Publication - Muskies, Inc.

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 2014 by Muskies, Inc. All rights reserved.
MUSKIE • Vol. 48, No. 1
Sport Show Edition
Departments
2 President’s Message, Jay Zahn
3 About the Cover,
Sean Landsman
3 Index of Advertisers
4 MUSKIE News
6 Lunge Log, Jim Bunch
12 Member Photos, Brad Waldera
13 Photo Contest, Brad Waldera
23 Figure 8, Sean Landsman
36 Chapter Focus: Chapters 5 & 28,
Walter Krause & Wayne Humphrey
37 Chapter Focus: Chapter 47
Fred Bechetti
39 Chapter News and Views
Join Muskies, Inc. ...
or give a membership
as a gift.
Features
14Tackle Box Treasures from 1900-1959:
A Muskie Angler’s Perspective, Kevin Richards
24The Ones That Get Away, Mark Bromann
29Honoring Our Treaty Rights:
Muskie Spearing Tournaments, Patricia Strutz
34Resource vs. Fishery, Adam Glickman
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MAIL TO MUSKIES, INC. 1509 Stahl Road
Sheboygan, WI 53081
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www.muskiesinc.org
January / February 2014.....MUSKIE 1
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
President, Jay Zahn
Phone: 920-660-7655
Email: [email protected]
VP Finance/Treasurer, Jim Shannon
Phone: 763-434-9729
VP Fisheries & Research, Elmer Heyob
Phone: 937-309-5359
VP Internal Affairs, Dan Koniewicz
Phone: 847-682-9238
VP Membership & Marketing, Greg Wells
Phone: 920-457-3720
VP Communications, Ron Teschner
Phone: 701-640-0544
VP Youth Activities, Kevin Bushnick
Phone: 847-987-3622
The President’s Message
Corporate Secretary, Lorin Nevling
Phone: 217-762-8070
Past-President, Dan Narsete
Senior Regional Representatives are also
Executive Committee Members
Regional Representatives
Region 1
Term Expires
*Greg Kvale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013
Eric Schultz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014
Jeff Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
Region 2
*Joseph Heil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014
Jeff Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
Robert Petzke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016
Region 3
*Max Machuta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013
Jim Evers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014
Robert Roe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
Region 4
*Kimberly Cates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014
Earle Hammond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015
Frank Walter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016
* = 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
2 MUSKIE.....January / February 2014
by Jay Zahn, Muskies, Inc. President
S
how season is upon us. Time to make the treks to Chicago, Milwaukee, Minnesota,
Ohio, and Pennsylvania to see what is new, renew old acquaintances, make new
friends or buy that one special lure that is going to make all the difference in 2014.
This issue highlights the show schedule and gets everyone thinking about the shows, but I
have done this letter before. I would like to talk about something else that comes up with
the New Year’s fundraising banquets.
Most of our chapters run a winter or spring fundraiser. The banquets are a great way
to make money for the various projects each chapter may fund. I know for the volunteers
running these fundraisers I’m preaching to the choir, but there are many new members in
Muskies, Inc. I would like to take some time and relay to them just how important banquets are. The banquets are the life blood which allows us to do the things locally that each
individual chapter deems important enough to lend a helping hand. This could be a stocking program, river or lake clean-ups, youth events and so forth. Without banquets or some
other funding program, it is hard to be anything other than a fishing club. There is nothing
wrong with this, but in order to be taken seriously, our chapters want to support local projects and that requires funds.
A fundraising banquet could be held many ways. I would like to highlight a couple of
chapters. Their banquets are totally different, but in the end have the same results, success!
The Between the Lakes Chapter of MI located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, holds their
annual fundraiser in April. Between the Lakes gets the whole community involved by seeking donations or reduced buying opportunities. They have table raffles and many door
prizes that keep the people coming back year after year. Their banquet committee works
year round making sure they will put on a quality fundraiser.
The other chapter I would like to talk about takes a different approach. Although they
have raffles, they also incorporate a speaker for the evening. The Northwood’s chapter,
located in the Minoqua, WI area, is one of our newer chapters. They held their opening
fundraiser just this way and it was very successful. You do have the cost of the speaker, but
many times they give reduced rates because they know that a Muskies, Inc. chapter is going
to use the money to everyone’s benefit. It’s a different approach, but I guess what I am
trying to say is that there’s no wrong way to run a fundraiser. It’s important, as a member
of your chapter, that you attend these functions and show your support. Also, if you get
the chance to become a part of your chapter fundraisers, do it. It is a great way to meet
everyone in the chapter and also makes it stronger. The more volunteers, the better the
MUSKIE Magazine Staff
Editor
Amy Penza
Phone: (715) 213-7206
About the COVER
ADVERTISING SALES TEAM
Kevin Richards, Advertising Manager
Phone: (573) 280-2300
Advertising Sales Representatives:
Terri & Harlan Fierstine
Phone: (218) 252-0947 or (218) 255-3461
Kevin Pischke
Phone: (920) 676-7893
LUNGE LOG EDITOR
Members Only Fishing Contest
Jim Bunch
Phone: (715) 226-0295
PRINTING Account Manager
Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - Stacey Thielen
IllustratorS/CartoonistS
Richard Gross, Charles Weiss
CHICAGO MUSKIE SHOW TRI-ESOX PRODUCTIONS . . . . . . . . 10
FISHING WITH JOE BUCHER (TV) . . . . 17
MILWAUKEE MUSKIE EXPO . . . . . . . . . 33
MINNESOTA MUSKIE EXPO . . . . . . . . . 25
MUSKIE MAYHEM TACKLE . . . . . . . . . . 26
WEST PENNSYLVANIA
MUSKIE MAX EXPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
RED WING LODGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
FITTANTE REPLICAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ROCKFORD ILLINOIS
FISHING EXPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
JOE BUCHER OUTDOORS . . . . . . . . . . 19
ST. CROIX RODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC
LAKEWOOD PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SPORT SHOW LOCATOR . . . . . . . . . . . 22
LURE PARTS ONLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
T’S TACKLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
M.I. CALENDAR 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
WISCONSIN MUSKY EXPO . . . . . . . . . . 49
M.I. COMMEMORATIVE LURE 2012 . . . 22
YOUNG’S WILDERNESS CAMP . . . . . . 29
www.muskiesinc.org
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. Web
site.
ADVERTISERS
CHARLES WEISS STUDIOS HAND-CARVED WOOD REPLICAS . . 21
M.I. YEAR END 2013 FUNDRAISER . . . 31
OF
CHAOS TACKLE & ESOX ASSAULT . . . 23
CHAPTER 8 CAPITAL CITY
ADVANCED & INTERMEDIATE
MUSKIE SCHOOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
INDEX
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
MUSKIE is published exclusively for the membership of Muskies, Inc. and subscriptions come with
a paid membership. Muskies, Inc. is a non-profit
organization. Membership classes and associated
annual dues are listed on the form at the bottom
of page one. 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.
◆
FIELD EDITORS
Patricia Strutz, Ace Sommerfeld,
Kevin Pischke, Kevin Richards, Rick Helm,
Adam M. Glickman, David Cates
W
NE
COVER
Magazine Design
Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - John Windschitl
THE
NEW
ABOUT
PHOTO CONTEST EDITOR
Brad Waldera
Phone: (701) 642-1952
◆
Neil Lorenz’s wife, Kay, took this image from a
dock on Boot Lake, Wisconsin in August. The
image captures two participants fishing the
Wisconsin Muskie Alliance tournament in Eagle
River, Wisconsin. Neil said, “The fog and the bull
rushes in the morning sun almost make it look as
though the lake is on fire!” I concur with his
thoughts and give you this image to look at in
hopes of bringing you some warmth, even if only
imagined, this winter.
If you think you have an image worthy of being
showcased on the cover, please send it to me
([email protected])! Vertically oriented shots are preferable, but I will consider horizontal images, too.
Sean v
MESSAGE
ASSISTANT Editor
Sean Landsman
Phone: (217) 649-4449
PRESIDENT’S
event will be.
In closing, I hope the New Year brings a lot of great muskie memories for everyone.
Remember to take a kid fishing anytime you get a chance; our future depends on us. Attend
and participate in your chapter fundraisers. Until next time…
Grab em’ by the tail, Jay Zahn v
MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS
muskie fishing. I consider both Larry and John as my consultants as
Muskies, Inc. rebuilds its organization with youth and families at the
forefront. It has been said before, and seems rather obvious, but
needs to be stated over and over again, “the youth are the future of
muskie fishing and of the Muskies, Inc. organization.”
Larry Ramsell Receives Muskies, Inc.
Lifetime Achievement Award
About 20 years ago, my first encounter with Larry Ramsell
occurred when he took my brother and me on a guided muskie fishing trip on Lac Courte Oreilles, in Hayward, Wisconsin. After that,
my son Trevor and I began to fish with Larry regularly, mostly on
Moose Lake and in the Hayward Lakes area.
As we began to build and eventually launch our Youth Muskie
Hunt programs in 2009, it was obvious to me that we needed not
only an expert fisherman to help guide our groups, but also someone
who had experience dealing with kids. Not all guides are created
equal and it was critical that we engaged an individual who had the
right temperament for youth fishing and even some beginners.
Having fished with Larry and my own son over the years, it was
clear to me that Larry
would be the perfect fit
as our Master Guide for
our Youth Muskie Hunt
programs.
Larry’s
knowledge about fishing is world-class, but
his knowledge of the
history of the sport and
overall fishery, brings it
all together for the families. This makes it an
Larry guiding three young girls,
complete with tangled lines
educational experience;
not just a fish catching event.
Larry has been there involved with our Youth Muskie Hunt
program since it began in 2009 and hasn’t missed a year yet. In fact,
because of the number of kids and parents wanting to participate in
the event, we had to break this program into multiple events; one in
June and the other in September. We have also enlisted the help of
other professional guides in the area including: John Myhre, a professional guide and radio show host, and this year, Daryl Neibauer,
another highly sought after guide in the Hayward Lakes area. All of
these men are true professionals and continue
to deliver a “Muskie
Catching” experience for
all of the kids.
Both Larry Ramsell
and John Myhre were
honored this September
with the Lifetime
Achievement Awards for
their lifetime of work in
fishing and educating
people about the environment and specifically,
Larry receiving the award
Dear Larry,
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors for Muskies, Inc., I want
to thank you for supporting MI’s Youth Muskie Hunt since we started
doing these events back in 2009.
Each year, I watch as the kids seek me out with their own brand of
sales campaign to convince me to put them not in my boat, but in YOUR
boat. These kids are smarter than we give them credit for; they obviously
know what boat produces the muskies!
Larry, I cannot thank you enough for being a part of these events.
Your hard work from early in the morning through the evening hours,
rain or shine, has convinced me of the importance these programs are to
you. I have also noticed over the years your attention to making sure “no
child is left behind” when it comes to catching this incredible fish, which
has given all of us so much.
As was stated on the award presented to you, “It is an honor to present you with this Lifetime Achievement Award for your extraordinary
work over many years of educating our youth about the environment
through the sport of muskie fishing. Your willingness to share knowledge,
coupled with your kindheartedness, is recognized and appreciated by the
children and their families. Thank you so much for your contribution to
this educational endeavor.”
Sincerely,
Kevin L. Bushnick
Founder of Youth Conservation Alliance
National Youth Fishing Director, Muskies, Inc.
Larry’s Response
Kevin Bushnik personifies what Muskies, Inc. is all about and
should be lauded for his work with the MI kids. As he noted, they
are the future of the sport and Muskies, Inc. My part in the kids outing is miniscule compared to his, as well as, Mystic Moose Lodge
owner, Jim Onerheim’s. I have long enjoyed helping others catch
muskies and “first muskies” are a particular joy. This fall I believe
there were 14 boys and girls that got their first muskies, three of them
were caught out of my boat.
One of the most amazing things for me over the past five years
and six outings, has been the quality of kids and their ability to cast
and learn; little pro’s in the making! I’d put many of them up against
the sport’s Top Guns. In fact,
the girls have been even more
amazing and some have more
“staying power” than the boys;
sorry boys. They are always a
joy to have in my boat and
several of them have caught
multiple muskies.
In the fall of 2012, I had
a young gal named Becca and
her dad; she hooked a very
large muskie for Moose Lake.
She played it like a champ,
while I blew the net job. Just Two of Larry’s biggest fans, Becca
as the fish got boat side, a gust and Virginia (pictured), both caught
their first muskie this year thanks
of wind blew the boat over the
to Larry.
FUTURES COMMITTEE
Earlier this year, the Executive Committee abolished the
Strategic Planning Committee and refocused the mission on a new
committee, the Futures Committee. In order to emphasize the
importance I give to the Committee, and the role it can play in the
future of the organization, I have elected to serve as Chairman.
The Committee’s mission is, “To develop recommendations for
the Board (or Executive Committee), to improve the corporation’s
management, and/or improve the ability to deliver critical services in
the furtherance of the mission.”
Committee members are as follows:
Lee Bertolini- President of Chapter 8- [email protected]
David Cates - Past President of Muskies, Inc. [email protected]
Greg Kvale - SRR, Region 1 - [email protected]
Frank Walter - RR, Region 4 - [email protected]
In addition, I have appointed three
Advisors to the Committee. They are
listed as follows:
Henry Hempe – Parliamentarian
Lorin Nevling - Corporate Secretary
Jeff Young - RR, Region 3
If anyone has any suggestions for
improving the performance of Muskies,
Inc., please forward them to one of the
Committee members listed above.
Jay Zahn, President
October 30, 2013
Keyes Outdoors is on a
NEW National Network
Hello everyone from all of us at Keyes Outdoors. As we get
ready to put our muskie gear away and start the upcoming show
season, we would like to invite you to join us for 13 new adventures.
Keyes Outdoors will be airing on the Discovery Channels NEW
National Network, Destination America at 7:30 a.m. CST, Thursday
mornings, starting January 2nd, 2014. Fox Sports North will also be
airing Keyes Outdoors at 9:30 a.m. CST, Sunday mornings, starting
January 5th, 2014.
We would also like to welcome you to our YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/user/keyesoutdoors. Once you subscribe to our
channel, you’ll have access to all of our shows past and present and
you will be informed via email when we post new shows. Be sure to
watch our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/keyes.outdoors, for
upcoming events and chances to win free gear and trips. You can also
check us out on our website, www.keyesoutdoors.com, and get direct
links to the sites below.
Thank you all for your support,
Keyes Outdoors, Dave Brown
New Member ID Cards
As of January 1st, 2014,
Muskies, Inc. will no longer be
printing member ID cards and
mailing to our members. This can
now be done at any time on line.
All you have to do it sign in and go
to user profile, the print ID card
option is on this page in the upper
right of the screen. Family heads
have the option to print all family
members. If members do not have print
options available, cards can be
requested from the Secretary, Ellen
Wells, by contacting her at [email protected] or calling with
member id number and ID request to
(888) 710-8286. Only those requesting will be printed and mailed in this
fashion.
“...build better baits...”
Lunge Log Print Option
Initiated
We would like you all to know that
you now have the option, as a member, to
create a PDF for any fish that you’ve ever
entered. Select the ‘P’ next to the fish number on the ‘My Fish List’ page. You may also
select the check box on the ‘Lunge Log
Entry’ page prior to selecting the submit
button. This will also generate a PDF but
without the approval date on it.
Lure Parts Online, Inc., 580 North Street, Springfield, IL 62704
www.muskiesinc.org
January / February 2014...MUSKIE 5
MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS
top of it and it pulled free. She handled the loss quietly and never
said a word. I can’t say the same for myself. I felt so bad because it
definitely would have put her in the trophy category; this kept me
awake most of that night. Around three in the morning, I arose, went
downstairs, and searched around until
I found an appropriate trophy. I presented it to her at the Awards Ceremony
as an Achievement and Sportsmanship
Award. She deserved it on both
accounts!
I look forward to Muskies, Inc.
continuing down this path long after I
am able to participate. The sport is in
good hands!
Muskie regards, Larry Ramsell,
Past President
◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log
Lunge Log
g
nge L
u
L
e
o
h
t
by
Ji m b u n c h
girth. If you have a doubt about the girth, look it up on the internet,
it’s still there! Just type, Dale MacNair, and it’ll come up immediately. Guess what? It’s November (as of this writing) and they were in
the same place with a 14 inch Jake when Julie caught a muskie of the
same length. Its girth was a mere 28 inches. That puts it just over 55
pounds! Does a muskie really get any bigger, maybe not? Julie’s
muskie came out of 70 feet of water with 140 feet of line out. It was
6 p.m. which makes it pitch dark. This was a total commitment.
Now, my headline states the 2nd largest ever by a woman, which
is true. Back in early July of 2005, none other than Linda Rice of Lac
Seul, who owns a resort, landed the largest muskie by a woman at 57
x 28.5. Naturally, both being Muskies, Inc. members, both were
released. If you want something to shoot at, here you go.
Largest Release by a Woman, Almost!!!
I had a call the other day from Dale MacNair. If you don’t know
him, well I think you should. He released the fattest muskie I have
ever seen, just a few years ago. His girlfriend is Julie Cashaback and
they live in Ottawa. If he is in a boat, so is she. Back in November
2008, Dale caught his huge 57 inch muskie which had a 33 inch
Dale MacNair of Ottawa, Ontario bends over the gunwale of his
Lund to release girlfriend Julie Cashaback’s gigantic 57 x 28
inch muskie near the famous “40 Acre Shoal” on the St.
Lawrence River. The fish hit a trolled 14 inch Jake. Big fish
are no stranger to Dale’s boat; in 2008 he released a 57 x 33
inch fish also from the St. Lawrence River.
Another Woman Scores Big
Speaking of women, I have a picture of Margaret Pauling holding a 53 inch muskie caught on Lake St. Clair back on September 1st.
Of course it was sent in by Mark Pauling who had as much to do
with the exposure of Lake St. Clair to Muskies, Inc. as anybody. By
the way, Mark leads the Men’s Masters by 650 points with 209 muskies. Margaret is 4th in the Women’s Masters which means she has won
the Women’s before.
Margaret Pauling poses with a thick bodied, big-headed 53 inch
St. Clair muskie that fell to a St. Clair Hound bucktail.
Womens Top 25 for 2013
Member Name
Julie Cashaback
Carol Heath
Rosemary Owen
Margaret Pauling
Deborah S. Crossley-Davis
Silvia Spitzer
Silvia Spitzer
Pattie Miller
Catherine Latoza
Nikki Aronson
Mary Pokora
Nancy Hinkforth
Loretta Carter
Silvia Spitzer
Diana Nuyttens
Sandy Petrozzi
Silvia Spitzer
Catherine Latoza
Libby Hoene
Sharon Potvin
Carol l Nixon
Lynne M Dembiec
Rachel Sennett
Rosemary Owen
Chapter Length
Caught
Lake
57
57.00 11/ 16/2013 St. Lawrence River
1
54.00 09/ 29/2013 Mille Lacs
12
54.00 10/ 02/2013 Green Bay
41
53.00 09/ 01/2013 Lake St. Clair
19
52.50 06/ 20/2013 Lake St. Clair
50
52.00 08/ 21/2013 Rowan
50
52.00 09/ 10/2013 Rowan
12
51.00 08/ 10/2013 Lake Of The Woods
39
51.00 08/ 19/2013 Lake St. Clair
15
50.25 07/ 24/2013 Vermilion
35
50.25 09/ 08/2013 Eagle Lake
35
50.25 09/ 25/2013 Green Bay
6
50
50.00 07/ 07/2013 Rowan
14
18
50.00 08/ 11/2013 Lake St. Clair
50
50.00 08/ 22/2013 Rowan
39
1
49.87 08/ 03/2013 Minnetonka
41
49.75 06/ 22/2013 Lake St. Clair
39
35
49.50 10/ 29/2013 North West Angle
19
49.00 06/ 30/2013 Lake St. Clair
13
12
49.00 09/ 14/2013 Green Bay
County
Ontario
Mille Lacs
Brown
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
St. Louis
Ontario
Brown
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Hennepin
Ontario
Ontario
Lake of the Woods
Ontario
Ontario
Oconto
State
ON
MN
WI
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
MN
ON
WI
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
MN
ON
ON
MN
ON
ON
WI
Lure
Jake
Super Shad Rap
Jr Cowgirl/Double Cowgirl
St Claire Hound
Ziggy
Homemade Bucktail
Homemade Bucktail
Beast Teaser
Homemade Bucktail
Pacemaker
Homemade Bucktail
Shad Rap
Baby Shallow Raider
Cowgirl/Double Cowgirl
Essox Assult
Tuff Shad
Homemade Bucktail
Grandma Crank
Grandma Crank
Boss Shad
DC-10
Jake
Tuff Shad
Spanky Fireball
Mark said, “I would like to
get a better picture as it was such
a pretty and clean fish. Margaret
caught it on a St. Clair Hound
Bucktail. The fish was an absolute
beast, big head, big girth, and it
was very healthy looking. These
St. Clair fish are so healthy and
fat now; it’s scary to think what
the upper limits of their length
and weight will be. I sure would
like to visit this fish in a few years.
It was probably the heaviest fish
we have had in the boat.”
Dan Moats caught a big
muskie, I mean a really big
muskie, and of course he should.
He is the president of Grandma
Lures and Spanky Baits. He said,
“I was fishing with Tony
Hernandez of Milwaukee and
Mens Top 25 for 2013
Patrick Briere of Ontario on the St. Lawrence. Patrick was trying to
explain that the Spanky Shocker, with double 12 blades, was the
golden bait. I was trying to prove him wrong with double 10 blades.
Patrick ended up boating a 55 inch first thing that morning and he
was grinning from ear to ear. An hour later I boated a 56 incher and
I was grinning even bigger! The fish ate two cranks into a bomb cast
with the wind. We were over 45 feet of water and she stayed deep for
a while. The first time she came up, Pat and Tony went nuts! My
adrenaline went off the charts; I just didn’t want to lose her. When
she hit the net I about collapsed. It seemed like a five minute fight,
but it was probably more like two. Thanks to my team, so many
things needed to go right to be in a photo with a fish like this!”
One Happy Muskie Hunter,
Jeff Gayhart (told by Jeff himself)
I caught her on our annual fall
houseboat trip to Lac Seul Floating
Lodges in Hudson, ON. In attendance
were Jeff G., Jack P., Gene S., and Harv
G., Marc C., and Lee B. Six muskies were
Jeff Gayhart straining to hold a potbellied 56 inch muskie caught during a
fall houseboat trip to Lac Seul.
