periods, like
double 10s or large soft plastics do not be surprised
if you develop pain in places you never knew existed.
Try switching part of the time to a lighter spinning rod
and reel while using smaller baits. You may lose some
casting accuracy with a spinning setup, but being able
to cast for a longer period of time is worth it. Many of
the new spinning rod models have the fore grip reduced
in diameter, and incorporated as part of the reel seat
locking apparatus, and may cause older users hand/
I
I
T
S
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Find our entire line-up at your nearest retailer or go to:
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www.muskiesinc.org
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finger-fatigue problems. If this is the case, wrap the
fore-grip with tennis racket handle wrap or some sort
of tape (duct tape will do in a pinch) to increase the
diameter and comfort. Finger strength is going to
diminish and opening and closing snaps is going to
become increasingly difficult. Try switching to
Stringease Stay-Lok snaps that seem to require less
strength to open and close.
he general advice about fishing solo is to not do it.
If you are absolutely compelled to fish without a
partner, let someone reliable know where you are going
and when to expect you back. Let them know when
you return. Take your cell phone, although it may not
work in many on-the-water localities or if it goes into
the water. A small, waterproof, short wave radio may
be a better choice. Wear your personal flotation device
(PFD) at all times. Those who are unwilling to do this
should seriously consider at least wearing it every time
the boat is under power.
taying in the boat is always a winning idea. Your
balance will become less reliable over time. As
you get into or out of your boat use a dock that has an
sub-surface glide bait
Zig-zag action combined with a neutral buoyancy
enables you to work the bait in place next to cover
for sluggish cover tight fish and cold front muskies.
S
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assist bar if possible. If not, have someone give you a
hand, grip forearm-to-forearm and not hand-to-hand
for significantly increased control and safety. If you
feel the least bit uncomfortable on a casting deck do
not hesitate to step off of the deck and down into the
well of the boat.
alling out of the boat is easier than it seems and it
happens without warning. Ask anyone that has
gone overboard. For those of you enamored with
urinating off the back of the boat, consider using a
container instead. In the event of a solo-drowning
incident, officials will check to see if the victim’s fly is
unzipped as standard procedure. If you do go out of the
boat, get back to the boat and then to shore as quickly
as possible as hypothermia is an unwelcome and an
extremely dangerous challenge any time of the year.
Getting back into the boat is far more difficult than it
might seem. Boats equipped with a boarding ladder
may provide the easiest re-entry. One effective
emergency alternative for boats with larger engines is
to get back to the shut-off engine, place a foot on the
anti-cavitation plate and use the engine tilt mechanism
to help lift you into the boat. Once in the boat or
ashore, the next priority is to get dry and warm as
quickly as possible. Carrying a space blanket in your
boat bag may prove welcome. A hand sanitizer with a
high-alcohol content may prove useful for starting a
F
DONATIONS
Special thanks to these members
and supporters for their recent
donations to Muskies, Inc.:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tony Sworsky
James Cullen
William T. Evans
Tom Wilke
James Evers
James Jensen
Greg E. Adams
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fire if necessary following an out-of-boat experience.
This requires caution, as the flame is nearly colorless.
Other emergency fire starters, such as flares, lighters,
waterproof matches should be considered.
n addition to the usual boat safety equipment such as
a throw float and rope, fire extinguisher, and flotation
device check the local boating regulations for additional
required equipment. Always attach the engine cut-off
switch lanyard to your clothing. Falling out of the boat
with the engine running is a recipe for disaster, as boats
under power will usually circle back toward you.
se your lights at night, in fog, or in other difficultto-see conditions. Excuses about not being able to
see well when the lights are on does not justify not
using them. Boat collisions do occur, sometimes with
fatalities. In addition to the unfortunate and unnecessary
loss of life, the legal and financial complications of
fatal collisions can go on for years.
or those that have other specific and more
challenging physical disabilities than aging,
additional accommodations will have to be made.
These range from custom handholds or special steps in
the boat to wheelchair clampdowns.
inally, make your lists and use them. If help is
offered, graciously and gratefully accept; don’t let
pride stand in your way. The goal is to keep safe and
live to fish for another day, week, or year.
I
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A local boat ramp at Lake Shelbyville, Illinois
sporting hand bars that facilitate entry into and exit
from boats. Photo courtesy Robert Kerans.
Photo Contest
By: Brad Waldera, Photo Editor - [email protected]
Greg Sieren sent in this photo of his sons Jesse, on the left, and Ben, on the right, with a nice double.
Any time you get a “muskie double”, it’s a memorable event. They are all members of Chapter 35 and
were fishing on Lake St. Clair through Whopper Stopper Muskie Charters. Greg said it was
fun to see the boys double up at the same time, and mentioned
that they landed 15 of 19 hooked fish on this particular trip.
The boys’ younger brother, Reily, even caught a 52-inch fish.
Nice job guys, and thanks for the photo. We do not receive
many pictures of double ups, so thanks for submitting it.
Justin Birch of Chapter 15 caught this
beauty. It measured 52.25 inches with a
25-inch girth. With the glare from the
water, you don’t always get to see the
fish this clearly, so I thought I’d spotlight
this photo this month. Be sure to take
a few pictures this year during the
battle, and also try to get a few shots
like this after taking pictures while
holding the fish. It can make for some
great memories.
TOURNAMENT
LESSONS FOR
EVERYDAY FISHING
- Marty Forman
I’ve fished more than 50 muskie tournaments in the
last five years and there’s no question that tournament
fishing is very different. Most of you have never fished
the tournaments and have no intention of doing so.
That’s great, probably a good idea! It’s very competitive,
nerve wracking, costly and you mainly don’t win. We
also don’t get to choose the days we fish, the “hot”
lakes, or the times. And, a lake filled with tournament
anglers following a week of serious pre-fishing is the
textbook definition of pressured water. So, if you are
looking for just that perfect day when moon phase and
weather is just right for having a prime muskie spot all
to your lonesome to enjoy, forget tournament life. That
said, there is a whole lot to learn from what the
tournament anglers do to make your “everyday” fishing
a whole lot more enjoyable and productive.
EQUIPMENT PREPARATION
Tournament guys spend a lot of prep-time on their
tools. And, it’s not just sharpening hooks. Interestingly,
most of us find a whole lot of everyday anglers that
take a bait from the package and just tie it on. Ninety
percent of the time, it’s a non-sharpened hook not sharp
enough to make a good hook-set. Thirty percent of the
time, it’s not even the right hook in the first place, or
really poor quality. Muskies are just too hard to catch
and you can’t give them the ball and field position too.
And, Equipment means a lot more than rods and reels.
I’ll grant that most of you planning your big muskie
trip will change the oil in your truck, maybe even make
a pretty good tire inspection including the spare. What
about the spare for your boat trailer, with what’s likely
a different sized lug nut on the trailer wheel, and a jack
for the trailer? How about your wheel bearings? I
promise you that sooner or later wheel bearings will
take a turn at ruining your trip. Tournament guys
always have a spare prop, the right sized wrench for the
prop-shaft nut and a collection of spare parts that you
should have too. Sure, we have only one chance to be
prepared for a tournament day, but what about your
day—or your trip? We look for stuff that can ruin our
day because we’ve had ruined days. Stuff, like the little
ceramic circles inside the line-guides on your rod can
break your heart worse than the last three minutes of
the Packer game in Seattle. You can take a Q-tip and
rub the cotton swab in the line guide and quickly find a
rough edge. Or, you can discover it after your braid was
slowly but surely worn away and your fish swims away
with the last ten yards of line, your leader, a thirty
dollar crank bait, and a piece of your heart.
Did you just put your reels away at the end of the
season and expect they would be fine next spring? I
assure you that every tournament angler I know does
not. Some guys like to tear them all down themselves,
something to do on a cold winter night. I like to send
them to Sportsman’s Repair up in Mosinee, but my
reels are not going to see two seasons without serious
maintenance, and that goes double for the braid. Have
your trolling motor batteries been in the boat for three
or four years? If so, I’d say you are poised to live with
disappointment. Do you have a spare blade for the
trolling motor, a really good anchor if you break down
on a windy day, and a first aid kit all ready to remove
a muskie treble deep in your partners arm? It’s all in my
boat because I’ve already needed it in a tournament.
But, it’s there for just fun days too. Cork rod handles
and grips are pretty easy to clean with a little alcohol
and will look nicer while providing a better surface to
grip. Trust me, I’m just scratching the surface here. So,
to summarize the first part of the lesson, look closely at
the equipment you’re going to depend upon and admit
that what can possibly go wrong—eventually will go
wrong. Plan for it, and you will save your day on the
water, maybe your one big trip to Canada all year.
them. As you do your studying, you can enter what you
learn right on the lake chip with all sorts of customized
icons to remind you when you see them on the water.
You can take a paper copy to your fishing club on the
night when your favorite pro is speaking and get there
early. Help him set up for his seminar, maybe carry a
few boxes of stuff in from his truck, and I promise he’ll
get chatty for you. Sure, you can always ask at the bait
shop too like everybody else (and you should), but the
bars and restaurants will often be full of folks with a
good story and no baits to sell.
Every June, the Professional Muskie Tournament
Trail (PMTT) event in Eagle River is exactly one week
after the Spring Classic of Champions on the very same
chain of lakes. Anglers who take the trouble to look on
DO YOUR RESEARCH
One thing common among tournament anglers is a the web for results of the Classic, will see how many
thirst for research. You can probably find three sites fish were caught last week, the sizes, and on what
with a hundred fishing reports each for the lake you’re lakes, maybe the baits too if the truth was told. No
planning to visit. Sure, you need to establish a filter for question, you can always just show up and follow some
separating the outright BS from the comment containing other boat down a shoreline, but I promise you’ll find
truth or a code you can hopefully solve. Here’s a great this research to be fun as well as totally rewarding. The
secret: Every full-time muskie guide on that lake has a fish you net as a result of your study will feel just like
website with a section full of big fish photos. He may a diploma.
have 150 individual photos on that site taken with
NOT JUST TIME ON THE WATER
clients who caught fish in his boat. Study those photos
I hear you, “Time on the water” is one of those
and you can likely pick out homes, beaches or docks in sayings you can get sick and tired of hearing repeated.
the background. You might even pick up on seasonal Every dummy already knows the anglers who have a
stuff, and what the weather was like, maybe even time lot of time on the water have learned a lot. Personally,
of day if a wristwatch is visible or a shadow. The totally I know more young guys who have maximized their
bent up bait he was tossing might also be lying nearby time, expanded their learning potential, and know a
on the deck with a part visible you can recognize.
whole lot more than most of the old guys on the lake.
You can study Google Earth or even buy satellite But, I’m not talking about that kind of time on the
weather photos that can be super-imposed onto your water—I’m talking about the actual time in hours and
lake chip to help place vegetation or weed lines that are minutes your bait is moving through the water on this
not visible the day you are there, but were clear on the particular day. The real truth about why a lot of fish are
day the photos were taken. Don’t forget your chip also caught trolling is in these minutes that define when fish
holds a lake library. You can go home tonight and bring can be caught. The dark side of the truth is in how
up that map many minutes when fish can’t be caught. The boat has
and
start no challenge keeping your bait in the water unless it
It’s only a matter of time before you will
s
t
u
d
y
i n g hits something or runs out of gas. There’s probably not
have to change a spare prop, so carry one
just in case.
m o n t h s a whole lot of research to back this up, but I personally
before your have fallen asleep while trolling and woken up to my
trip. And, partner yelling, “Fish!” The time when you’re learning
you can put to line up your trailer at the ramp or get it parked
in waypoints evenly between the yellow lines, and the time you have
too that will trouble starting an un-tuned motor are fish catching
stay on the minutes you squandered. Time near the ramp studying
map
until your map and arguing with boat partners also can’t
you
erase catch fish. Endlessly leaving spots to drive around the
www.muskiesinc.org
IN SUMMARY
If you feel
overwhelmed
like the
author here
in a
tournament,
it’s game
over! You
simply can’t
spend all day
trying to pick
a bait.
lake aimlessly and sometimes an hour or more of
daylight bent over your bait box looking for a silver
bullet to cast are also fish catching minutes in the
garbage.
