PLEASE HELPBY CONTRIBUTING* TO OUR … · Phone: (952) 921-6311 Email:...

PLEASE HELP BY CONTRIBUTING* TO OUR YOUTH...FISHERIES...RESEARCH PROGRAMS!Our goal is to raise $20,000. Your new or continued support is critical to the success of theseprograms. See all the program details in your 2008 Muskies, Inc. Calendar package.*Your contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

December 2007.....MUSKIE 1www.muskiesinc.org

Departments2 President’s Message,

David Cates

3 Magazine Notes, Staff

3 Index of Advertisers

4 International News

6 Figure 8, Kevin Richards

7 2008 MUSKIE Magazine Themes

8 Lunge Log, Jim Bunch

14 DVD Review, Jim Smith

22 Photo Contest,Gordon Campbell

23 Member Photos,Gordon Campbell

27 FCIS Boat Safety,Dave Solberg

30 Chapter News and Views

Features12 Great Gifts for Muskie Maniacs,

Patricia Strutz

16 Intercepting Muskie Movements,Sean Landsman

19 Sport Show Locator

24 Return to Lac Seul, Jim Smith

28 A Summary of Guidelines for CompetitiveFishing Events for Muskellunge,

Rob Howitt and Chris Purdy

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MAIL TO MUSKIES, INC. 14257 Waters Edge Trail,New Berlin, WI, 53151

1-888-710-8286

Regular Membership: q 1 Year-$35.00 q 2 Years-$65.00 q 3 Years- $95.00

Family Membership: q 1 Year-$47.50 q 2 Years-$90.00 q 3 Years-$132.50

Junior Membership (Under 18): q $20.00

q For Muskie Research $________q Automatic Renewal

Payment: q Check or q Credit Card:

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(to find the number of the Chapter you wish to join, see the Chapter News & Views section)

(to find the number of the Chapter you wish to join, see the Chapter News & Views section)

ContentsMUSKIE • VOL. 41, NO. 12

Join Muskies, Inc. ...or give a membershipas a gift.

q VISA q Discoverq AmEx q MasterCard

MUSKIE is published monthly and is the OfficialPublication of Muskies, Inc. International Office: RonGroeschl, International Sec., 14257 Waters EdgeTrail, New Berlin, WI 53151. Ph: 888-710-8286.© Copyright 2007 by Muskies, Inc. All rights reserved.

NEW

NEW

InternationalOfficers

President, David CatesPhone: 574-457-3222Email: [email protected]

Vice President/Fundraising, Jim ShannonPhone: 763-434-9729Email: [email protected]

Vice President/Fisheries, Research & Youth,Brad WalderaPhone: 701-642-1952Email: [email protected]

Vice President/Internal Affairs, Vince WeirickPhone: 574-834-4445Email: [email protected]

Vice President/Membership, Dan NarsetePhone: 720-938-4109Email: [email protected]

Vice President/Communications [ Open ]

Treasurer, Pete BarberPhone: 847-726-7267Email: [email protected]

Members Only Fishing Contest, Jim BunchPhone: 715-723-8343 • Fax: 715-723-8354Email: [email protected]

Web Master, Ron GroeschlPhone: 262-271-1002Email: [email protected]

Int. Administrative Secretary, Ron Groeschl14257 Waters Edge Trail, New Berlin, WI 53151Phone: 888-710-8286 or 262-271-1002Email: [email protected]

At Large Directors Term Expires

Don Jahnke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008

David Cates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008

Brett Knight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008

Rory Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008

Karl Scherer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008

Dick McPike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2009

Dan Narsete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2009

Diana Mindar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2009

[ Open ] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2009

Brad Waldera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2009

Fred Brogle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2010

Jim Shannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2010

Bob Timme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2010

Vince Weirick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2010

2 MUSKIE.....December 2007

Muskies, Inc. Past PresidentsGil Hamm

Edward T. PeterkaRobert Hill

Robert ShoopFrank Schneider

Peter HadleyDuWayne Bakke

Lou Cook

Peter HadleyBob Schmidt

Larry RamsellLou Cook

Keith OgdenBill Davis

Steve StatlandJohn Hotle

Jim BlaubachSteve Budnik

Jim SmithPaul Framsted

Perry SmithGreg Wells

Muskie International Chapter ElectionsChapter elections are this month. ALD elections are coming soon. If you know now

you cannot or will not fulfill the obligations of your office (I understand that situationssometimes change) do not run for a leadership position. If you do run for a leadershipposition you are expected to fulfill your obligations to your Chapter and to Muskies, Inc.at the international level.

Jack MogaOne person whose circumstances have absolutely changed is our Vice President of

Communications, Jack Moga. Jack, due to certain personal obligations, has submitted hisresignation as Vice President of Communications. Jack’s presence has been and continuesto be strong as is his voice for Muskies, Inc. His support and efforts on behalf of our organ-ization will long be remembered. It is my sincere hope that Jack’s situation will improve tothe extent that he will be back in a leadership position in the near future. If you get theopportunity, please convey thanks to Jack for his efforts on behalf of our organization.

Best of the BestOn the weekend of October 12th through 14th, I had the opportunity to attend the Best

of the Best Tournament hosted by the Titletown Chapter. These guys and gals (PC Policestay off my back) did it right. Multiple fish, excellent facilities, tremendous food andunbeatable camaraderie. On top of that, $5,000 was donated to the Wisconsin DNR forsupport of their Great Lake Strain Muskie Program ($2,500 each from M.I. Internationaland the Titletown Chapter). To Jay Zahn and the rest of the Chapter - excellent job andthanks for allowing me to participate.

For those of you interested, my role was as judge in Dr. Tom Betka’s boat. Whileinitially concerned about the judge boat format, I need not have worried. Most of the fishlanded were done in sight of a judge boat, many with the judge boat waiting just out ofrange to allow the angler to land the fish. Release times according to the Wisconsin DNROfficials with whom the matter was discussed, were not significantly longer than withoutjudge boats. Credit should be given to the Titletown Chapter for having an adequatenumber of judge boats and to the judge boat operators themselves for volunteering theirtime on behalf of this worthy cause. Next year, do I want to again be a judge (and learnabout multiple catches) or fish the tournament itself? Tough call.

See you on the water. v

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MUSKIE Magazine StaffEDITORKevin Richards7618 Sunrise Ridge RoadHenley, MO 65040Phone: (573) 280-2300Email: [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITORJuris OzolsPhone: (952) 921-6311Email: [email protected]

PHOTO EDITORGordon CampbellPhone: (973) 208-8297Email: [email protected]

LUNGE LOG EDITORJim Bunch

ADVERTISING MANAGERJim Beaty2933 Bridle LaneSwansea, IL 62226-5993Office: (618) 235-6370Fax: (618) 235-6393Email: [email protected]

PUBLICATIONS TECHNICAL MANAGERSunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - Brenda Kirchner25123 22nd Avenue • St. Cloud, MN 56301-9189Phone: 888-253-8808, ext. 133

MAGAZINE DESIGNSunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - John Windschitl

ILLUSTRATOR/CARTOONISTRichard Gross

FIELD EDITORSSteve Budnik, Bob Chochola, James W. Colgan,Elizabeth Cratty, Adam Glickman,Robert Jennings, Mike Kanaval, Colby Simms,Patricia Strutz, Vincent P. Trotta

EMERITUS EDITORSRod Ramsell, Keith Ogden, Jim Smith

MUSKIE is published exclusively for the mem-bership of Muskies, Inc. and subscriptionscome with a paid membership. Muskies, Inc. isa non-profit organization. Membership classesand associated annual dues are listed on theform at the bottom of page one. Copies ofMUSKIE magazine are available at $3.00 eachfrom the Muskies, Inc. International Office.Contributors grant rights for M.I. to publishonce in MUSKIE Magazine, both the print andon-line versions, including archives and on theM.I. Web site.

Submissions toMUSKIE Magazine

Persons interested in submitting articles forpublication are directed to our websitewww.muskiesinc.org for a link to MUSKIEMagazine, where you will find links on the leftside of the page providing information neces-sary for submissions to MUSKIE Magazine.Further questions will be answered by KevinRichards, Editor. Submissions may be sent to:7618 Sunrise Ridge Road, Henley, MO 65040or email: [email protected]. Phone:(573) 280-2300.


Coming Next Month:Secret Spot: Dad’s Rock

Sig’s Big Muskie

2008 Sport Shows

From the Muskie Biologists

ABOUT THE COVERWintertime, and the fishin’s noteasy, especially up north.

But you do get out one of those lastfew days, before the lake freezes.And you cast to the other shore.Well, what do you suppose justmight materialize on the shorebehind your back?

And what kind of presents mightthat kindly old gent have for you, ifnot that day perhaps the next year?

Don’t discount it, there’s a lot ofmagic in Muskie fishing...

This shot was taken on PapooseLake, Vilas County, Wisconsin, acouple of years ago.

From the whole gang at MUSKIE Magazine – Merry Christmas, HappyHolidays, and Best Wishes for a MUSKIE New Year! v

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

CHICAGO MUSKIE SHOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

FITTANTE REPLICAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

JUST BIG MUSKIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

LAKE ST. CLAIR MUSKIE SHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

LAX REPRODUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

MILWAUKEE MUSKIE EXPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

MUSKIES, INC. 2007 YEAR-END FUNDRAISER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

MUSKIES, INC. - 2008 CALENDARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

MUSKIES, INC. - COMMEMORATIVE LURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

RED WING LODGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

ROLLIE & HELEN’S MUSKY SHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

SIMPLY FISHING - CRASH MULLIN SPECIAL EDITION DVD . . . . 15

TAYLOR COUNTY TOURIST COMMISSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

TUFFY BOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

YOUNG'S WILDERNESS CAMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

MI Chapter 9 – West VirginiaOutstanding SportsmenOrganization for 2007

The weekend of September 22-23 found several Chapter 9members manning their booth at the WV DNR Hunting andFishing Days Celebration held at Stonewall Jackson Lake. A gor-geous weekend led to record turnouts of WV sportsmen. We spentthe weekend introducing our club to visitors, answering numerousmuskie fishing questions and having fun with over 300 youth whoparticipated in our coloring contest. The kids also enjoyed the hand-fuls of goodies we had for each.

We were in for a great surprise on the final day at the closingawards ceremony when Chapter 09 was named the OutstandingSportsmen Organization for 2007. WV DNR Director FrankJezerio listed our contributions to the DNR both financially andwith manpower assistance to their projects, as well as work withyoung people through Fishing Derbys, the Wirt Co. 4-H, and WTFJAKES days as significant to our goals of Youth, Fisheries andResearch.

Speaking of manpower assistance, this time of year is advancedmuskie fingerling harvest time at WV state hatcheries. We had atremendous production year with lots of our club members helpingwith the collection. Details will be shared next month in the regularChapter News and Views section. And, on the financial assistanceside of things, congratulations to Steve Lancaster of Pine Grove whowas the winner of our 2007 Rod Raffle fundraiser. Thanks to all whoparticipated and made this a successful endeavor.

Special congratulations to Chapter 9 – yet another great exam-ple of Muskies, Inc. members in action! Thanks to Jim Moore forsharing this award notice with us.

Jim Smith, MUSKIE Editor EmeritusLast month I briefly mentioned that at the M.I. Fall Meeting the

Board voted to honor Jim Smith as Editor Emeritus for MUSKIEMagazine. Jim becomes just our third Emeritus Editor, joining RodRamsell and Keith Ogden. Most folks know Jim as our MUSKIEEditor for the past 50 issues, but his list of volunteer contributionsto conservation and Muskies, Inc. is much more extensive.

From 1979-1987 Jim served two terms as a WildlifeCommissioner in Colorado. Jim was appointed by the Governor tooversee operations of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. During histenure he actively supported catch-and-release fishing and wasinstrumental in introducing and establishing a tiger muskie popula-tion in Colorado.

Jim was founder and Past President of the Colorado Chapter ofMuskies, Inc. He was also the chapter’s first inductee into their Hallof Fame.

As a volunteer at the M.I. International level, Jim served as ourPresident from 1997-1999. He also served on and chaired numer-ous committees and helped write and revise many of our brochures.

From October 2003 through October 2007 Jim was ManagingEditor of MUSKIE Magazine; during his last 16 months as Editor hewas also our Advertising Manager.

Jim - thank you for your great service to M.I. We’re glad to seeyou’ll be sticking with us as Editor Emeritus and as a contributingwriter. Your Lac Seul article in this issue already has me thinkingabout a return trip. I bet it has a similar impact on other readers!

