From the President's Boat
The 2015 North Metro Muskies, Inc. 10th Annual All–You-Can-Eat Fish Fry Banquet is only a few weeks away, so make your plans to attend. There is $15,000 worth of quality prizes including 9 guide trips, Yeti cooler, Big Nasty St Croix Tournament Legend Rod, one of kind custom baits. The clothing rack and the heads or tails game are back. In order to improve your overall experience there will be fewer awards presentations, more games, even better prizes and the same great deep fried breaded Cod. If you have anything to donate or wish to assist with the Banquet on February 28th please let us know.
I understand that not every member has the time or flexibility to be actively involved in the Chapter or activities for the benefit of the Muskie fishery, but every member can help in their own way. Encourage people to join MI, participate or help out with one of our events, get youth involved in our sport, help find donations for our various fund raising activities, write an article for the newsletter, befriend a new member are just a few ways to contribute.
The next 14 months will be very busy for the North Metro Chapter. We have our annual Banquet this month, followed by the Minnesota Muskie Expo in April, then our Thorne Brothers Poolside Demo in May, our new Members Challunge/Annual Picnic in June, the Gil Hamm Chapter Challunge in august, our 2016 annual Banquet in early February and culminating with the 50th Anniversary of Muskies Inc. Celebration and International Muskies Research Symposium in March 2016. There is a lot of work and planning that goes into all these events.
We are forming representative NMMI Team(s) for the two and half day 2016 Gil Hamm Chapter Challunge August 26 thru 28th on Leech Lake. Let us know as if you’re interested in participating.
Our 2015 grant request has been submitted to the Hugh C. Becker Foundation. The North Metro has committed funds towards the cost of replacing the aerators on Lake Rebecca in order to protect the Muskie brood stock. We have also committed funds to the Minnesota Muskie & Pike Alliance towards the cost of the state lobbyist. The Lobbyist was integral for passing the 54 inch size limit and will be for future success and to maintain the gains already made at the state. We have proposed matching funds to expand Muskie radio tagging as part of the St Croix River Study.
Our special thanks to John Roundsley of Thorne Brothers; which is now an authorized Shimano Service Center for assisting our members with reel cleaning at last month’s meeting.
If you have the chance, support the other Minnesota Chapters around the state by attending their fund raiser banquets such as the Bemidji-Cass Lake Chapter March 14th, the Brainerd March 21st, the Twin Cities Chapter March 28th, and the St. Cloud Chapter April 24th to name a few.
I look forward to seeing you all on February 28th at the Coon Rapids VFW for our 10th Annual Banquet.
Dan Mruz
North Metro President
< º)))))))))))))><(
|
|
|
Raffle for the Vexilar Flx28
With the limit of 100 tickets sold the drawing was held. The winner was Joe Page.
|
|
|
George’s Minnesota Muskie Expo is scheduled for April 10, 11 and 12 at Ganglehoff Center, Concordia University in St. Paul. The Expo was founded nearly 20 years ago by George Wahl, inventor and manufacturer of the Eagle Tail lure. The three-day event is dedicated to muskies and muskie fishing – featuring some of the world’s top muskie anglers sharing secrets of success in seminars, retailers offering great sale prices, as well as guides and resorts.
We need you to volunteer for one or more two-hour shift. Please call or send a text message to Nick Poppler 651-592-5875 or nickpoppler28@yahoo.com. There must be more than one person in the booth for all hours of the show. Volunteers get into the show FREE.
The unique aspect of the Expo is being able to buy direct from lure manufacturers, getting low prices, custom colors and the newest prototype baits. Again this year, if you bring an Abu Garcia or Shimano reel, company reps will be available to help clean or repair one reel per person.
Fish-A-Thon will sponsor a large “Kids Midway†area with games and prizes for kids. At George’s Tackle Box kids can make their own lures and take home $30 worth of baits.
Seminars this year feature John Hoyer & Matt Siefert, Larry Dahlberg, and Luke Ronnestrand on Friday; Bob Mehsikomer, Rich Reinert, Ben Olsen and Gregg Thomas on Saturday; and Bob Benson & Dustin Carlson, Tony Rizzo and Mike Keyes on Sunday.
The Expo is open from 2 to 9 pm Friday, from 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday, and on Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Kids 12 and under are free, so bring the whole family. Entry to the Expo is the same as it was when the Expo first started. Adult entry for the Expo is $10, a three-day pass is $17. Expo information can be found online at: minnesotamuskieexpo.com.
|
|
Our Chapter’s purpose is:
To promote a high quality muskellunge sport fishery;
To support selected conservation practices based on scientific merit and carried out by authorized federal and state agencies;
To promote muskellunge research;
To introduce the species into suitable waters;
To support the abatement of water pollution;
To disseminate muskellunge information;
To promote good fellowship and sportsmanship among men, women and children;
To encourage and support youth involvement in muskellunge fishing for our future.
Join the North Metro Board or as an Event Chairperson or as a Volunteer. The Board meets for only two hours once a month on the first Tuesday, September through June. You can help influence the direction of the Chapter and help the Metro Muskie Fishery.
We are trying to make our Chapter an overwhelming success but need your help with a variety of small tasks and projects. Contact me or any of the North Metro Board Members to assist us!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next Meeting
March 17th
Mike Mccullen Owner. For over 30 years Fudally Tackle has been dedicated to producing quality lures for the fisherman who demands the best.
Fudally lures are made in the USA of only the best materials available. They were developed by Tom Fudally, well known for his tournament success and for his record of trophy fish over the years. The staff of field testers includes some of the best fishermen in the nation. Since development of his Muskie spinnerbait years ago, Fudally has led the field in new, innovative fishing lures.
