238037 Muskie-July Mag

Transcription

Fishing.
Landing.
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12 I S S U E S
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MUSKIE • VOL. 39, NO. 4
Departments
Features
10 Muskellunge Study at Kinkaid Lake,
Steve Burian
2 Editor’s Desk
3 President’s Message
18 Break the Rules,
Bob Chochola
4 International News
24 Change Up Tactics,
Colby Simms
6 Youth•Fisheries•Research
13 Lunge Log
28 Monsters of the Deep,
Mark A. Johnson
21 Photo Contest April Winners
31 Dirty Water Tactics,
Chris Haley
41 Chapter News and Views
34 Muskie Fishing for the Beginner,
Scotty Combs
50 Member Photos
48 Muskie Tales,
Bob Jennings
Indianapolis, IN
“Building for the Future”
October 28-30, 2005
• Over 30 Research Presentations
• Development of a North American Strategic Plan
• Presentations by top Anglers such as Jim Saric and Steve Heiting
Registration fee includes all meals. Please send this form along with a
check or money order to the following address:
Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone: (
)
E-Mail Address:
Muskie, Inc. Chapter:
Muskie, Inc. Symposium
13476 Britton Park Road
Fishers, IN 46038-3583
Fee for registrations postmarked before May 31, 2005,
is $80.00 and before September 30, 2005, is $100.00.
The fee for all other registrations is $120.00.
For more registration information please contact Chairman Fred Boso
by phone at (317) 841.8364 or e-mail [email protected].
And for hotel information please call (800) 736.5634 or
visit www.martenhouse.com.
• Please refer to Group # 703352 when making reservations.
MUSKIE is published monthly and is the Official Publication of Muskies, Inc. International Office: Terrie DuBé, International Sec., PO
Box 120870, New Brighton, MN 55112. Ph: 888-710-8286, Fax 651-784-0068. © Copyright 2005 by Muskies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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www.muskiesinc.org
April 2005.....MUSKIE 1
MUSKIE Magazine Staff
Rod Ramsell, Editor Emeritus
Keith Ogden, Editor Emeritus
MANAGING EDITOR
Jim Smith
15045 W. Double Tree Way
Surprise, AZ 85374-8568
Phone/Fax: (623) 388-3225
Cell: (623) 810-9103
Email: [email protected]
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Juris Ozols
Phone: (952) 431-4727
ADVERTISING MANAGER “MUSKIE”
Cherek Group • Scott Cherek
3902 Cribbon Avenue • Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone: 307-635-8899
PUBLICATIONS TECHNICAL MANAGER
Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. • Ross Rieke
25123 22nd Ave. S. • St. Cloud, MN 56301-9189
Phone: 888-253-8808 x122
MAGAZINE DESIGN
Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - John Windschitl
ILLUSTRATORS/CARTOONISTS
Richard Gross
FIELD EDITORS
Colby Simms, Patricia Strutz
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Steve Burian, Bob Chochola, Colby Simms,
Mark A. Johnson, Chris Haley, Scotty Combs,
Bob Jennings
MUSKIE is published exclusively for the
membership of Muskies, Inc. and subscriptions
come with a paid membership. Muskies, Inc. is
a non-profit organization. Membership classes
and associated annual dues are listed on the
form at the bottom of page one. Single copies
of MUSKIE magazine are available at $3.00
each from the Muskies, Inc. International
Office.
Contributors grant rights for M.I. to publish
once in MUSKIE Magazine, both the print and
on-line versions, including archives and on the
M.I. Web site.
Submissions to
MUSKIE Magazine
Persons interested in submitting articles for
publication are directed to our website
www.muskiesinc.org. There they will find a
link to MUSKIE Magazine. From there you
will find links on the left side of the page
providing
information
necessary
for
submissions to MUSKIE Magazine. Further
questions will be answered by Jim Smith,
Managing Editor. Submissions may be sent
to: 15045 W. Double Tree Way • Surprise, AZ
85374-8568. Phone: (623) 388-3225 or you
may
Email: [email protected].
2 MUSKIE.....April 2005
How I See “It”
A view from the editor’s desk
L
ots to talk about this month. First of all, I want to
welcome Juris Ozols as Assistant Editor for MUSKIE
Magazine. As you can tell over the past year or so this
magazine has seen a lot of changes. Many of these changes
have had the assistance of Juris. Juris and I have worked
together ever since I began as your editor and I truly
appreciate his expertise and welcome his contributions.
The At-Large-Director elections have been tallied and we have a new set of directors for
the next three years. There are three incumbents and two new members to be inducted at
the Spring Board meeting. On another note, Dave Hebeda is stepping down as treasurer
and Pete Barber our Assistant Treasurer will assume the Treasurer’s duties.
Recently, I had an inquiry from a photographer by the name of Eric Engbretson who
does underwater photography. He had some fantastic shots of muskies and Juris and I have
selected one for our May cover. I know it is a little early, but are you ever going to love this
cover!
Some of your chapters may have been contacted by a gentleman by the name of
Mike Kanaval. Mike has volunteered to work with the magazine doing “special projects”.
The executive committee has been interested in recognizing chapters and their efforts that
heretofore have gone unnoticed. Mike is looking for your “best of the best” project, event,
function or whatever. Sort of your chapters “Hallmark”. Mike will soon be contacting all
chapters, so welcome him and tell us your story.
Along a similar line the Executive Committee has been attempting to find persons
knowledgeable of some of our advertisers shops. We would like to do a monthly article on
your local muskie shop (and our advertiser). If you are interested please let us know.
The June (Juniors) issue is just ahead with a deadline the 1st of May. If your chapter is
involved with kids in any way I would like to hear about it. Last time I checked 22 of our
48 chapters had some sort of kid’s events. These ranged from small events such as a chapter
that brought their donated magazines to their local library to the larger events like Kids
Fishing Derby’s held on National Fishing Day the 1st weekend in June. Some of those
chapters like Capital City, West Virginia, Southside Musky Hawks, Colorado and others
hosted very large events reaching out to literally thousands of youngsters. I know we got
involved with Wal-Mart through a lead from Craig Eversoll, RVP of the Capital City
Chapter. I will be forever grateful to Craig for sharing that information.
Jim
Jim Smith, Managing Editor
MUSKIE Magazine
The Official Publication of Muskies, Inc.
Coming in the May MUSKIE:
• A cover to die for – Underwater muskie
photograph
• Third and final installment of Triggering Muskies
• Migration of the Mighty Musky
• More articles on the science of muskie
management
• Preparing for the muskie openers
The President’s Message
by Greg Wells, Muskies, Inc. International President
W
ell we’re up to five shows now with two more to go but it has been well worth
the time. I’m not sure how many fishing rods, lures and other fish
paraphernalia I’ve purchased but that number is exceeded only by the
information gathered and relationships that have been developed. It has given me the
opportunity to converse with Chapter Presidents, other club officers, members and
countless individuals of the muskie industry.
The industry people ranged from the new lure manufacturer, shop owners, rod
builders, resort owners, guides young and old, to the highly recognized personalities like
Pete Mania, Jim Saric and Steve Heiting. I know I will receive some flack for not
mentioning other names and I wish I had the pages to do so but I don’t. The reason I
acknowledge Jim, Pete and Steve is because of the influence they have through their
reputations and publications on the Muskie World. All of the men and women of the
muskie world believe that Muskies, Inc. does or should play an important role in muskie
conservation.
So what have been the topics of conversation? I don’t think anything will jump out as
new but all are important to the future of muskies. They are; the proper handling and
release of muskies [a new video is due here] increased size limits, genetic effect on the
production of trophy fish, protection of muskie habitat, muskie stocking [introduction into
new lakes and support stocking in existing muskie waters] youth programs that will provide
the conservationist of the future, building relationships with DNR and other state officials
to help accomplish our goals and raising the funds to be able to make these goals reality.
So how do we take the lead in addressing these issues? I know I have mention before
that we often look at other organizations for ideas on how to operate. Well I was talking
with Mark Hintz [president of chapter #6] about Ducks Unlimited and he as a member of
DU enlightened me about their fund raising and disbursement of funds. He said that his
chapter of DU had a banquet and raised $25,000. The chapter kept $300 and DU received
the rest. Granted they put the money to good use on a habitat project somewhere but not
anywhere close to his chapter. He and I agreed that MI has a better system in that the
chapters are allowed to raise all the money they wish and use it in their own states to fulfill
our mission statement.
In order for our system to reach its full potential there will be times that all the
chapters will have to support a program or event. We have one of those situations currently
and that is the upcoming symposium. All of the muskie industry is talking about this event
with great anticipation. I just read an article by Gill Hamm about the 1984 symposium and
I can absolutely guaranty that he would be in full support of the event. Now we need to
step up and provide our support by attending and helping with the finances.
The information gathered and shared between DNR people and ensuing publication
will be beneficial to all of us when pursuing our mission statement goals. Jim Saric, Steve
Heiting and Russ Warye will be speaking, Pete could not because of another commitment
but there will be people from Esox there.
The eyes of the entire muskie world are upon us. Let’s help make this symposium the
best to date. ❖
International
Officers
President, Greg Wells
Phone: 920-457-3720
Vice President/Finances, Jim Beaty
Phone: 618-235-3646
Vice President/Research, Ron Mazur
Phone: 708-458-0055
Vice President/Internal Affairs, Dick McPike
Phone: 816-436-4909
Vice President/Membership, Bob Osborne
Phone: 765-732-3995
Vice President/Communications, Jim Shannon
Phone: 763-434-9729
Treasurer, Pete Barber
Phone: 847-726-7267
Assistant Treasurer, [ search in progress ]
Phone:
Email:
Members Only Fishing Contest, Jim Bunch
Phone: 715-723-8343 • Fax: 715-723-8354
Web Master, Ron Groeschl
Phone: 262-271-1002
Int. Administrative Secretary, Terrie DuBé
PO Box 120870, New Brighton, MN, 55112
Phone: 888-710-8286 • Fax: 651-784-0068
At Large Directors
Term Expires
Laura Morrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005
Smokey Swenson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005
Greg Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005
Don Jahnke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005
David Cates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005
Dick McPike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Chris McCabe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Art Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Muskies, Inc. Past Presidents
Gil Hamm
Edward T. Peterka
Robert Hill
Robert Shoop
Frank Schneider
Peter Hadley
DuWayne Bakke
Lou Cook
Peter Hadley
Bob Schmidt
Larry Ramsell
Lou Cook
Keith Ogden
Bill Davis
www.muskiesinc.org
Steve Statland
John Hotle
Jim Blaubach
Steve Budnik
Jim Smith
Paul Framsted
Perry Smith
Jack Moga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Ron Mazur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2006
Ken Karbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Jim Shannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Bob Timme
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Jim Beaty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
Bob Osborne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007
DONATIONS – FEBRUARY
Dawson Usack
Edward Sundstedt Paul Cruse & Family
Chris E. Mueller
Todd & Aimee Russell
Rick Aston
Rob Kent
Gary Dew
Brain Fohey
Dennis Johnsen
Raymond DeGroot
Frank Stroncek
Sami Frings
Don Anderson
Paul Dickson
Lyle & Betty Dolan
Arlan Carter
David Grochowski
Dave Chapman &
Michael J Adams
John Giustozzi Jr
Family
Tom & Kathy Keith
Robert Krizenesky
Rich Scudder Jr
James R. Johsnon
William Brabender
Duane & Shari Hansen
Donald Shaner
George Benda
Paul Pinkalla
Jack Hoffman
Jason & Susan
Patrick & Janet Fischer
James Tasker
Emerson
Walter Haas
Luke B. Miller
John Bilka
Max Michaelson Jr
E.L & M.J
Neil Hauger
John Currens
Uttermohlen
Rock Ripley
I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E WS
I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E WS ◆
At-Large-Director
Election Results
The cover shows a 54” Muskie, moments after release, caught
by Bob Hoyle on Lake Vermilion, Minnesota last September. The
picture was taken by Mark Johnson with a Sony DSC-P8 Digital
Cybershot. Mark notes:
The following members have been elected
for a three-year term as At-Large-Directors.
David Cates
Don Jahncke
Laura Morrison
Karl Scherer
Patricia Strutz
Congratulations to all and we look forward
to your swearing in at the beginning of the
Spring Board Meeting April 9 in Chicago.
“It just looked interesting laying
alongside the dock getting ready
to take off. It had that sinister
smile look - like, “Put your
hand down here and I’ll taste it
for dinner.” Jason Crose
dubbed it “The Devil-Fish”.
That title fits it to a tee.
Bob caught the Muskie
while fishing out of The Life of
Riley Resort, Cook, Minnesota,
during the resort’s Annual Fall Tournament that just happened to be
the same lake and time as the Big Muskie Tournament. Bob’s 54”
Muskie won 1st prize in our little tourney and would have done
very well in Mehsikomer’s Simply Fishing Tournament since the
biggest fish caught was a 53 incher. Bob caught it at 7:00 a.m. on
the last day of the tourney beating his buddy, Deef Stone, who had
landed his 1st legal Muskie of 50 1/2” less than 12 hours earlier.” ❖
Dale Ahrndt
Tournament
Clear Lake, Iowa - April 30, 2005
Sponsored by
The Heartland Chapter of Muskies, Inc.
$20 Advanced Registration
($25 after March 28, 2005,
17 & Under - $15)
State of Iowa has 1-day and 3-day licenses
For more information or to request an
entry form, contact Chris McCabe:
239 8th St. SE
Mason City, IA 50401
641-424-0827
[email protected]
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Worrall
On behalf of Muskies, Inc., thank you for adding a bit extra
when you renewed your membership. – Pete Barber, Treasurer
www.muskiesinc.org
I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E WS
Juris Ozols, our new assistant editor, has been a member of the
Twin Cities Chapter of Muskies Inc. for over ten years. During that
time he has done some seventy-five magazine cover designs and
written a number of articles. He has run the Members Photo Contest
for the last three years and contributed many pictures of Muskies Inc.
activities. He has also created numerous graphics designs for various
Muskies inc. brochures and other literature. Juris is responsible for
the design of the month photos for the annual Muskies Inc. calendar.
Juris caught his first Muskie, a small hybrid, in 1984 on a
“bobber and Leech” rig while fishing for crappies on a local lake in
Bloomington, Minnesota. That got him hooked on Muskie fishing,
although he’s only managed to hook a dozen or so of the elusive
critters during his fishing career. His lifetime high is a 50.5 incher on
Lake Waconia in 1998.
In case you’re wondering about his name, Juris was born in the
small Baltic country of Latvia and emigrated to the U.S. during the
aftermath of World War II. He grew up in Lincoln Nebraska, where
he caught his first fish, a carp. He attended the University of
California at Berkeley, and has traveled extensively, including visits to
49 of the 50 states and some 20 foreign countries.
Juris lives in the Twin Cities suburb of Apple Valley and works
as System Engineer for a large manufacturer of military electronics
systems. Among other things, he was
the Chief Engineer for the
development of the mission computer
system for the Navy’s F-18 Hornet
aircraft in the 1980’s, and more
recently he was also the Chief Engineer
for the weapons control system for the
Navy’s P-3C Orion patrol aircraft.
His favorite places in the world are
Woman Lake, Minnesota, and the
town of Battle in England. Welcome
aboard, Juris! ❖
ABOUT THE COVER–
Juris Ozols Appointed
Assistant Editor, MUSKIE Magazine
The WRMA was formed in January, 2004, assembling a group
of dedicated Muskie anglers who strongly feel the ongoing World
Record Muskie controversy should be actively, carefully, completely,
and in an unbiased and scientifically acceptable manner investigated,
the data complied and analyzed resulting in a recognized and
accepted World Record Muskie; our sport’s ‘Brass Ring’.
Unfortunately, the Muskie is the only fresh water sport fish that
has no clearly defined and generally accepted World Record. The
WRMA Board Members, Rich Delaney, Dan Koniewicz, Ken
Olesen, and Jerry Newman, feel strongly this sometimes divisive and
always confusing issue should be finally and definitively put to rest.
Formed on 1-1-2004, the WRMA is now set to accomplish the
clearly stated objectives. The WRMA has retained the most highly
qualified, impartial investigators who are dedicated to gather all the
data available for specifically selected Muskies that are subject to or a
major part of the ongoing World Record debate. Upon gathering all
the data available, including but not limited to photos, existing
affidavits, personal interview material, written historical record, and
all other available data, the investigators assigned to each aspect of the
overall investigation will analyze the data and arrive at a concrete
conclusion based on accepted scientific protocol. The most modern
and widely accepted scientific tools and procedures will be employed,
and the conclusions will be subject to peer review. In short, the
WRMA looks to the most qualified and unbiased professional
analysis for a conclusion all Muskie anglers across the North
American continent will be compelled to accept.
The WRMA has applied for Non Profit 501(c)3 status with the
IRS, also being registered in the State Of Illinois as a non-for profit
organization. Funds are raised by voluntary contributions and
membership fees. ALL funds raised will be applied to the
investigation and resulting activity. No WRMA member or officer
will accept ANY funds from the money raised. No salaries,
compensation, or expenses are to be paid from the money raised. ALL
funds raised will be applied to the actual cost of the investigation.
Any funds remaining at the conclusion of the investigation will be
donated toward a Muskie stocking or similar conservation related
activity.
At the close of the analysis and Peer Review, and the submission
of the conclusions to the record keeping organizations, the
conclusions drawn will be submitted to the Muskie angling public.
Should the conclusions contradict the records currently in place with
the IGFA or NFWFHF, the submissions will be presented to both
organizations for review and consideration in anticipation that the
records they hold will be corrected in due course.
Should the conclusions drawn by the WRMA investigation
support the current World Record Muskies, those submissions will be
presented to both organizations for review and addition to the record.
The WRMA can be reached at [email protected] for
questions or comments.
Some names you may recognize from our 50 plus supporting
Members:
Mike Lazarus
Dick Pearson
Pete Maina
Marc Thorpe
Larry Ramsell
Bobby Johnson
Steve Wickens
Jim Saric
Jan Eggers
Reid Frank
Jack Burns
World Record Muskie Alliance
YO U T H - f i s h e r i e s - r e s e a rc h ◆ YO U T H - f i s h e r i e s - r e s e a rc h ◆ YO U T H - f i s h e r i e s - r e s e a rc h
Wisconsin Muskellunge
Restoration Project
by Larry Ramsell and Bob Benson, Restoration Team
In the last issue of Muskie, Editor Jim Smith mentioned our
Project. A project that began in December and attempted to work
“behind the scenes” with the Wisconsin DNR. It was felt by our
Restoration Team that due to the sensitive nature of our subject
matter, it best be done in this manner.
We are now taking this matter public, after multiple meetings
with the DNR that has unfortunately and sadly resulted in “business
as usual” and a desire for more “studies.” Based on several of the
things we have learned, we felt that this simply was not acceptable,
and is unfair to the muskie anglers of, and that fish Wisconsin, as
well as Tourism and all other related businesses.
The Wisconsin Muskellunge Restoration Project team feels that
Wisconsin has the greatest collection of Muskie waters in the world,
and with the proper changes in muskie management can yield many
more large Muskies than we are currently seeing. The project team
still hopes to work with the Wisconsin DNR as they have historically
been the leaders in Muskellunge management, and without a doubt
have the greatest Muskellunge hatchery system on the planet. The
wonderful people of the DNR’s past regimes, led by Art Oehmcke
and Leon Johnson, saved the Muskie from extinction in Wisconsin,
and taught the world how to raise and propagate Muskellunge
fingerlings. Today’s DNR needs to capitalize on the proven,
successful work of other regions to benefit the resource here.
The Wisconsin Muskellunge Restoration Project team feels that
immediate change this spring is warranted to begin change that will
benefit current anglers as well as future generations and we ask for
your support.
Our Mission statement is as follows:
To ensure that current and future generations of Wisconsin
Muskie Fisherman and Muskie tourism related businesses have the
best possible resource. We intend to do this by reviewing the
complete history of Muskellunge management and propagation in
the entire Mississippi River drainage, with the goal of determining
what possible factors have contributed to the continual decline of
the trophy Wisconsin muskellunge fishery, particularly over the past
half-century, and to determine if there is a way to save or enhance
the nearly extinct populations of large growing strains of
muskellunge in state waters.
This is a subject far to complex to go into here, This document
is 35 pages and would take far too many pages of Muskie magazine
to cover, so we have developed an informational web-site for this
purpose. The site link is:
www.WisconsinMuskyRestoration.org
On our web-site, you may view the many documents that we
have written and compiled. You will then have a much better base
from which to make an informed decision about the merits of this
Project. We trust that you will, as has every single person we have
discussed this with, with the exception of the WDNR, see and
understand the merits of our proposal and get behind us with your
support.
