Fishing. ¨

Landing. magazine Jack Burns Pete Maina Two totally JOINJOIN different things. PETE MAINA THE ESOX TEAM... Pro anglers will tell you, "Hooking up to a monster fish is only half the Rob Kimm Chad Cain battle. Now you’ve got to land that trophy!" That’s not the Pow’R Lok¨ time to wrestle with yoke system & your landing net! Our automatic handle/yoke DOUG JOHNSON revolutionary Pow’R Lok® alignment LEARNLEARN yoke system found on our Joe Bednar from the Doug Johnson improved Power Catch® from the BEST!BEST! and Pro Formance® landing nets provide THE WORLD’S #1 instant engagement of the handle and hoop Muskie & Trophy Pike assembly without DICK PEARSON Dan Craven Publication Jack Penny searching for a spring button or having to align SUBSCRIBE NOW! the handle. What’s more, our Power $17 USD $32 USD $45 USD Catch nets are so well built that for for for they come with a lifetime warranty on 1 year 2 years 3 years the hoop and yoke! No other net can Bruce Shumway 4 ISSUES 8 ISSUES 12ISSUESISSUES Russ Warye say that. The pros rely on Frabill CHAD CAIN Subscribe On Line nets, shouldn’t you? @www.esoxangler.com or call TOLL FREE: 1-877-356-ESOX(3769) Laura Morrison 1-715-638-2311(Outside U.S.) Ty Sennett Innovating the outdoors Esox Angler, Inc. PO Box 280 Stone Lake, WI 54876 www.frabill.com • 800.558.1005 P.O. Box 49 • Jackson, WI 53037 MUSKIE ¥ VOL. 39, NO. 4

Departments Features

2 Editor’s Desk 10 Muskellunge Study at Kinkaid Lake, Steve Burian 3 President’s Message 18 Break the Rules, 4 International News Bob Chochola 6 Youth•Fisheries•Research 24 Change Up Tactics, Colby Simms 13 Lunge Log 28 Monsters of the Deep, 21 Photo Contest - Mark A. Johnson April Winners 31 Dirty Water Tactics, 41 Chapter News and Views Chris Haley 34 Muskie Fishing for the Beginner, 50 Member Photos Scotty Combs 48 Muskie Tales, Bob Jennings

Indianapolis, IN MUSKIE is published monthly and is the Official Publication of Muskies, Inc. International Office: Terrie DuBé, International Sec., PO “Building for the Future” Box 120870, New Brighton, MN 55112. Ph: 888-710-8286, Fax 651-784-0068. © Copyright 2005 by Muskies, Inc. All rights reserved. October 28-30, 2005 Life Membership: ❑ 0-29 years $600.00 ❑ 30-44 years $550.00 ❑ 45-49 years $500.00 ❑ 50-55 years $450.00 Join Muskies, Inc. ... ❑ 56-60 years $400.00 ❑ 61-65 years $350.00 ❑ 66-up $300.00. ❑ $100.00 additional to include spouse or • Over 30 Research Presentations or give a membership junior member (up to the age of 18) if purchased at same time. Junior Member (to 18): ❑ $15.00 ❑ ❑ ❑ • Development of a North American Strategic Plan as a gift. Regular Membersip: 1 Year-$30.00 2 Years-$55.00 3 Years- $80.00 Family Membership: ❑ 1 Year-$42.50 ❑ 2 Years-$80.00 ❑ 3 Years-$117.50 ❑ For Muskie Research $______• Presentations by top Anglers such as Jim Saric and Steve Heiting Name ______Phone ______Name of Spouse______Registration fee includes all meals. Please send this form along with a Address______Chapter Affiliation Choice Number ______(to find the number of the Chapter you wish to join, see the Chapter News & Views section) check or money order to the following address: City & State______Zip______Junior Member(s) Date of Birth (DOB) Name: Muskie, Inc. Symposium Chapter Affiliation Choice Number ______Name ______DOB ______(to find the number of the Chapter you wish to join, see the Chapter News & Views section) 13476 Britton Park Road Old Address (for address change only) ______Name ______DOB ______Address: Fishers, IN 46038-3583 City & State ______Zip______Name ______DOB ______Fee for registrations postmarked before May 31, 2005, City, State, Zip: My Membership # ______Expiration Date ______Chapter Affiliation Choice Number ______is $80.00 and before September 30, 2005, is $100.00. Phone: Check One: ❑ New Member ❑ Renewal ❑ Address Change ❑ Gift MAIL TO MUSKIES, INC. PO Box 120870, ( ) The fee for all other registrations is $120.00. New Brighton, MN, 55112 Email ______E-Mail Address: For more registration information please contact Chairman Fred Boso ❑ VISA ❑ Discover 1-888-710-8286 by phone at (317) 841.8364 or e-mail [email protected]. Payment: ❑ Check or ❑ Credit Card: ❑ AmEx ❑ MasterCard Muskie, Inc. Chapter: And for hotel information please call (800) 736.5634 or Card # ______- ______- ______- ______Exp. Date ____ /____ Signature ______visit www.martenhouse.com. • Please refer to Group # 703352 when making reservations. www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 1 MUSKIE Magazine Staff The President’s Message International Rod Ramsell, Editor Emeritus How I See “It” Keith Ogden, Editor Emeritus A view from the editor’s desk by Greg Wells, Muskies, Inc. International President MANAGING EDITOR Email: [email protected] Officers Jim Smith President, Greg Wells 15045 W. Double Tree Way ots to talk about this month. First of all, I want to ell we’re up to five shows now with two more to go but it has been well worth Phone: 920-457-3720 Surprise, AZ 85374-8568 Email: [email protected] welcome Juris Ozols as Assistant Editor for MUSKIE the time. I’m not sure how many fishing rods, lures and other fish Phone/Fax: (623) 388-3225 Magazine. As you can tell over the past year or so this Cell: (623) 810-9103 L paraphernalia I’ve purchased but that number is exceeded only by the Vice President/Finances, Jim Beaty Email: [email protected] magazine has seen a lot of changes. Many of these changes W Phone: 618-235-3646 information gathered and relationships that have been developed. It has given me the have had the assistance of Juris. Juris and I have worked Email: [email protected] ASSISTANT EDITOR opportunity to converse with Chapter Presidents, other club officers, members and together ever since I began as your editor and I truly Juris Ozols countless individuals of the muskie industry. Vice President/Research, Ron Mazur Phone: (952) 431-4727 appreciate his expertise and welcome his contributions. Phone: 708-458-0055 Email: [email protected] The At-Large-Director elections have been tallied and we have a new set of directors for The industry people ranged from the new lure manufacturer, shop owners, rod Email: [email protected] builders, resort owners, guides young and old, to the highly recognized personalities like ADVERTISING MANAGER “MUSKIE” the next three years. There are three incumbents and two new members to be inducted at Pete Mania, Jim Saric and Steve Heiting. I know I will receive some flack for not Vice President/Internal Affairs, Dick McPike Cherek Group ¥ Scott Cherek the Spring Board meeting. On another note, Dave Hebeda is stepping down as treasurer Phone: 816-436-4909 3902 Cribbon Avenue ¥ Cheyenne, WY 82001 and Pete Barber our Assistant Treasurer will assume the Treasurer’s duties. mentioning other names and I wish I had the pages to do so but I don’t. The reason I Email: [email protected] Phone: 307-635-8899 Recently, I had an inquiry from a photographer by the name of Eric Engbretson who acknowledge Jim, Pete and Steve is because of the influence they have through their Email: [email protected] Vice President/Membership, Bob Osborne does underwater photography. He had some fantastic shots of muskies and Juris and I have reputations and publications on the Muskie World. All of the men and women of the Phone: 765-732-3995 PUBLICATIONS TECHNICAL MANAGER selected one for our May cover. I know it is a little early, but are you ever going to love this muskie world believe that Muskies, Inc. does or should play an important role in muskie Email: [email protected] Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. ¥ Ross Rieke conservation. 25123 22nd Ave. S. ¥ St. Cloud, MN 56301-9189 cover! Vice President/Communications, Jim Shannon Phone: 888-253-8808 x122 Some of your chapters may have been contacted by a gentleman by the name of So what have been the topics of conversation? I don’t think anything will jump out as Phone: 763-434-9729 Email: [email protected] Mike Kanaval. Mike has volunteered to work with the magazine doing “special projects”. new but all are important to the future of muskies. They are; the proper handling and Email: [email protected] The executive committee has been interested in recognizing chapters and their efforts that MAGAZINE DESIGN release of muskies [a new video is due here] increased size limits, genetic effect on the Treasurer, Pete Barber Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - John Windschitl heretofore have gone unnoticed. Mike is looking for your “best of the best” project, event, production of trophy fish, protection of muskie habitat, muskie stocking [introduction into Phone: 847-726-7267 ILLUSTRATORS/CARTOONISTS function or whatever. Sort of your chapters “Hallmark”. Mike will soon be contacting all new lakes and support stocking in existing muskie waters] youth programs that will provide Email: [email protected] Richard Gross chapters, so welcome him and tell us your story. the conservationist of the future, building relationships with DNR and other state officials Assistant Treasurer, [ search in progress ] FIELD EDITORS Along a similar line the Executive Committee has been attempting to find persons to help accomplish our goals and raising the funds to be able to make these goals reality. Phone: Colby Simms, Patricia Strutz knowledgeable of some of our advertisers shops. We would like to do a monthly article on So how do we take the lead in addressing these issues? I know I have mention before Email: CONTRIBUTING EDITORS your local muskie shop (and our advertiser). If you are interested please let us know. that we often look at other organizations for ideas on how to operate. Well I was talking The June (Juniors) issue is just ahead with a deadline the 1st of May. If your chapter is Members Only Fishing Contest, Jim Bunch Steve Burian, Bob Chochola, Colby Simms, with Mark Hintz [president of chapter #6] about Ducks Unlimited and he as a member of Phone: 715-723-8343 ¥ Fax: 715-723-8354 Mark A. Johnson, Chris Haley, Scotty Combs, involved with kids in any way I would like to hear about it. Last time I checked 22 of our DU enlightened me about their fund raising and disbursement of funds. He said that his Email: [email protected] Bob Jennings 48 chapters had some sort of kid’s events. These ranged from small events such as a chapter chapter of DU had a banquet and raised $25,000. The chapter kept $300 and DU received that brought their donated magazines to their local library to the larger events like Kids Web Master, Ron Groeschl the rest. Granted they put the money to good use on a habitat project somewhere but not Phone: 262-271-1002 Fishing Derby’s held on National Fishing Day the 1st weekend in June. Some of those MUSKIE is published exclusively for the anywhere close to his chapter. He and I agreed that MI has a better system in that the Email: [email protected] membership of Muskies, Inc. and subscriptions chapters like Capital City, West Virginia, Southside Musky Hawks, Colorado and others chapters are allowed to raise all the money they wish and use it in their own states to fulfill Int. Administrative Secretary, Terrie DuBé come with a paid membership. Muskies, Inc. is hosted very large events reaching out to literally thousands of youngsters. I know we got PO Box 120870, New Brighton, MN, 55112 a non-profit organization. Membership classes our mission statement. involved with Wal-Mart through a lead from Craig Eversoll, RVP of the Capital City Phone: 888-710-8286 ¥ Fax: 651-784-0068 and associated annual dues are listed on the In order for our system to reach its full potential there will be times that all the Chapter. I will be forever grateful to Craig for sharing that information. Email: [email protected] form at the bottom of page one. Single copies Jim chapters will have to support a program or event. We have one of those situations currently of MUSKIE magazine are available at $3.00 and that is the upcoming symposium. All of the muskie industry is talking about this event each from the Muskies, Inc. International At Large Directors Term Expires Office. Jim Smith, Managing Editor with great anticipation. I just read an article by Gill Hamm about the 1984 symposium and Laura Morrison ...... 2005 Contributors grant rights for M.I. to publish MUSKIE Magazine I can absolutely guaranty that he would be in full support of the event. Now we need to once in MUSKIE Magazine, both the print and The Official Publication of Muskies, Inc. step up and provide our support by attending and helping with the finances. Smokey Swenson ...... 2005 on-line versions, including archives and on the Email: [email protected] The information gathered and shared between DNR people and ensuing publication Greg Wells ...... 2005 M.I. Web site. will be beneficial to all of us when pursuing our mission statement goals. Jim Saric, Steve Don Jahnke ...... 2005 Heiting and Russ Warye will be speaking, Pete could not because of another commitment Submissions to but there will be people from Esox there. David Cates ...... 2005 MUSKIE Magazine Coming in the May MUSKIE: The eyes of the entire muskie world are upon us. Let’s help make this symposium the Dick McPike ...... 2006 Persons interested in submitting articles for best to date. ❖ Chris McCabe ...... 2006 publication are directed to our website • A cover to die for – Underwater muskie www.muskiesinc.org. There they will find a photograph Art Anderson ...... 2006 link to MUSKIE Magazine. From there you Muskies, Inc. Past Presidents Jack Moga ...... 2006 will find links on the left side of the page providing information necessary for • Third and final installment of Triggering Muskies Gil Hamm Lou Cook Steve Statland Ron Mazur ...... 2006 submissions to MUSKIE Magazine. Further Ken Karbon ...... 2007 questions will be answered by Jim Smith, • Migration of the Mighty Musky Edward T. Peterka Peter Hadley John Hotle Managing Editor. Submissions may be sent Robert Hill Bob Schmidt Jim Blaubach Jim Shannon ...... 2007 to: 15045 W. Double Tree Way ¥ Surprise, AZ • More articles on the science of muskie Robert Shoop Larry Ramsell Steve Budnik Bob Timme ...... 2007 85374-8568. Phone: (623) 388-3225 or you may management Frank Schneider Lou Cook Jim Smith Jim Beaty ...... 2007 Peter Hadley Keith Ogden Paul Framsted Email: [email protected]. Bob Osborne ...... 2007 • Preparing for the muskie openers DuWayne Bakke Bill Davis Perry Smith

2 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 3 INTERNATIONALNEWS World Record Muskie Alliance The WRMA was formed in January, 2004, assembling a group ABOUT THE COVER– of dedicated Muskie anglers who strongly feel the ongoing World At-Large-Director The cover shows a 54” Muskie, moments after release, caught Record Muskie controversy should be actively, carefully, completely, by Bob Hoyle on Lake Vermilion, Minnesota last September. The and in an unbiased and scientifically acceptable manner investigated, picture was taken by Mark Johnson with a Sony DSC-P8 Digital the data complied and analyzed resulting in a recognized and Election Results Cybershot. Mark notes: accepted World Record Muskie; our sport’s ‘Brass Ring’. Unfortunately, the Muskie is the only fresh water sport fish that The following members have been elected Juris Ozols Appointed has no clearly defined and generally accepted World Record. The “It just looked interesting laying WRMA Board Members, Rich Delaney, Dan Koniewicz, Ken for a three-year term as At-Large-Directors. alongside the dock getting ready Assistant Editor, MUSKIE Magazine Olesen, and Jerry Newman, feel strongly this sometimes divisive and to take off. It had that sinister Juris Ozols, our new assistant editor, has been a member of the always confusing issue should be finally and definitively put to rest. David Cates smile look - like, “Put your Twin Cities Chapter of Muskies Inc. for over ten years. During that Formed on 1-1-2004, the WRMA is now set to accomplish the hand down here and I’ll taste it time he has done some seventy-five magazine cover designs and clearly stated objectives. The WRMA has retained the most highly Don Jahncke for dinner.” Jason Crose written a number of articles. He has run the Members Photo Contest qualified, impartial investigators who are dedicated to gather all the dubbed it “The Devil-Fish”. for the last three years and contributed many pictures of Muskies Inc. data available for specifically selected Muskies that are subject to or a Laura Morrison That title fits it to a tee. activities. He has also created numerous graphics designs for various major part of the ongoing World Record debate. Upon gathering all

INTERNATIONAL NEWS INTERNATIONAL Muskies inc. brochures and other literature. Juris is responsible for the data available, including but not limited to photos, existing Karl Scherer Bob caught the Muskie the design of the month photos for the annual Muskies Inc. calendar. affidavits, personal interview material, written historical record, and while fishing out of The Life of Juris caught his first Muskie, a small hybrid, in 1984 on a all other available data, the investigators assigned to each aspect of the Riley Resort, Cook, Minnesota,

“bobber and Leech” rig while fishing for crappies on a local lake in Patricia Strutz INTERNATIONALNEWS overall investigation will analyze the data and arrive at a concrete during the resort’s Annual Fall Tournament that just happened to be Bloomington, Minnesota. That got him hooked on Muskie fishing, conclusion based on accepted scientific protocol. The most modern the same lake and time as the Big Muskie Tournament. Bob’s 54” although he’s only managed to hook a dozen or so of the elusive and widely accepted scientific tools and procedures will be employed, Congratulations to all and we look forward Muskie won 1st prize in our little tourney and would have done critters during his fishing career. His lifetime high is a 50.5 incher on and the conclusions will be subject to peer review. In short, the very well in Mehsikomer’s Simply Fishing Tournament since the Lake Waconia in 1998. WRMA looks to the most qualified and unbiased professional to your swearing in at the beginning of the In case you’re wondering about his name, Juris was born in the analysis for a conclusion all Muskie anglers across the North Spring Board Meeting April 9 in Chicago. biggest fish caught was a 53 incher. Bob caught it at 7:00 a.m. on small Baltic country of Latvia and emigrated to the U.S. during the the last day of the tourney beating his buddy, Deef Stone, who had American continent will be compelled to accept. ❖ aftermath of World War II. He grew up in Lincoln Nebraska, where The WRMA has applied for Non Profit 501(c)3 status with the landed his 1st legal Muskie of 50 1/2” less than 12 hours earlier.” he caught his first fish, a carp. He attended the University of IRS, also being registered in the State Of Illinois as a non-for profit California at Berkeley, and has traveled extensively, including visits to organization. Funds are raised by voluntary contributions and 49 of the 50 states and some 20 foreign countries. membership fees. ALL funds raised will be applied to the Juris lives in the Twin Cities suburb of Apple Valley and works investigation and resulting activity. No WRMA member or officer as System Engineer for a large manufacturer of military electronics will accept ANY funds from the money raised. No salaries, systems. Among other things, he was compensation, or expenses are to be paid from the money raised. ALL the Chief Engineer for the Dale Ahrndt funds raised will be applied to the actual cost of the investigation. development of the mission computer Any funds remaining at the conclusion of the investigation will be system for the Navy’s F-18 Hornet donated toward a Muskie stocking or similar conservation related aircraft in the 1980’s, and more Tournament activity. recently he was also the Chief Engineer At the close of the analysis and Peer Review, and the submission Clear Lake, Iowa - April 30, 2005 INTERNATIONAL NEWS NEWS INTERNATIONAL for the weapons control system for the of the conclusions to the record keeping organizations, the Navy’s P-3C Orion patrol aircraft.