Almost all tournaments in the country have been won sometime on Fudally baits. Whether a tourney pro or a beginner fisherman, Fudally Baits will always catch you more trophy fish.
A lot of Musky fishermen have become famous by using Fudally Baits... You could be next!
|
|
|
|
Please join us at our general meetings the 3rd Tuesday of each month, Sept. through May. Each month we have a speaker come in and the topics vary from local metro area tactics to the basics of reel cleaning. We also have a rod and reel raffle and lure raffle. You DO NOT need to be a member to attend our general meetings.
| When: |
3rd Tuesday of the month 7pm – 9pm |
| Where: |
Coon Rapids VFW - 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd NW |
|
|
|
Week at Famous Lodge with Over 13,000 Releases
Make it happen! Join the 2015 Muskie Inc. Red Wing Lodge Outing. Dates for the coming season: August 8-15, 2015.
Last summer 25 fishermen enjoyed this trip, open to Muskie Inc. Chapter members and their guests. This annual Muskie trip to Red Wing Lodge on Sabaskong Bay, Lake of the Woods, is a great choice for that first Canadian trip or for the veteran’s extra trip. Save your surprises for muskie action, you don’t need them at base camp. Red Wing Lodge offers a resort base that has been family owned and operated for more than 45 years. The Bartlett family has hosted Muskie Inc. outings for years with personal and friendly service, so they understand what muskie people need and like. Red Wing Lodge is a nine-time Chapter Challenge headquarters, in ’83, ’86, ’93, ’97, ’03, ’04, ’11, ’12, and again in 2014. Check out the muskie information, including the Red Wing Lodge Hall of Fame, as well as the first live cam in Morson, at www.redwinglodge.net
Cost per person in housekeeping cabins will be $350 (US Funds) for 2015, just $50.00 per day for big-time Canadian muskie fishing.
Included in the full value of the 2015 Muskie Inc. trip:
- Free Dockage ($72 value), Free Launch (both ways, $25 value)
- Free Dinner one night, courtesy of the Bartlett’s
- One Free Trip, given away in drawing, courtesy of the Bartlett’s
- Free Wireless Internet Service throughout the Resort
- Free Daily Bag of Ice; door prizes
Reservations require a $50 non-refundable deposit, made out to Red Wing Lodge. Deposits officially confirm reservation holds. First come, first served.
Early deposits are appreciated by the Bartletts, these funds are used to purchase materials for cabin improvements, most of which can only be made over the winter.
To make reservations, or any questions or suggestions for improving the trip, contact:
John van Ingen
(651) 699-5172
maxjo@mac.com
2108 Palace Ave
St. Paul, MN 55105
or
Pat Miller
651) 429-1629
donnapatmiller@gmail.com
1645 Ridgewood Ave
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
For answers to detailed questions regarding the Lodge, e.g., about the cabins, you are invited to call Mike and Anne Bartlett toll free at 1-888-488-5601.
|
|
|
Twin Cities Chapter’s Annual Sportsman’s Banquet
Twin Cities Sportsman’s Banquet is Saturday, March 28 at the Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington. The banquet, with over $20,000 in prizes, helps fund our chapter’s stocking and rearing goals as well as fund several other chapter functions.
You could leave the banquet with a fishing trip with a noted guide, a resort stay on a US or Canadian muskie lake, a new rod, reel, tackle box or gun, a custom painted one-of-a-kind lure, a print for your walls, or one of the many lures, tackle, storage or outdoor gear.
Raffle tables valued at more than $1,000 each, plus cash raffles, games and a “mystery†raffle table will again be found at this year’s event. Dinner and raffle ticket bonus packages are available again this year. With a $155 platinum package you get $180 worth of muskie bucks and dinner – a $215 value. A $125 gold package includes $90 worth of muskie bucks and dinner. Muskie bucks are used to purchase tickets at the raffle tables and enter some of the games. Dinner only is $35. Seating is limited and will go fast, so make your reservations as soon as possible. Last day to make reservations is March 23.
If you purchase one of the bonus packages before March 6, you will qualify for early-bird drawings. Purchase of a platinum bonus qualifies you for drawings for a St. Croix muskie rod and an Abu Garcia NaCl reel. Purchase of a gold bonus qualifies you for the drawing for the reel. Purchase on-line with a credit card or PayPal at www.twincitiesmuskiesinc.org. Go to the Banquet tab, click on “Make your reservations now†and follow the prompts. And, don’t forget to invite your friends. This is a fun night out whether a person is “into†muskie fishing or not.
|
|
NORTH METRO OFFICERS
President................................... Dan Mruz
Vice President.......... Steve Wernesbach
Regional VP............................. Mike Riha
Secretary.................. Tony VanDanacker
Treasurer........................... Jim Shannon
BOARD MEMBERS
Dick Hamann................. 763-428-7789
John "Geno" Genosky.. 651-329-4898
Robb Meyers.................. 612-791-6331
Dan Mruz......................... 763-535-4206
Nick Poppler....................651-592-5875
Mike Riha......................... 763-607-2800
Jim Shannon.................. 763-434-9729
Steve Sorgenfrei..............651-789-4360
Tony VanDanacker........ 763-370-5424
Jason Wegwerth.............763-478-1748
Steve Wernersbach........763-242-2625
Membership Chairman
Robb Meyers ................ 612-791-6331
Members Only Fishing Contest
Steve Sorgenfrei.............651-789-4360
League Night Chariman
Steve Sorgenfrei.............651-789-4360
Newsletter Editor
Robb Meyers.................. 612-791-6331
Webmaster
Dennis Boehme
|
|
|
|
Working to Preserve, Promote and Advance Muskie and Pike Education and Research in Minnesota
|
|
|
|