Ask the Biologist-March Issue
Editor’s Note: The Wisconsin response to last month's
question arrived too late for publication, however I
thought it should be a part of this column and not
delegated. Especially since Wisconsin plays a major role
in stocking muskellunge.
Q: With regard to stocking...
– Where do you obtain your muskies?
– What time of year do you stock?
– What size are the muskies that you stock?
– How do you decide on which lakes to stock?
– What rate do you stock? (i.e.No/acre)
– Other factors that influence your stocking
decisions.
Tim Simonson - Wisconsin DNR
In Wisconsin, we obtain eggs from 4 to 8 lakes each year. Our
primary egg source in NW WI is Bone Lake. In NE WI, we regularly
use about 4 lakes. Most muskellunge are stocked in fall and average
about 11 inches in length. We currently stock about 200 of our 711
muskellunge waters. About 43% of the waters are dependent upon
stocking, with no natural reproduction. The other 57% have some
natural reproduction that is supplemented with stocking. We stock
1 or 2 large fingerlings/acre in stocking-dependent fisheries and 0.5
to 1 fish/acre in supplemented fisheries. In self-sustained
populations, we estimate natural reproduction to be about 0.25 large
fingerlings/acre. We are examining, over the long-term, our stocking
rates and the types of waters we stock. Given the low harvest,
compared to 15 or 20 years ago, there are probably many lakes that
no longer need supplemental stocking. In 2001, we selected some
lakes in this category and stopped stocking them. In 73% of the
lakes looked at so far, normal levels of reproduction are occurring,
which is a great tribute to catch-and-release! We are also reviewing
our brood stock management guidelines to ensure that we use the
best available fish for stocking.
Tim Simonson, FH/4
Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat
Protection
DNR, PO BOX 7921, 101 S WEBSTER ST
MADISON WI 53707
(608) 266-5222 voice
(608) 266-2244 fax
Bill Burnham, Member of the Pomme de Terre
Chapter, submitted this month’s question. Bill
lives in Columbia Missouri.
Q: What criteria do you use in
selecting lakes for muskellunge
stocking programs?
Mark Boone - Missouri Department of Conservation
Muskies are not native to Missouri and do not reproduce
successfully, so we must stock to maintain our fisheries. We
currently stock muskies in five lakes. There are several criteria which
we consider before stocking a lake. Water quality, forage, and
habitat are the most important considerations.
Missouri summers are hot so we choose lakes that have
sufficient dissolved oxygen and water that does not exceed 85oF for
extended periods. Since muskies are sight feeders, the lakes should
be fairly clear.
Gizzard shad must be present because they are the primary
forage for Missouri muskies. It’s also beneficial if other forage
species are present, such as brook silversides, suckers, and carp.
Suitable habitat is also important. A combination of aquatic
vegetation, flooded timber, and brush piles is preferred. We try to
choose lakes where it is unlikely that muskies could leave the lake
through the outlet structure or spillway.
Muskies are not typically stocked where other ‘trophy’ species
(e.g. hybrid stripers, walleye, and flathead catfish) are stocked.
Finally we want our ‘muskie’ lakes to be distributed throughout the
state. Close proximity to metropolitan areas is preferred.
Mark Boone,
Muskellunge Program Coordinator
Missouri Department of Conservation
2302 County Park Dr.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
[email protected]
573/290-5858, ext. 239
Moving?
Send your change of address to:
Terrie DuBé,
PO Box 120870,
New Brighton, MN 55112
888-710-8286
Or e-mail to:
[email protected]
www.muskiesinc.org
NOTE: M.I. members are encouraged to submit
their questions to our panel of biologists. If your
question is a state specific question, we will
attempt to obtain a response from your local
(state) biologist. Each month we will draw upon
different biologists to answer your questions in
order to obtain a diversity of answers and
opinions from a variety of biologists through out
our muskie country.
Please Email your questions to:
[email protected]
Elmer W. Heyob, Jr - Ohio DNR
The Division of Wildlife’s muskellunge program goal in Ohio is,
“to maintain high quality muskellunge fisheries at selected water areas.”
The two main criteria for muskellunge program lakes in Ohio
are location and water retention time. Eight lakes with the proper
physical characteristics have been selected as evenly spaced around the
state as possible. The bulk of Ohio’s lakes and reservoirs have an overabundant gizzard shad forage base perfectly suited for this native,
open water predator. The next challenge is to keep the fish in the
lake. Our stocked muskie lakes were chosen for their relatively high
water retention time that ranges from .5 to 1-year. This helps keep the
fish in the lake and makes for improved water quality.
The current production goal of advanced fingerlings (9 to 12inch fish), is 17,000. The “Division” has been above this above this
goal every year since 1998 when they had a record 38,000 advanced
fingerlings produced. With the continued decline in fishing license
sales and limited participation in muskellunge fishing, this
production goal is unlikely to increase anytime in the near future.
The great news is, our hatcheries continue to produce more
consistent numbers of high quality advanced fingerlings with the
same amount of hatchery space and minnow (forage) funds.
Elmer W. Heyob Jr.
Fisheries Biologist 2
Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
Wildlife District One
1500 Dublin Rd.
Columbus, OH 43215
614-644-3925
MISSION
S TAT E M E N T
“Muskies, Inc. is an active, service-oriented, non-profit
organization with the single focus of improving the sport of muskie
fishing for men, women, and children.
Our mission is to unite all muskie fishing interests for the
promotion and protection of a high quality muskellunge sport
fishery in the United States and Canada.
We will accomplish this by supporting conservation practices
and research based on sound scientific merit, and carried out by
authorized federal or state agencies, appropriate academic
institutions, Muskies, Inc chapters, and their members.
We are committed to the abatement of water pollution;
maintenance of records for muskie habits, growth, and range; and the
dissemination of muskie information to everyone.”
Adopted, April 2002
YO U T H - f i s h e r i e s - r e s e a rc h ◆ YO U T H - f i s h e r i e s - r e s e a rc h ◆ YO U T H - f i s h e r i e s - r e s e a rc h
Youth•Fisheries•Research
Ask the Biologist
Bemidji/Big Lake Muskie Tournament
Chapter Fundraiser, Hosted by the
Bemidji/Cass Lake Chapter of Muskies Inc.
June 25, 2005
Tournament Waters: Lake Bemidji and Big Lake
Entry Fee: $40 Adults, $20 Youth (17 and under) – Includes: Hamburger Feed
Profits from this tournament will go to fishing related projects in the Bemidji & Cass Lake MN area.
5:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Fishing Starts
Fishing Ends
Hamburger Feed
Award Presentations
Tournament Headquarters:
Diamond Point Park
1700 Birchmont Dr NE
Bemidji, MN
Tournament Registration - June 23 & 24, 2005
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Blue Water Bait & Sport – Bemidji, MN
Info: Dave Willford - Evenings 218-854-7239
[email protected]
Ron Groeschl, M.I. Webmaster
has opened the new M.I. web site.
It officially opened on January 15th.
If you haven’t visited it yet, go there soon.
Ron and his committee have created an
exciting site for you. After a few
exploratory trips around the new site
you’ll begin to feel the excitement and
potential of what lies ahead for our
members. Send your comments and
suggestions to:
[email protected]
www.muskiesinc.org
Muskellunge Study
at Kinkaid Lake
by Steve Burian
Floy tag. (enlarged)
Shawn Hirst, Illinois DNR Fisheries Biologist,
tagging a 50” muskie captured in
Lake Kinkaid with an external floy tag.
Photo by Joe McFarland.
A study is underway to better understand the effects of the
he Shawnee Muskie Hunters with the support of the
Muskies, Inc. and Gander Mountain grant programs unnatural habitat of the muskie in southern reservoirs. Previous
contributed $1,000 in 2004 to the Southern Illinois studies have been done on the natural habitat in their native northern
University at Carbondale, Department of Fisheries and Illinois waters, but the relatively new introduction of the species to southern
Aquaculture Center to conduct a Telemetry Project in an effort to impoundments has created a need for further information to
better understand the effects of warmer waters and angling pressures successfully manage and propagate this highly valued sportfish. Due
to thermal stratification, the warmer summer water temperatures of
on muskellunge on Kinkaid Lake.
Southern Illinois’ Kinkaid Lake in Jackson County is located just the southern reservoir create a different habitat than the well studied
a few miles north of Murphysboro. In the beautiful rolling hills and northern waters. Preferred oxygen content and temperature ranges
forested countryside, this man made reservoir which began in 1968 can often conflict creating conditions of an unhealthy environment.
of approximately 2,750 acres and nearly 92 miles of irregular Therefore, angling for musky during the summer months is
shorelines share areas of differing topographies. One can see glimpses discouraged due to hooking and handling stress, and resulting higher
of the north’s pine forests and rocky lakes, sandstone bluffs and tall mortality rates.
In an effort to better understand the effects of
rock walls lining shorelines like that of the Ozark’s,
warmer
waters and angling pressures on
gorges which appear to have been cut by swiftly With continued study,
muskellunge,
the Southern Illinois University at
flowing river waters, and lakes of the plain states
successful
management,
Carbondale,
Department
of Fisheries and Illinois
and flat lands with shorelines of forests and prairie
Aquaculture
Center
(hereafter
called SIUC), and
grasses. All of the surrounding undeveloped lands & educating anglers to
the
Illinois
Department
of
Natural
Resources
are owned by the US Forest Service, the IDNR and
proper
catch
&
release
(IDNR)
have
joined
forces
to
produce
a study,
the Kinkaid-Reed’s Creek Conservancy District.
“Habitat
Use
of
Muskellunge
in
Kinkaid
Lake,
Water clarities range from muddy in the north to practices, muskie fishing
Illinois”. Commonly referred to as the Telemetry
relatively clear in the south end of the lake.
in Kinkaid Lake may
Project, fish are raised at the IDNR’s Jack Wolfe
Maximum depth is about 70 feet and only about
Fish Hatchery and then freeze branded and tagged
10% of the lake is less than 10 feet. Varieties of well prove to be one of
by SIUC’s researchers prior to the yearly stocking
weeds grow throughout the lake, stumps and the best places to catch
program. To be later studied, 1000 of the 2000
standing timber remain mostly in the coves, lay
muskie which were stocked in 2004 were PIT
downs occur due to erosion problems, and rocky that trophy fish.
tagged (Passive Integrated Transponder) and all
outcrops, boulders and reefs are all available covers
for many species of fish, including of course our favorite toothy 2000 were freeze branded. In 2004 and 2005, the program includes
critters. Proper management of the lake has resulted in a quality collecting adult fish, 24 of which are then implanted with
fishery with growing popularity among anglers. The minimum temperature sensitive ultrasonic transmitters which enable the
length limit restriction of 122 cm (48 inches) has improved the researchers to later locate these fish. Objectives of this study include:
to determine seasonal habitat use and activity, assess the impact of
number of large muskie being caught.
T
catch & release angling on habitat use and behavior, and to gain
preliminary information on the growth rates and relative survival
rates.
After implantation of tags and the branding process is complete,
the IDNR release the 2000 10 to 12 inch fingerlings at several
locations throughout the lake. Spring trap netting by the IDNR,
assisted by volunteers from groups such as Muskies, Inc. Chapter 28
(Shawnee Muskie Hunters),
gathers information from the
tagged fish on dispersal
patterns, relative survival
rates, growth and longevity
rates. All muskie collected
are tagged by the dorsal fin
with individually numbered
external Floy Tags. Anyone
catching a tagged muskie is
urged to contact Shawn
Hirst (IDNR Fish Biologist)
Penny shown alongside a PIT Tag
at 618-687-4546 with tag
(internal) for scale.
number, fish length and
catch date. Please do not remove the tag! Fish collected and
implanted with the temperature sensitive ultrasonic radio transmitters
(with a life expectancy of approximately 3 years) are studied by
attempting to locate each fish 3 times per week. Records are then
taken of transmitter (fish) temperature along with information on the
fish depth, dissolved oxygen content at varying depths, habitat
information such as depth at locations, type of cover, boating activity,
and coordinates of locations using GPS methods.
In addition, attempts to capture the fish implanted with radio
transmitters using conventional angling methods during the spring,
summer, and fall seasons will be to monitor the effects of catch &
release practices on the fishes activity and habitat by locating the fish
hourly for 24 hours after its release, and after to be tracked during
the routine weekly inspections. During the same 24 hour period,
radio tagged fish in the same area, that anglers were unable to catch,
will also be monitored to compare mortality rates and other noted
variables between the two groups.
With continued study, successful management, educating
anglers to proper catch & release practices, muskie
fishing in Kinkaid Lake may well prove to be one of
the best places to catch that trophy fish. The efforts
and contributions made by the various institutions,
government, and organizations have already provided
anglers with one heck of a place to fish. It is only
fitting that individuals working towards this goal
should be acknowledged
and our gratitude bestowed
upon them, but the list
would be long. We would
however like to mention a
few. Shawn Hirst and Steve
Pallo with the IDNR,
Robert Neumann, Ron
Brooks and Patrick Beck of
SIUC (Dr. Neumann is now
on the IN-FISHERMAN
staff but was instrumental in
the project),
to the
members of Muskies, Inc.
whose membership dues
helped with contributions
and those who volunteered
for work on the water, to
those members of the
Kinkaid Area Watershed
Project (KAWP, Inc.) who
work towards ending lake
erosion, and finally the
members of the Shawnee
Muskie Hunters, Chapter of
MI who donate their time
and money towards a
cleaner lake with a yearly
clean up program, and do
Southern Illinois University Fisheries
volunteer work with the
personnel pulling a trap net.
IDNR. Last, but certainly
not least, we would like to thank Gander Mountain for their generous
donations to the grant programs, and to Muskies, Inc. and Shawnee
Muskie Hunters Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Whose matching funds
have now contributed $2,000 in the past two years to Kinkaid Lake
projects. We thank you all for providing us anglers a wonderful
recreational resource.
Steve Burian
Manuel Santa Cruz
Trap net in Kinkaid Lake.
www.muskiesinc.org
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Big
Ninth Annual Spring Warm-Up
Fish
Tro
phy
Muskie Tournament
April 30th & May 1st, 2005
Kinkaid Lake, IL
Please support our tournament sponsors:
Midwest
Rod & Reel
CHICAGO
Outdoor
Notebook
Battle
The Beast
Kolar
Bait & Tackle
Guide Service
Al Nutty
Drifter
Tackle
Murphysboro
LOE’S RESORT
On Leech Lake
WISHIN
LURES
Registration Form
Team: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ______________________________________ Name: _______________________________________
Address:_____________________________________ Address: ______________________________________
City: _____________________State: ___ Zip: _______City: ____________________ State: _____ Zip: _____
Phone: ______________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________
Send $140 per 2 person team. Make checks payable to: Shawnee Muskie Hunters.
Mail registration form with entry fee to: Mike Tomse, 403 Edwards St., Aurora, IL 60505.
Call Gary Dew at (815) 529-1159 for more information.
Additional banquet tickets - $20.
by
Ji m B u n c h
Celebration!
In April 2005 we pause and reflect back on what the 2004 season
meant to a whole group of chapter winners and International winners.
We will gather for this event on April 8 and 9 as guests of the Fox River
Valley chapter at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois.
The facilities as advertised in the February Muskie magazine (Page 12)
and the March Muskie magazine, appear to be a grand and glorious
location. It should provide us the proper location to honor our many
members with outstanding accomplishments in 2004. We have
provided a list of those winners for you to view. It is a very long list.
Please understand that not all will attend as most winners also receive
this honor at their individual chapter’s banquet. History tells us we will
honor 30 to 50 of these members at this event. I am excited as it is the
high light of the year. Please join us as each and every one of you just
adds to the atmosphere of the event.
Change In The Air?
Speaking of the International Awards, there is a change brewing.
At the fall board meeting of Muskies, Inc it was suggested that we
return to a true International awards system. I and the Members Only
Fishing Contest Committee were directed to submit a motion to return
to a system of awards that would reflect this. That motion has been
prepared and is listed to the right. It has been sent to all chapter
presidents, vice presidents, and regional vice presidents. It also has been
posted on the bulletin board on our web site. We have done this so
there are no surprises as to the intent. Keep in mind the International
is not some group of people trying to run the show. It is members from
each and every chapter of Muskies Inc. In reality, when you get down
to the true issue here revolves around money. The International budget
includes $5,000.00 each year set aside to purchase these awards. Many
feel this is way too much. We have always dealt with the fact that
International awards and chapter awards are duplicates in a lot of cases.
That has not changed in the 35 years of our history. Consequently, the
general idea here is to make these awards truly International and let the
chapters deal with their own chapter members awards. The motion that
will be submitted at the spring awards on April 9, 2005 is listed in the
box at right. This motion maybe just a formality or it maybe hotly
contested. If passed it will be in effect for the 2005 season.
This motion will reduce the budget of the MOFC from
$16995.60 down to $13145.60. This is a savings of $3850.00. This is
based on the fact we were buying up to 6 awards for each chapter. If
this motion passes we will reduce it to just 46 awards. (This could
increase with potential ties in some divisions such as Lunker Of The
Month) We were paying $16.40 for each award. With the anticipated
reduction in volume discounts we would assume each of the proposed
46 awards at $25 each. Thus, these reductions in the budget would be
down to $13145.60 or a savings of $3850.00.
This also creates a greater sense of integrity in the contest. It puts
every member of Muskies, Inc on the same playing field. All point
totals will be on the same basis. The points will be recorded by the
Web Site and the Members Only Fishing Contest.
Submitted by your MOFC Committee, Jim Bunch, Chairman ❖
www.muskiesinc.org
MOTION
from International Members Only Fishing Contest
Committee 4/9/05 per direction of the International
board at October 2004 fall board meeting.
1. Eliminate the current system of purchasing 6 awards for each
chapter.
2. Sponsor an International awards system based on release points
from the Lunge Log that will be based on all members of
Muskies, Inc. Release Points will be assigned and displayed on
the web site in the Lunge Log section.
a. 10 Awards for Men’s Masters. (Approximately 105
Qualifiers 2005)
b. 2 Awards for Women’s Masters. (Approximately 20
Qualifiers 2005)
c. 10 Awards Men’s
d. 10 Awards Women’s
e. 10 Awards Juniors
f. 1 Award Longest Release Men’s, includes a Replica
g. 1 Award Longest Release Women’s, includes a Replica
h. 1 Award Longest Release Juniors, includes a Replica
i. 1 Award Longest Release Hybrid
j. Release Points are based on 4 points for each release and 1
point for each inch or fraction of inches over 30 inches.
k. Rounding off to the nearest inch will no longer be accepted,
the true and total length of your release will be the actual
length you see on the tape when you lay the muskie on the
tape. You should designate a muskie’s length to fractions at
1/4”, 1/2” and 3/4” Nothing else. Squeezing of the tale is
accepted for a true and accurate length measurement of your
release. Nearly all Department’s Of Natural Resources
squeeze the tail in measuring the true and accurate
measurement of any species.
3. Men’s Masters – any male member of Muskies, Inc that has
recorded 250 releases or more in the Lunge Log all time. Any
male member that reaches 250 all time releases during a
calendar year will remain in the Men’s Division until the next
calendar year, he then will be in the Masters.
4. Women’s Masters – any female member of Muskies, Inc that
has recorded 100 releases or more in the Lunge Log all time.
Any female member that reaches 100 all time releases during a
calendar year will remain in the Women’s Division until the
next calendar year, she then will be in the Women’s Masters.
5. Men’s is any male member of Muskies, Inc. 18 years of age or
older that has less than 250 all time total releases.
6. Women’s is any female member of Muskies, Inc. 18 years of
age or older that has less than 100 all time total releases.
7. Juniors are any male or female member of Muskies, Inc. 17
years of age or less on January 1st of a contest calendar year. (17
or less on January 1, will remain a Junior for the entire year)
8. Longest Release and replica for Men’s combines Men’s Masters
and Men’s.
9. Longest Release and replica for Women’s combines Women’s
Masters and Women’s.
10. Ties in the Longest Release for Men’s, Women’s and Junior’s
Division’s for the replica are settled by a coin toss to be held
each year at the December meeting of the board of directors of
the First Wisconsin Chapter of Muskies, Inc.
Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g ◆ Lu n g e L o g
g
Lunge Lo
e
th
2004 CHAPTER AWARDS
01 Twin Cities
Womens – Terrie Dube 9 Releases 94 Points
Masters – Tony Sommerfeld 19 Releases 285 Points
1st Juniors – Evan Nicolai 5 Releases 78 Points
2nd Juniors – J.T. Doebler 4 Releases 38 Points
2nd Juniors – Samantha Doebler 4 Releases 38 Points
Mens – Jim Doyle 30 Releases 403 Points
02 Fargo Moorhead
Mens – David Winter 29 Releases 481.5 Points
Womens – Ruth Anderson 17 Releases 202 Points
1st Juniors – Evan Twa 62 Releases 502 Points
2nd Juniors – Eddie Stenger 2 Releases 30 Points
3rd Juniors – Adam Gustad 1 Release 13 Points
Masters – Joe Hardy 178 Releases 1431 Points
03 Chicagoland Muskie Hunters
Masters – Jeffrey Aromi 67 Releases 742 Points
Mens – John P Ryan 16 Releases 216 Points
Juniors – Joey Pribyl-Shay 11 Releases 101 Points
Illinois Big Fish – John P Ryan 41.5” Fox Chain
Longest Release – Bob Chochola 51.5” Dryberry, Ont
05 Pomme De Terre
Longest Muskie – Don Rassmussen 48.25” Pipestone, Ont
9/2/04
Longest Missouri Muskie – Jim Wilson 48” Pomme De Terre
6/22/04
Most Muskies – Jim Wilson 57
Most Missouri Muskies – Jim Wilson 56
Largest Muskie Womens – Mary Hammond 35” Pomme De
Terre
Junior Division – Andrea Kirby 10 Muskies
06 First Wisconsin
Longest Release – Dick Stelter 54.5” LOTW 8/4/04
Masters - Chuck Spletter 21 Releases 221 Points
Mens – Ken Imm 19 Releases 259 Points
Womens – Kirsten Spletter 8 Releases 98 Points
Juniors – Kaitlin Benson 49.25” 23 Points
07 South Side Muskie Hawks
Mens Masters – Matt Collins 42 Releases 481 Points
Womens Masters – Char Piotrowski 7 Releases 75 Points
Mens – Andy Veach 36 Releases 416 Points
Womens – Lorelei Frost 4 Releases 44 Points
Juniors – Brian Wortz 3 Releases 45 Points
08 Capital City
Juniors – Seth Green 3 Releases 32 Points
Womens – Susan Eversoll 15 Releases 157 Points
Mens – Tom Forster 41 Releases 430 Points
Masters – Jeff Hanson 152 Releases 1693 Points
Largest – Gale Radtke54” St. Lawrence, NY
Largest Hybrid – John Eversoll 46” Lake Galena, IL
Largest Juniors – Jeff Blettner 44” Kentuck Lake, WI
09 West Virginia
Mens – Jimmy Willison 42 Releases 422 Points
Womens – Sheila McCord 4 Releases 54 Points
Masters – J. Lee Powell 59 Releases 630 Points
Juniors – Derek Wenzel 4 Releases 66 Points
U.S. Waters – Dave Wenzel 26 Releases 253 Points
Longest Release – Roger Bullard 53” Cave Run 3/27/04
10 Heartland
1st Masters – Scott Yaeger 65 Releases 786.5 Points
2nd Masters – Keith Minkel 16 Releases 172.5 Points
3rd Masters - Bob Staska 7 Releases 122 Points
4th Masters – Brian Buehler 9 Releases 90.5 Points
5th Masters – Shawn E. Stone 5 Releases 51.5 Points
1st Mens – Neil Schrieber 1 Release 16 Points
11 Mississippi Valley
1st Mens – Rick Langill 10 Releases 113 Points
2nd Mens – Paul Sikkema 8 Releases 90 Points
3rd Mens – Dennis Johnson 3 Releases 49 Points
Largest Release – Neil Taylor 47.5” Eagle, WI 9/10/04
Juniors – Brandon Schneider 1 Release 4 Points
12 Headwaters
Mens Open – Travis Kopke 33 Releases 426 Points
Mens Masters – John Aschenbrenner 56 Releases 683 Points
Womens Open – Carol Heffner 5 Releases 61 Points
Juniors – Peter Blicharz 6 Releases 61 Points
Womens Masters – Linda Jacobs 9 Releases 92 Points
Juniors Out Of State – Tim McMahon 36 Releases 309 Points
13 Hayward Lakes
Senior Masters – Tom Muntz 82 Releases 740 Points
Masters – Tanner Wildes 22 Releases 280 Points
Mens – Adam Glickman 32 Releases 323 Points
Largest – Ryan Woehler 53” Perrault, Ont
Ladies – Sandy Hackbarth 5 Releases 37 Points
Juniors – Alex Spezia 19 Points 45” Namekagon, WI
14 South Of The Border
1st Masters – John Arndt 50 Releases 531 Points
1st Mens – John W Risius Jr 83 Releases 721.75 Points
1st Womens – Rita Arndt 11 Releases 109.5 Points
1st Juniors – Nick Olson 3 Releases 31 Points
2nd Masters – Tom Olson 31 Releases 387 Points
2nd Mens – Ben Modica 30 Releases 344.75 Points
15 Star Of The North
1st Juniors – Wesley Worel 17 Releases 276 Points
2nd Juniors – Ben Frings 11 Releases 148 Points
1st Mens – Bruce Verke 12 Releases 167 Points
2nd Mens – Gary Shofner 14 Releases 141 Points
Masters – Dan Marking 24 Releases 312 Points
Grand Masters – Ken Worel 73 Releases 1241 Points
16 Three Rivers
1st Masters – Dale Wiley 76 Releases 776.25 Points
2nd Masters – Martin Yester 62 Releases 727.5 Points
3rd Masters – Adam Andresky 57 Releases 623.5 Points
1st Mens - Todd Yester 48 Releases 556.25 Points
2nd Mens – Bill Andresky 45 Releases 541.25 Points
3rd Mens – John Ryhal 36 Releases 425.5 Points
17 Quad County Hawg Hunters
Mens Masters – Kevin Nash 42 Releases 466.5 Points
Juniors – Corbin Landmeier 10 Releases 107.75 Points
Mens – Vernon Rebenstorf 14 Releases 105.5 Points
Largest Release – Robert Hoyle 54” Lake Vermillion, MN
Largest Illinois Release – Duane Landmeier, 45” Lake
Shelbyville
Illinois Releases – Kevin Nash 23 Releases 255.5 Points
18 Hopedale
1st – Mike Sall Sr. 48 Releases 512 Points
2nd – Jan Reeves 32 Releases 455 Points
3rd - Tom Troski 26 Releases 284 Points
4th – Chet Snezek 16 Releases 174 Points
5th – Mike Sall Jr. 15 Releases 169 Points
6th – Jim Cook 17 Releases 158 Points
Juniors- Sam Detweiler 1 Release 19 Points
Womens Masters – Charlotte Fuchs 19 Releases 244 Points
Womens Open – Vicky Dennis 5 Releases 73 Points
Mens Masters – Jason Bond 88 Releases 1121 Points
Mens Open – John A. Dennis 77 Releases 1027 Points
Largest Release – Ray H Elkins 53.5” Lake St Clair, Ont
20 Between The Lakes
Womens – Sara Lammers 37.5 Points
Mens – Rob Wischki 269 Points
Juniors – Brent Rortvedt 48 Points
Largest – Joel Sobieck 51” Eagle, Ont 7/8/04
Largest Sheboygan County – Rob Wischki 47” Elkhart 11/6/04
Largest Womens – Sara Lammers 46.5” Cave Run, Ky
4/5/2004
21 North Metro
Masters – Jason Hamernick 86 Releases 1418 Points
Mens - Paul Bronson 50 Releases 705 Points
Womens – Julie Johnson 17 Releases 194 Points
Junior Boys – Justin Hellert 10 Releases 143.5 Points
Junior Girls – Libby Hoene 43 Releases 646.5 Points
Longest Release – Gary Stefczak 54” Mille Lacs, MN 8/3/04
22 New Jersey
1st
New Jersey Releases - Larry O’Mallon 10 Releases 137
Points
2nd New Jersey Releases- John Lombardo 10 Releases 134.5
Points
3rd New Jersey Releases – Gary Pysher Sr 12 Releases 111
Points
Overall Release – Gary Pysher Sr 17 Releases 172 Points
Womens – Barbara Senftleben 7 Releases71.5 Points
Largest Release – Bill Kunecz Jr 52” Greenwood NJ, 5/15/04
23 Cleveland
Masters – Michael Clemente 58 Releases 651 Points
Mens – Charles Masimore 36 Releases 389 Points
Juniors – Erik Nickel 5 Releases 42 Points
Womens – Cherie Carroll 16 Releases 214 Points
Largest Release – Shawn Maher 53” Georgian Bay
Largest Ohio Release – Kardy Bradway 52” Lake Milton
24 Brainerd Lakes
1st Masters – Brian Truax 47 Releases 786 Points
2nd Masters – Alan James 20 Releases 315 Points
1st Mens – Aaron Heimkes 20 Releases 326 Points
2nd Mens – Dan Dean 13 Releases 202 Points
Womens – Steph Ouren 3 Releases 46 Points
Juniors – Jimmy Dean 4 Releases 48 Points
26 Central Wisconsin
Largest Releases – 52” and 52” Ontario and Wisconsin
1st Masters – Jason Schillinger 54 Releases 663.75 Points
2nd Masters – Mike Ehlers 15 Releases 210 Points
1st Mens – David Jonesi 24 Releases 292.25 Points
2nd Mens – Marty Schield 11 Releases 153.5 Points
3rd Mens – Donald Kempen 3 Releases 65 Points
27 Central Illinois
1st Masters – Trent Huckstead 28 Releases 398 Points
2nd Masters – John Jackson 36 Releases 326 Points
3rd Masters – Kelly Himes 24 Releases 320 Points
1st Mens – James Vaught 28 Releases 278.5 Points
2nd Mens – John Kennedy 16 Releases 176.75 Points
3rd Mens – Robert Lennox 9 Releases 11 Points
28 Shawnee Muskie Hunters
Shawnee Muskie Hunter Of The Year – Mike Tomse
Junior Champion – Blake Friedrich 5 Releases 64 Points
Womens Champion – Daina Mindar 2 Releases 15 Points
Mens Champion – David Clark 46 Releases 490 Points
Masters Champion – Walter Krause 43 Releases 506 Points
Lunker Of The Year – George Hardy 47” Kinkaid, IL 9/30/04
www.muskiesinc.org
29 Upper Great Plains
1st Mens – Tracy Crail 29 Releases 340 Points
2nd Mens – Shannon Green 20 Releases 272 Points
3rd Mens – Tom Loew 19 Releases 218 Points
1st Womens – Sandra Kugler 3 Releases 54 Points
2nd Womens – Joanne Will 3 Releases 42 Points
3rd Womens – 1 Release 22 Points
30 Gods Country
Mens Masters – Jerry K Nelson 57 Releases 713 Points
Mens – Jon Rude 21 Releases 238 Points
Womens Masters – Penny Cook 9 Releases 64 Points
Womens – Amy Peterson 2 Releases 17 Points
Juniors – Josh Jordan 7 Releases 99 Points
Longest Release – Scott Freng 50” Little Sand, Ont
31 Penn-Ohio
Mens Masters – Ted C Phillips 27 Releases 417 Points
Womens Masters – Rhoda Satonica 15 Releases 150 Points
Mens – John Holiga 10 Releases 120 Points
Womens – Barbara Pittman 9 Releases 102 Points
Largest – Frank Maus 51” Allegheny River
Largest Juniors – Jerod Fischer 38” Pymatunig Reservoir
32 Flatlanders
Mens - Steve Williams 28 Releases 380 Points
Womens – Amy Shackleton 8 Releases 60 Points
Juniors – Dan Blanck 8 Releaes 69 Points
Mens Masters – John Pfaff 20 Releases 204 Points
Womens Masters – Mary Hoernecke 15 Releases 150 Points
Longest Release – Jack Hoffman 53” Lake Of The Woods, Ont
33 Lake Superior
Mens – Robert Busche 64 Releases 561 Points
Mens Largest Release – Bob Himango 52” Cass, MN
Womens – Pat Berglund 2 Releases 21 Points
Womens Largest Release – Pat Berglund 39” Deer Lake, MN
35 Milwaukee
1st Mens – Darrel Mack 20 Releases 242.5 Points
2nd Mens – Steve Kroupa 14 Releases 174.5 Points
3rd Mens – Dave Dilley 18 Releases 170.5 Points
4th Mens – Joel Michel 17 Releases 160 Points
5th Mens – Gene Daul 17 Releases 157.5 Points
Mike Szczepanski 49” Chippewa Flowage, WI
37 St Cloud
1st Mens - Russell Nelson 217 Points
2nd Mens – Jim Bidwell 200 Points
3rd Mens – Carl Peterson 175 Points
1st Womens – Stephanie Amberg 93 Points
1st Juniors - Spencer Fenske 17 Points
2nd Juniors – Justin Bidwell 16 Points
38 Vikingland
1st Masters – Robert Volkert 64 Releases 1106 Points
2nd Masters – Brad Hoppe 39 Releases 623 Points
3rd Masters – Merrill Pedersen 21 Releases 265 Points
1st Mens – David Williamson 41 Releases 496 Points
2nd Mens – Tom Tritz 7 Releases 93 Points
3rd Mens – James Reuter 7 Releases 79 Points
39 Fox River Valley
Largest Release – Richard Wren 56.5” Georgian Bay, Ont
2nd Largest Release – Darren Nixon 52.5” Mille Lacs, MN
8/8/04
3rd Largest Release – Phil Gutmann 51.25” Lake Of The
Woods 7/12/04
3rd Largest Release – Willie Hall 51.25” Lake St. Clair, Ont
6/20/04
Club Champion – Rick Mikel 101 Releases 1261 Points
Largest Illinois Release – Jerry Lally 47.75” Fox River 3/3/04
(Continued on page 16)
19 Akron-Canton
2004 CHAPTER AWARDS (Continued from page 15)
41 Central Ohio
Masters – Mark Pauling 81 Releases 1054 Points
1st Mens – Gary Solomon 31 Releases 485 Points
2nd Mens – Michael Waryck 23 Releases 268 Points
3rd Mens – Charles Wilbert 23 Releases 266 Points
4th Mens – Randy Parker 22 Releases 213 Points
Largest Chapter Release – Geoff Hetricl 54.5” Ottawa River
7/19/04
42 Hoosier Muskie Hunters
1st Masters – Jeff Kachmann 92 Releases 1135.5 Points
1st Mens – Kent Lebherz 22 Releases 197.75 Points
1st Womens – Terri Runnebohm 3 Releases 22.5 Points
1st Juniors – Dane Gray 1 Release 20 Points
2nd Mens – Brock Pierce 8 Releases 115.5 Points
3rd Mens – Eric Fleming 12 Releases 108 Points
44 Colorado
1st Mens – Danny Kurttila 23 Releases 208.75 Points
2nd Mens – Will Dykstra 13 Releases 172.5 Points
3rd Mens – Ken Karbon 10 Releases 105 Points
1st Juniors – Bob Miller 5 Releases 33.5 Points
1st Womens – Diane Dykstra 3 Releases 42 Points
2nd Womens – Chelsee Norman 1 Release 17 Points
45 Kentucky
Juniors – Joe Ortlieb 2 Releases 29 Points
Mens – Dave Grochowski 17 Releases 183 Points
Masters – Marc Grattan 51 Releases 585 Points
Womens – Kathy Lyon 2 Releases 11 Points
46 Bemidji / Cass Lake
1st Masters – Duane Hill 39 Releases 713.5 Points
1st Mens - Sam McSharry 26 Releases 393 Points
1st Womens – Kathleen Hill 29 Releases 344 Points
1st Juniors – Josh Anderson 2 Releases 22 Points
2nd Juniors – Kendall Hill 1 Release 16 Points
Outstanding Service Award – Ed Rauch
47 Michigan Muskie Alliance
1st Mens – Michael King 47 Releases 483 Points
1st Womens – Michelle King 35 Releases 364.5 Points
1st Juniors – Jake Williams 17 Releases 193 Points
2nd Juniors – Zach Williams 18 Releases 182 Points
Largest Michigan Release – John Kline 51” Lake St. Clair
2nd Masters – Chad Sandy 47 Releases 527.5 Points
48 Arrowhead
Mens Longest – John Karakash 52.5” Vermilion, MN 7/16/04
Womens and Chapter Longest – Melody Swenson 53”
Vermilion, MN 11/16/04
Junior Longest – Josh Petruska 51.5” Vermilion, MN 7/26/04
Longest Northern – John Karakash 40” Vermilion, MN
49 Webster Lake Musky Club
Mens Masters – Mike Hulbert 102 Releases 1168.25 Points
1st Womens – Dottie Dye 20 Releases 231 Points
2nd Womens – Heather Rothbauer 2 Releases 31 Points
Juniors – Billy Brumett 3 Releases 38 Points
1st Mens – James R. Johnson 37 Releases 477 Points
2nd Mens – Mark Johnson 19 Releases 315 Points
50 Penn Jersey
Local Release Champion – Greg Ridge 8 Releases 83 Points
Overall Release Champion – Archie Roche 9 Releases 109
Points
Junior Release Champion – Charles Jones Jr 2 Releases 25
Points
Largest Release – Gary Turansick – 45” Mercer, NJ 7/2/04
51 Ohio Valley Muskie Hunters
Longest Release – Ben Graham 49” Leesville, Ohio
1st Mens – Ben Graham 15 Releases 182 Points
2nd Mens – David S. Oliver 7 Releases 63 Points
3rd Mens – Ronald J. Pickens 2 Releases 23 Points
Juniors – Troy Oliver 5 Releases 50 Points
Womens – Michele R. Uttermohlen 1 Release 6 Points
HOOSIER MUSKIE HUNTERS CHAPTER OF MUSKIES, INC.
PRESENTS
Open
to the
Public
52 Daniel Boone Chapter
1st Mens – Chris Haley 37 Releases 443.25 Points
2nd Mens – Tony Fugate 34 Releases 394 Points
3rd Mens – Anthony Smith 24 Releases 287 Points
4th Mens – Tim Gilbert 28 Releases 233 Points
Womens – Esther Haley 2 Releases 20.75 Points
Juniors – Jared Simpson 1 Release 8.5 Points
00 Unaffiliated Members
1st Masters – Gilbert B Allen 43 Releases 425 Points
2nd Masters – Guy R Borrusch 18 Releases 206 Points
1st Mens – Steve Wickens 97 Releases 1332 Points
2nd Mens – James R Goon 5 Releases 49 Points
1st Womens – Kathryn A Goon 1 Release 16 Points
Largest Release – Doug Teney 54” LOTW 9/12/2004
9th Annual
Indiana Muskie Classic
May 13, 14, 15, 2005
MUSKY
INNOVATIONS
LLC
Total Release Muskie Tournament
International Awards -Juniors
1st Juniors – Libby Hoene Chapter 21, 41 Releases 624 Points
2nd Juniors – EvanTwa Chapter 2, 60 Releases 481 Points
3rd Juniors – Tim Mc Mahon Chapter 12, 36 Releases 300.5
Points
4th Juniors – Wesley Worel Chapter 15, 18 Releases 294.25
Points
5th Juniors – Jake Williams Chapter 47, 17 Releases 193
Points
6th Juniors – Dustin Sacco Chapter 27, 20 Releases 185.5
Points
7th Juniors – Zach Williams Chapter 47, 18 Releases 182
Points
8th Juniors – Christian Overmyer Chapter 41, 18 Releases
163.5 Points
9th Juniors – Marah Overmyer Chapter 41, 14 Releases 153
Points
10th Juniors – Weston Hunt Chapter 8, 11 Releases 151 Points
International Awards - Lunker Of The Month
January – Matthew G Collins Chapter 7, 47” Webster, IN
February – Mike A Ackley Chapter 27, 44” Shelbyville, IL
February – Steve E Warner Chapter 16, 44” Susquehanna
River, PA
February – Todd W Frank Chapter 47, 44” Macatawa, MI
February – George J Hardy Chapter28, 44” Kinkaid, IL
March – Roger Lee Bullard Chapter 9, 53” Cave Run, KY
April – Chris Haley Chapter 52, 51.5” Kentucky River, KY
May – William Kunecz Jr Chapter 22, 52” Greenwood, NJ
May – Jim R Dembiec Chapter 35, 52” Pewaukee, WI
June – Duane Hill Chapter 46, 56.5” Bemidji, MN
June – Richard K Wren Chapter 39, 56.5” Georgian Bay, Ont
July – Toni Ferraro Chapter 16, 55” Lake St Clair, Ont
August – Aaron Meyer Chapter 37, 55.5” Mille Lacs, MN
September – Peter W Olson Chapter12, 55.5” Manitowish
Chain, WI
October – Cindy Hegdahl Chapter 01, 55” Bemidji, MN
November – Pete Lahosky Chapter 22, 55.5” St Lawrence
River, Ont
December – Kevin Goldberg Chapter 16, 55.5” St Lawrence
Rive, NY
International Longest Release
Mens – Duane Hill Chapter46, 56.5” Bemidji, MN - Replica
Mens – Richard K Wren Chapter 39, 56.5” Georgian Bay, Ont
Womens – Toni Ferraro Chapter16, 55” Lake St Clair, Ont Replica
Womens – Cindy Hegdahl Chapter 01, Bemidji, MN
Juniors – Wesley Worel Chapter 15, 53.25” Vermilion, MN Replica
Hybrid – Tony Grant Chapter 45, 49.5” Kentuck, WI ❖
GREG THOMAS
TO ATTEND
www.battlethebeast.com
•Friday, May 13th - Seminar - 7:00pm
BANQUET &
SILENT AUCTION
Saturday, May 14th
Ramada Plaza Hotel – 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Silent Auction Starts at 6:00pm
Over $15,000 in gifts, give-a-ways, trips
and silent auction items.