County
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
Aitkin
Ontario
Mille Lacs
Ontario
Vilas
Becker
Beltrami
Macomb
Ontario
Quebec
Beltrami
Aitkin
St. Louis
Mille Lacs
Becker
Aitkin
Mille Lacs
Brown
Hennepin
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario
State
ON
ON
ON
MN
ON
MN
ON
WI
MN
MN
MI
ON
QB
MN
MN
MN
MN
MN
MN
MN
WI
MN
ON
ON
ON
Lure
Grandma Crank
Spanky Fireball
Wiley Crank
Bull Dawg Jerk
Grandma Crank
Alley Cat
Homemade Jerk
Live Bait
Surface
Medussa
Boss Shad
Amma Bamma
Mepps
Weagle
Bull Dawg Jerk
Fuzzy's Clip & Go
Ty-Jack
Jackpot
Fish Stick
Phantom Jerk Bait
Baker
Homemade Bucktail
caught during the trip and I was lucky enough to catch three of them
(41 inch, 45 inch and a 56 inch). Gene caught two, a 42 and a 45
inch. Mark caught one which was a 52.5 inch. It was a cloudy day,
slight wind; I started trolling a walleye colored crank bait for two
hours. Then I decided to change to a brighter color and within an
hour, she hit!
I was trolling around a rocky point in 17 feet coming up to 12
feet, when my 56 inch hit. She ripped a little line out then rolled on
top; I thought it was another pike. I slowly cranked the line in as she
would let me; it was like a dog on a leash. She came in so easy, I
thought she would go nuts at the boat, but she went right into the
net. I used my boga grip to raise her out of the net. As I raised her up
I saw the second part of the lure lying across her mouth with one hook
of the treble lying across her mouth. I put her back into the net to
recoup. When I pulled her out, Jack said she just kept coming and
(Continued on page 8)
Hybrid Top 25 for 2013
Member Name
Jeffrey D Iden
Douglas Wood
Michael Floyd
Ed Walzer
Matt Pelletier
Patrick Thiry
Ace Sommerfeld
David Dana
David Dana
Robert M Weeks
Jeff Newman
Michael Floyd
Chris Nordquist
Ed Hoyle
Ken Jacobsohn
Joey Pribyl-Shay
John Maslowski
Douglas Wood
John Cuta
Douglas Wood
Phil Larson
Chris Nordquist
Bryan Foerst
Jeff Newman
Michael Floyd
www.muskiesinc.org
Chapter
49
60
57
57
59
21
6
60
60
61
60
57
59
60
35
3
21
60
8
60
60
59
8
60
57
Length
49.00
48.75
48.50
48.25
48.00
48.00
47.50
47.00
47.00
47.00
47.00
47.00
47.00
46.50
46.50
46.00
46.00
46.00
46.00
45.75
45.50
45.00
45.00
45.00
45.00
Caught
07/ 11/2013
10/ 05/2013
09/ 14/2013
07/ 06/2013
06/ 13/2013
09/ 09/2013
07/ 24/2013
05/ 13/2013
05/ 14/2013
06/ 29/2013
08/ 17/2013
09/ 20/2013
10/ 20/2013
08/ 26/2013
08/ 31/2013
07/ 26/2013
08/ 11/2013
08/ 18/2013
10/ 11/2013
10/ 04/2013
08/ 23/2013
05/ 18/2013
07/ 02/2013
08/ 15/2013
08/ 30/2013
Lake
Lake St. Clair
Curlew
Merwin
Merwin
Bluewater Lake
Leech Lake
Eau Claire River
Silver Lake
Silver Lake
Mayfield Lake
Curlew
Lake Tapps
Bluewater Lake
Curlew
South Turtle
Bladder Lake
Plantagenet
Curlew
South Turtle
Curlew
Curlew
Bluewater Lake
Waubesa
Curlew
Merwin
County
Ontario
Ferry
Cowlitz
Cowlitz
Cibola
Cass
Eau Claire
Spokane
Spokane
Lewis
Ferry
Pierce
Cibola
Ferry
Vilas
Ontario
Hubbard
Ferry
Vilas
Ferry
Ferry
Cibola
Dane
Ferry
Cowlitz
State
ON
WA
WA
WA
NM
MN
WI
WA
WA
WA
WA
WA
NM
WA
WI
ON
MN
WA
WI
WA
WA
NM
WI
WA
WA
Lure
Artifact
Bull Dawg Jig
Homemade Bucktail
Homemade Fly
Glider
Creeper
Homemade Fly
Fly
Jerko
Homemade Bucktail
Cisco Kid
Mepps Musky Marabou
Slopmaster
Bucher Babytail
Rubber Dubber
Mepps Musky Marabou
Medussa
Bull Dawg Jig
Spro BBz 1 Jr
Leo-Lure Jerk
Showgirl
Homemade Bucktail
FishID Chapter Length
Caught
Lake
333681
31
337455
8
343229
32
56.00 10/ 10/2013 Lac Seul
343814
21
56.00 10/ 27/2013 Mille Lacs
343279
31
343811
21
55.50 07/ 18/2013 Mille Lacs
336523
41
55.00 07/ 18/2013 Lake St. Clair
337411
61
54.75 06/ 20/2013 South Twin
344796
26
54.75 11/ 02/2013 Big Detroit
338155
46
54.50 08/ 04/2013 Cass
342825
23
54.50 09/ 26/2013 Lake St. Clair
333718
41
54.25 06/ 23/2013 Lake St. Clair
335484
39
54.00 06/ 28/2013 Ottawa River
340964
24
54.00 08/ 10/2013 Bemidji
343812
21
54.00 08/ 21/2013 Mille Lacs
342632
39
54.00 10/ 02/2013 Vermilion
344478
61
54.00 11/ 04/2013 Mille Lacs
344811
26
54.00 11/ 04/2013 Big Detroit
332705
26
53.75 06/ 01/2013 Mille Lacs
332847
32
53.75 06/ 01/2013 Mille Lacs
332527
3
53.50 05/ 25/2013 Green Bay
332964
1
53.50 06/ 06/2013 Minnetonka
337102
16
53.50 06/ 28/2013 Lake St. Clair
335125
39
336805
5
53.50 07/ 19/2013 Lake St. Clair
Lunge Log
Dan Moats (Chapter 8) holding a
massive 56 inch St. Lawrence River
muskie caught on a Spanky Shocker
with #10 blades. They also caught a
55 inch fish first thing that morning!
Member Name
Reed Findlan
Dan Moats
Jeff Gayhart
Jason Hamernick
Reed Findlan
Jason Hamernick
Steve Ault
Al Trzebiatowski
Joseph Vanden Elzen
Robert Yuretich
Jason Basic
Elmer W Heyob Jr
Richard K Wren
Damien Williams
Jason Hamernick
Brendon Newell
John Bennett
Joseph Vanden Elzen
Todd Radtke
Jerry Oestreich
Frank Loye
Roger Broadbent
Matthew Fetzko
Klaus Trieb
Wayne Humphrey
Lunge Log
LUNGE LOG (Continued from page 7)
Mens Division for 2013
coming (talking about length). At 56 inches she had a 27 inch
girth. It was a fish of two life times. I figured this was my 13th
year up to Lac Seul and over 3,000 miles of trolling. It has cost
me a total of $14,000, but it’s worth every penny; thank you
Bertha. Never in my wildest dreams did I figure this would ever
happen to me.
Steve Ault caught a 55 incher
with a bad shoulder!
Steve caught his 55 incher in July of 2013 when he was on a
three day trip with a friend to Lake St. Clair. It was the first fish
of the trip and he caught it on a five inch Alley Cat, that a friend
of his makes and who is also a member of Chapter 41, Cliff
Honeycutt.
Prior to the trip Steve had an MRI on his shoulder that
revealed two partial torn tendons. While fighting the fish it turns
out he tore one straight through and because of this he could not
hold the fish horizontal to get the proper holding technique.
Jim Bunch
The Lunge Log v
Wayne Farmer (Chapter 21) with one of two 52 inch
muskies caught only one hour apart trolling on the north
end of Mille Lacs.
DonationS
Special thanks to these members
and supporters for their recent
donations to Muskies, Inc:
Paul Buckner
Michael Reese
Gary Vanderhyde
James Redeske
Michael Place
Rock Ripley
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
Member Name
Chris Mahan
George Weber
Shawn Arndt
Michael Floyd
Dale Junk
William Lambert
Andy P Schutz
Corey Pettis
John Ryhal
Douglas Grahl
Harold Hall
Mark Swanson
Matt Brinkman
Jeremy Van Ert
Leif Spilde
Brett Olson
David Van Doorn
Joey White
Sam R Butler
Frank Alcorn
Charles R Carpenter
Chuck Harmon
George Smart
Jared Adamovich
John Ringenbach
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
Member Name
Mark Pauling
Jeff M. Hanson
J. Dean Davis
Bruce A Ludke
David White
Maurice J Potvin
Mike Koepp
Charles Schauer
Adam Andresky
Rusty Welker
John Cade
Bill Andresky
Denny Latoza
Dale Wiley
Bob D Marshall
Joe Hardy
Bill Schultz Jr
Ed Fetzko
Marc Grattan
Clyde M Anderson
Will Hardy
Jeff Miller
Steve Russell
Elmer W Heyob Jr
William Jacobs
Chap
47
56
41
57
47
41
8
30
16
41
6
21
26
4
8
6
39
52
16
16
9
19
41
12
19
City
Warren
Kettering
Elmore
Auburn
Detroit
Orient
McFarland
Ettrick
Edinburg
Clyde
Cornell
New Richmond
Wisconsin Rapids
Clintonville
Brooklyn
Altoona
Carpentersville
Rush
New Matamoras
Mt Jewett
Harrisville
Akron
Marysville
Eagle River
Lakewood
State
MI
OH
OH
WA
MI
OH
WI
WI
PA
OH
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
IL
KY
OH
PA
WV
OH
OH
WI
OH
Muskies
112
87
91
79
61
68
66
83
68
65
67
58
56
42
46
59
49
47
54
57
46
51
44
48
43
Points
1,648
1,100
1,077
929
821
806
801
800
795
729
692
667
641
630
615
584
582
572
570
567
566
557
557
557
556
Ave Length
41
39
38
38
39
38
38
36
38
37
36
37
37
41
39
36
38
38
37
36
38
37
38
37
39
Points
2,654
1,999
1,871
1,616
1,240
1,210
1,034
1,021
973
948
934
921
910
910
897
894
874
707
692
686
684
570
562
537
536
Ave Length
39
39
36
42
38
37
38
43
37
36
38
37
38
38
37
34
37
37
37
35
34
40
37
38
38
Mens Masters Division for 2013
Member Name
Allison Klug
Jesse Karau
Kendall Hill
Kendall Hill
Noah Jacobson
Tripp Soma
Kendall Hill
Allison Klug
Kendall Hill
Kendall Hill
Kendall Hill
Ben Ramsey
Jesse Karau
Matt Wimmers
Cade Busche
Hunter Mathison
Kendall Hill
Tripp Soma
Tripp Soma
Meredith Jacobson
Kendall Hill
Kendall Hill
Charles Neville
Allison Klug
Grayson Anderson
Chapter
9
12
33
33
21
8
33
9
33
33
33
16
12
45
33
12
33
8
8
21
33
33
41
9
38
Length
53.00
52.50
50.75
50.50
50.00
50.00
49.00
48.00
48.00
47.75
47.75
47.00
47.00
47.00
47.00
46.25
46.00
46.00
46.00
46.00
46.00
45.50
45.50
45.00
45.00
Chap
41
8
19
12
18
41
35
12
16
42
9
16
39
16
19
2
19
16
45
41
2
12
18
41
12
City
Fremont
Verona
Coshocton
Wrightstown
Moundsville
Baltimore
Pewaukee
Wisconsin Rapids
Gibsonia
Kokomo
Clarington
Pittsburgh
Burbank
Ellwood City
Bowerston
Carlos
Bolivar
Jefferson Hills
Southgate
Plain City
Alexandria
Eagle River
Milan
Marysville
Eagle River
State
OH
WI
OH
WI
WV
OH
WI
WI
PA
IN
OH
PA
IL
PA
OH
MN
OH
PA
KY
OH
MN
WI
OH
OH
WI
JuniorsTop
Top 25
25 for
Juniors
for2013
2013
Caught
06/ 26/2013
08/ 29/2013
07/ 20/2013
10/ 06/2013
07/ 25/2013
07/ 28/2013
10/ 27/2013
05/ 03/2013
06/ 17/2013
07/ 26/2013
08/ 01/2013
07/ 06/2013
08/ 26/2013
09/ 14/2013
09/ 22/2013
07/ 24/2013
07/ 01/2013
07/ 03/2013
07/ 29/2013
08/ 07/2013
09/ 22/2013
09/ 15/2013
10/ 12/2013
07/ 15/2013
07/ 17/2013
Lake
Stonewall Jackson Lake
Pipestone
Island
Island
Lake Of The Woods
Waubesa
Island
Mid. Island Creek
Cloquet River
Cloquet River
Island
Lower Buckhorn
Pipestone
Green River Lake
Nemadji River
Kentuck
Island
Waubesa
Waubesa
Mille Lacs
Big Fork
Island
Piedmont
Piedmont Lake
Kishkutena Lake
Muskies
209
157
176
103
101
112
88
60
91
90
81
84
75
79
85
111
79
65
64
73
87
40
50
45
43
County
Lewis
Ontario
St. Louis
St. Louis
Ontario
Dane
St. Louis
Tyler
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
Ontario
Ontario
Adair
Douglas
Vilas
St. Louis
Dane
Dane
Mille Lacs
Koochiching
St. Louis
Belmont
Guernsey
Ontario
State
WV
ON
MN
MN
ON
WI
MN
WV
MN
MN
MN
ON
ON
KY
WI
WI
MN
WI
WI
MN
MN
MN
OH
OH
ON
Lure
Crane Bait
Medussa
Crank Bait
Crank Bait
Hellhound
Crank Bait
Crank Bait
Jig
Crank Bait
Surface
Wiley Crank
Secrettail
Dick
Grandma Crank
Shallow Raider
Crank Bait
Suick
Hellhound
Hawg Wobbler
Buck Tail
Buck Tail
Alley Cat
Homemade Crank Bait
Storm Giant Flatstick
Womens Division for 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Member Name
Catherine Latoza
Mary N. Arndt
Margaret Pauling
Silvia Spitzer
Lynne M Dembiec
Sharon Potvin
Sheila McCord
Cindy Hegdahl
Mary Hoernecke
Ruth Anderson
Nancy Hinkforth
Libby Hoene
Sonya Anderson
Michelle King
Barbara Clemente
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
Member Name
Kendall Hill
Allison Klug
Madeline Frustereo
Ryan Sailer
Charles Neville
Jesse Karau
Levi Metheny
Lydia Klug
Seth Niday
Bailey Brewer
Richard Marnic
Kendra Hardy
Tripp Soma
Luke VanGorder
Travis L Pettis
Grayson Anderson
Meredith Jacobson
Max Lehman
Matt Wimmers
Cade Busche
William Neville
Ben Ramsey
Brendan Brill
Kyle Williamson
Hunter Mathison
City
Wintersville
Upland
Hayward
Frankfort
Jefferson Hills
Norton
Rockford
Green Bay
Eagle River
Menomonee Falls
Hopedale
Harrisville
Lake Nebagamon
Couderay
Antioch
Salem
Hugo
OFallon
Princeton
Hayward
Iola
Fall Creek
Ettrick
Summerville
Crystal Lake
State
OH
IN
WI
KY
PA
OH
IL
WI
WI
WI
OH
WV
WI
WI
IL
WV
MN
IL
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
SC
IL
Muskies
20
19
13
12
14
16
9
6
10
7
11
9
9
7
6
9
5
5
6
6
5
3
5
5
3
Points Avg. Length
241
38
237
38
175
39
162
39
150
37
141
35
129
40
125
47
123
38
117
43
106
36
105
38
101
37
86
38
84
40
79
35
74
41
69
40
63
36
60
36
60
38
59
46
59
38
52
36
52
43
Rosemary Owen (Chapter 12)
with a giant 54 inch muskie
from Green Bay.
Kendall Hill (Chapter 33) – the current Junior Division
Points Leader – with a dandy 50.75 inch fish caught
trolling a crankbait about 10 feet down.
Womens Masters Division for 2013
Chap
19
39
41
41
50
35
41
9
1
32
2
35
1
38
47
23
City
Coshocton
Burbank
Elmore
Fremont
Chadds Ford
Hartland
Baltimore
Roanoke
Bemidji
Byron
Alexandria
Menomonee Falls
Coon Rapids
Alexandria
Twin Lake
Hubbard
State
OH
IL
OH
OH
PA
WI
OH
WV
MN
IL
MN
WI
MN
MN
MI
OH
Muskies
184
85
83
69
32
23
30
14
11
9
10
4
2
3
3
2
Points
1,907
990
880
757
585
306
298
177
99
94
84
51
44
40
35
14
Ave Length
36
38
36
37
44
39
36
39
35
36
34
39
48
39
38
33
2012 Chapter Challunge Headquarters!
Juniors Division for 2013
Chap
33
9
19
2
41
12
16
9
8
9
16
2
8
41
30
38
21
21
45
33
41
16
24
59
12
City
Duluth
Proctor
Chardon
Rosemount
Summit Station
Mosinee
Bethel Park
Proctor
Oregon
Mount Morris
Butler
Alexandria
McFarland
Delaware
Ettrick
Alexandria
Garrison
Brooklyn Park
Bellevue
Saginaw
Gahanna
Tarentum
Merrifield
Albuquerque
Eagle River
State
MN
WV
OH
MN
OH
WI
PA
WV
WI
PA
PA
MN
WI
OH
WI
MN
MN
MN
KY
MN
OH
PA
MN
NM
WI
www.muskiesinc.org
Muskies
39
42
42
30
12
8
17
11
11
15
10
11
4
7
7
5
5
4
7
5
5
4
3
8
3
Points
560
453
406
235
162
134
119
109
98
90
88
80
74
68
67
66
61
59
59
57
55
54
50
46
46
Ave. Length
40
37
36
34
39
43
33
36
35
32
35
33
45
36
36
39
38
41
34
37
37
40
42
32
41
Over
ies
12,000 Musk
Released
On Sabaskong Bay
Eight-time Muskies, Inc.,
Chapter Challunge Headquarters
1983, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2012
•Ultra-modern one, two, three, or four bedroom cabins
•Housekeeping or camping
•Floating docks, electricity for charging batteries, Lund Boats with swivel
seats and depth finders, Honda motors with electric start
•Dining room with food and liquor available for registered guests only
Call or write for data on musky catches:
1 (888) 488-5601 or (807) 488-5601
Red Wing Lodge, Box 1008, Baudette, MN 56623
The convenience of a drive-in camp with the privacy you would expect on an island.
www.redwinglodge.net
Family owned and operated for 40 years
CHECK OUR WEB SITE FOR THE FIRST LIVE CAM IN MORSON!
◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge
Chapt
18
49
13
52
16
19
32
12
12
35
18
9
46
13
14
9
1
28
12
13
12
6
30
33
39
◆ Lunge Log
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
Member Name
Sandy Petrozzi
Nikki Swain
Rachel Sennett
Vickie Banks
Natalie Fetzko
Gloria A Roberts
Rhonda Thiessen
Rosemary Owen
Pattie Miller
Mary Pokora
Donna Ball
Debbie Bever
Mary Lundberg
Brenda Dettloff
Diana Nuyttens
Darlene Kelley
Linda Knutson
Cheryl Ford
Margie Hollnagel
Tera P Neibauer
Susan Gerds
Loretta Carter
Trina Lapoint
June Decker
Carol l Nixon
h al
t
19 nu
An
JANUARY 10-11-12, 2014
Chicago Mu
Joe Bucher
Jim Saric
Spence Petros
FREE SEMINARS
Time on the Water Outdoors/Skeeter Seminar Hall
Friday, January 10th • Musky Innovations Day
1:00
MIKE HULBERT
Sponsored by Dadson Blade Baits
“Muskie Migrations”
2:30
SPENCER BERMAN
4:00
JOE BUCHER POOLSIDE
Sponsored by Musky Innovations
“Key Factors To Catching Monster Muskies”
Sponsored by Joe Bucher Outdoors
“Strike Triggering Techniques”
5:30
TONY GRANT
Sponsored by Amsoil
“Southern Exposure”
7:00
MIKE MORDAS
Poolside
Demos
Sponsored by Muskie Train
“Get On The Trolling Train”
Saturday, January 11th • Musky Hunter Magazine Day
10:00 STEVE HEITING
Sponsored by St. Croix Rods
“Frontal Assault”
11:30 KIDS CASTING CLINIC Sponsored by Muskies, Inc.
1:15 JIM SARIC Sponsored by Musky Hunter Magazine
“Secrets For The New Musky Era”
3:00
JOE BUCHER Sponsored by Joe Bucher Outdoors
“Retrieve Tricks That Trigger More Strikes”
3:45-5:00 OPEN POOL LURE DEMOS
4:30 SPENCE PETROS Sponsored by Musky Hunter Magazine
“Sifting The Slop For More Muskies”
Sunday, January 12th • Muskies, Inc. Day
10:00 MUSKIES, INC. PANEL
Sponsored by Muskies, Inc.
Featuring Russ Warye, Spence Petros, Larry Ramsell & Jim Saric
“Who Are The Five Greatest Muskie Fishermen Of All Time?”
11:30 OPEN POOL LURE DEMONONSTRATIONS
Sponsored by Thorne Bros. • All attendees invited to participate
1:30
THE MUSKY BROS. Sponsored by Muskies, Inc.
“Muskie Fishing: A Kid’s View”
1:45-3:00 OPEN POOL LURE DEMOS
3:00 JOHNNY DADSON Sponsored by Dadson Blade Baits
“Search For Queenie” / February 2014
10 MUSKIE.....January
Mike Hulbert
The Musky Brothers
Partial Exhibitor List
• Retailers: Thorne Bros., Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, FishTech.
• Publications • Resorts & Guides
• Custom Rod Makers • Taxidermists & Artists
• Boats: Time on the Water Outdoors: Skeeter, Alumacraft & Bass Cat.
Fiberdome: Tuffy Boats. Wauconda Boat: Princecraft, Polarcraft, Mirrocraft.
• Manufacturers: Bait Rigs Tackle Co., Big Bear Products, Big
Game Tackle, Joe Bucher Outdoors, Cortland Line, Dadson Custom Rods,
Custom Lures, Dadson Blade Baits, Drifter Tackle, Donato’s Custom Lures,
Dreamcatcher, Eagle Tail Lures, Esox Research, Frabill, Fudally Tackle,
Frank’s Custom Rods, Glittertail, Grandma Baits, H2O Tackle, Just Encase,
Llungen Lures, Meat & Potatoes Tackle Co., Migizi Rods, Monster Lures,
Musky Armor, Musky Innovations, Musky Mania Tackle, Musky Mayhem
Tackle, Musky Train, Net Holster, Nimmer Swimmer Lures, Phantom Lures,
Red October Baits, RubberHairy Tackle, Shumway Tackle, Slammer Tackle,
Sledgehammer, Smity Baits, Smoker Tackle, Spanky Baits, St. Croix Rods,
Stealth Tackle, Venom Outdoors.
