Chicagoland Muskie Hunters Jan/Feb Newsletter

Chicagoland Muskie Hunters Newsletter
Happy New Year and welcome to the January/February 2013
edition of the Chicagoland Muskie Hunters Newsletter, your
source for timely information on Club events, activities, news
and other Muskie related things. It's a good time to be a
Muskie Hunter!
In This Issue
President's Line
January/February
2013
Edition
Recent Catches
We want your photos!
Big or small, we want them all
Send pictures of your recent catches to
Dean Rosset:
[email protected]
Chicago Muskie Show
Muskie Matters
Gil Hamm 2013
Meeting Recap
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Members Only Fishing Contest
President's Line -
Greg Denny
The holiday season is rapidly drawing
to a close, although I love this time of
year, I know that spring and therefore
Muskie fishing is getting closer. But
before we get out on the water, we
have a few more events to focus on.
Our next meeting is January 8th, and
will feature Chad Cain, who will be
focusing on late summer tactics for Vermilion. As much as I love
our regular meetings at the VFW hall, the big event for this time
of year is the Chicago Muskie Show. This year's show takes
place from January 11 to 13th at Harper College. If you can help
out with taking tickets or working in our booth, be sure to sign up
at our next meeting.
Last month's meeting with Frank Jakubicek was really
wonderful. Frank speaks with a great depth of understanding and
knowledge about the Muskie fishery in Illinois. I learned a few
things about area lakes that really surprised me.
You will shortly be receiving a mailing from the Club containing
raffle tickets for our annual fundraiser. This is fundraiser is key to
our Club's existence and growth, please help out by selling as
many tickets as possible. We have some great prizes, including a
Don Dubin woodcarving valued at $1000, a beautiful Scott
Club 'Big Fish Guy' Mark Podobinski
toughed out the foul weather and was
rewarded with this 54.5" Vermilion
brute.
Zoelick Muskie print, and a stocked Encase Tackle box.
Kevin Lynch cashed in on fishing late
into the season with this 51" tanker
Our Club membership has been relatively steady over the past
few years. Like all organizations, new members provide a
continual stream of fresh ideas and enthusiasm. One thing I do
every year is give some gift memberships to people I think might
be interested in our Club. I hightly recommend giving this a
try. It has wonderful benefits, both for our Club and the lucky
recipients.
Greg Denny
[email protected]
2013 Chicago Muskie Show
January means one thing to a Muskie
Hunter; it is time for the Chicago Muskie
Show. This year's Show runs from Friday,
January 11 through Sunday, January 13,
and marks the 18th year for the event. As
you may know, the Show's producer, Tri
Esox Productions, donates a portion of
the proceeds back to our Chapter. This is
one of the main sources of income for our Club. As a Show
partner our Chapter provides staffing for the event. In return any
Chapter member who works a shift at the Show will receive free
admission on the day worked. If you're interested in working the
Show, you can sign-up at our next meeting on January 8. We
also need volunteers to help man the Chapter booth.
...and this thick bodied 42"
As usual this year's Show will feature many of the top
Muskie tackle manufacturers, retailers, taxidermists, artists, boat
dealers, guides, clubs, resorts, Muskie camps and lodges. Lake
TriEsox - the most extensive, entertaining, and educational
poolside demonstrations of any Muskie Show. And of course, free
seminars presented by the best known names in the Muskie
fishing world.
While you're at the Show, be sure to stop by the Chicagoland
Muskie Hunter booth and say 'hello'.
...and this nice 41".
18th Annual Chicago Muskie Show
Harper College in Palatine Illinois
Show Hours
Fri Jan 11th: 12pm - 9pm
Sat Jan 12th: 9am - 6:30pm
Sun Jan 13th: 9am - 5pm
Admission
Daily: $10.00
3-Day Pass: $20.00
Children 12 & Under FREE!
Over 2,000 FREE Parking Spaces!
Win Muskie Tackle!
Free prize drawings!
Daily Door Prizes!
FREE Seminars!
For more information visit: www.chicagomuskieshow.com
Steve Statland bagged this 44" Crow
Muskie Matters
- Dean Rosset
fatty on a cold October day.
ALL fish entries will be listed as to entrant,
date, waters, and size - so if you see fish
caught from interesting waters contact the
entrant, or me, for further information.