His favorite places in the world are conclusions drawn will be submitted to the Muskie angling public. Sponsored by

Should the conclusions contradict the records currently in place with INTERNATIONALNEWS Woman Lake, Minnesota, and the The Heartland Chapter of Muskies, Inc. town of Battle in England. Welcome the IGFA or NFWFHF, the submissions will be presented to both aboard, Juris! ❖ organizations for review and consideration in anticipation that the records they hold will be corrected in due course. $20 Advanced Registration Should the conclusions drawn by the WRMA investigation DONATIONS – FEBRUARY support the current World Record Muskies, those submissions will be ($25 after March 28, 2005, Dawson Usack Edward Sundstedt Paul Cruse & Family presented to both organizations for review and addition to the record. 17 & Under - $15) Chris E. Mueller Todd & Aimee Russell Rick Aston The WRMA can be reached at [email protected] for Rob Kent Gary Dew Brain Fohey State of Iowa has 1-day and 3-day licenses Dennis Johnsen Raymond DeGroot Frank Stroncek questions or comments. Sami Frings Don Anderson Paul Dickson Some names you may recognize from our 50 plus supporting Lyle & Betty Dolan Arlan Carter David Grochowski Members: For more information or to request an Dave Chapman & Michael J Adams John Giustozzi Jr Family Tom & Kathy Keith Robert Krizenesky Mike Lazarus Dick Pearson Pete Maina entry form, contact Chris McCabe: Rich Scudder Jr James R. Johsnon William Brabender Marc Thorpe Larry Ramsell Bobby Johnson Duane & Shari Hansen Donald Shaner George Benda Steve Wickens Jim Saric Jan Eggers 239 8th St. SE Paul Pinkalla Jack Hoffman Jason & Susan Reid Frank Jack Burns Patrick & Janet Fischer James Tasker Emerson Mason City, IA 50401 Walter Haas Luke B. Miller John Bilka Respectfully submitted, 641-424-0827 Max Michaelson Jr E.L & M.J Neil Hauger John Currens Uttermohlen Rock Ripley Steve Worrall [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL NEWS NEWS INTERNATIONAL On behalf of Muskies, Inc., thank you for adding a bit extra when you renewed your membership. – Pete Barber, Treasurer 4 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 5 Ask the Biologist NOTE: M.I. members are encouraged to submit Youth•Fisheries•Research their questions to our panel of biologists. If your YOUTH-fisheries-research Bill Burnham, Member of the Pomme de Terre question is a state specific question, we will Wisconsin Muskellunge Chapter, submitted this month’s question. Bill attempt to obtain a response from your local Ask the Biologist-March Issue lives in Columbia Missouri. (state) biologist. Each month we will draw upon Restoration Project different biologists to answer your questions in order to obtain a diversity of answers and by Larry Ramsell and Bob Benson, Restoration Team Editor’s Note: The Wisconsin response to last month's question arrived too late for publication, however I Q: What criteria do you use in opinions from a variety of biologists through out In the last issue of Muskie, Editor Jim Smith mentioned our thought it should be a part of this column and not our muskie country. Project. A project that began in December and attempted to work selecting lakes for muskellunge “behind the scenes” with the Wisconsin DNR. It was felt by our delegated. Especially since Wisconsin plays a major role Please Email your questions to: Restoration Team that due to the sensitive nature of our subject in stocking muskellunge. stocking programs? [email protected] matter, it best be done in this manner. We are now taking this matter public, after multiple meetings Q: With regard to stocking... with the DNR that has unfortunately and sadly resulted in “business Mark Boone - Missouri Department of Conservation Elmer W. Heyob, Jr - Ohio DNR as usual” and a desire for more “studies.” Based on several of the – Where do you obtain your muskies? things we have learned, we felt that this simply was not acceptable, – What time of year do you stock? Muskies are not native to Missouri and do not reproduce The Division of Wildlife’s muskellunge program goal in Ohio is, and is unfair to the muskie anglers of, and that fish Wisconsin, as successfully, so we must stock to maintain our fisheries. We “to maintain high quality muskellunge fisheries at selected water areas.” well as Tourism and all other related businesses. – What size are the muskies that you stock? currently stock muskies in five lakes. There are several criteria which The two main criteria for muskellunge program lakes in Ohio YOUTH-fisheries-research YOUTH-fisheries-research

The Wisconsin Muskellunge Restoration Project team feels that – How do you decide on which lakes to stock? we consider before stocking a lake. Water quality, forage, and are location and water retention time. Eight lakes with the proper

Wisconsin has the greatest collection of Muskie waters in the world, – What rate do you stock? (i.e.No/acre) habitat are the most important considerations. physical characteristics have been selected as evenly spaced around the YOUTH-fisheries-research and with the proper changes in muskie management can yield many – Other factors that influence your stocking Missouri summers are hot so we choose lakes that have state as possible. The bulk of Ohio’s lakes and reservoirs have an over- more large Muskies than we are currently seeing. The project team sufficient dissolved oxygen and water that does not exceed 85oF for abundant gizzard shad forage base perfectly suited for this native, still hopes to work with the Wisconsin DNR as they have historically decisions. extended periods. Since muskies are sight feeders, the lakes should open water predator. The next challenge is to keep the fish in the been the leaders in Muskellunge management, and without a doubt be fairly clear. lake. Our stocked muskie lakes were chosen for their relatively high Gizzard shad must be present because they are the primary water retention time that ranges from .5 to 1-year. This helps keep the have the greatest Muskellunge hatchery system on the planet. The Tim Simonson - Wisconsin DNR wonderful people of the DNR’s past regimes, led by Art Oehmcke forage for Missouri muskies. It’s also beneficial if other forage fish in the lake and makes for improved water quality. species are present, such as brook silversides, suckers, and carp. The current production goal of advanced fingerlings (9 to 12- and Leon Johnson, saved the Muskie from extinction in Wisconsin, In Wisconsin, we obtain eggs from 4 to 8 lakes each year. Our Suitable habitat is also important. A combination of aquatic inch fish), is 17,000. The “Division” has been above this above this and taught the world how to raise and propagate Muskellunge primary egg source in NW WI is Bone Lake. In NE WI, we regularly vegetation, flooded timber, and brush piles is preferred. We try to goal every year since 1998 when they had a record 38,000 advanced fingerlings. Today’s DNR needs to capitalize on the proven, use about 4 lakes. Most muskellunge are stocked in fall and average choose lakes where it is unlikely that muskies could leave the lake fingerlings produced. With the continued decline in fishing license successful work of other regions to benefit the resource here. about 11 inches in length. We currently stock about 200 of our 711 through the outlet structure or spillway. sales and limited participation in muskellunge fishing, this The Wisconsin Muskellunge Restoration Project team feels that muskellunge waters. About 43% of the waters are dependent upon Muskies are not typically stocked where other ‘trophy’ species production goal is unlikely to increase anytime in the near future. immediate change this spring is warranted to begin change that will stocking, with no natural reproduction. The other 57% have some (e.g. hybrid stripers, walleye, and flathead catfish) are stocked. The great news is, our hatcheries continue to produce more benefit current anglers as well as future generations and we ask for natural reproduction that is supplemented with stocking. We stock Finally we want our ‘muskie’ lakes to be distributed throughout the consistent numbers of high quality advanced fingerlings with the your support. 1 or 2 large fingerlings/acre in stocking-dependent fisheries and 0.5 state. Close proximity to metropolitan areas is preferred. same amount of hatchery space and minnow (forage) funds. to 1 fish/acre in supplemented fisheries. In self-sustained Our Mission statement is as follows: Mark Boone, Elmer W. Heyob Jr. populations, we estimate natural reproduction to be about 0.25 large To ensure that current and future generations of Wisconsin Muskellunge Program Coordinator Fisheries Biologist 2 fingerlings/acre. We are examining, over the long-term, our stocking

YOUTH-fisheries-research YOUTH-fisheries-research Muskie Fisherman and Muskie tourism related businesses have the Missouri Department of Conservation Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources

rates and the types of waters we stock. Given the low harvest, best possible resource. We intend to do this by reviewing the 2302 County Park Dr. Wildlife District One compared to 15 or 20 years ago, there are probably many lakes that 1500 Dublin Rd. complete history of Muskellunge management and propagation in Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 YOUTH-fisheries-research no longer need supplemental stocking. In 2001, we selected some the entire Mississippi River drainage, with the goal of determining [email protected] Columbus, OH 43215 lakes in this category and stopped stocking them. In 73% of the 573/290-5858, ext. 239 614-644-3925 what possible factors have contributed to the continual decline of lakes looked at so far, normal levels of reproduction are occurring, the trophy Wisconsin muskellunge fishery, particularly over the past which is a great tribute to catch-and-release! We are also reviewing half-century, and to determine if there is a way to save or enhance our brood stock management guidelines to ensure that we use the the nearly extinct populations of large growing strains of MISSION STATEMENT best available fish for stocking. Moving? muskellunge in state waters. Tim Simonson, FH/4 “Muskies, Inc. is an active, service-oriented, non-profit organization with the single focus of improving the sport of muskie This is a subject far to complex to go into here, This document Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat is 35 pages and would take far too many pages of Muskie magazine Send your change of address to: fishing for men, women, and children. Protection Our mission is to unite all muskie fishing interests for the to cover, so we have developed an informational web-site for this Terrie DuBé, DNR, PO BOX 7921, 101 S WEBSTER ST promotion and protection of a high quality muskellunge sport purpose. The site link is: MADISON WI 53707 PO Box 120870, fishery in the United States and Canada. www.WisconsinMuskyRestoration.org (608) 266-5222 voice We will accomplish this by supporting conservation practices On our web-site, you may view the many documents that we (608) 266-2244 fax New Brighton, MN 55112 and research based on sound scientific merit, and carried out by have written and compiled. You will then have a much better base 888-710-8286 authorized federal or state agencies, appropriate academic from which to make an informed decision about the merits of this institutions, Muskies, Inc chapters, and their members. Project. We trust that you will, as has every single person we have Or e-mail to: We are committed to the abatement of water pollution; discussed this with, with the exception of the WDNR, see and maintenance of records for muskie habits, growth, and range; and the [email protected] dissemination of muskie information to everyone.”

YOUTH-fisheries-research YOUTH-fisheries-research understand the merits of our proposal and get behind us with your Adopted, April 2002 support. 6 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 7

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. Fishing Starts Tournament Headquarters: 4:00 p.m. Fishing Ends Diamond Point Park 5:00 p.m. Hamburger Feed 1700 Birchmont Dr NE 6:00 p.m. Award Presentations Bemidji, MN

Tournament Registration - June 23 & 24, 2005 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Blue Water Bait & Sport – Bemidji, MN Ron Groeschl, M.I. Webmaster Info: Dave Willford - Evenings 218-854-7239 has opened the new M.I. web site. [email protected] 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]

8 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 9 catch & release angling on habitat use and behavior, and to gain should be acknowledged preliminary information on the growth rates and relative survival and our gratitude bestowed Muskellunge Study rates. upon them, but the list After implantation of tags and the branding process is complete, would be long. We would the IDNR release the 2000 10 to 12 inch fingerlings at several however like to mention a at Kinkaid Lake locations throughout the lake. Spring trap netting by the IDNR, few. Shawn Hirst and Steve assisted by volunteers from groups such as Muskies, Inc. Chapter 28 Pallo with the IDNR, by Steve Burian (Shawnee Muskie Hunters), Robert Neumann, Ron gathers information from the Brooks and Patrick Beck of tagged fish on dispersal SIUC (Dr. Neumann is now patterns, relative survival on the IN-FISHERMAN rates, growth and longevity staff but was instrumental in rates. All muskie collected the project), to the are tagged by the dorsal fin members of Muskies, Inc. with individually numbered whose membership dues external Floy Tags. Anyone helped with contributions catching a tagged muskie is and those who volunteered Floy tag. (enlarged) urged to contact Shawn for work on the water, to Hirst (IDNR Fish Biologist) those members of the at 618-687-4546 with tag Penny shown alongside a PIT Tag Kinkaid Area Watershed number, fish length and (internal) for scale. Project (KAWP, Inc.) who catch date. Please do not remove the tag! Fish collected and work towards ending lake Shawn Hirst, Illinois DNR Fisheries Biologist, implanted with the temperature sensitive ultrasonic radio transmitters erosion, and finally the tagging a 50” muskie captured in Lake Kinkaid with an external floy tag. (with a life expectancy of approximately 3 years) are studied by members of the Shawnee attempting to locate each fish 3 times per week. Records are then Muskie Hunters, Chapter of Photo by Joe McFarland. taken of transmitter (fish) temperature along with information on the MI who donate their time fish depth, dissolved oxygen content at varying depths, habitat and money towards a information such as depth at locations, type of cover, boating activity, cleaner lake with a yearly he Shawnee Muskie Hunters with the support of the A study is underway to better understand the effects of the and coordinates of locations using GPS methods. clean up program, and do Muskies, Inc. and Gander Mountain grant programs unnatural habitat of the muskie in southern reservoirs. Previous Southern Illinois University Fisheries In addition, attempts to capture the fish implanted with radio volunteer work with the contributed $1,000 in 2004 to the Southern Illinois studies have been done on the natural habitat in their native northern personnel pulling a trap net. T transmitters using conventional angling methods during the spring, IDNR. Last, but certainly University at Carbondale, Department of Fisheries and Illinois waters, but the relatively new introduction of the species to southern summer, and fall seasons will be to monitor the effects of catch & not least, we would like to thank Gander Mountain for their generous Aquaculture Center to conduct a Telemetry Project in an effort to impoundments has created a need for further information to release practices on the fishes activity and habitat by locating the fish donations to the grant programs, and to Muskies, Inc. and Shawnee better understand the effects of warmer waters and angling pressures successfully manage and propagate this highly valued sportfish. Due hourly for 24 hours after its release, and after to be tracked during Muskie Hunters Chapter of Muskies, Inc. Whose matching funds on muskellunge on Kinkaid Lake. to thermal stratification, the warmer summer water temperatures of the routine weekly inspections. During the same 24 hour period, have now contributed $2,000 in the past two years to Kinkaid Lake Southern Illinois’ Kinkaid Lake in Jackson County is located just the southern reservoir create a different habitat than the well studied radio tagged fish in the same area, that anglers were unable to catch, projects. We thank you all for providing us anglers a wonderful a few miles north of Murphysboro. In the beautiful rolling hills and northern waters. Preferred oxygen content and temperature ranges will also be monitored to compare mortality rates and other noted recreational resource. forested countryside, this man made reservoir which began in 1968 can often conflict creating conditions of an unhealthy environment. variables between the two groups. Steve Burian of approximately 2,750 acres and nearly 92 miles of irregular Therefore, angling for musky during the summer months is With continued study, successful management, educating Manuel Santa Cruz shorelines share areas of differing topographies. One can see glimpses discouraged due to hooking and handling stress, and resulting higher anglers to proper catch & release practices, muskie of the north’s pine forests and rocky lakes, sandstone bluffs and tall mortality rates. fishing in Kinkaid Lake may well prove to be one of rock walls lining shorelines like that of the Ozark’s, In an effort to better understand the effects of the best places to catch that trophy fish. The efforts gorges which appear to have been cut by swiftly warmer waters and angling pressures on With continued study, and contributions made by the various institutions, flowing river waters, and lakes of the plain states muskellunge, the Southern Illinois University at government, and organizations have already provided and flat lands with shorelines of forests and prairie successful management, Carbondale, Department of Fisheries and Illinois anglers with one heck of a place to fish. It is only grasses. All of the surrounding undeveloped lands Aquaculture Center (hereafter called SIUC), and & educating anglers to fitting that individuals working towards this goal are owned by the US Forest Service, the IDNR and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources the Kinkaid-Reed’s Creek Conservancy District. proper catch & release (IDNR) have joined forces to produce a study, Water clarities range from muddy in the north to practices, muskie fishing “Habitat Use of Muskellunge in Kinkaid Lake, relatively clear in the south end of the lake. in Kinkaid Lake may Illinois”. Commonly referred to as the Telemetry Maximum depth is about 70 feet and only about Project, fish are raised at the IDNR’s Jack Wolfe 10% of the lake is less than 10 feet. Varieties of well prove to be one of Fish Hatchery and then freeze branded and tagged weeds grow throughout the lake, stumps and the best places to catch by SIUC’s researchers prior to the yearly stocking standing timber remain mostly in the coves, lay program. To be later studied, 1000 of the 2000 downs occur due to erosion problems, and rocky that trophy fish. muskie which were stocked in 2004 were PIT outcrops, boulders and reefs are all available covers tagged (Passive Integrated Transponder) and all 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. Trap net in Kinkaid Lake. 10 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 11 Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log MUSKIE 13 April 2005..... of a contest calendar year. (17 of a contest calendar year. st MOTION Qualifiers 2005) Qualifiers 2005) Qualifiers 30 inches. over point for each inch or fraction of inches will be the actual the true release and total length of your the lay the muskie on you see on the tape when length you length to fractions at a muskie’s should designate You tape. the tale is of else. Squeezing 1/4”, 1/2” and 3/4” Nothing of your accepted for a true length measurement and accurate Resources Natural Of all Department’s Nearly release. the tail in measuring the truesqueeze and accurate of any species. measurement or less on January 1, will remain a Junior for the entire year) for the entire a Junior 1, will remain or less on January and Men’s. Women’s. and Masters a coin toss to be held settled by are for the replica Division’s of of directors meeting of the board at the December each year Inc. Chapter of Muskies, Wisconsin the First recorded 250 releases or more in the Lunge Log all time. Any in the Lunge or more 250 releases recorded during a 250 all time releases male member that reaches until the next Division in the Men’s will remain calendar year he then will be in the Masters. calendar year, Log all time. in the Lunge or more 100 releases has recorded during a 100 all time releases Any female member that reaches until the Division Women’s in the will remain calendar year Masters. Women’s she then will be in the next calendar year, older that has less than 250 all time total releases. age or older that has less than 100 all time total releases. 1 of age or less on January years chapter. on all members of Log that will be based Lunge the from on will be assigned and displayed Points Release Inc. Muskies, Log section. in the Lunge site the web 105 a. (Approximately Masters. for Men’s 10 Awards 20 (Approximately Masters. b.Women’s for Awards 2 c. Men’s 10 Awards d.Women’s 10 Awards e. Juniors 10 Awards f. includes a Replica Men’s, Longest Release 1 Award includes a Replica g.Women’s, Release Longest 1 Award h. includes a Replica Juniors, Longest Release 1 Award i. Hybrid Longest Release 1 Award j. and 1 on 4 points for each release based are Points Release k. inch will no longer be accepted, the nearest off to Rounding 8. Longest Release and replica for Men’s combines Men’s Masters 8. Men’s combines for Men’s and replica Longest Release Women’s combines 9.Women’s for and replica Longest Release 3. Men’s Masters – any male member of Muskies, Inc that has Inc 3. – any male member of Muskies, Masters Men’s that Inc – any female member of Muskies, Masters 4. Women’s of age or 18 years Inc. 5. is any male member of Muskies, Men’s of 18 years Inc. female member of Muskies, is any 6. Women’s 7. 17 Inc. any male or female member of Muskies, are Juniors 1. for each 6 awards purchasing system of the current Eliminate 2. points system based on release awards an International Sponsor 10. Ties in the Longest Release for Men’s, Women’s and Junior’s Women’s 10. for Men’s, in the Longest Release Ties from International Members Only Fishing Contest Fishing Only Members International from of the International 4/9/05 per direction Committee meeting. board 2004 fall at October board ❖ g