– Kevin Richards

Caring and SharingEmployers’ Payroll Deduction and Matching Charitable Plans

Muskies, Inc. needs you help. Each chapter and theInternational are looking to 2008. Budgets remain tight. For theInternational, magazine, website, postage and operating costs keeprising. Most members look to Muskies, Inc. to provide camaraderieand knowledge of muskie fishing while conserving the habitat andexpanding the fishery. Each year, as expenses increase, our ability todo this becomes ever more challenging. Our budgeted expenses for2008 are 33.7% less than 2004. In 2008, we are planning on havingas much as $14,000 available for youth, fisheries and research proj-ects. For the first time, the International is helping chapters with thecost of highway billboards promoting the fishery and Muskies, Inc.Each month, we are grateful to those members making additionaldonations when they renew their memberships. As important asthese donations are, they do not cover the increased costs. We doneed your help during this holiday season and throughout the year.Your donation can be to MI’s general fund with one-half going backto your chapter or to the Youth Fund, Perry Smith Fisheries Fund,Research Fund, or the Kermit Benson Scholarship Fund.

Many employers offer payroll deduction plans for their employ-ees’ charitable donations. Often, employers match your donation.Muskies, Inc. is a non-profit organization (IRC 501(c)(3)) eligible toreceive these funds. Further, when you make a donation throughpayroll deduction, it is tax deductible for you. We ask that if youremployer offers a payroll deduction plan, please consider listingMuskies, Inc. as a recipient. Your tax deductible donation of $5 or


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Some of the members of MI Chapter 9 at the WV DNR Hunting andFishing Days Celebration with their award.

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$10 per week or more would greatly help us give you a betterMuskies, Inc. Further, if your employer offers it, matching fundscould double your help.

We appreciate your consideration this holiday season. If youhave any questions or need to provide information or documentationto your employer, please e-mail me at [email protected] or callme at (847)726-7267. You may, also, call our toll free number(888)710-8286 and leave a message for me to call you back. Again,thank you for including Muskies, Inc. in your thoughts.

– Pete Barber, Treasurer

P.S. I would like to thank member Shawn Schaefer (Chapter 35)for reminding me about employer matching funds programs.

Caring and Sharing in Action!Since first running the article above I got word of a whopper

donation that’s been in the works for several years. Many MImembers remember Hugh C. Becker. Before his death, Mr. Beckerworked with fellow MI member George Selcke to establish theHugh C. Becker Foundation. Sixty-five percent of the dividendsfrom this multi-million dollar foundation will go to Muskies, Inc.each year! The funds will be channeled by the foundation board andthrough the Twin Cities Chapter. However, there will be a grantapplication process available to chapters and conservation agenciesthroughout the North American muskie range! The grants can beused for projects such as muskie propagation, stocking, habitat,water quality, and professional research. The 2008 grant applicationperiod will run through February 28th. Look for more details nextmonth in MUSKIE. What an amazing legacy Mr. Becker has left forthe benefit of muskies and muskie anglers!

What You Need to KnowAbout E-10 Ethanol Fuel and Winter Boat Lay-up

Last year recreational boaters in most parts of the country wereintroduced to gasoline containing higher concentrations of ethanol,a corn-based additive that replaced a known carcinogen, MTBE. Thenew fuel, dubbed “E-10” for its 10% ethanol content, unfortunate-ly has the ability to attract greater amounts of water and “phase sep-arate,” or form two separate solutions in the gas tank, usually over along period of time. Once this happens, the engine may not run andinternal damage can occur.

With the lengthy winter lay up period again upon us, manyboaters and anglers are asking how they can avoid winter fuel prob-lems. BoatUS has these recommendations, some of which weregleaned from Midwestern marina owners where E-10 has been in usefor over a decade:

The best practical recommendation is to continue to top off aboat’s fuel tanks to about 95% full, leaving room for expansion. Atank that is almost full limits the flow of air into and out of the vent,which reduces the chance of condensation adding water to the fuel.Anglers who fish over the winter should also top off their boat’s gaso-line tanks between outings to prevent condensation. Note that somemechanics mistakenly advise that leaving a tank partially filled allowsyou to “freshen” the old fuel by topping off the tank in the spring.Leaving a tank partially filled with E-10 invites phase separation,

which cannot be remedied by adding fresh gasoline. Once E-10phase separates, the water will remain at the bottom of the tank.Midwest marina owners report that phase separation typically occurswhen boats were stored with tanks only one-quarter to one-half full.

Draining fuel tanks of E-10 gas, while completely eliminatingany chances of phase separation, is potentially dangerous and not rec-ommended.

Once phase separation occurs in E-10 gasoline, additives andwater separators can’t help. The only remedy is to have the gas andethanol/water professionally removed from the tank.

Ethanol is known to chemically react with fiberglass fuel tanks,which can cause them to deteriorate and potentially fail. This is mostcommon with tanks built before the mid-1980s. Unless your boat’smanufacturer can confirm that your tank was built to withstandethanol, the only remedy is to not use E-10 gas (which may not bepossible) or to replace the tank with a non-reactive material such asaluminum.

While ethanol does attract moisture, never try to plug up a fueltank vent to prevent moist air from entering a tank. Without roomto expand, the additional pressure could rupture fuel system compo-nents.

With any fuel that sits in a tank for a long time, it’s importantto add a stabilizer. But understand that stabilizers do not preventphase separation. v

BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation’sleading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 memberswith a wide array of consumer services. For information visit

www.BoatUS.com

D O N A T I O N S

On behalf of Muskies, Inc., thank you for adding a bit extra when yourenewed your membership.

– Pete Barber, Treasurer

GEORGE REIDNGER

MIKE LABINSKI

FRANK URZETTA

MIKE DICKEY

DON RIEKS

FRED BECCHETTI

CLAYTON FLETCHER

KEITH OGDEN

SPANKY BAITS

CHAPTER 53

O C T O B E R


Do you still believe?At this time of year many youngsters quietly ask each other, “Do

you still believe?” Often the questions and answers are whispered sothat others won’t hear and judge their responses.

What about you, do you still believe? This can be a thoughtprovoking question for a wide range of subjects.

Do you still believe in the mission of Muskies, Inc? In a nut-shell, the M.I. mission statement indicates our focus is to improvethe sport of muskie fishing for men, women and children; to uniteall muskie fishing interests for the promotion and protection of highquality muskellunge sport fisheries in the U.S. and Canada; to sup-port conservation practices and research based on sound scientificmerit; to abate water pollution; and to disseminate muskie informa-tion to other stakeholders. How are we doing? Take another look atthe past 12 issues of MUSKIE and any of the chapter newsletters towhich you have access. M.I. accomplishments during 2007 are pret-ty impressive!

Do you still believe that we, as anglers, can make a difference? Ibelieve we can. We need to work smarter. We need to improve ourcommunication efforts. We need to build stronger working relation-ships with state and provincial conservation agencies. We need tobuild stronger working relationships with organizations which shareour ideals, such as the various state muskie clubs and alliances,Muskies Canada, and others. In this regard, I really appreciate thearticle in this issue which highlights the cooperative project betweenOntario MNR and our friends from Muskies Canada.

Now, let’s have some fun. Do you believe there will be a newworld record muskie caught within the next 10 years? I do!Seriously, I am excited about the number of mid to upper 50-inchmuskies that have been caught and released over the past couple ofyears. To increase the odds of producing the next world record wemust take every reasonable step to reduce stress to the big 50-plusinch muskies our members catch and release. A world record muskieis the apex of the muskie population pyramid. If we want to broad-en the top of this pyramid (that is, produce more potential records)we have to broaden the lower steps (in this case produce and protectmore 40 and 50 pound muskies). Don’t get me wrong, we can’t dothis in all muskie waters and should not set that as our goal. We needto look at the biological potential of various waters to produce BIGmuskies and work with our state and provincial partners to employsound regulations that provide a diversity of muskie fishing experi-ences for all muskie anglers. Then, as muskie anglers, we need toemploy the best catch-and-release methods we can. And we need toavoid situations which result in unnecessary stress to the muskies wecatch. Here again, take a look at the OMNR guidelines; they arequite similar to guidelines recommended by a number of muskiebiologists I have talked to.

Do you believe 2008 will be one of your best muskie years? Ido, and I hope you do too! Muskies, Inc. and MUSKIE Magazineare dedicated to disseminating muskie information – fishing tech-niques, destination information, and interviews with experts are partof that. Take a look at our feature articles this month – read andlearn! Then take a look at the Chapter 5 report in the News andViews this month – stories like that really make me feel optimistic.Capitalize on muskie opportunities to learn during the wintermonths ahead. One great way to do that would be to attend one ormore of the sport shows which highlight muskie fishing and muskiedestinations. We have made this December issue our “Early SportShow” edition to help get these events on your radar screens early.

Finally, do you believe you can help make MUSKIE Magazineeven better in 2008? I know you can. Take another look at my col-umn in the November issue. If you have an interesting article thatwould help educate our readers on techniques or new destinationsplease run it by me. If you have a story that might fit into “My SecretSpot” or “The Truth As I Remember It” please email your idea to mefor consideration.

Remember, as I said last month, it’s your MUSKIE Magazine!Please continue to share your comments and ideas with me at:[email protected]

This is a great time of year to count our blessings – our families,our friends, our freedom, and those many things we take for grantedsometimes, such as good fishing, clean water, and the awesome nat-ural resources we have in North America. Enjoy the season. I’mlooking forward to getting to know more of you in the monthsahead.

Oh, and by the way, take another look at the cover – I stillbelieve! v

8 8Figure 8by Kevin Richards

[email protected]

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MISSION STATEMENT“Muskies, Inc. is an active, service-oriented, non-profit

organization with the single focus of improving the sport ofmuskie fishing for men, women, and children.

Our mission is to unite all muskie fishing interests for thepromotion and protection of a high quality muskellunge sportfishery in the United States and Canada.

We will accomplish this by supporting conservation prac-tices and research based on sound scientific merit, and carriedout by authorized federal or state agencies, appropriate academ-ic institutions, Muskies, Inc chapters, and their members.

We are committed to the abatement of water pollution;maintenance of records for muskie habits, growth, and range;and the dissemination of muskie information to everyone.”

Adopted, April 2002


Notice Re: Advertising in MUSKIE MagazineUntil further notice please direct all advertising inquiries to Jim Beaty, AdvertisingManager. Please be further advised that effective with the January 2008 issueMUSKIE Magazine changed their rates. A new rate card can be sent electronically viathe Internet or mailed to interested advertisers with our media kit. Our rate sheet isalso available on our website www.muskiesinc.org see Magazine tab at top of open-ing page, then click on Advertising Opportunities on the left.

ADVERTISING MANAGERJim Beaty • 2933 Bridle Lane • Swansea, IL 62226-5993

Office: (618) 235-6370 • Fax: (618) 235-6393Email: [email protected]

JANUARYMain Sport Show Edition

New year, new products, new ideas,new destinations

FEBRUARYGotta Love Those Muskies!

Special destinations, special muskieteams, catch-and-release

MARCHM.I. Fisheries, Research, & Youth

Get ready for the year ahead, highlightFRY projects and outstanding

workers/volunteers

APRILSouthern and early-season muskies

Destinations and techniques forearly spring

MAYPreview of Northern muskie openersSpecial highlight of WI, MN, & MI;highlight the ladies of Muskies, Inc.

JUNENational Fishing Week/Casting for

New Anglers!Youth, new anglers andNational Fishing Week;

highlight dads fishing with kids

JULYNorthern Lights

Highlight Ontario muskie fishing

AUGUSTPlan your Fall Muskie Hunt!

Big Muskie Fall Preview; MI Comm.Lure; Highlight “eastern” muskies (St.Clair, St. Lawrence, NY, PA, OH, etc.)

SEPTEMBERFall Casting Special

Focus on fall casting and destinations

OCTOBERFall Trolling Special

Focus on fall trolling and destinations

NOVEMBERM.I. Fisheries, Research, and Youth

Updates on FRY projects, results, andaccomplishments; late season tactics

DECEMBEREarly Sport Show EditionSport shows and gift ideas

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Do you have a great story or ad for MUSKIE in 2008?Perhaps this list of monthly themes will help you figure out

what month, or months, your ideas would be the best for youand for our readers. Remember to coordinate your ads or

articles as early as possible. Preliminary ideas for articles shouldbe sent to the Editor at least two months in advance. Thanks!

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Jon Olstadt! The Leinies Hat!Jon needed a little luck, so he changed from a St. Croix fishing

hat to a Lienenkugels hat. He did this even though the St. Croix hathad a 53 inch under its bill already this year. The night before thisevent he saw a falling star. Naturally when seeing a falling star youhave to make a wish. Get the picture here. The stars were comingtogether. Right in the midst of a really terrible week on a really greatlake the stars were lining up big time.

First of all Leinies has been a locally made beer up in ChippewaFalls, WI since the beginning of time. How local? The president ofthe Leinenkugels Brewing Company lives just about a mile and a halfdown the lake from me. If you are a football fan, a baseball fan, or ahunter or a fisherman, it has to be Leinies in the cooler. My son calls

it nectar of the gods. So on September 24th when JonOlstadt changed to a Leinies hat, he was goofyenough to believe that it would make a difference andthat perhaps the Leinies hat would help him top thatprevious 53-incher big time.