If you aren't getting chapter e-mails I don't
have your edress. Send to me at
[email protected]
Steve Statland
10/11 Crow: 44"
Randy Jaros
10/19-20 LSC: 40", 43", 40", 42", 44"
Michael R. DeSantis
9/22-23 LSC: 38", 42"
Mark Podobinski
10/25 Vermilion: 54.5" (see below for more)
10/29-11/14 Pardee: 39", 39.5", 42.5", 40", 31", 40", 41.5", 44"
(all on suckers)
Brent Gustafson got this 39" from the
Cisco Chain in October.
Michael J. Fiddick
10/30 Holcombe Flowage: 42"
Kevin Lynch
10/24-30 LOW: 39", 42", 38", 41", 42", 35", 46", 51", 50", 42",
45", 40" (see below for more)
Joe Pavilonis
11/16-18 Webster: 40", 36", 41"
Joe Fabian
11/17 LSC: 41", 37", 47", 40"
Joe Shay
11/11 Little Arbor Vitae: 30"
Not Muskie Fishin'...
But too good to miss. Kazakhstan purchased large numbers of
cattle from North Dakota and they are thriving. But they don't
have anyone to herd the cattle so they are sending men to the
Great Plains ranchers to be taught cowboying.
Joe Pavilonis with a beautifully marked
41" on 11/16.
The Kevin Lynch Saga
"The weather cooperated quite nicely for the October 29, 2012 full
moon around the Midwest. I received reports of stable weather
and great fishing in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ontario and
Michigan. Luckily, the east coast hurricane Sandy had minimal
impact for the Midwest on that date. On lakes where cisco or
tullibees spawn, things were on time and the water temperatures
and levels cooperated. In short, October 29, 2012 was the
'perfect day'. I was fishing by myself in Ontario and was
successful in catching and releasing five muskies which measured
40", 42", 45", 50" and 51" on the 29th. For the week I released
twelve muskies. Friends who were fishing in the States on that
day boated multiple 50+" fish in Michigan and Minnesota. I
Joe with a well fed 40" Hoosier on
11/17.
probably did not need to run twice as far to get the same results!"
...AND, trolled Jakes, has transducer on bow bracket, discovered
his new GPS chip was blank and had to travel 35 miles back to
fishing base in a storm via memory, carries survival items
including fire making gear, wears inflatable vest and warm clothes
which he has tested by jumping into 41 degree water and
climbing back in over the motor.
FOLLOWS
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Welcome Aboard: David Pflum, Robert B. Slocum,
Robert E. Zink (Robert is Greg Denny's brand new
grandson. Congrats!)
Welcome Back: Brent Gustafson, Garry Paffrath,
Dale Bowman
Comment from Mark Podobinski: "...The fish was
caught in horrible conditions; 20+mph wind, horizontal
snow, blizzard conditions, 28 degree temp. I must be
nuts for doing this at my age." The fish he referred to
was the 54.5" from Vermilion. Then he went to his
Wisconsin lake to recover from throwing the Pounder
(sounds like everything was sore except his hair, teeth,
and nails) where he "only dragged suckers" and caught 7
fish.
FRV Tourney, 10/27, Fox Chain: 34 boats, 2 fish caught
(37.5"). CMH had 5 participants: Greg Denny/Mark
Steuer, Jordan Kane/Charles Graham, and John
Ryan. Ryan won the 10th place raffle and Denny/Steuer
the 17th.
Wear your Helmet: A 2 pound Leopard shark dropped
out of the sky, 5 miles from the ocean, onto the 12th tee
of the San Juan golf course. Puncture wounds suggested
talon marks of a bird.
Story to tell? Experience to share?
Call Dean or Leah 847.677.0017
Joe Pavilonis caps off a productive late
season Indiana trip with this 36" on
11/17.
Kevin Lynch continues his cold water hot
streak with this 45" fatty.
Gil Hamm 2013
THE CHALLENGE
The Chicagoland Muskie Hunters are the
2012 Gil Hamm Memorial Chapter
Challunge Champions. Now it's time to
get ready to try to defend our title as well
as host the 2013 Gil Hamm Memorial
Chapter Challunge. This is a great
opportunity for our Chapter, but it will take the effort of a Chapter
to do it right.
The Gil Hamm Planning Committee has been working hard to
make the 2013 Challunge a success. Jim Curtiss is doing an
incredible job soliciting sponsorship for the event. The Committee
is actively working with Joe Amundsen at Spring Bay Resort to
finalize the food arrangements, and the event schedule is really
coming together. This is shaping up to be a very fun outing.