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b h t back on what the 2004 season pause and reflect 2005 we April In is a change brewing. there Awards, of the International Speaking from the budget of the MOFC This motion will reduce puts sense of integrity in the contest. It a greater This also creates Chairman Bunch, MOFC Committee, Jim your by Submitted www.muskiesinc.org meant to a whole group of chapter winners and International winners. of chapter winners and International meant to a whole group River guests of the Fox 8 and 9 as on April for this event will gather We Illinois. in Bloomingdale, Lakes Resort at the Indian chapter Valley 12) (Page magazine Muskie The facilities as advertised in the February and glorious magazine, appear to be a grand Muskie and the March our many location to honor us the proper should provide location. It have We in 2004. members with outstanding accomplishments is a very long list. It to view. winners for you a list of those provided understand that not all will attend as most winners also receive Please will banquet. History tells us we this honor at their individual chapter’s as it is the I am excited honor 30 to 50 of these members at this event. each and every join us as Please just one of you high light of the year. of the event. adds to the atmosphere that we it was suggested Inc meeting of Muskies, the fall board At Only system. I and the Members awards to a true International return to submit a motion to return directed Contest Committee were Fishing That motion has been this. that would reflect to a system of awards has been sent to all chapter and is listed to the right. It prepared also has been It vice presidents. and regional presidents, vice presidents, done this so have We site. on our web posted on the bulletin board International in mind the no surprises as to the intent. Keep are there is members from It of people tryingis not some group to run the show. get down when you reality, In Inc. each and every chapter of Muskies budget The International money. around revolves to the true issue here Many these awards. aside to purchase set includes $5,000.00 each year always dealt with the fact that have We feel this is way too much. duplicates in a lot of cases. are and chapter awards awards International the Consequently, of our history. That has not changed in the 35 years and let the truly International is to make these awards general idea here The motion that chapter members awards. chapters deal with their own 9, 2005 is listed in the on April will be submitted at the spring awards formality or it maybe hotly This motion maybe just a at right. box passed it will be in effect for the 2005 season. contested. If This is This is a savings of $3850.00. to $13145.60. $16995.60 down If for each chapter. buying up to 6 awards were based on the fact we (This could it to just 46 awards. will reduce this motion passes we The Of Lunker with potential ties in some divisions such as increase the anticipated With paying $16.40 for each award. were We Month) would assume each of the proposed discounts we in volume reduction in the budget would be Thus, these reductions at $25 each. 46 awards to $13145.60 or a savings of $3850.00. down same playing field. All point on the Inc every member of Muskies, the by The points will be recorded totals will be on the same basis. Contest. Fishing Only and the Members Site Web Kolar

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** i e ney s d n 5 t ms Battle The Beast Guide Service Al Nutty LURES Midwest WISHIN Rod & Reel Registration Form Registration Additional banquet tickets - $20. Kinkaid Lake, IL Kinkaid Lake, ESORT April 30th & May 1st, 2005 1st, April 30th & May R S ’ Outdoor OE On Leech Lake Notebook Ninth Annual Spring Warm-Up Ninth Annual L Please support our tournament sponsors: Please support our tournament Muskie Tournament Muskie

Call Gary Dew at (815) 529-1159 for more information. Tri Tackle Tackle Tackle Tackle Drifter Drifter Drifter Drifter

.....April 2005

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Mail registration form with entry fee to: Mike Tomse, 403 Edwards St., Aurora, IL 60505. Mail registration form with entry fee to: Mike Tomse, rPi af s PRaffl D iz• or s Team: ______Team: Name: ______Name: ______Address:______Address: State: _____ Zip: _____ City: ______State: ___ Zip: ______City: ______Phone: ______Phone: ______12 MUSKIE Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log Lunge Log MUSKIE 15 Lake Of The Lake Of ” Deer Lake, MN Mille Lacs, MN ” ” Fox River 3/3/04 Cass, MN ” ” Lake St. Clair, Ont Lake St. Clair, ” (Continued on page 16) Georgian Bay, Ont Georgian Bay, ” Lake Of The Woods, Ont The Woods, Lake Of ” Pymatunig Reservoir Little Sand, Ont ” ” April 2005..... Pat Berglund 39 Ð Allegheny River Jerry Lally 47.75 ” Bob Himango 52 Ð Phil Gutmann 51.25 Darren Nixon 52.5 Ð Willie Hall 51.25 Ð Ð Chippewa Flowage, WI ” Ð Penny Cook 9 Releases 64 Points Penny Cook 9 Releases Rhoda Satonica 15 Releases 150 Points Rhoda Satonica 15 Mary Hoernecke 15 Releases 150 Points Scott Freng 50 Jack Hoffman 53 Jack Hoffman Richard Wren 56.5 Richard Wren Ð Ð Ð Ð Rick Mikel 101 Releases 1261 Points Ð Jerod Fischer 38 Ð Ð Jerry K Nelson 57 Releases 713 Points Jerry K Nelson 57 Releases John Pfaff 20 Releases 204 Points John Pfaff Ted C Phillips 27 Releases 417 Points C Phillips Ted Ð Ð Ð Ð Joanne Will 3 Releases 42 Points Joanne Will 1 Release 22 Points 1 Release Sandra Kugler 3 Releases 54 Points 3 Releases 54 Sandra Kugler Stephanie Amberg 93 Points Stephanie Brad Hoppe 39 Releases 623 Points Merrill Pedersen 21 Releases 265 Points Ð Robert Volkert 64 Releases 1106 Points 64 Releases 1106 Robert Volkert Ð Justin Bidwell 16 Points Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Jim Bidwell 200 Points Shannon Green 20 Releases 272 Points Green 20 Releases Shannon Steve Kroupa 14 Releases 174.5 Points Tom Tritz 7 Releases 93 Points Tritz Tom Barbara Pittman 9 Releases 102 Points Barbara Pittman 9 Pat Berglund 2 Releases 21 Points Amy Shackleton 8 Releases 60 Points Amy Peterson 2 Releases 17 Points Amy Peterson 2 Releases James Reuter 7 Releases 79 Points Dave Dilley 18 Releases 170.5 Points Carl Peterson 175 Points Tom Loew 19 Releases 218 Points Loew 19 Releases Tom Joel Michel 17 Releases 160 Points Gene Daul 17 Releases 157.5 Points Darrel Mack 20 Releases 242.5 Points David Williamson 41 Releases 496 Points Tracy Crail 29 Releases 340 Points 29 Releases Crail Tracy Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Frank Maus 51 Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Dan Blanck 8 Releaes 69 Points Josh Jordan 7 Releases 99 Points Josh Jordan 7 Releases Ð Ð Ð Jon Rude 21 Releases 238 Points Jon Rude 21 Releases Robert Busche 64 Releases 561 Points John Holiga 10 Releases 120 Points John Holiga 10 Releases Ð Ð Ð Largest Release Largest Release Mens Juniors Masters Mens Mens Womens Mens Largest Release Mens Masters Mens Mens Womens Mens Mens Mens Mens - Russell Nelson 217 Points Womens Juniors - Spencer Fenske 17 Points Masters Mens Mens Mens Womens Mens 6/20/04 8/8/04 Woods 7/12/04 Woods st nd rd st st nd st nd rd st nd rd nd rd rd st nd rd st nd rd st nd rd th th 2 2 2 2 2 2 Longest Release 1 1 Largest Release 1 Mens Masters Mens Mens Masters Masters Womens Points Mens - Steve Williams 28 Releases 380 Womens Juniors Mens Masters Masters Womens Mens 1 3 1 1 3 3 1 3 4 3 3 5 Mike Szczepanski 49 Club Champion 3 3 2 1 2 Womens Womens Juniors Longest Release Womens Masters Womens Mens Mens Largest Release Largest Illinois Release Largest Juniors Womens Womens Largest Womens Womens Largest Release Womens 37 St Cloud 38 Vikingland 39 Fox River Valley 29 Upper Great Plains Great 29 Upper Country 30 Gods 31 Penn-Ohio 32 Flatlanders 33 Lake Superior 35 Milwaukee Elkhart 11/6/04 ” Cave Run, Ky ” Lake Milton ” Kinkaid, IL 9/30/04 ” Mike Tomse Mike Ð Lake St Clair, Ont Lake St Clair, Mille Lacs, MN 8/3/04 ” Georgian Bay ” Mallon 10 Releases 137 Greenwood NJ, 5/15/04 ’ ” ” Ontario and Wisconsin ” Rob Wischki 47 Ð Gary Pysher Sr 12 Releases 111 Eagle, Ont 7/8/04 Ð ” Kardy Bradway 52 and 52 ” Ð Daina Mindar 2 Releases 15 Points George Hardy 47 Walter Krause 43 Releases 506 Points Krause 43 Releases 506 Walter Sara Lammers 46.5 Ð Ð Ð 52 Charlotte Fuchs 19 Releases 244 Points Fuchs 19 Releases Charlotte Ð Blake Friedrich 5 Releases 64 Points Gary Stefczak 54 David Clark 46 Releases 490 Points Bill Kunecz Jr 52 Shawn Maher 53 Ray H Elkins 53.5 Ray H Elkins Ð Ð Gary Pysher Sr 17 Releases 172 Points Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Vicky Dennis 5 Releases 73 Points Dennis Vicky Ð Jason Bond 88 Releases 1121 Points 88 Releases 1121 Jason Bond Ð Ð Justin Hellert 10 Releases 143.5 Points Justin Hellert 10 Releases John A. Dennis 77 Releases 1027 Points 77 Releases 1027 A. Dennis John John Jackson 36 Releases 326 Points Mike Ehlers 15 Releases 210 Points Alan James 20 Releases 315 Points Libby Hoene 43 Releases 646.5 Points Kelly Himes 24 Releases 320 Points Jason Schillinger 54 Releases 663.75 Points Brian Truax 47 Releases 786 Points Truax Brian Trent Huckstead 28 Releases 398 Points Trent Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð John Kennedy 16 Releases 176.75 Points Dan Dean 13 Releases 202 Points Marty Schield 11 Releases 153.5 Points Marty Schield 11 Julie Johnson 17 Releases 194 Points Julie Johnson 17 Releases Steph Ouren 3 Releases 46 Points Barbara Senftleben 7 Releases71.5 Points Cherie Carroll 16 Releases 214 Points Sara Lammers 37.5 Points Sara Lammers 37.5 Donald Kempen 3 Releases 65 Points Points Robert Lennox 9 Releases 11 David Jonesi 24 Releases 292.25 Points 28 Releases 278.5 Points James Vaught Aaron Heimkes 20 Releases 326 Points Jason Hamernick 86 Releases 1418 Points Jason Hamernick 86 Michael Clemente 58 Releases 651 Points Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Joel Sobieck 51 Ð Ð Ð Erik Nickel 5 Releases 42 Points Jimmy Dean 4 Releases 48 Points Brent Rortvedt 48 Points Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Charles Masimore 36 Releases 389 Points Rob Wischki 269 Points Ð Ð Masters Mens Masters Mens Masters Mens New Jersey Releases- John Lombardo 10 Releases 134.5 New Jersey Releases- John Lombardo New Jersey Releases New Jersey Releases - Larry O Mens Masters Mens Mens Masters Mens Masters Mens Masters Points Points Points 4/5/2004 nd st nd st nd st nd rd st nd rd st nd rd st nd rd st 2 2 2 2 1 Womens Open Open Womens Juniors Largest Juniors Largest Releases 1 Year The Shawnee Muskie Hunter Of Junior Champion Juniors- Sam Detweiler 1 Release 19 Points Release 1 Sam Detweiler Juniors- Masters Womens Womens Mens Masters 50 Releases 705 Points Mens - Paul Bronson Womens Junior Boys 1 Masters Mens 1 1 Womens Juniors 3 3 3 1 3 Overall Release Womens Largest Release 2 2 2 Lunker Of The Year Lunker Of The Year Masters Champion Mens Masters Mens Masters County Largest Sheboygan Largest Womens Champion Womens Mens Champion Womens Womens Largest Release Junior Girls Longest Release 1 Mens Open Mens Open Largest Ohio Release Largest Release Largest Release 26 Central Wisconsin 27 Central Illinois 28 Shawnee Muskie Hunters 19 Akron-Canton The Lakes 20 Between 21 North Metro 22 New Jersey 23 Cleveland 24 Brainerd Lakes www.muskiesinc.org Lake ” Lake Vermillion, MN Lake Vermillion, Namekagon, WI ” Eagle, WI 9/10/04 ” ” Duane Landmeier, 45 Duane Landmeier, Perrault, Ont Ð ” Tim McMahon 36 Releases 309 Points Tim Ð Linda Jacobs 9 Releases 92 Points Robert Hoyle 54 Neil Taylor 47.5 Taylor Neil Ð Kevin Nash 23 Releases 255.5 Points Ð Ð Tom Muntz 82 Releases 740 Points Tom Carol Heffner 5 Releases 61 Points 5 Releases Carol Heffner Ð Ken Worel 73 Releases 1241 Points Ken Worel Kevin Nash 42 Releases 466.5 Points John Aschenbrenner 56 Releases 683 Points Aschenbrenner John Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Rita Arndt 11 Releases 109.5 Points Arndt 11 Rita Travis Kopke 33 Releases 426 Points Kopke 33 Releases Travis Tom Olson 31 Releases 387 Points Tom 62 Releases 727.5 Points Yester Martin Adam Andresky 57 Releases 623.5 Points Adam Brian Buehler 9 Releases 90.5 Points 9 Releases 90.5 Brian Buehler 51.5 Points Stone 5 Releases Shawn E. John Arndt 50 Releases 531 Points John Dale Wiley 76 Releases 776.25 Points Ben Frings 11 Releases 148 Points Ben Frings 11 Ð Ð Ð Ð Nick Olson 3 Releases 31 Points Wesley Worel 17 Releases 276 Points Worel Wesley Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ben Modica 30 Releases 344.75 Points Gary Shofner 14 Releases 141 Points Paul Sikkema 8 Releases 90 Points Paul Sikkema 8 Releases Bill Andresky 45 Releases 541.25 Points Bill Ð Ð Dennis Johnson 3 Releases 49 Points Dennis Johnson 3 Releases John Ryhal 36 Releases 425.5 Points John W Risius Jr 83 Releases 721.75 Points John W Risius Jr 83 Releases 721.75 12 Releases 167 Points Bruce Verke Neil Schrieber 1 Release 16 Points Neil Schrieber 1 Release Points 113 Rick Langill 10 Releases Dan Marking 24 Releases 312 Points Tanner Wildes 22 Releases 280 Points Tanner Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ryan Woehler 53 Ryan Woehler Ð Ð Ð Ð Peter Blicharz 6 Releases 61 Points Brandon Schneider 1 Release 4 Points Brandon Schneider Corbin Landmeier 10 Releases 107.75 Points Alex Spezia 19 Points 45 Ð Ð Sandy Hackbarth 5 Releases 37 Points Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Vernon Rebenstorf 14 Releases 105.5 Points Vernon Adam Glickman 32 Releases 323 Points Ð Ð Ð Jan Reeves 32 Releases 455 Points Chet Snezek 16 Releases 174 Points Mike Sall Jr. 15 Releases 169 Points Mike Sall Jr. Jim Cook 17 Releases 158 Points Mike Sall Sr. 48 Releases 512 Points Mike Sall Sr. Ð Masters Mens Juniors Mens Masters Mens Mens - Tom Troski 26 Releases 284 Points Troski Tom - Masters Mens Masters - Bob Staska 7 Releases 122 Points Bob Staska 7 Releases Masters - Mens Ð Ð Ð Masters Masters Ð Masters Mens Womens Juniors Juniors Mens Masters 48 Releases 556.25 Points Yester Todd Mens - Mens Mens Shelbyville st nd rd th th th st st st st nd nd st nd st nd st nd rd st nd rd rd th th st st nd rd 3 5 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 Mens Masters Juniors Mens Largest Release Largest Illinois Release Illinois Releases 1 Mens Open Mens Masters Open Womens Senior Masters Masters Mens Largest Juniors Masters Womens Juniors Out Of State 3 4 2 1 Masters Grand Masters 3 1 3 4 Largest Release Juniors 6 5 1 1 2 2 2 2 Ladies Juniors 3 18 Hopedale 14 South Of The Border 15 Star Of The North 16 Three Rivers 17 Quad County Hawg Hunters 11 Mississippi Valley 11 12 Headwaters 13 Hayward Lakes Pomme De ” Pipestone, Ont ” Pomme De Terre Pomme De ” Dryberry, Ont Dryberry, ” Cave Run 3/27/04 LOTW 8/4/04 ” Fox Chain ” ” Lake Galena, IL ” Kentuck Lake, WI ” 23 Points ” Mary Hammond 35 Jim Wilson 48 Ð St. Lawrence, NY Ð ” Jim Wilson 56 Ð Char Piotrowski 7 Releases 75 Points Dick Stelter 54.5 Roger Bullard 53 Bob Chochola 51.5 Don Rassmussen 48.25 Ð Ð Ð Ð Jeff Blettner 44 Jeff Ð John P Ryan 41.5 John Eversoll 46 Andrea Kirby 10 Muskies Matt Collins 42 Releases 481 Points Ð Ð Jim Wilson 57 Ð Ð Ð Ð Dave Wenzel 26 Releases Dave Wenzel 253 Points Keith Minkel 16 Releases 172.5 Points Scott Yaeger 65 ReleasesYaeger Scott 786.5 Points Eddie Stenger 2 Releases 30 Points Eddie Stenger 2 Releases J.T. Doebler 4 Releases 38 Points Doebler J.T. 4 Releases Samantha Doebler 38 Points Ð Adam Gustad 1 Release 13 Points Adam Gustad 1 Release Ð Evan Twa 62 Releases 502 Points 62 Releases 502 Twa Evan Evan Nicolai 5 Releases 78 Points Evan Nicolai 5 Releases Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Susan Eversoll 15 Releases 157 Points Sheila McCord 4 Releases 54 Points Kirsten Spletter 8 Releases 98 Points Lorelei Frost 4 Releases 44 Points Terrie Dube 9 Releases 94 Points Dube 9 Releases Terrie Ruth Anderson 17 Releases 202 Points Anderson 17 Releases Ruth 2004 CHAPTER AWARDS CHAPTER 2004 J. Lee Powell 59 Releases 630 Points Joe Hardy 178 Releases 1431 Points Joe Hardy 178 Releases Jeff Hanson 152 Releases 1693 Points Jeff Jeffrey Aromi 67 Releases 742 Points Jeffrey Tony Sommerfeld 19 ReleasesTony 285 Points Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Gale Radtke54 Seth Green 3 Releases 32 Points Joey Pribyl-Shay 11 Releases 101 Points Releases 101 Joey Pribyl-Shay 11 Kaitlin Benson 49.25 Derek Wenzel 4 Releases 66 Points Derek Wenzel Brian Wortz 3 Releases 45 Points Brian Wortz Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð .....April 2005 Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ken Imm 19 Releases 259 Points Jim Doyle 30 Releases 403 Points Jim Doyle 30 Releases Jimmy Willison 42 Releases 422 Points David Winter 29 Releases 481.5 Points David Winter 29 Releases John P 216 Points 16 Releases Ryan Tom Forster 41 Releases 430 Points Tom Andy Veach 36 Releases 416 Points Andy Veach Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Ð Masters Juniors Juniors Juniors Juniors Masters Juniors Juniors 9/2/04 6/22/04 Terre st nd rd st nd nd st nd 2 2 Masters 1 Womens Womens Mens Juniors Mens Masters Mens Longest Release Masters Womens Masters Longest Muskie 221 Points Masters - Chuck Spletter 21 Releases Mens Masters Juniors Womens Womens Mens Womens Womens Masters 1 Masters 2 Mens 3 2 Juniors Longest Release U.S. Waters U.S. Waters Womens Womens Juniors Largest Mens Womens Longest Missouri Muskie Mens Womens Womens Juniors Illinois Big Fish Largest Hybrid Most Muskies Most Missouri Muskies Junior Division 1 Largest Muskie Womens Largest Muskie Womens Longest Release Largest Juniors 10 Heartland 09 West Virginia 09 West 08 Capital City 07 South Side Muskie Hawks 06 First Wisconsin 05 Pomme De Terre 03 Chicagoland Muskie Hunters 02 Fargo Moorhead 01 Twin Cities 01 Twin