Jono is a pretty neat Muskies, Inc story. When hecame on board just a few years ago he did not havemuch success catching muskies. He just didn’t seemto have it. But Jono just kept hanging around, pick-ing up on things from some of the old timers. Prettysoon he used some of what rubbed off and some ofhis own ideas and today we’d have to say that he isquite dangerous. He is now fishing Vermilion, MilleLacs and Plantagenet in Minnesota plus Lake of theWoods in Ontario. Our chapter has a weekly fishingleague and for most of the summer this year he had astrangle hold on that. So Jono has been around a fewblocks in the last few years. When he nailed 53 X 22on July 17 from Mille Lacs we were not surprised. Ifished a league night with him this summer and hisintensity is quite unique. Jon shared this story:

The reality of this trip was fishing was tough.Since we had no pattern going, we just kept mixing itup trying to shake something loose - casting, trolling,shorelines, reefs, rocks, weeds, etc. We had to remainflexible because nothing was working.

We had just stopped a fruitless couple hours oftrolling and decided to make a nearby shoreline run.We pull up and while Jason was changing bait, Imade a couple casts. On the second one, the bait isalmost back to the boat when out of the corner of myeye she comes barreling in like a freight train tointercept the bait. I reflexively went into an L turnand she eats it right there. She’s facing just perfect soI can set the hooks back into her mouth and off wego with some big head shakes. After some toe to toefun with this behemoth on a short leash, it seemedlike either she was under the boat in the motor ormaking straight away runs. Pretty chaotic and I’mnot sure how long it took maybe 5-10 minutes or so.

We get her calmly to the boat and were about tonet her when she started to look like she was going togo again. So I’m calling Jason off the net. Just sec-onds later she just starts swimming so Jason put thebag in front her and she goes right in. He saw theopportunity and took it. Thank you Jason!

When she hit, I knew it was a big fish but didn’tknow how big. Smith is telling me the whole time

the Lunge Log

by Jim Bunch

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that it’s way bigger than my 53” (he netted that one for me too). Iwas just trying to stay calm and close the deal so I didn’t think aboutit too much.

Well now that she was laying there in the bag, we couldn’tbelieve the size of this fish. I kept putting my hand on her head andback and made it look like a kid’shand.

We get the camera and toolsready then Jason goes into the bag toget a girth. “26.5” he say. Yikes!So now we’re ready to lift her and getsome pics. I start in and realize rightaway that it’s going to take someeffort. I lift her out and we get acouple of pics off before I’m tellingJason I got to set this fish down.So we take her to the stick and puther down. I lay her jaw right on theline while Jason comes up with anumber. He looks for a second thenasks me if I’m sure that I have it onthe line. I double check and tellhim yes. “56.6”. Oh my gosh.

I lift her back up and we get acouple more pics quick and we puther back in the drink. She took offafter about a minute or two of coax-ing.

A couple of fun things...on ourway back in the night before, I saw abig bright falling star so of coursehad to make a wish and what elsewould you wish for on a trip likethis? I told Smith that I just saw thestar and he said something along theline of thanks for wishing for him tocatch a big one. I laughed and toldhim sorry but he’s nuts.

The other thing was we like tojoke around about “lucky hats” it’s asort of superstition thing. I havetwo hats that are currently top notchproducers - a St. Croix hat and aLeinies hat. Well the St. Croix hat

was the one I was wearing when I caught my 53” earlier this year butit had not produced on this current trip so it was time to change it.First day with the Leinies hat paid off!

By the formula she was 49.6 pounds. The formula has a vari-ance factor of 1% so maybe I did catch a 50 pounder, maybe I did-n’t, whatever. Jono!

Hello New Mexico!Juris Ozols has worked hard on the 2008 calendar; it lists every

state that has muskies. Oops, well after press time here comes NewMexico. Sorry about the timing Juris. Late in October I was approv-ing entries when I spotted “NM” for state at the end of a lake name.My first reaction was who was trying to pull what. A little investiga-tion found Chris Nordquist of Albuquerque, New Mexico as the cul-prit. So I looked him up in membership and found him to be a mem-ber of the Colorado Chapter. Of course it showed me a phone num-ber so I called him. He was not home so I left a message and myphone number. Not five minutes later my phone rings, I recognizedthe number that I just called. Chris Nordquist does not say hello howare you, he yells, “yes we got muskies in New Mexico!” Chris is atransplant from Pennsylvania.

Jon Olstadt, First Wisconsin, 56.5 X 26.5, 9/24/07Vermilion, MN. Cowgirl, Fish I.D. 247023

(Continued on page 10)

Bluewater Lake is in Cibola County, New Mexico about 2 hourswest of Albuquerque. It is at about 7,400 feet elevation. This lake isonly 200 to 250 acres. When it is full it is about 1,000 acres. At floodstage it is 3,000 acres. It is a stocked rainbow trout lake. It has beenpretty much put and take over the years. Well some problems cameup. Their bio mass study showed 80% suckers and 18% goldfish.That left just 2% for the intended rainbow trout.

The goldfish thing turned out to be the regular old goldfish thatevery 7 year old kid has had in a one gallon fish bowl. Yes, they are apart of the carp family. The lake was infested with them. How they

got there is the subject of specula-tion but probably some families gottired the cleaning the fish tank andjust dumped them in the lake. Themassive amount of suckers is nosecret. They will reproduce massive-ly without predators.

The New Mexico DNRapproached this no predator thing.They tried several theories and evensome poison. Nothing worked. Sothe next theory was what can weintroduce here that will eat goldfishand suckers. Hello New Mexicomuskies. We find it interesting thatour man Chris Nordquist is fromPennsylvania and the New MexicoDNR went to the PennsylvaniaDNR with their problem. Low andbehold 5,000 eight to eleven inchmuskies were introduced in 2003 toBluewater Lake. The next spring100,000 fry went in. The tiger pro-gram has continued since then. Sowith these predators on board thebiomass of goldfish went from 18%to 1.5%; suckers went from 80% to15%.

So were did all the biomass go?Hello New Mexico muskies. TheDNR now estimates they have 10muskies per acre in Bluewater Lake.On October 19 Chris Nordquistwent there to check it out, he caught6 muskies, 4 in the upper twenties a31 incher and this 32 incher in thepicture. Chris and others do notknow how big and how long thismuskie thing will last but they areexcited about it. There were someadvanced fingerlings planted andsome adults introduced. Localnewspapers have reported a catch ortwo up to 42 inches. Fish that sizeare limited at this point though.

So now the Lunge Log Lakedata base shows Bluewater Lake.Chris said I should enter QuemadoLake in Catron County, New


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Hello New Mexico! Chris Nordquist, Chapter 44, 32 Inch,10/19/2007, Bluewater Lake, New Mexico. Bobbie. Fish I.D.248519

LUNGE LOG (Continued from page 9)


www.redwinglodge.net • www.redwinglodge.on.caFamily owned and operated for 40 years

On Sabaskong BaySix-time Muskies, Inc.,

Chapter Challunge Headquarters1983, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2003, 2004

Over

7,000 MuskiesReleased

• Ultra-modern one, two, three, or four bedroom cabins• American plan, housekeeping or camping• Floating docks, electricity for charging batteries, Lund Boats with swivel seats

and depth finders, Honda motors with electric start• Dining room with food and liquor available for registered guests only

Call or write for data on musky catches:

1 (888) 488-5601 or (807) 488-5601Red Wing Lodge, Box 1008, Baudette, MN 56623

Mexico as they have the same situation going on there. So I did. Weused to brag about how many states have muskies. So now howmany states are left to jump on the band wagon? Let’s see, howabout California, Alaska, Arizona, and Hawaii (shut up Jim, you aregetting goofy).

The 60 Incher!In early October we had a report of a 60 inch muskie caught

out of Lac Seul. It was caught on an Eagle Tail on 9/21/2007 byMark Podobinski of the Chicagoland Chapter. I have talked to thisman in detail. I have talked to his witness in detail. Their sincerityabout the event is genuine. The problem is that the pictures do notdo this fish justice. As your humble servant I have played this gamefor years. Pictures are very deceiving. Some show a muskie thatlooks much smaller than the real thing. Some pictures show amuskie that looks much larger than the real thing. In this case thepictures do not do this fish justice. So I have decided to not evenshow them. Another muskie source has decided to pull the storybecause the pictures did not match what they wanted to see. That isfine. In Muskies, Inc. we accept entries from all members in thesame fashion. Report it the best that you can. So the 247,000entries in the Lunge Log will stand as submitted. This fish will alsostand as submitted. Mark’s chapter contest chairpersons are twopeople I really trust. They are Dean and Leah Rosset; their majorcomment after a long visit was that this could not happen to a niceror more deserving man. Case closed, love you all.

Thanks a bunchJim

715 226-0295 • [email protected] • [email protected]


My husband has made the remark, “My wife buys muskiefishing lures like most women buy shoes. She has thou-sands of them.” Okay, maybe thousands is an exaggera-

tion...but, he does readily admit that I am very easy to buy gifts forwhen our anniversary or a holiday rolls around. One thing can besaid for avid muskie fishermen and women—you can never have toomuch gear.

So, with that in mind I have compiled a list of unique gift ideasto help make your holiday shopping easy.

***This should be on top of everyone’s list***Introduce a new member to Muskies, Inc. If each one of us signs

up just one person this holiday season, our numbers will double!Have a nephew, niece, or co-worker that likes to fish? Visitwww.muskiesinc.org and sign them up for a regular membership.They’ll be thrilled when they receive their first issue of MUSKIE.

Safety Itemsd Stowmaster’s Marine Air Horn: A great little item that makes a

BIG noise when blown. Perfect for small craft—like my rowtroller—www.stowmaster.net for dealer’s list.

d Polarized Lowlight Sunglasses: Here’s an item many fishermenfeel is too much of a luxury—but, they could save their eyesight!Treat them to a pair with yellow or amber lenses. My favoritesare made by Costa Del Mar, www.costadelmar.com

d Solar Gloves: These lightweight gloves offer UV protection for allthose days spent out in the intense sun. Available at www.kayak-fishingstuff.com

d Inflatable Life Vests: These lightweight vests are offered in sus-pender and fanny pack styles. They are so comfortable you for-get you have them on, www.basspro.com

Wet Weather Geare Waterproof camera: Check out all the different digital models at

www.olympuscamera.com. Many of their Stylus series areshock-proof and waterproof. They also offer wireless remotecontrols—the perfect outdoor person’s camera.

e Waterproof cell phone: Haven’t tried this one personally, but theNextel i580 “Tough Guy” Motorola phone sure seems to fit thebill. It is shock-proof and waterproof, comes with software so itcan be used as a GPS device, has walkie talkie capabilities, and a1.3 megapixel camera.

e Dry Bags: Who can ever have enough of these handy items?Available in a variety of sizes, check out Fleet Farm’s extensivestock. I especially like the see-through styles.

e Cabela’s Guidewear: These Gore-tex parkas and bibs are expen-sive but worth every dime! Available in both men and ladiessizes, I think I was the first woman to order a pair. I hesitatedbecause of the cost. Now, three years later I can honestly say theyare easily the best rain gear I’ve ever worn, www.cabelas.com

Cold Weather Gearf Gerbing Outdoors Clothes: Gerbing offers heated jacket and pant

liners, socks, gloves, bibs, and more—all powered by a portable12-volt battery source. Visit www.gerbing.com

f SealSkinz gloves: These waterproof, windproof, breathable, andwarm gloves and mittens are surely a welcome during late seasonfishing, www.sealskinz.com

f Frabill’s Aqua Life Portable Aerator: Keeps your live bait alive andfrisky in the coldest conditions. Has a built in light for low lightconditions, www.frabill.com

f Kevin VanDam’s Line & Lure Conditioner: This fishing line con-ditioner is made from unique polymers that are hydrophobic(water repelling). It doesn’t allow near freezing water to drawback on the reel spool. Lasts much longer than silicone oil basedproducts, www.lineandlure.com

Night Fishingi Cat’s Eyes Cap Light: powered by four lithium coin cell batteries,

this headlight is lightweight and water resistant. Much less bulkythan the old standards. Available at Thorne Brothers,www.thornebros.com

i Rechargeable Spotlight: With a variety of models now available,look for one that sports at least three million candlepower.Cabela’s offers a High-Intensity Discharge Vector spotlightwhich casts an incredibly bright 3,500 lumen beam for up to 70minutes before recharging is needed, www.cabelas.com

i Dunwright Clear Vision 6 Tackle Box: Store your lures in theseclear tube canisters. They’ll be easy to see and to access afterdark, without running the risk of taking a treble hook in yourcalf. Available at www.muskyshop.com

New on marketU Shimano Curado 300 DSV: This low profile baitcasting reel has

taken the industry by storm. Made to withstand the rigors ofmuskie fishing, it’s ergonomic design makes marathon days ofcasting no problem, www.shimano.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: For another great gift idea,check out the top of page 15!

Great Gifts for Muskie Maniacsby Patricia Strutz

Musky fisherwoman Lisa Hoff models WOW! Women on the Waterfishing visor as well as Costa Del Mar MP2 Sunglasses.