There’s probably no better place to learn from a
tournament pro than from the way he manages his time
on the water. He only has a set number of hours to fish
and he’s laid his money down on the line against the
field to prove he’s going to make the most of that time.
Put simply, it’s not about tournament fishing; it’s got to
be about catching. People who marvel at Kevin
VanDam’s bass winnings maybe don’t know that
photographic evidence exists to show his finely tuned
motion gets his bait back into the water faster than any
other pro on the circuit. It translates into dozens more
casts per day against anglers at the very highest level.
Naturally, he casts farther too and that just adds to the
possible fish catching time. What are you doing with
your time? Are you rusty at boat handling? Are you
picking out more backlashes than the next guy? Are
you using tackle that’s too heavy for you and you’re
just plain tuckered out? If you are, you’re wasting time,
you should thank the Lord that there’s some level of
luck in muskie fishing. You’re going to need it!
I think a fair approach here is to look at what
you want to take from the tournament guys and gals
like navigating a menu at a Greek restaurant. There
is simply too much to choose from and you might
turn ten pages before you find a cheeseburger and
fries. I’d suggest you take what you want and leave
the rest. We don’t get a lunch break in a muskie
tournament, (not a bathroom break either) and there
is simply no need for you to miss out on a nice
shore lunch. After all, you’re on vacation. Still,
your day too has only so many hours and you
shouldn’t just kick them away. Take a good gander
at a tournament guy on TV sometime. See how it’s just
a very few seconds from when the motor shuts down,
his trolling motor is deployed and his bait is being
pulled through the water. That’s just practice and you
can do it. Watch how easily he picks up the next rod on
the deck without missing a beat and he’s got a whole
different presentation; you can do that too, or you can
be fumbling in a rod locker. The pro muskie angler isn’t
sitting in his chair staring at a hopeless birds nest in the
middle of his reel. He’s laid that rod down out of the
way, is casting with a ready spare, and picking the
backlash after dinner in the cabin. There’s no clutter
visible on the deck, and nothing that looks like the day
after a tornado hit the muskie shop. The pro has four or
five baits out and all of them have caught fish or
initiated follows in the pre-fishing. A great tournament
pro is like a great quarterback following a two-minute
drill to get points on the board. It’s equipment
management, time management, talent, conditioning
and hopefully a little luck. No great player will ever tell
you he’s not looking for a little luck or hoping for a
helping hand from above. After a while you just sort of
notice how the fellow with all the hard work and
preparation seems to grab a bigger share of that stuff.
It just might help to imagine that all your muskie
fishing is very much like a tournament. You may be all
alone on the lake, there may be no rules, regulations or
money on the line, but you know there is a competition
going on. It’s a competition that’s ongoing with every
muskie angler and the better angler who lives within
you. It’s not just catching your personal best; it’s being
the personal best you know you have in you!
Your spare rods with appropriate throwback baits should be right
where you can easily pick them up.
Chapter News and Views
Special Events
2015
$10,000 Payout
From Chapter 5
The longest muskie recorded in the
Lunge Log for Pomme de Terre Lake is 48
inches and the local MI chapter would like
to see a larger fish recorded. During the
Fall Tournament on October 2nd - 4th,
2015, the chapter is offering $10,000 for a
48.25 inch or longer muskie. Most fishermen in the area believe that muskies this
size exist in the lake, but haven’t been
caught recently because most fishermen
don’t fish “big fish waters” very often.
If you would like a shot at the big pot
and the regular tournament payouts, join
us this fall in southern Missouri for three
days of muskie fishing. For complete
information about the tournament and the
$10,000 special prize, check out our website at www.MissouriMuskies.org or contact Wayne Humphrey, 314-440-2173, or
George Donner, 816-678-1623.
Joe Cook
holds a nice 41
incher caught
during the
tournament in
2014.
www.muskiesinc.org
No. Chapter, Address
ATTENTION
CHAPTER
CONTACTS:
Please make sure
your chapter address
and phone number
is correct on this page
AND on the M.I. website.
Whenever you update
chapter information on
the website, please send an
email to the Editor so we can
keep this page current. Thanks!
Phone #
01.....Twin Cities, 2024 Idaho Ave. E., Saint Paul, MN 55119....................................651-353-3769
02.....Fargo-Moorhead, Box 2021, Fargo ND, 58107.................................................920-207-5441
03.....Chicagoland Muskie Hunters, 2801 Old Glenview Rd, Wilmette IL 60091.......847-256-9322
04.....Titletown/Packerland, 901 Ethel Street, Green Bay, WI 54303 ........................920-562-5244
05.....Pomme De Terre, PO Box 5, Hermitage, MO 65668.........................................314-440-2173
06.....First Wisconsin, PO Box 122, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.................................715-839-7089
07.....South Side Muskie Hawks, 5211 S. Narragansett Ave., Chicago, IL 60638.......773-581-8650
08.....Capital City, PO Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708................................................608-669-5046
09.....West Virginia, 1270 Federal Road, Little Hocking, OH 45742...........................740-667-3571
10.....Heartland, 14 26th St. SW Mason City, IA 50401..............................................641-430-6961
11......Mississippi Valley, 501 26th Ave, Moline, IL 61265...........................................309-797-1803
12.....Headwaters, PO Box 652, Eagle River, WI 54521............................................715-891-5574
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, 16078 East Maple Drive, Pengilly, MN 55775.......................218-259-9970
16.....Three Rivers, 119 Buss Lane, Renfrew, PA 16053............................................724-789-7866
17.....Quad County, PO Box 185, Plano, IL 60545.....................................................815-695-1494
18.....Hopedale, PO Box 118, Smithfield, OH 43948..................................................740-733-8144
19.....Akron-Canton Muskie Maniacs, 3907 McTaggart Blvd. Kent, OH 44240 .............. 330-221-7617
20.....Between the Lakes, PO Box 61, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085-0061.................920-602-1419
21.....North Metro, PO Box 41216, Plymouth, MN 55441...........................................612-916-7426
22.....New Jersey, 1524 Old Bethlehem Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951.........................908-319-2205
23.....Cleveland, 5007 Starr St., Newton Falls, OH 44444.........................................330-219-7964
24.....Brainerd Lakes, 18031 Heritage Road, Brainerd, MN 56401............................218-838-5509
26.....Central Wisconsin, PO Box 263, Medford, WI 54451........................................715-748-4874
28.....Shawnee Muskie Hunters, 923 Reiss Rd, O’Fallon, IL 62269...........................618-628-4205
29.....Upper Great Plains, 1788 Hwy 4, Estherville, IA 51334....................................712-362-2501
30.....God’s Country, PO Box 1461, LaCrosse, WI 54602..........................................608-606-3065
31.....Penn-Ohio, 309 Spring St, Jamestown, PA 16134............................................724-932-5815
32.....Flatlanders, 6259 Walnut Grove Road, Loves Park, IL 61111...........................815-703-9365
33.....Lake Superior, 2031 Hwy. 33 S., Cloquet, MN 55720.......................................218-879-2712
35.....Milwaukee, PO Box 28842, Greenfield, WI 53228............................................262-250-6444
37.....St. Cloud, 109 Greenstone Ln., Waite Park, MN. 56387...................................320-656-1160
38.....Alexandria-Vikingland, 106 Main Ave, P.O. Box 102, Carlos, MN 56319..........612-554-8170
39.....Fox River Valley, 1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 60123..............................847-741-9771
41..... Central Ohio, 1094 Eastmoor Blvd. Columbus, OH 43209
740-225-1152
42.....Hoosier Muskie Hunters, PO Box 501371, Indianapolis, IN 46250................... 317-372-0111
44.....Colorado, 2031 Granger Circle, Castle Rock, CO 80109..................................303-263-3783
45.....Kentucky, 212 Linden Ave., Southgate, KY 41071............................................859-441-1666
46.....Bemidji/Cass Lake, PO Box 6, Bemidji, MN 56619...........................................218-766-6697
47.....Michigan Muskie Alliance, PO Box 512, Caledonia, MI 49316..........................616-447-1688
49.....Webster Lake Musky Club, PO Box 670, No. Webster, IN 46555.....................574-834-1669
50.....Penn-Jersey, 4 Shull Farm Rd., Erwinna, PA 18920.........................................610-294-9399
52.....Daniel Boone, 813 US 62, Maysville, KY 41056...............................................606-759-7610
53.....Huskerland Muskie Hunters, 15706 Hamilton St, Omaha, NE 68118................ 402-498-8959
54.....Southern Crossroads, 850 Riverwood Place, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060.....507-455-1644
56.....SW Ohio Muskie Assoc., 524 Sterling Meadows Place, Brookville, OH 45309.. 937-833-1833
57.....NW TIGER PAC, 31900 104th Ave. SE #F205 Auburn, WA 98092..................253-833-1725
58.....Lake St. Clair Muskies, Inc., 34047 Williamsburg Ct, Sterling Hts MI 48312.....586-873-9154
59.....New Mexico Muskies, Inc., P.O. Box 65575, Albuquerque, NM 87193.............505-264-2999
60.....Mountain Muskies, 6610 N. Hartley Spokane, WA 99208.................................509-263-7235
61.....Northwoods Chapter, P.O. Box 1090 PMB #204, Minocqua, WI 54548............715-356-9758
62.....Wasau Area Chapter, 5709 Canoe Street, Weston, WI 54776..........................715-297-7573
63.....South Central West Virginia , HC61 Box 39B Frame Town, WV 26623............304-364-8878
64.....Nittany Valley Musky Alliance, 175 Industrial Park Rd. Edensburg, PA 15931.814-421-6502
69.....New York Muskies, P.O. Box 10401, Rochester, NY 14610..............................585-670-0422
CHAPTER
1
Twin Cities
204 Idaho Ave E., Saint Paul, MN 55119
615-353-3769 - Eric Schultz
www.twincitiesmuskiesinc.org
Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Knights of Columbus, 114 W79th St Bloomington, MN,
near the SE corner of the intersection of I-494 and I-35W.
For ten years, Muskies, Inc. worked out an arrangement with various
lure manufacturers to produce a limited amount of a specific lures each
year, in which Muskies, Inc. sold to member chapters and individual
members as the Commemorative Lure. These lures were marked with the
specific year and also numbered. Chapters had the first option of
purchasing the lures with their chapter numbers. This commemorative
lure also functioned as a fundraiser for the International. The Twin Cities
Chapter purchased lure #1 of each series.
After ten years, this program was stopped and individual chapters had
to figure out what to do with the lures. The Board of Directors of the
Twin Cities Chapter contacted Rory Potter from the Bemidji/Cass Lake
Chapter and asked if he would be willing to make a display case for the
lures. The Board felt this collection of lures should be
displayed for historical reasons as well as being an attractive
presentation to help to educate the general public.
Rory developed a method to display the lures and
included it in a beautiful case (shown here). You can see his
outstanding work in the attached photo. We will display
these lures at shows and banquets in the future. The Board
would like to thank Rory for his exceptional work. If other
Chapters would like to purchase a similar case to display
their lures, they should contact Rory Potter at the Bemidji/
Cass Lake Chapter.