14 MUSKIE

Lunge Log Log Lunge Lunge Log Log Lunge Lunge Log Log Lunge Lunge Log Log Lunge Lunge Log Log Lunge Lunge Log Log Lunge Lunge Log Lunge HOOSIER MUSKIE HUNTERS CHAPTER OF MUSKIES, INC. 2004 CHAPTER AWARDS (Continued from page 15) 2nd Mens Ð David S. Oliver 7 Releases 63 Points 3rd Mens Ð Ronald J. Pickens 2 Releases 23 Points PRESENTS Open 41 Central Ohio Juniors Ð Troy Oliver 5 Releases 50 Points to the Masters Ð Mark Pauling 81 Releases 1054 Points Womens Ð Michele R. Uttermohlen 1 Release 6 Points 1st Mens Ð Gary Solomon 31 Releases 485 Points 52 Daniel Boone Chapter Public 2nd Mens Ð Michael Waryck 23 Releases 268 Points 1st Mens Ð Chris Haley 37 Releases 443.25 Points 3rd Mens Ð Charles Wilbert 23 Releases 266 Points nd

Lunge Lunge Log 2 Mens Ð Tony Fugate 34 Releases 394 Points 4th Mens Ð Randy Parker 22 Releases 213 Points 3rd Mens Ð Anthony Smith 24 Releases 287 Points

Largest Chapter Release Ð Geoff Hetricl 54.5” Ottawa River 4th Mens Ð Tim Gilbert 28 Releases 233 Points 7/19/04 Womens Ð Esther Haley 2 Releases 20.75 Points 42 Hoosier Muskie Hunters Juniors Ð Jared Simpson 1 Release 8.5 Points 9th Annual 1st Masters Ð Jeff Kachmann 92 Releases 1135.5 Points 00 Unaffiliated Members 1st Mens Ð Kent Lebherz 22 Releases 197.75 Points 1st Masters Ð Gilbert B Allen 43 Releases 425 Points 1st Womens Ð Terri Runnebohm 3 Releases 22.5 Points 2nd Masters Ð Guy R Borrusch 18 Releases 206 Points 1st Juniors Ð Dane Gray 1 Release 20 Points 1st Mens Ð Steve Wickens 97 Releases 1332 Points Indiana Muskie Classic nd MUSKY 2 Mens Ð Brock Pierce 8 Releases 115.5 Points 2nd Mens Ð James R Goon 5 Releases 49 Points INNOVATIONS rd 3 Mens Ð Eric Fleming 12 Releases 108 Points st May 13, 14, 15, 2005 LLC

Lunge Lunge Log 1 Womens Ð Kathryn A Goon 1 Release 16 Points 44 Colorado Largest Release Ð Doug Teney 54” LOTW 9/12/2004 Total Release Muskie Tournament 1st Mens Ð Danny Kurttila 23 Releases 208.75 Points International Awards -Juniors 2nd Mens Ð Will Dykstra 13 Releases 172.5 Points 1st Juniors Ð Libby Hoene Chapter 21, 41 Releases 624 Points 3rd Mens Ð Ken Karbon 10 Releases 105 Points 2nd Juniors Ð EvanTwa Chapter 2, 60 Releases 481 Points 1st Juniors Ð Bob Miller 5 Releases 33.5 Points rd 3 Juniors Ð Tim Mc Mahon Chapter 12, 36 Releases 300.5 GREG THOMAS TO ATTEND 1st Womens Ð Diane Dykstra 3 Releases 42 Points Points nd www.battlethebeast.com 9th Annual 2 Womens Ð Chelsee Norman 1 Release 17 Points 4th Juniors Ð Wesley Worel Chapter 15, 18 Releases 294.25 •Friday, May 13th - Seminar - 7:00pm Indiana Muskie Classic 45 Kentucky Points Juniors Ð Joe Ortlieb 2 Releases 29 Points 5th Juniors Ð Jake Williams Chapter 47, 17 Releases 193 BANQUET &

Lunge Lunge Log Points Prizes Awarded for: Mens Ð Dave Grochowski 17 Releases 183 Points SILENT AUCTION Masters Ð Marc Grattan 51 Releases 585 Points 6th Juniors Ð Dustin Sacco Chapter 27, 20 Releases 185.5 • First, Second, & Third Place Womens Ð Kathy Lyon 2 Releases 11 Points Points Saturday, May 14th • Largest Fish Released (Free Replica Mount) 7th Juniors Ð Zach Williams Chapter 47, 18 Releases 182 Ramada Plaza Hotel – 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm 46 Bemidji / Cass Lake Points Silent Auction Starts at 6:00pm Team Prizes DeLONG 1st Masters Ð Duane Hill 39 Releases 713.5 Points th LURES 8 Juniors Ð Christian Overmyer Chapter 41, 18 Releases Over $15,000 in gifts, give-a-ways, trips For each legal release the team is entered 1st Mens - Sam McSharry 26 Releases 393 Points 163.5 Points and silent auction items. in a drawing for a chance to win one of five 1st Womens Ð Kathleen Hill 29 Releases 344 Points 9th Juniors Ð Marah Overmyer Chapter 41, 14 Releases 153 st fishing merchandise prizes 1 Juniors Ð Josh Anderson 2 Releases 22 Points Points TOURNAMENT HOTEL 2nd Juniors Ð Kendall Hill 1 Release 16 Points 10th Juniors Ð Weston Hunt Chapter 8, 11 Releases 151 Points Outstanding Service Award Ð Ed Rauch Ramada Plaza Hotel Tournament Registration-$170 per two person team

Lunge Lunge Log International Awards - Lunker Of The Month 2519 Center Street, Warsaw 47 Michigan Muskie Alliance January Ð Matthew G Collins Chapter 7, 47” Webster, IN Rooms are $69.00 for double occupancy - call (574)269-2323 for reservations All participants will fish 1st Mens Ð Michael King 47 Releases 483 Points February Ð Mike A Ackley Chapter 27, 44” Shelbyville, IL (When making reservations, please inform the hotel that you will be fishing in the Muskie Tournament ) 1 full day session on each of 3 tournament lakes. 1st Womens Ð Michelle King 35 Releases 364.5 Points February Ð Steve E Warner Chapter 16, 44” Susquehanna Placement based on blind draw of all participants. 1st Juniors Ð Jake Williams 17 Releases 193 Points River, PA Tournament field limited to first 105 teams . 2nd Juniors Ð Zach Williams 18 Releases 182 Points February Ð Todd W Frank Chapter 47, 44” Macatawa, MI Largest Michigan Release Ð John Kline 51” Lake St. Clair February Ð George J Hardy Chapter28, 44” Kinkaid, IL 2nd Masters Ð Chad Sandy 47 Releases 527.5 Points March Ð Roger Lee Bullard Chapter 9, 53” Cave Run, KY Log on to www.indianamuskieclassic.com for more information 48 Arrowhead April Ð Chris Haley Chapter 52, 51.5” Kentucky River, KY May Ð William Kunecz Jr Chapter 22, 52” Greenwood, NJ Mens Longest Ð John Karakash 52.5” Vermilion, MN 7/16/04 May Ð Jim R Dembiec Chapter 35, 52” Pewaukee, WI AWARDS PRESENTATION Tournament Waters

Lunge Lunge Log Womens and Chapter Longest Ð Melody Swenson 53” June Ð Duane Hill Chapter 46, 56.5” Bemidji, MN Vermilion, MN 11/16/04 Sunday, May 15th • Barbee Chain • Lake Tippecanoe • Lake Webster June Ð Richard K Wren Chapter 39, 56.5” Georgian Bay, Ont Junior Longest Ð Josh Petruska 51.5” Vermilion, MN 7/26/04 Ramada Plaza Hotel - 2:30 pm July Ð Toni Ferraro Chapter 16, 55” Lake St Clair, Ont Longest Northern Ð John Karakash 40” Vermilion, MN August Ð Aaron Meyer Chapter 37, 55.5” Mille Lacs, MN HOOSIER MUSKIE HUNTERS CHAPTER’S ANNUAL CONVENTION 49 Webster Lake Musky Club September Ð Peter W Olson Chapter12, 55.5” Manitowish WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TOURNAMENT Mens Masters Ð Mike Hulbert 102 Releases 1168.25 Points Chain, WI 1st Womens Ð Dottie Dye 20 Releases 231 Points October Ð Cindy Hegdahl Chapter 01, 55” Bemidji, MN REGISTRATION FORM HOOSIER MUSKIE HUNTERS CHAPTER OF MUSKIES, INC. 2nd Womens Ð Heather Rothbauer 2 Releases 31 Points November Ð Pete Lahosky Chapter 22, 55.5” St Lawrence NINTH ANNUAL INDIANA MUSKIE CLASSIC Juniors Ð Billy Brumett 3 Releases 38 Points River, Ont MAY 13, 14, 15, 2005 1st Mens Ð James R. Johnson 37 Releases 477 Points December Ð Kevin Goldberg Chapter 16, 55.5” St Lawrence Boater’s Name ______Address______nd Rive, NY Lunge Lunge Log 2 Mens Ð Mark Johnson 19 Releases 315 Points City______State______Zip______Phone Number______International Longest Release 50 Penn Jersey Partner’s Name ______Address______Local Release Champion Ð Greg Ridge 8 Releases 83 Points Mens Ð Duane Hill Chapter46, 56.5” Bemidji, MN - Replica Overall Release Champion Ð Archie Roche 9 Releases 109 Mens Ð Richard K Wren Chapter 39, 56.5” Georgian Bay, Ont City______State______Zip______Phone Number______Womens Ð Toni Ferraro Chapter16, 55” Lake St Clair, Ont - Points Entry Fee $170 Ð Extra Persons for dinner at $25______Total Amount enclosed Ð $ ______Replica Junior Release Champion Ð Charles Jones Jr 2 Releases 25 Boater’s Signature______Points Womens Ð Cindy Hegdahl Chapter 01, Bemidji, MN Juniors Ð Wesley Worel Chapter 15, 53.25” Vermilion, MN - 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 Largest Release Ð Gary Turansick Ð 45” Mercer, NJ 7/2/04 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 Replica liability. Hoosier Muskie Hunters Chapter of Muskies, Inc. reserve the right to reject any application. 51 Ohio Valley Muskie Hunters Hybrid Ð Tony Grant Chapter 45, 49.5” Kentuck, WI ❖ Make checks payable to Hoosier Muskie Hunters Mail To: Hoosier Muskie Hunters, P.O. Box 501371, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Longest Release Ð Ben Graham 49” Leesville, Ohio Contact: Kenton Smith (317) 570-5637 or www.indianamuskieclassic.com Lunge Lunge Log 1st Mens Ð Ben Graham 15 Releases 182 Points 16 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 17 Day three found us back again in the early evening. My partner four casts out and make long fan casts as you approach your normal cast a small crank bait right to some down timber along the shore area. I guarantee you’ll find more fish this way. And don’t be afraid Break the and must have hit the big musky right in the head. She blew-up to pull your boat out for a second pass. We have had much success grabbing the block of wood and got off after a few head shakes. I still on a second and even third pass through a spot. I don’t think the have a piece of the tooth she left behind in the bait as a souvenir. muskies care, so why should we, right? Rules We decided to return after dark. I tossed my bucktail in the Next time I am going to be more in depth about how we work same direction as I did the day before when I raised a monster. When our traditional spots and how we approach unusual conditions. I’m by Bob Chochola I made my figure eight I saw a flash of fish just under my lure in the gonna shatter a couple of MUSKY MYTHS. moonlight. I made a huge circle and saw another flash. I was Until then, get out on the water and have FUN! bringing the large loop around again from the back of the boat when One thing my partner and I talk about all the time is how y partner and I have been making the trek into she came right out from beneath where I was hunched over searching serious many anglers can be. This is not to say we are not serious Canada to hunt the mighty musky for about ten and ate my lure right before my eyes. It was my fist boat side hookup about musky fishing. We eat, sleep, and breathe the sport twenty- Myears. There is no doubt that if you were to ask and 51.5-inches of fire breathing musky. What a thrill it was to be a four hours a day, seven days a week. We actually count days to our either one of us why we go all that way to pursue a beast that steel leader away from all that thrashing musky and white water. next trip sometimes six months in advance. Believe me, when you can be found in this day and age in many States across The lesson here is that we used have a countdown on your bulletin North America, you would get a long diatribe about the typically slow conditions to explore board at work that reads “229 DAYS magic that lies beyond our northern border complete with an old spot and learned that the spot TO GO!” (Like mine did this year) pictorial. It is a complex answer that is really just a product had much more to offer than simply coworkers think you’re a little over the of the passion we both have, that is a result of the great a quick stop and a few casts. top. successes documented by the pictures of our adventures. Certainly it was a shame how often What I’m talking about is going we had just blown right past without out to have fun above all else. Don’t stopping at all. We learned that this compete. Don’t become outraged over place could indeed hold giant the success of the guys in the cabin A much more simple explanation, however, is what I will offer As a result, we also spent more time on each spot. One place in predators even during slow times and two doors down (you know, unless you here – we are blessed. Not lucky, not experts, not authorities particular that is passed over by 95% of the other anglers we’ve seen in unfavorable conditions. In fact, they take beer out of your cooler and holding some great secret that has put so many big fish in our boat out there, is a jewel. It is a place we have known about and have this is now at the top of our list when celebrate without asking you first). that even seasoned musky anglers who have been going to our stopped to fish once in a while with minor success. It is a classic spot it comes to big fish potential and we For us it is a feeling of being blessed to favorite water for decades are left scratching their heads and overlooked and may turn out to be one of the best on the lake. owe that to breaking the rules. be out on the water, because we both wondering, “How do they do it?” If ten years on the same lake has Until last fall we thought it was a small weed bed in a tiny Too often anglers “run and gun” have had personal real life experiences taught us anything, it is that we don’t know the first thing about “garage” bay on a branch that opens to some of the deepest water on when it would be more to their that had us wondering if we’d ever be musky fishing. Now this statement may seem odd coming from two the lake. I’ve seen gulls frequently feeding there and have often advantage to probe and take extra time to use the penetrating light able to musky fish again. Events like that tend to put life into guys who have a whole bunch of 50-inch-plus fish on record, but it wondered if the current and wind direction cause schools of baitfish and learn more about their frequent haunts. Move out twenty, fifty, perspective and while it may seem like we’re a couple of very strange is how we like to approach each trip. It keeps us open to changing to congregate in the pocket-like area. or one hundred yards in every direction – you’d be surprised at what individuals, we are out there just havin’ fun. That’s what it’s all about. patterns and never allows us to slip into the same-old-same-old every One calm evening my partner and I stopped to observe shad you might find. The other “rule” we challenged here was to hit the In having such a great time we become relaxed and that allows time out. In fact, we believe that in seeking ”patterns” most musky breaking surface in an area about the size of a football field adjacent same spot several times during the course of the day. I have been us to spend an unbelievable amount of time out there casting. After anglers fail to explore the pressing question, “What if?” to the bay. We began drifting the tiny weed bed (and a second even doing this for years and have reaped rewards for my persistence. Just all, rule number one of musky fishing has always been: you won’t The “what if” I’m talking about is directly smaller line of weeds across the channel). We because you didn’t see a fish at 3pm does not mean you won’t find catch one if your bait isn’t in the water. It’s one rule we even live by. related to our ritual of hitting a “milk run” of raised a musky in the area and observed a one at 6pm or at 9pm. If it holds fish – as this one obviously does – Our relaxed attitude keeps our muscles loose, our heads in the game, favorite spots. We believe that a great spot is a We believe that a behemoth right out in the middle of the channel sooner or later there will be a musky in the area. My partner and I and our baits splashing… I listen sometimes when we’re not goofin’ great spot and it will continue to be a great spot breaking the surface chasing shad. believe the odds of making contact with fish go up by returning to on each other and all I hear is “zing – splash – crank, crank, crank…” year after year. If it holds fish now, it will always great spot is a great We started to work further out and proven hunting grounds several times a day. over and over and over again. It’s like being inside a casting machine. hold fish… period. Many anglers think that spot and it will discovered weeds, more weeds, and even more Maybe the most important lesson my partner and I learned last It’s one secret to our success with no real proof other than the breaking ritual and seeking new patterns involves weeds. It was a cabbage forest. In fact, although fall was the location of active fish. This trip’s light bulb moment pictures, of course. finding NEW territory and sometimes even a new continue to be a we couldn’t see down far enough, we decided that would change the way we approach musky fishing forever. For years So, get out there and have a great time and if a boat speeds past lake altogether. We disagree completely. what we thought were two tiny beds could in fact we have made our point of attack the deep weed edge or rock point you with two grown men laughing and carrying on like a couple of Ignoring the “rules” that develop from habit great spot year after farthest from shore, set our drift about a cast off that place, then we school boys on holiday, it’s just us on our way to the next hot spot. be one giant bed extending across the entire and become reinforced by sheer repetition, my would work our way to shore. ❖ year. If it holds fish channel, you guessed it, about the size of a partner and I have spent a good deal of time on This has been a pretty standard tactic, however, we’re often ______football field. But that’s not all… In between the the water refining the way we approach the same now, it will always frustrated by lack of toothy critters, or teased by lookers who don’t large weed bed and the deep water we found a spots year after year with some incredible results. bite in the shallow water. On this trip we decided to work deeper Bob Chochola has been a musky hunter for almost twenty years. He is a hold fish… period! huge rock reef that we didn’t know about. Hey, we We find and catch big muskies with regularity water – between twenty and fifty yards farther back from where we member of The Chicagoland Musky Hunters and lives in the Dallas/Ft. (and probably everyone else) have been roaring because we do not abandon our usual haunts, but normally would begin a drift. Several long casts off the deep side of Worth area where folks are just now only learning of the Mighty Musky rather we find new ways to work the same places with greater over the reef in our boats for years and never knew it existed. the boat produced rather large chasing muskies and that inspired us - thanks to Bob. Bob is a freelance Film & Video Editor/Producer & efficiency. This involves spending some quality time probing each Needless to say we began working the spot with greater efficiency to explore deeper water. Writer. He is also a musician and plays in that big ol’ band from Texas, spot during slow times. For example, it’s hot, the sun is high, and the and it was about to pay off big time. Casting the open water adjacent to our usual spots turned out Big Cookie & the Crumbs. WWW.COOKIECRUMBS.TV rest of our party is copping Z’s… we’re out exploring bottom The next day it was sunny and hot. We hit the area in the early to be the charm (pattern if you want) and would produce multiple You can reach him at structure – every rock point and weed edge – taking notes that we afternoon and my partner took a small musky from the deep weeds fish on almost every spot our entire trip. Looking back over the years [email protected] incorporate later in future visits to that place. We have been we had been parking the boat over until today. Later that evening I I can remember a number of casts into the middle of nowhere only surprised at what we have learned and it often pays off. raised a nice fish deep in the cove, after casting out to the middle of to have a monster blow up on my bait. This final “rule” I will This past fall we found ourselves confined by heavy wind to a the channel. I had her up on a figure eight several times, while encourage you to break is that of sticking too close to traditional small portion of the lake. We had to hit fewer spots more frequently. junior raised two more fish off the bow. cover. Back off! If it’s a slow go, set your drifts (and trolls) three or 18 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 19 Photo Contest – April Winners by Juris Ozols

e haven’t had a classic “fisherman with fish” picture in the photo contest yet this year, so W 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 (Continued on page 23) www.muskiebaytacklecompany.com www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 21 Photo Contest-April Winners (Continued from page 21) 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 Muskie Slayer. 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. Juris Ozols, April 2005 d by the Shimano American Corporation and Shimano, Inc. © 2005. Shimano American Corporation and Shimano, Inc. All rights reserved. These trademarks and registered trademarks are owne