UCustom “‘Old Blue Eyes’ Lures : (namedafter Frank Sinatra) Available atSmokey’s Muskie Shop in Pewaukee.Owner John Laimon has these allwhite lures with bright baby blue eyesmade up by Drifter Tackle. The 10”Jake is an awesome trolling lure,www.smokeysmuskieshop.com

UPINK Mepps Marabous! Pinkblades/pink feathers...great gift toentice your daughter to try her handat muskie fishing, www.mepps.com

UWet Notes: A special coating on thisnotebook’s paper allows you to takenotes during the wettest of conditions.Great way to keep track of barometricconditions, fish log, etc. Available atwww.go2marine.com

Cleaning SuppliesS Boat cleaner: 3M Marine Clean & Shine Wax Enhancer is some of

the best stuff I’ve ever tried. Place this in a bucket with towelsand a gift certificate to wash the captain’s boat next season.

S Biodegradable Compressed Towels: These towels weigh only 1/2

ounce and are packed in water resistant packaging. They are superabsorbent and very multi-functional–use to wash your boat or justto clean your hands while fishing, www.safetycentral.com

S Boat wax: BTS All Surface Protectant. This polymer based condi-tioner leaves no chalky residue. You just spray and wipe-requir-ing much less effort than traditional wax. It protects from moststains, fading from sun, salt corrosion, mold and mildew,www.btsproducts.com

The Gift of Time (things to do with your fishing buddy)

T Spend the winter planning your fishing trip

TTake a sonar/gps tutorial on-line

T Spend a couple of evenings making leaders, re-spooling newline, sharpening hooks, and cleaning and maintaining your reels

TBring a buddy along to your Muskies, Inc. meeting—especiallynice when there is a guest speaker or activity planned.

For Young Muskie AnglersWTake a boater’s safety course on-line together

W Practice throwing a baitcaster and presenting lures at your localswimming pool (of course, ask for permission first!)

WWatch some fishing shows and videos together to get them excit-ed about the sport.

W Bring them to a sport show and let them pick out a couple oftheir own lures.

For Muskie HuntressesV TWarm boots: Wolverine 9” Ridgelines. These insulated, gore-tex

boots are truly waterproof. In November, I step right into theboat landing’s icy water while donning these comfortable boots,www.wolverinebootsandshoes.com

V Sport sandals: Teva Dozers. During warmer weather, these san-dals are hard to beat. They offer support, stability, and comfort.The Dozers have full toe protection, are breathable, and lookgood! They provide excellent footing at slippery launches,www.teva.com

V Rollie & Helen’s Muskie Huntress LureKit: A nice package deal of easy to uselures that will put fish in your boat.Beginner and Intermediate levelsoffered for both stained and clearwater, www.muskyshop.com

V WOW! Women on the Water retail :(hat, visors, totes, towels, etc.) Letyour wife show the world that sheloves to fish by wearing this fun appar-el, www.ablondandherboat.com

V UV Blocker Tee: Columbia offers a“Titanium Highland long sleeve Tee”that factors in 100% UV blocker anda 30 SPF. Available at www.camp-mor.com

V A Blond & Her Boat Fishing Trip: enrollyour better half in a Muskie Huntresstrip or, join her for a Couples ChasingMuskies trip. 2008 schedule posted onwww.ablondandherboat.com

A Good ReadU Sign up for a subscription to The Next Bite/Esox Angler,

www.esoxangler.com

UBill Gardner’s Time on the Water. Available at www.musky-hunter.com

U John Alden Knight’s Solunar Tables—plan your trips around themoon phases.

ULarry Ramsell’s Compendium of Musky Angling History, availableat Rollie & Helen’s, www.muskyshop.com

Stocking Stufferse extra leaders, hooks, and split rings.

e roll of fluorocarbon and terminal tackle to make own leaders

e Shimano Multi-Fishing Tool: the 12” Muskie tool opens splitrings, cuts fluorocarbon, superbraids, and wire. It’s 12” offsetlong-nose design lends distance while working on hook removal,www.shimano.com

e *65#-80# PowerPro Superbraid line: The new packaging touts an“EZ Spool.” True to its word, it makes spooling fresh line quickand easy, www.powerpro.com

e Sunglass Lanyards: Attach these to your new lowlight sunglasses,available at Rollie & Helen’s Musky Shop,www.muskyshop.com

Easy and Quickd Gift certificate to Pastikas, Gander Mountain or his/her favorite

tackle shop.

d Gift certificate at local marina for winterization, spring tune up,or winter storage.

Don’t forget Fidoi Canine Flotation Device: Give your boating buddy a safety vest

in case he falls (or jumps) overboard. Sizes available for everybreed—from extra small Toy Fox Terriers to extra large Mastiffs,www.nrsweb.com v

Patricia Strutz is a fishing guide in northern Wisconsin. She is sponsoredby Heckel’s Marina and Crestliner Boats. www.ablondandherboat.com

www.muskiesinc.org December 2007.....MUSKIE 13

Tools of the trade—such as hook sharpeners,split ring pliers, and extra split rings makewelcome stocking stuffers at holiday time.

JUST BIG MUSKIESVolume 3 - “Just The Shield”

The very popular Just Big Muskies DVDs (Volumes 1 and 2)were previously reviewed in MUSKIE Magazine; now comesVolume 3 – “Just The Shield”. Erik and Brian are getting better witheach video. I really liked the first two volumes, but this one is reallysuper! A great Christmas stocking stuffer – in case anyone needssome ideas for Dad or Mom or maybe the kids.

One of the things I enjoy most about Erik and Brian’s videos isthat they give you all their data, facts and what-to-do for catchingmuskies. By the time you finish watching this DVD it is hard tothink either one of them have any secrets left. This DVD has spec-tacular footage of 30 big muskies and 13 of them are over the magi-cal 50 inch mark.

In case that doesn’t excite you enough, these guys have a two 50-inch fish day and follow that up with a day with four muskies from49 to 53 inches! Awesome and best of all the TV crew was there torecord it.

New in this DVD are some graphs toillustrate the structure where the big onescame from. In addition there is footage aboutlures and techniques. You’re going to loveVolume 3. Buy one just in case it doesn’tmake your Christmas list.

www.justbigmuskies.com

DVD REVIEWBy Jim Smith


Address changesare important!

M.I. mail sent to you is not forward-ed as we use the most economicalclass of postage. Please submit youraddress changes via the web. Logon to the “Members Only” sectionand select “My Member Info” toaccess the page for updating yourpersonal information. We send theupdated information to the printereach month on the 28th. Contact theSecretary if you don’t get your IDcards or MUSKIE Magazine in themail.


From Bob Mehsikomer, host of Simply Fishing Television:

While on a video shoot in Canada, I recently learned of a friend and colleague’s poorhealth. The friend of whom I speak is “Crash” Mullins.

In an attempt to help ease some of his and his family’s financial obligations as aresult of his illness, I have decided to contribute all of the revenues which mightresult from the sale of my latest DVD, the “MUSKIE MATRIX”, between now andDecember 31st, 2007.

The “Muskie Matrix” is our latest offering to the muskie fishermen around the world.It is exciting and packed with very valuable information. Your entire purchase price of$24.95, will be donated to the Mullins Cancer Treatment Fund, with no limits as tothe number you wish to order.

We hope you will contribute to this very important and worthy cause by purchasingthe “Muskie Matrix”. God willing with all our support as a muskie fisherman, inprayer and in action, “Crash” will be able to enjoy the sport he has done so much topromote over the years.

Please help make this a very special holiday season for “Crash” and his family bypresenting a friend or loved one with a copy of this Special Crash Edition of the“Muskie Matrix”, which will include a free copy of “Close Encounters Of The RightKind” DVD, as well as my way of saying thanks for your support for Crash.

May God bless the Mullins family. Thanks for all your support,

Bob MehsikomerSimply Fishing Television Series


Alot has been written about the proverbial “spot-on-the-spot”– that little nuance a spot possesses that makes it hold fishmore consistently than other similar sections of structure.

Maybe this spot has an extra ambush point making it a prime forag-ing location for apex predators. For instance, consider the famoussand-weedbed mixtures on the north shore of Mille Lacs. Spanningsome seven miles of shoreline, this enormous “spot” offers innumer-able ambush points in the shape of weed patch-es, depth changes, inside turns, maybe even asmall rockpile or two. However, it is almostinconceivable to attempt fishing all seven milesof this structure. Many anglers concentrate onsections and then continue breaking up thosesections into smaller pieces, looking for the highpercentage spots that produce fish on a fairlyconsistent basis. Now consider a totally feature-less shoreline with seemingly no weeds, nowood, no major depth changes, rock piles, cribs,etc. How do you find fish on structure like this? Many anglerswould simply not fish it. Yet, on lakes with high fishing pressure,taking the time to investigate some of these areas may be the key tosuccess. The saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” comes tomind. Essentially, though a shoreline may look relatively featurelessthere are probably portions of these areas – similar to the spot-on-the-spot, but what I prefer to call holding pens – that will attract andhold fish on a regular basis. Picture two reefs on the west and east

tips a large island. A hungry muskie relating to one of these reefscannot find prey, has been spooked by increased angling pressure, orexperiences some other adverse effect causing it to move from thatspot. Fish may choose to cruise open water in search of food (thebasis for a completely different article), but some may choose to usethe shoreline of the nearby island to move between these reefs orother adjacent structural elements.

Typically there are small spots along a largeshoreline that offer muskies good “secondary”hunting spots. Muskies will use these spots in apurely opportunistic manner, often stopping forbrief periods possibly to rest while simultaneous-ly using the spot to ambush available prey beforemoving on. What you will notice with thesespots is a high influx of fish at one particulartime and later no fish at all or a completely dif-ferent set of fish.

Case in point, several years ago when waterlevels at Lake of the Woods, Ontario were at a 40-year low we wereheaded out to one of our favorite spots, and as I turned around toview the spectacular scenery I noticed our wake breaking precarious-ly over something 50 yards from the shore of an enormous island.Following a hunch, we turned around and pulled up to what turnedout to be one large boulder – the size of an SUV! My partner rifleda cast over the very top of the rock and a large fish rolled on his spin-nerbait. We saw several other fish that trip on that spot; many dif-

Usually, these spotsare overlooked byfishermen keying in onthe more traditionalpoints, mid lake reefs,and bays . . .


ferent sizes and at many differenttimes. Up until that point most ofour “money” spots were islands,small reefs, various bays, etc. Wehad yet to concentrate on a spot asseemingly benign as this one.

Fast forward to the summer of2007, with water levels a little lowand weed growth slower and moresporadic than normal. Some of ourbest spots were not producing as wehad hoped. As we headed out toone of our destinations early in thetrip we passed the aforementionedseemingly insignificant boulder. Iturned the boat around deciding itcouldn’t hurt to throw a dozen castsat it. Immediately, I realized some-thing was different. This year weedslined the shoreline immediatelyadjacent to the boulder and were theonly visible weeds for at least anoth-er 300 yards in either direction. Tomake a long story short, we boatedthree muskies (39, 42, and 50 inch-es) as well as losing several more solidfish from this TINY spot. Lake of theWoods is almost one million acres insize and our best spot – fish caught, fish hooked, and follows – forthe entire week was one that measured maybe one cast length longand ? cast length wide.

During our annual trip in 2007 the fish showed almost no setpattern regarding locations. They were spread out and using every-thing from shallow slop bays to mid-lake islands. However, thisholding pen was almost a guaranteed producer. The fish became pre-dictable as to where and when they would show up on this spot.

A closer analysis of this spot yields some interesting clues as tothe predictability of the fish and their consistent use of this spot.First, the island this spot is adjacent to is close to a mile long and fea-tures very little in the way of fish holding structure; only a couple of

smaller islands and reefs are foundaround it. The shoreline leading upto this spot has no sharp breaks orcontour turns. The water is a fairlyconsistent 20 feet deep 100 yardsfrom the shoreline and the depthfluctuates very little between shoreand the primary breakline. The spotwe found acts as an “oasis.” As fishcruise up and down this island trav-eling between it and other nearbyislands/structural elements they usethis boulder and adjacent weedbed(given the right conditions) asambush spots to feed and replenishspent energy reserves. Our big fishof the trip caught from this spot hadnot been previously seen heredespite fishing the spot several timesa day for two days prior.

Since the discovery of this spot,we have confirmed many other sim-ilar spots exist in surrounding areas.Any rock reef or even a small isolat-ed weedbed in relatively close prox-

imity (50-75 yards) to a major islandwould constitute a holding pen. Inlakes lacking these structural elements,

like many southern reservoirs, a cluster of stumps or other atypicalcover along a bare shoreline would also constitute a holding pen.

Approaching these spots is simple; do it as you would any otherspot. Throw what you have found to produce well for you. Throwsomething you have confidence in. Often the fish on the spots willbe active and willing to strike, so something with a high hooking per-centage such as the old standby bucktail is an excellent choice. Othertimes you may have found a particular bait that the fish are chasingmore than others. By all means, THROW IT!