- Tom Keith
Muskie Hunters
CHAPTER Chicagoland
7600 Kilbourn Ave. Skokie, IL 60076
3
847-256-9322 – Dean Rosset
[email protected]
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month @ 7:30 PM,
Giuseppe’s La Cantina Pizzeria @
1062 Lee Street in Des Plaines
The Chicagoland Muskie Hunters are on the move, literally. Our
meeting location for the past many years, the Park Ridge VFW, is being
sold. Fortunately, we were able to find a new location that seems to
perfectly fit our needs. Our new meeting location is Giuseppe’s La
Cantina Pizzeria at 1062 Lee Street in Des Plaines, not very far from our
previous meeting location. We’ll continue to meet the second Tuesday of
the month. The new location has ample free parking, a bar, and it also has
food service; an amenity which the old location did not have. Our first
meeting at Giuseppe’s will be Tuesday, August 11.
In other chapter news, we held our Members Only Fishing Contest
(MOFC) Awards ceremony at the April Meeting. Congratulations to all
the winners who are pictured to the right.
The awards ceremony must have inspired
some members to hit the water with
added vigor, as our 2015 MOFC entries
started to increase quite a bit after that
meeting. Of course the stable weather
and warming water probably helped, too.
As of mid-May, we have 23 fish logged
by 11 anglers, from 13 different lakes. These numbers are sure to increase
as the season continues to open across the muskie range as well as on
some of our chapter’s most productive and popular destinations, such as
Lake St. Clair and Lake of the Woods.
We were treated to a highly informative presentation on bait
modifications from Sean Bermingham at our May meeting. Sean is one
of those guys who doesn’t fish any bait ‘out of the box’. He inspects each
bait and modifies it to get the exact sound and action he wants. From
putting the right bend on a Suick fluke, to up-sizing hooks and split rings,
to noticing the eye placement on a bait on the rack at the store, it all
matters. Sean gave us some great advice on what to look for and how to
tune a wide variety of baits.
We’ll look to put Sean’s advice, as well as all the other great advice we
received from our presenters this past winter, to good use this season or
at of our upcoming Chapter Outings. Outings Director Joe Pavilonis, has
put together a nice line-up of fun events, starting with the 6th Annual
Bilka Blow-Out on the Fox Chain on June 13th. We’ll meet up again on
the Fox Chain on July 11th. We’ll also be sending at least one team to the
Gil Hamm Chapter Challunge on Leech Lake in August. On October
24th and 25th, we’ll be co-hosting the IMTT Championship (read about
it in the MUSKIE News section of this issue) on the Fox Chain, and we’re
also looking to have a Vilas County Outing sometime in late fall.
We also have a Youth Event scheduled for June 6th. We’ll be working
with the Buffalo Grove Park District to help put on the 32nd Annual Huck
Finn Fishing Derby on Green Lake, in Buffalo Grove. Our members will
be providing on-site manpower by assisting kids with casting, landing and
unhooking fish. This event is a fun way to get kid’s involved in fishing.
Every kid that participates will receive a gift bag at the event and awards
will be given for the longest fish, most fish caught, most unique catch and
the most colorful fish.
We’ll be taking a break from our monthly indoor meetings in June and
July, but you can keep up with all our Chapter’s activities and catches by
following us on Facebook, facebook.com/chicagolandmuskiehunters.
- Keep on chuckin’, Frank Loye
CHAPTER
8
Capital City
P.O. Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708
608-669-5046 – Gerard Hellenbrand
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Meets 2nd Monday at the 5100 Bar, 5100 Erling Ave., McFarland, WI.
As we hit the summer months, the Capital City Chapter of Muskies,
Inc. (CCMI) is as busy as the local lakes that we fish. Our May
membership meeting speaker was CCMI’s very own Matt “Catfish”
Firestein of Whopper Stopper Guide Service on Lake St. Clair (LSC). We
had a good turnout and “Catfish” did a great job sharing his knowledge
and tactics of both casting and trolling for muskies. He specializes in
catching monster muskies on LSC, but he did a great job in conveying his
fishing knowledge to the group, so that it can be applied to any kind of
water that our members might be fishing throughout the season. It was
another terrific monthly membership meeting for CCMI and it always
makes for a good night when you have one of your own headlining the
show.
May also included a very popular event with our club members, the
CCMI “Madison Chain Outing”. It was a well-attended event, with 45
participants; there were four muskies boated during the day. The winning
fish was a very healthy 38.5 inch, Lake Waubesa muskie caught by Jason
Williams. Luke Vike, Sr. took second with a beautifully marked 38.25
inch Lake Monona fish and Chad Niday came in third with a nice looking
37.5 inch Lake Waubesa fish. Matt Vike caught the fourth muskie, a 32.25
inch, Leech Lake strain muskie from Monona, which provided value in
that we had a successful PIT Tag scan on the fish and gained some
valuable data for our ongoing stocking study. A big thank you to Karen
Phillips for running the event and I also want to thank all of those who
participated in what was a really a fantastic day of fishing fun.
June marked our first “On-The-Water” Meeting. We met at Goodland
Park, on the shores of Lake Waubesa. We had a good group of people at
the meeting and a fine mix of both new CCMI members and more tenured
club members, as well. We held a short business portion for the meeting,
shared some fish stories, enjoyed a cookout and then hit the water for a
little Monday night muskie action. The following weekend brought the
Wisconsin Youth Muskie Championship on June 13th. It’s an excellent
event to get kids out on the water and get them fishing and enjoying some
of the local waters that we are so fortunate to have. The WI Youth Muskie
Championship is a high quality event year in and year out, and so much
of the credit for that goes to Michael Winther, who has also been our
Release Contest Chairman and a member of CCMI Board of Directors.
June wrapped up with a third CCMI event, the 32nd Annual Bill Wood
Memorial Lake Winter Outing on June 20th. This event honors one of our
founders and our first President, Bill Wood. This was yet another fun
event and a classic example of CCMI camaraderie at its finest. The event
was open to all Sawyer County Lakes and not just Lake Winer and gave
the attendees the liberty to go fish some of their favorite Northern
Wisconsin waters. The event concluded on Saturday evening with a
dinner at the Trailside Tavern and Grill, where the good times continued
to roll. Congratulations and a big thank you go out to Geoff Crandall and
John and Sue Eversoll for coordinating the event, which was a great time
and another wonderful Lake Winter outing.
CCMI takes a break over the summer to allow for its members to take
their fishing trips, enjoy the Madison Chain, and spend time with their
friends and family. Our events resume on August 10th for our August
On-the-Water meeting. We will have a short meeting, complete with fish
stories, raffles, and a cookout at the Goodland Park shelter and then it will
be time to fire up the boats and get out on the water for the rest of the
night. The 2nd Annual CCMI Lake of the Woods Outing occurs August
15-22 and as I write this, the event has been full for quite some time and
quite possibly even has a waiting list of potential attendees. Thank you to
Michael Winther for doing a terrific job in running the Lake of the Woods
outing.
As time goes on, life presents us with opportunities, changes,
challenges, and new chapters; this does not always allow for the extra
time required to meet the many demands that come with being active in a
Muskies, Inc. Chapter. I would like to take the time to thank some of the
people who have contributed a lot of time, talent, energy, and ideas to this
club and are now either going to be cutting back on their responsibilities
in the club, moving on from the Board of Directors, or are just taking a
well-deserved break to enjoy life a little bit more. CCMI owes a great deal
of gratitude and extends a big thank you to: Don & Liz Hollatz, Gerard
Hellenbrand, Matthew Newman, Dan Reim, and Michael Winther
I encourage everyone to check out our website www.
capitalcitymuskiesinc.org for all of the latest Capital City Chapter
Muskies, Inc. news and events. The site also includes our latest Release
Contest
standings as well as photo gallery, packed with a ton of good
looking fish caught by our many members.
I wish you success in your
st
summer
muskie fishing pursuits and I hope you catch a monster.
st
- President Luke Vike, Sr.
CHAPTER
9
West Virginia
1270 Federal Road • Little Hocking, OH 45742
740-667-3571
www.westvirginiamuskiesinc.org
Meets: No definite schedule-call
Scott Morrison, District VI Fisheries Biologist and Chris O’Bara,
Warm Water Fisheries Hatchery Manager of the WV DNR spoke at our
Annual Meeting. Scott told us about studies underway on the New and
Kanawha Rivers. Time and date of movements of muskies implanted
with transmitters are recorded. On the New River, the study area includes
water from Sandstone Falls to Hawk’s Nest. There are nine muskies (five
male and four female) are carrying transmitters and six of them are over
40 inches in length.
The Kanawha River study area covers about 12 miles from London
Locks and Dam upstream to Kanawha Falls. Seventeen muskies that
were implanted with transmitters are recorded as they pass stationary
receivers strategically located throughout the study area. Most of these
fish were collected near Kanawha Falls in the spring. Two of them
reappeared at the Falls on the same day in October. They seemed to
relocate or move the most when water temps are between 53 degrees and
60 degrees.
On December 27th about half of the fish were holding in deep water a
short distance upstream from London Dam within a small area in the
middle of the river unrelated to any shoreline structure. Chris O’Bara said
that transition to advanced fingerling stocking is complete. Only
advanced fingerlings averaging 10 to 12 inches were stocked in 2014.
They generally average stocking about 2,000 muskies per year although
slightly more than 2,000 were stocked in 2014.
Chris suspects there is a possible viral infection (Esocid Lymphosaroma)
in WV muskies. He requests that if we catch a muskie with a tumor or
lesion, we immediately call or text Jeff Hansbarger, Katie Zipfel or Chris
O’Bara and send a picture. If possible, DNR will dispatch a qualified
th sample for diagnosis. The fish needs to be
staff member to obtain a tissue
alive or recently deceased when the sample is taken. This condition is not
The 1 WI Chapter of Muskies Inc. 39 Annual The 1 WI Chapter of Muskies Inc. 39
Musky Tournament th Annual (Continued on page 26)
September
18-19-20, 2015
Musky Tournament
st
th
Mail
registration form by18-19-20,
September 14 or register
in person
The 1
WI Chapter of Muskies Inc. 39
Annual September
2015
Thursday September 17
Mail registration
form Tournament
by September 14 or register in person
Musky
Thursday September 17
September
18-19-20, 2015
th
th
th
th
th
Mail registration form by September 14 orthregister in person
Thursday September
17
TOURNAMENT
WATERS
Lakes and Rivers in Barron, Chippewa, Eau Claire and Rusk Counties
TOURNAMENT WATERS
and Rivers
Lakes
Barron, Chippewa,
Eau Claire
and Rusk Counties
THIS
IS A in
TOTAL
RELEASE
TOURNAMENT
MuskiesTHIS
34” and
longer
can RELEASE
be counted TOURNAMENT
on all tournament waters
IS A
TOTAL
TOURNAMENT WATERS
Muskies
longer
canChippewa,
be counted
on alland
tournament
waters
Lakes34”
andand
Rivers
in Barron,
Eau Claire
Rusk Counties
TOURNAMENT
REGISTRATION
After Sept 1st
Single
TOURNAMENT
REGISTRATION
THIS
IS A TOTAL RELEASE
TOURNAMENT
…………………………………… $ 50.00
……… $ 55.00
st
After Sept 1
Muskies
and ……………………………
longer can be counted
on all tournament
waters
Husband 34”
& Wife
$ 70.00
……… $ 80.00
Single
…………………………………… $ 50.00
……… $ 55.00
Juniors (under 18) …………........................
$ 20.00
……… $ 20.00
TOURNAMENT
REGISTRATION
Husband & Wife
……………………………
$ 70.00
……… $ 80.00
Sept 1st
Juniors (under 18)
…………........................