— KIDS EVENTS —
• A special area devoted to kids all weekend long with lots of surprises &
gifts!
• Saturday, 11:30: Kids Casting Clinic at poolside conducted by
Muskies, Inc. members. Youngsters will be taught the basics of casting
and retrieving.
• Sunday, 1:30: The Musky Brothers will speak in the main seminar hall
on “Muskie Fishing: A Kids View.”
FREE DRAWINGS!
Daily Door Prizes for Early Arrivals
Friday: Hourly drawing of Bull Dawgs from Musky Innovations.
Saturday: Free drawing for Musky Hunter jacket.
Sunday: Hourly drawings of Muskies, Inc., memberships & merchandise.
Tackle given away during the Thorne Bros. Open Pool Demonstration at
11:30 a.m.
GRAND PRIZE: Just Encase custom muskie tackle box filled with 40 choice
muskie baits! All paid attendees (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) are eligible.
Winner need not be present.
Many additional prizes donated by exhibitors at the show!
JANUARY 10-11-12, 2014
uskie Show
Friday, January 10 . . . . . . . . . .12 p.m.-9 p.m.
Presented by:
TRI-ESOX PRODUCTIONS
Musky Innovations Day
Saturday, January 11 . . . . . . . . .9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Musky Hunter Magazine Day
Sunday, January 12 . . . . . . . . . . .9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Muskies, Inc. Day
Admission Prices
Daily: $10
and the
Chicagoland Muskie Hunters
& South Side Muskie Hawks
Chapters of Muskies, Inc.
3-Day Pass $20
Children under age 13 FREE
Convenient, Easy-To-Find Location
HARPER COLLEGE
Roselle & Algonquin Roads
Palatine, IL
FREE PARKING!
Over 2,000 FREE Parking Spaces Available!
The Chicago Muskie Show is sponsored by:
www.muskiesinc.org
For show & hotel information, call (360) 738-0900 • www.chicagomuskieshow.com
R
E
B
M
E
M
PHOTOS
Titletown Chapter member, Steve Haas, got his first
50 incher while fishing Green Bay on 9/11/13. Love
the cigar.
Dan Burrow, of the Brainerd Lakes Chapter sent Chapter 15 member, Kris Prestige, caught this
in this photo that was taken on a fishless outing 52.75 inch muskie while prefishing for the Chapter
trolling Mille Lacs. Nice shot.
Challunge. He was using a Top Raider.
Central Wisconsin Chapter member, Chayton Carlson,
caught his first muskie, a 42.5 inch fish. On the left is
Chayton’s cousin, Drake Carlson, who also caught
his first muskie that day.
Michael Floyd, of Chapter 57, is holding his
40 inch muskie. He caught seven muskies
last July while fishing Merwin Lake in
Washington State. Nice job Michael.
John Carlson, of the Central Wisconsin Chapter,
caught this 46x23 in Northern Wisconsin. in October
of 2013. Nice fish John.
Chapter 19 member, Meghan Flecksteiner,
Chapter 33 member, Jon Laney, caught this 40 inch caught this 32 inch muskie from Chemong Lake
muskie on a sucker. Nice fall colors in the in Ontario, and it was her very first one. Nice
background.
work Meghan!
Member Photos Needed!
Chapter 19 member, Cheryl Nickel, is pictured here
with her first muskie ever. This beautiful 37 incher was
caught on Chemong Lake in Ontario.
Please send photos to Photo Contest Editor:
[email protected].
Photo Contest – January/February
by Brad Waldera, Photo Editor • [email protected]
Photo #1
I like this photo
sent in by Thomas Stillo of
Chapter 39. It was taken in
Wisconsin on what looks to be
about a perfect day for early
morning topwater muskie fishing. It’s one of those photos
that just makes you want to BE
THERE! Thanks for sharing it
Thomas, it’s a great shot.
Photo #2
Chapter 33
member, Bob Busche, took this
picture of his grandson Cade
Busche, who is also a member
of Chapter 33, with his personal
best. They were fishing together when Cade hooked into this
47 inch beauty. Catch and
release must be working well,
as I seem to be getting more
personal best photos every
year. Congratulations Cade,
that’s a great catch. v
From the
Photo Editor
We are still getting many
photos submitted that do
not meet the criteria set
by the magazine to be
included in the Photo
Contest or Member
Photos sections. Please
make sure to list your full
name, Chapter, etc. Also,
don’t forget that policy
does not allow for photos
of muskies held vertically
to be printed in Muskie
magazine. Thanks.
Thanks and
good fishing.
www.muskiesinc.org
Tackle Box Treasures from 1900-1959
A Muskie Angler’s Perspective
by Kevin Richards, MUSKIE Field Editor
M
y other obsession, besides fishing, is collecting old fishing
tackle. My two hobbies dovetail perfectly. Muskies have
been my preferred species for over 35 years. Opening an
old tackle box at a garage sale or auction and having an antique
muskie lure pop into view is almost as thrilling to me as having an
unexpected follow at a new fishing spot.
I’d like to share photos and history of some of my favorite old
fishing lures. These baits made from 1900 through about 1959 were
likely finds in the tackle boxes of anglers who pursued muskies.
Some of these baits obviously provided ideas for muskie lures which
are popular today.
Early Wooden Fishing Lure Companies
Prior to 1900 there were very few
commercially-produced wooden fishing lures made and sold in the United
States. Two of the earliest wooden lures
were sold by the Enterprise
Manufacturing Company of Akron,
Ohio (makers of Pflueger Fishing
Tackle). The Flying Helgramite was
invented by Harry Comstock, patented
in 1883 and sold by Pflueger. In 1899
the Enterprise Manufacturing Company
began selling the Trory Minnow; it was
based on a lure designed by Samuel
Friend and Fred Pardee.
F.G. “Bucktail” Worden of South
Bend, Indiana started making bucktail
baits in his kitchen in 1895 or 1896.
By 1900 he was selling wooden minnows, and in 1905 his business was
called the Worden Bucktail Manufacturing Company. In 1909 the
business was sold to investors and renamed the South Bend Bait
Company.
William Shakespeare, Jr. patented the first level-wind fishing reel
which actually worked in 1896. In 1897 he started his fishing tackle
company and in 1901 was granted a patent for his first wooden fishing lure.
In 1897, Charles Harris of Mackinaw, Michigan was granted a
patent for the Harris Floating Cork Frog. The Harris Frog may have
been one of the motivations for some of James Heddon’s earliest
hand-carved baits, which were made for his own fishing.
By the late 1890s James Heddon’s carved baits had proven to be
fish catchers and were sought after by his fishing friends. In 1900
Match the descriptions of each lure to the tackle
box photo above using the codes in this key.
James Heddon and his son, Will, started the James Heddon & Son
Company. In 1901 they offered their first commercially available
plugs and in 1902 they received their first patent.
The period from 1900 to 1930 must have been an exciting time
for the growing number of avid sport fishing anglers looking for new
wooden fishing lures. The fishing tackle industry was growing rapidly with many new tackle companies starting operations. The four
largest early companies were expanding their product lines.
od. The 300 in the photo is one of the oldest versions; note the three
long red hand-painted gill marks below the eye. This was one of
Heddon’s lures made with muskies in mind. In fact, in 1925 the
name was changed to the Musky Minnow; later it was changed again
to the Musky Surfusser. No matter what they called it, it reminds me
of the Cisco Topper and several other modern muskie baits.
Heddon, Pflueger, Shakespeare, South Bend and other
wood lures: 1900-1930 (see key on bottom of page 14)
H10: Heddon Dowagiac Minnow No. 00; 5 treble hooks; c.
1912-1927
These five-sided minnows were real eye-catchers and pretty
The old metal tackle box shown at left contains some of my
favorite lures from this period. Three were specifically designed as
muskie baits; the others were some of the largest and
most popular of this era. By today’s standards these
would all be considered fairly small muskie baits; I’ll
discuss that toward the end of this section. For size
reference there is a silver dollar between lures S and
H11; it was the original price for most of these lures
when new!
H7: Heddon Dowagiac Minnow No. 0; 3 treble hooks; c. 19121927
H1: Heddon Dowagiac Minnow No. 150;
rainbow/5 treble hooks; c. 1908-1910
This lure was often referred to by either its model
number “150” or as a “5-hooker”. The 150 was made
with glass eyes from about 1904 through 1953, but
the hook hangers and spinners on this particular lure
indicate it was made over 100 years ago. Can you
imagine trying to unhook a muskie that had taken
this bait, and all five of its hooks into its mouth? It is
resting on an original Heddon wooden lure box.
These boxes are harder to find than most of the lures
which were sold in them.
H2: Heddon No. 200; red head/white body/3
treble hooks; c. 1915-1925
H3: Heddon No. 200; blue head/white body/2
The Heddon No. 200 series replaced the very
similar Dowagiac Expert or “Slopenose” series in
1912; the Expert was Heddon’s first commercial
lure. The No. 200 was produced through the early
1930s, but the hardware used on both of these lures
indicates they were made between 1915 and 1925.
H4: Heddon Tadpolly No. 6000; green
crackleback/2 double hooks; c. 1920-1929
At 4 5/8 inches the 6000 was the largest of the
Tadpolly series. Heddon made a number of crawdad style baits; this model reminds me of the much
newer Bomber baits.
H5: Heddon Spindiver No. 3000; frogscale/3
With a carved tail and fat 4.5 inch body the
Spindiver was one of the larger Heddon baits of the
period, but still small compared to modern muskie
baits.
H6: Heddon Surface Minnow No. 300; green
crackleback/2 treble hooks; c. 1905-1941
This 4 inch fat bodied surface minnow was
another one of the bigger Heddon baits of this peri-
www.muskiesinc.org
It is Countdown to PRIME MUSKIE SEASON...
Western Pennsylvania MUSKIE MAX
is the event to help you get ready!
PREM
IE
MUSK R
IE
EXPO
Western Pennsylvania
March 8 - 9, 2014
Saturday, March 8: 9 AM - 7 PM  Sunday, March 9: 10 AM - 3 PM
DAYS INN - Rt. 8 (139 Pittsburgh Road) - Butler, Pennsylvania
$8 General Admission ($12 Weekend Pass) 
FREE Admission to Kids 12 and under (accompanied by Paid Adult)
World-Class Muskie Pro BREAK-OUT SESSIONS  FREE Fishing Lure to 1st 50 Kids under age 12 Daily
 Lucky Winners will be randomly drawn for Lodging Packages and a Guided Muskie Trip during the expo! 
For More Information, visit www.muskiemax.com or call Shawn Leopardi @ 724.494.0774.
TACKLE BOX
(Continued from page 15)
good fish catchers! Both baits shown are the “white body, red and
green decorations” pattern.
H8: Heddon Near Surface Wiggler No. 1700; yellow perch;
3 treble hooks; c. 1915-1926.
Anglers and muskies continue to like the yellow perch pattern.
is the more common 3.25 inch size, but the company did make a
limited number of 7.5 inch Musky Charmers.
I: Immell Chippewa Musky Sinker; fancy green back pattern; 3
double hooks; c. 1910-1917
Omer F. Immell of Blair, Wisconsin made six sizes of his unusual Chippewa baits; all sizes are rare, but the larger muskie sizes are the
rarest. This is one of my favorite antique muskie lures.
H9: Heddon Game Fisher No. 5500; blue scale; 3 treble hooks; P: Pflueger Surprise Minnow; luminous with gold spots; 2 treble
c. 1923-1933
hooks; c. 1914-1935
Heddon sold a lot of these baits in many
Fishermen liked this bait and they still like
different colors. This blue scale pattern was one
“These baits made from this style, only larger; just take a look at a Reef
of the rare colors and it is resting on top of the
1900 through about 1959 Hawg, Sledge, or similar modern muskie baits!
box it was sold in, which makes it even more
R: Roberts Mud Puppy; natural pattern; 1
were likely finds in the
collectible. I’ve always loved these baits. They
treble hook; c. 1918 to present
seem like small versions of the Swim-Whizz or
tackle boxes of anglers
This unique muskie bait has withstood
Believer. I’ve landed a muskie on one of these
who
pursued
muskies.
the
test
of time and has inspired many other
90-year old baits; it was up to the task.
spinning-tail
muskie baits. C.C. “Con”
Some of these baits obviH11: Heddon Dummy Double No. 1500;
Roberts started making the Mud Puppy by
ously provided ideas for hand in 1918. In the early 1920s he invented
blended red; 3 dummy double hooks; c.
1913-1916
muskie lures which are
special machinery to increase lure production.
This bait is very similar to the No. 0, but
popular today.”
came equipped with three very odd “Dummy
Double” hooks (note that the
bait in the photo has had the
dummy tail hook replaced
with a treble hook). The
shape of each hook is like the
common double hooks of this
era, but one side of each is a
smooth “dummy” loop. One
1913 advertisement for the
Dummy Double says, in red,
“The Idea Looks Wrong But
It Is The Rightest Thing Ever
Developed
In
Hook
Manufacture” and goes on to
mention that it “makes a miss
practically
impossible”.
Apparently the bait didn’t
hook anglers as well as it
hooked fish; it was discontinued after just four years.
H12: Heddon Crab Wiggler
No. 1800; white body with
red and green spots; 2 treble
hooks; c. 1915-1929.
This is another crawdadstyle bait which reminds me of
a Bomber.
C: Charmer Minnow; gold
(or orange) body/green
stripes; 3 treble hooks; c.
1910-1914
The Charmer Minnow
Company of Springfield,
Missouri made several sizes of
these baits with the barber
pole paint job. The bait shown
www.muskiesinc.org
TACKLE BOX
S: Shakespeare Wooden Minnow; solid yellow; 5 treble hooks; c.
1906-1910
At first glance the Shakespeare Minnows look very similar the
Heddon No. 150 series, but there are notable differences in the spinners and in the way the hooks are attached. The bait shown has seethrough wire clip hook hangers which were only used before 1910.
SB1: South Bend Woodpecker No. 924; luminous/red head; 2
weedless hooks; c. 1914-1923
A very popular surface bait, resting on its original box.
SB2: South Bend Pike-Oreno No. 975; white body with spots; 3
A 1923 ad in the National Sportsman lists this early model of
the Pike-Oreno as one of South Bend’s “Muskie Getters” – with “a
reputation for getting Muskie.”
T: Wm. H. Talbot Co. Niangua Fishing Reel; made in Nevada,
Missouri; c. 1903-1913
William Talbot was a jeweler who made outstanding fishing
reels starting in the early 1890s. His company remained in Nevada,
MO through 1913. It operated out of Kansas City until around
1921 before being sold to the Richardson Rod and Reel Company of
Chicago. In 1910, the price of the Niangua Reel with jeweled bearings was a hefty $20. The size of the reel was typical of this era.
The reel is just two inches in diameter and the handle is two
inches in length with a seven-eighths inch grip. Can you imagine
casting and retrieving even a four to five-inch muskie lure all day
with this little reel?
his customers from Rainy River to Cedar Island. The trip across Lake
of the Woods took about six hours.
After Cedar Island, Ernie developed two more large camps
(Whitefish Bay Camp and Miles Bay Camp) plus a couple of smaller
outposts. The Clipper (see photo) had a capacity of 39 passengers; in
1928 it transported over seven hundred tourists to Calvert’s Camps.
I like to imagine that this fine Chippewa bait first made it to
Lake of the Woods aboard the Clipper and probably returned for
many subsequent trips once road access and transportation options
increased. At some point it was left behind, hanging over a fireplace,
waiting for me so I could play a part in its story!
Early Muskie Spinners
Spinners were available for muskies and other species well before
wooden baits became popular. There were hundreds suitable for
muskie fishing. I’ll only touch on five well-known brands shown in
the photo. Four of these baits utilized feathers for hook dressing, as
did most spinners made prior to 1930.
If Muskie Baits Could Talk
The baits in this tackle box came from many different sources,
but they easily could have come from the tackle box of just one
muskie nut who was fishing in the 1920s. If these lures could talk,
think about the stories they could tell about the fish they had caught
and the waters through which they had been retrieved! While I don’t
know the exact stories of any of these baits, I do have a very plausible
story for one of my favorites.
Take another look at the Immell Chippewa Musky Sinker
located just left of center in the tackle box (key code I). I know the
lure was made in Blair, Wisconsin between 1910 and 1917. I also
know that before I received it as a gift about 25 years ago this
Chippewa had hung in a cabin on Lake of the Woods for many years.
A close look at the lure indicates that it had been used for fishing and
had encountered toothy predators! So, how might this bait have
gotten to Lake of the Woods?
Let’s suppose this lure belonged to a muskie angler from central
or southern Wisconsin or northern Illinois. Getting from that area
to Rainy River, Ontario probably entailed a long trip on the Chicago
Flyer, a train that ran from Chicago to Rainy River.
Once in Rainy River the angler would
meet up with E.D. “Ernie” Calvert. Ernie
was a druggist in Rainy River who loved
fishing on Lake of the Woods. Around the
time this Chippewa was made, he turned his
hobby into one of the first tourist businesses
on the big lake.
At first his customers slept in tents, but
in the early 1920s he built Cedar Island
Camp in Sabaskong Bay. He bought the
Clipper, a 90-foot steam boat, to transport
Allcock, Laight & Westwood: (upper left) AL&W of Toronto,
Ontario was started 1854. In the 1900s they started to distribute
some U.S. lures. One of the best known AL&W partnership was
with the Creek Chub Bait Company; more on that in the Creek
Chub section.
W.T.J. Lowe: (upper right) William T. J. Lowe of Buffalo, New York
sold numerous types of spinners suitable for muskies starting in the
1880s. Many of their large spinners were designed for trolling; this
makes good sense considering the limited capability of bait casting
reels of that era.
Pflueger: (center) The Muskill, produced from 1928-1952 was one
of many Pflueger spinners. Pictured is a No. 9 still
on its original card. It is approximately nine inches
in length, making it similar in size to many present
day muskie spinners.
Winchester: (lower left) Unless you are a collector
of old fishing tackle or guns you may not know that
the Winchester Repeating Arms Company had also
been in the fishing tackle business from about
1919-1931. Winchester sold quite a variety of spinners bearing their name in addition to a couple of
well-made wooden lures.
J.T. Buel: (lower right) Julio Thompson Buel of Whitehall, New York was one
of the first makers of fishing spoons and spinners in the U.S. Like many later
tackle inventors, Julio started out making baits for his own use, then for
friends and other anglers. Julio worked for his father in their furrier and
taxidermy business and sold a few lures on the side until an outdoor writer
mentioned Buel’s lures in his book and the Buel tackle business took off. Buel
was granted his first patent in 1852. Julio was directly involved in the business until about 1885. The company changed hands several times over the
next eight decades. Eventually the Buel line was purchased by the Eppinger
Manufacturing Company (makers of the Dardevle); they continue to sell a
few Buel spinners today.
Other Classic Muskie Baits
Pflueger Globe: The
famous Globe was made by
Pflueger
from1910-1966
when the company was sold
to Shakespeare. There were
subtle changes in the Globe
over the years but it always
looked like a Globe. Many
other companies have made
similar baits; most folks call
them all “globe” baits. Also
shown in this photo is one of
Pflueger’s most successful level-wind fishing reels, the
Supreme, which was produced
from 1916-1952.
South Bend: In addition to the PikeOreno (1922-1929) shown on the upper
right, this photo includes some of South
Bend’s other “Muskie Getters”.
On the
lower left is the Musk-Oreno (1916-1944);
the other two baits are versions of the SurfOreno (1916-1964). From 1936-1939
South Bend made a version of the SurfOreno with two heavy duty treble hooks and
marketed it as the Muskie Surf-Oreno. The
Surf-Oreno is another bait which reminds
me of the Cisco Topper and several other
modern muskie baits.
also introducing the
newest in glide baits:
GLIDE-RAIDER
Find the entire line-up of lures at your nearest retailer or go to:
Joe Bucher Outdoors.com
available in 6 colors
www.muskiesinc.org
TACKLE BOX
Creek Chub Bait Company: You can’t talk about classic muskie
baits without mentioning Creek Chub Pikie Minnows. Pikies were
produced by Creek Chub from 1920 through 1978 when the company was sold to Lazy Ike. Pikies were made in many sizes and models, from the inch long Fly Rod Pikie to the foot-long Giant Pikie.
Note that one of the boxes shown carries the Canadian AL&W
Co. name in addition to the C.C.B.CO. name.
was the Musky-Houn spinner which came with their acquisition of
the Bass Houn Bait Company. One of Marathon’s best known lures
was the topwater Musk-E-Munk which combined a short wood body
with a thick bucktail.
Bobbie Bait (1938 to present): If you are an avid muskie
angler there is a pretty good chance you’ve thrown a Bobbie Bait but
you may not have realized how long they have been in production.
Roberts Mud Puppy (1918 to present): This unique muskie
bait has withstood the test of time and has inspired many other
spinning-tail muskie baits. At the bottom is a standard size Mud
Puppy (although these varied from 6¼ to 7¾ inches depending on
year of production); on top are two early versions of the Little Mud
Puppy along with boxes from the same era.
C.C. “Con” Roberts started making the Mud Puppy by hand in
1918 in Mosinee, Wisconsin. According to author Robert Slade
(The History & Collectible Fishing Tackle of Wisconsin), in the
early 1920s Roberts invented special machinery to increase lure production. In 1932, a local 8-year old boy, Jim Rheinschmidt, started
helping Roberts with production and became Roberts’ partner in
1945. When Mr. Roberts died in 1955, Jim Rheinschmidt became
the company’s owner. The company continues to operate in Mosinee
and is run by Jim Rheinschmidt, Jr. and his family.
I purchased my first Mud Puppy in 1981 during my first trip to
Lake of the Woods. It came in the two-piece cardboard box with a
cartoon label which many muskie anglers are familiar with. I bet Mr.
Roberts never imagined in 1918 that his company would still be selling his baits 96 years later via something called the Internet.
Marathon Bait Company: Marathon made baits in Wausau
and then Mosinee, Wisconsin from 1929-1979. Their earliest bait
Suick Muskie Thriller (1942-present): If you haven’t heard of
the Suick it is unlikely that you’ve spent much time chasing muskies!
Frank Suick was an avid muskie angler and his parents owned a tavern in Antigo, Wisconsin.
The Suick is another famous bait which evolved from the hand
carvings of a passionate fisherman. If you catch a lot of muskies and
your folks happen to own a local bar the news will spread fast. When
other anglers heard of the success Frank was having with his new bait
they wanted them.
Commercial sales of the Muskie Thriller began in 1942. In
1956 the smaller Bass & Pike Thriller was added to the Suick line.
Many new colors and models of the Muskie Thriller have been added
during the72 years of production. The Suick family continues to
own and operate the company in Antigo, Wisconsin.