9th Annual
Indiana Muskie Classic
Prizes Awarded for:
• First, Second, & Third Place
• Largest Fish Released (Free Replica Mount)
DeL ONG
Team Prizes
For each legal release the team is entered
in a drawing for a chance to win one of five
fishing merchandise prizes
LURES
TOURNAMENT HOTEL
Ramada Plaza Hotel
Tournament Registration-$170 per two person team
2519 Center Street, Warsaw
Rooms are $69.00 for double occupancy - call (574)269-2323 for reservations
(When making reservations, please inform the hotel that you will be fishing in the Muskie Tournament )
All participants will fish
1 full day session on each of 3 tournament lakes.
Placement based on blind draw of all participants.
Tournament field limited to first 105 teams .
Log on to www.indianamuskieclassic.com
for more information
AWARDS PRESENTATION
Sunday, May 15th
Ramada Plaza Hotel - 2:30 pm
Tournament Waters
• Barbee Chain • Lake Tippecanoe • Lake Webster
HOOSIER MUSKIE HUNTERS CHAPTER’S ANNUAL CONVENTION
WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TOURNAMENT
REGISTRATION FORM
HOOSIER MUSKIE HUNTERS CHAPTER OF MUSKIES, INC.
NINTH ANNUAL INDIANA MUSKIE CLASSIC
MAY 13, 14, 15, 2005
Boater’s Name ______________________________ Address_____________________________________________________
City___________________________ State_______ Zip______ _____ Phone Number_________________________________
Partner’s Name _____________________________ Address_____________________________________________________
City___________________________ State_______ Zip____________ Phone Number_________________________________
Entry Fee $170 – Extra Persons for dinner at $25__________________ Total Amount enclosed – $ ________________________
Boater’s Signature_______________________________________________________________________________________
All people in the boat must be paid contestants. Entry fee(two person team) includes 2 buffet tickets. No entries accepted by mail postmarked after May 7, 2005. Both parties agree
to abide by tournament rules and will accept the judge’s decision as final. All contestants will be required to release Muskies, Inc. and the Hoosier Muskie Hunters from any legal
liability. Hoosier Muskie Hunters Chapter of Muskies, Inc. reserve the right to reject any application.
Make checks payable to Hoosier Muskie Hunters Mail To:Hoosier Muskie Hunters,P.O.Box 501371,Indianapolis,IN 46250.
Contact:Kenton Smith (317) 570-5637 or www.indianamuskieclassic.com
www.muskiesinc.org
Break the
Rules
by Bob Chochola
M
y partner and I have been making the trek into
Canada to hunt the mighty musky for about ten
years. There is no doubt that if you were to ask
either one of us why we go all that way to pursue a beast that
can be found in this day and age in many States across
North America, you would get a long diatribe about the
magic that lies beyond our northern border complete with
pictorial. It is a complex answer that is really just a product
of the passion we both have, that is a result of the great
successes documented by the pictures of our adventures.
A much more simple explanation, however, is what I will offer
you here – we are blessed. Not lucky, not experts, not authorities
holding some great secret that has put so many big fish in our boat
that even seasoned musky anglers who have been going to our
favorite water for decades are left scratching their heads and
wondering, “How do they do it?” If ten years on the same lake has
taught us anything, it is that we don’t know the first thing about
musky fishing. Now this statement may seem odd coming from two
guys who have a whole bunch of 50-inch-plus fish on record, but it
is how we like to approach each trip. It keeps us open to changing
patterns and never allows us to slip into the same-old-same-old every
time out. In fact, we believe that in seeking ”patterns” most musky
anglers fail to explore the pressing question, “What if?”
The “what if ” I’m talking about is directly
related to our ritual of hitting a “milk run” of
favorite spots. We believe that a great spot is a
great spot and it will continue to be a great spot
year after year. If it holds fish now, it will always
hold fish… period. Many anglers think that
breaking ritual and seeking new patterns involves
finding NEW territory and sometimes even a new
lake altogether. We disagree completely.
Ignoring the “rules” that develop from habit
and become reinforced by sheer repetition, my
partner and I have spent a good deal of time on
the water refining the way we approach the same
spots year after year with some incredible results.
We find and catch big muskies with regularity
because we do not abandon our usual haunts, but
rather we find new ways to work the same places with greater
efficiency. This involves spending some quality time probing each
spot during slow times. For example, it’s hot, the sun is high, and the
rest of our party is copping Z’s… we’re out exploring bottom
structure – every rock point and weed edge – taking notes that we
incorporate later in future visits to that place. We have been
surprised at what we have learned and it often pays off.
This past fall we found ourselves confined by heavy wind to a
small portion of the lake. We had to hit fewer spots more frequently.
As a result, we also spent more time on each spot. One place in
particular that is passed over by 95% of the other anglers we’ve seen
out there, is a jewel. It is a place we have known about and have
stopped to fish once in a while with minor success. It is a classic spot
overlooked and may turn out to be one of the best on the lake.
Until last fall we thought it was a small weed bed in a tiny
“garage” bay on a branch that opens to some of the deepest water on
the lake. I’ve seen gulls frequently feeding there and have often
wondered if the current and wind direction cause schools of baitfish
to congregate in the pocket-like area.
One calm evening my partner and I stopped to observe shad
breaking surface in an area about the size of a football field adjacent
to the bay. We began drifting the tiny weed bed (and a second even
smaller line of weeds across the channel). We
raised a musky in the area and observed a
behemoth right out in the middle of the channel
breaking the surface chasing shad.
We started to work further out and
discovered weeds, more weeds, and even more
weeds. It was a cabbage forest. In fact, although
we couldn’t see down far enough, we decided that
what we thought were two tiny beds could in fact
be one giant bed extending across the entire
channel, you guessed it, about the size of a
football field. But that’s not all… In between the
large weed bed and the deep water we found a
huge rock reef that we didn’t know about. Hey, we
(and probably everyone else) have been roaring
over the reef in our boats for years and never knew it existed.
Needless to say we began working the spot with greater efficiency
and it was about to pay off big time.
The next day it was sunny and hot. We hit the area in the early
afternoon and my partner took a small musky from the deep weeds
we had been parking the boat over until today. Later that evening I
raised a nice fish deep in the cove, after casting out to the middle of
the channel. I had her up on a figure eight several times, while
junior raised two more fish off the bow.
We believe that a
great spot is a great
spot and it will
continue to be a
great spot year after
year. If it holds fish
now, it will always
hold fish… period!
Day three found us back again in the early evening. My partner
cast a small crank bait right to some down timber along the shore
and must have hit the big musky right in the head. She blew-up
grabbing the block of wood and got off after a few head shakes. I still
have a piece of the tooth she left behind in the bait as a souvenir.
We decided to return after dark. I tossed my bucktail in the
same direction as I did the day before when I raised a monster. When
I made my figure eight I saw a flash of fish just under my lure in the
moonlight. I made a huge circle and saw another flash. I was
bringing the large loop around again from the back of the boat when
she came right out from beneath where I was hunched over searching
and ate my lure right before my eyes. It was my fist boat side hookup
and 51.5-inches of fire breathing musky. What a thrill it was to be a
steel leader away from all that thrashing musky and white water.
The lesson here is that we used
typically slow conditions to explore
an old spot and learned that the spot
had much more to offer than simply
a quick stop and a few casts.
Certainly it was a shame how often
we had just blown right past without
stopping at all. We learned that this
place could indeed hold giant
predators even during slow times and
in unfavorable conditions. In fact,
this is now at the top of our list when
it comes to big fish potential and we
owe that to breaking the rules.
Too often anglers “run and gun”
when it would be more to their
advantage to probe and take extra time to use the penetrating light
and learn more about their frequent haunts. Move out twenty, fifty,
or one hundred yards in every direction – you’d be surprised at what
you might find. The other “rule” we challenged here was to hit the
same spot several times during the course of the day. I have been
doing this for years and have reaped rewards for my persistence. Just
because you didn’t see a fish at 3pm does not mean you won’t find
one at 6pm or at 9pm. If it holds fish – as this one obviously does –
sooner or later there will be a musky in the area. My partner and I
believe the odds of making contact with fish go up by returning to
proven hunting grounds several times a day.
Maybe the most important lesson my partner and I learned last
fall was the location of active fish. This trip’s light bulb moment
would change the way we approach musky fishing forever. For years
we have made our point of attack the deep weed edge or rock point
farthest from shore, set our drift about a cast off that place, then we
would work our way to shore.
This has been a pretty standard tactic, however, we’re often
frustrated by lack of toothy critters, or teased by lookers who don’t
bite in the shallow water. On this trip we decided to work deeper
water – between twenty and fifty yards farther back from where we
normally would begin a drift. Several long casts off the deep side of
the boat produced rather large chasing muskies and that inspired us
to explore deeper water.
Casting the open water adjacent to our usual spots turned out
to be the charm (pattern if you want) and would produce multiple
fish on almost every spot our entire trip. Looking back over the years
I can remember a number of casts into the middle of nowhere only
to have a monster blow up on my bait. This final “rule” I will
encourage you to break is that of sticking too close to traditional
cover. Back off! If it’s a slow go, set your drifts (and trolls) three or
www.muskiesinc.org
four casts out and make long fan casts as you approach your normal
area. I guarantee you’ll find more fish this way. And don’t be afraid
to pull your boat out for a second pass. We have had much success
on a second and even third pass through a spot. I don’t think the
muskies care, so why should we, right?
Next time I am going to be more in depth about how we work
our traditional spots and how we approach unusual conditions. I’m
gonna shatter a couple of MUSKY MYTHS.
Until then, get out on the water and have FUN!
One thing my partner and I talk about all the time is how
serious many anglers can be. This is not to say we are not serious
about musky fishing. We eat, sleep, and breathe the sport twentyfour hours a day, seven days a week. We actually count days to our
next trip sometimes six months in advance. Believe me, when you
have a countdown on your bulletin
board at work that reads “229 DAYS
TO GO!” (Like mine did this year)
coworkers think you’re a little over the
top.
What I’m talking about is going
out to have fun above all else. Don’t
compete. Don’t become outraged over
the success of the guys in the cabin
two doors down (you know, unless
they take beer out of your cooler and
celebrate without asking you first).
For us it is a feeling of being blessed to
be out on the water, because we both
have had personal real life experiences
that had us wondering if we’d ever be
able to musky fish again. Events like that tend to put life into
perspective and while it may seem like we’re a couple of very strange
individuals, we are out there just havin’ fun. That’s what it’s all about.
In having such a great time we become relaxed and that allows
us to spend an unbelievable amount of time out there casting. After
all, rule number one of musky fishing has always been: you won’t
catch one if your bait isn’t in the water. It’s one rule we even live by.
Our relaxed attitude keeps our muscles loose, our heads in the game,
and our baits splashing… I listen sometimes when we’re not goofin’
on each other and all I hear is “zing – splash – crank, crank, crank…”
over and over and over again. It’s like being inside a casting machine.
It’s one secret to our success with no real proof other than the
pictures, of course.
So, get out there and have a great time and if a boat speeds past
you with two grown men laughing and carrying on like a couple of
school boys on holiday, it’s just us on our way to the next hot spot.
❖
____________________________________________
Bob Chochola has been a musky hunter for almost twenty years. He is a
member of The Chicagoland Musky Hunters and lives in the Dallas/Ft.
Worth area where folks are just now only learning of the Mighty Musky
- thanks to Bob. Bob is a freelance Film & Video Editor/Producer &
Writer. He is also a musician and plays in that big ol’ band from Texas,
Big Cookie & the Crumbs. WWW.COOKIECRUMBS.TV
You can reach him at
[email protected]
Photo Contest – April Winners
by Juris Ozols
W
e haven’t had a classic “fisherman with fish”
picture in the photo contest yet this year, so
here’s a nice one. It shows Harry Marfin
from the Three Rivers Chapter with a very pretty
golden colored 47.5” Muskie. Harry reports:
“My friend Jim Buss and I were trolling Wiley
lures late in the season on Lake Arthur some 10 minutes
from home. I had caught a 35-incher 15 minutes
earlier and then got this big one. I always forget to
weigh them or at least get a girth. I'm in a hurry to get
a picture and then get them back into the water. One
of our club members did weigh his the year before and
she was 48" and weighed 43 lbs. I was told if mine
wasn't over 40 lbs she was close to it. I was glad to
catch her no matter how much she weighed. I have
caught several nice ones, my largest being a 50.5-incher
from Chautauqua Lake in New York. But this one was
my heaviest fish so far. I did pose for this photo and
Jim took two or three shots with a Canon OWL and
Kodak film before I released her.”
Several comments. First, the picture is nicely
composed, and with the pretty color of the fish your
eyes are immediately drawn to it. There are no
distracting background elements. Because Harry is
sitting down, the composition works very well to show
him and the fish. And finally, also because Harry is
sitting down, the picture avoids the dreaded “horizon
through the head” syndrome. Those of you who have
heard my Muskie Photography pitch know what I
mean – when a fish picture is taken with the subject
standing, quite often the background horizon will end
up going in one ear and out the other. A sitting pose
avoids that, and also lets you support the fish better – I
recommend using it.
Our second picture is one of those beautiful fog
scenes that just make you want to be out there. Will
Dykstra from the Colorado Chapter took the picture
and reports:
“This picture was taken at the Colorado Chapter's
Big Creek Lake outing on the 17th of July. This is one
of the most beautiful lakes in all of Colorado. This lake
is located at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, and it’s
pretty amazing to me that we can get muskies up at that
high of an elevation. Every morning at Big Creek
Lake there seems to be a mist like this on the water.
In the boat is Bobby Miller, who won our junior
member contest, and his father Dave Miller, our
Chapter VP. Bobby caught a nice 37-inch Tiger the
day before the outing started. I used my digital
Kodak 3.1 Megapixel camera, which in my mind did
a great job. This is a very dependable camera and also
allows me to check out my picture right after I take
it.”
So a very pretty picture. But is that all there is
to the story? Well, Will followed up with:
“I only snapped one photo because I wanted to
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www.muskiebaytacklecompany.com
Photo Contest-April Winners (Continued from page 21)
Muskie Slayer.
be casting. I don’t know if you have heard much about our Tigers out here, but they
sometimes swim with their heads out of the water. It is quite the phenomenon. Well at this
time a Tiger had swum by about fifteen yards from the boat and I got a little excited.”
Tips and Comments
I had to laugh when I got Will’s second email noting the Tiger Muskie swimming
around with its head out of the water. But my comment back to him was “So where’s the
picture of that Muskie?” That kind of thing could make for a really unique picture. The
point here is, and I’ve said it before, have your camera ready and take advantage of those
opportunities. Digital pictures are free.
I also want to reemphasize the merits of a “sitting” as opposed to a “standing” pose
when taking a fish picture. It really does make for a better photo quite often, and there’s
also the side benefit that you’re much less inclined to do a vertical hold while sitting.
One final note to close out the 2004 photo contest. After much research, winner Brad
Waldera got a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 digital camera and is already sending me
pictures that he’s taken – a flower, a closeup of “Laura’s eye,” and a basketball scoreboard.
No fish yet, but I’m sure there will be plenty of those next summer. Fun to see.
© 2005. Shimano American Corporation and Shimano, Inc. All rights reserved. These trademarks and registered trademarks are owned by the Shimano American Corporation and Shimano, Inc.
Juris Ozols, April 2005
The new Corvalus™ reel and Compre® rod make a perfect Muskie matchup. Versatile and powerful,
this lightweight combo will stand up to the toughest fishing scenarios. For more information on this
high-performance combo, visit www.shimano.com or stop by your local retailer for a test drive.
www.muskiesinc.org
M
uskie fishing is truly a
unique sport. We battle
against the top of the line
predator of North American freshwater.
Muskies are so big and so confident
that they’ll readily follow your lure to
the boat whether they decide to eat it
or not. When muskies follow to the
boat but decide not to strike our lure
for whatever reason, there are some
actions that we can take to attempt to
elicit a strike after the fact.
CHANGE UP TACTICS (Continued from page 25)
Suspending crankbaits and minnowbaits can be used effectively
in a change-up presentation, especially when the muskie followed a
The tactics that we use are either called change up or pitch back standard floating crank or minnowbait to begin with. Incorporate
presentations. This tactic involves the use of different lures than we long pauses with the lure, allowing it to hang right in Mr. Esox’s face
used to get the muskie to follow. Usually the lures that we employ for a long period of time. This technique can be especially deadly in
are smaller or more subtle than the ones previously thrown. the cold water periods of late fall anywhere, and in the winter and
Sometimes it doesn’t have to be small or subtle at all, just something early spring periods in the south, such as Southern Illinois’ Kinkaid
different. Other times, muskies want a very natural type of Lake, where this tactic has really shined. Jerkbaits are yet another
presentation that closely “matches the hatch” or perfectly mimics the option, although certain styles seem to perform the best. Glider
available forage in that particular body of water.
jerkbaits perform the best in most change up situations with a long
glide to each side and a slight pause at the end.
Surface baits often draw follows. The majority of the time that
Tactic:
I’m
throwing
a surface bait, it will be a buzz bait or prop bait of some
The key behind this system, is when a muskie turns away from
kind.
These
lures
can be fished fast to cover water and locate active
the boat after a follow, immediately throw the change up lure in the
muskies.
After
a
muskie
has followed one of these high-speed top
direction that the fish headed. If you lost sight of the muskie during
water
lures and failed to strike, a slower moving
the figure eight and couldn’t see the fish head off
surface
lure is a good option. A cigar plug can be
in any particular direction, then simply cast back
effective
with a walk the dog retrieve. The
to the area where the fish came from or where
The key behind this
helpless
looking
side-to-side action that these
your lure was previously retrieved. Getting the
system, is when a
baits produce can lull fish into a sort of trance
change up presentation back quickly can
and elicit a strike when few other lures can. A
sometimes be key, but don’t give up after just one
muskie turns away
large wobbling bait or chugger is another good
cast. Go ahead and make numerous casts into and
option to try. These baits perform best when
from the boat after a
around the area where the muskie was located.
worked very slowly, which allows them to hang
You just don’t want to sit on the spot for fifteen or
follow,
immediately
in the strike zone and may even play on the
twenty minutes pounding baits over the fish’s
muskie’s territorial instincts.
throw the change up
head. Four or five minutes should give you
Downsizing is a tactic that can also be
enough time to cover the water and try a couple
lure
in
the
direction
deadly
on a change-up regardless of the style of
of different baits.
lure.
My
guides and I have had tremendous
The best method is to have a couple of
that the fish headed.
success over the years by tossing big bass lures
different change up lures rigged and ready to go to
back at following muskies. The small lure just
save time at that critical moment and get to the
trips their trigger more times than not. Small
fish while it’s still hot. It’s good to have several different styles of baits
lures
don’t
throw
up
the same caution indicators that big baits do.
out of the boxes, at easy access to make quick changes. Try at least a
Most
of
the
time,
they’re
much quieter, more subtle baits that
couple of change ups before moving out of the area.
displace less water and appear more like the real thing. Big bass
spinnerbaits such as the Simms Baby School N Shad take skis on the
Presentation:
change up. Small crankbaits and minnow baits work well for this
Jigs and soft plastics are great change-up lures, and I’ve tactic, and bass jigs have taken plenty of muskies too. Any lure that
employed many different styles over the years. Open hook saltwater one would choose for big bass fishing will work as long as it’s built
style jigheads with swimming style soft plastics like big curly tail tough to withstand the fury of the mighty muskie. Sometimes, I’ll
grubs, paddle tail shad bodies and tubes can be deadly as change up replace the hooks and split rings on my big bass lures and add bigger
options. These lures can be swum through the water column at any heavier hardware. I always opt for corrosion resistant saltwater style
depth. They can be used with a jerkbait style retrieve, or an hooks and rings, as they seem to be stronger than bronze hooks of
exaggerated up and down jigging motion vertically. The traditional the same size. Bass lures need to be built tough and designed for big
weedless style jigs with rubber, silicone or hair skirts are good pitch fish for this application.
back lure options as well. These jigs perform well with creature type
The fact that the quarry we pursue is the top of the line
soft plastic baits such as big lizards, but grubs and shad baits work predator, the bully on the block allows them to throw caution to the
great too. These lures can work very well in this situation, especially wind and pursue our lures far from the security of cover and right up
when hopped or dragged along the bottom. These styles of jigs to the side of our boats to leave us shaking in our boots. The fact that
perform better in and around heavy wood, weed, rock and man- muskies follow our lures frustrates lots of anglers. I’m glad for each
made cover than the open hook styles.
and every follow, as I gain a wealth of information to help me catch
Long arm muskie spinnerbaits can be good change-up lures more fish, whether the fish is boated or not. It always surprises me
also. Lures such as the Simms School N Shad Spinnerbaits with how many muskie anglers, seasoned or unseasoned, don’t attempt a
multiple metallic willow leaf blades and a natural color pattern are change up to try to catch a muskie that has followed to the boat.
highly effective for this type of presentation. Spinnerbaits work While it’s true that many of the following fish will not strike no
equally well in heavy cover and open water and are very versatile, matter what we do, this is muskie fishing, every fish that we raise is
allowing for many different styles of retrieve to trigger strikes. a gift, and every effort is definitely worthwhile. These tactics will
Spoons can be surprisingly good change-up lures, and I usually help to at least put a few more muskies in the boat each year, and
employ a two-ounce model with a metallic finish. Like jigs, these who doesn’t want more muskies in the boat? Good luck. ❖
lures sink and can be worked at any depth. Also like jigs, these lures
can be jigged vertically at boat side when the figure eight maneuver
fails to elicit a strike from a fish in a neutral feeding mode.