There's still plenty left to do. This is a chance for you to get
involved, have some fun, and give something back to the Club. If
you're interested in joining the Planning Committee, contact Joe
Kevin bags another chunky fish. This
Pavilonis, Frank Loye or Greg Denny.
one's a 42".
The next Planning Committee meeting will be on Tuesday,
January 8, 5:30 PM at the Park Ridge VFW.
THE CHALLUNGE
We get our 2013 Gil Hamm
campaign in high gear at the
January 8 Chapter meeting when
Chad Cain tells us all about
catching late summer Muskies on
Lake Vermilion. Chad guided on
the 'Big V' for five summers. Now
he's ready to divulge all his
secrets. This is going to be a
highly interactive Q&A
presentation. You'll definitely want
to bring a Vermilion map to this meeting!
Our Chapter is sure to be well represented at the 2013 Gil
Hamm with some of our most productive and venerated
members, and one very high profile new member, fishing the
event. We're already sending at least three full teams, but
there's still room for you!
Don't get left on the dock. This is a great opportunity to fish a
world-class Muskie fishery at very little cost. If you're interested
in representing the Chapter at the 2013 GHMCC, contact Dean
Rosset.
Kevin with a 40" that has obviously been
wearing the fall feedbag.
More information on the 2013 GHMCC and discounted lodging
rates can be found at www.gilhamm.com
Twitter: #Challunge13
Dean Rosset: [email protected]
Frank Loye: [email protected]
Greg Denny: [email protected]
Joe Pavilonis: [email protected]
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
The Chicagoland Muskie Hunters would like to thank all the 2013
Gil Hamm sponsors for their generosity.
Joe Fabian with a Great Lakes Spotted
from LSC on 11/17.
Joe with a LSC fish that seems to
be approaching square shape.
Joe Fabian closes out his season on a
high note with this 47" on 11/17.
Tri Esox, Spring Bay Resort, Fish USA, Joe Bucher Outdoors,
Lakewood, Musky Hunter Magazine, Musky Tackle Online,
Phantom Lures, St Croix Rods, Musky Shop, Tackle Industries
Meeting Recap
In November we were treated to some Home Cookin' when two of
our Chapter's most accomplished Muskie anglers, Steve Statland
and John Ryan, gave us a taste of their extensive Muskie
knowledge.
Home Cookin' is always one of the
year's most entertaining and informative
program formats and this year certainly
lived up to expectations. Steve and
John shared their insights on how to
approach fishing new water. The main
focus of their presentation was on using
maps and and the advancements in
navigation since the advent of GPS. As
you can imagine the highlights of the
night were the many great stories and
experiences Steve and John shared with
us.
Frank Jakubicek was our December
John Ryan shows us
speaker. Frank is the IDNR District
what he used to
Fisheries Biologist for Lake and
navigate Lac Seul
Cook Counties. It looks like the Muskies
before GPS.
in our area lakes and rivers are
thriving. Fyke net Muskie surveys have been skyrocketing, both
in numbers and size of fish - thank you Shad. There probably
aren't very many people who have a better knowledge of Muskie
location in our local waters than Frank, and even fewer who would
be so willing to share this information. Frank however showed
maps of exact locations where the IDNR has netted
quality fish. If you weren't there, you really missed out.
Kevin Lynch with yet another late
season 42" slob.
Chicago Muskie
Show Seminars
Friday - January 11th, 2013
Musky Innovations Day
1:00 PM - Spencer Berman:
Great Lakes Muskies (Sponsored by Musky
Innovations)
2:30 PM - Joe Bucher:
Little Tricks, Big Results (Sponsored by
Joe Bucher Outdoors)
November speakers Steve Statland and John Ryan dropping
some high-octane Muskie knowledge into our brain
tanks (even Sinatra looks captivated).
The December meeting was also Chapter Officer Election
Night. No positions were contested, and the 2013 Chapter
Officers will remain as they were in 2012:
President - Greg Denny
4:00 PM - Bucktail Burning Contest
Hosted by Larry Dahlberg (Sponsored by
Musky Mayhem Tackle)
5:30 PM - Tony Grant:
Late Season Southern Reservoirs
(Sponsored by Amsoil)
7:00 PM - Johnny Dadson:
Vice President - Joe Pavilonis
Secretary - Tom Flannery
Treasurer - Mark Stueur
Chapter Representative - Frank Loye
Open positions remain on our Board of Directors. If you're
interested in a position on the Board, contact Dean Rosset,
[email protected].