20.00
………After
$ 20.00
2014
TOURNAMENT$RESULTS
Single
…………………………………… $ 50.00
……… $ 55.00
TOURNAMENT
195 PARTICIPANTS
Husband & Wife2014
……………………………
$RESULTS
70.00
……… $ 80.00
Juniors
(under
18)
…………........................
$
20.00
……… $ 20.00
195 PARTICIPANTS
87 TOTAL MUSKIES
CAUGHT AND RELEASED
2014
TOURNAMENT
87 TOTAL
CAUGHT
AND
RELEASED
31MUSKIES
MUSKIES
OVER 40RESULTS
INCHES
195 LONGEST
PARTICIPANTS
31 MUSKIES
OVER 40
INCHES
49.5
INCH
RELEASED
87 TOTAL
CAUGHT
AND RELEASED
49.5MUSKIES
INCH LONGEST
RELEASED
31 MUSKIES
40 INCHES
PLEASE
VISITOVER
OUR WEBSITE
@
49.5
INCHVISIT
LONGEST
RELEASED
PLEASE
OUR WEBSITE
@
WWW.FIRSTWIMUSKIESINC.ORG
WWW.FIRSTWIMUSKIESINC.ORG
believed to be harmful to humans and is not always lethal to the fish.
Recent Tournament Results:
Spring Mail-In: A total of 19 members representing 12 teams fished our
first tournament of the season. The father and son team, Dave and
Derek Wenzel, won with a great 46 incher brought to the boat in
Middle Island Creek.
The Odie Cutlip Memorial on Stonewall Jackson Reservoir: This
outing attracted 48 members and guests competing as 24 teams on a
fabulous weekend to be on the water. A total of 11 fish were caught
and released (five fish were over 40 inches) with the team of John
Bever and Greg Knight winning with two fish measuring 39 and
38inches for a total of 25 points.
Thanks to all who participated in our outings and to those serving as
chairpersons to make them a success.
- Secretary, John Kaltenecker
CHAPTER
10
Heartland
14 26th St. SW Mason City, IA 50401
641-430-6961 - Ryan Wilcke
www.heartlandmuskies.org and Facebook @ Heartland
Muskies, Inc. Chapter 10
Greetings to all of the old, current, and future friends of Heartland
Muskie Chapter 10. We have undergone several changes since you heard
from our chapter last. First, I would like to take a minute to let you all
know that one of our founding members, as well as a longtime friend and
2nd President of this chapter, Chris McCabe passed away last June. We
salute his service and dedication to this chapter; he will be greatly missed,
such as the forefathers before him.
With that said, we greet you from the following board members:
President – Ryan Wilcke; Vice President – Brian Buehler; Treasurer –
Ron Lafrenz, and Secretary – Scott Pingel. Along with some new
leadership, our chapter has also added a new website and Facebook page,
please take a few minutes to check us out.
We held our 15th Annual Stan Harrison Spring Tune-up this year on
April 11 and had a great turn out. Thanks to all who participated and
made this one of the clubs best tournaments yet! We had 58 entrants, with
a record 23 fish caught during the tournament. We would like to
recognize our winners: 1st Place-Scott Yaeger, 3 fish (2 – 36 inchers and
a 34 inch) total 28 points; 2nd Place-Matt Olson, 2 fish (39 inch and 31
inch) total 18 points; 3rd Place-Lee Rankin, 2 fish (38 inch and 31 inch)
total 17 points; 4th Place-Grant Lodden, 2 fish (36 inch and 32 inch) total
16 points; and 5th Place Shane Boeshart, 2 fish (34 inch and 32 inch)
total 14 points. While these were the tournament leaders, 12 additional
anglers made catches during the tournament. Thanks for a great
tournament and look forward to seeing you next year.
We are already working on planning for next year’s tournament to
make the Spring Tune-up even bigger and better. Our sponsors out do
themselves each year and continue to contribute very generously to our
club; we are always looking to add new ones on as well.
We have talked about having some short notice side-pot events this
summer, so keep Chapter 10 on your radar and we would love to see you
there. That’s all for now and hope for those warm summer evenings when
you can’t throw a bad cast, thanks again.
- Scott Pingel
CHAPTER
12
Headwaters
923 Catfish Drive
Eagle River, WI 54521
715-547-3340
www.headwatersmuskies.com
Meets first Wednesday of every month. 7:00pm. Eagle River Inn.
Greetings to all our Muskies, Inc. friends from the beautiful Northwoods
of Wisconsin! As we write this, we are in the early stages of summer and
the muskie fishing didn’t take long to heat up. As this edition of Muskies,
Inc. hits the newsstands, we are putting the finishing touches on the
Headwaters Chapter Spring Classic of Champions Catch and Release
Muskie Tournament.
The Spring Classic is the oldest, most prestigious muskie tournament
in the Northwoods and this year’s event will be no exception. We are on
track to have the largest number of teams in several years for the Classic,
which takes place June 13th- 14th on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.
Please check our Facebook page for pictures of all the action - “Spring
Classic Muskie Tournament”.
In addition to the Classic, the Headwaters Chapter is keeping busy with
our exciting schedule of Club Outings. These are fun, one day events,
where two person teams can fish anywhere. Then at the end of day, we
get together for a fun evening of food, drinks, and raffle prizes. The first
Outing took place over Memorial Day weekend and we met at the Oneida
Village in Three Lakes. Our next Club Outing takes place up in the
uncharted wilds of Conover, on July 11th. We hope you will be able to
join us. For more info please contact Bill Jacobs at [email protected]
or by phone (715) 891-5574.
Along with the tournaments and outings, our chapter is once again
involved in the popular Flea Markets taking place though out the summer
in St. Germaine. If you haven’t been to one of these, you’re lucky. No
seriously, you really need to check it out. Our chapter has a 10 x 10
display booth with more inventory then you’ll find in Macy’s basement.
You’ll find all kinds of lures and tackle, previously used, but still in great
condition. Participating in the Flea Market is a great way to raise funds
for our chapter, and our thanks to Joe and his crew for all their hard work.
Finally, we are back at work repairing or replacing many of the heavily
used boat ramps and public docks in the area. Much of the money raised
by our chapter goes to maintain these heavily used boat ramps. If you’ve
ever launched at one of the more popular lakes in the Eagle River area,
chances are we had a lot to do with maintaining the ramp!
We still meet on the first Wednesday of each month and all are
welcome to join us. We meet at the Eagle River Inn, on Highway 70, on
the west side of town. Check out our website for the full schedule of
events, www.headwatersmuskies.com.
Tom White and Dale “Musky Pete” Peterson conducted a rod building
class for six members of the Headwaters Chapter of Muskies, Inc. on
April 11th. Before class, “Musky Pete” turned some wood handles out of
basswood to look like fish. Thanks to Bill Ballou for his class last year
at the North Central Regional Rod Guild conducted at Park Falls, WI. His
handles were beautiful and I decided to give it a try. I turned the handles
round and then sanded the tails flat. Wood burned the gills and tail and
then drilled and put in fish eyes. Matt (11yrs. old) and Isaac (12 yrs.old)
Vedder came over to my house and air brushed the
fish. They did a great job and they had their
handles ready for class. Matt and Issac are shown
in the picture to the right with Musky Pete. Ron
Waller, Andy Hendrickson, and Fred Brogle built
muskie rods, while Matt, Isaac, and Brent
Kiedrowski built spinning rods. Most of the
builders applied marbling to their rods. We started
at about 8:30 a.m., at Brent’s shop and everyone finished by 5 p.m. The
rods dried overnight and everyone came back Sunday morning to pick up
their new custom made rods. Matt and Isaac were especially excited to
get their rods and their mother said they haven’t stopped talking about
them since.
- PR Director, Scott Samuels
CHAPTER
13
Hayward Lakes
P.O. Box 609
Hayward, WI 54843
715-634-4543
The Hayward Chapter’s June meeting had DNR research biologist, Jeff
Kampa, as the guest speaker. Jeff has been running the “Pit Tag” project
in Sawyer county. There are now over 18,000 tagged fish, which are being
caught and scanned by not only DNR staff, but also local guides who have
scanners purchased by our club. The result is that new and very accurate
information is being gathered on growth rates, population density,
movement within and between lakes and even the number of fish going
over or through dams. This information can help with decisions on
stocking, size limits and potential for fish of different genetic backgrounds.
We expect to be able to continue to support this project as we go into the
future. During the last few months, the Hayward Chapter has donated
(Continued on page 28)
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Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc.
Presents the:
AL
38th ANNU
$30,000
October 2-3-4, 2015
TOTAL RELEASE TOURNAMENT
in prizes
GRAND DOOR PRIZE: Boat, Motor & Trailer
AGAIN THIS YEAR!
Boat, motor & trailer to be awarded as the
Grand Door Prize at the Sunday Awards Ceremony.
Only tournament entrants are eligible. You MUST be present to win.
17 Tournament Lakes
2015 Lund 1725 Pro Guide Tiller with a
ShoreLand’r Trailer, a 2015 60hp Mercury Motor
Prizes & Trophies Awarded to First 10 Places
$1,500 Gift Certificate to Cabela’s
$1,000 Gift Certificate to Hayward Bait & Tackle
• Chippewa Flowage
• Lac Courte Oreilles
• Lost Land-Teal Lakes
• Eau Claire Chain
• Grindstone Lake
• Lake Namakagon
• Spider Chain
• Ghost Lake
• Callahan Lake
• Whitefish Lake
• Sand Lake
• Round Lakes
• Moose Lake
• Clear Lake
• Lake Hayward
• Tiger Cat Flowage
• Big Sissabagama
Saturday Night - GIANT RAFFLE
Trolling Motors, Depth Finders, GPS Units, Rods, Reels, Cameras, and much more!
GRAPHITE REPLICA FOR LARGEST FISH RELEASED!!
EVERYONE WHO RELEASES A FISH 34” OR LARGER WILL RECEIVE A PLAQUE
Saturday, October 3, 7-8:30PM • hors d’oeuvres and drinks
Raffle starts at 8:30PM at the FLAT CREEK INN & SUITES
Sunday - Awards, Ceremony & Grand Door Prize Drawing
Sunday, October 4, 1-2:30PM • hors d’oeuvres and drinks
Awards & Drawing 2:30PM at the FLAT CREEK INN & SUITES
2015 REGISTRATION BLANK
PLEASE PRINT
NAME
PHONE
STREET
TOURNAMENT FEE
CITY
_____ $80 Open Entry
STATE
ZIP
All people in boat must be paid contestants.
NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED BY MAIL POSTMARKED AFTER SEPTEMBER 19, 2015. Register in person at Hayward Bait & Tackle
or Jenk’s Bait & Tackle (or via phone & fax, call Hayward Bait at 715-634-2921) until 11pm, October 1, 2015.
WAIVER
In consideration of being permitted to participate among and on boats under the auspices of Muskies, Inc. International and Hayward Lakes Chapter, I acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that:
1. “I am aware of the inherent risk associated with fishing and boating, including but not limited to the risks of collisions with other boats and stationary objects in and around the lake, including rocks, reefs or piers or
other vehicles and trailers at landing areas. I am familiar with other risks up to and including death by drowning associated with rough water, changing weather patterns, heavy winds and lightning storms. I expressly
assume all risks associated with this tournament and hereby release Muskies, Inc. International and Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc., the host, sponsors, and tournament officials from all claims of negligence
resulting from injury and/or property damages incurred in connection with the tournament.”