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www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 23 uskie fishing is truly a unique sport. We battle Magainst 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. (Continued on page 26) 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. Tactic: Surface baits often draw follows. The majority of the time that The key behind this system, is when a muskie turns away from I’m throwing a surface bait, it will be a buzz bait or prop bait of some the boat after a follow, immediately throw the change up lure in the kind. These lures can be fished fast to cover water and locate active direction that the fish headed. If you lost sight of the muskie during muskies. After a muskie has followed one of these high-speed top the figure eight and couldn’t see the fish head off water lures and failed to strike, a slower moving in any particular direction, then simply cast back surface lure is a good option. A cigar plug can be to the area where the fish came from or where The key behind this effective with a walk the dog retrieve. The your lure was previously retrieved. Getting the helpless looking side-to-side action that these change up presentation back quickly can system, is when a baits produce can lull fish into a sort of trance sometimes be key, but don’t give up after just one muskie turns away and elicit a strike when few other lures can. A cast. Go ahead and make numerous casts into and large wobbling bait or chugger is another good around the area where the muskie was located. from the boat after a option to try. These baits perform best when You just don’t want to sit on the spot for fifteen or follow, immediately worked very slowly, which allows them to hang twenty minutes pounding baits over the fish’s in the strike zone and may even play on the head. Four or five minutes should give you throw the change up muskie’s territorial instincts. enough time to cover the water and try a couple Downsizing is a tactic that can also be of different baits. lure in the direction deadly on a change-up regardless of the style of The best method is to have a couple of that the fish headed. lure. My guides and I have had tremendous different change up lures rigged and ready to go to success over the years by tossing big bass lures save time at that critical moment and get to the back at following muskies. The small lure just fish while it’s still hot. It’s good to have several different styles of baits trips their trigger more times than not. Small 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 The only crowds up here couple of change ups before moving out of the area. Most of the time, they’re much quieter, more subtle baits that displace less water and appear more like the real thing. Big bass are under water. 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 LODGE 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 All the comforts of home Lake of the Woods options. These lures can be swum through the water column at any in the Canadian Wilderness. heavier hardware. I always opt for corrosion resistant saltwater style Accessible only by float plane. 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 “Where active sportsmen are your Host” exaggerated up and down jigging motion vertically. The traditional the same size. Bass lures need to be built tough and designed for big •Home cooked meals •Showers in every cabin weedless style jigs with rubber, silicone or hair skirts are good pitch fish for this application. Drive-In Housekeeping resort back lure options as well. These jigs perform well with creature type •Daily maid service The fact that the quarry we pursue is the top of the line •Outstanding Canadian fishing Boat Launch Private dockage 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 RENOWNED MUSKIE FISHING 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 SABASKONG BAY ¥ CROW LAKE made cover than the open hook styles. and every follow, as I gain a wealth of information to help me catch FLYING IN KISKETINE LAKE ¥ TWIN LAKES Long arm muskie spinnerbaits can be good change-up lures more fish, whether the fish is boated or not. It always surprises me Wayne & Herman Puckett also. Lures such as the Simms School N Shad Spinnerbaits with how many muskie anglers, seasoned or unseasoned, don’t attempt a P.O. Box 40 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 Nestor Falls, Ontario POX-1KO equally well in heavy cover and open water and are very versatile, NIELSEN’S FLY-IN LODGE matter what we do, this is muskie fishing, every fish that we raise is Rowan Lake, Ontario April - October: 807-484-2100 allowing for many different styles of retrieve to trigger strikes. a gift, and every effort is definitely worthwhile. These tactics will Call for our brochure or go to November - April: 941-639-9134 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 www.nielsensflyinlodge.com 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 Winter 1-800-653-5946 www.reddeerlodge.com can be jigged vertically at boat side when the figure eight maneuver Summer 1-807-226-1234 [email protected] fails to elicit a strike from a fish in a neutral feeding mode.

26 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 27 The sun was beginning to burn off the fog as I traveled down About twenty yards from the boat the water exploded and I saw the lake to my next honey hole. I snapped on a Suick and tossed it him again for the first time. What a magnificent fish. He had to be towards the tree near the shore. As I began to retrieve it - it stopped fifty or maybe even sixty inches long. The waves nearly upset the Monsters of the Deep dead. I must have hooked the branch on the boat as he hit the water. Once again I got him tree. I wiggled it to free it from its snag. As I up near the boat only to have him make by Mark A. Johnson began to move towards the tree the line on my another run for the open water. This is what it’s reel began to sing. I hadn’t hooked the tree – I all about. Man against monster. Who was had hooked the king himself. He headed out going to win the battle? towards the deep water. My 10-pound test line What’s that fragrance in the air? It smells screaming as it cut a “V” through the water’s like fresh coffee brewing. I began to hear the surface. I pulled back on the rod to keep faint sound of a radio telling me it was five tension on the line. There was no stopping o’clock in the morning. Was I only dreaming? this brute. He was going to do what he If I was, I didn’t want to wake up. As my wife wanted. I could only hope he wasn’t going too shook me and told me I was going to be late for far. I finally turned him and began reeling in work I realized it had only been a dream. But the line. As I played him out I wondered how as my old body came to life I remembered that big he was. He was a heavy fish. Maybe he was it was only a few more days until I headed that fifty-incher I dreamed about. As I got north with my best fishing buddies to make him near the boat I saw the dark, shadowy this dream a reality. I couldn’t wait to catch and form beneath the water. Oh, he was huge. release that trophy and bring the pictures and With a flick of his tail he was screaming away stories back to the guys at our next Muskies, from the boat and taking me for another ride. Inc. meeting. Oh, it’s only four more days until What a thrill just knowing I had hooked one. I remember back Lake Vermilion, great fishing, great stories, and great friendships. I when I was small, fishing experts said that a legal, thirty-inch Musky only dream that the next time I report to you, it won’t be a memory was a once in a lifetime event. Today, thanks to MI – forty inchers in black and white. ❖ are common, fifty inchers are caught, and sixty inchers can be To contact Mark at [email protected] or go to caught. Think about that – a fish in our local waters – five feet long. http://quadcounty.muskiesinc.org/homepage.html Back in the 1960’s it was a lifetime experience to just see a legal sized musky – let alone catch one. Re-printed with the permission of The Aurora Beacon-News. Muskies are a true gift to mankind. They are a cross between Moby The results of the story you are about to read are shown on Dick and an alligator. These toothy critters are becoming popular all across the country thanks to a wonderful non-profit organization – Purposes of Muskies, Inc. the cover of this April issue. Muskies, Inc. The people that belong to MI only believe in a couple here was an uneasiness about the day. It was one of those things. Securing future fisheries for the youth of our nation, catch and • To promote a high quality muskellunge long, long days where nothing seemed to be going right. release all Muskies caught, and catching a fifty-incher. They sell raffle sport fishery; T The morning was damp, cool, and fog shrouded. Everything tickets, run tournaments, and do other fund raisers for only one thing was lifeless. It was all shades of black and white. – improve the musky fisheries for future generations. I joined • To support selected conservation I was headed for my favorite fishing spot. The forty-horse roared Chapter 17 – The Quad County Hawg Hunters who meet monthly practices based on scientific merit and to life and I headed down Lake Vermilion from Life of Riley resort. in Plano, IL. If you want to learn more about this truly magnificent carried out by authorized federal and Paradise Cove Resort I had done my homework. I had all of the best fishing spots marked trophy fish, come to a meeting and you will be hooked for life. Minaki, Ontario on my GPS unit and paper map but the fog made navigating state agencies; hazardous. Without my GPS unit I would never find my best spots • To promote muskellunge research; 1, 2 and 3 bedroom, fully equipped modern cabins in this soup. About a mile down the lake I slowed to set up for the • To establish hatcheries and rearing first spot where the cabbage weeds and rocks made for a great Well Kept Rental Boats ambush spot. I snapped my six-inch, white, in-line spinner on the ponds and introduce the species into end of the line and with a whir I sent the lure to its target. I heard a suitable waters; Guide Service and New Dock Facilities splash and began to count – one – two – three – four. I knew the Available • To support the abatement of water rocks were about six feet under the surface. I began to crank the RV Hookups with Sewer, Showers and spinner towards the boat. I could feel the tension on the line as I pollution; Laundry Room brought the lure through the water. As it approached the boat I saw • To maintain records of habits, growth, him for the first time. He looked like a log floating beneath the Located 150 Miles north of International Falls, surface. He had to be forty-five, maybe fifty inches long. His toothy and range of species; Minnesota. Minaki’s surrounding lakes offer grin made my heart race. I stuck my rod tip in the water and did a • To disseminate muskellunge Muskie, Pike, Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing couple figure eights. With a swish of his tail he sank into the darkness from where he had come. information; Now this is what it’s all about. I have been a fisherman since I • To promote good fellowship and sports- 807-224-1107 was little. I fished for just about anything that would bite – catfish, manship among men, women and E-mail: [email protected] carp, bass, bluegill, and walleye. It wasn’t until my fishing buddy paradisecoveminaki.com asked me to join Muskies, Inc. that I found this new religion. children.

28 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 29 Simply Fishing Videos Now on DVD

Best Muskies of 2002, DVD Now ! Get Simply Fishing's 4 best muskie shows of 2002 all on one DVD video. Featured are 4 episodes from the greatest muskie resource, the Lake of the Woods system. 1. Beauties of Birch Island, Winnipeg River 2. The Floating Muskie Camp, Ontario HouseBoats Dirty Water on Lake of the Woods 3. Ash Rapids Muskie Part 1, Lake of the Woods 4. Ash Rapids Muskie Part 2, Lake of the Woods Tactics Get All 4 Muskie Episodes on DVD video for just $24.95 DVDM2 98 minutes by Chris Haley