Identifying these spots is not as difficult or happenstance as itseems. Find a large island or stretch of shoreline on your map andlook for isolated rock, crib, or vegetation symbols along them.Usually, these spots are overlooked by fishermen keying in on themore traditional points, mid lake reefs, and bays, but to the personfocusing on the little nuances associated with large islands or stretch-es of shorelines they can stick out like a sore thumb. However, don’tassume these holding pens can only be found on a map. Rememberto constantly observe your surroundings on the water as some ofthese spots are so small they are not included on many maps, evensome of the really good Canadian Hydrographic maps.

If pressure on the more traditional spots is too much, or you feeladventurous, whip out your map and take a gander. Pay attention asyou drive past long stretches of shoreline. With a little luck, youmight just strike gold! v

Editor’s Note: It’s great to have Sean as a new contributor to MUSKIE.Sean writes from his home in Urbana, Illinois and is pursuing a degreein Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois. Sean has recruiteda number of U of I bass fishing buddies to chase muskies with him. Seanfishes muskies in several states from Kentucky to Minnesota and takes anannual muskie trip to Ontario’s Lake of the Woods.Brandyn Shepherd with a beautifully marked muskie

caught on a Jackpot.

Above, author with a nice 49-incher; opposite, author with50-incher from the “tiny” spot on Lake of the Woods.


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2008Muskies, Inc.Calendars

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2008Muskies, Inc.CalendarsOrder today and sendyour order with a checkfor $12.95* for eachcalendar ordered to:

Muskies, Inc.14257 Waters Edge TrailNew Berlin, WI 53151*Includes shipping & handling


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SPORT SHOW LOCATORCalendar of upcoming events in 2008

EVENT NAME/DATES WEBSITE LOCATION CITY STATE PHONE

Jan. 11-13 Chicago Muskie Show/ Harper College Palatine IL 847-328-6200www.chicagomuskieshow.com

Feb. 8-10 Milwaukee Muskie Expo/ Wisconsin State Fair Park West Allis WI 800-844-3247www.muskieexpo.com

Feb. 22-24 Ohio Muskie Fishing Show/ The Buckeye Hall of Fame Columbus OH 513-600-3457www.ohiomuskieshow.com Café

Feb. 22-24 Madison Fishing Show/ Exhibition Hall at the Madison WI 608-245-1040www.madfishexpo.com Alliant Center

Feb. 29 - Northern IL Rockford Fishing & Indoor Sports Center Rockford IL 815-877-8043Mar. 2 Outdoor Expo/

www.showtimeproduction.net

Mar. 7-9 Minnesota Muskie Expo/ National Sport Center Blaine MN 763-588-9107www.minnesotamuskieexpo.com

Itchin’ to catch muskies…??? Start by ‘catching’ the 2008Chicago Muskie Show. The expo hall at Harper College inPalatine, Illinois will be loaded with exhibitors from across

North America and Europe. Resorts located on many of the bestmuskie lakes on the continent will be represented. Famous guides,from muskie waters as diverse as the Ottawa River and Georgian Bayto the red hot Minnesota lakes of Mille Lacs, Vermillion, andBemidji, will be there. Additionally, pros guiding on Kinkaid andShelbyville in Illinois, Webster in Indiana, the Chippewa Flowage inWisconsin, and Lake of the Woods and Eagle Lake in Ontario willbe waiting to talk to you. Whether you want to learn how to catchyour first muskie or locate that super trophy you have been chasing,there will be an expert at the 2008 Chicago Muskie Show who isready, willing, and able to help you. An even better way to increaseyour muskie catching abilities is to sign up for one of the ‘on thewater’ muskie fishing schools.

Come see and touch all the newest and hottest muskie baits andtackle being sold by manufacturers and retailers that will pack thehall. From small spinners to foot long trolling plugs, you will findeverything you need for whatever type of fishing you enjoy. Rodsand reels, custom leaders, nets, and tackle storage systems - it will allbe there - and more. Other exhibitors showcase boats and motors,superb artwork in wood and bronze, and taxidermy with incredible,creative mounts of huge muskies and other game fish.

Always the highlight of the Chicago Muskie Show, this year’sseminar lineup is exceptional. Talks by some of the continent’s most

popular veteran muskie hunters will deal with methods and tech-niques or the hottest trophy muskie waters such as Lake of theWoods, Green Bay, Mille Lacs, Vermillion, and Lac Seul. Come hearJoe Bucher, Jim Saric, Bob Mehsikomer, Dick Pearson, SpencePetros, Doug Johnson, and Chad Cain. All are sure to excite andeducate you. Poolside programs on Saturday and Sunday willdemonstrate lure usage and triggering techniques.

Have questions? One of the most exciting reasons to come tothe Chicago Muskie Show is that you will actually be able to spendtime talking with all the great muskie hunters who participate. Theseminar speakers and guides who populate the expo hall spend themajority of the show in their booths, readily available for ‘one onones’. Without exception, they are happy to share their knowledgeand experiences.

Tri-Esox Productions produces the show in conjunction withthe Chicagoland Muskie Hunters and South Side Muskie Hawkschapters of Muskies, Inc. The Chicago Muskie Show will be heldJanuary 11-13, 2008 at Harper College, located at the northeast cor-ner of Roselle Rd. and Algonquin Rd., just off Interstate 90 inPalatine, IL. Show hours are Friday, January 11, Noon to 9 PM;Saturday, January 12, 9 AM to 7:00 PM; and Sunday, January 13, 9AM to 5 PM. Daily admission is $10.00; a three day pass is $20.00,and children under 13 are admitted free. There are thousands ofFREE PARKING spaces. For more information, see www.chicago-muskieshow.com, or call 847-328-6200. v

Scratch That Itch at the Chicago Muskie Show




Photo Contest – December Winnersby Gordon Campbell

ss Winner #2: "Northern Ambience"- Dave Ledman portrayed in unusualfashion without a big Muskie. This is one of those extra shots that really

add to one's collection. Composition & lighting are perfect!

ss Winner #1: "Arrgghh"- MikeFiddick depicted battling the infa-

mous "Rat's nest" up on theHolcombe Flowage. Photo by friend

Bob Hevey of Eau Claire.

Photo Tip of the MonthSize Matters

Everyone taking digital pictures needs to rememberto adjust their camera to take the largest, highest qualityphotos possible. If you have an option to shoot RAW orTIFF files, go ahead & do so. Then convert to a JPEGfor emailing. If you only have the option to choose aJPEG file to start with, opt for the largest file. A briefperusal of your camera's menu or owners manual willshow you how to make these EASY adjustments.

When it comes to both printing your photos oremailing them to Muskie Magazine for inclusion, onlythe best shots will do; and in this case file size matters.

Another reminder - when emailing your best shotsto [email protected], remember to include rele-vant caption info- name, chapter, technique & otherinteresting details.

Good luck, Gordon Campbell, Photo Editor

+Proper Muskie

Holding Techniquesfor MUSKIE Magazine Photos includ-

ing Covers, Article Support, PhotoContest Entries

& Member Photos

"Long Distance"- Ch 50's Greg Ridge appearsagain with a Mille Lacs fish caught on a recent

road trip. Photo by Joe Tarditi.

"Great Start"- New member Steve Krakowieki ofSwansea, Ill caught this 47.5" whopper after partici-

pating in Ch 28's Guide For a Day & is happy tohave joined Muskies Inc. Congrats!

"Beauty"-Sean Rein reported this 48.5" Muskie as theprettiest he's see. Caught on Mille Lacs in October itgrabbed an 11" Curly Sue with guide Steve Jonesbefore being photographed by Mrs. Rein. Great catch.

"Bird of the Lakes"- Tom Amels of Ch 22snapped this photo of a migrating Loon as it

rested in New Jersey.

"Rockin"- Wisconsin's Rock Ripley & his 2nd best, a46". Fishing with friends & family Rock has guided

10 people to their first Muskie.

"More Fish"- Bonnie Wehler & a Lake VermillionPike. Husband Tommy admits she's getting

pretty good!

"4 Footer"- Mike Hills of Ch 16 checked in with this fish, his best to date taken trolling. Congrats!

"Fire in the Sky"- Ch 10's Dan Vaske & wife Rhonda caught this MinnesotaSunset as a brush fire burned in the distance. Even better in color....


My introduction to Lac Suel was at my first M.I. BoardMeeting in 1992. It was the 25th Anniversary of Muskies,Inc. There are two things I vividly recall about that week-

end - I got to sit next to Mark Christina at the banquet and I metSteve Fuller in the elevator that night. Needless to say, I wasimpressed. Mark had released a 57-inch muskie in Ontario andSteve Fuller had caught a 52-inch 49 pound muskie in Ontario.Nobody was quite sure where in Ontario these fish came from, butthere was some speculation that they had discovered some kind of aworld-class muskie fishery.

I was enthralled with the stories of huge muskies from lake “X”,later to become identified as Lac Seul.

At the Spring Board meeting in 1996 my friend Brian Grotefrom the Fargo Moorhead Chapter invited me to go up to Lac Seulwith their group in August. We spent time at that meeting lookingover the maps and talking with Al Skaar, who had spent a lot of timeon Lac Seul. It was going to be a trip of a lifetime.

There were fourteen of us who went on two houseboats. We leftfrom Hudson and traveled about 50 miles up the northeast arm toQuirt Bay, where we anchored the houseboats for our stay. Fromthere we fished from seven boats for the week.

That was one outstanding trip. I enjoyed myself, the guys weresuper, the fishing was great and going back someday was in my blood…..I had to do it.

Two years ago at the Spring Board Meeting (the M.I. 40th

Anniversary) I met Linda Rice and Greg Marino. I knew Linda justthrough phone calls and emails since she had caught her big muskie;I had written about her fishing expertise. Talking with Linda andGreg at dinner was a trip! It renewed my enthusiasm to go back toLac Seul. The difference would be that I would be fishing the south-ern part of Lac Seul this time.

I asked M.I. Past President Steve Budnik if he would be interest-ed in sharing this trip; it didn’t take him too long to free up his cal-endar. The stage was set and I was packed many months prior to ourdeparture. Steve had never fished Lac Seul and certainly was not dis-appointed.

My wife, Lynda and I drove from Phoenix to Madison, WI tomeet Steve and his wife, Kay. Then Steve and I drove up to SiouxLookout and Moosehorn Lodge. The facilities were outstanding,very upscale for a fishing camp. Linda and her husband Carter havefourteen cabins, plus a nice lodge, with store, dining room and bar.They have boats, guides and fantastic home cooked meals, plus freeInternet service.


Moosehorn Lodge Guide Greg Marino with Greg Bouchey and a54” muskie.


We arrived on Saturday about mid-day so we went into townand had a bite to eat. That night we were treated to superb beef ten-derloin. We sat around making a game plan for the week. We gotour licenses plus a nice “pink” Swiss army knife and a Moosehornlodge cap which are given to new guests.

Sunday - we got up early, had a good breakfast and rode over tothe Deception Bay landing to launch. We dinked around some atBear Paw, the Raggs, Manitou, Farlinger and out as far as DevilsElbow. We saw a couple of moose, which I photographed. At onepoint another boat went by us the other direction and then turnedaround like they might be following us. They soon dropped off andabout that time I realized that it might have been Kevin Richards andhis fishing partner Miller. Kevin had told me he was going to be fish-ing Lac Seul the same week we were going to be up there.

Monday we went out around 9:15 AM and fished until 10:30that night. That was dark-thirty coming back to the landing, but notreally that bad as the days were quite long at this time of the year. Thesun didn’t set until around 9:00 PM. So far we had had four goodfollows, but no eaters. We were all throwing Buchertail Top Raiders.Linda had some lures painted pink, made especially for her, includ-ing her signature “Muskie Mamma”. Linda releasedthe first muskie of the week, a nice fat 44 incher onone of her pink Buchertail Top Raiders.

Tuesday we had heavy winds and horizontalrain, much of the day. Steve and I ran some errandsaround town and then dropped by Frog RapidsResort where Kevin and Miller were staying. We hada great visit and planned to get together again onThursday night to talk more. Linda and Gregg wentout around 5:00 with 16-year-old Alan Ingram, whoworked at the lodge. Alan had caught a 40+ inchmuskie earlier in the season and he was really excited about that, itwas his first muskie. Well this night he was really out of controlwhen he came back with tales of a new personal best, a 48 incher.The week after we left young Alan broke into the 50-inch class with

a 55 1/2 inch monster. Can you imagine the impact that will have onthis young man for the rest of his life?

Wednesday there was a light rain. The day went pretty slow, afew follows, but again no eaters. Finally around 7:00 PM SteveBudnik hooked into a sweet 44 incher which made his day. Steve

had never fished Lac Seul before. Just last summer hereleased his first 50 incher in Wisconsin.

Thursday I stayed back and went to town to tryselling some ads for MUSKIE Magazine, check email,worked on the magazine. Greg Marino, our infamousguide, released a super wide body 54 incher, makinghis day and his personal best.

Friday it was raining again so we packed up andhad lunch with Linda and her daughters. Around5:00 PM we headed out for the rest of the day/nightfor just one more chance before we left on Saturday.