More Wisconsin Baits: The Musky Sucker was made of rubber
from 1939-1948; it came in sizes from 4½ to 10½ inches. The Billy
Finn Bucktail was invented by Bill Gautsche in 1946 when he was a
fishing guide in the Hayward area; he continued to make the lures
until he died in 2012. The Bon-Net was only made for a few years
starting in 1949. The box says it is “A Proven Killer for Muskies and
Northern Pike” – with six treble hooks on this 4-inch bait I bet it was
a “killer”. The Burmek Secret Bait was the first of four plastic baits
made by Frank Burmek, starting in 1953. The original boxes are fun
to read; the baits are oddballs, but they still catch fish.
Homer LeBlanc Tackle Manufacturing:
Homer LeBlanc was a muskie guide on Lake St. Clair, Michigan.
He started designing and selling his own tackle in the early to mid1950s. The Swim Zag was a metal trolling spoon with a bucktail
treble. The Swim-Whizz is a well-known plastic crankbait. In the
early years the baits came in large yellow cardboard boxes with a
leaping muskie on the top. Homer sold the company in 1969, but the
Swim-Whizz is still being made. Present day muskie anglers often
confuse the SwimWhizz with the very
similar Believer. To
end with a theme
which has been
mentioned throughout this article, the
Swim-Whizz
reminds remind me
of the Heddon Game
Fisher, H9 in the
tackle box photo,
which pre-dated the
Swim-Whizz by at
least 30 years.
www.muskiesinc.org
The NFLCC and Great Reference Books
If you are serious about collecting old fishing tackle I recommend that you join the National Fishing Lures Collectors Club
(NFLCC). The NFLCC is a non-profit, educational organization
founded in 1976. The primary objectives of the NFLCC are to foster
an awareness of fishing tackle collecting as a hobby and to assist
members in the location, identification, and trading of vintage fishing-related equipment.
If you want to learn more about antique fishing tackle there are
plenty of great reference books available. I consider the 7th edition of
Old Fishing Lures & Tackle by Carl Luckey (edited by Tim Watts)
a must own. With 768 pages and over 1,500 photos it provides a
detailed overview of many of the tackle companies and lures. I
referred to it extensively while writing this article.
I also own a number of books which focus on specific companies
or states. While researching this article I referred to six of my favorites: The Heddon Legacy by Bill Roberts & Rob Pavey; The Pflueger
Heritage by Wayne Ruby;
Identification and Value
Guide to South Bend
Fishing Lures by Terry
Wong;
Collector’s
Encyclopedia of Creek
Chub Lures and Collectibles
by Harold E. Smith, M.D.;
The History & Collectible
Fishing Tackle of Wisconsin
by Robert A. Slade; and
Fishing Tackle Made in
Missouri by Dean A.
Murphy. v
Kevin Richards is past-editor
of MUSKIE and continues to
serve as our MUSKIE Ad
Sales Manager. Kevin is also
a freelance writer and photographer. If you need help
identifying old wooden fishing
lures Kevin’s contact information can be found on page 3.
Photo credit: The photo of the
Clipper steamboat was courtesy of the Hennepin County
(MN) Library Special
Collections
HOLY
COW!
sWood Carved
Muskies!
sPerfect MUSKY
Gift Idea!
Charles Weiss Studio
sHand carved muskies
from wood.
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sA replica that is one-of-kind.
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SPORT SHOW LOCATOR
Calendar of upcoming events in 2014
Event Name &
Dates Website
Location
CityState Phone
Jan. 10-12 Chicago Muskie Show
www.chicagomuskieshow.com
Harper College
Palatine
IL
360/738-0900
Feb. 14-16 Milwaukee Muskie Expo
www.muskieexpo.com
Wisconsin State Fair Park
West Allis
WI
608/445-4645
Feb. 14-16 Rockford Illinois Fishing Expo
www.rockfordboatshow.com
Indoor Sports Center
Rockford
IL
815/997-1744
Feb. 21-23 Madison Fishing Expo
www.madfishexpo.com
Exhibition Hall at the
Alliant Center
Madison
WI
608/245-1040
Feb. 28-
Mar. 2
Wisconsin Musky Expo
www.wimuskyexpo.com
Patriot Center
Wausau
WI
715/891-8856
Mar. 8-9
Western Pennsylvania Muskie Max Days Inn
www.muskiemax.com
Butler
PA
724/494-0774
April 4-6
Minnesota Muskie Expo
www.minnesotamuskieexpo.com
St. Paul
MN
763/786-6031
2012
Concordia University
Commemorative
Lure -Reef Hawg
The Reef Hawg is Muskies, Inc. Commemorative Lure for 2012
and is the ¿QDOOXUHfor our Commemorative Lure Program. We
have lures available from 2009, 2010, and 2011 which are shown
below. There are limited numbered sets available and there’s a
limited supply on all lures, so be sure to order yours today!
3UR¿WVZLOOEHXVHGWRVXSSRUWRXU)LVKHULHV5HVHDUFKDQG<RXWK3URJUDPV
To place your order or if you have questions, please call
(OOHQ:HOOVWROOIUHHDW2UGHUVQXPEHUHGVHWVDUHRQD¿UVWFRPH¿UVWVHUYHEDVLV
09’
Jones Special
OXUH - $35 each
OXUHV from different years - each
10’
Dictator Topwater
11’
Double Cowgirl
8 Figure
88
by Sean Landsman
[email protected]
www.muskiesinc.org
MUSKIE Deadlines & Schedule
Please submit chapter reports, regional reports, news items, ads,
and member photos by the deadlines below. In general, the
deadlines will always be the 20th of the month about 40 days
prior to the date on the issue. MUSKIE will be mailed at the
beginning of each odd-numbered month; they will be available
to members on our website 10-14 days before they are mailed.
Here are the deadlines for the next three issues of MUSKIE:
March/April 2014 issue - January 20th deadline
May/June 2014 issue - March 20th deadline
July/August 2014 issue - May 20th deadline
FIGURE 8 ◆ FIGURE 8◆
As I type this very sentence, I know there are people out there
right now (probably freezing their butts off and maybe wondering
why they didn’t listen to that little voice inside their heads telling
them to go back to bed) still chasing those late season giants. For
many, this is it, the last stand. Forget those insane topwater hits and
terrifying boatside strikes of summer. That’s child’s play. The real
fun begins when the weatherman says, “Folks, you might want to
avoid unnecessary travel today. It’s going to be a doozy out there.”
You laugh and think, “Does muskie fishing constitute unnecessary
travel? I think not!” Adding 10 pounds in extra clothing layers is
welcomed, for it’s a sign of big things to come. Conversations keep
getting interrupted because the guides keep freezing, or conversations don’t even happen because between trying to speak through a
balaclava, 15 degree temps without windchill, and 40 mph sustained
winds it just isn’t going to happen. This is pure bliss for many, and
they wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Then there’s the southern muskie crowd with year-long open
seasons. Those anglers can be muskie-crazy 365 days a year if they
really wanted to. And I’m sure a lot probably approach that! For all
of you located in states/provinces that have closed seasons, I would
encourage you to seriously consider a trip south to fish muskies this
winter/spring. Speaking as someone that grew up and primarily
fished Illinois waters, I can say that it was awfully satisfying casting
for muskies in February knowing the majority of muskie anglers only
wished they could be out on open water. Although, I will admit that
ice fishing for panfish or walleyes inside a heated hut with jeans and
a t-shirt is pretty hard to
beat during the winter.
January brings with it
the start of the sport show
season. It’s a time to catch
up with friends, rub shoulders with some of the top
names in the industry, stock
up on time-tested lures, and
splurge on new “must
haves.”
This issue of
MUSKIE highlights several
sport shows around the
muskie’s range. Make sure
to check out the ads and see
what might be available in
your area!
But we would be remiss
if we didn’t include other
articles in MUSKIE. Adam
Glickman
shares
his
thoughts on the advantages
and disadvantages of fishing
certain types of lakes and
the thought process behind
choosing where to go on
any given day.
Mark Bromann
breaks down the
many ways we
can end up losing our beloved
quarry, and offers
tips to help prevent that from
happening.
Kevin Richards,
a man of many
talents and hobbies including lure collecting, pens a really fun article on the history
of muskie lures made from 1900 to 1959. And finally, Patricia Strutz
provided MUSKIE with a well-written and balanced article on a
potentially controversial topic: Native American spearing. All the
articles contained in this issue are great food for thought this winter
and I encourage you to read all of them!
Remember two things: 1) practice catch-and-release and 2) wear
your sunscreen.
- Sean
The Ones That Get Away
by Mark Bromann
T
he frank, time-honored axiom that has always stuck in my is the apparently instinctive ‘western roll’ maneuver. Normally
mind is the much ignored advisory that 40 to 50 percent of employed when quite a distance from the fishing craft, and often very
all muskies you hook will not wind up in your boat. Whether early in the battle, the muskie can be seen right on top of the water
you are a novice or a guide, this rule is considered to be an expecta- shaking its head while doing a 360 degree roll, when suddenly, she’s
tion, not a myth. One of my favorite muskie videos is the one in gone. The first thing that the fisherman experiences is confusion; he
which Joe Bucher guides Forrest Gregg, the great former offensive doesn’t understand what has just occurred. He kept the line taut, but
lineman, and later, coach of the Green Bay Packers. This excellent somehow the fish succeeded in taking the slack out of the line.
video covers one day of muskie fishing with those two, during which
When the fish rolls, the lure (or the line) can become stuck on
each gets two muskies on the line. And, realistically enough, they the gill cover, between its teeth or some other part of the fish, creating
each land one and they each lose one.
the slack that the muskie desires. We’ve all seen muskies when they’re
I’ve been muskie fishing for over thirty years and can attest to the finally brought in the boat and the first thing that they do is shake out
fact that muskies are not only elusive, but also terrific fighters. That’s the lure. Often, the lure is thrown with an audible crash against the
the essence of the sport, for simply finding the big fish does not com- side of the boat. Without question, they can rid themselves of hooks
plete the job. Acclaimed muskie guru, Tony
with ease when there is no pressure applied.
Rizzo, took five years to write his Secrets of a
For that reason alone, the muskie knows to
“The frank, time-honored
Muskie Guide. The following quote comes
roll in the water several times, increasing its
from Chapter 9 of that book: “I feel that the
axiom that has always stuck chance for escape. In some instances, the
fighting ability of the muskie is only a small
roll is done by the fish when it is below the
in my mind, is the much
part of the attraction that this fish holds for the
surface and all you’ll see is a swirl as the fish
ignored advisory that 40 to darts away.
muskie fisherman. I believe there are many
other things that attract the fisherman to this
50 percent of all muskies
great fish. One of them is the way the muskie
Charging the Boat
you hook, will not wind up
will follow the lure without hitting. Their
Again, from Tony Rizzo, “Very often,
in your boat. Whether you when I get a strike, the musky will come
wariness is another factor. Big muskies are very
cautious. The uncanny ability they have to
are a novice or a guide, this directly for the boat. I reel in as fast as I can…
throw a lure and break a line is another factor.
I’m sure that some of the older, wiser muskies
rule is considered to be an
I’ve had big muskies that were lost by people in
know where the boat is located. They head for
my boat and the people were so quiet afterwards
expectation, not a myth.”
it in order to get slack line. It’s probably
you could have heard a pin drop for the next
worked for them before… this is one of the
five minutes. It leaves a tremendous impression
favorite tricks of the larger muskies and they use it often.” It’s one more
on a person when they have tussled with and lost a big muskie.”
maneuver the muskie knows may result in the line becoming slack.
For sure, it’s a hollow feeling to lose one, but over time it’s bound That’s because the angler may not be able to reel his line in faster than
to happen, and very often we chalk it up to the fact that the muskie the muskie is charging. This can happen anytime, day or night. If
is one wily creature.
the muskie runs past the boat, slows down, and then accelerates, the
But wait - an adult muskie has a brain the size of a poker chip. angler should set the hook again, right when it starts the faster run.
Its brain is substantially
Keep the rod high and bent
smaller than that of a bird
to prevent line bite-off, and
of the same size. Yet at
hope for the best.
times, the muskie seems to
Incidentally, Rizzo observed
outsmart us – how can this
that July is his worst month
be? This is a legitimate
for losing muskies that he
question that has been ponhad on the line.
dered not only by the average muskie fisherman, but
The Sudden Yank
also by muskie guides for
Every muskie will
many years. The following
shake the lure from side-toparagraphs outline five
side violently upon being
identified “tactics” put into
hooked by the angler. If
practice by muskies for the
the hook is in a good spot,
purpose of getting loose
the fish cannot shake it
from the hook and line.
loose and must resort to
another tactic. A muskie
The Roll
may appear to be temporarTo me, the most bafily quitting the fight, and
fling of all muskie strategies
then transforms himself
into a C-shape, also called a U-shape.
Then, it quickly explodes out of the
C-shape with a big sudden yank that
is known to pop or rupture equipment, and the fish is gone. What
breaks is either the line itself or whatever the weakest link in the equipment chain is. This could be the
leader, a swivel, a line knot, or a split
ring. It doesn’t matter, the fish simply put the most pressure it could on
the gear by saving it up for one monster lurch, thereby going on to live
another day.
While this activity typically takes
place beneath the water surface, a
sudden jerk is a particularly spectacular display when it happens out of the
water and the fish may jump out of
the lake more than once to be successful. Not all muskies fight the
same way, there’s always the exception.
tant to hold that muskie from traveling from one side of the boat to the
other. Normally, the idea is to let the
muskie go where it wants, so as not
to overpressurize the line. That rule
of thumb becomes irrelevant as the
musky nears the boat to dive beneath
it. It’s as though the fish wants the
line rubbing against the bottom of
the boat which, unless yours consists
of smooth fiberglass, also has rivets
and metal edges that can and will
snap tightened fishing line. It’s also a
possibility that the line will be carried
over and across the boat propeller by
the diving fish. This is the same
muskie that dives into weeds, or
around stumps, rocks, or cribs. His
goal is to snap your line.
Playing Dead
Diving Under the Boat
After being hooked, many muskies will stay deep in the river or lake
for the duration of the fight. Hopefully, the angler will be able to
prevent the muskie from continuing low and/or diving under the
boat. In the same way, the fisherman will endeavor to hold the fish
so that his line doesn’t get tangled around the anchor rope. It’s impor-
Playing dead is the trickiest tactic in the bunch and believe me, I’ve
seen it. Here’s how it works. The
fisherman hooks into a muskie, what
really feels like a sure hit, and then
starts to reel. He may set the hook,
but soon starts to wonder what’s going on because the fish is not moving. Let’s say he hooks the fish 40 feet from the boat. Now, as he
maintains an even turn on the reel, he realizes that it’s not the fish
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www.muskiesinc.org
THE ONES THAT GET AWAY
that’s moving, but the boat. Once the boat has moved 30 feet
or so in the same direction, the angler starts wondering, “is this
a fish or is this a stump or something?” After awhile, the angler
may just let the line go slack and commence figuring out how
he can get his lure unstuck from whatever he’s hooked.
This exact scenario happened to me in 2013 on a Vilas
County Lake. With my lure apparently stuck at the lake bottom
about 12 feet down, I was convinced that I had hooked a
stump, but I still kept tension on the line. Fortunately the sky
was very clear and sunny that day. As the boat neared the lure
I happened to look down and could actually see the bars on the
side of the muskie. He had buried himself in weeds, next to a
tangle of logs, and was not moving. Incredibly, he was just
playing possum. Reeling in so that the rod was aimed downward in the water, I circled the fish hard with the rod tip until it
finally lumbered out of the depths and started to thrash. When I
brought him in the boar, he was literally covered in weeds. For the
rest of the day all I could think about were the many times this dumb
fish actually outfoxed the fishermen into giving up the fight all on
their own!
Human Error
Bad hook set, no hook set. Hook set too early or too late. There
was a bad knot-tie on the leader. We tried to horse in the muskie
before it was sufficiently played out. Drag not set correctly, too much
line can come off which creates slack. We forgot to bring the net. We
forgot to figure eight. We put the net in the lake too soon and the
muskie got the line tangled in the net from the outside or from the
inside, if the mesh of the net catches on the lure. We made too strong
of a set while using light line. Oops.
One observation I’ve made over the years regarding fishermen is
that they are, without exception, very human, and thereby subject to
the usual gaffes and screw-ups. In fact, there appears to be an endless
array, and sometimes comical assortment of unwise choices humans
make that always result in a lost fish. The final tally for a single goofup looks like this on the scoreboard: Fish 1, Humans 0. If there
existed actual data for the annual total, the numbers could be measured by loud exclamations of profanity still resonating on the waters.
Whatever the exact statistics may be, they suggest that it will help the
fisherman to know just how the muskie might elude capture.
Logically, any decrease in muskies lost will increase the number of
muskies boated. I won’t get into every possible nutty oversight, bad
net job, or complete blunder that I’ve personally witnessed, but I will
mention a couple of classic fishing bloopers that never have a happy
ending.
After experiencing no luck on the water for several hours, I
opened the cooler and offered a cold one to my buddy Jim. I put the
can on the seat next to him, and within minutes Jim hooked into a
lunker. The fish fought hard and we saw it break water. In the ensuing chaos, the can flipped over onto the floor of the boat. Jim reached
down to save his drink while still battling the fish and in doing so
created slack in the line, which the muskie took advantage of and said
goodbye to us.
Another time, three of us decided to go to a favorite spot. To
avoid being crowded into one boat for this excursion, we took two
boats. You know what happened; I’ve seen it a dozen times. The guy
who hooks into the fish is the one who is solo in his boat, while the
www.muskiesinc.org
other two attempt to quickly row over and help. But time is of the
essence, especially in this case, because the fish was huge and was
hooked very close to the boat. The fish thrashed violently and understandably, Charlie couldn’t wait. Rather than risk holding the powerful fish until we arrived, he held his rod with his left hand and then
bent down to grab the net with his right hand. This was a bad move
because the line went a little slack and the big gal was gone in an
instant. Fish 2, Humans 0. Reaching for the net yourself is simply too
much risk, no reward. If you think that you’ve tired the fish out,
think again. They’ve always got at least a little left in their fight tank.
An angler told me that he once pushed the reel button to let out
line, but forgot to keep his thumb on the reel. The fast run of the
muskie created a horrific backlash and the muskie threw the hook.
Sometimes, it’s no one’s fault. You may have set the hook unsuccessfully, not knowing that what you hooked into was just a small northern pike. Or a larger muskie barely got a hold of the lure on its outer
lip and it didn’t hold.
On the Alert
Behavior-wise, muskies are not homogeneous creatures. Two
muskies of the same age, size, and skin pattern may react in a completely different fashion to being on the business end of a fishing line.
Personally, my theory is that each muskie relies on basic survival
instincts that he learned during the very first time that he was ever
hooked. If his desperate and frantic efforts were successful then, he
will surely use that particular survival strategy for as long as he lives
and breathes. Why argue with success, especially when it results in
freedom? This is just a theory and while I do not hold a PhD in
muskie behavior, I’ve seen enough of them get away like no other
aquatic species to conclude that the muskie is one fish with an innate
ability to frustrate the best of fishermen.
Muskies do not mellow with age. The older they get, the more
ornery and shrewd they become. Since you cannot change the fact
that muskies are extremely elusive, strong, and stingy, you have to
change the way you think about that. To think objectively and with
perspective, rather than with blind optimism, is the way to go. To
catch them takes a mindset of constant alert attention. The fact is
that muskies are vicious by nature, but are not considered to be
remotely intelligent by any stretch of the imagination. After all, they
have been biting Suicks on a regular basis since the advent of mass
production of that lure in 1956. They have yet to figure that one out.
But when the battle begins with a fisherman, they do seem to have a
definite plan and most of them even have a backup plan. v
Give a Calendar
to a friend
or yourself!
2014 Muskies, Inc.
Calendars are now on
sale for only
(includes shipping & handling)
$18
It’s loaded with photos, fishing and
hunting times, tournament dates,
special events, and so much more!
This calendar makes a great gift for
yourself, your fishing friends and
family, and the first time reader to
MUSKIE!
Name: ______________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________
City: _______________________ State: _____ Zip: _________
Number of Calendars:________ Total: $_________
Send all checks along with
this form to:
Muskies, Inc.
1509 Stahl Road
Sheboygan, WI 53081
** While supplies last **
honoring our treaty rights
“Honoring Our Treaty Rights”
Muskie
Spearing
Tournament
This
past
March,
the
Lac
A Case Study of Tribal Spearing
du Flambeau Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa Indians
organized a winter muskie
spearing tournament in northern
Wisconsin. Many comments
and concerns from non-native
anglers were bandied about.
Wanting to understand the
dynamics of this event and
by Patricia Strutz
Author’s note: This past March, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa Indians organized a winter muskie spearing tournament in northern Wisconsin. Many comments and concerns from
non-native anglers were bandied about. Wanting to understand the
dynamics of this event and feeling it’s an important topic for Muskies,
Inc. members, I decided to research the subject
I realize that this is a tough issue. Most fishermen are aware of
the history of tribal treaties and spearing and the controversies that go
along with them. As a journalist, my goal is to present a well-balanced
article on the topic, using this particular tournament as a case study
about tribal muskie spearing in general. I am pleased to include input
from a variety of sources. Though we (I, the author; you, the reader;
or the Muskies, Inc. organization) may not agree with all the statements, it’s important to hear from every side of the issue. Only then
can we begin to understand it.
The Tournament
The following information was supplied by tribal councilman
Brooks Big John:
• The inaugural event took place on March 16, 2013.
• As of print date, no date was set for this winter’s tournament,
though they intend to make it an annual event.
• There were three age divisions: Braves (18 and under), Warriors
(19-40), and Chieftains (41 and over). One hundred people
participated--not including the wives and kids that came out
later in the day.
• The event was held on five Vilas County lakes: Big St. Germain,
Big, Big Arbor Vitae, and North and
South Twin.
• Fourteen muskies were speared.
The largest was from North
Twin and measured 47 inches.
• All speared muskies were
cleaned and given to the
elders and families for food.
• No entry fee. Participation
required a tribal identification
card and registration. Lake chiefs
oversaw activities at each lake; live fish
had to be registered within 10 minutes.
• Prizes were donated by the tribal council. They included ice shacks, augers,
Otter sleds, an Aqua View camera, plus
an additional $500 in prize money for
raffles.
• 1st through 3rd prizes, which were determined by length, were distributed in
each division.
www.muskiesinc.org
• Participants had to abide by Lac du Flambeau tribal and Great
Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) treaty
harvest rules that include regulating the size of the holes and
marking the holes when finished for safety reasons. If a small
muskie under 30 inches was speared, the same spearer would
need to take one over 30 inches for his second fish.
• It was an alcohol and drug free event.
• They have held other tournaments among themselves but this
was the first tournament that the tribal council sponsored.
The Tribe’s Perspective
An interview with one of the tournament organizers, Brooks Big
John.
Q: What was the impetus for organizing this event?