Hunting the Mystique Part 1, DVD Editors Note: Chris wrote an article entitled “Mudkies” for our What you are about to witness is a part of a collection, possibly the December 2003 issue of MUSKIE Magazine, see page 22. I most extensive in the industry, of MUSKIES over the fifty inch bench have had a number of folks Email me looking for that article. mark. Bob will break down each and every fish, on a case by case basis. Here is another article by Chris and muskies in muddy water You will learn everything Bob learned in the pursuit of these incredible conditions. 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 this video, I'll buy it back!" - Bob Mehsikomer Hunting the Mystique, Part 1 on DVD video for just $24.95 ver the last few years the Midwest and East has been water is unfishable. First of all, you must get those notions out of DVD1060 45 minutes plagued with heavy rains in the spring and summer creating your head. One of the first things to look for when fishing any color O muddy water conditions. What happens to the Muskie of water is the baitfish. See what they are doing and where they are during muddy water conditions? Surely they feed or else they would doing it. Then make your lure selection and presentation based on Hunting the Mystique Part 2 starve? Musky in the Ohio River basin are accustomed to muddy that. Start looking for bait on flats with plenty of sunshine and Part 2 continues this most extensive study of trophy MUSKIES. Bob and water and have learned to feed and survive in water that resembles wind. To be fished effectively large flats may need to be trolled. his guests will break down each and every fish, on a case by case basis. coffee with cream. The Ohio River strain of Muskie tolerates muddy Trolling is one of my favorite ways to fish cold, muddy water because This video will take you from the Canadian Shield to Lake Kinkaid, IL. water conditions but can other strains do the same? You bet they can. 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 Everything you need to know to duplicate these experiences, is Muskie are the same all over; they have a humongous lateral line that clicking or rattling sounds. Plastic jointed baits like Muskie Specials revealed - locations, conditions, lures and elements. Nothing is held 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 or Stalkers work well, while large minnow baits like Jakes, Grandmas back. We call it "HUNTING the MYSTIQUE, Part 2". For VHS cassette thought for a while that you must be able to see at least a foot into and SS Shads work best for displacing water. Color does play a small see VHS Listings below. the water or the Musky could not find the lure…boy was I wrong. factor in muddy water conditions. I usually use something bright Hunting the Mystique, Part 2 on DVD video for just $24.95 Over the last couple of years I have pushed myself to see just what are orange, chartreuse, or white. One of my favorite spring colors in DVD1061 45 minutes the dirtiest water conditions in which I could catch a Muskie. I have muddy water is “Bloody Mary” (fluorescent red over florescent looked for water so dirty that Muskie could not find my lures and I chartreuse) a color made famous by the West Virginia stream guys. Now get 2 Videos on 1 DVD ! have yet to find that color of water. I know that you are thinking our When trolling cold, muddy water your trolling speed is critical if fish here are different and when the water muddies they don’t bite. water temperatures that are less than 50 degrees. I troll around 3.2 That's right ! Simply Fishing VHS video titles are The truth is they do and I am going to help you with some dirty to 2.5 mph, but if the temperatures are over 50 degrees I troll 3.2 to now available on DVD ! Get 2 titles on 1 DVD. water tactics that will help you boat some of the biggest fish of your 4.5 mph. I consider any temperature over 62 degrees warm water Converted to DVD by Stoney-Wolf Productions. life…that’s right, some of the biggest. Big Muskie are less shy of and troll at high speeds. everything in muddy water conditons giving you a little more edge Casting cold, muddy spring water is even more of a mental than you would normally have. game than trolling. Staying with it is harder because you don’t see DVD4546 Anatomy of a Muskie Lake Here are some tactics that I use in muddy water that have any follows. Some of my favorites casting lures used in the spring are $19.95 with Strike Zone proven successful on Kinkaid, Shelbyville, Green River, Cave Run, rattle traps and big glider type jerk baits. Yes, that’s right! Jerk baits. 103 minutes Buckhorn, and many of Kentucky’s and West Virginia‘s streams, I have had great success using Widow Makers and Cobbs in some lakes and rivers. They can be modified to fit situations on your lake really muddy water. The key to casting is to slow your presentation DVD4748 Deatailing the Mighty Muskie or river thus increasing time spent on the water resulting in some down and stay alert because you have no warning when or where the $19.95 with Muskies Making Sense surprising catches. strike may occur. In most instances it is usually an all or nothing 65 minutes strike. I like to fish shallow this time of year because shallow, muddy Cold Muddy Spring or Winter Water Conditions water warms faster and bait fish and crawfish move into the shallows Simply Fishing 1-800-222-8775 www.simplyfishing.com When the snow runoff or spring rains get heavy and the water to feed and in turn bring all that feed upon them. This is the best Simply Fishing 1-800-222-8775 www.simplyfishing.com is muddy but still cold there is a misconception that cold, muddy (Continued on page 32) 30 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 31 DIRTY WATER TACTICS (Continued from page 31) never missing the lures and always requiring bolt cutters to remove flats with active bait. This is muddies give the fish a couple of days to adjust to the water the lure that is always totally engulfed. normally my best chance at a big conditions and then start fishing and remember the important keys time of year to find Muskie. They feed on crawfish on shale dirt The spring is your best chance at catching a Muskie in muddy 50+ incher all season it seems to to successful muddy water fishing: Find the baitfish, use large noisy shores and they will be in less than six feet of water. My favorite lure water. Often casting timber or weed edges will hold Muskie looking take the edge off trophy class fish lures in bright colors, and stay with it…good luck. ❖ for this situation is a fluorescent red rattletrap fished at a moderate for Shad or other baitfish. A favorite tactic of mine, that works just making them a bit more speed; however, this is an exception to the fish as slow as possible about everywhere that I have tried it (even in murky water in catchable and less elusive. I fish theory. Also fishing large suckers can be Wisconsin), is a Lunker Lure Bass type buzz shallow and fast with short lines effective this time of year but here in the bait with a large trailer hook and grub attached most often less than 20 feet. I South and Midwest suckers cannot be bought I thought for a while to it. The lure gives a different vibration and like loud crank baits that have at the tackle shop but must be netted in has that famous Lunker Lure squeak. Buzz rattles, joints or baits that move streams that are just too cold to wade after that you must be able to baits are often overlooked as muddy water large amounts of water like 10 them. The types of shoreline that attracts bait baits but Muskie can hear the lure way before inch Jakes, SS Shads or other in winter conditions are usually dirt or sand see at least a foot into they see it even in clear water. I have also had large minnow baits. My because of their fast heating qualities. Look great success with fishing jerk baits of all types confidence lures for this trolling for the shores that receive wind and sun all the water or the Musky at this time of year. Suicks, Widow Makers application are eight inch jointed day. These will be your best place to start could not find the and Burts are my favorites with chartreuse or Swim Whizzes and a few other looking. Once you have found such a orange being the primary colors I use. I often types of plastic jointed baits. shoreline remember that the water closest to lure…boy was I wrong. work large lay downs purposely bumping the Jointed wood lures are great shore may be the warmest and that could be structure, which often triggers the strike. trolling lures but lack the noise where the fish are laying. Whether it is in Crank baits also work well. I like jointed needed in muddy water to attract either six inches or six feet of water fish could be only inches from plastic cranks, like Muskie Specials, or large Shad cranks, like SS Muskie at high speeds. If you the shoreline. Fishing cold, muddy water is the hardest type of Shads, that produce sound or strong vibrations. I use smaller metal only use wood lures to troll, then fishing imaginable, but it can pay off so give it a try instead of staying lip lures like Bill Normans and Hellbenders to pick structures. Don’t use the biggest ones you have and you will do fine. Dale Wiley home and dealing with early spring cabin fever. be afraid of small lures because these have tremendous vibrations and produces a lure called a Head Shaker that can produce a lot of noise they can go just about anywhere. for a wooden lure. Late spring or Early Summer Muddy Water Trolling can also be very effective. I troll weed and timber edges Color does play a factor. Once a Muskie is close up on the lure When water temperatures start warming in spring and early and use jointed Swim Whizzes on my two down rods with 10 to 20 with his senses he keys in the last foot or so with his eyes so a loud summer Muskie often hunt stained or muddy water due to the fact feet of line and a Muskie Special and a SS Shad on my two out rods color usually a chartreuse, white or orange seems to work well. The that it warms faster. Also bait fish key in on the algae and insect life at 15 to 20 feet. Speed is less critical in warming water. I have caught whole key to trolling muddy water, and this point I cannot stress that may be triggered by warming water temperatures. Muskie are in fish at 3.5 to 7.0 mph. enough, is baitfish. In most instances baitfish hold in the upper the muddy water for one reason and one reason only and that’s to The main key to fishing warming, muddy water in the spring portion of the water column in the summer and fall muddy water feed. In warming, muddy water conditions Muskie always use all of and early summer is to find what kind of structures the bait fish are conditions so lure placement is key to success. If you fish under their senses to locate their quarry with the main sense being the large using and stay with it. You will be surprised with the results. them then you are just wasting time. So, keep your lure high in the lateral line that travels the length of their body. I love these spring water column for success. Muskie because they can get very aggressive on their strike, almost Late summer and Fall Muddy Water In conclusion, fishing Summer and fall Muskie act differently from muddy water can be rewarding spring Muskie in that they are usually not relating to a patient angler and can to a specific cover. Often they suspend in open yield them with the fish of a water relating to flats, break lines or bars. These fish lifetime. The trick is to forget ONTARIO, CANADA often become transient looking for food to fatten everything that you thought them up for winter. When the big rain comes and you knew about Muskie like: Muskie Fishing in the lake muddies what do the Muskie do? They eat Muskie are always sight feeders, because their biological clock tells them they must Muskie don’t use their sense of beautiful Nestor Falls eat to survive the winter. The first thing I do is to smell and Muskie don’t bite in PO Box 250-P look the lake over for Shad or bait working the muddy water. Trying to fish surface or on the graph. Then I start there, because for Muskie in muddy water Nestor Falls the baitfish is the key to every type of fishing. could give you the courage to Ontario, CA POX1KO Baitfish will often search for muddy water in late fall fish for them in other www.allenscrowlakelodge.com just as in spring because it warms faster when the unconventional ways like sun comes out. Often, I will fish the clear sections fishing at night or using jigs or Email: [email protected] of the lake in the morning because the water’s swim baits which all work, temperatures are constant and the fish will feed all when conditions are right. The 1-888-CROW LAKE day but muddy water fish in the fall seem to bite Ohio and Mississippi River 1-807-484-2628 once the sun gets its warmest. The bites usually strain of Muskie, with their start around 10 am and get good around three or large lateral line, have grown four pm. I almost always troll in this situation up in a turbid, muddy river You may come as a stranger… occasionally casting a small flat or hump that has environment. If they had not bait working near it. I troll the same set up and the eaten in muddy water they But you will leave as a friend! same speeds that I use in the spring and summer would have died out eons ago. just in different places. Usually in open water or So, when your lake or stream 32 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 33 your fight with the mighty muskie. Muskie Fishing for 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 the Beginner 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 Welcome to the Next Frontier productive areas from my experience for lakes and rivers. in Freshwater Fishing!! Lake Fishing for Muskie Many people when discussing lake fishing will distinguish by Scotty Combs, Muskie Fisherman Quality rods and reels are the backbone of a good musky setup. between lakes and reservoirs. For our purposes we will use them interchangeably. The type of fishing structure available will determine Reels are the heart of a good muskie fishing set-up. When where you efforts are concentrated. purchasing reels don’t be cheap. There are many good quality reel Lay downs (downed timber lying in the water) - This usually offers manufacturers including, Ambassador, Daiwa, Penn, Shimano, and excellent fishing in late spring into early summer on lakes. The fish use many others. You need reels of different gear ratios for different types I know several guys who guide for muskie and they are all great the timber as cover for ambush feeding. A properly executed cast can Muskie Basics of lures. For example, when fast cranking bucktails, a 6.3:1 ratio guys. There can be a bad apple in any bunch but if you research your really be productive when the fish are in these areas. Remember when offers the faster retrieve while cranking slower than the 4:1 ratio. Should I Hire a Muskie Guide Service? choice before choosing your guide you can really improve the the fish are feeding less aggressively they may not come out of the Using reels with a smaller cranking ratio that are filled to the max The answer to this question has been asked many times before enjoyment in your day. Some folks have personalities that just don’t timber to get a lure so look for those areas in the lay down where you with line will also give you a faster return. When purchasing reels for and I am sure many different answers have been given over time. I match, you don’t want to pay someone to spend 8-10 hours alone in can actually cast your lure into open pockets and bring it through the trolling, a bait clicker is very important and should be considered at learned a lot about muskie fishing from my friend who got me a boat with them if you really don’t like the person. This 8-10 hours timber to open water. Many times this will prompt less aggressive fish the time of purchase, many people also prefer trolling reels with the started, who just happens to be a guide. If you don’t have a friend could seem like a lifetime under these circumstances. Bad choices can to attack the lures. Fish these lay downs thoroughly to ensure you have line counter option to tell you exactly how much line you have out of who fishes for muskie then I would recommend hiring a guide for a make for a bad day and vice versa. Remember, take your time, choose casted all the areas where your lure can be cast. Different lakes and the reel. This helps if you begin catching fish at a certain depth, just day or two in the area you plan to be fishing. The guide has many wisely and you will have a great experience. weather conditions can call for different types of lures, crank baits; let out the same amount of line after each strike. You want to hours of experience chasing muskie and can not only take you out for twitch baits, spinner baits, jerk baits, and even top water lures can prove purchase good quality reels with metal gears, the plastic gears of some a day but can offer much information regarding proper equipment, Proper Equipment effective at different times in this structure. bass fishing equipment won’t stand up to the punishment of a 4- the fish patterns and areas where you can concentrate your efforts. Muskie fishing is fast becoming popular among many who have Standing Timber – There may be large amounts of standing ounce lure being thrown all day or the fight of a 40 pound plus There are many great guides out there who would love nothing until now over looked the great potential we have for catching quality timber present in the reservoirs as opposed to lakes related to the muskie. Spool your reels with a good quality line. You need more than to have you catch your fish of a lifetime while fishing out fish in these days of catch and release. If you have been bitten by the flooding of the areas where reservoirs are created. Standing timber can something in the 35 pound class and up. I personally use a 50-80 of their boat. There are some important things to remember when muskie bug, start with the basics. Proper equipment will help you not be effectively fished using many different techniques. At different pound braided line and have had wonderful results. hiring a guide. Ask questions. Don’t be intimidated, they are there to only see more fish but put more fish in the boat. I will discuss some times of the year the fish may be close to different areas of standing serve their clients, and most welcome the opportunity to answer your of the very basics of proper muskie equipment in the following Accessories timber. As the summer water temperatures heat up the fish will relate questions about their service, and about catching muskie in general. th paragraphs. Maybe this can help you land your first (or 100 ) muskie. There are also a few necessities for muskie fishing. Take the time to deeper areas where standing timber are present which may require When considering which guide to hire, here are a few question lures that can be effectively fished at depths of 10-12 feet and greater. you may want to ask: Rods/Reels 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 In early spring these fish can be effectively fished with a wide variety 1) What does the guide provide for your day? Example- Do Before you begin your career as a muskie fisherman be sure to get items for the new muskie fisherman: of lures from crank baits to top water lures. It seems to be an effective they provide equipment, lunch, cameras, etc the proper equipment otherwise you are opening yourself up for a 1) Large hook- proof net technique to bump the timber with your lure during the retrieve, this 2) What is their success rate? Example- How often do they great disappointment. when your $20 rod and the $10 reel cause you (Beckman and Frabill gives the lure an erratic action, as well as, sending of vibration as it hits catch fish, and how often do they come home empty to lose that Fifty-inch muskie, you’ll remember reading this article are excellent) the timber. In the fall these fish may move back to the shallower areas handed and saying, “Oh, yeah.” of timber and begin feeding aggressively before the winter slow down. There are many manufacturers who make excellent quality rods 2) Hook Cutters 3) Do they guarantee your success on your trip? Not many do, 3) Needle Nose Pliers or Weeds- This is a popular fishing spot. If the lakes you fish has understandably, but if they do it could be a plus for the for muskie fishing such as, St. Croix, Lamiglas, Fenwick, All-Star, and lots of weeds expect to have company when fishing these areas. The many more. I have used the St Croix rods and they are excellent hook outs or both service 4) Extra hooks fish relate to the weeds because it offers them cover for feeding. 4) How many clients does the fee cover? Some list fees per quality in a medium price range, of around $100- $250. South Bend Probably the most important reason they choose these areas relates to also makes an excellent quality muskie rod in the lower price ranges 5) Split Rings (and split person, many list for up to two anglers ring pliers) the oxygen content of the water. As the new weed growth emerges in 5) How many years have they been fishing for muskie? from 40-65 dollars. Whatever type of rod you decide to use the spring, a process known as photosynthesis takes place. To make remember you want a medium-heavy or heavy rod with good action. 6) Camera and Film 6) How many years have they been guiding for muskie? sure we don’t start using fancy words let me explain this process. The The length is personal preference. Many people make the mistake of (Polaroid and Digital Don’t spend all the time you are with a guide trying to catch a fish, or 35mm) Hook cutters and pliers are very weeds use energy of light to convert carbon dioxide and water into purchasing rods that are too short and cause difficulty while fishing. important to help speed the removal of sugar. This provides an energy source for living organisms. Oxygen is they are an invaluable source of information. Observe the way they Remember these rods will be used while performing figure eights at 7) Measuring device hooks, speeding the release and are fishing, where they are fishing, ask questions. This helps you to 8) Quality Rods and Reels improving survival rates. produced as a by-product of this process. This increased oxygen level boat side, rod tip submerged, maybe up to a couple feet or more. If in the water draws larger fish and bait fish alike to the area. gain knowledge you can use another day. It’s a great day on the water you get your rods a little longer the routine figure eight will prove 9) Good quality lines with a guide if you can catch fish, but it’s even better if you gain 10) A wide variety of lures (More as time passes) In the spring of the year fishing these areas with bucktails and easier without forcing you to bend and increase your aches and pains spinner baits can be extremely effective. Using these particular baits something from this day you didn’t know and you can use in the from a long day on the water. 11) Good quality Rain Gear future to increase your success rate. 12) A good lure retriever (Saves Tons of Money) types allow you to cover water more quickly because of the speed at Different types of baits work better on different lengths of rods and which they can be retrieved. The twitch bait is also very effective in The guide you hire can mold you into a muskie fisherman. Ask you have to determine what works best for you. Different length can 13) Some type of leaders (steel or titanium) questions about lures, tackle boxes, nets, rods, reels, cameras, boats, 14) A good pair of polarized glasses these areas but slows the speed of your fishing tremendously. Jerk affect retrieve speed for different types of lures. For example, with jerk baits are great at certain times of the year, by increasing the amount etc. These guys spends hundreds of days each year testing equipment baits a shorter heavier rod will increase retrieve speed in you work the 15) Hook File to its limits, who better to get you started with the right equipment 16) A good fishing partner (Days get long by yourself) of time your lure spends in the fishes’ strike zone, thereby increasing bait at the same rate, less bend in the rod tips increase the distance the the likelihood of a strike. In late fall don’t move away from fishing for fishing. Ask questions about what equipment they recommend? lure travels with each jerk. Try different rods with different lures and see Remember this is only a basic overview. I hope you can pick out some What lures give them greatest success? which rod gives you the particular action for the lure you want to fish. things I may have forgotten, that means you are very well prepared for (Continued on page 36) 34 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 35 FOR BEGINNERS (Continued from page 35) 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 weeds too soon. The weeds die on top first and there may well be water gets hot you will usually need to fish the deeper water areas. green weeds deeper that you are unable to visualize. As long as there Since as the water temperatures increase the muskie activity decreases, are green areas of weeds the number of fish in the area will remain at don’t get discouraged if during hot water periods you don’t move as an increased level. many fish as usual. Many people who fish muskie will stop fishing if Rocks- Many lakes offer some excellent fishing around rock the water temperature gets very warm and fish another species or just reefs, rocky banks, and also rock covered bottoms. The rocks seem to take a break until the temperature go back down. draw heat and increase the water temperature in this particular area of Another factor to remember that can affect the retrieve speed is the lake which draws the fish to this area. This also provides the water clarity. When the water clarity is decreased, in murky to muddy muskie with an excellent feeding ground. All categories of baits conditions, a slower retrieve may be more productive to give the fish mentioned above can be productive. 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 Musky frequently use rock ledges or large rocks in the water for cover. 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 River Fishing for Muskie the reel and lower the tip of the rod into the water and “draw” an The many opportunities offered on the many rivers throughout eight in the water with your rod tip. This gives your lure an erratic the United States and Canada that are inhabited by muskie is action and leads the muskie to believe his meal is trying to escape, certainly to say the least, amazing. River fishing is becoming a more inducing strikes. The reel should be free-spool to prevent the fish popular part of muskie fishing every year with larger and larger from tearing free if they do strike the lure, don’t trust the drag to muskie being taken from rivers. I have heard many people around perform, it will cost you fish over time. Practice these techniques after Kentucky say they feel the next state record will come from the river. each cast and it will improve your ratio of follows/boated fish. After All of the types of structure mentioned above are also quite a short period of doing this with each cast it become natural to do, productive in rivers. There are a couple other things to remember you don’t even realize sometimes you are doing it. If you perform a when river fishing for muskie. figure eight and can see the fish continue to follow the lure repeat the 1) Pay particular attention to slack water areas and bends in the eight until you no longer see the fish follow or the fish strikes. I’ve rivers. These areas offer muskie the opportunity to get out of the seen muskie strike after following 6-8 times in a figure eight. current of the river and feed on other things that may continue to A change in the presentation of lures while trolling can also be in the current. increase the likelihood of strikes. Sometimes the fish strike deep 2) Pay attention to small bays that are extensions of the river as the running lures, while other times it is shallow. Increasing the speed you shallow water in these bays provide an excellent feeding area for are trolling or decreasing the speed you are trolling can sometimes muskie. Also pay attention to the areas where small feeder creeks induce strikes. enter the river where the muskie may feed. The size of the lures can also On your next trip, if you’re not already fishing these areas, try a increase or decrease your success rate. few, I bet it improves your percentages like it has mine. In the early spring into mid summer I have always had better success with Lure Presentation smaller lures. The larger lures are great Muskie fishing is a maze of right and wrong, and lots of maybes. in early fall and winter, as the fish may Some things work sometimes, other things work other times. The bad prefer one large meal to chasing 5-6 thing is some days nothing works. The great thing is some days small ones. The larger lures in fall and everything works. Are you confused yet? I was. Many different winter will also result in catching things can affect how a lure should be presented. In the following larger fish, in most cases. Don’t paragraphs we will discuss several of these variations. misunderstand, either lure can be used Many different casting techniques can be employed while at any time, but this is the pattern that muskie fishing. Long casts, short casts, flipping, jigging, heck some has been most productive for me. people are even fly fishing for muskie. These are the basics. Much more Altering speed of your lures can help induce strikes, some times could be added to this article and still faster, other times slower. When water temperature is low, for instance, things would be left uncovered. less than 40 degrees, slowing your retrieve slightly may increase your Remember variation in lures, retrieve chances for a strike. Low water temperature tend to cause the fish to speed, lure type, etc. can be very be less aggressive, so teasing them with a slow moving lure improves important in improving your success your chances they will strike. When water temperatures are ideal, 50- muskie fishing. Try some of the 60 degrees, a faster retrieve may increase your likelihood of a strike by More important, even than the variations we have discussed and catch is the healthy release making the muskie feel like their lunch is trying to escape. As water watch your success rate improve. ❖ of a muskie. 36 MUSKIE.....April 2005 Home of 2004 Chapter Challunge