Moosehorn Lodge is beginning to fill with M.I. members tryingfor some of those record muskies. The week after we left Linda andGreg guided a couple of parties to some wonderful muskies. Lindaherself got a 42-inch tiger plus 51 and 54-inch muskies. The nextflurry came in mid August with Linda catching 45, 47.5, and 56-inch muskies! These are great muskies. Lac Seul put on a “releaseonly” regulation back in 1996. Today the fish are as big or biggerthan they were and there seems to be an increase in the numbers andsize being recorded from Lac Seul in the M.I. Lunge Log.

Some observations: Over the years I have written about wherethe next world record muskie will come from. I truly believe thatthere are a number of lakes, reservoirs and rivers where one could becaught. Unfortunately, Lac Seul will not be the one; not becausethey don’t exist, but because of the catch-and-release regulation there.Unless the Ontario MNR reconsiders this regulation, the biggestones will remain just good stories and a few photos. I’d like theOMNR to consider a regulation such as one muskie over 60 or 64inches. This would allow for an occasional fish to be harvested and,in my opinion, would not impact the resource in any way.

Finally, I would like to compliment Linda and Carter on theexcellent accommodations at Moosehorn Lodge. Further, I would

Linda Rice with her opening day 55” muskie.

Alan Ingram with his 48”. His next (third) muskie was 551/2”.

Lac Seul Ten Year Lunge Log StatisticsYear 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Entries 29 33 68 61 43 62 35 23 31 41 68Avg. Length 43.69 44.75 43.5 43.0 44.36 44.74 44.96 45.43 42.35 42.35 41.98

So far in 2007 there are 52 entries, averaging 44.39 inches.

(Continued on page 26)

The week afterwe left, youngAlan broke intothe 50-inch classwith a 551/2inch monster.


like to thank Linda and Greg for showing Steve and me such a goodtime. Linda is an amazing lady; she stood at the bow of that boat andcasted continuously, all day, and all week.

Greg is a guide’s guide. He positioned the boat perfectly allweek, strong winds, big water, whatever; he had it all under control.He knows that lake like the back of his hand. When a fish hits a lurehe is right there with the net. There is no wasted time or missing thefish. Greg has been fishing muskies for about five and a half years,but has been a guide on Lac Seul for fourteen years. He and his cus-tomers have recorded 36 muskies over 50 inches. In addition,Moosehorn has four other great guides on the payroll plus another10-12 local guides to call upon if needed.

Although we didn’t fish for anything besides muskies, thepike potential is tremendous and the walleye population must beamazing. Stories of over 100 walleye in a day made for good boattalk while we flailed away. There are also some fine lake trout andthese folks know where they are.

I have already booked a trip for 2008! vEditor’s Note: Before sending this issue of MUSKIE to the printer Italked to a couple of folks with the OMNR, including the fisheries biol-ogist for Lac Seul. As expected I found out there is good angler and localbusiness support for the current catch-and-release regulation at Lac Seuland no plans to make a change. Lac Seul is a hydro-power reservoir.Spring water level fluctuations can result in lower muskie recruitment.However, over the long-term, low but consistent recruitment can lead toa population with a good percentage of large muskies. By the way, dur-ing recent netting operations OMNR staff measured and released a 60-inch muskie on Lac Seul.

RETURN TO LAC SEUL (Continued from page 25)

MI Past President Steve Budnik with his 44”.

Linda Rice caught this 56” muskie onAugust 14th.

Please send allMUSKIE Magazinearticles, Chapter

News & Views, andother submissions

to:

Kevin Richards7618 Sunrise Ridge RoadHenley, MO. 65040Email:

[email protected]


Boat Safety Programby Dave Solberg

Produced byFarm and City Insurance ServicesThe Angler’s Choice Insurance

Boat Safety – TowingTowing legally and towing safely are not always the

same! Even though you may have all the towing equipmentrequired by state or federal laws, it’s not necessarily every-thing you need to travel safely while towing.

In this edition of Boat Safety, we will cover some basicinformation about issues you need to consider and the equip-ment you require to ensure your safety and peace of mind.Please note - this information is not a substitute for the tech-nical information found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual andtowing guide.

There are a number of technical terms that you willencounter as you read your operator’s manuals, along withsome basic towing information. In an earlier edition, we cov-ered the language of weight safety. You should always befamiliar with weight terminology and what your boat, trailer,and equipment weighs.

GVWR – The Maximum Weight of the Fully LoadedVehicle Including Cargo and Passengers.

GAWR – The Maximum Load that should be on theSpecific Axle.

GCWR – The Gross Combined Weight Rating – TowingCapacity

Keep in mind that the “published” weight that is presenton the data plate does not include dealer installed or ownerinstalled options or personal items. It is recommended thatyou have your tow vehicle, boat and trailer weighed at a cer-tified scale to get actual weights on each axle to verify prop-er weight distribution.

Hitch RatingsAnother important factor is the type of hitch that is

available for your vehicle. Most manufacturers offer a trailertowing package that includes a hitch system with one of thefollowing standardized ratings:

Class I up to 2,000 lbsClass II up to 3,500 lbsClass III up to 5,000 lbsClass IV up to 10,000 lbs

Never install an aftermarket hitch which is higher thanthe vehicle manufacturer’s rating.

www.fcisanglerschoice.com

This article is provided as a public service to our member-ship. Not intended as an advertisement.

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Muskies, Inc. Joins Good Search...spread the word!

What if Muskies, Inc. earned a penny every timeyou searched the Internet? Well now we can!

All you have to do is click on this linkwww.goodsearch.com/?charityid=830274 andstart searching the internet as you normallywould! You can save this link as one of yourfavorites. Each search raises a penny forMuskies, Inc.

You can also go to the main website forGoodSearch at www.goodsearch.com; thenwhere it says “enter your charity here...”, underthe box labeled “Who do you search for?”, justmove your cursor inside the box and typeMuskies or Muskies Inc, then click verify.MUSKIES INC (BARRINGTON IL) will appear. Thatway you know MI will get the credit.

Help us spread the word!


BackgroundMany of North America’s most active muskie anglers belong to

organizations like Muskies, Inc. or Muskies Canada. These organiza-tions are dedicated to protecting and enhancing muskie fisheries.They frequently cooperate with state and provincial agencies onresearch and habitat project. Promoting successful catch-and-releaseof muskies is a priority for these organizations. Members of organi-zations like ours also make up a high percentage of the anglers whocompete in muskellunge fishing tournaments.

Improper tournament formats or poor release methodologyemployed by tournament entrants could have impacts which aredirectly opposite of the mission of Muskies, Inc. and Muskies Canada.

I heard about the new Ontario guidelines through the EsocidTechnical Committee of the American Fisheries Society. When I con-tacted Steve Kerr, OMNR, he suggested I get in touch with RobHowitt and Chris Purdy of Muskies Canada. It became clear to methat developing these guidelines was a major cooperative projectbetween OMNR and Muskies Canada, in consultation with Dr. JohnCasselman and Dr. Bruce Tufts of Queen’s University. I guess I couldhave called this month’s column “From the Muskie Biologists andtheir Friends!”

The guidelines were adopted by OMNR in August 2007. Specialthanks to Rob and Chris for working with me to share this summarywith the members of Muskies, Inc. After reviewing this summaryplease take the time to download a copy of the full document fromthe OMNR website. Let’s do all we can to maximize release survivalof muskellunge in all of the various angling situations we participatein!

IntroductionCompetitive fishing is a growing industry in Ontario (Kerr and

Kamke 2003, Kerr 2004). Bass (Micropterus spp.) are the most com-monly targeted species at these events.

Although competitive fishing events for muskellunge (Esoxmasquinongy) have been relatively uncommon to date, there appar-

ently is increasing interest in organizing these events on some ofOntario’s trophy muskellunge waters. There are already several largemuskellunge tournaments in adjacent U.S. jurisdictions.

Muskellunge are subject to physiological stress associated withcapture and handling (Miles et al. 1974, Beggs et al. 1980). With theunique nature of wild muskellunge stocks in Ontario, their vulnera-bility as a low density predator, and a strong desire to protect the fish-ery, there was the need to develop best management practices for tour-naments specifically directed toward muskellunge.

While it is believed that large prize tournaments for muskellungeshould be strongly discouraged due to the unique characteristics ofthe species (low density populations and high susceptibility to post-release mortality), the following guidelines have been developed fortournament organizers who may still choose to hold a muskellungetournament in Ontario.

These guidelines endorse a varying or “tiered” approach for dif-ferent events depending upon the magnitude of the event, character-istics of the muskellunge population in that water body, and the min-imum size limits which are in place. It is proposed that a more cau-tious approach be taken in those events being held in low populationdensity, less sustainable fisheries (e.g., trophy waters) and where fishare being retained for longer periods of time in order to verify size forentry into the event (please refer to Appendix 1 of the full documentat the web site listed at the end of this article).

Guidelines on good catch-and-release practices for one speciesmay not be appropriate for other species (Tufts 1999, Cooke andSuski 2004). These guidelines are not intended to apply to tourna-ments involving other fish species although there may be some prac-tical application of these practices to other fisheries.

Key PrinciplesThere are a number of key principles which form the foundation

of these guidelines.1. Competitive fishing is recognized as a legitimate activity in

Ontario with many social and economic benefits.

2. At catch-and-release events every effort should be made toensure fish experience minimal stress in order to maximize post-release survival. Catch-and-kill events for muskellunge shouldbe discouraged.

3. Competitive fishing events should not threaten sustainability ofthe resource.

4. Competitive fishing events must comply with the OntarioFishery Regulations and the Fish and Wildlife ConservationAct.

5. Safety should be promoted at all competitive fishing events.

Guidelines for Muskellunge TournamentsTournament Rules and Administration

• Tournament organizers should contact the local MNR office,advise them of an upcoming event, and provide the proposedrules for the event.

• Event organizers should identify concerns of local anglers andshoreline owners and attempt to resolve any potential issues priorto the event.

• All events should incorporate strategies to promote good fishhandling practices.

• Private boat launch facilities should be used if there is significantpotential to causeovercrowding at public access points.

• Tournament participants must hold a valid Ontario sport fishinglicence (or a deemed licence) and abide by the Ontario FishingRegulations. (Note: A deemed licence includes residents ofCanada who are under 18 years of age or 65 years of age andolder as well as disabled Canadian residents who are in possesionof proper documentation).

• Tournament organizers should ensure that rules of the event andrelevant provisions of the law are clearly articulated to partici-pants. Organizers should also have mechanisms in place to mon-itor compliance with the tournament rules.

• Participants who do not comply with the Ontario FisheryRegulations should be disqualified.

• Organizers should have contingency plans for bad/unsafe weath-er conditions, or for when ecological conditions (e.g.: excessivelywarm water or late spawn) should dictate a postponement of thetournament until more favourable conditions exist.

• For scientific research and monitoring purposes, tournamentorganizers are strongly encouraged to report information on theirevent to the Ministry of Natural Resources.Organizers are asked to collect data on: (a.) the number of par-ticipants (b.) the amount of angling effort (i.e. hours fished), (c.)the number and length of muskellunge caught, (d.) evidence ofany physical anomalies (i.e. lamprey scars, lymphosarcoma, etc.),and (e.) incidents of fish mortalities.

Tournament Dates• Pre-fishing before the muskellunge season opens is illegal and

must not be allowed.• Angling during periods of extremely hot weather is known to

increase physiological disturbances to the fish and reduce its like-lihood for survival after release (Cooke and Suski 2004). Toensure favourable conditions for fish survival, muskellunge tour-naments should be scheduled to avoid periods of extremely warmtemperatures (e.g. avoid July and August).

• Regardless of whether the season is legally open, tournamentsshould not be scheduled during periods when muskellunge arelikely to still be spawning.

Gear and Angling Techniques• Tournaments should be based on the use of artificial lures.

Hooking mortality is generally low for esocids caught with arti-ficial lures (Tomcko 1997). The use of live or dead bait is dis-couraged.

• Fish should be landed quickly to minimize the physiological dis-turbance caused by angling (Cooke and Suski 2004). Fish shouldnot be played to the point of exhaustion or dragged, if caughtwhen trolling, to reduce its fight.

• Tournament participants should be encouraged to use propergear which is heavy enough to quickly play and land a muskel-lunge without causing undue stress.

• Snagged fish are not to be eligible and must be returned to thewater immediately.

• Landing nets or cradles are preferred over gaff or lipping devicesto land or constrain a muskellunge. A rubberized or coated over-sized landing net is generally the best to minimize stress on thefish and optimize safety for the angler (Barthel et al. 2003).

• Removal of deeply ingested hooks is known to decrease thechances of post-release survival (Muoneke and Childress 1994).Pliers and bolt cutters should be considered mandatory equip-ment for participants. Cut and leave the hook as close to thepoint of penetration as possible in deeply hooked fish.

Holding/Retention of Fish• All muskellunge events should be based on a live release format.

Ideally, an immediate point of capture release format would befollowed. An angler shall not resume fishing until the fish hassuccessfully been released.

• Handling of fish and air exposure should be minimized. Fishshould never be held by the eyes or gills. Care should be taken toensure that the protective mucous coating is not removed fromthe fish during handling.

• Techniques used to artificially deflate the swim bladder of fishangled from deep water (commonly known as “fizzing”) shouldbe discouraged.