2. I knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown, even if arising from the negligence of those persons released from liability below, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and
3. I will comply with all rules and regulations. If I have any question, or observe any unusual or unnecessary hazard during my participation, I will immediately bring such to the attention of the nearest official;
4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, hereby release, indemnify and hold harmless the Muskies, Inc. International and Hayward Lakes Chapter, the owners and lessors
of premises used to conduct the tournament, their officers, officials, (“Releasees”), with respect to any and all injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether caused by the negligence of the
Releasees or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it, and sign it freely and voluntarily without any inducement.
X____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date Signed: ______________________________
($90 after Sept. 19)
_____ $25 FOR AGES 16 & UNDER
(Eligible for all major prizes)
AGAIN THIS YEAR...
Boat, motor and trailer to be awarded
as the Grand Door Prize at the Sunday
Awards Ceremony. Only tournament
entrants are eligible. You MUST be
present to win.
FOR PARTICIPANTS OF MINORITY AGE (UNDER 18 AT TIME OF REGISTRATION)
This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian of this participant, do consent and agree to his/her indemnification, release and hold harmless as provided above of all Releasees, and I, for myself and behalf of my heirs, assigns and next to kin, hereby release, indemnify and hold harmless
the Releasees from any and all claims incident to my child’s involvement in these programs even if arising out of the negligence of the Releasees, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
X (PARENT/GUARDIAN’S SIGNATURE) ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Date Signed: ______________________________
Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies Inc. reserves the right to reject any registration. For more information, visit us on the web at www.muskiesinc.org
MAIL TO: Hayward Lakes Chapter Muskies, Inc., Box 609, Hayward, WI 54843 • 715/634-2921 or 715/634-4543
money to the DNR. For the Spooner hatchery, we provided $5,000 for a
new 50-HP out board to replace an old 40-HP used on the boat used for
spring netting. We supplied $4,000 and the Hugh Becker fund supplied
$4,000 in fencing around rearing ponds to keep out otters. We purchased
two locators/GPS units, one for the hatchery crew boat and one for our
local biologist and crew. We bought three pit tag scanners for DNR use.
We purchased three new nets for the electro fishing boat. The Muskie
Alliance is supporting a project with a biologist who is implanting
transmitters in muskies, we donated $500. We have offered to donate
$1,000 to a handicap fishing pier to be installed on the Chippewa
Flowage. All of this funding is possible because of the fishermen who
participate in our annual fall tournament. This year’s event is will be on
October 2nd – 4th so come out and join the fun (ad on previous page).
The events for our chapter are shown below, but we also have fishing
outings every other Wednesday, the times and locations are shown on our
website if you’d like to join us. Also note our kids fishing day, we always
have room for more kids and guides.
Upcoming events calendar is as follows:
Sunday, July 12th - Fishing Outing and Picnic – Fish during the day
and meet at 6 p.m. at Mike and Deanna’s house for beer and brats
provided by the club. Bring family, friends or prospective club
members. Please RSVP to Mike Persson (715) 634-4543
Sunday, August 2nd from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Annual Kids Fishing
Day. Club members guide youngsters on Tiger Cat Flowage. Shore
lunch at noon with prizes for kids. All club members and friends are
encouraged to help as guides and cooks. The event is to be held at the
Beer Bellies. Fishing will be on Upper Twin and other nearby lakes.
For more information call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543.
Tuesday, September 1st - Business Meeting @ 6 p.m. (to prepare for
tournament). General Meeting @ 7 p.m. with Guest speaker Neal
Rosenberg the manager of the Spooner Fish Hatchery. Neil will cover
all aspects of hatchery operation and fish stocking for muskies and
other species. Meeting is at Coop’s Pizza*
Friday, October 2nd – Sunday October 4th - 38th Annual Fall
Tournament. Saturday night raffle, Sunday awards ceremony at the
Flat Creek Inn - Hwy. 27 – ½ mile south of Hayward. For more
information call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543 or visit our website.
Tuesday, November 3rd - General Meeting @ 7 p.m. - with election of
officers and LURE SWAP. Bring your old lures or extras to buy, sell,
trade or other fishing miscellaneous items. Meeting at Coop’s Pizza*.
December - Annual Christmas Party - Date to be announced.
January 5th, 2016 - Business Meeting @ 7 p.m. - To plan year 2016
projects, activities and budget. All board members are asked to attend.
All interested members are welcome. The meeting will be at Coop’s
Pizza.*
Fishing Outings - held every other Wednesday during summers –
schedule set in May – Check website.
NOTE: For more information call Mike Persson (715) 634-4543 or
visit our club’s website www.muskiesinc-hayward.org.
*Coop’s Pizza is at 10588N California Street in Hayward
Reminder: Register your muskie catches with Hayward Lakes Chapter
of Muskies, Inc. and be a part of the muskie fishing spirit and a possible
award winner! Register your release forms online at the Muskies, Inc.
website (www.muskiesinc.org) or send paper forms to Hayward Lakes
Muskies Inc. P. O. Box 609 Hayward, WI 54843.
- Good fishing, Mike Persson
CHAPTER
18
Hopedale
PO Box 118
Smithfield, OH 43948
740-733-8144– Jerry Pruneski
Meets 1st Thursday 7:30 P.M., Pine Valley Sportsman’s Club, Smithfield, OH..
Twenty members fished the April 20th tournament without much
cooperation from the fish. Pete Sall caught a 40 inch and 38 inch fish to
walk away with first place. The only other fish caught, was a sub-legal
that earned Chet Snezek an honorable mention. I tried to confirm the
results of the May tournament before submitting this article, but
Tournament Director Sam Reichenbach was in Columbus performing his
civic duty serving on a jury. Un-officially Jim Petrozzi took first place,
Chet Snezek in second, and Pete Sall in third.
Congratulations to Sam Reichenbach for receiving recognition from
the Ohio State Senate. District thirty State Senator Lou Gentile was at the
May meeting and made the presentation. Sam had received the Lou
Vidoni Man of the Year award at February’s Awards Banquet. Senator
Gentile is the co-chair of Ohio’s Sportsmen’s Committee. The Senator
was treated to the chapter’s famous May chicken BBQ and received an
invitation to the October fish fry.
Submitting catches to Ohio’s muskie log is essential to tracking
stocking success. There are forms available at the meeting for those that
don’t submit their catches online. If a particular lake doesn’t show
expected catch results, there is a risk it could be dropped from the
stocking program.
- VP, Kevin Singhaus
CHAPTER
20
Between the Lakes
P.O. Box 61 • Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085-0061
920-602-1419 - Kevin Rortvedt,
[email protected]
Meets 3rd Thursday 7:00 pm at Chizzys Pub in Waldo WI.
The fishing season finally opened in
our area and everyone is glad to be back
on the water. There has already been a
few nice catches reported. April was a
busy month for the chapter. Our youth
director, Luke Mancl - 13 years old, along
with his dad Mark, organized a bus trip to
The Wild Rose Fish Hatchery. They took 24 kids from the Sheboygan
Boys and Girls club and the Big Brothers and Sisters (see group photo
above), along with some chaperones and club members, to the Hatchery.
This was a 100 mile trip each way. The kids got to see the inner workings
of a large hatchery where are muskies, northerns, salmon, walleyes, trout,
and sturgeon come from. The salmon spawn in fall, so there were lots of
them to see. They also got to feed a bunch of 20 pound brown trout in the
outside ponds. They stopped in a park along the way for lunch and each
kid received a gift bag from the club and door prizes. It was an interesting
trip for a lot of kids who don’t get a chance to get out of the city much.
On April 14th, the club held our annual banquet, we had 283 attendees.
At the banquet, the Sheboygan County Food Pantry collected a whole
truck load of food, and in addition, the club presented them with a check
for $1,000. The club also donated $1,678.10 to the Children’s Hospital.
This is our main fundraiser for the year.
The club has built two small and one large floating fishing piers for the
Camp YKoda YMCA camp pond. Greg Wells has engineered and spear
headed the project.
On April 25th, The Sheboygan County Conservation Association
(SCCA), which is made up of 28 Conservation clubs in the county, held
their annual Awards Night and Chapter 20 Muskies, Inc. club was
awarded the Club of the Year. Our youth director, Luke Mancl, was
awarded Youth Conservationist of the Year for his work on getting fish
stocked back in the Sheboygan Marsh after a winter kill.
The club muskie league started May 14th and alternates between
Elkhart Lake and Random Lake. It is every other Thursday night. Last
year there were 42 members that fished it and you switch partners every
time. It’s a good way to get to know all the members. It’s organized by
Rich Kammerer.
Well I’m going fishing now,
- Mike Scholler
CHAPTER
21
North Metro
P.O. Box 41216
Plymouth, MN 55441
612-916-7426 • www.nmmuskies.com
Meets 3rd Wednesday at Coon Rapid VFW 1919, Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon
Rapids, MN 55433 from 7-9pm
George’s Muskie Expo has come and gone. It was a great privilege to
award beautifully done LAX`12 muskie mounts to our chapter’s Members
Only Contest winners, Grant Lindberg and Markus Klobe. These awards
showcase an advantage of being a member of North Metro Muskies, Inc.
We helped enlist 10-15 new members into Muskies, Inc. at the expo
and hope they can hook up with another NMMI member for our League
nights. It is a great way to build friendships and learn local lakes and
techniques from each other.
Good luck to Carl Phillips and the new team at MI National. As Carl
mentioned, the 80/20 rule, I encourage you to become part of the 20
percent who do the work. Maybe raise the percentage to 30 as we go into
the Symposium year. Many hands make light work. I have made many
friends, guys I choose to fish with by dedicating time, effort, treasure to
keep the muskie resource as good as we can.
Check out our website at www.nmmuskies.com for more information
on League nights and other news from the chapter
Hope you catch your personal best this year.
- Mike Riha
CHAPTER
22
New Jersey
1524 Old Bethlehem Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951
908-319-2205 • www.mi22.com
Meetings the last Tuesday of each month, September through May. Summer meetings will
be held on the water. Check our website for details.
Greetings to all of you muskie madmen and ladies. Chapter 22 has
quite a bit going on besides fishing. We are hosting our muskie school on
May 16th, 2015 and have a full roster. As usual, muskie expert Steve
Scornavacca will be giving the seminar portion and then the students get
a ride with “guides” on Lake Hopatcong, which is New Jersey’s largest
lake. All of the proceeds of muskie school go right back into the resource,
as it is really a fundraiser to assist the state. It’s our way of giving back
to the state that has provided us all with a world class muskie fishery. It
is so successful that we have many students that return year after year.
Some of them have cited that the seminar portion alone is worth it, as
Steve has forgotten more about muskie fishing than most of us will ever
learn. Tune in to the next News and Views as we will have the results of
Muskie School 2015.
MI 22 will also host our “in house” tournament this spring, on June
13th, 2015. It will be held concurrently on three lakes, Monksville
Reservoir, Echo and Greenwood lakes. Food, refreshments and awards
will be at Lake Greenwood VFW. It will be a fun time had by all.
As mentioned previously, MI 22 has introduced laptop and SKYPE
presentations at our monthly meetings and they are a hit with members.
The use of this technology makes it a great interactive feature to the
monthly meetings. This month’s “guest” was Loren Miller who is a
research scientist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and
who is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of
Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology of said state. His SKYPE
was especially interesting to MI 22, because he has immense knowledge
of Leech Lake strain muskellunge and we have tried to keep a pure strain
of Leech “lakers” in one of our lakes. That lake is Echo Lake.
Jim Evers, Region 3 Representative, reported from the Annual Board
Meeting that he attended, that Pittsburgh, PA will be the site of the 2017
Annual Board Meeting to coincide with the Muskie Maxx Show. He also
stated that regional sport shows in Harrisburg, Canton, Pittsburgh and
others in PA will be used by Region 3 to market Muskies, Inc. Chapters
in those areas. In addition, there is a search on for an “Ambassador” for
our Region - a guide, lure manufacturer or TV person to be the “face” of
Muskies, Inc. in our Region to promote the message and enlist new
members. Do you know anyone?