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38 MUSKIE.....April 2005 “Calling all Chapter News and Views Chapters... Want to grow your membership over” the next few months? Want to win neat stuff? If you not participating in the Muskie or All-Canada Twin Cities Shows find out how Muskies, Inc. might be able’re 5704 Wentworth Ave. South 25 Minneapolis, MN 55419 to help you reach your goals. Contact Tim 01 48 612-861-8930 Ð Joe DeMars 46 Roberts, Chapter #29, at [email protected] 2 www.twincitiesmuskiesinc.org 15 33 40 24 or Vince Weirick, Chapter #49, at Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Knights of Columbus, 12 38 13 1114 W79th St Bloomington, MN, near the SE corner 37 [email protected]. of the intersection of I-494 and I-35W. 21 26 1 6 30 20 8 35 Fargo-Moorhead 29 47 10 32 14 Box 2021 ¥ Fargo, ND 58103 39 02 701-298-9032 Ð Brett Wade Waldera 11 17 3 49 23 31 7 22 [email protected] 19 16 27 51 Meets 4th Monday 7:00 PM, VFW in West Fargo. 41 18 50 44 42 9 The Fargo-Moorhead Chapter met on Monday, 45 52 February 28th. 5 28 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. 2005 Special Events There are a couple of Rod specials that are available to MI Chapters; one from St. Croix and April 8-9 Spring Board Meeting Ð Fox River July 20-23 Chapter Challunge - Minaki, Ontario the other from Fig Rig. It was decided that the Valley host-Indian Lakes Resort Sept. 18 Central Illinois Muskie Hunters club would purchase these rods for a future Contact: Rich Gallagher (847) 741- fundraiser tournament at Lake purpose. 9771 Shelbyville. Contact: Randy Kakara Brett attended a meeting of the Minnesota April 16-17 PMTT-Cave Run Lake at 815-672-5320. Muskie Alliance, and got some information about Oct. 28 M.I. International Fall Board three proposals they have drawn up. One would April 16 2005 Muskie Odyssey Ð Hosted by Meeting (Friday) Ð Marten House be to increase the minimum size restriction to 45 Hamilton and Kitchener Chapters, Hotel and Lilly Conference Center, inches; another would close the Musky-fishing Muskies, Canada at the Quality Indianapolis, Indiana season around December 15th, and another one Hotel & Parkway Convention Centre, would clarify the wording in the regulations St. Catharine’s, Ontario. Contacts: October 28-30 regarding the use of quick-strike rigs. We’ll have Reid Frank 1-905-854-5511 or e- Dr. E. J. Crossman Symposium Ð Marten more information on these proposals later. mail [email protected]; or Rob House Hotel and Lilly Conference Center, That’s all for now from Fargo-Moorhead’s Howitt 1-519-822-0170 or e-mail Indianapolis, Indiana. Denim Shirt $24.95 3 in 1 Jacket $43.75$00.00 Muskies Inc. Chapter. [email protected] Contact: Scott Law, Phone: (317) 776-3040. May all your follows strike! May 7 Jake Wolf Memorial Tournament on Email: [email protected]. Brad Waldera the Fox Chain of Lakes, IL. Hosted Kenton Smith, Phone: (317) 570-5636 by South of the Border Chapter #14. Chicagoland Contact: Frank A. Walter, 1-847-689- Muskie Hunters 2133 or email [email protected]. 7600 Kilbourn Ave. Special events are provided at no charge to Muskies, Inc chapters. To list your chapter's event, 03 Skokie, IL 60076 email to: [email protected] or snail mail: Jim Smith, 15045 W. Double Tree Way, 847-677-0017 Ð Dean Rosset Surprise, AZ 85374-8568. Please send announcements at least 2 months in advance. [email protected] Meets 1st Tuesday 7:30 PM, Park Ridge VFW 10 West Higgins Ave., Park Ridge, IL. Sweatshirt $15.50 Cap $8.50 T-Shirt $7.25 Wind Shirt $39.95 will be able to ask better questions and increase It is always lots of fun to put on events with other March’s meeting had two very informative the value of your day. groups. Everyone comes out a winner! speakers; club member Mark Krause presented Duane Landmeier feels the next Illinois By the time this report hits the streets, the first the monthly “Lake in a Nutshell” regarding Eagle record will come out of Lake Shelbyville; the club outing at Webster Lake will have concluded. Lake, Ontario. Duane Landmeier was the current state record came from the tail waters Let’s hope none of the participant’s came back meetings headliner, giving a presentation on with frozen limbs. Lake Shelbyville in southern Illinois. below the dam, so we know this lake has the potential. Duane discussed both trolling and The speakers for the April 5th meeting will be Mark Krause’s talk focused on the areas he Ray Thompson & Frank Jakubicek. commonly fishes on Eagle Lake. Eagle Lake is casting techniques, which are each effective at different times of the year. April’s Lake in a Nutshell will be the west side huge 69,000 acres! Mark mostly fishes the of the Chippewa Flowage, presented by yours eastern portions of this lake, and likes to use big Thanks to everyone who made the “Indoor Fishing Flea Market” a great success. This truly. baits. He also strongly recommended hiring a Greg Denny guide on the second day of your trip. By hiring event was put on in conjunction with the Rolling the guide on the second day, you will have some Meadow High School Choral Boosters. There were lots of great deals on new and antique gear. idea of the lake situation and characteristics, and Cont... 40 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 41 and has been very successful judging by the After the Business Meeting, WVDNR’s Chris number of fantastic photos of big, tiger striated, O’Bara talked about their muskie rearing and Headwaters Akron-Canton P.O. Box 652 South of the Border Pomme de Terre toothy critters we saw. He also showed us proof stocking program. He also explained some new 1503 S. Main P.O. Box 5 Eagle River, WI 54521 28926 W. Big Hollow Rd. positive that some of them are multiple catches of initiatives of DNR and answered questions from 12 Akron, OH 44301 Hermitage, MO 65668 715-479-1821 Ð Paul Hansen McHenry, IL 60050 19 05 the same fish. Catch and release does work. I the audience. 14 330-724-7592 417-745-2381 Ð Carl Marks www.headwatersmuskies.com 815-385-9026 didn’t know muskies had “finger prints” (or fingers After dinner we listened to our featured http://[email protected] www.missourimuskies.org st for that matter). Thanks for the very entertaining speaker, Chris Haley, a Kentucky Muskie Guide Meets 1 Wednesday 7:00 PM Meets: Various days-Call for schedule Meets 3rd Monday 7:00 PM, Tim’s Tavern, 3323 and enlightening presentation, Tony. Only thing, who explained his tactics for dirty water Ice leaves the Eagle River area around the Parkway St. Canton, OH. he talks funny. Or maybe WE talk funny, huh? muskies.More detailed information from Chris 20th of April on the average. Star of the North P.O. Box 516, Coleraine, MN 55722 Upcoming events include; the Madison Fishing O’Bara and Chris Haley’s presentations is That means their is open water but according On Feb 5th and 6th, we had a table at the Expo, our fourth annual Muskie school at available on our Chapter Web Site which can be to our state laws no fishing for muskies before 218-245-2960 Ð Joe Mustar First Wisconsin 15 [email protected] Richville’s Sports Show. The attendance was P.O. Box 122, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Deforest High, our annual awards banquet and accessed at: http://westvirginia.muskiesinc.org. May 28tth, 2005 or the 4th Saturday in May. about the same last year but we still had a good 715-726-8896 the fund raiser in April. Jim Lindner will be the John Kaltenecker, Secretary Musky tend to spawn here in early May and it Meets: Last Tuesday 7:00 PM Ð Eagleridge Golf Course, Coleraine, MN time and talked to a lot of people about muskie 06 [email protected] speaker and I’m really looking forward to that does offer them some protection from humane fishing. We had plenty of pictures and lures on [email protected] one. I hate to say this but, I remember when he predators. Our first club outing coincides with the the table that got their attention as well as handed Meetings 1st Monday 7:00 PM, Arizona’s Restaurant was just a kid his dad and uncle would have on Heartland Musky opener and our first opportunity to catch Three Rivers out flyers to all who we talked to. We also were their show sometimes. 239 8th St SE the mighty musky. So the time between now and 119 Bus Lane, Renfrew, PA able to get a few clients interested in signing up I think that officially makes me an Old Timer. 10 Mason City, IA 50401 the opener gives all a chance to get organized, 16 724-789-7866 Ð James P. Buss South Side [email protected] for our Guide for a Day event. Well, if the hat fits, wear it. 641-424-0827 plan and develop a working check off system Our Annual Awards Banquet will be held March nd Gary “gray beard” Greene because this will not be a dress rehearsal. Honey Meets 2 Monday 7:30 PM, Northside Sportsmans 5th. We are looking forward to a great evening Muskie Hawks Club, Wexford, PA. 07 8212 S Mulligan ¥ Burbank, IL 60459 Bear Inn will be the headquarters for that day as and hope the weather will be good. I will give the 708-430-4444 West Virginia Mississippi Valley all will gather at 6 pm to share the results and It’s here!!! Spring!!! Finally!! Of course as I highlights of the banquet in the next month’s Our meetings are held every third Wednesday of enjoy a sandwich on the Club. Three nice prizes write this, there are 6 inches of snow on the article. 1270 Federal Road 5301 11th Ave “C” are awarded with every one who registers a the month at Mama Luigi's located at 7500 S. Moline, IL 61265 ¥ 309-797-1803 ground, but it is right around the corner. That On March 19th, we are going to put on a 09 Little Hocking, OH 45742 11 released musky over 30 inches getting a drawing Harlem in Bridgeview, IL starting at 7:00 pm. 740-667-3571 Email: [email protected] means our first club tournament is coming up on seminar at our local Gander Mountain Store and http://westvirginiamuskiesinc.org Meets 2nd Wednesday 7:00pm at the QCCA Expo slip. Since it is an honor system with your partner Saturday April 23 at Salt Fork Lake, OH. Last set up a table to hand out information about our It has been awhile. We just had a great Meets: No definite schedule-call Center in Rock Island, IL. as your witness all fish register are in the running year we had a turnout of 30 anglers with Ray club and the events we are going to have this seminar this Feburary meeting from Mik Lurch regardless of length over 30 inches. Some 50 Stewart winning with a 40.5” fish. I hope to see year. We are excited that Gander Mountain has boys Ed McCain and Mike Starcevich of Mik About 120 persons attended our Annual Some of our activities in the community people attend this event and plenty of stories to you all there. asked us to be apart of their special day of Lurch Fishing Tackle Outlet of Hammond, In. at Awards Banquet and Business Meeting on 2-12- included having a booth in the QCCA tell at the Inn. In April, our Club supports the Also a reminder that our April meeting was hunting and fishing seminars! 7025 Indianapolis Blvd. They took us through 05 at the Vienna (WV) Community Building. Outdoor Show (Feb. 17 - 20, 2005). Many Eagle River Home Show with a trout pond held Saturday April 2 at Howard Wagner’s Fish Our Annual Lure Auction will be held March the fishing season on the southern portion of John Kaltenecker, Secretary, summarized the thanks to the members who helped with sponsored by Heckels Marine. Proceeds Education Center. There will not be a meeting on 21st. This is a big fundraiser for our club. We Lake Michigan. Their emphasis was on perch minutes of the 2004 Business Meeting. Darlene the booth. During the show an annual event is go to Fishing Has No Boundaries a program April 11. May’s meeting will fall back to the always have a good time with this event and and smallmouth fishing with a little of salmon Kelley, Treasurer, gave the Financial Report. We held called Breakfast with set up for Handicap, Physical impaired or second Monday of the month and will be held on hope to raise a lot of money for our club. fishing thrown in. These guys know how to perch began 2004 with $4,449.85. During 2004 we the pros which enables children to meet and Disabled senior citizens. In April, Gary Myshak the 9th at the North Side Sportsman’s club, with A group from our chapter is heading down to fish and how to get the biggest of the jumbos with spent $5,806.37 and took in $6,870.20 which ask questions of the pro fisherman. our Chair a turkey hunting seminar by Hunter Black. the Cabin Fever Challenge in Kentucky at the catches up to seventeen inches. Stop by their leaves us with a balance of $5,513.68. Four of our members represented our chapter man who organizes the docks and landing Hunter is the youngest person (He is ten!) to end of March. We are hoping for good weather store and they will be willing to give you the Larry Robinson reported on the work of the at the breakfast. They were program has a repair project for the Braywood obtain the Grand, Royal and World Slam of and hope the muskies will cooperate with us details. We had a great fundraiser this past WV Chapter Hall of Fame committee. Members Sonny and Kay Stevens, Rick Knox, and public boat landing pier and also a new pier for turkey hunting. during the challenge. We always have a great November and a big thanks to John Daley, John include Larry, Chuck Braniff and Steve Ryan. Ralph Dickinson. Muskelunge Lake off Gypsy Road. You can see Remember, coming up in July we will have our time and look forward to this event each year! McNicholas, Jack Frost, Todd Niewold and all the Larry distributed draft recommendations by the UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2005: that our Club keeps involved in Community Big Cash Chautauqua tournament. It will be held I’ll have a lot to talk about in next month’s volunteers for their hard work. I must also send committee. Some members questioned the The John Hotle memorial bucket contest will be activities. Good luck and have fun fishing. July 23 and 24. First place pay out, with a full article so I will give you a rap-up of all the events out kudos to George Benda, Lynn Pollack, Duke criteria for selection and election procedure. Jim held on Moose Lake in Hayward, WI Memorial Respectfully submitted, field of 75 teams, is $5000.00. You can contact that will take place for the month of March and O'Malley, Rich and Barb of the old Swenson's Marsh and Dave Powell volunteered to join the Day Weekend (May 27-29) Secretary Jim “ Hi Pines” Rechlitz Harry Marfin for more details or download the the first part of April. Resort , Ron Mausr, volunteers, and especially committee which will continue their work. Lake George Cleanup will be held on the April 24 entry form from the Three Rivers site, Kevin Proffitt Red Wing Lodge for putting on a great chapter Shelia McCord was elected to another on year at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve. http://threerivers.muskiesinc.org. term on the Executive Committee. challenge last year. We have awards nigh. The annual awards banquet will be held on April Hayward Lakes Finally, in August we will celebrate our clubs Between the Lakes 9 at O’melia’s Supper Club in Rock Island. P.O. Box 609 Stick A Pig, tenth anniversary with a picnic at Lake Arthur. Between the Lakes 2005 Tournament and Outing Schedule: Hayward, WI 54843 Al Buvelot Cocktails at 5:00 with dinner following. All 13 There will be a $5.00 admission for adults, and P.O. Box 61 715-634-4543 Mar. 31 - Spring Mail-In (coincides with the members are encouraged to attend. Come junior members will be free. The club will provide 20 Sheboygan, WI 53085-0061 Apr. 3 Cabin Fever Challenge) and see who receives the “Dingbat” awards. the main course and beverages, members are 920-564-3226 Ð Ted Scharl, Pres. Capital City Sharon Crane, Chairperson The June meeting will be held at Lake George. asked to bring a side dish or desert. There will be [email protected] P.O. Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708 th May 7-8 Odie Cutlip Memorial Stonewall Come early to fish. Sunday April 17 the Hayward Lakes Chapter games for the kids, fishing until noon, with a Meets 3rd Thursday 7:00 PM, The Millersville House, 08 608-274-3479 Ð Gerard Hellenbrand September 10 Kids Fishing Day at Lake Carlton. will host another pool - side lure demonstration. It SE Corner of Hwys. JJ & 32, Howards Grove, WI. www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org Jackson Lake (Team Format) Shelia plaque for the largest fish caught, and door prizes Anyone interested in helping with this event will be at he Hayward Inn which is one mile south Meets: 2nd Monday 7:00 PM Park Ponderosa McCord, Chairperson from 1pm to 6pm. Dinner will be served around please contact Sonny Stevens at (309) 797- of the center of Hayward on highway 27 south. McFarlan, WI June 4 Kid’s Fishing Derby, North Bend 3pm. 1803. The event will be from 1 - 4:30 p.m. and will Lake, Ritchie County & Membership See you next month! Our January speaker was Chad Cain. He The first weekend of October is the Fall Outing in feature lure makers and fishing pros Rich Dollish North Metro Tourney, Darlene Kelley, Chairperson P.O. Box 41216 guides on some of Illinois top muskie waters in Hayward, WI to help support the Hayward demonstrating the most effective techniques for June 11 Wayne Nat’l. Forest Kid’s Fishing Plymouth, MN 55441 the Southern part of the state. It’s great country Chapter Muskie tournament. Most of our working a variety of lures. Retailers and 21 & Fun Day, Leith Run Camping Area, 763-537-0781 down there with wooded hills and plenty of lakes members stay at Virgin Timber Resort on manufactures will be displaying a variety of Quad County Ohio River fishing equipment. The club will be offering half Meets 3rd Tuesday, Knights of Columbus, and rivers. I was down there in the late fall of ‘03. Moose Lake. P.O. Box 185, Plano, IL 60545 June 25 Salt Fork Lake price memberships for new members, so if you Fridley (6831 NE Hwy 65) It’s beautiful country and definitely worth the trip. October Fall Cook Out. (Date to be announced) (815) 695-1494 Ð Dana Smith know someone who might be interested in joining 17 We had a booth at the All Canada Show to June 26 Piedmont Lake, Carol and Tim This is a gathering of all members and friends [email protected] promote CCMI and Muskies, Inc. Ya can’t miss McCauley, Chairpersons to join together and talk about experiences in bring them along! [email protected] Our May meeting will take place at the an opportunity to promote, I always say. Oct. 8Ð9 Cave Run Outing, No Entry Fee or Muskie fishing. Spooner Fish Hatchery where we will get a tour Meets 2nd Thursday, 7:30pm. Plano American Legion Those who attended the Oregon Musky Plaque, Gary Fields, Chairperson If anyone has suggestions on additional New Jersey Busters annual fund raiser were treated to a very outings, fund raisers for the chapter contact and then hear a presentation by local fish Oct. 29-30 Fall Mail-In. Bill Gibbs, Chairperson manager Larry Damman ( Larry is an avid Musky 5 Carmita Ave. fun and educational presentation by our own Jeff Ralph (Rob) Dickinson via e-mail at 22 Rutherford, NJ 07070 Hanson. He and his clients put lots of fish in the [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or fisherman) We will meet at the hatchery at 7:00. 201-703-8469 Many other important subjects were discussed We are sorry to report the passing of long boat and he really knows our area lakes well. He during the Business Meeting. Among them were Rick Knox (309) 755-9369. Hopedale time club member Jack Mueller. Jack was our 15 Township Rd 125 says he has a full time job but he manages to get Chapter Membership, Muskie Symposium, Trap The chapter is checking on new embroidered in a lot of hours on the water, too. Who needs shirts and jackets. Prices to be announced. stocking chairman for 22 years. He stocked over 18 Dillonvale, OH 43917 At the Feb. 22nd meeting, we discussed the Nets for the DNR, Rod Raffle, Membership 25,000 Muskies with the club funding in the 740-769-7269 Ð Mike Uscio sleep, anyway? Right, Jeff? Meetings, Newspaper articles about WV All Muskies caught and submitted to the success we had at the Parsippany show where amount of $175,000. We will miss him. Meets 1st Thursday 7:30 P.M., Pinevalley Tony Grant gave us a great talk at our Muskies, Inc., Youth Fishing Day, Aquatic chapter were 100% were released. All catch and our raffle and Guide for a Day were well received. February meeting on his tiger muskie pattern in release forms should be submitted to Dee Megli, Good Fishing, Sportsman Club, Smithfield, OH. We drew the raffle winner- Maureen Kennedy of Vegetation for WV Lakes, Radio Mike Persson Vilas County, WI. He’s from Kentucky and guides Telemetry/Tracking equipment for DNR and a 18110 Moline Rd; Lyndon, IL. Morris Plains. Jon Russo gave an informative up there when his home lakes are in the summer Division Day Outing. Complete meeting minutes Rob Dickinson reel presentation and we watched a top-water steep and brew mode. He targets the big tigers can be found on our Web Site. Cont... Cont... 42 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 43 video. Additionally, we set Saturday June 18th Sept. 16-18 Can-Am, Chautauqua 762-8070 or visit us on the web at www.tcimh.org 50 inch Release Award Ð annual trip up to franks bay camp store. This year baits before, bet you saw some that you want for our Spring Tournament. This is a big event October 1 Tournament, West Branch The Central Illinois Muskie Hunters are John Stewart 50 and 52 inch we have the whole camp to our self. Thanks for before the opener. Again, a special thanks to encompassing fishing plus a dinner including a Hopefully, I’ll see ya on the water before too sponsoring an IMTT event at Lake Shelbyville on In partnership with the IDNR and the Iowa your time sin your Brett and the Thorne Bros staff for a job very well th hatchery presentation by Craig Lemon as well as much longer!! September 18 2005. This is a fundraiser for our Great Lakes Fishing Club, the UGP chapter has Brian Wienski aka BigMan done.” prizes. Try to attend, as it’s an excellent way to Ron Sigman ([email protected]) club. The entry fees help with our club projects donated funds for the purchase of a fish ladder Mark your calendars for these up coming events: fraternize with fellow club members. All new and also money is used towards sponsoring designed to enable northern pike to make their Lake Superior people are encouraged to take part. Fishing will Brainerd Lakes Project Green Gene. spawning run from a local lake into a slough. In 2031 Hwy. 33 S. March 5th, our first annual “Lake Clean-up”. occur at Greenwood Lake, Monksville and Echo Project Green Gene is a study to determine past springs, northerns have been unable to Cloquet, MN 55720 Members will meet at 8:00 am at the Perkins Lake reservoirs with the dinner at the Greenwood 25505 CR 5 the best muskie strain to be stocked in Illinois 33 24 Merrifield, MN 56465 complete a spawning run from Trumball Lake into 218-879-2712 ¥ Terry DeMenge on Golden Spike Road (Perkins in the Pine), Lake American Legion facility. Meeting 218-765-4183 Ð Jeff Wohl, Pres. waters. This study will take up to ten years. The the ideal spawning habitat of Smith Slough. A Meets: 2nd Tues. 7:00 PM Mr. D’s Bar & Grill, then depart for Lakes Alexander and Lake attendance is building and all are encouraged to www.brainerdmuskies.com project also includes collecting data that will help water control structure between the lake and the 5622 Grand Ave., Duluth Shamiuea. participate and bring forth ideas, presentations, biologists in other states and regions. It is more Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Water Fall Inn, slough kept the northerns stacked up and made March 15th, our annual Awards meeting and Lure etc. of interest. The chapter has been busy and Hwy 371 north of Brainerd by Brainerd than just an Illinois study. Contact Lorin Nevling them vulnerable to snagging and poaching. Swap. we have 2 final projects for this season- first our International Raceway. at the above phone number for more info or to However, this spring a fish ladder will be in place Milwaukee April 11th, Fish Dinner Fund Raiser at the Waite educational signs. Thanks to member Jason! send a donation. to allow the fish free travel. So not only are P.O. Box 28842 Park American Legion Sturm, who is in the graphics business, is helping With winter coming to a close and spring in Lake Shelbyville is one of the best muskie muskellunge benefiting from your memberships Greenfield, WI 53220 April 19th, Dick Pearson guest speaker at our with a donation of design and production. Project site, the Brainerd Lakes Chapter had its first fisheries in Illinois. CIMH member Kim 35 262-789-1255 but pike are too! So if you get a chance visit the www.milwaukee-muskie-inc.org regular meeting. #2 needs a volunteer -that is the reconstruction of outing on February 5th. A group of 25 people Huckstead released a 52” muskie from Lake fish ladder early this spring and maybe you will April 20th, Dick Pearson will be giving a seminar the kiosk at the Echo Lake ramp. Anyone with from our chapter took to the ice on Lake Edwards Shelbyville last August. Contact CIMH member [email protected] witness something special. Meets 4th Tuesday ex. June/July or Dec., 7:30 PM, Legacy at the Sportsman’s Warehouse at 6:30 pm. basic carpentry skills could help here. We’d like to catch Northern Pike. We picked a great day to Randy Kakara for more information on the Pete Hildreth, editor Fine Dining, 14955 W. National Ave., New Berlin, WI 53151. April 23rd, Gander Mountain has their annual th a place to put our new sign while maintaining be outside, sunny with a warm tropical breeze. September 18 event. This is one way of helping Muskies Day from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. We favorable standing with the reservoir We had the grill out, and had a nice potluck lunch Illinois muskie fishing. would like to see some volunteers to hang out administration. Get in touch if you can assist. on the ice. The flags were slow to rise on the tip Randy Kakara God’s Country St. Cloud and answer questions. Feel free to bring your Finally, sharpen those hooks as the season is ups, but we still managed to catch better than a 1503 Hawthorne Rd P.O. Box 1461, LaCrosse, WI 54601 608-786-4062 427 17-1/2 Ave. No. boat to display. now upon us. Pay attention to our site mi22.com half dozen pike. The real competition started Streator IL 61364 30 th Mike Weidemann 37 St. Cloud, MN 56302 May 7 , our annual big Brother Big Sister outing. to check on or report catches and conditions. when one of the members broke out the polish 815-672-5320 (320) 253-3621 Ð Mike Ruff September 22nd to September 25th our tentative Submitted by Gordon Campbell, VP. horseshoes. It was a great time to get together Our event is part of the Illinois Muskie Meets 7:30 4th Tuesday, American Legion Hall, www.stcloudmuskies.com Market and 6th, in La Crosse. club outing to Lake Vermilion, more to follow. with other members. The BLC has a great group Tournament Trail. The e-mail address is info@ Meets: 3rd Tues. 7:30 PM American Legion, Waite Park. Congratulations go out to our members Paul & of guys and gals! illmuskie.com or by mail at Stephanie Amberg on the birth of their beautiful Cleveland This month at the BLC member meeting, we Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail Penn-Ohio The highlight of our February meeting was the baby daughter. 5608 Brave Chief Lane held our annual lure swap. We had a great turn 707 W. Jourdan ST “poolside” presentation were 74 members and Submitted by Royce Nies Ravenna, OH 44266 out for this event. It was certainly time to dust off Newton IL 62448 309 Spring St. guests witnessed an incredible display of new 23 Jamestown, PA 16134 330-296-2398 the tackle boxes and add a few new lures to the A young muskie stick named Sean Landsman 31 and old musky lures.. (email any comments to [email protected]) Meets 2nd Monday 7:30 PM 724-932-5815 artillery box. Its time to start dreaming about from Urbana, IL will split some time with me www.grandmalures.com As reported by our member Ken Smith the open water in central Minnesota! Only four more writing the News & Views column in the near “poolside event at the Comfort Inn was fantastic. Meets: 2nd Thurs. 7:00 PM Carini’s. A good time was held by all as our Chapter months to go! future. Brett (Jagodzinski) did a great job in putting Vikingland Banquet and Fund raiser was held February 19, One of the hot topics this month is the new Just keep on pluggin along, John Jackson together a presentation from Thorne Bros that 609 S. Otter Ave. at Robi Lee’s Restaurant. The food was Adopt-A-Landing. With positive feedback from Flatlanders was beyond the imagination. They tossed so 38 Parkers Prairie, MN 56361 outstanding, the raffle tables were full and the the Minnesota DNR and board members from 6259 Walnut Grove Rd. many new baits it was tough to keep up. They 218-338-5441 Ð Bruce Lamar guest speaker was informative, as the attendees other chapters, BLC Regional Vice President Tim Shawnee Loves Park, IL 61111 threw baits by special request to see how they [email protected] were getting excited for the upcoming season. Schulke has been spearheading this project. We P.O. Box 602 32 815-282-3334 are supposed to run. If you didn’t have enough Bob Tomasko, author of the learn-a-lake are proposing to have Muskies Inc. Chapters to 28 DeKalb, IL 60115 www.flatlanderschapter.com Cont... system, gave a very informative program on the adopt 10 Minnesota landings for the year of 2005. 815-756-3231 Ð Gary Dew [email protected] state of affairs of Ohio Fishing. Bob guides on the The driving forces for this project is to #1- give (815) 529-1159 Jeff Blanck, Pres. Meets 4th Thursday, 7:00 PM, Loves Park VFW. many lakes that our members regularly fish. He back to lake associations and #2 Ð help introduce Meets: varies-call for schedule. expressed a concern for the future of West and expand muskies into new waters. Hi it’s me BigMan once again writing for the Branch, as the weed beds are disappearing due For upcoming Brainerd Lakes Chapter #24 month of April. We have a date in mind for our to the invasion of the Zebra Mussel. He did, Events, please visit our website at Upper Great Plains annual awards banquette, which is this month on however, predict a bright future for Pymatuning. www.brainerdmuskies.com 1788 Hwy 4 April 9th at the Thunder Bay grille. Thunder Bay 29 Estherville, IA 51334 grille has a great outdoor theme that will go with Our Chapter Awards for 2004 are as follows: 712-362-2501 Men’s Master Release Division- Michael the whole concept and should be a great night Red River Valley Meets 3rd Thursday , Legion Club, 1709 Okoboji along with some surprises. Clemente 58 Fish Ave., Milford, IA. Men’s Release Division- Charles Massimore 36 602 N. Central Ave. The Flatlanders chapter worked the Rockford 25 Crookston, MN 56716 boat show February 18th, 19th, and 20th. Many Fish 218-281-5577 As many of you are getting ready to wet a line Women’s Release Division- Cherie Carrol 16 members helped out in running the booth in this season, several chapter members were shifts. I also have been working on a commercial Fish awarded for their catches in 2004. Junior Release Division- Eric Nickel 5 Fish for the Flatlanders as a school project in my Congratulations to all those honored at the advanced video class. I got some real nice Largest Chapter Release- Shawn Maher 53” Central Wisconsin annual awards banquet that was held in March. Georgian Bay footage from our master’s member Doc Carlson. P.O. Box 263 Angler of the Year Ð Ryan Truog He helped me get the footage that was needed to Largest Ohio Release- Randy Bradway 52” Lake Medford, WI 54451 Milton 26 Master Division Ð make everything happen along with our president 715-748-2630 Ð Jim Jacobs Steve Rhuman. We will be having a speaker for Tournament Champion for 2004- Randy Bradway [email protected] 1. Tracy Crail, 29 releases, 340 pts. our February meeting, which is Steve Cady. Congratulations to all our Winners!! Meets 1st Monday 7:00 PM, Happy Joe’s, 2. Shannon Green, 20 releases, 272 pts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our 3. Mark Mitchell, 16 releases, 210 pts. Steve guides in northern Minnesota for some Medford, WI giant monster muskies and is also the inventor of numerous sponsors for this event. The list of Men’s Open Division Ð prizes on our raffle tables was outstanding. the Wegal, which was a hot item at the Chicago 1. Tom Loew, 19 releases, 218 pts. musky show. Steve has guided our men’s Finally, our event schedule for 2005 is as follows: Central Illinois 2. John Kugler, 13 releases, 204 pts. 1191 Sandra Lane division leader Steve Williams to a personal best April 23 Earth Day Clean-up, West Branch 3. Dennis Blume, 5 releases, 70 pts. at 51 inches. The cover at the door will be $6.00, April 30- May 1 Chapter Challenge, Salt Fork Monticello, IL 61856 27 217-762-8070 Women’s Open Division Ð which includes some raffles that will also be May 14-15 Tom Bishop Sr. Memorial www.tcimh.org 1. Sandra Kugler, 3 releases, 54 pts. going on. We also will be having a free kids Pymatuning Meets 3rd Thursday 7:00 PM, VFW club in 2. Joanne Will, 3 releases, 42 pts. fishing day on June 11th from 10am to 3pm at May 19 School Days Program, Lake Milton Bloomington, IL. 3. Debbie Green, 1 release, 22 pts. Rock Cut State park. June 4 Kids Fishing Day, Lake Milton We also have some new members to welcome June 9-10 Summer Tournament, Pymatuning The VFW is located at 1006 E Lincoln St. The Junior Division Ð 1. Jacob Loew, 11 releases, 115 pts. to the club, which include Mike Leombruni, Wally August 6 Adopt A Shore Clean-up meeting starts promptly at 7 pm. An informal Haas, Steve Lamb and Darrell DiGiovanni. West Branch board meeting is held on the 1st Thursday at the 2. Megan Crail, 6 releases, 69 pts. 3. Tyler Green, 2 releases, 23 pts. Welcome to the Flatlanders guys and catch a August 20-21 Tournament, West Branch VFW club at 6 pm. All meetings are open to the lunge. I can’t wait until July comes around so the August 27 Kid’s Fishing Derby, Mahoning R. public. For more info contact Lorin Nevling (217) Cont... Flatlanders can invade Lake of the Woods on our