The only crowds up here
are under water.
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www.muskiesinc.org
Wayne & Herman Puckett
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April - October: 807-484-2100
November - April: 941-639-9134
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[email protected]
Monsters of the Deep
by Mark A. Johnson
Re-printed with the permission of The Aurora Beacon-News.
The results of the story you are about to read are shown on
the cover of this April issue.
T
here was an uneasiness about the day. It was one of those
long, long days where nothing seemed to be going right.
The morning was damp, cool, and fog shrouded. Everything
was lifeless. It was all shades of black and white.
I was headed for my favorite fishing spot. The forty-horse roared
to life and I headed down Lake Vermilion from Life of Riley resort.
I had done my homework. I had all of the best fishing spots marked
on my GPS unit and paper map but the fog made navigating
hazardous. Without my GPS unit I would never find my best spots
in this soup. About a mile down the lake I slowed to set up for the
first spot where the cabbage weeds and rocks made for a great
ambush spot. I snapped my six-inch, white, in-line spinner on the
end of the line and with a whir I sent the lure to its target. I heard a
splash and began to count – one – two – three – four. I knew the
rocks were about six feet under the surface. I began to crank the
spinner towards the boat. I could feel the tension on the line as I
brought the lure through the water. As it approached the boat I saw
him for the first time. He looked like a log floating beneath the
surface. He had to be forty-five, maybe fifty inches long. His toothy
grin made my heart race. I stuck my rod tip in the water and did a
couple figure eights. With a swish of his tail he sank into the
darkness from where he had come.
Now this is what it’s all about. I have been a fisherman since I
was little. I fished for just about anything that would bite – catfish,
carp, bass, bluegill, and walleye. It wasn’t until my fishing buddy
asked me to join Muskies, Inc. that I found this new religion.
Muskies are a true gift to mankind. They are a cross between Moby
Dick and an alligator. These toothy critters are becoming popular all
across the country thanks to a wonderful non-profit organization –
Muskies, Inc. The people that belong to MI only believe in a couple
things. Securing future fisheries for the youth of our nation, catch and
release all Muskies caught, and catching a fifty-incher. They sell raffle
tickets, run tournaments, and do other fund raisers for only one thing
– improve the musky fisheries for future generations. I joined
Chapter 17 – The Quad County Hawg Hunters who meet monthly
in Plano, IL. If you want to learn more about this truly magnificent
trophy fish, come to a meeting and you will be hooked for life.
The sun was beginning to burn off the fog as I traveled down
the lake to my next honey hole. I snapped on a Suick and tossed it
towards the tree near the shore. As I began to retrieve it - it stopped
dead. I must have hooked the branch on the
tree. I wiggled it to free it from its snag. As I
began to move towards the tree the line on my
reel began to sing. I hadn’t hooked the tree – I
had hooked the king himself. He headed out
towards the deep water. My 10-pound test line
screaming as it cut a “V” through the water’s
surface. I pulled back on the rod to keep
tension on the line. There was no stopping
this brute. He was going to do what he
wanted. I could only hope he wasn’t going too
far. I finally turned him and began reeling in
the line. As I played him out I wondered how
big he was. He was a heavy fish. Maybe he was
that fifty-incher I dreamed about. As I got
him near the boat I saw the dark, shadowy
form beneath the water. Oh, he was huge.
With a flick of his tail he was screaming away
from the boat and taking me for another ride.
What a thrill just knowing I had hooked one. I remember back
when I was small, fishing experts said that a legal, thirty-inch Musky
was a once in a lifetime event. Today, thanks to MI – forty inchers
are common, fifty inchers are caught, and sixty inchers can be
caught. Think about that – a fish in our local waters – five feet long.
Back in the 1960’s it was a lifetime experience to just see a legal sized
musky – let alone catch one.
About twenty yards from the boat the water exploded and I saw
him again for the first time. What a magnificent fish. He had to be
fifty or maybe even sixty inches long. The waves nearly upset the
boat as he hit the water. Once again I got him
up near the boat only to have him make
another run for the open water. This is what it’s
all about. Man against monster. Who was
going to win the battle?
What’s that fragrance in the air? It smells
like fresh coffee brewing. I began to hear the
faint sound of a radio telling me it was five
o’clock in the morning. Was I only dreaming?
If I was, I didn’t want to wake up. As my wife
shook me and told me I was going to be late for
work I realized it had only been a dream. But
as my old body came to life I remembered that
it was only a few more days until I headed
north with my best fishing buddies to make
this dream a reality. I couldn’t wait to catch and
release that trophy and bring the pictures and
stories back to the guys at our next Muskies,
Inc. meeting. Oh, it’s only four more days until
Lake Vermilion, great fishing, great stories, and great friendships. I
only dream that the next time I report to you, it won’t be a memory
in black and white. ❖
To contact Mark at [email protected] or go to
http://quadcounty.muskiesinc.org/homepage.html
Purposes of Muskies, Inc.
• To promote a high quality muskellunge
sport fishery;
• To support selected conservation
practices based on scientific merit and
carried out by authorized federal and
state agencies;
• To promote muskellunge research;
• To establish hatcheries and rearing
ponds and introduce the species into
suitable waters;
• To support the abatement of water
pollution;
• To maintain records of habits, growth,
and range of species;
• To disseminate muskellunge
information;
• To promote good fellowship and sportsmanship among men, women and
children.
www.muskiesinc.org
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Simply Fishing Videos
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DVDM2
by Chris Haley
98 minutes
Hunting the Mystique Part 1, DVD
Editors Note: Chris wrote an article entitled “Mudkies” for our
December 2003 issue of MUSKIE Magazine, see page 22. I
have had a number of folks Email me looking for that article.
Here is another article by Chris and muskies in muddy water
conditions.
What you are about to witness is a part of a collection, possibly the
most extensive in the industry, of MUSKIES over the fifty inch bench
mark. Bob will break down each and every fish, on a case by case basis.
You will learn everything Bob learned in the pursuit of these incredible
creature. Locations, Conditions, Lures, Elements, and so on, will be
defined like no other muskie video has done to date. For VHS cassette
see VHS Listings below. "Trust me, if you can't learn SOMETHING from
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Part 2 continues this most extensive study of trophy MUSKIES. Bob and
his guests will break down each and every fish, on a case by case basis.
This video will take you from the Canadian Shield to Lake Kinkaid, IL.
Everything you need to know to duplicate these experiences, is
revealed - locations, conditions, lures and elements. Nothing is held
back. We call it "HUNTING the MYSTIQUE, Part 2".
For VHS cassette
see VHS Listings below.
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45 minutes
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65 minutes
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ver the last few years the Midwest and East has been
plagued with heavy rains in the spring and summer creating
muddy water conditions. What happens to the Muskie
during muddy water conditions? Surely they feed or else they would
starve? Musky in the Ohio River basin are accustomed to muddy
water and have learned to feed and survive in water that resembles
coffee with cream. The Ohio River strain of Muskie tolerates muddy
water conditions but can other strains do the same? You bet they can.
Muskie are the same all over; they have a humongous lateral line that
can pick up the smallest vibrations. Over the last few years I cringe
at the site of clear water and look for water containing color. I
thought for a while that you must be able to see at least a foot into
the water or the Musky could not find the lure…boy was I wrong.
Over the last couple of years I have pushed myself to see just what are
the dirtiest water conditions in which I could catch a Muskie. I have
looked for water so dirty that Muskie could not find my lures and I
have yet to find that color of water. I know that you are thinking our
fish here are different and when the water muddies they don’t bite.
The truth is they do and I am going to help you with some dirty
water tactics that will help you boat some of the biggest fish of your
life…that’s right, some of the biggest. Big Muskie are less shy of
everything in muddy water conditons giving you a little more edge
than you would normally have.
Here are some tactics that I use in muddy water that have
proven successful on Kinkaid, Shelbyville, Green River, Cave Run,
Buckhorn, and many of Kentucky’s and West Virginia‘s streams,
lakes and rivers. They can be modified to fit situations on your lake
or river thus increasing time spent on the water resulting in some
surprising catches.
Cold Muddy Spring or Winter Water Conditions
www.simplyfishing.com
www.simplyfishing.com
When the snow runoff or spring rains get heavy and the water
is muddy but still cold there is a misconception that cold, muddy
www.muskiesinc.org
water is unfishable. First of all, you must get those notions out of
your head. One of the first things to look for when fishing any color
of water is the baitfish. See what they are doing and where they are
doing it. Then make your lure selection and presentation based on
that. Start looking for bait on flats with plenty of sunshine and
wind. To be fished effectively large flats may need to be trolled.
Trolling is one of my favorite ways to fish cold, muddy water because
you can keep your bait in the strike zone for longer periods. I like
to start out with baits that displace a large amount of water or make
clicking or rattling sounds. Plastic jointed baits like Muskie Specials
or Stalkers work well, while large minnow baits like Jakes, Grandmas
and SS Shads work best for displacing water. Color does play a small
factor in muddy water conditions. I usually use something bright
orange, chartreuse, or white. One of my favorite spring colors in
muddy water is “Bloody Mary” (fluorescent red over florescent
chartreuse) a color made famous by the West Virginia stream guys.
When trolling cold, muddy water your trolling speed is critical if
water temperatures that are less than 50 degrees. I troll around 3.2
to 2.5 mph, but if the temperatures are over 50 degrees I troll 3.2 to
4.5 mph. I consider any temperature over 62 degrees warm water
and troll at high speeds.
Casting cold, muddy spring water is even more of a mental
game than trolling. Staying with it is harder because you don’t see
any follows. Some of my favorites casting lures used in the spring are
rattle traps and big glider type jerk baits. Yes, that’s right! Jerk baits.
I have had great success using Widow Makers and Cobbs in some
really muddy water. The key to casting is to slow your presentation
down and stay alert because you have no warning when or where the
strike may occur. In most instances it is usually an all or nothing
strike. I like to fish shallow this time of year because shallow, muddy
water warms faster and bait fish and crawfish move into the shallows
to feed and in turn bring all that feed upon them. This is the best
DIRTY WATER TACTICS (Continued from page 31)
time of year to find Muskie. They feed on crawfish on shale dirt
shores and they will be in less than six feet of water. My favorite lure
for this situation is a fluorescent red rattletrap fished at a moderate
speed; however, this is an exception to the fish as slow as possible
theory. Also fishing large suckers can be
effective this time of year but here in the
South and Midwest suckers cannot be bought
at the tackle shop but must be netted in
streams that are just too cold to wade after
them. The types of shoreline that attracts bait
in winter conditions are usually dirt or sand
because of their fast heating qualities. Look
for the shores that receive wind and sun all
day. These will be your best place to start
looking. Once you have found such a
shoreline remember that the water closest to
shore may be the warmest and that could be
where the fish are laying. Whether it is in
either six inches or six feet of water fish could be only inches from
the shoreline. Fishing cold, muddy water is the hardest type of
fishing imaginable, but it can pay off so give it a try instead of staying
home and dealing with early spring cabin fever.
never missing the lures and always requiring bolt cutters to remove
the lure that is always totally engulfed.
The spring is your best chance at catching a Muskie in muddy
water. Often casting timber or weed edges will hold Muskie looking
for Shad or other baitfish. A favorite tactic of mine, that works just
about everywhere that I have tried it (even in murky water in
Wisconsin), is a Lunker Lure Bass type buzz
bait with a large trailer hook and grub attached
to it. The lure gives a different vibration and
has that famous Lunker Lure squeak. Buzz
baits are often overlooked as muddy water
baits but Muskie can hear the lure way before
they see it even in clear water. I have also had
great success with fishing jerk baits of all types
at this time of year. Suicks, Widow Makers
and Burts are my favorites with chartreuse or
orange being the primary colors I use. I often
work large lay downs purposely bumping the
structure, which often triggers the strike.
Crank baits also work well. I like jointed
plastic cranks, like Muskie Specials, or large Shad cranks, like SS
Shads, that produce sound or strong vibrations. I use smaller metal
lip lures like Bill Normans and Hellbenders to pick structures. Don’t
be afraid of small lures because these have tremendous vibrations and
they can go just about anywhere.
Trolling can also be very effective. I troll weed and timber edges
and use jointed Swim Whizzes on my two down rods with 10 to 20
feet of line and a Muskie Special and a SS Shad on my two out rods
at 15 to 20 feet. Speed is less critical in warming water. I have caught
fish at 3.5 to 7.0 mph.
The main key to fishing warming, muddy water in the spring
and early summer is to find what kind of structures the bait fish are
using and stay with it. You will be surprised with the results.
I thought for a while
that you must be able to
see at least a foot into
the water or the Musky
could not find the
lure…boy was I wrong.
Late spring or Early Summer Muddy Water
When water temperatures start warming in spring and early
summer Muskie often hunt stained or muddy water due to the fact
that it warms faster. Also bait fish key in on the algae and insect life
that may be triggered by warming water temperatures. Muskie are in
the muddy water for one reason and one reason only and that’s to
feed. In warming, muddy water conditions Muskie always use all of
their senses to locate their quarry with the main sense being the large
lateral line that travels the length of their body. I love these spring
Muskie because they can get very aggressive on their strike, almost
Late summer and Fall Muddy Water
Summer and fall Muskie act differently from
spring Muskie in that they are usually not relating
to a specific cover. Often they suspend in open
water relating to flats, break lines or bars. These fish
often become transient looking for food to fatten
them up for winter. When the big rain comes and
the lake muddies what do the Muskie do? They eat
because their biological clock tells them they must
eat to survive the winter. The first thing I do is to
look the lake over for Shad or bait working the
surface or on the graph. Then I start there, because
the baitfish is the key to every type of fishing.
Baitfish will often search for muddy water in late fall
just as in spring because it warms faster when the
sun comes out. Often, I will fish the clear sections
of the lake in the morning because the water’s
temperatures are constant and the fish will feed all
day but muddy water fish in the fall seem to bite
once the sun gets its warmest. The bites usually
start around 10 am and get good around three or
four pm. I almost always troll in this situation
occasionally casting a small flat or hump that has
bait working near it. I troll the same set up and the
same speeds that I use in the spring and summer
just in different places. Usually in open water or
flats with active bait. This is muddies give the fish a couple of days to adjust to the water
normally my best chance at a big conditions and then start fishing and remember the important keys
50+ incher all season it seems to to successful muddy water fishing: Find the baitfish, use large noisy
take the edge off trophy class fish lures in bright colors, and stay with it…good luck. ❖
making them a bit more
catchable and less elusive. I fish
shallow and fast with short lines
most often less than 20 feet. I
like loud crank baits that have
rattles, joints or baits that move
large amounts of water like 10
inch Jakes, SS Shads or other
large minnow baits. My
confidence lures for this trolling
application are eight inch jointed
Swim Whizzes and a few other
types of plastic jointed baits.
Jointed wood lures are great
trolling lures but lack the noise
needed in muddy water to attract
Muskie at high speeds. If you
only use wood lures to troll, then
use the biggest ones you have and you will do fine. Dale Wiley
produces a lure called a Head Shaker that can produce a lot of noise
for a wooden lure.
Color does play a factor. Once a Muskie is close up on the lure
with his senses he keys in the last foot or so with his eyes so a loud
color usually a chartreuse, white or orange seems to work well. The
whole key to trolling muddy water, and this point I cannot stress
enough, is baitfish. In most instances baitfish hold in the upper
portion of the water column in the summer and fall muddy water
conditions so lure placement is key to success. If you fish under
them then you are just wasting time. So, keep your lure high in the
water column for success.
In conclusion, fishing
muddy water can be rewarding
to a patient angler and can
yield them with the fish of a
ONTARIO, CANADA
lifetime. The trick is to forget
everything that you thought
you knew about Muskie like:
Muskie Fishing in
Muskie are always sight feeders,
beautiful
Nestor Falls
Muskie don’t use their sense of
smell and Muskie don’t bite in
PO Box 250-P
muddy water. Trying to fish
Nestor Falls
for Muskie in muddy water
Ontario,
CA POX1KO
could give you the courage to
fish for them in other
www.allenscrowlakelodge.com
unconventional ways like
fishing at night or using jigs or
swim baits which all work,
1-888-CROW LAKE
when conditions are right. The
Ohio and Mississippi River
1-807-484-2628
strain of Muskie, with their
large lateral line, have grown
up in a turbid, muddy river
You may come as a stranger…
environment. If they had not
But you will leave as a friend!
eaten in muddy water they
would have died out eons ago.
So, when your lake or stream
www.muskiesinc.org
Muskie Fishing for
the Beginner
your fight with the mighty muskie.
What areas to fish?
Depending on the area you are from this question can have many
different answers. You probably know the lakes, rivers, etc in you area
that offer good quality muskie fishing just by listening to others
consistently talking about a particular body of water, but once you get
there what types of areas do you fish? We will cover the most
productive areas from my experience for lakes and rivers.
Welcome to the Next Frontier
in Freshwater Fishing!!
by Scotty Combs, Muskie Fisherman
Muskie Basics
Should I Hire a Muskie Guide Service?
The answer to this question has been asked many times before
and I am sure many different answers have been given over time. I
learned a lot about muskie fishing from my friend who got me
started, who just happens to be a guide. If you don’t have a friend
who fishes for muskie then I would recommend hiring a guide for a
day or two in the area you plan to be fishing. The guide has many
hours of experience chasing muskie and can not only take you out for
a day but can offer much information regarding proper equipment,
the fish patterns and areas where you can concentrate your efforts.
There are many great guides out there who would love nothing
more than to have you catch your fish of a lifetime while fishing out
of their boat. There are some important things to remember when
hiring a guide. Ask questions. Don’t be intimidated, they are there to
serve their clients, and most welcome the opportunity to answer your
questions about their service, and about catching muskie in general.
When considering which guide to hire, here are a few question
you may want to ask:
1) What does the guide provide for your day? Example- Do
they provide equipment, lunch, cameras, etc
2) What is their success rate? Example- How often do they
catch fish, and how often do they come home empty
handed
3) Do they guarantee your success on your trip? Not many do,
understandably, but if they do it could be a plus for the
service
4) How many clients does the fee cover? Some list fees per
person, many list for up to two anglers
5) How many years have they been fishing for muskie?
6) How many years have they been guiding for muskie?
Don’t spend all the time you are with a guide trying to catch a fish,
they are an invaluable source of information. Observe the way they
are fishing, where they are fishing, ask questions. This helps you to
gain knowledge you can use another day. It’s a great day on the water
with a guide if you can catch fish, but it’s even better if you gain
something from this day you didn’t know and you can use in the
future to increase your success rate.
The guide you hire can mold you into a muskie fisherman. Ask
questions about lures, tackle boxes, nets, rods, reels, cameras, boats,
etc. These guys spends hundreds of days each year testing equipment
to its limits, who better to get you started with the right equipment
for fishing. Ask questions about what equipment they recommend?
What lures give them greatest success?
I know several guys who guide for muskie and they are all great
guys. There can be a bad apple in any bunch but if you research your
choice before choosing your guide you can really improve the
enjoyment in your day. Some folks have personalities that just don’t
match, you don’t want to pay someone to spend 8-10 hours alone in
a boat with them if you really don’t like the person. This 8-10 hours
could seem like a lifetime under these circumstances. Bad choices can
make for a bad day and vice versa. Remember, take your time, choose
wisely and you will have a great experience.