Meetings and Events
We meet the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 at the Park
Ridge V.F.W., 10 W. Higgins, Park Ridge.
UPCOMING MEETING PROGRAMS
Jan 8: Chad Cain - Late Summer
Patterns: Vermilion
We get our 2013 Gil Hamm
campaign rolling in January as
Chad Cain gives us the low-down for
bagging late summer Muskies on
Vermilion. Chad guided on Vermilion for
five summers before moving to the Leech
Lake area - and now he's ready to divulge
all his secrets. This is going to be a highly interactive
presenation, so be sure to bring a Vermilion map.
February meeting.
Feb 12: Spencer Berman - Ice-out
thru Post-spawn
In February we welcome Spencer Berman
back to town as he gives us a
comprehensive guide on the timely topic
of early season Muskies, from ice-out
through the post-spawn period. If you're
looking to get your season off to a strong
start, you certainly won't want to miss our
Mar 12: Mike Hulbert - Tactics for
Plastics
No one can deny the effectiveness of big
rubber baits, but chucking upwards of two
pounds of rubber all day can be a chore,
so you'll want to make sure you're getting
the most out of your effort. In March we
welcome Mike Hulbert, a guy who knows a
thing or two about fishing these baits, who
will share some of his tactics for effectively and efficiently fishing
these great (big) baits.
Apr 9: Ray
April is the time
our Chapter's
Thompson,
Alliance
Only Fishing
also give us an
Muskies.
Thompson / MOFC Awards
to hand out Muskie Trophies for
2012 trophy Muskies. Ray
Chairman of the Illini Muskies
(IMA) will Emcee our Members
Contest Awards Night. Ray will
update on the IMA and Illinois
May 14: Tony Grant - Vilas County
Blue Moon Muskies (Sponsored by Dadson
Blade Baits)
8:15 PM - Crash Mullins
Hall of Fame Induction
Saturday - January 12th, 2013
Musky Hunter Magazine Day
10:00 AM - Steve Heiting:
Better Bucktails (Sponsored by St. Croix
Rods)
11:30 AM - Larry Dahlberg:
It Ain't The Bait, It's The Jerk Behind It
(Sponsored by Shimano)
1:00 PM - Jim Saric:
The Big Bait Revolution (Sponsored by
Musky Hunter Magazine)
2:30 PM - Joe Bucher:
Poolside Demonstration (Sponsored by Joe
Bucher Outdoors)
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM OPEN POOL:
All exhibitors may demonstrate their
products in the pool (Sponsored by Musky
Innovations)
4:00 PM - Chad Cain:
Getting Out Of Ruts -Tactical
Adjustments (Sponsored by Llungen
Lures)
5:15 PM - Mike Hulbert:
Mastering Muskies (Sponsored by Tuffy
Boats)
Sunday - January 13th, 2013
Muskies, Inc Day
10:00 AM - Dick Pearson:
Water Movement and Muskies (Sponsored
by Muskies, Inc)
11:30 AM - Rollie & Helen's Poolside
Demonstration:
Multiple lure manufacturers (Sponsored by
Shimano)
1:30 PM - Spence Petros:
Fish The Fringe For More Muskies
(Sponsored by Musky Hunter Magazine)
1:45 PM - 3:00 PM Open Pool:
All Exhibitors may demonstrate thier
products in the pool (Sponsored by TBA)
3:00 PM - Gregg Thomas:
Big Fish Strategies (Sponsored by St.
Croix Rods)
For more information visit:
Just in time for the Northern Wisconsin
Opener, we welcome Tony Grant who will talk
about an area that is near and dear to many of
our Chapter members - Vilas County. Tony
guides in Vilas County during the summer
months, and will break down his top ten Vilas
lakes as well as the whens and hows for
trophies and numbers up in Vilas.