44 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 45 importance of maintaining our natural resources. Secretary Jesse Anderson, Dave Willford took the New Business Fox River Valley FRV will provide information to the over 500 meeting minutes. Spend Chapter Money Ð Kirk Willberg 1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 601230 participants on its efforts towards conservation Leech Lake Kirk Willberg and Ed Rauch talked about the Kirk presented the topic of what we should Arrowhead 39 847-741-9771 Ð Rich Gallagher (Catch and Release, fish stocking and research), 7249 Baywood Drive January meeting, explaining briefly what the local spend our money on since we have a few dollars P.O. Box 82 www.frvmuskie.com education (Spring & Fall, Boy and Girl Scout 40 Walker, MN 56484 MnDNR Fisheries people talked about. Stocking in the checking account. Various topics were 48 Virginia, MN 55792 nd 218-482-5217 Meets: 2 Wed (Exc June/July) Poplar Creek Country Merit Badge Outings, Elgin Fish for Fun and the 218-547-1221 Reports and current Muskie experiments taking discussed: Club, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates, IL. Bartlett Kids Fishing Derby) and stewardship place were the topics. Light at the Plantan access Spring is finally here! Cabin fever is a term not (DuPage River Sweep).We also hold a raffle for a Treasurers Report Ð Dave Willford Dock extension at the Plantan access to be used for months to come. It seems like an fishing rod and reel combo. Central Ohio The 2004 year end audit was reported showing Second ramp at the Plantan access abnormally long time from the last of the shows Our 9th. Annual Spring Challunge on The 8494 Fall Gold Lane that the chapter gathered $5887.75 in revenues Muskie Identification/Release Instruction signs th Webster Lake until we can be on the water again. Boats are out Chain will be Saturday April 30 . This is a one 41 Westerville, OH 43082 and paid out $4719.07 in expenses. The current at area Muskie lake accesses. P.O. Box 670 th of storage. ”Shake down runs” have been day Tournament with cash payouts to 10 . Place. 614-451-0485 Ð Ross Wagner balance after the January 2005 statement is It was decided that we have $3000 to spend. 49 No. Webster, IN 46555 completed and yes, even a few baits have hit the This is always a very enjoyable event from Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Buckeye Hall of $3705.88. Two bill where presented, one for Kirk Willberg is going to be in contact with the area 574-834-1669 Fame Café, 1421 Olentangy River Rd. water to be washed off. Perhaps one or two of morning check-in to the awards dinner and prize $13.32 to Dave Willford for newsletter stamps, the MnDNR Trails and Waterways Manager to raffle. Get yourself an entry form and join us for a discuss a possible dock extension or second those baits have been eaten and you are already Guest and the general public are always other for $65 to the Mn Dark House Assn. for the great day of fishing on the Fox Chain of Lakes. ramp at the Plantan access, which ever seems “On the Board” for 2005. Another season begins. welcome. For more information, call Ross upcoming bike give away as part of the annual Time to take a deep breath, that was just April! more feasible. Either of these would help the Along with it, the hopes and plans we have spent Wagner at 614-451-0485. “Kids Perch Derby” put on by the local dark house In May we have our Annual Poolside Bait Demo bottle neck that exists now at sunrise or sunset the winter charting out. Best wishes to all for a The ice is off and fishermen are making the first chapter. Both bills were approved and will be paid. Penn Jersey Night on the 11th. Followed by the Boat/No Boat, entering/leaving Plantan in the summer. Ed safe and productive season. attempts at fishing the open water. It’s still Membership Report Ð Ed Rauch Bob Jones Ð President Outing and BBQ. Join us for a morning of fishing Rauch is going to contact other MI Chapters to The month of April is packed with events for February as I write this but I’ve heard of several Current membership is at 67 members. Ed is 50 610-962-0632 on the Fox Chain of Lakes. Stop by Catfish Cove see if they will match/contribute any money we the Fox River Valley Chapter. First out of the gate muskies caught below dams and from the banks trying to put some kind of membership drive Website: www.mi50.com th th Picnic Area at the State Park. We will have spend to improve the Plantan access. on the 8 . and 9 . is the International Spring off the face of the dams. We plan on having a free together in conjunction with our up coming June burgers and brats at 1:00 p.m. After lunch we will Board Meeting of Muskies Inc.. Our Chapter is spring muskie fishing seminar at our April meeting 25 Muskie Tournament. This has work well in the 2005 Muskies Inc Boat Raffle Ð Ed Rauch have our prize raffle. At that time you can hang proud to be hosting this year’s event at Indian so if you’re a new member, be sure to attend. past to spark new membership sign up. Ed reported that he received approximately around and talk fishing or get back on the water Lakes Resort located in Bloomingdale. Fill out a March was, once again, the famous lure auction. Member Release Contest Ð Dave Willford 100 raffle tickets from the International MI board Ohio Valley and go ‘til dark. Our website has a sign up for reservation form and join us for a terrific Texas Hope you were there! Our February meeting had March 16, 2005 is the planned 2004 Release which the chapter can sell. Since the tickets do Muskie Hunters people without boats to hook up with a partner BBQ Buffet Dinner. The day culminates with the 35 in attendance and included a terminal tackle Contest Awards Banquet. Division Plaques, not display a valid raffle license number and the and a boat for the day. 51 Bowerstown, OH International Fund Raiser and Auction. presentation by our vice-president, Mike Release Certificates and Release Patches will be profit the chapter will receive is very little it was Michele Uttermohlen Ð President th th Our regular club meeting dates are the second The following weekend of the 16 . and 17 . is Candella. I want to thank Thurman Adair for handed out at this meeting. Food and beverages decided that the chapter will not attempt to sell Email: OVMH [email protected] Wednesday of the month. The Poplar Creek the Club Outing on Lake Shelbyville. It is not too stepping up, once again, to show us his leader will be provided. After this event, Dave Willford any tickets. Also, if members/visitors are Country Club provides us with fine late to attend. For last minute details get in touch making expertise. We had a long discussion after will be handing the Release Contest over to interested in purchasing a raffle ticket for the boat, accommodations. A Buffet style dinner is with our Outings Director Jim Ziebka at the presentation regarding our banquet and the David Grundy. they can on-line at http://www.muskiesinc.org provided before the 7:30 p.m. meeting and a Daniel Boone [email protected]. Lodging is still available Ohio Muskie Show. Ross Wagner has his hands June 25, 2005 Muskie Tournament Ð cash bar is open through out the evening. 428 N. Wilson Ave., at The Spillway Hotel ( 217-774-9591 or 1-800- full this time of year setting up the show, holding Dave Willford Morehead, KY 40351 Each month guest speakers provide us with 645-0414 ) and also with Country Charm Bed down a full time job and being club president. Dave reported that he has two half page articles 52 Phone: 606.784.3933 their expertise on our friend “Esox.” This month Michigan Muskie Alliance and Breakfast ( 217-774-2545 or 1-800-600-5352 Ross has used all of this to the club’s advantage scheduled in the up coming March and April issue e-mail: [email protected] our speaker will be Steve Sarley. P.O. Box 512, Caledonia, MI 49316 ) Another option is to go to www.hotelweb.com., and we sure do appreciate it. Club member, of the “Muskie” magazine. The March add is free, President: Larry X. Besant All are welcome. You need not be a member to 616-447-1688 Ð Will Schultz type in Shelbyville and seven more leads for Steve Pinkston, of Direct Auto Plex, has the April add will cost $75. Duane Hill reported the www.michiganmiskiealliance.org Meets on Fridays-call or email. attend, so please stop by and see us. All 47 lodging will be provided. If needed, rental boats generously offered to sponsor the banquet. This Cub Scouts are planning on doing the cooking for information and updates can be found on our st are available at Lithia Springs Marina (1-800- came about at the February meeting and took the tournament. Ed Rauch reported that he has a Meets: 1 Thurs. 7:30 PM, Lansing Gander website www.frvmuskie.com. 447-4121) On Friday night Mr. Andrew Veech will everyone by surprise. If you didn’t make the week resort stay in Canada that could be used as Mountain If you are interested, any and all club members join us at the Sit and Sip in downtown Shelbyville banquet, I’m sure you missed a great time. a raffle prize during the tournament. are welcome to sit in on our Board of Directors to provide us with a Lake Shelbyville primer. After Elmer fishing on Saturday join us around the campfire at meetings. They are held the Monday evening 8:00 pm at the Robin Hood Campground for a after our General Club Meeting. The place is the “Bullfish Stories” account of the day. home of President Rich Gallagher. You can Hoosier rd contact Rich or any BOD member for time and On Saturday April 23 . the Fox Valley Chapter P.O. Box 501371 of Muskies Inc. will participate in Earth Day. This directions. Stop by and see how the ideas and 42 indianapolis, IN 46250 outing will be held at the Bartlett Park District events for YOUR club come to be. 317-577-8050 Nature Center located in Apple Orchard. The Until later, event runs from 10 AM to 3 PM. Earth Day is an Return ‘em to the water Healthy and annual event that educates the public on the Remember Our Troops. JT Colorado P.O. Box 270064 44 Louisville, CO 80027 Phone: (720) 938-4109 Website: www.coloradomuskies.com Dan Narsete, Pres. ¥ [email protected] Meets 2nd Tuesday ex. July/Aug 7:00 PM, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Hunter Education Building, 6060 Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80216.

Kentucky 212 Linden Ave. 45 Southgate, KY 41071 859-441-1666

Bemidji/Cass Lake 11551 Misty Meadows Rd. 46 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... 46 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 47 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 ONES THAT GOT AWAY! water and I saw it was a Northern.” “Wrong kind…a cousin.” Note: See ‘Finding Balliver B.’s Lost Reel,’ December 2004 “Huh…” Balliver B. said and then, “I’ll get the net!” “Any place I can buy some Muskie Tackle?” asked Balliver B. as “Wait just a bit.” we walked to our rooms. “Can I find an outfit to tide me over until This Northern was coming straight for the boat. Balliver B. we go to Lonesome Lodge this Fall?” stuck the net down just as the fish turned but one of the treble hooks “They may have an outfit here for you to rent or borrow.” I got into the net. The next move by Balliver B. is one of the most answered. fantastic ones I’ve seen a person make. He quickly rolled the net We got our fishing clothes on and I took my tackle and we under the fish and brought it up sharply. As the net and fish cleared headed for the Marina. I brought an extra outfit along just in the water, this fish just straightened out and the hooks came loose case one is not available at the Marina. All were taken so I said to from his jaw and he slithered off the net and into the deep leaving Balliver B., “You can use this extra one I brought; I think the guides Balliver B. holding the net with my Globe tangled in it. are pretty well affixed on this rod an…” “You took ‘em too soon!” I said sternly. “Will I ever live that down?” “Yeah, I guess I did. I got all excited.” “Yes…But I’ll just keep it as a private joke for the next twenty “I know, and that’s TWO!” years or so.” “Wha…that’s TWO! Whaddeya….Oh I get it. Two Goof-ups! “You’re a real friend.” Aha, what happens when I get three?” “I try to be.” “You go overboard!” 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 48 MUSKIE.....April 2005 www.muskiesinc.org April 2005.....MUSKIE 49 JustJust OneOne BiteBite andand You’reYou’re Hooked.Hooked.

It had to happen Ð 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” Ð 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 world record Muskie is recorded as the Headwaters chapter with a Hybrid River chain. Biggest Tiger he’s have caught - fish with him, even out on the ice. being caught here. from Lac Vieux Desert, a lake that is well 45 inches and weight guesstimated at 35lbs. Gander Mountain... known for producing Hybrid Muskies. “The head on the Tiger was massive.” 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 Arthur Jalkanen got this 49-incher on Lake St. Clair fishing Inc. in 2004. 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 Ð 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 For you southern folks Ð this shows what happens to on the side of the boat. Dad Forrest caught the 31-incher, which us Yankees toward the end of winter. Jim LeMay, made several other acrobatic jumps before it was subdued. photo by Will Schultz. Needless to say, Jim got Bob Jacobs with a classic LOTW Muskie, absolutely nothing, but they had fun. 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. Proper Muskie

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