Proper Equipment
Muskie fishing is fast becoming popular among many who have
until now over looked the great potential we have for catching quality
fish in these days of catch and release. If you have been bitten by the
muskie bug, start with the basics. Proper equipment will help you not
only see more fish but put more fish in the boat. I will discuss some
of the very basics of proper muskie equipment in the following
paragraphs. Maybe this can help you land your first (or 100th) muskie.
Rods/Reels
Before you begin your career as a muskie fisherman be sure to get
the proper equipment otherwise you are opening yourself up for a
great disappointment. when your $20 rod and the $10 reel cause you
to lose that Fifty-inch muskie, you’ll remember reading this article
and saying, “Oh, yeah.”
There are many manufacturers who make excellent quality rods
for muskie fishing such as, St. Croix, Lamiglas, Fenwick, All-Star, and
many more. I have used the St Croix rods and they are excellent
quality in a medium price range, of around $100- $250. South Bend
also makes an excellent quality muskie rod in the lower price ranges
from 40-65 dollars. Whatever type of rod you decide to use
remember you want a medium-heavy or heavy rod with good action.
The length is personal preference. Many people make the mistake of
purchasing rods that are too short and cause difficulty while fishing.
Remember these rods will be used while performing figure eights at
boat side, rod tip submerged, maybe up to a couple feet or more. If
you get your rods a little longer the routine figure eight will prove
easier without forcing you to bend and increase your aches and pains
from a long day on the water.
Different types of baits work better on different lengths of rods and
you have to determine what works best for you. Different length can
affect retrieve speed for different types of lures. For example, with jerk
baits a shorter heavier rod will increase retrieve speed in you work the
bait at the same rate, less bend in the rod tips increase the distance the
lure travels with each jerk. Try different rods with different lures and see
which rod gives you the particular action for the lure you want to fish.
Lake Fishing for Muskie
Quality rods and reels are the backbone of a good musky setup.
Reels are the heart of a good muskie fishing set-up. When
purchasing reels don’t be cheap. There are many good quality reel
manufacturers including, Ambassador, Daiwa, Penn, Shimano, and
many others. You need reels of different gear ratios for different types
of lures. For example, when fast cranking bucktails, a 6.3:1 ratio
offers the faster retrieve while cranking slower than the 4:1 ratio.
Using reels with a smaller cranking ratio that are filled to the max
with line will also give you a faster return. When purchasing reels for
trolling, a bait clicker is very important and should be considered at
the time of purchase, many people also prefer trolling reels with the
line counter option to tell you exactly how much line you have out of
the reel. This helps if you begin catching fish at a certain depth, just
let out the same amount of line after each strike. You want to
purchase good quality reels with metal gears, the plastic gears of some
bass fishing equipment won’t stand up to the punishment of a 4ounce lure being thrown all day or the fight of a 40 pound plus
muskie. Spool your reels with a good quality line. You need
something in the 35 pound class and up. I personally use a 50-80
pound braided line and have had wonderful results.
Accessories
There are also a few necessities for muskie fishing. Take the time
to review what items you need before going to the lake and it may
save you a frustrating day on the water. I recommend the following
items for the new muskie fisherman:
1) Large hook- proof net
(Beckman and Frabill
are excellent)
2) Hook Cutters
3) Needle Nose Pliers or
hook outs or both
4) Extra hooks
5) Split Rings (and split
ring pliers)
6) Camera and Film
(Polaroid and Digital
Hook cutters and pliers are very
or 35mm)
important to help speed the removal of
7) Measuring device
hooks, speeding the release and
8) Quality Rods and Reels
improving survival rates.
9) Good quality lines
10) A wide variety of lures (More as time passes)
11) Good quality Rain Gear
12) A good lure retriever (Saves Tons of Money)
13) Some type of leaders (steel or titanium)
14) A good pair of polarized glasses
15) Hook File
16) A good fishing partner (Days get long by yourself )
Remember this is only a basic overview. I hope you can pick out some
things I may have forgotten, that means you are very well prepared for
www.muskiesinc.org
Many people when discussing lake fishing will distinguish
between lakes and reservoirs. For our purposes we will use them
interchangeably. The type of fishing structure available will determine
where you efforts are concentrated.
Lay downs (downed timber lying in the water) - This usually offers
excellent fishing in late spring into early summer on lakes. The fish use
the timber as cover for ambush feeding. A properly executed cast can
really be productive when the fish are in these areas. Remember when
the fish are feeding less aggressively they may not come out of the
timber to get a lure so look for those areas in the lay down where you
can actually cast your lure into open pockets and bring it through the
timber to open water. Many times this will prompt less aggressive fish
to attack the lures. Fish these lay downs thoroughly to ensure you have
casted all the areas where your lure can be cast. Different lakes and
weather conditions can call for different types of lures, crank baits;
twitch baits, spinner baits, jerk baits, and even top water lures can prove
effective at different times in this structure.
Standing Timber – There may be large amounts of standing
timber present in the reservoirs as opposed to lakes related to the
flooding of the areas where reservoirs are created. Standing timber can
be effectively fished using many different techniques. At different
times of the year the fish may be close to different areas of standing
timber. As the summer water temperatures heat up the fish will relate
to deeper areas where standing timber are present which may require
lures that can be effectively fished at depths of 10-12 feet and greater.
In early spring these fish can be effectively fished with a wide variety
of lures from crank baits to top water lures. It seems to be an effective
technique to bump the timber with your lure during the retrieve, this
gives the lure an erratic action, as well as, sending of vibration as it hits
the timber. In the fall these fish may move back to the shallower areas
of timber and begin feeding aggressively before the winter slow down.
Weeds- This is a popular fishing spot. If the lakes you fish has
lots of weeds expect to have company when fishing these areas. The
fish relate to the weeds because it offers them cover for feeding.
Probably the most important reason they choose these areas relates to
the oxygen content of the water. As the new weed growth emerges in
the spring, a process known as photosynthesis takes place. To make
sure we don’t start using fancy words let me explain this process. The
weeds use energy of light to convert carbon dioxide and water into
sugar. This provides an energy source for living organisms. Oxygen is
produced as a by-product of this process. This increased oxygen level
in the water draws larger fish and bait fish alike to the area.
In the spring of the year fishing these areas with bucktails and
spinner baits can be extremely effective. Using these particular baits
types allow you to cover water more quickly because of the speed at
which they can be retrieved. The twitch bait is also very effective in
these areas but slows the speed of your fishing tremendously. Jerk
baits are great at certain times of the year, by increasing the amount
of time your lure spends in the fishes’ strike zone, thereby increasing
the likelihood of a strike. In late fall don’t move away from fishing
FOR BEGINNERS (Continued from page 35)
weeds too soon. The weeds die on top first and there may well be
green weeds deeper that you are unable to visualize. As long as there
are green areas of weeds the number of fish in the area will remain at
an increased level.
Rocks- Many lakes offer some excellent fishing around rock
reefs, rocky banks, and also rock covered bottoms. The rocks seem to
draw heat and increase the water temperature in this particular area of
the lake which draws the fish to this area. This also provides the
muskie with an excellent feeding ground. All categories of baits
mentioned above can be productive.
Musky frequently use rock ledges or large rocks in the water for cover.
River Fishing for Muskie
The many opportunities offered on the many rivers throughout
the United States and Canada that are inhabited by muskie is
certainly to say the least, amazing. River fishing is becoming a more
popular part of muskie fishing every year with larger and larger
muskie being taken from rivers. I have heard many people around
Kentucky say they feel the next state record will come from the river.
All of the types of structure mentioned above are also quite
productive in rivers. There are a couple other things to remember
when river fishing for muskie.
1) Pay particular attention to slack water areas and bends in the
rivers. These areas offer muskie the opportunity to get out of the
current of the river and feed on other things that may continue to
be in the current.
2) Pay attention to small bays that are extensions of the river as the
shallow water in these bays provide an excellent feeding area for
muskie. Also pay attention to the areas where small feeder creeks
enter the river where the muskie may feed.
On your next trip, if you’re not already fishing these areas, try a
few, I bet it improves your percentages like it has mine.
Lure Presentation
Muskie fishing is a maze of right and wrong, and lots of maybes.
Some things work sometimes, other things work other times. The bad
thing is some days nothing works. The great thing is some days
everything works. Are you confused yet? I was. Many different
things can affect how a lure should be presented. In the following
paragraphs we will discuss several of these variations.
Many different casting techniques can be employed while
muskie fishing. Long casts, short casts, flipping, jigging, heck some
people are even fly fishing for muskie.
Altering speed of your lures can help induce strikes, some times
faster, other times slower. When water temperature is low, for instance,
less than 40 degrees, slowing your retrieve slightly may increase your
chances for a strike. Low water temperature tend to cause the fish to
be less aggressive, so teasing them with a slow moving lure improves
your chances they will strike. When water temperatures are ideal, 5060 degrees, a faster retrieve may increase your likelihood of a strike by
making the muskie feel like their lunch is trying to escape. As water
temperature continue to increase, 70’s, 80’s, and sometimes even 90’s,
it may be fast or slow that increase strikes, but you can bet when the
water gets hot you will usually need to fish the deeper water areas.
Since as the water temperatures increase the muskie activity decreases,
don’t get discouraged if during hot water periods you don’t move as
many fish as usual. Many people who fish muskie will stop fishing if
the water temperature gets very warm and fish another species or just
take a break until the temperature go back down.
Another factor to remember that can affect the retrieve speed is
water clarity. When the water clarity is decreased, in murky to muddy
conditions, a slower retrieve may be more productive to give the fish
more time to locate the lure. When the water is clear, an increased
retrieve speed may induce more strikes because the fish can locate the
lure quickly, and it may make your lure have a more natural
appearance. When fishing murky to muddy conditions lures that
have more vibration or rattles may be more productive. This increased
vibration/ noise, help the fish to locate the lure more efficiently,
thereby increasing strikes.
Remember muskie have the curious habit of following lures to
the boat on retrieve and then just swimming away. Many of these fish
that follow can be converted into strikes and catches by employing a
technique known as “figure eight”. This is simple, don’t make it
complicated. When your lure returns to the boat leave approximately
12-18 inches of line out the tip of the rod; in one motion free-spool
the reel and lower the tip of the rod into the water and “draw” an
eight in the water with your rod tip. This gives your lure an erratic
action and leads the muskie to believe his meal is trying to escape,
inducing strikes. The reel should be free-spool to prevent the fish
from tearing free if they do strike the lure, don’t trust the drag to
perform, it will cost you fish over time. Practice these techniques after
each cast and it will improve your ratio of follows/boated fish. After
a short period of doing this with each cast it become natural to do,
you don’t even realize sometimes you are doing it. If you perform a
figure eight and can see the fish continue to follow the lure repeat the
eight until you no longer see the fish follow or the fish strikes. I’ve
seen muskie strike after following 6-8 times in a figure eight.
A change in the presentation of lures while trolling can also
increase the likelihood of strikes. Sometimes the fish strike deep
running lures, while other times it is shallow. Increasing the speed you
are trolling or decreasing the speed you are trolling can sometimes
induce strikes.
The size of the lures can also
increase or decrease your success rate.
In the early spring into mid summer I
have always had better success with
smaller lures. The larger lures are great
in early fall and winter, as the fish may
prefer one large meal to chasing 5-6
small ones. The larger lures in fall and
winter will also result in catching
larger fish, in most cases. Don’t
misunderstand, either lure can be used
at any time, but this is the pattern that
has been most productive for me.
These are the basics. Much more
could be added to this article and still
things would be left uncovered.
Remember variation in lures, retrieve
speed, lure type, etc. can be very
important in improving your success
muskie fishing. Try some of the
More important, even than the
variations we have discussed and
catch is the healthy release
of a muskie.
watch your success rate improve. ❖
Home of 2004 Chapter Challunge
Over
ies
7,000 Musk
d
Release
On Sabaskong Bay
Five-time Muskies, Inc.,
Chapter Challunge Headquarters
1983, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2003
• Ultra-modern one, two, three, or four bedroom cabins
• American plan, housekeeping or camping
• Floating docks, electricity for charging batteries, Lund Boats with swivel seats
and depth finders, Honda motors with electric start
• Dining room with food and liquor available for registered guests only
Call or write for data on musky catches:
www.redwinglodge.net • www.redwinglodge.on.ca
Family owned and operated for 40 years
“Calling all
Chapters..
Want to gro
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Chapter News and Views
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Want to win
not particip
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ating in the
If you’re
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Shows find
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to help you
ht be able
reach your
goals. Co
Roberts, C
ntact Tim
hapter #29
, at timdi@
or Vince W
mchsi.com
eirick, Chap
12
ter #49, at
vweirick@kc
online.com
26
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Twin Cities
5704 Wentworth Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612-861-8930 – Joe DeMars
www.twincitiesmuskiesinc.org
25
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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.
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Fargo-Moorhead
29
Box 2021 • Fargo, ND 58103
701-298-9032 – Brett Wade Waldera
[email protected]
10
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3 in 1 Jacket $43.75
$00.00
03
Sweatshirt
$15.50
Cap
$8.50
T-Shirt
$7.25
Wind Shirt
$39.95
Chicagoland
Muskie Hunters
7600 Kilbourn Ave.
Skokie, IL 60076
847-677-0017 – Dean Rosset
[email protected]
Meets 1st Tuesday 7:30 PM, Park Ridge VFW 10
West Higgins Ave., Park Ridge, IL.
March’s meeting had two very informative
speakers; club member Mark Krause presented
the monthly “Lake in a Nutshell” regarding Eagle
Lake, Ontario. Duane Landmeier was the
meetings headliner, giving a presentation on
Lake Shelbyville in southern Illinois.
Mark Krause’s talk focused on the areas he
commonly fishes on Eagle Lake. Eagle Lake is
huge 69,000 acres! Mark mostly fishes the
eastern portions of this lake, and likes to use big
baits. He also strongly recommended hiring a
guide on the second day of your trip. By hiring
the guide on the second day, you will have some
idea of the lake situation and characteristics, and
www.muskiesinc.org
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Denim Shirt $24.95
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Meets 4th Monday 7:00 PM, VFW in West Fargo.
The Fargo-Moorhead Chapter met on Monday,
February 28th.
We talked about the Chapter Challunge, with
club President Brett Waldera stating that he has
printed the entry form that will be mailed out to all
Chapter presidents.
Award’s Night is coming up on April 1st, and all
members are asked to attend to show their
support for the members of our club who had an
exceptional season.
We talked about Angler’s Night, our club’s
largest fundraiser of the year, and how this year it
was bigger than ever. The club would like to send
out a special Thank You to members Paul Haug
and Rick Eagleson who are mainly responsible
for making this event a success.
There are a couple of Rod specials that are
available to MI Chapters; one from St. Croix and
the other from Fig Rig. It was decided that the
club would purchase these rods for a future
purpose.
Brett attended a meeting of the Minnesota
Muskie Alliance, and got some information about
three proposals they have drawn up. One would
be to increase the minimum size restriction to 45
inches; another would close the Musky-fishing
season around December 15th, and another one
would clarify the wording in the regulations
regarding the use of quick-strike rigs. We’ll have
more information on these proposals later.
That’s all for now from Fargo-Moorhead’s
Muskies Inc. Chapter.
May all your follows strike!
Brad Waldera
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2005
April 8-9
May 7
Special Events
Spring Board Meeting – Fox River July 20-23
Valley host-Indian Lakes Resort
Sept. 18
Contact: Rich Gallagher (847) 7419771
April 16-17 PMTT-Cave Run Lake
April 16
28
Chapter Challunge - Minaki, Ontario
Central Illinois Muskie Hunters
fundraiser tournament at Lake
Shelbyville. Contact: Randy Kakara
at 815-672-5320.
M.I. International Fall Board
2005 Muskie Odyssey – Hosted by Oct. 28
Meeting (Friday) – Marten House
Hamilton and Kitchener Chapters,
Hotel and Lilly Conference Center,
Muskies, Canada at the Quality
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hotel & Parkway Convention Centre,
St. Catharine’s, Ontario. Contacts: October 28-30
Reid Frank 1-905-854-5511 or eDr. E. J. Crossman Symposium – Marten
mail [email protected]; or Rob
House Hotel and Lilly Conference Center,
Howitt 1-519-822-0170 or e-mail
Indianapolis, Indiana.
[email protected]
Contact: Scott Law, Phone: (317) 776-3040.
Email: [email protected].
Jake Wolf Memorial Tournament on
Kenton Smith, Phone: (317) 570-5636
the Fox Chain of Lakes, IL. Hosted
by South of the Border Chapter #14.
Contact: Frank A. Walter, 1-847-6892133 or email [email protected].
Special events are provided at no charge to Muskies, Inc chapters. To list your chapter's event,
email to: [email protected] or snail mail: Jim Smith, 15045 W. Double Tree Way,
Surprise, AZ 85374-8568. Please send announcements at least 2 months in advance.
will be able to ask better questions and increase
the value of your day.
Duane Landmeier feels the next Illinois
record will come out of Lake Shelbyville; the
current state record came from the tail waters
below the dam, so we know this lake has the
potential. Duane discussed both trolling and
casting techniques, which are each effective at
different times of the year.
Thanks to everyone who made the “Indoor
Fishing Flea Market” a great success. This
event was put on in conjunction with the Rolling
Meadow High School Choral Boosters. There
were lots of great deals on new and antique gear.
It is always lots of fun to put on events with other
groups. Everyone comes out a winner!
By the time this report hits the streets, the first
club outing at Webster Lake will have concluded.
Let’s hope none of the participant’s came back
with frozen limbs.
The speakers for the April 5th meeting will be
Ray Thompson & Frank Jakubicek.
April’s Lake in a Nutshell will be the west side
of the Chippewa Flowage, presented by yours
truly.
Greg Denny
Cont...
05
Pomme de Terre
P.O. Box 5
Hermitage, MO 65668
417-745-2381 – Carl Marks
www.missourimuskies.org
Meets: Various days-Call for schedule
First Wisconsin
P.O. Box 122, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
715-726-8896
[email protected]
[email protected]
Meetings 1st Monday 7:00 PM, Arizona’s Restaurant
06
07
South Side
Muskie Hawks
8212 S Mulligan • Burbank, IL 60459
708-430-4444
Our meetings are held every third Wednesday of
the month at Mama Luigi's located at 7500 S.
Harlem in Bridgeview, IL starting at 7:00 pm.
It has been awhile. We just had a great
seminar this Feburary meeting from Mik Lurch
boys Ed McCain and Mike Starcevich of Mik
Lurch Fishing Tackle Outlet of Hammond, In. at
7025 Indianapolis Blvd. They took us through
the fishing season on the southern portion of
Lake Michigan. Their emphasis was on perch
and smallmouth fishing with a little of salmon
fishing thrown in. These guys know how to perch
fish and how to get the biggest of the jumbos with
catches up to seventeen inches. Stop by their
store and they will be willing to give you the
details. We had a great fundraiser this past
November and a big thanks to John Daley, John
McNicholas, Jack Frost, Todd Niewold and all the
volunteers for their hard work. I must also send
out kudos to George Benda, Lynn Pollack, Duke
O'Malley, Rich and Barb of the old Swenson's
Resort , Ron Mausr, volunteers, and especially
Red Wing Lodge for putting on a great chapter
challenge last year. We have awards nigh.
Stick A Pig,
Al Buvelot
08
and has been very successful judging by the
number of fantastic photos of big, tiger striated,
toothy critters we saw. He also showed us proof
positive that some of them are multiple catches of
the same fish. Catch and release does work. I
didn’t know muskies had “finger prints” (or fingers
for that matter). Thanks for the very entertaining
and enlightening presentation, Tony. Only thing,
he talks funny. Or maybe WE talk funny, huh?
Upcoming events include; the Madison Fishing
Expo, our fourth annual Muskie school at
Deforest High, our annual awards banquet and
the fund raiser in April. Jim Lindner will be the
speaker and I’m really looking forward to that
one. I hate to say this but, I remember when he
was just a kid his dad and uncle would have on
their show sometimes.
I think that officially makes me an Old Timer.
Well, if the hat fits, wear it.
Gary “gray beard” Greene
Capital City
P.O. Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708
608-274-3479 – Gerard Hellenbrand
www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org
Meets: 2nd Monday 7:00 PM Park Ponderosa
McFarlan, WI
Our January speaker was Chad Cain. He
guides on some of Illinois top muskie waters in
the Southern part of the state. It’s great country
down there with wooded hills and plenty of lakes
and rivers. I was down there in the late fall of ‘03.
It’s beautiful country and definitely worth the trip.
We had a booth at the All Canada Show to
promote CCMI and Muskies, Inc. Ya can’t miss
an opportunity to promote, I always say.