A: “Tribal chairman Tom Maulson and I take our boys spearing in
mid-February. Last year we were discussing the harsh overtones
we deal with from the non-native community. The kids now
have the extra burden of dealing with social media. It portrays
us like we are going to go out and hammer the fish. Social media
mocks our kids and creates fire. The boys asked us if we thought
we’d ever lose our spearing rights. For them to come up with
that question—they don’t realize we have guaranteed rights.
That’s what inspired me. These kids need to know that we
honor and respect our treaty rights by exercising them.”
feeling it’s an important topic
for Muskies, Inc. members,
I decided to research the
subjectt. I realize that this
is a tough subjectissue. Most
fshermen are aware of the
history of tribal treaties and
spearing and the controversies
that go along with them. As a
muskie fsherman, I have my
own opinions on the topic. As a
MUSKIE SPEARING
Q: How well was the event received by the tribal members?
A: “The day was a complete success. Some said it was a historical
date due to its theme. Pride was instilled in the rights we have.
Perseverance was a word that was used—what we have overcome
to honor our culture, our traditions, and Mother Earth’s
resources. Events like this help instill tribal identity and unity.
That’s important for our kids to understand. If they aren’t proud
of who they are and learn to turn their cheeks when faced with
racism they’ll be constantly fighting or in trouble.”
Q: Wouldn’t a non-tournament spearing outing do the same thing?
Tournaments are not part of your history…I guess I’m trying to
understand the correlation between the tournament idea and tribal
identity?
A: “We aren’t ashamed to say we are out spearing--we are proud of
it. I don’t know where you get the idea that tournaments aren’t
part of our history. The Indians have been placing wagers and
side bets for years. It’s camaraderie and competition is good.
Maybe this was the first advertised, organized tournament. But,
the excitement of that brought folks out. My daughter, Casey Jo
Big John, speared her first muskie that day and took second
place in the warrior division. She’s quite artistic and has been
carving decoys for a while but she hadn’t done much spearing.
She ended up going out spearing five or six more times after the
tournament. The event and the essence of honoring our treaty
rights seemed to mark an increase in interest and participation
afterwards. The prizes are rewards for those who went out in the
cold but slushy conditions. I can see why the modern day community might view the prizes in a bad way but I don’t agree with
that; people were proud to win a prize.”
Q: How do you counter the folks who feel that the tournament is a clear
violation of the treaty because of the prizes--instead of just being
solely for subsistence?
A: “This thinking is due to complete ignorance. That’s why we
need to educate people. Give them a copy of the court case, we
are entitled to 100 percent of the resource of the northern third
of the state. Yet we don’t go out and take that because by doing
so our kids would suffer. Look at the GLIFWC website. You’ll
see Indians take much less in harvest numbers than non-Indians.
Read the treaties and understand them; they afforded us a lot of
reserved rights when we ceded the territory.”
Q: Did you receive backlash from the non-native community?
A: “There were negative one-sided articles. WI-Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Stepp and Senator Tiffany
pointed out things in the Lakeland Times. The same old cry that
we will deplete resources and tourism. I attribute their antagonism as affecting tourism much more than the 14 fish that we
took. Our intentions are not to rape and pillage. The tribe’s
integrated resource management plan proves we want to conserve our resources. We can reassess our resources over time. We
have a biologist in place that works with the GLIFWC. We are
stewards of the resource. We aren’t going to overharvest because
then the resources won’t remain for our children and grandchildren. We self-regulate to be sure the resource isn’t hindered. We
will alternate lakes for the tournament each year.”
Q: But, I’ve read some provocative and potentially volatile quotes
attributed to you and other tribal members. One was discussing that
you were considering changing the bag limit and that if the state
would give the tribe more money the bag limit could be left at
three….
A: “This has absolutely nothing to do with the muskie tournament.
So often these quotes are taken out of context. I was discussing
a walleye bag limit referendum with the DNR. I said the agreement is 16-17 years old, we should revisit it. We see the economics; fishing is a three billion dollar industry yet our people are
hurting economically. The referendum on the reservation to
change the bag limit almost passed—so I just told then DNR
Secretary Frank that I couldn’t guarantee that the next referendum is going to allow them to keep the three bag limit, but, if
he’d sweeten the pot it would help—the people would see that
the State is trying to be fair.”
The Opposition
Here are a few paraphrased comments voiced by those who
oppose the tournament:
• The treaty, which secures the right of Native harvest, does not
define harvest as the killing of animals for prizes.
• Why don’t the Natives have regulations in place to protect the
resources? There’s no winter monitoring. What if all tribes start
to do this? Think of the numbers of muskies killed.
• What’s next? Reaffirming their rights through a winter deer
hunt tournament? This tournament sets precedent. It’s a slippery slope and one that could certainly impact the natural
resources.
Tom Penniston, President-Wisconsin Chapters, Muskies, Inc.
adds some thoughtful input, “Spearing has always been a volatile
issue. In Wisconsin, only Native Americans can spear muskies. In the
last signed treaty, the agreement for through-the-ice-spearing was
that no monitoring was necessary by the DNR or the Great Lakes
Tribal Council. That was based on the premise that successful winter
spearing was nearly non-existent and had nearly no success. But,
clearly, that’s no longer the case. Documented tournaments are
being held and there’s photographic evidence of some significant
degree of success.
“Exascerbating the problem, are statements (http://www.indianz.com/News/2013/008915.asp) from tribe members like Tribal
Chairman Tom Maulson, which indicate the increase in spearing is
as much punitive and based on retribution for political losses as it is
on tradition. This stance is counterproductive for everyone and simply adds to the angst many feel about the issue.”
“I think there’s strong evidence the current through-the-icespearing is outside the original treaty agreement and should at the
very least be monitored like the spring open water spearing. The
tribe may argue the total number is small, but how can they verify
that when no monitoring is taking place? In a lake with natural
reproduction, which would not be stocked by the DNR, the impact
of taking a certain number of mature females could be significant to
that population. It’s critical we closely monitor those harvests so
proper management strategies can be taken to protect those fisheries
for everyone, natives and non-natives alike.”
2013 Year End Fundraising Campaign
Since 1966 Muskies, Inc. has been an
organization and because of your support
and donations, we are still here in 2014.
The funds generated from this campaign will provide extra financial
support for our mission. Thank you to those that have already
contributed. However, we still need your help. Please take the time
to send in your contribution to the 2013 Year End Fundraising
Campaign to the address below, located on the right side of the form
below. Your donation matters, so this is why you have the choice to
choose which fund receives your donation. This option is located on
the right side of the donation form.
Your support is much appreciated.
Pictured above: A sketch of Gil Hamm stocking fish
Pictured below: 2013 Gil Hamm Memorial Chapter Challunge participants
Send all donations along with this form to:
Muskies, Inc.
Name: ______________________________________________
1509 Stahl Road
Address: ____________________________________________
Sheboygan, WI 53081
City: _______________________ State: _____ Zip: _________
Phone #: ____________________________________________
Membership #: _______________________________________
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www.muskiesinc.org
General Fund
Gil Hamm Fund
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Scholarship Fund
Perry Smith Fund
Research Fund
Symposium Fund
Youth Fund
to present a well-balanced
article on the topic, using this
particular tournament as a
case study about tribal muskie
spearing in general. I am
pleased to include input from
a variety of sources. Though
we (I, the author; you, the
reader; or the Muskies, Inc.
organization) may not agree
with all the statements, it’s
MUSKIE SPEARING
The Treaty Dynamics
According to WI-DNR fishery biologist Tim Simonson, “As far
as I know, the tribes are not required to obtain a permit from us for
a tournament or to report their catches. Winter spearing was deemed
a ‘low efficiency’ harvest method through stipulations that came out
of the court decision. The tribes are required to conduct creel surveys
of ice spearing periodically, about every five years. They report the
information to us as requested. There are few other restrictions on
winter spearing (no closed season, no bag limit) except that at least
half the fish speared must be 32 inches or longer. So, while the harvest is estimated periodically, there is essentially no limit on the
number of fish that may be taken—except that at least five percent
of the Total Allowable Catch must be reserved from the spring spearing on any given lake in order for winter spearing to be allowed.”
“Spring spearing is much more strictly regulated because it was
determined by the courts to be a “high efficiency” method. All fish
harvested by high efficiency methods are enumerated; we get biological data (length, sex, age, etc.) on most fish speared in open
water.”
Joe Hennessy, Treaty Fisheries Coordinator for WI-DNR adds,
“The most recent GLIFWC creel survey reports show that four of the
five lakes in the 2013 tournament were surveyed in the winter of
2011-12. An estimated 14 musky were speared from Big Arbor
Vitae, six from Big St. Germain, 22 from North Twin, and zero from
South Twin. Big Lake has not been surveyed since 1998-99, when
an estimated 16 musky were harvested.”
WI-DNR Agency Spokesperson Bill Cosh further clarifies,
“Off-reservation muskellunge harvest is a treaty right decided by a
Federal Court in what is commonly called the Voigt case. Wisconsin’s
six Chippewa Bands have the right to self-regulate the off-reservation
harvest of muskellunge within the Ceded Territory. They’re entitled
to 50 percent of the harvestable surplus (that is, the number of muskellunge which can be safely harvested without harming the population) in any off-reservation water in the Ceded Territory. The treaty
permits muskellunge to be taken using a variety of methods, including ice spearing.
“The Voigt decision doesn’t restrict the Chippewa to only subsistence harvest of their share of the harvestable resource. They’re
allowed to make profit from the particular resource that is harvested,
including muskie, and may establish tournaments similar to our
muskie tournaments.”
“Muskellunge management in the Ceded Territory is a challenging issue because tribal and state anglers have different objectives for
the fishery. State anglers often desire trophy opportunities, whereas
most tribal members harvest muskellunge to feed their families. The
Department has worked with the [Chippewa] Bands and GLIFWC
over the past 25 years to monitor muskellunge harvest with the goal
of striking a balance between state anglers’ desire to maintain the best
possible size structure and the need for tribal subsistence harvests.”
Cooperation for Successful Relationships
Craig Sandell, owner of Musky America (musky.com) has made
no secret that he supports subsistence harvesting. However, he feels
tribal leaders have encouraged unchecked harvesting and abandoned
the concept of traditional subsistence harvest, couching it in terms of
a sporting event with prizes. He remarks, “Current DNR secretary
Cathy Stepp cites the Voigt case that establishes Natives rights to
harvest 50 percent of harvestable surplus and makes no distinction as
to method of harvest. What she fails to elucidate are the mechanisms
used to define a harvestable surplus or to clearly define the enforcement mechanism that ensures that harvestable surplus is not exceeded.
“It’s true, from time to time, bitter Native harvesters have violated their heritage by exploiting a spearing harvest. They’re no more
correct in that action than non-native people who exploit the fisheries. We can’t lose sight of the fact that the health of the fishery is a
shared responsibility. Cooperation--not confrontation--is the best
way to ensure generations to come have the same opportunities.”
I hope I succeeded in providing balanced information regarding
this topic. Before forming an opinion, it’s important to consider all
parties involved. It’s also imperative, especially in this case, to be
familiar with the treaty laws established for the Native Americans.
For more information regarding the treaty laws, and the Voigt
Decision in particular, please visit www.glifwc.org. v
[ Editor’s Note: This article addresses one
aspect of a greater issue, that being spearing
in general. Michigan and Minnesota allow
spearing to occur on waterbodies containing muskies where incidental muskie harvests can take place. As an organization
interested in the long-term sustainability
and enhancement of muskie fisheries across
North America, Muskies, Inc. opposes the
taking of any muskie by means other than
hook-and-line. ]
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Resource
vs. Fishery
by Adam Glickman,
Field Editor
While small water may not hold giants like larger
systems, the fish often concentrate in predictable
locations, particularly on rivers.
I
think the term resource is a tangible quantitative figure that is
the sum of total population, population density, growth rates,
longevity, average individual size, top end size of existing individuals, potential top end size of individuals, number of year classes
present, and strengths of individual year classes. I think the term
fishery is defined as being less tangible but referring to productivity
in terms of number of catches and quality of individual fish captured
per angler effort. I make this distinction not only because it is in my
personality to do so, but also because it makes my fishing more successful. I take many different aspects of the resource and fishery of
individual water bodies into consideration when choosing where I
will fish so I can best achieve the goals of the particular outing, whatever those goals may be.
and will inevitably detract from the quality of the fishery as the
muskies become less willing to strike.
A small to medium river that is mostly very shallow, may have a
very small population of muskies, but the fishery has the potential to
be excellent because the fish that are present are often easily located
within the limited deeper water. In such cases, the fishery is often
good to excellent while the resource is fair at best. Often such
resources are not subject to much pressure, which in turn boosts the
quality of the fishery for the few who take the time and make the
effort to experience it.
Growth Rates, Average Size, Longevity,
and Top End Potential
A muskie’s life is finite and the average natural life span of a
muskie in a particular body of water is mostly dependent on water
I consider the total population of muskie water to be the total quality and the latitude of that particular water. Therefore, the averamount of muskies over 30 inches in a particular body of water. Of age and maximum sizes of muskies are almost completely dependent
course, the muskies under 30 inches are very important as well, but on growth rates and life span. Waters in which muskies have faster
I will be discussing them in the section regarding year classes. In this growth rates will have larger average and top end fish, but they will
segment I am concentrating on muskies of fishable size. Population also have better fisheries because the quality fish will be younger and
density is how many muskies of fishable size exist in a body of water therefore less educated and easier to catch than slower growing muskwhen compared to the size of that water. I say size of water and not ies that take more time to reach quality size. This is of course assumper acre because surface acreage is misleading in terms of lakes and ing equal amounts of pressure exerted on the two hypothetical
reservoirs and does not apply to rivers and streams at all. In lakes and resources.
reservoirs, muskies per acre measurements are skewed by the volume
Top end size potential and actual existence of large individuals is
of water beneath the surface. Great depth reduces said density, while on the mental forefront of most muskie nuts. Most anglers want the
very little depth increases it in my opinion. Muskies per river mile tanks and there is certainly an equation considering growth rates and
doesn’t work for me either because one river mile in a large river can longevity of individual populations that determines huge fish potenhave literally 100,000 times the water as one
tial. For instance, in Tennessee on the southmile of a small stream. It would most likely
ern end of the muskies range, research indi“Often, I hear bodies of
be easier to encounter five muskies in the
cates that muskies seldom live past 10-12
small stream mile than 50 muskies in the big
muskie water referred to
years, but it also reveals that in most individriver mile.
as a “good resource” or a ual fish and in several waters, growth rates are
When considering the fishery, both of
tremendous; so 50 inch plus 40 pounds plus
“great fishery.” The terms specimens are always a reality. At the other
these must be taken into consideration. Total
population lets me know how many possible
fishery and resource are
end of the muskie’s range is southern Canada,
muskies I may encounter, while population
often used synonymously, where muskies grow much slower but live
density lets me factor how many I may actutwo and often three times as long. Here even
but they should not be.
ally encounter based on how much water I
larger fish are possible. In between the
plan to cover. In a huge body of water,
extremes there is somewhat of a “magic” latiencountering the individual might be tough even if the population is tude at about 45 degrees, that finds the balance of both growth rates
large, especially if the muskies tend to roam free of any defined struc- and longevity to produce the largest muskies.
tural elements. In this case the population might be great while the
However, I think maximum size is certainly not the only deterfishery is not so hot. If the muskies do relate to structural elements, mining factor of what constitutes a quality resource or fishery, and in
they are easier to find and the fishery will be better. However, this this area everyone is certainly entitled to their own vision of quality.
will most likely increase the amount of fishing pressure they endure For some, huge fish are all that matter and they will sacrifice many
Total Population and Population Density
days of brutal fishing for one shot at a monster. At the other end of
the spectrum are anglers who want to take many strikes a day and
encounter as many fish as possible, and do not care if all the fish are
on the small side. I love both of these types of fisheries and everyone
in between for that matter. What type of water, resource, and fishery
I choose depends on my mood and what is available to me given my
time and budget for said outing. I take everything into consideration
and choose what is best for me.
Year Classes and Year Class Strength
Year classes and individual year class quality are two of the most
important yet often overlooked factors when it comes to quality fisheries and resources. An individual year class is comprised of all the
living members that are produced in the wild in a certain water body
and/or a portion of a hatchery effort that has been stocked in a water
body. Some waters are replenished only by natural reproduction.
Others are maintained solely by stocking if natural reproduction is
poor. In such waters it is impossible to say that no natural reproduction is occurring, but researches can tell if stocking is needed to maintain the population by clipping fins, stocking in alternate years, and
conducting population assessments. Some waters have excellent natural reproduction and receive regular stocking.
Regardless of how new year classes come to be, their strength
consists of how many members there are in total and the rate at which
that number declines as time progresses. Muskies die for a multitude
of reasons: predation of young, water quality related die offs, angler
harvest, and angler mishandling are often leading causes. Once a
muskie reaches 30 inches, it has a much better chance of living
another five years than it had during the five years it took it to reach
30 inches. Population densities depend heavily on the numbers of
muskies that survive the juvenile stage, as any larger fish can predate
small muskies. Pike are the usual suspects, and waters with large
numbers of pike see comparatively smaller percentages of muskies
surviving to adulthood.
Total number of year classes present is also very important.
Waters in which muskies have greater longevity will have more year
classes at one time. For example, if muskies in southern waters do not
live past 12 years, there can be no more than 12 year classes. However,
if muskies in Ontario water live up to 30 years, said water can potentially have 30 year classes. This example illustrates how well one
aspect of a fishery is dependent on another. Water with the potential
for more year classes will often have more stable populations and
therefore fisheries, because the greater number of year classes buffer a
bad year class here and there.
Waters with strong natural reproduction usually have better
population densities than waters that rely almost solely on stocking
efforts because stocking is usually done every other year, therefore said
waters are missing every other year class of muskies. Solid natural
reproduction provides year classes for every year, unless environmental
factors prevent successful spawning. Some waters are more prone to
bad natural year classes than others, mostly due to the fact that certain
weather more readily prevents proper spawning conditions within the
aquatic environment. Waters that are not stocked and only have sporadic successful year classes will often have extended periods of good or
bad fishing as population abundance of adults is highly unstable.
Obviously, year classes affect what is presently available to
anglers, but they also affect the stability of the resource and fishery in
years to come. I can attest first hand to the frustration of learning a
presently awesome fishery and then have it go into decline, because
poor year classes came up or poor water quality destroyed many good
www.muskiesinc.org
year classes of fish. It is not commonplace in my experience, but
when it happens it really sucks to watch a resource and therefore fishery go down the toilet (hopefully only temporarily). While being
different, resources and fisheries are certainly intertwined. Sadly, I
have seen waters with every size of muskie in them, but very lacking
at the top end due to angler harvest. In some waters, very mature year
classes are still plagued by anglers who keep muskies.
Practical Application
A body of water may have a lot of big muskies, but if they are not
easy to find, fishing may be very tough. Conversely, a small body of
water may not have a lot of fish, but if they are easy to find, fishing
can be tremendous. The point is that there is more to consider than
numbers when planning a trip or choosing water to fish. Many variables can either block or guide the hopeful angler to those numbers.
Successful anglers examine their time, money, and other resources.
Then they look at what they want to get out of their fishing. Finally
they look at a number of possible waters that fit them best, and ultimately make a decision based on all available information. This
process takes time to master, and all I can do when looking back on
many of my past decisions is shake my head and laugh. I still make
poor decisions here and there and sadly I expect to make some bad
ones in the future as well. However, if we are wise, we realize that
screw ups are just as important if not more important than success in
any learning process.
What all of this boils down to is that there are many factors to
consider when choosing a body of water to fish. Of course, this is
only important if setting certain goals and finding the best way to
achieve them is desired. This is very important to me and enhances
the enjoyment of my angling experience. I have a type A personality
in many ways; this just happens to be one of them. I am sure this
seems like a lot of work, over-thinking, and/or that it takes the fun
out of the fishing and I respect that. All this consideration is not for
everyone. I can honestly say though that considering such subjects is
not only fun for me, but it has also made me a much more productive
muskie angler. v
What defines a quality fishery? Is it big muskies like this
one the author is hoisting for the camera? Or is it a day
of double digit low-30s class fish? That’s for you to
decide!
FOCUS ON CHAPTERS ◆ FOCUS ON CHAPTERS ◆ FOCUS ON CHAPTERS ◆ FOCUS ON CHAPTERS
5 28
Focus on Chapters 5 and 28
Border Wars
by Walter Krause (Ch. 5) and Wayne Humphrey (Ch. 28)
Y
ears ago, a member of the Pomme de Terre Chapter of Muskies,
Inc. (MI), saw that there was a growing interest in muskie fishing
in southern Illinois and knew there was a need for an MI chapter in
the area. Working with fishermen in the area, they established the
Shawnee Muskie Hunters Chapter of MI and the relationship
between the chapters was made. Over the years, the relationship has
grown, and we believe both chapters have benefited from it.
(From left to right) Kyle Hilger, Randy Hilger, Jim Beaty,
and John Wright pose for a picture after Jim Beaty is
presented with the plaque for helping the Shawnee
Muskie Hunters (Chapter 28) win the Border Wars
tournament against Pomme de Terre (Chapter 5).
generally scheduled with the other chapter’s calendar taken into consideration to minimize conflicts.
The springtime Border Wars competition was created to get the
chapters together formally, once a year. It is unfortunate that calendar conflicts limit this event to early spring. This limits the turnout
and fish that are caught, but it is still a good event. Shawnee does
have bragging rights based upon the number of wins in the series and
the small numbers of fish caught most years, they may just be luckier than we are; I know, the harder you work the luckier you are.
The trip to Lake St. Clair was started by the Shawnee Chapter in
2012. A couple of Pomme members went to help fill up the boats. So
many fish were caught, there wasn’t any trouble for Pomme to fill up
a boat the following year and the Shawnee had two boats. We thought
all the boats were docked together, but it turns out the Pomme boat
changed marinas and we did not have the opportunity to be together
before or after the daily trip. We did run across each other at the end
of the day at a fishing tackle store (where else would you find a
muskie fisherman?) and swapped fish information. Turns out both
boats had about the same day with regards to numbers and size.
Chapter involvement with each other has enlarged our circle of
friends and knowledge of the local fisheries and the issues they face.
Knowing the issues keeps us focused on what we can do to continue
to improve the fisheries and lakes. Enlarging our circle of friends means
you can always call someone for current fishing conditions, get the
lowdown on the “hot” lures, and probably find someone to eat dinner
with at the end of the day. Sounds like a win/win for everyone.
Walter Krause (Chapter 5)
and Wayne Humphrey (Chapter 28)
The chapters share a common geographic feature, the St. Louis,
MO metropolitan area. Both chapters have members in the St. Louis
area and several states surrounding it. Because of this, we have shared
space in sports shows promoting MI and our events, giving interested persons a choice of which ones to participate in. Events are
Jim Beaty helped the Shawnee Muskie Hunters defeat
the Pomme de Terre chapter with this winning fish
caught during the March 2013 Border Wars tournament
held on Lake Kinkaid, Illinois.