What about the fishing, right? Some nice fish were boated by Norm
Small and his brother on April 26th, 2015 on Lake Hopatcong. The boys
picked up a hefty 51 inch while trolling, followed by a 48 inch casting just
a hundred yards away; both within twenty minutes of each other. That
will give students something to strive for on May 16th! Fishing is in full
swing here, water temperatures are perfect, and the conditions are just
right. Hopefully those reading this are as lucky as we are here in New
Jersey.
That’s all for now. Tight lines and beasts in the net.
- David Christinzio
www.muskiesinc.org
CHAPTER
23
Cleveland
5007 Starr St. • Newton Falls, OH 44444
330-219-7964
Meetings are held 2nd Monday @ 7 p.m. at Westfall’s Restaurant 18148 Mahoning
Avenue, Lake Milton, Ohio 44429
I would like to thank you all for coming out to the Tom Bishop Sr.
Memorial Tournament at West Branch on May 15th and 16th. Saturday
we had rain off and on and Sunday started with rain, but finished great.
Thanks to everyone who fished with us. It was a great weekend and I
think a good time was had by all. We had 28 fishing and one youth
fishing. A total of 19 fish were caught over 30 inches.
Russ Roberts took first place with three fish, a 40.5, 37.5, and a
35-inch. Bob Basic landed second place with a 46.25 and a 36.5-inch.
Third place went to Scott Chapman with a 37 and a 36.5-inch. Bob Basic
walked away with the big fish pool with his 46.25 inch fish. Ian Erb won
the youth division with a fat 40 incher.
Other fish caught are as follows: Beau Chumley (36 and a 37-inch),
Gloria Roberts (44.25-inch), Sherman Champlin (42-inch), Tom Morris
(34-inch), John Savu (42-inch), Richard Daniels (39-inch), Kevin Proffitt
(39-inch), John Rivera (35-inch), Jason Basic (32-inch), and Jason
Chalmers (33-inch).
The next tournament is our Chapter Challenge, co-sponsored with
Chapter 19, on May 30th and 31st at Salt Fork Reservoir. This is an open
challenge for all area chapters and we hope to see you all there.
The Cindy Dean Memorial Kids Fishing Derby will be held Saturday,
June 6th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lake Milton Light House
Park. Check in starts at 10:30 a.m. Try to make it and help show the kids
in the area a good fishing experience. And finally, our next tournament
will be at Lake Milton June 27th – 28th. The check in will be at the Point
View boat ramp Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
I hope everyone has a great and safe summer, FISH ON!
- Dan Fisher
CHAPTER
24
Brainerd Lakes
18031 Heritage Road • Brainerd, MN 56401
218-838-5509 – Donny Hines
www.brainerdmuskies.com
Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Old Water Fall Inn Brainerd, MN
It has been some time since Chapter News and Views has received an
update from the Brainerd Lakes Chapter (BLC). As the new Vice
President, I am excited to have the opportunity to pen the content and
share what is happening with our group. We are certainly looking forward
to a great year.
Our excitement began in March with a hugely successful banquet,
which provided us with ample operating funds to support the projects and
programs we have planned. The efforts of the volunteers to round up
donations and creatively reduce our expenses, resulted in one of the most
profitable banquets to date. We thank the businesses and individuals that
support us through their donations and the attendees who turned out for a
great night of fun.
Recipients of funding this year include several DNR projects, continued
support of the Central Lakes College Natural Resources Program, and
four youth programs: Brainerd Parks and Rec Youth Fishing Clinic,
Outdoor Youth Expo, BLC Youth Night at Camp Vanasek, and the MN
High School Muskie Tournament. These events will not only see money
and prizes donated from the chapter, but many volunteer hours as well.
Leech Lake is going to see a lot of attention from the BLC this season,
as we have three events planned. The first is appropriately named the
Scouting Outing and will be held in July. The name alludes to the next big
event, which is the Gil Hamm Memorial Chapter Challenge on August
26-28th based out of Horseshoe Bay Resort. This will be a great venue for
the event and many members of the BLC are familiar with the great
accommodations and amenities of the resort. Why you may ask? Well,
they have fished the Annual Muskie Shootout Tournament, which is
hosted by the BLC at Horseshoe Bay each fall. This year the tournament
will be held October 3rd and 4th and will complete the triad of events on
Leech for the BLC. The tournament is open to the public so consider
joining us for some serious competition and over $6,000 in cash and
(Continued on page 30)
prizes. Get details on the Muskie Shootout Tournament from the website
at www.muskieshootout.com or find us on Facebook.
Club members will be vying for the coveted Muskie Hunter of the Year
honors again this season. Participants at the chapter outings accrue points
during the season for attendance, netting prowess, and of course catching
fish. The competition is intense through the season with the final event
called the Iceman in mid-November. If you have ever fished Minnesota
in November, you will understand the reason behind the name. Presentation
of the award to the winner is conducted at the annual banquet, where they
are showered with accolades and revered with the utmost respect. Well,
something like that.
One note for those of you out there who are considering fishing Mille
Lacs this year, there is an exception to the night fishing ban put in place
to protect the walleye population. This season, muskellunge anglers may
fish at night with artificial lures longer than 8-inches or sucker minnows
longer than 8-inches. Check the MN DNR regulations for the details to
insure compliance before heading out. There are still big fish in the big
pond and it should be a relatively quiet place after dark.
If anyone is in the Brainerd area and would care to meet our group, our
monthly meetings are the 2nd Tuesday at the Old Waterfall Inn, Brainerd,
MN, 7:00 pm. Have a great season everyone, and be safe out there.
- VP Brainerd Lakes, Brett Sande
CHAPTER
28
Shawnee Muskie Hunters
923 Reiss Rd., O’Fallon, IL 62269
618-628-4205 - Jerry Ford
[email protected]
www.shawneemuskiehunters.org
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer after a never ending spring.
My home water of Lake Kinkaid has not been very kind to the muskie
fisherman this spring. The fish have been scattered and not in their normal
locations. The weather has been one of the main reasons fishing has been
so tough. We have had extreme water levels, muddy water, temperature
swings and cold fronts that seem to come through every other day. In fact,
I have not seen this type of weather and water conditions in the 35 years
that I have been fishing this lake. It can only get better.
Now that our water temperatures have climbed to the danger level, all
our attention will now focus on the northern waters to pursue our mighty
muskie. Our first outing will be on July 17th and 18th, when we go on our
Annual St. Clair trip with Captain Jason Quintano of Finns and Grins
Charter. Jason has been our charter for a few years now and he has
provided us with many 50 plus inch muskies. If you want a new
adventure, contact Jason for a trip of a lifetime. He has both casting and
trolling trips on one of the best muskie fisheries in the world.
August 26th to the 28th is the Gil Hamm Chapter Challenge on Leech
Lake. We will be sending at least one team to the challenge this year. We
have a few cabins reserved for the week and hope to see some of our old
friends at the challenge. If you are at the challenge, come over and have
a cold one with us. We would love to meet new friends. We will have our
Shawnee Muskie Hunter Banner outside.
I hope to see you on the water at one or more of these events this
coming year. And if you see me fishing on the water, stop by and chat.
Remember I’m in the other New Lund.
- Walt Krause
CHAPTER
32
Flatlanders
years for one prize. The new format has been developed to include more
members in the pool for increased participation. One chance will be
awarded for attendance at each outing with additional chances earned
with each fish registered. This allows even those feeling the pain of the
skunk, to still have a good shot at the second prize. Most of the outings
are on action lakes, which should give everyone a better shot at winning.
Our fall outings are as follows:
September 18th – 20th - Deer, Bone, Apple, Wapogasset
October 9th – 11th - Eagle River Chain
As in previous years, the host for each trip will make a presentation at
the monthly meeting prior to the next outing. The host will coordinate the
recommended lodging, furnish marked up lake maps, and discuss
successful presentations for that body of water. We encourage new
members to join the outings and get to know the Flatlanders’ members.
We share information that will help make everyone successful and the
outing fun for all. Our chapter is actively looking for new members and
welcomes anyone interested in muskie fishing to attend the Flatlanders
events.
- Dick Cholke
CHAPTER
35
Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month Jan. - May and Sept. - Nov.
Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. General Meeting @ 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post #449.
3245 N. 124th Street, Brookfield, WI 53005
This past April, we saw some changes to our board. Mike Phelps
stepped down from our board due to personal reasons. We started to
divide up the projects that Mike was working on and handling and we
found out that it is taking more than two people to try and replace Mike.
Brian Mirek took over the email newsletter and Greg Sieren took over
Pond and Stocking. Both Brian and Greg are trying to keep up with the
web updates. We still haven’t found anyone to take on the artwork/layout
work for our various brochures/announcements that Mike handled. We
are still looking for someone to handle the behind the scenes work on the
website that Mike also handled. Mike was a fixture on the board for
several years and is a valuable resource to all in the club. We all would
like to thank Mike for his invaluable service to the chapter’s board and
club membership. Thanks Mike, you are already missed!
The 29th Annual Milwaukee vs. Quad County Challunge is all over,
but the crying about lost fish and miss opportunities are still here. Brian
Mirek scored a 35.5-inch on Saturday, May 2nd and Steve Van Lieshout
scored a 34-inch on Sunday, May 3rd beating Quad by a half inch to keep
the trophy with the Milwaukee Chapter. Thanks to Smokey’s Muskie
Shop for hosting us as we enjoyed a cookout at Smokey’s facility after
fishing Saturday.
The 31st Annual Pewaukee Lake Muskie Classic was a great success
on May 9th. We had about 90 entrants and six muskies that were caught
and released with the largest being 40 inches, 37.5, 37, 36, 34 and 33.5inch. The weather was beautiful and everyone had an outstanding time.
Thank You to Minnkota for donating a Terrova trolling motor. This year’s
Brian Mirek is holding his 35.5inch Quad County Challunge fish
on opening day on Pewaukee Lake.
6259 Walnut Grove Road, • Loves Park, IL 61111
815-703-9365 Jeff Blanck
www.flatlanderschapter.com
th
Meets the 4 Thursday of every month, 7:30 PM, Loves Park VFW
The first outing for the year was held on the Madison Wisconsin Chain
on May 2nd. A good number of fish were moved, but only a 33-inch and
a 41-inch made it to the net; at least we worked out the bugs and two
members got fish on the board. Travis Brady came up with the first fish
of the year from Illinois water, Piece Lake. The Squaw Lake/Squirrel
Lake trip in June and the annual Lake of the Woods trip in July have
always been favorites. They should produce a good number of fish and
the outings contest should be in full swing.
The Outing Contest has changed this year with a two prize format. The
angler with the most points for all outings will remain the same as in past
Milwaukee
PO Box 28842 • Greenfield, WI 53228
Craig Ader – 262-250-6444
www.milwaukeemuskiesinc.com
Largest release winners from left to
right: Bryan L. Blanke (Tournament
Director), George Kasch (2nd Place
with a 37.5-inch), Bill Drumm (1st
Place with a 36 and 40-inch) and Tony
Werner (3rd Place with a 37-inch).
Steve Van Lieshout
holding the trophy
for the Milwaukee
Chapter.
Minn Kota trolling motor
winner, George Kasch, and
Tournament Director, Bryan
Blanke, stopped to take a quick
photo.
Minnkota winner was George Kasch and he also placed 2nd with a 37.5
inch muskie release. The three raffle tables brought in over $2,600 for
future club outings, stocking programs, activities and guest speakers.