For more information or suggestions on meeting programs,
contact Frank Loye: [email protected]
Members Only Fishing Contest - Leah Rosset
Contest Chair: Leah Rosset
7600 Kilbourn
Skokie, IL 60076
847.677.0017
chicagomuskieshow.com
Our Sponsors
Spring Bay Resort
Home of the 2013 Gil Hamm
Quick Links
2013 Gil Hamm
Chicagoland Muskie Hunters
Muskies Inc
Email:
[email protected]
Illini Muskies Alliance
MOFC STANDINGS (as of 12/24)
Our Sponsors
Masters Division
Name
Fish
Points
Mark Podobinski
23
334
John W Wall
17
222
Bill Davis
10
99
Paul D Hortenstine
6
70
Steve Statland
2
32
Mens Division
Name
Fish
Hanson's King Island Lodge
Home of the 2012 Gil Hamm Champion
Chicagoland Muskie Hunters
Featured Fishery:
Lake Vermilion, MN
Points
Joe Fabian
16
222
Kevin M. Lynch
12
199
Frank Loye
Joe Pavilonis
13
13
180
173
Randy Jaros
10
143
Joe Shay
9
93
Peter Maltese
6
83
James M Cejna
4
55
Michael J. Farmer
7
52
Dan Peters
5
50
Vermilions Stats
40,000 acres
365 islands
1,200 miles of shoreline
40 miles across
550 miles from Chicago
Forage: Abundant Ciscoes, white suckers,
Perch
Max depth: 76'
Littoral Area: 15006 acres
Water Clarity: 8.1ft
Learn the buoys!
Peter Kosanovich
3
42
Michael J Fiddick
3
37
Jim Curtiss
2
34
Rob Denkewalter
3
33
Brent Cunningham
3
33
Mark Rosenwinkel
2
33
Michael R DeSantis
2
28
Brett Anderson
2
21
Michael Vodicka
2
21
Chuck Birmingham
1
20
Joey Pribyl-Shay
2
14
Brian Zofkie
1
14
John G. Bilka
1
11
Thomas W. Johnson
2
10
Zachary Arnold
1
9
Dennis Johnsen
1
9
Ed Havlovic
1
6
Jordan Kane
1
4
Olivia Peters
Fish
1
Points
15
This concludes the January/February 2013 Edition of the
Chicagoland Muskie Hunters Newsletter. Your feedback and
suggestions on the quality and content of this newsletter is
always appreciated.
Thanks for reading,
Frank Loye, Editor
Chicagoland Muskie Hunters
[email protected]
MDNR Muskie Stocking History
Year: # of fish (size)
1968: 475 (fgl)
1969: 500 (fgl)
1972: 21,921 (fry)
1984: 1,536 (fgl)
1985: 1,040 (fgl)
1987: 4,979 (fgl)
1988: 4,973 (fgl)
1989: 5,513 (fgl)
1990: 6,648 (fgl)
1991: 7,969 (fgl)
1992: 4,995 (fgl)
1993: 4,999 (fgl)
1994: 7,784 (fgl)
1996: 4,739 (fgl)
1998: 7,749 (fgl)
2000: 5,995 (fgl)
2002: 5,000 (fgl)
2004: 3,955 (fgl)
2005: 4,999 (fgl)
2006: 1,268 (fgl)
2007: 1,962 (fgl)
2008: 2,706 (fgl)
2009: 920 (fgl)
2010: 4,828 (fgl)
From the Lunge Log
Between 2001 and 2011 more 55"+ fish
have been registered from Vermilion than
any other water body.
Juniors Division
Name
MDNR Free Map Download
Lunge Log Vermilion Giants
Length...Date...Bait
58.5"...7/21/2010...Buck Tail
56.5"...9/24/2007...Buck Tail
56.25"...7/21/2005...Buck Tail
56"...8/1/2008...Buck Tail
56"...8/10/2008...Buck Tail
55.5"...7/8/2009...Buck Tail
55.25"...8/15/2007...Buck Tail
55.25"...8/18/2008...Buck Tail
55"...7/28/2008...Surface
55"...8/15/2005...Surface
55"...7/21/2009...Buck Tail
55"...8/17/2006...Buck Tail
55"...8/19/2010...Surface
55"...7/28/2010...Buck Tail
55"...9/13/2004...Surface
55"...7/24/2010...Buck Tail
55"...11/12/2008...Jerk Bait
CMH Merchandise
We fish hard, and we look
good doing it!
Caps $15
T-shirt $5
Button down shirt $27
For more information on CMH
merchandise, contact
Alan Weinblatt:
[email protected]
847.520.7914
Chicagoland Muskie Hunters | 7600 Kilbourn | Skokie | IL | 60076