• In cases where holding is required for size verification, muskel-lunge of legal size should be held fully submersed in water usinga large net or cradle. A muskellunge that is held for verifying itssize is deemed to have been retained and counts towards theangler’s daily catch and possession limit.

• Livewells should not be used to hold muskellunge.• Any fish that is removed from the water and held for a picture or

for any other purpose should be held horizontally, not vertically,to reduce the risk of internal injury (Butler 2004).

• At no time should participants catch and retain or possess morefish than is allowed by law.

• If the fish cannot be released alive, final disposition of the (legal-sized) fish is the responsibility of the participant.

Other Considerations• Organizers and competitors should exercise a high standard of

sportsmanship, safety, and courtesy.• Participants in an event should make every effort to preserve and

protect the environment (e.g., avoid littering, do not disturbnesting waterfowl, etc.) and respect the rights of shorelinelandowners and other anglers. v

For a copy of theses guidelines and a complete list of all references, pleasego to: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/Ebr/muskellunge/guidelines_en.pdf.For more information on Catch-and-Release take a look at the OMNRwebsite: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/fishing/catrel.html


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Special Events2008April 3, 4, 5

2008 Spring board meetingHosted by Titletown Muskies, Inc.,

Chapter #4Radisson Hotel & Conference

Center,2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WITelephone: 800-333-3333Contact Jay Zahn:

[email protected]

September 24-25-26

2008 Gil Hamm Chapter ChallungeHosted by First WI Chapter of

Muskies Inc., Chapter 06Break on the Lake Resort, Cass

Lake Minnesota will be ourheadquarters.

Contact Jon Olstadt:715-579-1300 [email protected]

No. Chapter, Address Phone #01.....Twin Cities, 414 Division St., Excelsior, MN 55331..........................................952-380-121802.....Fargo-Moorhead, Box 2021, Fargo ND, 58107................................................701-298-903203.....Chicagoland Muskie Hunters, 7600 Kilbourn Ave, Skokie, IL 60076 ...............847-677-001704.....Titletown Muskies, Inc., 3097 Inverness Lane, New Franken, WI 54229 .......920-866-970505.....Pomme De Terre, PO Box 5, Hermitage, MO 65668 .......................................417-993-003506.....First Wisconsin, PO Box 122, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 ...............................715-726-889607.....South Side Muskie Hawks, 5211 S. Narragansett Ave., Chicago, IL 60638......773-581-865008.....Capital City, PO Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708...............................................608-669-504609.....West Virginia, 1270 Federal Road, Little Hocking, OH 45742 .........................740-667-357110.....Heartland, 239 8th St SE, Mason City IA 50401..............................................641-424-082711 .....Mississippi Valley, 5301 11th Ave “C”, Moline, IL 61265 ..................................309-797-180312.....Headwaters, PO Box 652, Eagle River, WI 54521...........................................715-477-291313.....Hayward Lakes, PO Box 609, Hayward, WI 54843 .........................................715-634-454314.....South of the Border, 28926 W. Big Hollow Rd, McHenry, IL 60050.................815-385-902615.....Star of the North, 29957 La Plant Rd., Grand Rapids, MN 55744...................218-326-495816.....Three Rivers, 119 Bus Lane, Renfrew, PA15136.............................................724-789-786617.....Quad County, PO Box 185, Plano, IL 60545....................................................815-695-149418.....Hopedale, 15 Township Rd 125, Dillonvale, OH 43917 ...................................740-769-726919.....Akron-Canton Muskie Maniacs, 10957 Northwood Ave NE, Bolivar OH 44612.330-874-277320.....Between the Lakes, PO Box 61, Sheboygan, WI 53085-0061 ........................920-564-322621.....North Metro, PO Box 41216, Plymouth, MN 55441 .........................................952-469-215522.....New Jersey, http://www.mi22.com/ ..................................................................................TBD23.....Cleveland, 5611 Alber, Parma, OH 44129........................................................440-221-576024.....Brainerd Lakes, 9143 Lone Pine Road, Brainerd, MN 56401..........................218-821-366926.....Central Wisconsin, PO Box 263, Medford, WI 54451 ......................................715-748-263027.....Central Illinois, 1191 Sandra Lane, Monticello, IL 61856 .................................309-264-373028.....Shawnee Muskie Hunters, 61 W. Jennings, Wood River, IL 62095.................618-610-500329.....Upper Great Plains, 1788 Hwy 4, Estherville, IA 51334...................................712-362-250130.....God’s Country, PO Box 1461, LaCrosse, WI 54601 ........................................608-786-406231.....Penn-Ohio, 309 Spring St, Jamestown, PA 16134...........................................724-932-581532.....Flatlanders, 5776 Vesper Drive, South Beloit, IL 61080 ..................................815-389-462233.....Lake Superior, 2031 Hwy. 33 S., Cloquet, MN 55720......................................218-879-271235.....Milwaukee, PO Box 28842, Greenfield, WI 53220...........................................262-442-626037.....St. Cloud, 312 18th Avenue N., Sartell, MN 56377 ..........................................320-656-116038.....Vikingland, 2909 Wicken Lane NW, Alexandria, MN 56308.............................320-846-797539.....Fox River Valley, 1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 60123.............................847-741-977141.....Central Ohio, 603 Bennettwoods Ct., Cincinnati, OH 45320 ...........................513-231-196142.....Hoosier Muskie Hunters, PO Box 501371, Indianapolis, IN 46250 .................317-577-805044.....Colorado, 3739 Sawgrass Trail, Castle Rock, CO 80109 ................................303-668-408945.....Kentucky, 212 Linden Ave., Southgate, KY 41071...........................................859-441-166646.....Bemidji/Cass Lake, 11551 Misty Meadows Rd, Bemidji, MN 56601................218-759-009847.....Michigan Muskie Alliance, PO Box 512, Caledonia, MI 49316 ........................616-447-168848.....Arrowhead, PO Box 82, Virginia, MN 55792....................................................218-482-521749.....Webster Lake Musky Club, PO Box 670, No. Webster, IN 46555 ...................574-834-166950.....Penn-Jersey, 372 Kingwood Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406 ..........................610-962-063252.....Daniel Boone, 813 US 62, Maysville, KY 41056..............................................606-759-761053.....Huskerland Muskie Hunters, PO Box 394, Valentine, NE 69201.....................402-376-274354.....Southern Crossroads, 1524 Country Club Rd, Albert Lea MN 56007 .............507-373-181855.....Mid Iowa Muskies, 2940 SW Meadow Ridge, Ankeny IA 50023 .....................515-289-158357.....NW TigerPac, 10517 SE 214th Place, Kent, WA 98031 ..................................253-850-5889

Special events listings are provided atno charge to Muskies, Inc chapters.To list your chapter's event, email to:

[email protected]

or by ground mail: Kevin Richards,7618 Sunrise Ridge Road,

Henley, MO 65040

Please send announcementsat least 2 months in advance.

Chapter News and ViewsATTENTION

CHAPTERCONTACTS:Please make sure

your chapter addressand phone number

is correct on this pageAND on the M.I. website.

Whenever you updatechapter information on

the website, please send anemail to the Editor so we can

keep this page current. Thanks!


The Pomme chapter tries hard to recruit newmembers and then get them educated to Missourimuskies so their time on the water is more produc-tive and the enjoyment level higher. All new mem-bers are invited to fish with an experienced memberduring our Muskie Mayhem outing in the spring. The“Pomme de Tour” event is a non-fishing tour of thelake with other muskie anglers that gives everyone achance to exchange information about lures andfishing spots and the “Trolling Outing” is a no costevent where everyone has to troll and exchangeinformation about what is working and not workingthat day. All are great learning experiences for thenew muskie fishermen.

How good is this program? Let Bill Hill andBrenda Nunn tell you in their words:

“Our first time fishing for muskie was with JeffThompson at the 2006 Muskie Mayhem. Prior tothat Muskie Mayhem we had mostly fished for crap-pie at Stockton Lake. We had only heard aboutmuskies up to the 2006 Muskie Mayhem.

We didn’t catch a fish that first day but we werehooked. By the end of May we did catch that firstmuskie. Ever since we have wanted to learn every-thing we could about muskie fishing.

We attended both the “Pomme de Tours” and the“Trolling Parties” last year and this year, along withCarl Marks seminar. From these activities and frommember interaction we have learned how and whereto fish for muskies.

We could have never placed in our first two tour-naments without everything we have learned fromthe club and its members.

THANKS TO ALL – BILL & BRENDA”Bill and Brenda are modest to say they “placed” in

the first two tournaments they fished. In 2006 theyfinished 5th in the Saturday/Sunday event and in2007 they took 1st place in the event. Our congratu-lations go out to them.

Lessons learned – Share your knowledge withothers and you will convert some people into muskiefishermen or into better muskie fishermen. Fish yourlocal tournaments and support your chapter. Youdon’t have to have years of experience to win orplace in the money, just the desire and the willing-ness to get out there and learn and work.

Wayne Humphrey

The club received exciting news that the LeachLake vs. Wisconsin strain fish study is back on trackafter a year sabbatical. Among the 1400 Wisconsinfingerlings the Wisconsin DNR stocked in LakeMonona 500 of them were PIT tagged. Our club pur-chased 924 Leach Lake fingerlings of which 500were PIT tagged and released in Monona. The other424 were released in lakes Waubesa and Wingra.The club thanks Wisconsin DNR staff for the hardwork in getting this study resumed and two other MIchapters, Oregon Muskie Busters and Flatlanders,for donating money to assist with the Leach Lake fishpurchase.

Now that the waters are beginning to cool, the fishare becoming more active. A whopper (48.5”) wastaken by Chris Marsden on Lake Waubesa. LizHollatz caught nine in a two day period the longestbeing 41.5” on the Madison lakes.

Our October meeting was held at the East Side

Club in Madison. The feature speaker was DougKloet owner of Musky Magic Tackle and a guide inSouthwest Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Hedemonstrated several of his Slidin Shad jerkbaits,describing each in detail and then showing how eachworks in the water. Success of using Doug’s lureswas evident by the many fish pictures in his presen-tation.

The last official club outing of the year was held inVilas County Wisconsin on October 12 and 13.There were 25 participants and 14 fish were boatedduring the two days. First place went to Tony Enger(47.5”), second place to Dan Reim (46.75”) and thirdplace to Dawn Szyryj (45”). Fourth place (smallest)went to Rick Dahlberg (22.5”). A huge thank yougoes to Dale and Collette Anderson for organizingthis event.

Although the close of the WI season is fastapproaching many of us expect to spend a lot of timeon the water before December.

Gary Hoffman

Chapter 12 has been busy this late summer. Ourannual Canada trip was held September 5th, 6th, and7th. Our trip was held at the Buena Vista Resort inMorson Ontario; a great place to host a musky out-ing. Fishing started slow but picked up considerablyby the end of the week. The true beauty and massivesize of Lake of the Woods is an awesome experi-ence and for the newbies on this trip it was remark-able. In attendance were Dale Peterson, JimHeffner, Jay Hollnagel, Roger Sabota, Tom Twesme,Larry Mozan, Marty and Craig Hermes, PaulHansen, Brian Widule, Louie Dreger, Jim Gall,Coach Kip Kramme, Bill Jacobs, John Schmidt andGlenn Matula. Sixteen fish were caught with thelargest (46 inches) caught by Coach Kip. This eventis scheduled again and all Headwaters memberslooking for one great experience should mark therecalendars.

Our next scheduled outing, the HeadwatersEnduro, will be held on the Eagle River chain onOctober 27th. This outing, based out of the EagleRiver Inn, will be our final outing for this season.

Our next club meeting will be December 5th, andour Christmas party will be held on January 5th 2008at the Oneida Vilage in Three Lakes, WI. All Clubmembers are invited and please see detailed infor-mation in our upcoming newsletter.

Headwaters Chapter will be having election of offi-cers coming at our upcoming meetings (Novemberand December). Details and nomination for officerswill be posted in our monthly newsletter. Our clubmeetings and schedule of events are posted on ourwebsite: www.headwatersmuskies.com

Regards - Glenn Matula, Secretary

The first weekend of October was the HaywardLakes Chapter’s 30th Annual Fall Tournament; 481people entered. There were 76 fish caught (a recordnumber) by 63 people. In first place was ChadBriesemeister from Clear Lake, WI. Chad caughtfour fish on Lost Land Lake, 35.5”, 37”, 42.5” and 37”using a Rubber Dubber. Chad won a 25 HP MercuryMotor from Hayward Power Sports and a trophy.Second place winner was Trever Wells from GreenBay WI.; he caught three fish, one on Teal Lake, 37”

and two on Lost Land, 46” and 38” on Double CowGirls. Trever won a 9.9 HP Mercury Motor fromHayward Power Sports and a trophy. The largest fishwas a 49” caught by Mark Follenweider from PalosHeights IL. Mark caught his fish on “The Chip” usingan Eddie Bait. Mark won seventh place and also aRon Lax replica, a trophy and merchandise prizes.Prizes and trophies were awarded to the top tenplaces and everyone registering a fish received aplaque. The major prize was a 17’ Lund Explorerwith a 50 HP Mercury on a E-Z Loader Trailer, againfrom Power Sports. This was given away as aSunday door prize by drawing from the list of namesof everyone entered in the tournament and presenton Sunday. The lucky winner was Lee Roy Martinfrom New Richmond WI. We want to thank HaywardPower Sports, Hayward Bait and Tackle, and ourmany supporters. To see the complete tournamentresults go to www.haywardbait.com. This is ourclub’s primary fundraiser and all the money goesback into the resource. The 2008 Tournament willagain be the first weekend of October, join us!