Those who attended the Oregon Musky
Busters annual fund raiser were treated to a very
fun and educational presentation by our own Jeff
Hanson. He and his clients put lots of fish in the
boat and he really knows our area lakes well. He
says he has a full time job but he manages to get
in a lot of hours on the water, too. Who needs
sleep, anyway? Right, Jeff?
Tony Grant gave us a great talk at our
February meeting on his tiger muskie pattern in
Vilas County, WI. He’s from Kentucky and guides
up there when his home lakes are in the summer
steep and brew mode. He targets the big tigers
09
West Virginia
1270 Federal Road
Little Hocking, OH 45742
740-667-3571
http://westvirginiamuskiesinc.org
Meets: No definite schedule-call
About 120 persons attended our Annual
Awards Banquet and Business Meeting on 2-1205 at the Vienna (WV) Community Building.
John Kaltenecker, Secretary, summarized the
minutes of the 2004 Business Meeting. Darlene
Kelley, Treasurer, gave the Financial Report. We
began 2004 with $4,449.85. During 2004 we
spent $5,806.37 and took in $6,870.20 which
leaves us with a balance of $5,513.68.
Larry Robinson reported on the work of the
WV Chapter Hall of Fame committee. Members
include Larry, Chuck Braniff and Steve Ryan.
Larry distributed draft recommendations by the
committee. Some members questioned the
criteria for selection and election procedure. Jim
Marsh and Dave Powell volunteered to join the
committee which will continue their work.
Shelia McCord was elected to another on year
term on the Executive Committee.
2005 Tournament and Outing Schedule:
Mar. 31 - Spring Mail-In (coincides with the
Apr. 3
Cabin Fever Challenge)
Sharon Crane, Chairperson
May 7-8 Odie Cutlip Memorial Stonewall
Jackson Lake (Team Format) Shelia
McCord, Chairperson
June 4
Kid’s Fishing Derby, North Bend
Lake, Ritchie County & Membership
Tourney, Darlene Kelley, Chairperson
June 11 Wayne Nat’l. Forest Kid’s Fishing
& Fun Day, Leith Run Camping Area,
Ohio River
June 25 Salt Fork Lake
June 26 Piedmont Lake, Carol and Tim
McCauley, Chairpersons
Oct. 8–9 Cave Run Outing, No Entry Fee or
Plaque, Gary Fields, Chairperson
Oct. 29-30 Fall Mail-In. Bill Gibbs, Chairperson
Many other important subjects were discussed
during the Business Meeting. Among them were
Chapter Membership, Muskie Symposium, Trap
Nets for the DNR, Rod Raffle, Membership
Meetings, Newspaper articles about WV
Muskies, Inc., Youth Fishing Day, Aquatic
Vegetation
for
WV
Lakes,
Radio
Telemetry/Tracking equipment for DNR and a
Division Day Outing. Complete meeting minutes
can be found on our Web Site.
After the Business Meeting, WVDNR’s Chris
O’Bara talked about their muskie rearing and
stocking program. He also explained some new
initiatives of DNR and answered questions from
the audience.
After dinner we listened to our featured
speaker, Chris Haley, a Kentucky Muskie Guide
who explained his tactics for dirty water
muskies.More detailed information from Chris
O’Bara and Chris Haley’s presentations is
available on our Chapter Web Site which can be
accessed at: http://westvirginia.muskiesinc.org.
John Kaltenecker, Secretary
10
Heartland
239 8th St SE
Mason City, IA 50401
641-424-0827
Mississippi Valley
11
5301 11th Ave “C”
Moline, IL 61265 • 309-797-1803
Meets 2nd Wednesday 7:00pm at the QCCA Expo
Center in Rock Island, IL.
Some of our activities in the community
included having a booth in the QCCA
Outdoor Show (Feb. 17 - 20, 2005). Many
thanks to the members who helped with
the booth. During the show an annual event is
held called Breakfast with
the pros which enables children to meet and
ask questions of the pro fisherman.
Four of our members represented our chapter
at the breakfast. They were
Sonny and Kay Stevens, Rick Knox, and
Ralph Dickinson.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2005:
The John Hotle memorial bucket contest will be
held on Moose Lake in Hayward, WI Memorial
Day Weekend (May 27-29)
Lake George Cleanup will be held on the April 24
at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve.
The annual awards banquet will be held on April
9 at O’melia’s Supper Club in Rock Island.
Cocktails at 5:00 with dinner following. All
members are encouraged to attend. Come
and see who receives the “Dingbat” awards.
The June meeting will be held at Lake George.
Come early to fish.
September 10 Kids Fishing Day at Lake Carlton.
Anyone interested in helping with this event
please contact Sonny Stevens at (309) 7971803.
The first weekend of October is the Fall Outing in
Hayward, WI to help support the Hayward
Chapter Muskie tournament. Most of our
members stay at Virgin Timber Resort on
Moose Lake.
October Fall Cook Out. (Date to be announced)
This is a gathering of all members and friends
to join together and talk about experiences in
Muskie fishing.
If anyone has suggestions on additional
outings, fund raisers for the chapter contact
Ralph (Rob) Dickinson via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or
Rick Knox (309) 755-9369.
The chapter is checking on new embroidered
shirts and jackets. Prices to be announced.
All Muskies caught and submitted to the
chapter were 100% were released. All catch and
release forms should be submitted to Dee Megli,
18110 Moline Rd; Lyndon, IL.
Rob Dickinson
Headwaters
12
P.O. Box 652
Eagle River, WI 54521
715-479-1821 – Paul Hansen
www.headwatersmuskies.com
Meets 1st Wednesday 7:00 PM
Ice leaves the Eagle River area around the
20th of April on the average.
That means their is open water but according
to our state laws no fishing for muskies before
May 28tth, 2005 or the 4th Saturday in May.
Musky tend to spawn here in early May and it
does offer them some protection from humane
predators. Our first club outing coincides with the
Musky opener and our first opportunity to catch
the mighty musky. So the time between now and
the opener gives all a chance to get organized,
plan and develop a working check off system
because this will not be a dress rehearsal. Honey
Bear Inn will be the headquarters for that day as
all will gather at 6 pm to share the results and
enjoy a sandwich on the Club. Three nice prizes
are awarded with every one who registers a
released musky over 30 inches getting a drawing
slip. Since it is an honor system with your partner
as your witness all fish register are in the running
regardless of length over 30 inches. Some 50
people attend this event and plenty of stories to
tell at the Inn. In April, our Club supports the
Eagle River Home Show with a trout pond
sponsored by Heckels Marine. Proceeds
go to Fishing Has No Boundaries a program
set up for Handicap, Physical impaired or
Disabled senior citizens. In April, Gary Myshak
our Chair
man who organizes the docks and landing
program has a repair project for the Braywood
public boat landing pier and also a new pier for
Muskelunge Lake off Gypsy Road. You can see
that our Club keeps involved in Community
activities. Good luck and have fun fishing.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary Jim “ Hi Pines” Rechlitz
Hayward Lakes
13
P.O. Box 609
Hayward, WI 54843
715-634-4543
Sunday April 17th the Hayward Lakes Chapter
will host another pool - side lure demonstration. It
will be at he Hayward Inn which is one mile south
of the center of Hayward on highway 27 south.
The event will be from 1 - 4:30 p.m. and will
feature lure makers and fishing pros
demonstrating the most effective techniques for
working a variety of lures. Retailers and
manufactures will be displaying a variety of
fishing equipment. The club will be offering half
price memberships for new members, so if you
know someone who might be interested in joining
bring them along!
Our May meeting will take place at the
Spooner Fish Hatchery where we will get a tour
and then hear a presentation by local fish
manager Larry Damman ( Larry is an avid Musky
fisherman) We will meet at the hatchery at 7:00.
We are sorry to report the passing of long
time club member Jack Mueller. Jack was our
stocking chairman for 22 years. He stocked over
25,000 Muskies with the club funding in the
amount of $175,000. We will miss him.
Good Fishing,
Mike Persson
Cont...
South of the Border
14
28926 W. Big Hollow Rd.
McHenry, IL 60050
815-385-9026
Star of the North
15
P.O. Box 516, Coleraine, MN 55722
218-245-2960 – Joe Mustar
[email protected]
Meets: Last Tuesday 7:00 PM – Eagleridge Golf
Course, Coleraine, MN
Three Rivers
16
119 Bus Lane, Renfrew, PA
724-789-7866 – James P. Buss
[email protected]
Meets 2nd Monday 7:30 PM, Northside Sportsmans
Club, Wexford, PA.
It’s here!!! Spring!!! Finally!! Of course as I
write this, there are 6 inches of snow on the
ground, but it is right around the corner. That
means our first club tournament is coming up on
Saturday April 23 at Salt Fork Lake, OH. Last
year we had a turnout of 30 anglers with Ray
Stewart winning with a 40.5” fish. I hope to see
you all there.
Also a reminder that our April meeting was
held Saturday April 2 at Howard Wagner’s Fish
Education Center. There will not be a meeting on
April 11. May’s meeting will fall back to the
second Monday of the month and will be held on
the 9th at the North Side Sportsman’s club, with
a turkey hunting seminar by Hunter Black.
Hunter is the youngest person (He is ten!) to
obtain the Grand, Royal and World Slam of
turkey hunting.
Remember, coming up in July we will have our
Big Cash Chautauqua tournament. It will be held
July 23 and 24. First place pay out, with a full
field of 75 teams, is $5000.00. You can contact
Harry Marfin for more details or download the
entry form from the Three Rivers site,
http://threerivers.muskiesinc.org.
Finally, in August we will celebrate our clubs
tenth anniversary with a picnic at Lake Arthur.
There will be a $5.00 admission for adults, and
junior members will be free. The club will provide
the main course and beverages, members are
asked to bring a side dish or desert. There will be
games for the kids, fishing until noon, with a
plaque for the largest fish caught, and door prizes
from 1pm to 6pm. Dinner will be served around
3pm.
See you next month!
Rich Dollish
Quad County
17
P.O. Box 185, Plano, IL 60545
(815) 695-1494 – Dana Smith
[email protected]
[email protected]
19
On Feb 5th and 6th, we had a table at the
Richville’s Sports Show. The attendance was
about the same last year but we still had a good
time and talked to a lot of people about muskie
fishing. We had plenty of pictures and lures on
the table that got their attention as well as handed
out flyers to all who we talked to. We also were
able to get a few clients interested in signing up
for our Guide for a Day event.
Our Annual Awards Banquet will be held March
5th. We are looking forward to a great evening
and hope the weather will be good. I will give the
highlights of the banquet in the next month’s
article.
On March 19th, we are going to put on a
seminar at our local Gander Mountain Store and
set up a table to hand out information about our
club and the events we are going to have this
year. We are excited that Gander Mountain has
asked us to be apart of their special day of
hunting and fishing seminars!
Our Annual Lure Auction will be held March
21st. This is a big fundraiser for our club. We
always have a good time with this event and
hope to raise a lot of money for our club.
A group from our chapter is heading down to
the Cabin Fever Challenge in Kentucky at the
end of March. We are hoping for good weather
and hope the muskies will cooperate with us
during the challenge. We always have a great
time and look forward to this event each year!
I’ll have a lot to talk about in next month’s
article so I will give you a rap-up of all the events
that will take place for the month of March and
the first part of April.
Kevin Proffitt
Between the Lakes
20
18
Meets 1st Thursday 7:30 P.M., Pinevalley
Sportsman Club, Smithfield, OH.
Between the Lakes
P.O. Box 61
Sheboygan, WI 53085-0061
920-564-3226 – Ted Scharl, Pres.
[email protected]
Meets 3rd Thursday 7:00 PM, The Millersville House,
SE Corner of Hwys. JJ & 32, Howards Grove, WI.
North Metro
21
P.O. Box 41216
Plymouth, MN 55441
763-537-0781
Meets 3rd Tuesday, Knights of Columbus,
Fridley (6831 NE Hwy 65)
22
Hopedale
1503 S. Main
Akron, OH 44301
330-724-7592
http://[email protected]
Meets 3rd Monday 7:00 PM, Tim’s Tavern, 3323
Parkway St. Canton, OH.
Meets 2nd Thursday, 7:30pm. Plano American Legion
15 Township Rd 125
Dillonvale, OH 43917
740-769-7269 – Mike Uscio
Akron-Canton
New Jersey
5 Carmita Ave.
Rutherford, NJ 07070
201-703-8469
At the Feb. 22nd meeting, we discussed the
success we had at the Parsippany show where
our raffle and Guide for a Day were well received.
We drew the raffle winner- Maureen Kennedy of
Morris Plains. Jon Russo gave an informative
reel presentation and we watched a top-water
Cont...
www.muskiesinc.org
video. Additionally, we set Saturday June 18th
for our Spring Tournament. This is a big event
encompassing fishing plus a dinner including a
hatchery presentation by Craig Lemon as well as
prizes. Try to attend, as it’s an excellent way to
fraternize with fellow club members. All new
people are encouraged to take part. Fishing will
occur at Greenwood Lake, Monksville and Echo
Lake reservoirs with the dinner at the Greenwood
Lake American Legion facility.
Meeting
attendance is building and all are encouraged to
participate and bring forth ideas, presentations,
etc. of interest. The chapter has been busy and
we have 2 final projects for this season- first our
educational signs. Thanks to member Jason!
Sturm, who is in the graphics business, is helping
with a donation of design and production. Project
#2 needs a volunteer -that is the reconstruction of
the kiosk at the Echo Lake ramp. Anyone with
basic carpentry skills could help here. We’d like
a place to put our new sign while maintaining
favorable
standing
with
the
reservoir
administration. Get in touch if you can assist.
Finally, sharpen those hooks as the season is
now upon us. Pay attention to our site mi22.com
to check on or report catches and conditions.
Submitted by Gordon Campbell, VP.
Cleveland
23
5608 Brave Chief Lane
Ravenna, OH 44266
330-296-2398
Meets 2nd Monday 7:30 PM
A good time was held by all as our Chapter
Banquet and Fund raiser was held February 19,
at Robi Lee’s Restaurant. The food was
outstanding, the raffle tables were full and the
guest speaker was informative, as the attendees
were getting excited for the upcoming season.
Bob Tomasko, author of the learn-a-lake
system, gave a very informative program on the
state of affairs of Ohio Fishing. Bob guides on the
many lakes that our members regularly fish. He
expressed a concern for the future of West
Branch, as the weed beds are disappearing due
to the invasion of the Zebra Mussel. He did,
however, predict a bright future for Pymatuning.
Our Chapter Awards for 2004 are as follows:
Men’s Master Release Division- Michael
Clemente 58 Fish
Men’s Release Division- Charles Massimore 36
Fish
Women’s Release Division- Cherie Carrol 16
Fish
Junior Release Division- Eric Nickel 5 Fish
Largest Chapter Release- Shawn Maher 53”
Georgian Bay
Largest Ohio Release- Randy Bradway 52” Lake
Milton
Tournament Champion for 2004- Randy Bradway
Congratulations to all our Winners!!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our
numerous sponsors for this event. The list of
prizes on our raffle tables was outstanding.
Finally, our event schedule for 2005 is as follows:
April 23
Earth Day Clean-up, West Branch
April 30- May 1
Chapter Challenge, Salt Fork
May 14-15
Tom Bishop Sr. Memorial
Pymatuning
May 19
School Days Program, Lake Milton
June 4
Kids Fishing Day, Lake Milton
June 9-10
Summer Tournament, Pymatuning
August 6
Adopt A Shore Clean-up
West Branch
August 20-21
Tournament, West Branch
August 27
Kid’s Fishing Derby, Mahoning R.
Sept. 16-18
Can-Am, Chautauqua
October 1
Tournament, West Branch
Hopefully, I’ll see ya on the water before too
much longer!!
Ron Sigman ([email protected])
Brainerd Lakes
24
25505 CR 5
Merrifield, MN 56465
218-765-4183 – Jeff Wohl, Pres.
www.brainerdmuskies.com
Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Water Fall Inn,
Hwy 371 north of Brainerd by Brainerd
International Raceway.
With winter coming to a close and spring in
site, the Brainerd Lakes Chapter had its first
outing on February 5th. A group of 25 people
from our chapter took to the ice on Lake Edwards
to catch Northern Pike. We picked a great day to
be outside, sunny with a warm tropical breeze.
We had the grill out, and had a nice potluck lunch
on the ice. The flags were slow to rise on the tip
ups, but we still managed to catch better than a
half dozen pike. The real competition started
when one of the members broke out the polish
horseshoes. It was a great time to get together
with other members. The BLC has a great group
of guys and gals!
This month at the BLC member meeting, we
held our annual lure swap. We had a great turn
out for this event. It was certainly time to dust off
the tackle boxes and add a few new lures to the
artillery box. Its time to start dreaming about
open water in central Minnesota! Only four more
months to go!
One of the hot topics this month is the new
Adopt-A-Landing. With positive feedback from
the Minnesota DNR and board members from
other chapters, BLC Regional Vice President Tim
Schulke has been spearheading this project. We
are proposing to have Muskies Inc. Chapters to
adopt 10 Minnesota landings for the year of 2005.
The driving forces for this project is to #1- give
back to lake associations and #2 – help introduce
and expand muskies into new waters.
For upcoming Brainerd Lakes Chapter #24
Events, please visit our website at
www.brainerdmuskies.com
25
Red River Valley
602 N. Central Ave.
Crookston, MN 56716
218-281-5577
Central Wisconsin
26
P.O. Box 263
Medford, WI 54451
715-748-2630 – Jim Jacobs
[email protected]
Meets 1st Monday 7:00 PM, Happy Joe’s,
Medford, WI
Central Illinois
1191 Sandra Lane
Monticello, IL 61856
217-762-8070
www.tcimh.org
Meets 3rd Thursday 7:00 PM, VFW club in
Bloomington, IL.
27
The VFW is located at 1006 E Lincoln St. The
meeting starts promptly at 7 pm. An informal
board meeting is held on the 1st Thursday at the
VFW club at 6 pm. All meetings are open to the
public. For more info contact Lorin Nevling (217)
762-8070 or visit us on the web at www.tcimh.org
The Central Illinois Muskie Hunters are
sponsoring an IMTT event at Lake Shelbyville on
September 18th 2005. This is a fundraiser for our
club. The entry fees help with our club projects
and also money is used towards sponsoring
Project Green Gene.
Project Green Gene is a study to determine
the best muskie strain to be stocked in Illinois
waters. This study will take up to ten years. The
project also includes collecting data that will help
biologists in other states and regions. It is more
than just an Illinois study. Contact Lorin Nevling
at the above phone number for more info or to
send a donation.
Lake Shelbyville is one of the best muskie
fisheries in Illinois.
CIMH member Kim
Huckstead released a 52” muskie from Lake
Shelbyville last August. Contact CIMH member
Randy Kakara for more information on the
September 18th event. This is one way of helping
Illinois muskie fishing.
Randy Kakara
1503 Hawthorne Rd
Streator IL 61364
815-672-5320
Our event is part of the Illinois Muskie
Tournament Trail. The e-mail address is info@
illmuskie.com or by mail at
Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail
707 W. Jourdan ST
Newton IL 62448
A young muskie stick named Sean Landsman
from Urbana, IL will split some time with me
writing the News & Views column in the near
future.
Just keep on pluggin along, John Jackson
50 inch Release Award –
John Stewart 50 and 52 inch
In partnership with the IDNR and the Iowa
Great Lakes Fishing Club, the UGP chapter has
donated funds for the purchase of a fish ladder
designed to enable northern pike to make their
spawning run from a local lake into a slough. In
past springs, northerns have been unable to
complete a spawning run from Trumball Lake into
the ideal spawning habitat of Smith Slough. A
water control structure between the lake and the
slough kept the northerns stacked up and made
them vulnerable to snagging and poaching.
However, this spring a fish ladder will be in place
to allow the fish free travel. So not only are
muskellunge benefiting from your memberships
but pike are too! So if you get a chance visit the
fish ladder early this spring and maybe you will
witness something special.
Pete Hildreth, editor
30
Penn-Ohio
309 Spring St.
Jamestown, PA 16134
724-932-5815
www.grandmalures.com
Meets: 2nd Thurs. 7:00 PM Carini’s.
Flatlanders
Shawnee
28
P.O. Box 602
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-756-3231 – Gary Dew
(815) 529-1159
Meets: varies-call for schedule.
29
Upper Great Plains
1788 Hwy 4
Estherville, IA 51334
712-362-2501
Meets 3rd Thursday , Legion Club, 1709 Okoboji
Ave., Milford, IA.
As many of you are getting ready to wet a line
this season, several chapter members were
awarded for their catches in 2004.
Congratulations to all those honored at the
annual awards banquet that was held in March.