The friendly rivalry between Chapters 5 and 28 brought
anglers together on Lake St. Clair. From left to right
starting with bottom row: Ken Ryder, John Wright, John
Nevin, Lorin Nevin, Shannon Dingus, Cheryl Ford, Walter
Krause, Wayne Garrett, Jim Fritz, Kyle Beaty, Jim Beaty,
Dane Garrett, Jerry Ford, Mike Jacob, Jim Ashton,
Steve Krakowiecki, and Jimmy Beaty.
by Fred Bechetti
T
he leaves are off the trees (mine at least), and many Michigan
Muskie Alliance (MMA) Chapter 47 members will be putting
their boats away, heading out deer hunting, etc. so it must be time
for our chapter’s year-end report. After a somewhat tough year last
year due to unusually cold spring weather, this year proved to be
more productive. Many personal bests were recorded from both
inland lakes, as well as Lake St. Clair of course, and out-of-state
locations. This included a fat, late summer, 55 inch North Michigan
fish caught at one of our MMA events by one of our junior members, Tyler Schultz.
Chapter 47 members, Tyler Schultz, and dad, Will, are
pictured with Tyler’s personal best muskie. The gorgeous
spotted fish measured 55 inches! Great job, Tyler!
Michigan Muskie Alliance (Chapter 47) members and
DNR staff harvesting Great Lakes Strain muskie
fingerlings from rearing ponds for stocking purposes.
Michigan DNR as needed to repeat the stocking success of this
year.
We all look forward to next year and especially future years
when big, beautiful silvery GLS fish now being stocked on many of
our inland lakes, showing up at the end of our lines.
Have a happy and safe holiday to all from the Michigan Muskie
Alliance, Chapter 47.
Secretary, Fred Becchetti
As noted last year, Michigan has
switched its primary stocking strain of
muskie to the Great Lakes Strain (GLS).
We are happy to report that with the
help of MMA, the Michigan DNR had
a record year raising and then stocking
over 53,000 fingerlings in 28 plus lakes
located throughout the state.
October again saw one of our main
fund-raising events take place, the Bruce
Memorial tournament on Thornapple
Lake near Grand Rapids. Unlike past
years, nice weather prevailed, and this
year’s winner was Chris Allen. Likewise
in March we hold our annual fund-raising banquet and auction, which in 2014
will take place Saturday, March 8th at
Hawk Hollow Country Club North of
Lansing. More details can be found at
the MMA website: www.michiganmuskiealliance.org. We again welcome all
Muskies, Inc. members to attend and
help us raise funds, which can help the
www.muskiesinc.org
FOCUS ON CHAPTERS ◆ FOCUS ON CHAPTERS ◆ FOCUS ON CHAPTERS ◆ FOCUS ON CHAPTERS
7
4
Focus on Chapter 47
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!
No. Chapter, Address
Special Events
2014
We hope you all have a safe and
happy New Year! If you get a
chance, attend a sport show or
three as I am sure it will help with
the muskie itch we all feel this
time of year. You can find the
Sport Show Locator on page 22.
Special events listings are
provided at no charge to
Muskies, Inc. chapters.
To list your chapter’s events,
email to the address below.
ATTENTION ALL CHAPTERS:
Please email your chapter logo
to the Editor at
[email protected]
Please be sure to “Like” other
chapter’s Facebook pages.
This will help everyone stay
informed of outings and special
events with all chapters.
Check out the MI website often
to find the chapter’s direct
Facebook links.
Please send announcements
at least TWO months in
advance.
www.muskiesinc.org
Phone #
01.....Twin Cities, 4012 Washburn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55410...........................612-925-1109
02.....Fargo-Moorhead, Box 2021, Fargo ND, 58107.................................................701-298-9032
03.....Chicagoland Muskie Hunters, 7600 Kilbourn Ave, Skokie, IL 60076.................847-677-0017
04.....Titletown/Packerland, 3097 Inverness Lane, New Franken, WI 54229 ............920-866-9705
05.....Pomme De Terre, PO Box 5, Hermitage, MO 65668.........................................314-440-2173
06.....First Wisconsin, PO Box 122, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.................................715-864-2269
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, 239 8th St SE, Mason City IA 50401................................................641-424-0827
11......Mississippi Valley, 5301 11th Ave “C”, Moline, IL 61265....................................309-797-1803
12.....Headwaters, PO Box 652, Eagle River, WI 54521............................................715-891-5574
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, 16774 West Bay Drive, Pengilly, MN 55775.........................218-885-1677
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..................................................740-769-7269
19..... Akron-Canton Muskie Maniacs, 2211 North Park Dr., Wadsworth, OH 44281.....330-606-5374
20.....Between the Lakes, PO Box 61, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085-0061.................920-564-3226
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...........................815-389-4622
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, 2716 Red Robin Way, Delaware, OH 43015...............................740-225-1152
42.....Hoosier Muskie Hunters, PO Box 501371, Indianapolis, IN 46250................... 317-372-0111
44.....Colorado, 1438 Royal Troop Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80104............................303-263-3783
45.....Kentucky, 212 Linden Ave., Southgate, KY 41071............................................859-441-1666
46.....Bemidji/Cass Lake, 16256 Andrusia Rd NE, Cass Lake, MN 56633................218-335-8597
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, P.O. Box 5515, Kent, WA 98064............................................253-850-5889
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, 2216 W. Rockwell, Spokane, WA 99205............................509-263-7235
61.....Northwoods Chapter, 11435 Boulder Point, Minocqua, WI 54548....................715-356-9758
62.....Wasau Area Chapter, 5709 Canoe Street, Weston, WI 54776..........................715-297-7573
69.....New York Muskies, P.O. Box 10401, Rochester, NY 14610..............................585-670-0422
CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS ◆ CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS ◆ CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWS
Chapter News and Views
01
Twin Cities
4012 Washburn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55410
612-925-1109
www.twincitiesmuskiesinc.org
Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Knights of Columbus, 1114 W79th St Bloomington,
MN, near the SE corner of the intersection of I-494 and I-35W.
We had a couple of outstanding speakers at our October and
November general meetings. At the October meeting, guide John Hoyer
spoke about how he puts an analytical perspective on his approach to
fishing. He takes ideas from fishing for other species and adapts them to
muskie fishing. He also notices changes in feeding patterns and comes
up with new approaches to address those changes. The speaker for the
November meeting was tournament fisherman and lure designer, Jason
Summers. Jason talked about taking the Medussa from inception to
implementation. Like all good fishermen, he identified some issues and
thought about a way to address them. He explained how he uses the
Medussa throughout the season and why he thinks it is so successful.
John Newman, our Stocking Chair, reported that he was able to purchase 1000, 8-10 inch muskies, and had the DNR stock them on the
Minnesota side of the St. Croix. Thanks to our members and the Hugh C.
Becker Foundation for providing the resources to make this possible.
At our December general meetings we will have our annual member
swap meet. Everyone will bring their lures that have not been catching fish
in hopes of finding a fisherman to swap lures with. It’s actually a fun night
of talking with many chapter members. At this meeting, we will nominate
and elect officers and Board members for the coming year.
We hope everyone will finish off the season strong, as we begin planning for next year. The first big event on the calendar will be our
Sportsman’s Banquet on March 8, 2014 at the Minnesota Valley Country
Club. For more information about this banquet, please contact Tom Keith
at [email protected].
-
Respectfully submitted, Tom Keith
05
Pomme de Terre
P.O. Box 5 • Hermitage, MO 65668
314-440-2173 – Wayne Humphrey
www.missourimuskies.org
Meets: Various days-Call for schedule
The annual Fall Muskie Team Tournament was held on Pomme De
Terre Lake in Southwestern Missouri on October 4th - 6th, 2013. The Friday
event is separate from the Saturday and Sunday event. Friday’s event had
26 teams participating which produced a total of six fish caught and
released.
Pomme De Terre Chapter of
Muskies, Inc. 39th Annual Team
Muskie Tournament 2013 Results:
Friday’s standings were:
1st place (14 points) - Dave and
Nick Admire – Dave caught a 40
inch and claimed the Big Fish Pot.
2nd place (13.25 points) - Wayne
Humphrey and Dick Stewart –
Dick boated two fish, a 33.25 inch
and 32 inch.
3rd place (8.25 points) - Wayne
Robinson and Peter Robinson Wayne boated a 34.25 inch.
4th place (7.25 points) - Kevin
Richards and Joe Cook - Kevin
boated a 33.5 inch.
5th place (7 points) - Earle
Hammond and Earle Hammond III
- Earle Sr. boated a 33 inch.
Saturday’s and Sunday’s event
had 25 teams participating, a total of
25 fish were caught and released.
Saturday’s and Sunday’s
standings were:
1st place (64.25 points) - Gary
Pearson and TJ Sawyer - Gary
Pearson boated five fish (30.75,
39.25, 37.5, 33.5, and a 33.75). TJ
Sawyer boated two fish (34 and a 37.5).
2nd place (39.5 points) - Billy Pitts and Robert Sawyer - Billy Pitts boated three fish (40.5, 33.75, and a 35.5) and claimed the Big Fish Pot
for Saturday. Robert Sawyer boated a 33.5 inch.
rd
3 place (28.25 points) - Dave and Nick Admire - Dave Admire boated
a 37.75 and a 34 inch. Nick Admire
boated a 34.5 inch.
4th place (28 points) - Tom Panek and
Troy Popes - Tom Panek boated
three fish (34, 32, and a 33.25). Troy
Popes boated a 32.75 inch.
5th place (21.75 points) - Scott and
Skyler Schlick - Skyler boated a
40.5 (see photo at right) and 33.25
inch. Skyler claimed the Big Fish
Pot for Sunday.
th
6 place (13 points) - Larry Reeves
and Steve Moritz - Larry boated a
39 inch.
7th place (11.75 points) - Dick Stewart
and Wayne Humphrey - Dick
Stewart boated a 37.75 inch.
8th place (7 points) - Scott and Steve
Smith - Scott Smith boated a 33 inch.
9th place (5.5 points) - Ralph and Matt Bigham - Ralph Bigham boated
a 31.5 inch.
10th place (5.25 points) - Rick and Charley Rhinehart - Rick Rhinehart
boated a 31.25 inch.
For more information concerning upcoming club events, go to:
www.missourimuskies.org.
President/Tournament Director, George Donner
06
First Wisconsin
P.O. Box 122, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Jason Smith - 715-726-9912 • 1-888-726-6733
www.firstwi.muskiesinc.org
Meetings 1st Monday, 5:30 PM, at Rod and Gun Club, Lake Wissota from May to
September and at the Fill Inn Station, 104 W. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls from
October to April.
Our annual awards banquet will be held January 25th, 2014 at The Fill
Inn Station in Chippewa Falls, WI. Social hour will be held at 5 p.m., dinner
at 6 p.m., followed by awards and raffle.
The 37th Annual Muskie Tournament had 228 registered anglers.
Eighty-four muskies were caught and released by fifty-seven anglers. Two
47 inch fish were caught by Josh Rabska and Jerry Plantz and were the
longest. Paul Schnieder took 1st place with six fish for 82.25 points,
Nathaniel Schneider took 2nd place with five fish for 63 points, and Jason
Smith took 3rd place with four fish for 47.25 points. Thanks to all our sponsors and participants.
The Wednesday Night Fishing League ended with 18 people scoring
points by either releasing fish or netting them. Jason Smith took top honors with three fish and two net scoops worth 46 points. Next was Steve
Wyers with three fish worth 35 points, then Don Maves with two fish and
two net scoops worth 31 points. I can’t wait until next year. It is a great
way to meet other members, because you can only fish with a person once
during the season.
Our stocking of the Spotted Muskies in Lake Wissota took place at 8
a.m. on Thursday, October 31st. We met at the rod and gun boat landing;
the temperature was warm, but extremely foggy. We had a lot of helpabout 15-20 members, five DNR employees, and the bait man. I think
there were eight boats, all with GPS capabilities, thank goodness due to
the fog. We had 2,500+ muskies ranging from 8-10 inches. We didn’t tag
them, but we did clip off the rear left fin. For the Muskies, Inc. members,
we worked in teams of two, one person holding the little muskie and the
other clipping the fin. I watched one of the DNR guys hold the fish in one
hand while clipping the fin with the other; he is pretty talented as those
little guys were slippery.
When we had a couple of totes filled, the guys with boats took off into
the fog to release them. They were mainly released in areas with cover for
protection so they didn’t get eaten. A special thanks to all who participated and also the DNR for all their help. The DNR supplied tables, pails,
tanks, nets and scissors. Dave Carlson was also there interviewing a
couple of the guys and taking videos for his TV show. We were all wrapped
up before noon. It was a fun and rewarding project.
The stocking project was made possible by a grant from the
Chippewa Rod and Gun Club, money raised with our tournament, along
with other club fund raising activities.
Paul Gottwald
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.
Greetings and Happy New Year! We, at the Capital City of Muskies,
Inc. (CCMI), are looking forward to our late winter and early spring
activities. Our annual Awards Ceremony Meeting will be held on Monday,
February 10th, 2014. We recognize and honor those anglers who have
made outstanding catches in 2013 during this meeting and it is a fun
event with many, many fish stories. We will also have a booth at the
Madison Fishing Expo on the weekend of February 21st – 23rd, 2014.
Come visit us and buy tickets for the Ranger Boat being raffled by the
Wisconsin Muskie Alliance. Chapter 8 will also have a booth at the
Wisconsin Musky Expo in Wausau, Wisconsin on March 2nd. Again,
come and visit with us.
Our annual Intermediate and Advanced Muskie School will be on
Saturday, March 15th at Waunakee High School, just north of Madison.
The muskie school has become a very popular event, offering over 30
class sessions to choose from. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn
from the muskie masters and you’ll have a lot of fun while doing so.
Check out our website for information on how to register for this one-day
event.
Our annual fundraiser fishing seminar is scheduled for Saturday,
April 12th, 2014. It will be held at our regular meeting location, the 5100
Bar in McFarland. Ty Sennett, well known northern Wisconsin muskie
guide and owner of Sennett Musky Tackle Company, will be our featured
speaker. Our fundraiser will include many raffles and prizes, so please
plan to attend and join the fun. More information on all of our events and
outings is available at www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org.
Officers for 2014 were elected at our November membership meeting. Lee Bartolini was elected President; Dale Anderson was elected
Vice President; Matt Newman was elected Treasurer; Winston Hopkins
was elected Secretary; and Tom Penniston was elected as our Chapter
Representative to Muskies, Inc. Congratulations to our new and returning officers. A very special thanks goes to Dan Reim, who served as our
Treasurer for many years and to Karen Phillips, who was our immediate
past Secretary and long-time board member. Your many years of service
are greatly appreciated. Dan and Karen will continue on the board as
at-large directors. Thanks to all of the officers for all of their efforts in
making our club the success that it is.
As noted in past columns, CCMI has been involved in a stocking
study with the support and cooperation of the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources for a number of years. As part of this study, 503
Leech Lake strain muskie fingerlings were stocked in Lake Monona on
November 12th, 2013. All fingerlings were implanted with Passive
Integrated Transponders (PIT) tags before being released into the lake.
The PIT tags will allow the fish to be identified when netted by the DNR
or caught by anglers in the future, thus providing data on growth and
survival rates. Thank you Scot Stewart, Dave Rowe, Kurt Welke, Scott
Harpold, Jon Hansen, Mike Rennicke, Tom Cichosz, and the DNR staff
members who provided the manpower, skills, and knowledge for this
stocking effort. Your support, cooperation, and friendship are greatly
appreciated. Thanks, also, to the nine or ten CCMI members who
showed up to assist with the stocking, including Tom Penniston, who
was responsible for getting the necessary permits, ordering the fish, and
making arrangements with the DNR to stock them. Gerard Hellenbrand
is also thanked for ordering pizza for everyone when the stocking was
completed.
As you might guess, the three muskie lakes in the metropolitan area
of Madison, WI are heavily pressured bodies of water. There is a lot of
boating and fishing activity, and sometimes it gets very crowded. To help
guide anglers and boaters, CCMI has started a new project to promote
fishing and boating etiquette, including the possibility of posting signs at
boat ramps. If you have information that would be useful to our cause,
please contact Steve Reinstra at [email protected].
As always, we hope to see you at our club events this spring.
-
President, Lee Bartolini
09
West Virginia
1270 Federal Road • Little Hocking, OH 45742
740-667-3571
www.westvirginiamuskiesinc.org
Meets: No definite schedule-call
Our 2013 tournament and outing schedule drew to an end this year
with the last three events resulting in tough fishing conditions and few fish
caught.
The Burnsville one day outing at Burnsville Lake on September 14th
had 23 members and guests fishing on what turned out to be a beautiful
day on the water, but tough for putting fish in the boat. Following rough
weather on Friday, Saturday dawned cool and clear with high sunny skies
all day. An early morning spurt saw Debbie Bever and Robin Clegg con-
Improve Your Muskie Skills
At Two Fun-Filled Events
13th Intermediate and Advanced Muskie School – March 15th, 2014
Over 30 classes, all levels welcome ∙ Waunakee, WI
Advanced tickets $34; Youth 17 and younger $10
Muskie Seminar featuring Ty Sennett – April 12th, 2014
Many raffles and prizes ∙ McFarland, WI
Advanced tickets $12 ($15 at the door)
For details on both events please visit
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Or Contact Geoff Crandall: [email protected] or 608-831-6020
www.muskiesinc.org
08
Capital City
chapter news & views (Continued from page 41)
nect with a couple nice fish. Debbie’s 42 inch bode well for her and
Robin’s 35 inch fish looked like a good beginning. Unfortunately, with the
exception of a couple sub legals, nothing else was boated before lunch.
Following a nice lunch break with most boats gathering on shore,
door prizes were awarded. With high hopes for a better afternoon, everyone hit the water but only Debbie was able to put another fish in the net.
She landed a nice 41 inch fish but after the hooks coming out in the net,
the fish rolled and impaled itself again in a vulnerable area which resulted
in excessive bleeding and eventually the fish had to be kept. Nevertheless
her 16 points for the earlier fish held up and she won with Robin finishing
second. Thanks to Jake Flint for hosting this outing.
Our next outing, a one day event on the Kanawha River was our first
time fishing this promising body of water. Eight members fished the tournament with Paul and Nancy Amick chairing. Jeff Hanshaw caught a very
nice 40 inch fish which was the only fish caught for the day. This is a
developing fishery and we hope to continue to explore this great river.
The last event for the season, our Fall Mail-In was hosted by Debbie
and John Bever. Several members registered to fish on what seemed to
be a fairly good weekend condition wise. Unexplainably, only one fish was
captured; a nice 32 inch by Bill Looney from the Elk River. Thanks to all
who participated in these outings and supported our chapter as well as
sharing in the fellowship each one provides.
Winners of our Annual Rod Raffle Fundraiser were drawn at a chapter
meeting held in West Union. Mike Moschell and Bill Barrick bought the
lucky tickets and each chose a rod from a selection of quality rods available. We want to thank all that purchased tickets in support of this important fundraiser.
The photos shown here are from activities at Palestine State Fish
Hatchery on November 20th, 2013. A total of 437 young of the year (YOY)
muskellunge were harvested from hatchery ponds, anesthetized,
measured for total length, injected with Passive Integrated Transponder
(PIT) tags, loaded onto stocking trucks, and released at various WVDNR
managed bodies of water across the state. Some locations received
untagged fish as well (537 total harvested).
to Mike Nuckles (WVDNR) who raised some of the YOY muskellunge at
Bowden State Fish Hatchery before they were transferred to Palestine and
fattened up on minnows prior to the tagging operation and stocking. For
further information on this and any other WVDNR fisheries research project
please contact Chris O’Bara in the Parkersburg office (304) 420-4550.
Members, please note! With thoughts to giving us a larger place for
our Annual Meeting, I’ve scheduled the 2014 meeting at The Gym located
in Harrisville, WV. Providing much more space, I’m confident you will enjoy
this location. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 22nd, 2014.
More information and directions will be provided by letter prior to the
actual date.
President, Jim Moore
12
On behalf of Headwaters Chapter members everywhere, greetings
from the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin!
What a great season of muskie fishing and chapter activities we’ve
had this year! From the Spring Classic (which seems like a long time ago!),
to our fun outings, the trips to the Gil Hamm and Kleeba Tournaments, the
Fall Classic, and ending up with our famous Enduro Outing which took
place on October 25th.
The Enduro is always our most popular outing and this one was no
exception, drawing over 80 people. Following a day of fishing, we all met
at the Eagle River Inn for an evening of good food, refreshments, and
awards. Congrats to our friend Bill Kirby, who braved the elements to
catch a really nice fish!
As we go to print, our chapter is gearing up for our Annual Christmas
Party, which always takes place in January. This year we will be gathering
at the Eagle Waters Resort on Saturday, January 4th. If you’ve never been
to one of our Christmas Parties, you’re missing a great time. All are welcome. For more information, visit us at www.headwatersmuskies.com or
call our Chapter President, Bill Jacobs at (715) 477-2913.
If you live in the Wausau area, we hope you’ll stop by the Headwaters
Chapter booth at this year’s Wisconsin Musky Expo. The Expo takes
place at the Patriot Center in Wausau from February 28th – March 2nd, and
of course, the highlight of the event will be the Headwaters Chapter booth!
(OK, maybe not the highlight, but stop by and say hi anyway). We’ll have
some great prizes to raffle off, and will be happy to talk with you about the
great muskie fishing in our neck of the woods.
Although we’re still in the throes of winter, things are heating up as
our chapter makes preparations for our Spring Banquet. This year, the
banquet takes place Saturday, April 12th at the Eagle River Inn. Banquet
Director, Joe Koschnik, promises this year’s event will outdo all previous
banquets. From the great food, to the enhanced Ladies raffle table, to the
outstanding products and vacations to be auctioned off, you won’t want
to miss this year’s banquet. For more information, contact Joe at (715)
542-2366.
Once again, we hope you will be able to join the Headwaters Chapter
for a meeting or one of our many activities. We usually meet the first
Wednesday of each month at the Eagle River Inn www.eagleriver-inn.com
at 7 p.m. Please check the schedule at our website to confirm www.
headwatersmuskies.com. Please contact me with any questions or comments at [email protected] or (715) 547-3340.