We are on a meeting break for the summer and will resume meeting at
the American Legion Hall in September as our speakers will be Luke
Roffler and Ben Heussner from the WI DNR. Here’s our lineup for fall:
August 29th - Veterans Outing
September 17th - Meeting Speaker - Luke Roffler/Ben Heussner –
State of SE WI Muskies
September 26th - Fall Championship Tournament
- Greg Sieren
CHAPTER
37
St. Cloud
312 18th Avenue N. • Sartell, MN 56377
Bruce Kitowski - (320) 656-1160
www.stcloudmuskies.com
Meets: 3rd Tues. 7:30 PM, American Legion Post 428, 17 2nd Ave. N, Waite Park, MN.
We had a perfect spring here in Central MN and our summer fishing
patterns should be established by now. We hope you’ve made time to get
out, enjoy the warmth and maybe even logged a fish or two.
April’s monthly meeting met us with a Lake of the Month presentation
sure to produce for anyone who gets a chance to fish Detroit Lake (DL)
in Becker County. Ryan Hoffman cut to the chase and handed out maps
as we followed an awesome presentation full of photos of his success and
more information about the DL lakes; job well done, Ryan. April’s
meeting was also the 2014 Chapter Contest Award Ceremony and dinner.
As always, a very fun meeting to attend and its good to hear from some
of the top contest placers. April 24th was our Annual Banquet and Fish
Fry at the American Legion in Waite Park. A huge ‘thank you’ to our
coordinators and volunteers for yet another very successful fundraiser and
for hosting the best fish fry in our area.
Spotlight time! Congratulations to our very own Thomas Ardolf for his
new position as Corporate Secretary for Muskies, Inc. International! Tom
is our Chapter’s Webmaster, a very dedicated member, a great fisherman
and a friend to all of us.
Every year St. Cloud Muskies, Inc. hosts a Big Brothers Big Sisters
fishing outing at Rock Island Pond. This year it was held on Saturday,
May 2nd and the weather was simply beautiful. Every “little” received a
rod, reel and tackle box. Many fish were caught and everyone had a blast
as they all had a story to tell by the end of the day.
May’s monthly meeting was loaded with knowledge critical to any
fisherman. Several Chapter members brought their boat rigs to the
meeting as Randy Pierson of Avon Marine troubleshot their concerns and
helped improve the function of their boats, trailers and literally anything
pertaining to marine equipment. I was able to make immediate
improvements to my boats performance by making the slightest
adjustments and following Randy’s advice. The questions carried into the
night and everyone learned something valuable and helpful.
This summer would be a great time to meet you on the water or at a
monthly meeting. Feel free to contact us with questions or information on
our area fisheries, get a report and see what we are up to. Be safe and keep
sending those good vibes down the line!
- Eric Poissant
CHAPTER
39
Fox River Valley
1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 601230
847-741-9771 – Rich Gallagher
www.frvmuskie.com
Meetings are the 1st Thursday of the month (July 2 and August 6), from 4 to 9 p.m.
at the Thirsty Turtle on Channel Lake in Antioch.
On Saturday, May 16th, Fox River Valley hosted their annual
“Challunge on the Chain” Tournament. Sixty-nine boats fished the
tournament during some prime conditions. Water temps were in the low
60s, in the middle of a warming trend, with a light breeze and cloudy
skies. The fish were very cooperative, with fifteen boats boating 19 fish
over 30 inches. Six boats boated fish over 40 inches, with the largest
being a beautiful 47.5 incher (caught by the 3rd place team of Mark
Steuer and Greg Denny).
First place honors went to Nick Ellis and Luke Armitage with 35 and a
45-inch fish. With the great weather, one of the highest catch totals in
tournament history, and a fantastic after-tournament ceremony and
www.muskiesinc.org
celebration, we consider this event another great success. If you weren’t
able to make the tournament this year, we hope you take a shot at it next
year if possible. Thanks again to all who participated and assisted with the
event.
As you may already know, FRV is giving another shot at an on-thewater format for summer chapter meetings. Anyone who can make it is
welcome to show up and fish on the first Thursday of the month (July 2
and August 6), from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Thirsty Turtle on Channel Lake in
Antioch. Details should be available on the website, but we typically
conclude our “off-site meeting” with some fish stories and refreshments
at the Thirsty Turtle bar! We’ll resume regular meetings at our normal
Schaumburg location in September (Indiana guide Bill Bennett will be
our speaker).
Fox River Valley will be hosting a chapter outing on the Canadian side
of Lake St. Clair from July 11th - 15th. Fishermen are generally gathering
and launching out of Belle River Ontario, with plenty of accommodation
options in Belle River or Windsor. If you’re interested in more details,
please visit the website or contact organizers John Kretchmer (815-5192924) or Tom Maki (847-712-3474). By all accounts, Lake St. Clair is one
of the hottest and most consistent lakes around for steady muskie fishing.
Consider giving this outing a shot!
Please check out our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or visit our
website, www.frvmuskie.com for all meeting/speaker/event information.
- Mark Lamont
CHAPTER
Central Ohio
1094 Eastmoor Blvd. Columbus, OH 43209
www.centralohiomuskies.wix.com
Meets second Tuesday of every month at:
PJ’s Pizza, 571 West Cherry St., Sunbury, OH 43074
41
Fishing and tournaments are in full swing in this month of May; The
John Fisher Memorial, The West Branch “Minnow Fund” and the
up-coming Salt Fork Chapter Challenge are giving the guys and gals
plenty of opportunities to get out and land a muskie, while enjoying the
sportsmanship among our fellow fishermen.
The Fisher Memorial tournament had over 40 participants, from
Chapters 41, 56 and 19. First place went to Mike McDonald from Chapter
56 with two nice fish (39 and 40-inch) while casting. Second place was
our own Chapter 41 Mark Steinert (41.5-inch) and third place, also a
Chapter 41 member, Chuck Wilbert bringing into the net a 32.5-inch and
a 31.5-inch. As usual, the weather was a challenge, but we all expect it
and dress to handle it. The Boy Scouts provided a warm lunch of pulled
pork and lots of other good stuff, which was appreciated as always.
Several subs were landed and Gary Solomon and Chuck Wilbert were
able to scan three fish. These may very well be the first-hand, scanned
fish of the escapement study in the state of Ohio. This is significant
progress towards doing our part as stewards of the resource, and with
these fish beginning to show up, the ODNR can begin learning and
putting a profile together. Another thing we learned, was that the dorsal
tags that were reported, looked infected. If you catch one of these fish
please take a picture of the tagged area in addition to recording the tag
number (if readable). I’m sure anything we can do to help the learning
process would be appreciated.
Coming June 5th, the chapter will hold its second event with our local
wounded warriors. A day of muskie fishing, along with a breakfast at the
ramp and lunch, and we’ll have free tee shirts to hand out to all the
participants as a gift to remember the day. Chapter President Bob Sisson
said, “Last year we had a great time, but the muskies didn’t get the memo.
Hopefully this year will be different.” If not, there’s always crappie and
saugeyes for the guys to fall back on for a fish.
June 6th and 7th is The Russ Dodridge Tournament at Alum Creek
Reservoir. The Ohio Huskie Muskie Club will also be holding their spring
outing at the same ramp. The OHMC will be putting on a steak dinner
Saturday night and everyone is welcome to attend with a preregistration.
There’s going to be lots of lures in the water, that’s for sure! Good luck
on the water!
- Dan Collins
CHAPTER
42
Hoosier Muskie Hunters
P.O. Box 501371
indianapolis, IN 46250
317-372-0111
Many muskie hunters plan trips and outings based on Lunar and Solar
timing. Yet, as many of us know, weather trumps all. That was the case
for Chapter 42’s Brookville Reservoir outing scheduled April 25th. A
weeklong forecast of promising weather had one bad day of thunderstorms
predicted. It happened to coincide with the club outing, so it was
cancelled to a future date yet-to-be determined. Go to the Hoosier Musky
Hunters link on Facebook to keep abreast of club activities. Another club
outing is scheduled for June 13th on Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis.
Let’s see if Mother Nature cooperates for this one.
The 2015 Indiana Muskie Classic was held the weekend of May 15th
– 17th. Seventy-seven teams participated in the 19th Annual Tournament.
Thirty of the seventy-seven teams landed fish. The top four teams took
home the trophies and all that goes with them. In first place was Adam
and Dan Grunewald, second place was Tony Mahn and Ryan McBroom,
third place was Michael Handlogten and Jason Vandekopple, and fourth
place was Sean Bergsma and Curt Mobley. Congratulations to not only
these four teams, but to everyone who landed fish. Special mention must
go to Michael Sweeney for big fish of the tournament. He accomplished
something no one else has in the previous 18 outings. He broke the
50-inch mark with a beautiful 51-inch muskie on a homemade lure. That
makes the accomplishment more impressive. For more information and
pictures, see the Indiana Musky Classic page on Facebook. We would like
to thank John Bette of Stealth Tackle for being the Tournament Title
Sponsor. We want to also thank the other sponsors, too numerous to
mention here. It is their support that makes this event the premier event it
is. Again, we recommend going to those Facebook pages for all their
names. There has also been preliminary discussion on setting up a fall
tournament as well. More information to follow as it becomes available.
Brian Schoenung, DNR Chief of Fisheries for Indiana, has announced
a new state law for a minimum size limit of 44-inch has been established
for Webster Lake. This is great news as this will help this fishery grow a
larger “big fish” population as well as improve the Fisheries broodstock
source. So Hoosier Musky Hunters, the future is looking better and better
for the fish of our dreams. As you go out on the water this year, remember
to be safe, wear your sunscreen and to leave the place a little cleaner than
you found it.
- Musky Ed Myshak
CHAPTER
46
Bemidji/Cass Lake
PO Box 6, Bemidji, MN 56619
(218) 766-6697 - Ethan Rogers
www.bemidjicassmuskies.org
Meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month @ 7 p.m.
@ Cattails - 6405 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji, MN 56601
By the time this is posted, our 17th Annual Muskie Tournament has
happened. You can check out the results on our website www.
bemidjicassmuskies.org. If you missed it, be sure to come out next year.
In May, we had our first clean-up of boat ramps around Bemidji. We
had a good turn out and we will be having another in October for those of
you who missed out. It is one of the qualifications to be eligible for the
replica. So don’t miss the opportunity to help your community and miss
out on the chance to get a free replica, if you catch the biggest fish during
the 2015 muskie season.
The 2015 Gil Hamm Chapter Challunge needs you! We are looking for
teams, so if you are interested contact Ethan Rogers, muskiestrike@
gmail.com. The tournament is August 26th-28th on Leech Lake.
2015 Outing Schedule is as follows (We have added Wednesday’s to our
outing schedule to allow ten opportunities to earn points):
Wednesday, July 1st – 6 p.m.- 10 p.m. - Lake Bemidji
Sunday, July 12th – Noon - 8 p.m. - Mantrap Lake
Wednesday, July 22nd – 6 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. - Pike Bay
Wednesday, August 5th – 6 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. - Big Lake
Sunday, August 16th – Noon - 8 p.m. - Lake Plantagenet
Sunday, September 27th - 11:30 a.m.- 7:30pm - Cass Lake
Sunday, October 18th – 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. - Leech Lake
Sunday, November 1st – 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. - Lake Bemidji
Don’t forget about the chapter’s replica contest. Who will be this year’s
replica winner? Be sure to check out all the details on our website to be
eligible.
- Secretary, Denise Strickland
CHAPTER
Lake St. Clair Muskies, Inc.