Angler of the Year – Ryan Truog
Master Division –
1. Tracy Crail, 29 releases, 340 pts.
2. Shannon Green, 20 releases, 272 pts.
3. Mark Mitchell, 16 releases, 210 pts.
Men’s Open Division –
1. Tom Loew, 19 releases, 218 pts.
2. John Kugler, 13 releases, 204 pts.
3. Dennis Blume, 5 releases, 70 pts.
Women’s Open Division –
1. Sandra Kugler, 3 releases, 54 pts.
2. Joanne Will, 3 releases, 42 pts.
3. Debbie Green, 1 release, 22 pts.
Junior Division –
1. Jacob Loew, 11 releases, 115 pts.
2. Megan Crail, 6 releases, 69 pts.
3. Tyler Green, 2 releases, 23 pts.
Cont...
6259 Walnut Grove Rd.
Loves Park, IL 61111
815-282-3334
www.flatlanderschapter.com
[email protected]
Jeff Blanck, Pres.
Meets 4th Thursday, 7:00 PM, Loves Park VFW.
32
baits before, bet you saw some that you want
before the opener. Again, a special thanks to
Brett and the Thorne Bros staff for a job very well
done.”
Mark your calendars for these up coming events:
Lake Superior
33
2031 Hwy. 33 S.
Cloquet, MN 55720
218-879-2712 • Terry DeMenge
Meets: 2nd Tues. 7:00 PM Mr. D’s Bar & Grill,
5622 Grand Ave., Duluth
Milwaukee
35
P.O. Box 28842
Greenfield, WI 53220
262-789-1255
www.milwaukee-muskie-inc.org
[email protected]
Meets 4th Tuesday ex. June/July or Dec., 7:30 PM, Legacy
Fine Dining, 14955 W. National Ave., New Berlin, WI 53151.
God’s Country
P.O. Box 1461, LaCrosse, WI 54601
608-786-4062
Mike Weidemann
Meets 7:30 4th Tuesday, American Legion Hall,
Market and 6th, in La Crosse.
31
annual trip up to franks bay camp store. This year
we have the whole camp to our self. Thanks for
your time sin your
Brian Wienski aka BigMan
St. Cloud
37
427 17-1/2 Ave. No.
St. Cloud, MN 56302
(320) 253-3621 – Mike Ruff
www.stcloudmuskies.com
Meets: 3rd Tues. 7:30 PM American Legion, Waite Park.
The highlight of our February meeting was the
“poolside” presentation were 74 members and
guests witnessed an incredible display of new
and old musky lures..
As reported by our member Ken Smith the
“poolside event at the Comfort Inn was fantastic.
Brett (Jagodzinski) did a great job in putting
together a presentation from Thorne Bros that
was beyond the imagination. They tossed so
many new baits it was tough to keep up. They
threw baits by special request to see how they
are supposed to run. If you didn’t have enough
March 5th, our first annual “Lake Clean-up”.
Members will meet at 8:00 am at the Perkins
on Golden Spike Road (Perkins in the Pine),
then depart for Lakes Alexander and Lake
Shamiuea.
March 15th, our annual Awards meeting and Lure
Swap.
April 11th, Fish Dinner Fund Raiser at the Waite
Park American Legion
April 19th, Dick Pearson guest speaker at our
regular meeting.
April 20th, Dick Pearson will be giving a seminar
at the Sportsman’s Warehouse at 6:30 pm.
April 23rd, Gander Mountain has their annual
Muskies Day from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. We
would like to see some volunteers to hang out
and answer questions. Feel free to bring your
boat to display.
May 7th, our annual big Brother Big Sister outing.
September 22nd to September 25th our tentative
club outing to Lake Vermilion, more to follow.
Congratulations go out to our members Paul &
Stephanie Amberg on the birth of their beautiful
baby daughter.
Submitted by Royce Nies
(email any comments to [email protected])
Vikingland
38
609 S. Otter Ave.
Parkers Prairie, MN 56361
218-338-5441 – Bruce Lamar
[email protected]
Cont...
Hi it’s me BigMan once again writing for the
month of April. We have a date in mind for our
annual awards banquette, which is this month on
April 9th at the Thunder Bay grille. Thunder Bay
grille has a great outdoor theme that will go with
the whole concept and should be a great night
along with some surprises.
The Flatlanders chapter worked the Rockford
boat show February 18th, 19th, and 20th. Many
members helped out in running the booth in
shifts. I also have been working on a commercial
for the Flatlanders as a school project in my
advanced video class. I got some real nice
footage from our master’s member Doc Carlson.
He helped me get the footage that was needed to
make everything happen along with our president
Steve Rhuman. We will be having a speaker for
our February meeting, which is Steve Cady.
Steve guides in northern Minnesota for some
giant monster muskies and is also the inventor of
the Wegal, which was a hot item at the Chicago
musky show. Steve has guided our men’s
division leader Steve Williams to a personal best
at 51 inches. The cover at the door will be $6.00,
which includes some raffles that will also be
going on. We also will be having a free kids
fishing day on June 11th from 10am to 3pm at
Rock Cut State park.
We also have some new members to welcome
to the club, which include Mike Leombruni, Wally
Haas, Steve Lamb and Darrell DiGiovanni.
Welcome to the Flatlanders guys and catch a
lunge. I can’t wait until July comes around so the
Flatlanders can invade Lake of the Woods on our
www.muskiesinc.org
Fox River Valley
39
1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 601230
847-741-9771 – Rich Gallagher
www.frvmuskie.com
Meets: 2nd Wed (Exc June/July) Poplar Creek Country
Club, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates, IL.
Spring is finally here! Cabin fever is a term not
to be used for months to come. It seems like an
abnormally long time from the last of the shows
until we can be on the water again. Boats are out
of storage. ”Shake down runs” have been
completed and yes, even a few baits have hit the
water to be washed off. Perhaps one or two of
those baits have been eaten and you are already
“On the Board” for 2005. Another season begins.
Along with it, the hopes and plans we have spent
the winter charting out. Best wishes to all for a
safe and productive season.
The month of April is packed with events for
the Fox River Valley Chapter. First out of the gate
on the 8th. and 9th. is the International Spring
Board Meeting of Muskies Inc.. Our Chapter is
proud to be hosting this year’s event at Indian
Lakes Resort located in Bloomingdale. Fill out a
reservation form and join us for a terrific Texas
BBQ Buffet Dinner. The day culminates with the
International Fund Raiser and Auction.
The following weekend of the 16th. and 17th. is
the Club Outing on Lake Shelbyville. It is not too
late to attend. For last minute details get in touch
with our Outings Director Jim Ziebka at
[email protected]. Lodging is still available
at The Spillway Hotel ( 217-774-9591 or 1-800645-0414 ) and also with Country Charm Bed
and Breakfast ( 217-774-2545 or 1-800-600-5352
) Another option is to go to www.hotelweb.com.,
type in Shelbyville and seven more leads for
lodging will be provided. If needed, rental boats
are available at Lithia Springs Marina (1-800447-4121) On Friday night Mr. Andrew Veech will
join us at the Sit and Sip in downtown Shelbyville
to provide us with a Lake Shelbyville primer. After
fishing on Saturday join us around the campfire at
8:00 pm at the Robin Hood Campground for a
“Bullfish Stories” account of the day.
On Saturday April 23rd. the Fox Valley Chapter
of Muskies Inc. will participate in Earth Day. This
outing will be held at the Bartlett Park District
Nature Center located in Apple Orchard. The
event runs from 10 AM to 3 PM. Earth Day is an
annual event that educates the public on the
importance of maintaining our natural resources.
FRV will provide information to the over 500
participants on its efforts towards conservation
(Catch and Release, fish stocking and research),
education (Spring & Fall, Boy and Girl Scout
Merit Badge Outings, Elgin Fish for Fun and the
Bartlett Kids Fishing Derby) and stewardship
(DuPage River Sweep).We also hold a raffle for a
fishing rod and reel combo.
Our 9th. Annual Spring Challunge on The
Chain will be Saturday April 30th. This is a one
day Tournament with cash payouts to 10th. Place.
This is always a very enjoyable event from
morning check-in to the awards dinner and prize
raffle. Get yourself an entry form and join us for a
great day of fishing on the Fox Chain of Lakes.
Time to take a deep breath, that was just April!
In May we have our Annual Poolside Bait Demo
Night on the 11th. Followed by the Boat/No Boat,
Outing and BBQ. Join us for a morning of fishing
on the Fox Chain of Lakes. Stop by Catfish Cove
Picnic Area at the State Park. We will have
burgers and brats at 1:00 p.m. After lunch we will
have our prize raffle. At that time you can hang
around and talk fishing or get back on the water
and go ‘til dark. Our website has a sign up for
people without boats to hook up with a partner
and a boat for the day.
Our regular club meeting dates are the second
Wednesday of the month. The Poplar Creek
Country Club provides us with fine
accommodations. A Buffet style dinner is
provided before the 7:30 p.m. meeting and a
cash bar is open through out the evening.
Each month guest speakers provide us with
their expertise on our friend “Esox.” This month
our speaker will be Steve Sarley.
All are welcome. You need not be a member to
attend, so please stop by and see us. All
information and updates can be found on our
website www.frvmuskie.com.
If you are interested, any and all club members
are welcome to sit in on our Board of Directors
meetings. They are held the Monday evening
after our General Club Meeting. The place is the
home of President Rich Gallagher. You can
contact Rich or any BOD member for time and
directions. Stop by and see how the ideas and
events for YOUR club come to be.
Until later,
Return ‘em to the water Healthy and
Remember Our Troops.
JT
40
41
Leech Lake
7249 Baywood Drive
Walker, MN 56484
218-547-1221
Central Ohio
8494 Fall Gold Lane
Westerville, OH 43082
614-451-0485 – Ross Wagner
Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Buckeye Hall of
Fame Café, 1421 Olentangy River Rd.
Guest and the general public are always
welcome. For more information, call Ross
Wagner at 614-451-0485.
The ice is off and fishermen are making the first
attempts at fishing the open water. It’s still
February as I write this but I’ve heard of several
muskies caught below dams and from the banks
off the face of the dams. We plan on having a free
spring muskie fishing seminar at our April meeting
so if you’re a new member, be sure to attend.
March was, once again, the famous lure auction.
Hope you were there! Our February meeting had
35 in attendance and included a terminal tackle
presentation by our vice-president, Mike
Candella. I want to thank Thurman Adair for
stepping up, once again, to show us his leader
making expertise. We had a long discussion after
the presentation regarding our banquet and the
Ohio Muskie Show. Ross Wagner has his hands
full this time of year setting up the show, holding
down a full time job and being club president.
Ross has used all of this to the club’s advantage
and we sure do appreciate it. Club member,
Steve Pinkston, of Direct Auto Plex, has
generously offered to sponsor the banquet. This
came about at the February meeting and took
everyone by surprise. If you didn’t make the
banquet, I’m sure you missed a great time.
Elmer
Secretary Jesse Anderson, Dave Willford took the
meeting minutes.
Kirk Willberg and Ed Rauch talked about the
January meeting, explaining briefly what the local
MnDNR Fisheries people talked about. Stocking
Reports and current Muskie experiments taking
place were the topics.
Treasurers Report – Dave Willford
The 2004 year end audit was reported showing
that the chapter gathered $5887.75 in revenues
and paid out $4719.07 in expenses. The current
balance after the January 2005 statement is
$3705.88. Two bill where presented, one for
$13.32 to Dave Willford for newsletter stamps, the
other for $65 to the Mn Dark House Assn. for the
upcoming bike give away as part of the annual
“Kids Perch Derby” put on by the local dark house
chapter. Both bills were approved and will be paid.
Membership Report – Ed Rauch
Current membership is at 67 members. Ed is
trying to put some kind of membership drive
together in conjunction with our up coming June
25 Muskie Tournament. This has work well in the
past to spark new membership sign up.
Member Release Contest – Dave Willford
March 16, 2005 is the planned 2004 Release
Contest Awards Banquet. Division Plaques,
Release Certificates and Release Patches will be
handed out at this meeting. Food and beverages
will be provided. After this event, Dave Willford
will be handing the Release Contest over to
David Grundy.
June 25, 2005 Muskie Tournament –
Dave Willford
Dave reported that he has two half page articles
scheduled in the up coming March and April issue
of the “Muskie” magazine. The March add is free,
the April add will cost $75. Duane Hill reported the
Cub Scouts are planning on doing the cooking for
the tournament. Ed Rauch reported that he has a
week resort stay in Canada that could be used as
a raffle prize during the tournament.
New Business
Spend Chapter Money – Kirk Willberg
Kirk presented the topic of what we should
spend our money on since we have a few dollars
in the checking account. Various topics were
discussed:
Light at the Plantan access
Dock extension at the Plantan access
Second ramp at the Plantan access
Muskie Identification/Release Instruction signs
at area Muskie lake accesses.
It was decided that we have $3000 to spend.
Kirk Willberg is going to be in contact with the area
MnDNR Trails and Waterways Manager to
discuss a possible dock extension or second
ramp at the Plantan access, which ever seems
more feasible. Either of these would help the
bottle neck that exists now at sunrise or sunset
entering/leaving Plantan in the summer. Ed
Rauch is going to contact other MI Chapters to
see if they will match/contribute any money we
spend to improve the Plantan access.
2005 Muskies Inc Boat Raffle – Ed Rauch
Ed reported that he received approximately
100 raffle tickets from the International MI board
which the chapter can sell. Since the tickets do
not display a valid raffle license number and the
profit the chapter will receive is very little it was
decided that the chapter will not attempt to sell
any tickets. Also, if members/visitors are
interested in purchasing a raffle ticket for the boat,
they can on-line at http://www.muskiesinc.org
Michigan Muskie Alliance
47
P.O. Box 512, Caledonia, MI 49316
616-447-1688 – Will Schultz
www.michiganmiskiealliance.org
Arrowhead
48
P.O. Box 82
Virginia, MN 55792
218-482-5217
Webster Lake
49
P.O. Box 670
No. Webster, IN 46555
574-834-1669
Penn Jersey
50
51
Bob Jones – President
610-962-0632
Website: www.mi50.com
Ohio Valley
Muskie Hunters
Bowerstown, OH
Michele Uttermohlen – President
Email: OVMH [email protected]
Daniel Boone
52
428 N. Wilson Ave.,
Morehead, KY 40351
Phone: 606.784.3933
e-mail: [email protected]
President: Larry X. Besant
Meets on Fridays-call or email.
Meets: 1st Thurs. 7:30 PM, Lansing Gander
Mountain
Hoosier
42
P.O. Box 501371
indianapolis, IN 46250
317-577-8050
Colorado
P.O. Box 270064
Louisville, CO 80027
Phone: (720) 938-4109
Website: www.coloradomuskies.com
Dan Narsete, Pres. • [email protected]
44
Meets 2nd Tuesday ex. July/Aug 7:00 PM, Colorado
Division of Wildlife, Hunter Education Building, 6060
Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80216.
45
46
Kentucky
212 Linden Ave.
Southgate, KY 41071
859-441-1666
Bemidji/Cass Lake
11551 Misty Meadows Rd.
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-759-0098
Meets: 3rd Wed. 8:45 PM Gander Mtn., Bemidiji
The meeting was called to order by Chapter
President Kirk Willberg at 6:45 pm. With a few
new members/visitors present, everyone
introduced themselves. In the absence of
Cont...
www.muskiesinc.org
ONES THAT GOT AWAY!
Note: See ‘Finding Balliver B.’s Lost Reel,’ December 2004
“Any place I can buy some Muskie Tackle?” asked Balliver B. as
we walked to our rooms. “Can I find an outfit to tide me over until
we go to Lonesome Lodge this Fall?”
“They may have an outfit here for you to rent or borrow.” I
answered.
We got our fishing clothes on and I took my tackle and we
headed for the Marina.
I brought an extra outfit along just in
case one is not available at the Marina. All were taken so I said to
Balliver B., “You can use this extra one I brought; I think the guides
are pretty well affixed on this rod an…”
“Will I ever live that down?”
“Yes…But I’ll just keep it as a private joke for the next twenty
years or so.”
“You’re a real friend.”
“I try to be.”
A halfway grin from Balliver B.
We got to the boat and motor. It was a nice rig.
“Now about that sauerkraut that Muskies are
near,” said Balliver B. as we motored away from the
dock.
“CABBAGE!!”
“Sorry, I’m still learning.”
We neared a spot that held weeds and looked like
some cabbage.
“Hey, this looks like the spot I lost that Muskie!”
Balliver B. said.
“It sure is. It appears like we can drift out here
along this weed bed.
I handed Balliver B. an outfit; an old J.C. Higgins
five and a half foot fiberglass heavy action with an
Ambassadeur 5000 reel, palming style and a diving big
Rebel.
Thanks! I’ll be careful. Hey, this lure is twice the
size of that Ike.”
“It’s for the big ones.”
“Of course.”
“Cast out to the deep water,” I told Balliver B..
“OK.”
I proceeded to work the edge of the weedbed with
a Globe. It was about ten minutes into our casting when Balliber B.
yelled, “YIKES!! I’m snagged….wait…it’s moving…” Balliver B.
reared back and began to power him in. “Get the net!”
“OK, but play him some,” I said.
“I’ve got him good! I’ll lead him to the net.”
I put the net in the water knowing quite well this fish had other
intentions and lots of fight left in him. I could see this fish now as
Balliver B. was leading him to the net. It was a Muskie and fairly
good sized. Balliver B. thought he had him. I knew better! The
Muskie made a sharp right angle when he saw the net and then came
right out of the water shaking loose the lure and sending Balliver B.
backwards almost loosing his balance.
“You were right! I shoulda played him more.” Balliver B. said
as he regained his balance.
“That’s One.”
Balliver B. gave me a puzzled look and then started casting to
the deep again.
Wham!! I got a strike and set the hooks. He came out of the
water and I saw it was a Northern.”
“Wrong kind…a cousin.”
“Huh…” Balliver B. said and then, “I’ll get the net!”
“Wait just a bit.”
This Northern was coming straight for the boat. Balliver B.
stuck the net down just as the fish turned but one of the treble hooks
got into the net. The next move by Balliver B. is one of the most
fantastic ones I’ve seen a person make. He quickly rolled the net
under the fish and brought it up sharply. As the net and fish cleared
the water, this fish just straightened out and the hooks came loose
from his jaw and he slithered off the net and into the deep leaving
Balliver B. holding the net with my Globe tangled in it.
“You took ‘em too soon!” I said sternly.
“Yeah, I guess I did. I got all excited.”
“I know, and that’s TWO!”
“Wha…that’s TWO! Whaddeya….Oh I get it. Two Goof-ups!
Aha, what happens when I get three?”
“You go overboard!”
www.muskiesinc.org
Just One
Bite
and You’re
Hooked.
It had to happen – a first for Muskie Jim Heffner at a legendary spot on the My goodness, do they really make Tigers Paul Hansen caught this exquisite Tiger last
Magazine. A cat picture… Gary “Chip” – Graveyard Point. Louie Spray’s that pretty in Wisconsin? Rose Owens of November fishing from a dock on the Eagle
Myshak reports that “Joey” likes to
the Headwaters chapter with a Hybrid
world record Muskie is recorded as
River chain. Biggest Tiger he’s have caught fish with him, even out on the ice.
from Lac Vieux Desert, a lake that is well 45 inches and weight guesstimated at 35lbs.
being caught here.
known for producing Hybrid Muskies.
“The head on the Tiger was massive.”
Gander Mountain...
offering the right gear to
make that dream of a
muskie become
an obsession.
Gary Jacobs submitted this picture of wife Linda
Jacobs, November 26, releasing her last Muskie catch
of the 2004 season. Linda also won the Women's
Master division of the Headwaters Chapter of Muskie
Inc. in 2004.
Arthur Jalkanen got this 49-incher on Lake St. Clair fishing
with Kevin Backus, son of Muskie legend Homer LeBlanc,
while using an original “Swim Whiz” lure.
Husband Gary may go fishing with cats, but
Charlene Myshak is the one that catches fish –
here’s one from last year, a 40-incher.
“Lucky” Libby Hoene
Gander Mountain
Pro Staff Member
Will Dykstra’s sister Laura took the photo of the Northern jumping
on the side of the boat. Dad Forrest caught the 31-incher, which
made several other acrobatic jumps before it was subdued.
Bob Jacobs with a classic LOTW Muskie,
50.5 inches. A Couple of years ago Bob’s
wife Annie came in at second place in the
photo contest, and this picture of Bob is right
up there too.
For you southern folks – this shows what happens to
us Yankees toward the end of winter. Jim LeMay,
photo by Will Schultz. Needless to say, Jim got
absolutely nothing, but they had fun.
☞
Proper Muskie
Holding Techniques
for MUSKIE Magazine Photos
including Covers, Article Support,
Photo Contest Entries
& Member Photos
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238037 Muskie-July Mag

Transcription

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