-
Respectfully submitted, Scott Samuels
13
The tagged fish will help us gather greater information on catch rates,
age and growth, and other important factors of West Virginia muskellunge
through future angler and survey recaptures. Chris O’Bara, (WVDNR FedAid research director) with the help of his assistant Katie Zipfel and the
hatchery staff at Palestine, headed up the operation. Fisheries staff
personnel then stocked the fish into various locations across the state. A
number of members from Muskies, Inc. including current Chapter 9
president Jim Moore assisted WVDNR staff for the day. The bodies of
water stocked include: Stonewall Jackson Lake (Lewis Cty.), Woodrum
Lake (Jackson Cty.), Mason Lake (Monongalia Cty.), Bear Rocks Lake
(Ohio Cty.) and Upper Mud Lake (Lincoln Cty.). A special thanks also goes
Headwaters
P.O. Box 652 • Eagle River, WI 54521
715-891-5574 – Bill Jacobs
www.headwatersmuskies.com
Meets 1st Wednesday 7:00 PM, Eagle River Inn, Eagle River, WI.
Hayward Lakes
P.O. Box 609
Hayward, WI 54843
715-634-4543
The Hayward Lakes Chapter held our 36th Annual Fall Tournament on
October 4th – 6th. Four hundred and twenty-seven fishermen and women
caught 71 fish. The largest was a 48 inch caught by Ernie Thieding from
Mcfarland, WI on Spider Lake. The winner of the Lund boat, Mercury motor,
and Shorelander trailer, from Hayward Power Sports was Ray Baerenwald
from Iola, WI. If you would like to view the results of the complete fish list,
it can be seen at our website www.muskiesinc-hayward.org.
The following club members have reported fish as of September 20th:
Youth Division - Tommy Tiffany, 1 fish - 4 pts.
Women’s Division - Rachel Sennett, 13 fish - 175 pts. which includes
a 49 inch; Brenda Dettloff, 7 fish - 86 pts.; Tera Neibauer, 6 fish - 60 pts.
The meeting schedule for the beginning of 2014:
January 7, 2014 - 7 p.m. - Business Meeting - To plan year 2014 projects, activities and budget. All board members are asked to attend.
All interested members are welcome. The meeting will be held at
Dow’s Corners.
March 1, 2014– Annual Awards Banquet: To recognize the winners of our
members fishing contest and to award the replica for the biggest fish
in our fall tournament. The location will be announced in January.
For more information, call Mike Persson at (715) 634-4543 or visit our
club’s website at www.muskiesinc-hayward.org
*Dick-sy Roadhouse is 11 miles East of Hayward on Highway 77 East.
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.
Mike Persson
16
Three Rivers
119 Buss Lane • Renfrew, PA 16053
724-789-7866 – James P. Buss
www.threerivers.muskiesinc.org
Meets 2nd Monday 7:30 PM, Northside Sportsmans Club, Wexford, PA.
Three Rivers wrapped up its tournament season with two fall tournaments this year. On September 28th and 29th the fall Chautauqua Team
Tournament was held for the first time. Twelve teams showed up for the
tournament and the weather was very pleasant. First place went to Dale
Wiley and John Ryhal with six fish. Second place went to Nick Pflum and
Todd Yester with six fish. Third place went to Frank Alcorn and Mike
Deponceau with six fish. Big fish honors went to Dale Wiley with a 47.5
inch fish. The last tournament of the season was the Big Fish Tournament at
Lake Arthur on October 20th. We had 31 people sign up for the event and
a few fish managed to cooperate. Mike Hills took first place with a 40 inch,
Colton Siatkowski took second with a 39 inch, and Frank Klavon took third
with a 34 inch. After the tournament there was a nice dinner held at the
Fairground Market.
This past fall, Three Rivers members stock approximately 39,450
across the western part of Pennsylvania. Lakes included Lake Arthur,
Wilhelm, Pymatumaning and Kinzua. Fish were also stocked into the
lower portion of the Allegheny and Yough River. In addition to these stockings, Presque Isle Bay received approximately 2,500 great lakes strain
spotted muskie for the first time. Union City did the stocking of the great
lake strain fish, which were reported to be very healthy looking. The lakes
and rivers received fish from Linesville hatchery which were also very
healthy looking. We’re hoping to continue the way the program is going!
This year, we are pleased to be having two muskie fishing shows in
the area this winter. First will be the Butler Fishing Show, which has been
moved to the Saint Ferdinand Church on 2535 Rochester Rd, Cranberry
Twp PA, 16066. The cost will be $8 for adults and children 12 and under
are free. The show date is February 8th from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The second
is the new Muskie Max Fishing Show, held at the Days Inn in Butler, PA on
March 8th from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and March 9th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This show will be hosting an impressive list of lures, manufacturers, and
speakers. Admission will be $8 for adults and free admission to children
under 12 when accompanied by an adult. A weekend pass is also available
for $12. Stay tuned for more info on both shows.
This year, the annual awards banquet and dinner will again be held
at the Cranberry Elk Club on March 15th, 2014. Tickets will be available at
the membership meetings held at the Northside sportsmen club or by
contacting Jeff Kelley through the Three Rivers website.
We would also like to thank our sponsors and lure makers of the club.
Next time you’re out don’t forget to take a look at their lures or services;
Wiley Lures, Legend Lures, Leo Lures, Newman Lures, Grandma Lures,
Muddy Creek Guide Service, Hammer Lures, Allegheny Guide Service, Boss
Shad, Red October Baits, Baker Baits and Mostly Musky Guide Service.
- Good Fishing, Joel Morrow
www.muskiesinc.org
18
Hopedale
PO Box 118
Smithfield, OH 43948
740-769-7269 – Jerry Pruneski
Meets 1st Thursday 7:30 P.M., Pine Valley Sportsman's Club, Smithfield, OH.
It doesn’t seem possible, but this year’s tournaments are over and
done. Jim Cook took top honors at the late September tournament. Pete
Sall snagged second, not literally, and Mike Rouse came in third. Jim
Petrozzi and Steve Russell will receive an honorable mention for their
catches.
There was a tie for first at the October event. Bert Collette and Mike
Rouse both ended up with 23 points. Sam Reichenbach nailed second
place, while Joe Ball and David Nabb earned honorable mentions.
The Muskie Gods have smiled on Chapter 18 this year. As of this writing, three members have released 50 inch fish. Sandy Petrozzi, Dave
White, and Gordan Carr did it from three separate bodies of water. Joe Ball
released a 48 inch fish and claimed it might have made 50 inch if the water
hadn’t been so cold that day.
The 50/50 raffle tickets are out for sale. The drawing will be at the
March wild game feed. Remember, this is our main money maker for the
year and your support is appreciated. Watch for upcoming news on the
February Awards Banquet.
Kevin Singhaus
19
Akron-Canton
2211 North Park Dr. • Wadsworth, OH 44281
Mike Sandridge - 330-606-5374
[email protected]
Meets 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 PM, North Canton FOE, 6979 Sunset Strip NW,
Canton, OH.
The Muskie Maniacs held their Night Bite Tournament on August
24th. We had 34 anglers that fished the event in which three fish were
caught. Paul Anderson took first place with a 42.25 inch fish, Ray Elkins
took second with his 40 inch fish, and Neil Butara placed third with his 38.5
inch fish. Congratulations go out to our winners! It was tough fishing with
cold front conditions, but we made it through. A shore lunch was had by
all who participated.
On September 20th and 21st, we had our open tournament at West
Branch. There were 27 anglers that fished the event with 16 fish being
caught. Chuck Land took first place with three fish (40.5 inch, 40 inch, and
39 inch), Chris Schimmelman took second with his 41 and 39 inch fish, and
Russ Roberts came in third with his 38.5 and 36 inch fish. Congratulations
to the winners! Big Fish pool went to Chris Daniels with his 44 inch fish; he
took home $135 with his first casting muskie; great job!
We are having our club’s Christmas Party on December 13th. Everyone
is asked to bring a gift to donate to Pathways. Last year we had a great
turnout and there were a lot of gifts that were donated. We are also going
to pick the winners of our Christmas Raffle. The prizes are an iPad and a
GoPro Camera.
With the threat of snow coming soon, some of us have put our boats
in storage, but a few of our members will still be out trying to catch some
more fish until the end of December. We hope all the clubs had a wonderful
Christmas and we hope all good things come this New Year to all! We
are looking forward to the up-coming sport shows and seminars this
month. I will give the results of our Christmas Party and Raffle in our next
newsletter.
Kevin Proffitt
22
New Jersey
1524 Old Bethlehem Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951
908-319-2205 • www.mi22.com
Chapter meetings are held monthly the last Tuesday of each month, September through
May. Summer meetings will be held on the water. Check our website for details.
Fall fishing has been excellent in New Jersey. We’ve been enjoying
good weather, active fish, and some additional elbow room on the water
with many anglers turning to hunting this time of year. In addition to time
on the water, Chapter 22 participated in a Lake Hopatcong Clean-Up, got
our first student for 2014 Musky School, and voted in our officers for 2014.
We also held an informal Fall Tournament.
Our Fall Tournament was held on October 19th on Greenwood Lake.
The small informal gathering brought five boats out on the water and every
boat caught a fish. Andy Moraller’s 45 inch muskie, barely beat Sandra and
Mike Marzo’s 44 incher. Conditions were perfect and it was great to have
Men’s Division - Emmett Brown, 16 fish - 144 pts.; Ken Vesel, 9 fish
– 123 pts.; Steve Truver, 5 fish - 64 pts.; Ernie Thieding, 4 fish - 59 pts.
which includes a 48 inch; Carl Langham, 4 fish -55 pts.; Kris Gottwald, 3
fish - 43 pts.; Allen Hoeft, 2 fish - 21 pts.; Tom Kersten, 2 fish - 17 pts.
Men’s Masters - Larry Ramsell, 29 fish – 472 pts. which includes 4
48 inchers, 49.5 inch, 50 inch, 52 inch and a 52.5 inch; Mike Persson, 13
fish - 157 pts.; Adam Glickman, 6 fish - 72pts.; John Dettloff, 5 fish - 75
pts.; Ted Muntz, 4 fish-53 pts.; Tom Muntz, 3 fish - 34 pts.
C H A P T E R N E WS & V I E WS ◆ C H A P T E R N E WS & V I E WS ◆ C H A P T E R N E WS & V I E WS
a bunch of Chapter 22 boats out on the water. Lunch was held at the
Breezy Point Inn in recognition of Oktoberfest.
Our October meeting was held as usual on the last Tuesday, at the
Arrowhead Lake Clubhouse, in Denville. We voted in our officers, did
plenty of lure swapping, and Andy Moraller gave an informative leader-tying discussion and demonstration.
The 2014 officers for Chapter 22 are President, Calvin Huntzinger;
Region 3 Representative and Chapter 22 Secretary, Jim Evers; Vice
President, Mark Modoski; Treasurer and Tournament Chair, Jed Chingery;
Release Chair, Bob Mischka.
On November 9th, Chapter 22 joined forces with the Knee Deep Club
and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation as more than 400 volunteers showed
up to help in a lake clean-up. Lake Hopatcong had its five year drawdown,
so the property owners could repair docks. The opportunity was seized to
have the lake’s first general clean-up in over 10 years. A big “thank you”
to Rocky, Jim, Krista, Bill, Ashley, Cal, Jim, Phil, Andy, John, and everyone
else who helped out.
As winter approaches here in New Jersey, there are still plenty of fishing to be had. Having no closed season, members are still plying the
waters in search of fall fatties. We look forward to our Christmas Party on
December 14th and already have our first student for 2014 Musky School.
We are always looking to have new speakers, new topics, and new demonstrations at our chapter meetings. Anyone who would like to help or has
any inquiries can reply to: [email protected].
Mark Modoski
Here we are 2014. The beginning of a new year brings planning for
trips, going to sports shows to find that new magic bait, and expectations
for that fish of a life time. For those that live in states where your season
is closed until later in the year, you can plan an early trip to one of the
southern state to catch your first muskie.
Every year, I meet more and more muskie fisherman from Wisconsin
and Minnesota fishing Kinkaid in February and March to take advantage of
our no closed season. Our weather is somewhat mild and the ice either
never forms or is out by mid-February. The fish are eagerly waiting to hammer rattle baits and other crank baits that the fishermen have to offer. I
might add that the fish are at their heaviest weight of the year before the
spawn.
Club activities are also starting to heat up. Many clubs will have
booths at sports shows and award dinners planned. It really is an exciting
time of the year. I classify it as a kid at Christmas; you can feel the excitement!
Chapter 28 is no different; we have another year with many fine outings and activities planned. We will have booths at sport shows, fishing
outings and trips, Kids day, lake clean-up, guide for the day events, along
with tournaments and a veterans day outing, just to name a few. The officers of our chapter know that you cannot make all of them and we do not
expect that. This is your club and we try to have an event for everyone to
come out to enjoy the outdoors; we even catch some fish in the process.
We have some very good fisherman in our chapter in which I feel you can
learn from. Come on out and take advantage of their knowledge of the lake
and catching the mighty muskie.
• January 3rd- 5th “Let’s Go Fishing Show” Collinsville, IL
• January 10th -12th Chicago Muskie Show at Harper College
• January 31st, February 1st, 2nd Williamson Co. Boat and Fishing
Show
• February 8th Shawnee Muskie Hunters Awards Dinner
Remember I’m in the other New Lund, Walt Krause
35
Milwaukee
PO Box 28842 • Greenfield, WI 53228
Craig Ader – 262-250-6444
www.milwaukeemuskiesinc.com
Meets 3rd Thursday January – May, & September – November, 6:00PM Board Mtg.; 7:30PM
General Meeting, American Legion Post #449. 3245 N. 124th Street, Brookfield, WI 53005
23
Cleveland
5007 Starr St. • Newton Falls, OH 44444
330-219-7964 • [email protected]
Meets 2nd Monday of each month, 7:30 PM
at Westfall’s Family Restaurant, 18148 Mahoning Ave., Lake Milton, OH 44429, except
June-August when meetings are at the East Boat Ramp Pavilion in West Branch.
I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday season. Not a lot
going on in Chapter 23 land. We are buttoned down for the cold hand of
winter upon us. Our officers were unanimously re-elected for another year
and our schedule for the 2014 year and is as follows: Annual Banquet: February 15th at Roby Lee’s Newton Falls
Earth Day at West Branch: April 19th
Tom Bishop Sr. Memorial Tournament West Branch: May 17th - 18th
Chapter Challenge: May 31st and June 1st
Cindy Dean Memorial Kids Fishing Derby Lake Milton: June 7th
Lake Milton Tournament: June 28th - 29th Summer Tournament West Branch: July 19th - 20th
Ed Garland Memorial Tournament Pymatuning: August 23rd - 24th
Chili Outing: October 4th
Well that’s all for now folks. Have a prosperous new year and see you
in the spring!
Danny Fisher
28
Shawnee Muskie Hunters
923 Reiss Rd, O'Fallon, IL 62269
618-628-4205 – Jerry Ford
[email protected]
www.shawneemuskiehunters.org
Check out our website (shawneemuskiehunters.org) for lots of good
information. Thanks to Renee Johnson for taking over our website and
rebuilding it. I think you will like it.
Some items of business first. Please note above, that our meeting
location has changed starting in January 2014. We are moving from the
Waukesha Elks Club to the American Legion Post 449 on N 124th Street
across from Briggs and Stratton. Also, note that the meeting date has
changed to the 3rd Thursday of the month, start time remains the same.
Past Chapter 35 President, John T. Kraker, unexpectedly passed
away on September 11th, 2013. Current President, Craig Ader commented
on receiving several emails in regards to John and how he assisted and
taught several members about muskie fishing.
On our Friday, September 20th outing, Mother Nature dealt an early
kick off to fall with it being a bit windy and a little chilly! Trolling seemed to
be the ticket as Lynne Dembiec took the Big Fish pot with a 36.75 incher.
She also boated two other 35 inchers. Steve Berg stuck a 34 inch along
with a pike casting. Afterwards, a good time was had at Smokey’s Muskie
Shop. Thanks to Rick for keeping the shop open for us. Geoff and Jen
Verges supplied the meal, which was some awesome pulled pork! These
outings are all about having fun, chasing muskies, and the camaraderie on
and off the water.
In the future, if anyone is looking to host an event, pick a date and let
the crew know. As President Craig Ader said, “I am truly impressed with
the cooks we have. If you have not attended one of these outings, you are
missing out on a treat in so many ways.”
The Chapter’s September 24th meeting had guest speaker Kevin
Moore, who operates Muskies, etc. Guide Service (www.muskiesetc.com).
Kevin had a great presentation on some of the live bait techniques he
uses. He also spoke on year round presentations he employs on
Pewaukee and in particular, Okauchee and Oconomowoc Lakes. Kevin
had some great insight and some lively stories. Kevin has been fishing
Okauchee Lake since the early 80’s.
At the October 22nd meeting, President Craig Ader announced that
tickets are now available for the spring 2014 Fund Raiser 50/50 Raffle. The
cost will be $5 each or five for $20. The winner will be drawn at the
Pewaukee Classic on May 10th 2014. Chapter board member, Geoff
Verges, gave a presentation on sucker fishing. Geoff, with the gracious
permission of fellow chapter member and local guide Mike Keopp (www.
mikekeopp.com), shared with the group the “Keopp Rig”. Geoff discussed
some of the techniques that are employed on Pewaukee and area lakes
when the “meat of the season” is on the menu for muskies.
From May 4 to November 11th, Chapter 35 is credited with 297 regis-
37
St. Cloud
312 18th Avenue N. • Sartell, MN 56377
Bruce Kitowski - (320) 656-1160
www.stcloudmuskies.com
Meets: 3 Tues. 7:30 PM, American Legion Post 428, 17 2nd Ave. N, Waite Park, MN.
rd
We are deep in the heart of Winter and it’s hard to imagine those hot,
buggy summer nights where everything is emitting the scent of a freshly
released muskie; it will be here soon enough. Hopefully everyone is
spending quality time catching up with friends and family and maybe even
tuning up a reel or watching some sweet fishing videos. I know here in
Minnesota, many of us like to pursue several other fish species through a
hole in the ice. Just like muskie fishing, success isn’t always measured by
how many fish you catch but by how many memories you’ve made.
It’s always amazing to hear from our guest speakers, and out last
two were no exception. October’s speaker was our own, highly credited, Aaron Meyer. Aaron spoke to us about “Catching Big Fish More
Consistently.” He took it to a new level, one higher than just good lures
and good spots. He discussed understanding the conditions and patterns that these fish react to and how to implement the right technique,
while duplicating your success to put not only more, but bigger fish in
the boat as well. Aaron is also a muskie guide here in Minnesota with
great success and regularly shows giant fish in his nets. Check him out!
www.aaronmeyermuskies.com.
November’s speaker was Joe Stewig, the Montrose area Fisheries
Supervisor. Joe has dedicated his life to our fisheries and is an unlimited
wealth of knowledge. This fall we began our P.I.T. (Passive Integrated
Transponder) program. Joe brought us all up to speed, including the 1,030
muskies that received P.I.T tags and were released into the Horseshoe
Chain. We will be tagging all of our area fish from now on as long as the
tags and funds are available. Joe did a great job explaining the benefits of
this program and how it helps our research and the future of muskies. I met
Joe two years ago, as I was a volunteer on a survey conducted of our local
Sugar Lake. He was great to work with and I highly recommend if anyone
is interested, getting involved with some of these studies. Thank you very
much Joe.
www.muskiesinc.org
Our Lake of the Month and last chapter outing of the season, was
held on Lake Alexander. The good turnout of boats also enjoyed lunch at
Castaway’s Restaurant on the lake. Much success was found in one boat
in particular with a four fish day! Nick DeBoer landed a slob 52.5 inch and
a 44 inch! Nate Rose notched out two more with a 42 and a 40 inch! Good
job guys!
Ken Smith spoke at October’s meeting about Lake Alexander. If anyone had a chance to hear him, they should have no problem finding fish
and knowing your way around this lake. In my honest opinion, Ken could
have left out some of those hidden secrets! Thanks Ken!
Sven Larsen is spearheading the Lake of The Month outings. In the
November meeting, he shared with us one of his favorites, Elk Lake.
Buried in the middle of Itasca State Park lies a secluded muskie lake and
Sven gave us the tools and knowledge to tackle it on our own. Thank you
Sven for everything you do.
We would love to meet you and see photos of all your big catches.
Facebook is a great way to follow and share with our St. Cloud Chapter
events. Give us a “like” while you are there. Also, everyone needs to check
out our apparel and promotions available at www.cafepress.com with our
new logo boasted on just about anything you can think of. Stay warm,
have a safe and productive winter. Keep sending those good vibes down
the line! There are no flukes.
Eric Poissant
39
Fox River Valley
1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 601230
847-741-9771 – Rich Gallagher
www.frvmuskie.com
Meetings and banquets: Chandlers Chop House at the Schaumburg Golf Club, 401
N. Roselle Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60194. Dinner will be available starting at 6PM.
Chapter 39 is looking forward to approaching a new year with a fresh
perspective. As we roll into 2014, we’ll start with one of the bigger attractions in the muskie fishing industry… muskie legend and star of Musky
Hunter TV, Jim Saric! This is a one of a kind presentation that will NOT be
duplicated anywhere else. Jim will also be bringing some great giveaways,
so don’t miss this meeting! Tickets are $10.00 at the door. Make sure you
come early to get a seat! We will have an all you can eat buffet for $13.00/
person and dinner will begin at 6 pm. Please note that our January club
meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 9th, (not our normal Wednesday night). Jim’s presentation should prime the pump for all
the muskie anglers in the area who will be attending the Chicago Musky
Show, which runs Friday through Sunday. As always, FRV will be manning
a booth, so stop by to pick up some raffle tickets for a Shimano Tranx/St.
Croix muskie rod and reel combo (courtesy of Cabela’s). If you’re interested, you can also sign up for our Challunge on the Chain Tournament
which is on Saturday, May 17th.
Our February speaker will be Tony Grant. Tony will be joining us on
Wednesday, February 12. Anyone who’s seen Tony before knows that
he’ll be ready to educate and entertain everyone in the crowd. How can
you pass that up on a cold February night? We look forward to see all of
you there and catching up on local ice-fishing reports.
We’re really hoping for a big turnout at our annual Fundraiser and
Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 1st. If you’re planning on going,
bring your family, your friends, acquaintances, and strangers on the street.
There should be something there for everyone! The event will be held in
the afternoon/evening at Chandler’s Chop House in Schaumburg Illinois.
So far, we’re accumulating a great array of prizes and are expecting the list
to grow. You can expect to see fishing and hunting gear, donated guide
trips, tickets to the Blackhawks, Bears/Packers, and Milwaukee Bucks/
Miami Heat. We’ve got autographed jerseys and photos, artwork, wine and
liquor packages, and various electronics and gadgets. We’ll even have our
ever popular freezer of meat and seafood. Additional details and prize lists
will be posted on our website as they become available. You’re presence
at this event helps fund all the good things Fox River Valley (FRV) is able
to do throughout the year.
Beyond the fundraiser, tournament, outings, and chapter meetings,
Fox River Valley is hoping to do some new and exciting things this year.