34047 Williamsburg Ct
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
586-873-9154 - Charles Legarski, President
www.lscmi.com OR www.facebook.com/lscmi58
58
I hope that everyone is having a great start to this year’s muskie season!
Hopefully you are able to apply some of the tips and advice we received
from our speakers. A big thank you to all of our speakers who came out
to talk to the club. We heard presentations from Captain Andy Kuffer,
Captain Jon Bondy, Fisheries Biologist Mike Thomas, and Captain Matt
“Catfish” Firestein. We also heard from Ellen Spooner, who is doing
research at the University of Michigan on muskie diets. If you are
interested in helping out with Ms. Spooner’s research, please contact us
on Facebook and we will put you in touch with her.
This is the time of year that we take our summer break from our general
membership meetings, since most of you are out on the water. We will
start up again this fall and I will post the schedule in the next issue. As
far as summer events, we hope to see you at one of the following
tournaments: Sunday, August 16th; Sunday, September 20th; Sunday,
October 18th.
We are still looking for someone to fill our Tournaments Director
position, so if you are interested please send us a message on Facebook
or you can reach us at our website; both are listed above.
Please watch the website and Facebook page for details on our
upcoming Family Fun Day. This is a great opportunity for all of our
members to get together for a picnic and to share some fish stories. I
would also like to encourage you to keep posting your musky pictures to
the Facebook site. We love getting pictures from our members.
- Adam Penzenstadler
CHAPTER
New Mexico Muskies, Inc.
P.O. Box 65575
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87193
(505) 264-2999 • Matt Pelletier [email protected]
www.newmexicomuskiesinc.org
59
Bluewater Lake, one of only two muskie lakes in New Mexico (NM),
has very little bottom structure. Charter 59
C59 volunteers assembled the
(C59) purchased 12 plastic fish tree
structures at Bluewater State Park.
structures to help improve structure and the
fishery. C59 members assembled the
structures at Bluewater Lake State Park on
April 4th and installed them in the lake on
April 15th. The plastic, weighted trees will
give smaller fish a place to hide. The
chapter worked with NM State Parks and
NM Game and Fish to accomplish the project. David Goodrich with a 47.25inch tiger caught on a fly.
Additional improvement projects are planned.
Some C59 members enjoyed early year
success. The C59 Secretary (yours truly),
caught and released a 45-inch tiger muskie,
which happens to be my very first over 40
inches. I was fishing with my son, Kyle and C59
President, Matt Pelletier and together the group
caught and released six tigers on a lovely,
Bluewater Lake morning in April. Muskie
Smiles to all.
- John
Member, Kyle Williamson,
Williamson
with a 34-inch tiger.
A 45-inch Blue
water beauty
released by
John William
son
CHAPTER
60
Mountain Muskies
6610 N. Hartley Spokane, WA 99208
509-263-7235 • [email protected]
www.mountainmuskies.com
Meets every 4th Tuesday at 6:00 pm @ the VFW, 300 West Mission Ave.,
Spokane, Wash.
Our first tournament this season was on May 16th at Silver Lake. It is
in the net and it was a rousing success. A total of 27 tiger enthusiasts
showed up, which is a new record for one tournament. We were glad to
see some of the visitors at our March Big Horn booth join with us also.
The apparent hatchet overhead in the picture, is actually one of our two
newly secured fish PIT tag locators primarily funded by a Hugh C. Becker
Foundation award. We scanned nine fish with them that day. The
acquired information consisting of fish age, condition, and longevity, will
assist the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in tiger muskie
management. The muskies showed up for the tournament as approximately
20 fish were landed. They weren’t large, but were numerous enough to
give action to most of the tiger tamers. Big fish (32.5-inch) went to Todd
Reiss and his teammate, Mark Kendall, who also took first place with that
fish. Second place went to Ed Hoyle with a 32-inch catch. Ed forgot to
bring along his fish stretcher that day. As the third place team came
forward, a storm hit sending us scattering and I missed their names. Sorry
guys. Come again and get first place.
The baby tigers are going into our lakes this week; Newman Lake
(570), Silver (300), and Curlew (250). Ed Hoyle has been doing a
yeoman’s task traveling with the stocking truck to each lake and patting
them on the tail as they hit the water to get them off to a good start.
Thanks for representing Muskies, Inc. Actually, I think he is leaving his
scent with each of them so they are attracted to his boat as they grow up!
The next tournament is Saturday, August 8th; registration is at 6:30, at
Curlew Lake headquartered at the state park. This should be prime time
there for tigers, so all members and friends (it’s an open tournament, a
first there) are encouraged to get geared up and show up to chase the big
guys.
- Chuck Gades
CHAPTER
63
South Central
West Virginia Chapter
HC61 Box 39B
Frame Town, WV 26623
304-364-8878 - Jake Flint
It’s that time again in May. Trees and flowers are blooming, the
mountains are starting to turn green with growth. My favorite event in
May, is to see little baby ducks swimming with their mothers and I do
believe everybody catches my drift.
February through April have been some of the worst muskie fishing
I’ve ever experienced, due to the tremendous rain and snow melt off, but
things have turned from bad to good. Muskies are finally being caught
everywhere and has everybody jumping for joy. I do believe this is the
worst cabin fever plague in muskie history. The lakes have turned on just
about everywhere here in WV along with the rivers and the spawn is just
about through.
I would just like to thank Scott Morrison, Jeff Harsbarger, and Lila
Warren of the WV-DNR for inviting me to be a net man as they did the
electroshocking and surgical implants on Kanawha River muskies
(photos below). That’s one experience I will never forget and will
probably be my highlight of my experience with muskies. The muskies
are rather tough trying to net after being shocked; they go crazy. We
managed to net two, well let’s say Lila got two and none of us men even
www.muskiesinc.org
came close. She is great at what she does and did a great job with the
transmitter surgery on the fish. All in all, it only takes her about five
minutes for the whole procedure.
A big shout out, thanks again, to the WV-DNR for doing what they do.
I hear a lot of gossip and degrading on the DNR over different subjects,
including fish and animals like the stocking of coyotes and mountain lions
etc. Without the WV-DNR, I guarantee WV wouldn’t have half as good
hunting/fishing, so next time you see one of these guys/gals- shake their
hand and thank them for making WV one of the top fishing/hunting states
in America. That is all for now. Good luck to everybody the rest of the
year.
- Rob Thaxton
CHAPTER
64
Nittany Valley
Musky Alliance Chapter
175 Industrial Park Rd.
Edensburg, PA 15931
814-421-6502 - Patrick Krumenacker
The first Muskies, Inc. fly-fishing only tournament has come and gone.
The Beast of the East, opened on April 10th, to 59 participants and
extreme conditions. Despite water flowing up to 18,500 CFS, anglers
boated six muskies and the Chapter brought in over $2,500 for
conservation efforts.
First place went to team River Sharkin’, comprised of Mike Marisa and
Mark Thomas, for their 35 and 47-inch fish. In second, was team
Streamer Junkies Too made up by Ben Marzullo, Eric Painter and Keith
Ferraro. They put two 34 inchers in the net. Paul Krott, Matt Leininger
and Tom Kingsmore, of team Stripping for 50s, took third place with a
43-inch specimen.
Justin Damude and Fred Christensen of team Hip to the Strip, landed
the first catch and third largest fish of the event with a 41-inch. We paid
out $1,770 to the three top teams and anglers catching the three largest
fish, received physical prizes such as rods, reels, guide trips and much
more. Most importantly, we gave this brotherhood of anglers a chance to
come together. Anglers traveled from Wisconsin, Vermont, Michigan and
Virginia to Warren, PA for the event. Muskie fly-fishing is on the rise and
it would be wise for all Chapters to look to
these anglers to grow membership.
In other tournament news, members and
brothers Matt and Gordon Dixon made their
yearly pilgrimage to Cave Run for the first
PMTT qualifier (photos on right). This year,
the boys decided to make their presence
known and took second place in the big event.
Each brother took a turn catching a qualifying
fish! Even better, Matt wore his brand new
Muskies, Inc. tournament jersey with our
Chapter logo on it. Good press for the chapter
and organization. Congrats from all at the
Chapter to the Dixon Brothers for their
success!
Before we close here, I just need to thank
the people and companies that made the Beast
of the East a success. So, thank you to
members David Hegburg and Corey Siple.
Also, thank you to the following: Redington,
REPYOURWATER, Sage, Rio, Scientific
Angler, Streamer Junkies, Temple Fork
Outfitters, Towee Boats, Allegheny River Fly
Fishing Company, Fishpond, Hip to the Strip,
Cliffs Outdoors, everyone that donated flies,
and fly casting instructor Gary Kell.
- Patrick Krumenacker
Muskies, Inc.
1509 Stahl Road
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Members: Please notify [email protected] of address change.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
YOUTH
ZONE
The food chain and getting back to the basics.
By: Professor Michelle Groves, SVP of Youth Environmental
Education for the YCA
Even though there are a million complex interactions going
on around you as you fish, most go unnoticed. At the Youth
Conservation Alliance (YCA) we see every outing as an
opportunity to start unveiling these mysteries and immerse our
participants in all the wonders the wild world has to offer. We
really like understanding an aquatic food chain. Depending on
where you are in the world, a food chain can change dramatically,
but the basics are still there. Just fill in the specifics and you get
the picture.
An example of a food chain would be:
Sun → Primary Producers (Plants) → 1st Consumer (herbivores)
→ 2nd Consumer (omnivore/carnivore) → 3rd Consumer
(Omnivore/Carnivore sometimes an Apex Predator) →
Decomposers.
The Muskie food chain would be:
Sun → Plants/Algae → Phytoplankton/Macroinvertebrates →
Little Fish → Big Fish → Decomposing material giving nutrients
to water/soils/plants.
Apex predators are a species that is at the top of the food
chain, but are significant to the health of an ecosystem. Why the
science lesson? Well, this past fall the YCA participated in the
releasing of over 1,000 young muskies into Big Round Lake. We
were able to take some great underwater videos of this and
received very positive feedback. We did, however, get some
comments that releasing these predators to the waters will ruin the
fishing of other species because they fear the muskies will gobble-
A fantastic underwater photo of young muskies at a
hatchery in Spooner, Wisconsin.
up all the other fish.
Here at the YCA, we call this an educational moment. Muskie
can be considered apex predators and are essential for the actual
health of some aquatic ecosystems. One way they help is by
keeping other faster growing predators from overpopulating and
thus taking over and reducing desired fish populations.
First and second consumer species always reproduce more
quickly, with first consumers being made up of many more species
than second consumers. This allows the whole chain to flourish,
plenty of food for all, but not too much so that one species will
dominate. It’s the job of the apex predator to ensure there is a
proper balance among species in an ecosystem. They are the top
dog and keep other species from taking over. Every species in an
ecosystem has a job, or several jobs, and each species keeps the
other in check. Removing apex predators or allowing numbers to
be too small can be catastrophic to an ecosystem.
Interestingly enough, humans are the influencing factor in the
balance of nature. We have been, in large part, responsible for the
disruption of many food chains from their natural cycles. This can
cause serious problems within some ecosystems. In order to try
and make things right, the DNR and Fish and Wildlife Biologists
get the difficult job of trying to fix these problems. Releasing
muskies into Big Round in Hayward was a decision based on
historical data and research and is supporting the entire fisheries
of Round Lake.
As conservationists, it is our role to live among all species and
contribute to the health and stewardship of our air, land, and water.
If the muskie populations are stable, we know the ecosystem is
healthy and you can follow this all the way up the chain to us
A group of adult volunteers and youth affiliated with the
humans!
Youth Conservation Alliance assemble for a quick photo
during a muskie stocking event.

16 MUSKIE..... July / August 2015

Transcription

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