Here are the current standings in our memberscontest:

Women: Terra Blankenship – 2 fish-12pts.

Men: Clint Blankenship – 1 fish-8pts.Jim O’Leary – 2 fish-10pts.J.B. Ellis – 2 fish-11.5ptsJames Nyberg – 1 fish-19pts.Emmett Brown – 10 fish-99pts.Mike Persson – 10 fish-151pts

(includes a 50” from LOTW)

Senior Masters: Dick Minnick – 10 fish-104pts.

Our December meeting will be our annualChristmas party, the date and time to be announced.The January meeting will be the budget and planningmeeting for 2008. This will be at 7 PM Tuesday,January 8th at Dow’s Corner Bar, 13 miles east ofHayward on Highway 77 East and County A.

Good Fishing,Mike Persson

From Sept. 14-16 a group of our club memberstraveled up to fish the CanAm at Chautauqua Lake.The guys had a great time and said the food wasgreat. They were able to catch 11 muskies andShawn Lewis caught the winning fish with a 50.5inch fish. Way to go Shawn!

We held our last club event of the season with ourMemorial Outing on Sept. 22nd at West Branch.There were 19 people who fished the event with only3 fish being caught. Chuck Land caught two fish witha 35.5” fish and a 30” fish; Tad Martinez caught a 33”fish. At 3 PM we stopped fishing and had a covereddish meal followed up by a lure raffle and a drawingfor our rod and reel raffle. Congratulations to SusieJones for winning the rod and reel combo!

Some of our club members are now taking advan-tage of the fall weather and hitting their hot spots tocontinue to add to their totals of fish for the year. Wehave got some reports that they will be lowering thewater levels of some of our lakes and hope that theydon’t lower them too quickly so we can take advan-tage of some great fall fishing.

By the time you read this article, we will have ourboats in storage and all we can do is wait untilChristmas. From all of us from Chapter 19, we wantto wish everyone a great Christmas and a HappyNew Year!

Kevin Proffitt

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Hayward LakesP.O. Box 609

Hayward, WI 54843715-634-4543

13

Capital CityP.O. Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708608-669-5046 – Gerard Hellenbrand

www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.orgMeets: 2nd Monday 7:00 PM Park PonderosaMcFarland, WI

08

Pomme de TerreP.O. Box 5

Hermitage, MO 65668417-745-2381 – Carl Markswww.missourimuskies.org

Meets: Various days-Call for schedule

05

HeadwatersP.O. Box 652

Eagle River, WI 54521715-477-2913 – Paul Hansenwww.headwatersmuskies.com

Meets 1st Wednesday 7:00 PM

12

Akron-Canton10957 Northwood Ave. NE

Bolivar, OH 44612Gordon Selden - 330-874-2773http://[email protected]

Meets 3rd Monday 7:00 PM, Belgrade Gardens,3476 Massillon Road, Akron, OH.

19


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Our annual Fall Challunge hosted by Chapter 50and held at Lake Hopatcong was a success despitepost-frontal conditions. Five muskies made it to thenet, the largest being Archie Roche’s 44” specimen.As usual we had the support of a number of greatsponsors including Lax who will be doing a niceRepro of Archie’s winning fish. Other sponsorsincluded Grandma Lures, a longtime contributor;Musky Innovations; Musky Hunter Magazine; Rollie& Helen’s; plus bklures.com. Kevin Treat alsodonated a set of sharp sunglasses. Great job Capt.Chad and Matt Lysek of Chapter 50 on their organi-zation of the event. Chapter 50 did dominate thisyear as 2nd and 3rd places were taken by JohnMartin with a 38” and Joe Tarditi with a 37” muskie!Remember the Christmas party is this month at LakeArrowhead Lodge - see mi22.com for details.

Gordon CampbellVP Chapter 22

Guide for a day on October 20. 18 club membersattended. We had 4 clients. 6 fish were caught.Dave Artrip caught 2, Ken Ryder caught 1, LennyGoldschmidt caught 2 and Judd Stover (client)caught 1. Judd Stover caught the big fish of the day,a 46”. Thank you Barry Wesley! He cooked the din-ner and it was excellent! Roast pork loin, tossedsalad, scalloped potatoes, cake and pie.

The Shawnee Muskie Hunters were recognizedas one of five Southern Illinois organizations at theannual fall Business Leaders Breakfast held at JohnA. Logan Junior College on October 19. PaulRestivo, Director of Beautify Southern Illinois pre-sented the award to the Shawnee Muskie Huntersand praised them for sponsoring and participating inthe Kinkaid Lake cleanup for the last ten years.

Mike Hopkins & Liz - Congratulations on the birthof your new boy, Luke Christian, born on August9th. He was 21 inches long and weighed 7lbs13ozs. We all know he will be just like dad, amuskie nut!

2008 Events - Shawnee Muskie Hunters Chapter:March 8, 2008 Pomme de Terre/Shawnee Muskie

Hunters Chapter Challenge at Kinkaid Lake, ILMarch 29, 2008 Shawnee Muskie Hunters Awards

Banquet, TBD, ILApril 12, 2008 Annual Kinkaid Lake Cleanup,

Kinkaid Lake, ILApril 25-26-27, 2008 Muskie University-Southern

Style, Sponsored by Shawnee Muskie HuntersChapter, Kinkaid Lake, IL

May 3-4, 2008 11th Annual Spring Warm-Up MuskieTournament, Kinkaid Lake, IL

May 17-18, 2008 Guide for Day, Kinkaid Lake, ILJune 7, 2008 Annual Kid’s Fishing Day,

Murphysboro Lake, ILOctober 18-19, 2008 Guide for Day, Kinkaid Lake,

ILOctober 25-26, 2008 8th Annual Fall Brawl Muskie

Tournament, Kinkaid Lake, ILwww.shawneemuskiehunter.org

Muskie Gal!Shannon Beaty-Dingus

[email protected]

We on the Board of Directors would like to ThankEveryone in the Club for another great year. We hopeyou had a chance to participate in some or all of ouroutings from Lake Kinkaid down South to Lake of theWoods up North. Thanks to those who participated inour Spring and Fall “Challunge on the Chain”Tournament. We enjoyed the chance to take mem-bers who do not have access to a boat out for a dayof fishing on the Chain during the Non Boater Outing.We truly appreciate your participation in our monthlymeetings and the monies you have donated to theraffle at the meetings. The dollars we collect for theraffle are put directly to the clubs on going mission forMuskie Stocking and our youth program. We look for-ward to bringing back some of these events in 2008and a few new ones that are “In the Works.”

This month we start off with our Lure and GearSwap Meet. Be sure and bring a few extra dollars.There is always a large assortment of baits availablefrom our members along with Rods, Reels and Nets.This is a great chance to pick up quality items at adiscount price.

We would like to ask those that join us for theDecember meeting to bring along some non perish-able food items. Every year we pool our resourcesand make a donation to the Elgin area women’sshelter. This is a wonderful way to help out somefolks who are not as fortunate as we are.

Our featured speaker this month will be our veryown Todd Berg of “Into The Outdoors.” Todd guideson Lake Delivan and Lake Geneva. Todd is a muskiehunter and he also has a vast knowledge of large-mouth and smallmouth bass angling.

Be sure to be with us in January when our fea-tured speaker will be Jim Saric.

Lastly, we wish you all a Wonderful, Happy andSafe Holiday Season. Enjoy time with your friendsand family. Let the people you care about know howyou feel about them.

Our regular club meeting dates are the secondWednesday of the month at the Poplar CreekCountry Club. They offer a buffet style dinner startingat six p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. meeting. The weekbefore the meeting the web site will have the buffetmenu and cost.

Until Later, return ‘em to the water healthy andremember our troops.

JT

Muskie Purchase and Stocking: On October22, pure-bred muskies were delivered and float-stocked into Marsh Creek Reservoir. They weredelivered on a huge twin axle Kenworth. The driversname was Terry and is one heck of a nice guy. All700 (that = $ 7,000.00) made it to the water with nofatalities and they were the size of a 13” Grandma +with at least a 6” girth. Sorry for anybody who couldnot help but this was super short notice (3 Days).Big thanks to Tim and Dave Gollon from Gollon FishHatcheries, and Terry for getting them here. Theseguys can raise some fish! And, the biggest thanks toall of the members and non-members who donatedtheir time and money to make this possible. In just afew years we should start to see some fish.

Fund Raising: The Howard Wagner/Red Childresstrip, won by Barry Surkin, raised an amazing $1,200 forthe purchase of muskies. Congratulations to Barry!Congratulations to the club for a fantastic fund raiser.Thank you Howard and Red!

Fall Tournament: The conditions on LakeHopatcong were good, even with a slight breeze

and cold front 3 days prior. A total of five fish werecaught. Archie Roche won 1st place with a 43” andreceived a Lax reproduction mount of that fish. JohnMartin took 2nd with a 38”and received a great pairof sunglasses donated by Kevin Treat. Joe Tardititook 3rd with a 37” and first place in the Calcutta.Dillion Chingery got a nice 35” and Dan McCannalso got a 35” and 2nd in the Calcutta. Specialthanks to our tourny director Capt. Chad, KevinTreat, Lax Reproductions, Grandma Lures, MuskyInnovations, Musky Hunter magazine and Rollie &Helens for their support. www.mi50.com

Benefit Tournament forCrash Mullins Cancer Fund

Sixty anglers spent a beautiful fall Saturday,October 13 on busy autumn colored Cave Run Laketrying to win the $1000 first prize for catching, andsuccessfully releasing, as many muskies as theycould get their hooks on during nine hours of compe-tition. Nine “legal” fish (over 30 inches) were wit-nessed and logged in by the volunteer tournamentjudges and many more of the elusive muskies werehooked and lost, or sighted, but would not strike.

The team of Justin Mullins, a local muskie guide,and his client, Tom Peters from Waukegan, IL, wonfirst with three fish, 42”, 37”, and 34.25”. Secondplace ($600) went to David Foor and MikeMcDonald, a team from central Ohio, with a 45”.Third place ($300) went to Keith Doane and EricRogers of Frankfort, KY with a 39.5” fish.

A raffle of fishing and outdoor gear was held at thelaunch site, Clay Lick Boat Ramp. All tournamentand raffle proceeds after expenses (insurance,USFS lake permit, etc.) were donated to the David“Crash” Mullins Multiple Myeloma Foundation.More information on the Foundation can be found onthe Internet at www.savecrash.net or by calling:606/207-2683.

The photo below shows, from left to right, ScottSmalley, Chapter #53 President, Tom Peters,Waukegan, IL, 1st place tournament team, JustinMullins, 1st place tournament team, Crash Mullins,Chapter #52 member and tournament beneficiary,Pete Besant Chapter #52 VP for Cave Run Lake.

Please support and thank the sponsors of theevent including: Morehead Tourism Commission,Wal-Mart, Store #1139 (Morehead, KY),Sportsman’s Warehouse (Lexington, KY), Cave RunMarina, Morehead State University Bookstore, GrimReaper Lures, Inc. (Morehead, KY), Baldwin &Associates (Morehead, KY), Morehead Tire andAuto, Kentucky Department of Fish & WildlifeResources, Major Brands Tires & AutomotiveServices, Muskie Innovations, Frabill Nets, FanninIndustries (Morehead, KY), Cave Run Pro Shop,Crash’s Landing, Battle the Beast Guide Service,and Drifter Tackle.

Outing Chairman and Chief Judge was RonnieSimpson, Berea, Peter Besant, Morehead, is VP forCave Run Lake, Davie Eitel, Aberdeen, OH, andRobert Roe, Stanton organized the raffle.

Larry Besant, 606/784-3933 or [email protected]

39Fox River Valley

1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 601230847-741-9771 – Rich Gallagher

www.frvmuskie.com

Meets: 2nd Wed (Exc June/July) Poplar Creek CountryClub, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates, IL.

New Jerseyhttp://www.mi22.com/22

Shawnee Muskie Hunters61 W. Jennings

Wood River, IL 62095618-610-5003 – Manuel Santa Cruz

[email protected]

www.shawneemuskiehunters.org

28

52Daniel Boone

813 US 62, Maysville, KY 41056Phone: 606.759-7610

e-mail: [email protected]: Larry X. Besant

Meets on Fridays-call or email.

Penn JerseyMatt Lysek, President

215-822-2472Website: www.mi50.com

Meets at 7pm on 1st Wed. at Casey’s Bar on Corner ofCherry and California Rds, Quakerstown, PA.

50

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