We’re planning on revamping and launching a new website and exploring
new ways to communicate and interact with our members via social
media. Times are changing and we want to make sure we’re accessible
to members of all ages. Please visit our website at www.frvmuskie.com
for dates and details of all FRV events and activities. We hope the Holiday
season has treated all of you well, and that you have a safe and exciting
2014 season in the outdoors.
Regards, Mark Lamont
tered muskies. Members Only Fishing Contest Update for Lunker of
the Month is as follows:
August - Roy Hinkforth - 50.5 inch - Detroit Lakes, MN
September - Nanch Hinkforth - 50.25 inch - Green Bay, WI
Mary Pokora - 50.25 inch - Eagle Lake, WI
October - Jim Dembiec - 49.8 inch - Lake of the Woods
This past year, Chapter 35 assisted the Wisconsin DNR and the UW
Stevens Point with a study of raising muskies on minnow-finished vs.
pellet-only diets. Due to the rising cost of minnow forages, the prevalence
of diseases associated with minnow forages, and the advancement formula fish feeds, hatcheries are starting to use formulated pellet fish feeds.
Objectives of this study were to determine growth and overwinter survival
of age-0 muskies reared at the Wild Rose Hatchery on the two diets.
On September 18th, 2012, 200 fingerling muskies were stocked into
Amron Pond in the Vernon Marsh area. Of the 200 muskies, 100 were
reared solely on pellet feeds and 100 started on pellet and finished on
minnows before the transfer. These 200 muskies were a fall transfer from
Wild Rose Fish Hatchery and were above and beyond the stocking quotas
for Pewaukee Lake. All fish were PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder)
tagged. While in Amron Pond, the muskies were fed a diet of Fat head
minnows, supported by funds from Chapter 35.
On June 1st of 2013, Chapter 35 assisted the Wisconsin DNR in the
collection of yearling muskies in Amron Pond for transfer in to Pewaukee
Lake. The June recovery effort yielded 121 muskies with 120 still having
their PIT tags. Of the 120 that had their PIT tags, the DNR was able to
determine that 67 were from the minnow finish reared, and the 53 were
pellet only reared.
Preliminary data coming from the WI DNR indicated good growth
rates for both types in Amron pond. Average total length of minnow-finished muskies when stocked in Amron, was 8.98 inches. When they were
harvested from Amron, the average length was 13.18 inches, resulting in
an average growth of 4.21 inches. Pellet only muskie at the time of stocking Amron, was 7.94 inches and at the time of harvest was 12.46 inches,
resulting in an average growth of 4.45 inches. Fish of most size classes
had both survivors and mortalities, suggesting that there was not strong
size selective overwinter mortality of either diet treatment.
Our chapter’s Amron Pond Project Coordinator, Mike Phelps, would
like to extend a big thank you to all the Chapter 35 members that helped
Wisconsin DNR biologist, Ben Huessner and his Eagle Fisheries Team,
with the collection efforts.
Greg Sieren
42
Hoosier Muskie Hunters
P.O. Box 501371
indianapolis, IN 46250
317-372-0111
Well, Hoosier Musky Hunters, at the time of this writing, it’s a week
before Thanksgiving and the weather is like a rollercoaster. Conditions are
from below freezing temps, moderately warm days, and anywhere in
between are being experienced. Just a few days ago, we had tornadoes
in the area! I hope you came through that unscathed! If you are still hitting
the water, way to go!
Some of us have
already put up our
boats for the year!
Now, let’s catch up
and look ahead!
Muskies, Inc. Day
at the Indiana State
Fair DNR fishing pond
was
August
10 th.
Volunteers
from
Chapter 42 assisted
youths from the ages
of 5 – 17 fish the
stocked pond. The
attached picture is a
photo of the volunteers. Thank you for your time and efforts!
Continue to check out Facebook for information on past and upcoming
events. There is also a renewed website for our chapter, www.hoosiermuskie.com. This is another location to find information on club activities.
At the last HMH Board of Directors meeting, a motion was passed to
provide up to $250 for the 2014 IN Musky Symposium (includes $100 to
the American Legion). Jeff Wines and Andrew Armhein are to prepare a
calendar of events for 2014. (See Next Page) Chapter Representative
Charlie Johnson is planning to attend the Region 4 meeting on November
2nd, 2013 in Springfield, IL. We are looking forward to that report! The
Treasurers report from Jeremy Sivis indicates funds are present to conduct
the 2014 Indiana Musky Classic. Jeremy is also going to contact Joe
Fittante to ascertain the status of the IN State Record Replica that is in for
repair. Discussion was held regarding whether to have the IN DNR displaying the replica in their museum. Discussion about fund raising was tabled
for a future meeting.
The Chapter officers for 2014 are as follows:
President: David Miller
Vice President: John Routt
Treasurer: Jeremy Sivis
Secretary: Andrew Armheim
Chapter Rep: Charlie Johnson Membership Directors:
Jeff Von Osdol & Jeff Wines
Indiana Musky Classic (IMC) at large director: Scott Law
The 2014 Calendar of Events (subject to change):
January 18th at 12 p.m.–6 p.m. - IN Musky Symposium at the American
Legion in Fishers, IN IDNR will give a presentation on muskies.
February 4th at 7 p.m. - Members meeting at the Outdoorsman Direct in
Castleton, IN located at 8501 N. Bash Rd. Topics include Sponsors
and Fund Raising.
March 29th at 7 a.m. - Members Meeting/Outing will be on the water at
Bass Lake.
April 29th at 7 p.m. - Members Meeting at the Outdoorsman Direct in
Castleton, IN. Topics include: Boat preparation and laws, lakes
review, and DNR brood stock.
May 16th – 18th – The Indiana Musky Classic will be at Lake Webster and
surrounding lakes.
June 7th at 7 a.m. - Members Meeting/Outing will be on the water at
Brookville Reservoir.
September 20th at 7 a.m.- Members Meeting/Outing will be on the water
at Barbee Chain.
October 18th at 7 a.m.- Members Meeting/Outing will be on the water at
Eagle Creek Reservoir.
November 18th at 7 p.m. - Members Meeting/Outing will be direct in
Castleton, IN. Topics include: Year-end review.
December 9th - Members Meeting at Outdoorsman Direct in Castleton,
IN. Topic: Election of 2015 Board of Directors.
All Chapter 42 Hoosier Musky Hunters are invited and encouraged to
attend these functions and to bring along a prospective new member. We
need your participation to be successful. So mark your calendars and let’s
hope for a very exciting 2014 on the water!
Musky Ed Myshak
49
Webster Lake
P.O. Box 670
No. Webster, IN 46555
574-834-1669
The participants of the 3rd Annual WLMC Turkey Brawl were met with
some of the toughest conditions they would face all year. With temperatures in the teens and winds around 20 mph, just launching the boat was
a challenge. As the day went on, temperatures rose a bit and things did
get a little nicer. A few boats raised fish on suckers, but only one was able
to get them to eat. Curt Lindsey boated a nice 43.5 inch muskie, what
would end up being the only fish caught, Webster Lake. The fish was good
enough for our president to collect the Big Fish Pot and secure him the
Turkey Trophy for the year. Congratulations to Curt on winning the last
outing of 2013.
Afterward, we gathered at Curt and Lisa’s house for fried turkey,
baked ham, and all the trimmings. Thank you both for your hospitality as
well as to everyone else who helped with all the cooking and side dishes.
Speaking of Mr. Lindsey, on behalf of the club, I would like to take up
a little space to thank him for his service on our Board of Directors. Curt
has served on the board for the past four years, the last two as President.
He has done a commendable job in the top seat, spending a lot of time
and energy assuring the club was in as good a place when he left than it
was when he began his term. His passion for the future of the fishery is
very strong, as well as his concern for the longevity of the club. He worked
hard at trying to get members more involved in new club activities, while
continuing the success of the existing ones. To quote him from many a
club gathering, “Hey guys, this is what it’s all about!” Curt will continue to
serve on the B.O.D as the Tournament/Outing Director.
The first Indiana Muskie Summit has been booked and is scheduled for
January 18th, 2013. This open discussion between IDRN, muskie clubs,
guides and fisherman, is to be held at the American Legion in Fishers, Indiana
beginning at 9:00 am. Some of the items on the agenda will be stocking
rates and sizes, minnow vs. pellet rearing, survival rates and size limits. All of
these topics were brought up to officers from the IDRN last August and it was
agreed upon to continue to look at these issues further. Hopefully our influence will be able to persuade the DNR to address some of these concerns.
Chapter 49 is hoping we can put together a good turnout.
Don’t stop Believer in’, Jim Welsh
54
Southern Crossroads
850 Riverwood Place, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060
Phone: 507-455-1644
Meets 7:00 p.m. the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Eagles Club in Owatonna,
MN. except June-August when we meet near the lake.
Twelve brave souls ventured out on a cold, rainy, blustery day at the
end of September to fish in our annual chapter tournament. Warm clothes
and raingear were a necessity for this event. Thor Tackett won 1st with his
41 inch muskie. Travis Roberts came in 2nd with a 37 inch and Dan Crooms
placed 3rd with a 36 inch muskie. We gathered at Hoy’s Resort after the
tournament for pizza and drinks. Several fishing stories were shared, not
all of them true.
Dan Crooms and Joe Bartz helped with clean-up on the Cannon River
System access points. The club also participates every year in the AdoptA-Highway clean-up project. We covered the ditches along interstate 35
near Cabela’s in Owatonna. Joe Bartz, Pat Stangl, and I collected 13 large
bags of garbage on a weekend afternoon in October.
Scott Kleinschmidt ([email protected]) gave a November
program for our chapter. He owns Musky Safari Tackle Company and is
from Kenyon, Minnesota. Several different lures of all kinds were brought
and displayed on several tables. Scott doesn’t outsource any lures, he
makes them all himself. Dean Peterson 58
Lake St. Clair Muskies, Inc.
34047 Williamsburg Ct
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
586-873-9154 - Charles Legarski, President
www.lscmi.com
I don’t know about you guys, but this is the time of year that I start to
get that itch. Hunting season is over, and it is now time for me to reflect
on last season and look with anticipation to the upcoming muskie season.
59
New Mexico Muskies, Inc.
P.O. Box 65575, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87193
(505) 264-2999 • Matt Pelletier
[email protected]
www.newmexicomuskiesinc.org
NMMI had our Bluewater Lake Fall Fishing Outing/Meeting on
October 20th. Chapter members met at 8 a.m. lake side and spent about
two hours picking up
trash. About eight bags of
trash were collected.
Afterwards, some members hit the water for a
few hours of fishing.
The windy conditions
hindered many, but our
chapter Treasurer, Chris
Nordquist, found treasure
with his personal best for
the year, a 47 inch tiger
muskie. This fish was
fortunate Chris caught it,
as it still had a STRINGER
wrapped around its jaw.
Chris was able to remove
all and get that tiger back
in the water successfully.
Kaitlin
Brantley
accompanied Chris on his
boat that day and had the
great fortune to catch her
first 40 inch tiger muskie.
In the afternoon, all
gathered back at our VP,
Tom Nelson’s, place for a
delicious
potluck.
Everyone had a great time.
A muskie plaque was
awarded to Judge Larry
Dias in appreciation of all
the support he has provided to the club.
Our final event for
the year was the annual
NMMI Christmas banquet
on December 7th. Along
with great food, we had
silent auctions, raffles,
and door prizes. Many of
the items were donated
by local businesses in
support of our chapter,
thanks to all! Members
each brought a wrapped
muskie lure each for the
fun gift exchange. We
www.muskiesinc.org
awarded plaques to chapter members for the biggest catch of the year, the
most caught, the Sportsman of the Year, as well as two youth ambassadors. All agreed it was a very good year for Chapter 59.
Happy fishing in 2014, John Williamson
60
Mountain Muskies
2216 W. Rockwell, Spokane, WA 99205
509-263-7235 • Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mountainmuskies.com
Meets every 4th Tuesday at 6:00 pm @ the VFW, 300 West Mission Ave.,
Spokane, Wash.
Mountain Muskies members had a nice end of season tournament at
Curlew Lake. It took place on October 5th, 2013 with five boats and eleven
tiger chasers participating. The day before the tournament, Doug Wood
nailed a big 45.75 inch girl. Then he, with teammate Mark Kendall, landed
a huge 48.75 inch monster to gain first place and big fish in the tournament. Second place, by drawing, was Phil Larson and Scott Boxman.
Chapter 60 closed out strong in October with Jeff Newman boating a 34.5
tiger along with yours truly netting a 43.5 tiger and a 42 inch true muskie
out of Lake Shamineau in Minnesota.
That’s probably it for our chapter this year, as the snow and cold
temps drive our tigers into a snooze. I think there might be a little bit of
bear in that hybridization. We closed out our 2013 totals with one more
than our chapter number, which brings us to the Western Sharp Pencil
Challenge with New Mexico, Chapter 59, ending on December 31st. They
still have a month of fishable weather down there, so we will leave it to
them to review the final numbers with everyone in the next publication.
Next issue we will review our end of the year December Christmas party
and results of elections for 2014 officers.
Secretary, Chuck Gades
61
Northwoods Chapter
11435 Boulder Point
Minocqua, WI 54548
715-356-9758 - Mike Sasse
www.lscmi.com
The 2013 muskie season begins to wind down for us here in the
Northwoods as we prepare to ring in a new year and a new fishing season.
Our little lakes have ice and based on current forecasts, the big ones won’t
be too far behind, meaning ice fishing is but a heartbeat away! Activities
here at Chapter 61 Northwoods Muskies continue to accelerate and at a
brisk pace! Fish stocking on Shishebogama and Gunlock lakes in October,
a trip by our secretary and president to Mille Lacs in November, chapter
meetings, and upcoming events; the muskie train keeps on rolling.
Our traveling meeting venue continues on December 7th, with our
annual Christmas Banquet and mega fundraiser. We’ll be meeting at the
beautiful Whitetail Inn on Highway 70 in St. Germain, WI. The meeting
will include dinner, great raffles, and door prizes. Social hour followed
by dinner at 6 p.m. We are very excited to have none other than Joe
Bucher as our guest speaker for the Christmas Banquet! Perhaps no
one today has a pulse on Northwoods muskie fishing, techniques, and
hot spots like this muskie fishing legend. We hope you’ll plan to attend
this great event to meet with friends and fellow fishermen, to show support for the muskies, and add to your arsenal for 2014! Tickets and
information can be purchased directly through the chapter website at
www.northwoodsmuskies.com .
We would also like you to mark your calendars well in advance for
Saturday, June 28th, 2014. The inaugural Northwoods Muskies Chapter
Tournament has a date! Details on this event and all of our chapter happenings will be continually updated throughout the winter months on the
chapter website. You’ll also find more on Chapter 61 events at the winter
muskie shows, and via this Chapter News & Views column. The June 28th
fundraising tournament promises to be an excellent event with something
for everyone, and the board is working hard to make this tournament an
annual must-do for all of us!
As 2013 ends, we’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to
all of you who helped make Chapter 61’s vision a reality, through your support, contributions, and attendance at chapter functions. We’re off and
running and we owe that directly to you, so let’s keep it going in 2014. Our
goal is to make this chapter a benchmark for all the good things Muskies,
Inc., stands for.
Until next time, we look forward to seeing you at the Chapter 61
Christmas banquet and hope you all have a great Holiday Season, filled
with lots of muskie gifts to try in 2014!
Enjoy the Hunt, Todd Berg
I start by looking over my gear and acquiring a few new lures to try out.
It’s also a great time of year to hit up a few fishing shows and take in a
seminar or two; anything to get that muskie fix.
There are a few events this winter that I would like to point out to our
members. The Ultimate Fishing Show will be January 9th -12th and Chapter
58 will once again have a booth at the show. I encourage you to stop by
the booth and say, “hello”.
We will also be supporting the Angler’s Against Hunger ice fishing
event at Angler’s Point Marina on Lake St. Clair. This will be during the free
fishing weekend, which is February 15th-16th this year. Food donations can
be dropped off in advance at Angler’s Point. Hopefully I will see you at one
or both of these great events.
If you would like any additional information or would like to volunteer
to help out at either event, please get ahold of us on Facebook or call the
chapter number.
Secretary, Adam Penzenstadler
Western Pennsylvania MUSKIE MAX:
Launch Date March 8-9, 2014.
Western Pennsylvania MUSKIE MAX is about to become the
region’s biggest and most talked-about annual muskie fishing event.
This family-friendly event is geared towards three (3) primary
audiences: seasoned muskie anglers, pure fishing enthusiasts who
want to learn more about the sport, and families who want to create
great traditions and memories.
According to Todd Leopardi, event co-coordinator and owner of
Leopardi’s Leo-Lures, “Muskie fishing is something we learned from
our parents and grand-parents at a very young age -- this expo was
developed in hopes that local families will catch on to the sport and
create their own great memories and traditions.”
Those attending Western Pennsylvania MUSKIE MAX will
have an ‘up close’ opportunity to meet some of the most experienced
muskie anglers in the business during several informative BREAKOUT SESSION Seminars scheduled over the two-day event. In
addition to other prizes and raffles, people attending the show will
have an opportunity to win lodging packages and a professionallyguided muskie fishing trip.
In order to introduce muskie fishing to youngsters, the first fifty
children through the door each day will receive a coupon for a FREE
muskie-fishing lure from a participating lure-maker exhibitor.
“Rather than just handing a lure to a kid entering the show, they will
now have an opportunity to walk to the exhibitor’s booth and personally meet the lure-maker when they redeem their coupon -- which
is pretty impressive”, explains Don Rae, event staff.
The exhibitor list includes professional guide services, makers of
some of the finest fishing lures available, providers of beautiful lodging, and fishing tackle retailers with the latest and greatest angling
products on the market.
“We’ve teamed up with some of the best people in the business”,
says Shawn Leopardi, event co-coordinator, “Western Pennsylvania
MUSKIE MAX is an event you will not want to miss.”
Western Pennsylvania MUSKIE MAX will be hosted at the
Days Inn, Butler, Pennsylvania on March 8th – 9th, 2014.
For more information, please visit www.muskiemax.com or call
(724) 494-0774.
Indiana Muskie Summit
The second annual Indiana Muskie Summit will be held January
18th, 2014 at the Fishers American Legion. The meeting will
involve presentations from members of the Indiana DNR, and will
include an opportunity for interested muskie anglers to interact and
discuss the future of the Indiana Muskie fishery. The agenda for the
day’s events is as follows:
Lowell Beaver Post 470 is located on 126th Street, just 3 blocks
West of I-37.
Call to Order - 9:00 a.m.
Introductions - Eric Fleming
Statement of Purpose – Chae Dolsen
DNR Presentation- Bill James
Stocking Update – Randy Lang
Hatchery Status – Dylan Sickles
Legislative Update – David Cates
Administrative Update – Bill James
Action Items from the August, 2013 “Summit” – Bill James
Review Progress
Challenges, Opportunities
Open Discussion – Bill James, Moderator
Stocking rates and size of Muskies stocked
Indiana Muskie
Fishery – Expand,
Contract or
Maintain?
Survival rates of
stocked fish
Minnow/Pellet rearing
– availability of
minnows from
other states - cost/
benefit
Natural reproduction/
Habitat
Size limits
Weed eradication –
impact of invasive
species
Muskie rescue
How can the club/
homeowners help
the DNR, and vice
versa
Indiana Musky Summit
– annual or other?
Other items
Adjourn v
Friday: The first 200 people with a paid admission will receive a free musky lure!
Saturday: Chaos Tackle Kids Day: The first 100 kids ages 6-12 accompanied by a
paid adult will receive a free Chaos Tackle Hat & a surprise from Chaos Tackle!
Sunday: Free Fishing Rod & Reel or a NPAA T-shirt for each child 12 or under.
Sponsored by NPAA Kids & Family Fishing Clinic.
February 28, March 1 & 2, 2014
nds
Thousa rs in
of dollarizes
door paway
given
PATRIOT CENTER WAUSAU
Tackle Manufacturers Retailers Resorts
Guides Factory Reps Seminars Boats
Daily Admission - $10.00 2-Day Pass - $15.00 3-Day Pass - $20.00 CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE!
SEMINARS BY THE INDUSTRY’S TOP ANGLERS
Saturday, March 1
2:00 pm - 9:00 pm
3:00 pm Steve Worrall
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
10:00 am Russ & Jake Smith
5:00 pm Brandon Dunbar
11:30 am John Dettloff
Minocqua/Boulder Junction
Musky Guides
Pewaukee Lake Musky Guide
1:00 pm Eric Larson
Winnebago Chain, Green Bay
Musky Guide
2:30 pm Pete Rich
Chippewa Flowage Musky Guide
4:00 pm Bob Mehsikomer
Host of “Simply Fishing Extreme”
and A-Team Tackle Co.
Saturday Night
Lure Swap
Antique Musky Lure Appraisals by Al Soczka of
Tall Pines Motel & Gallery of Land O’Lakes, WI
SPONSORED BY:
11:00 am Rick Domini
Lac Du Flambeau Musky Guide
40 Yrs. of Musky Fishing on
the Lac Du Flambeau Chain
Chippewa Flowage
Musky Guide & Author
12:30 pm Brad Wirt
North Central WIWisconsin River Musky Guide
2:00 pm Norm Wild
Rhinelander, Pelican Lake
Three Lakes Musky Guide
Bring in
a picture
of your b
iggest M
usky
and regis
te
free repli r to win a
ca w
Reprodu ith Lax
ctions.
N
51
39
10101 Market Street
Old
Hig
hw
ay
5
1
Exit 185
PATRIOT
CENTER
Market St.
7:00 pm Joel Walczak
Ashland/Bayfield Co.
Musky Guide
Ave
.
Phillips/Park Falls Musky Guide
9:00 am - 3:30 pm
9:30 am Adam Glickman
and
Founder of Muskies First
Well known Musky Guide
Sunday, March 2
S. G
r
Friday, Feb. 28
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.wimuskyexpo.com
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AT WISCONSIN MUSKIE EXPO
Muskies, Inc.
1509 Stahl Road
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Members: Please notify [email protected] of address change.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Free
Rockford, IL Parking
d
43r al
nu
An
Boat, Vacation &
Fishing Show!
February 14-15-16, 2014
Fri. 3pm-8pm, Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 11am-5pm
Indoor Sports Center/Expo
Seminars, autograph
and Q&A sessions
with
8800 E. Riverside Blvd.
Kids under 12 free & Adults $7
(All 3 days only $10)
Bob Mehsikomer
Muskie Guru!
Tackle, Resorts, Guides,
Charters, Taxidermists,
and so much more you
won’t want to miss!!!
3 Exciting days of
Saturday & Sunday exhibits, seminars,
Rock bottom
and live demonstrations Mike Mladenik
show prices
on all boats!
North America’s Top
at the Hawg Trough! Smallmouth
Bass Expert
Roland Martin
Exhibitor/Visitor Info: 815-997-1744
www.rockfordboatshow.com [email protected]

Publication - Muskies, Inc.

Transcription

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