From the President's Boat
Once again our special thanks to all our special friends that donated or discounted guide trips and all the prize items that made our 10th Annual Banquet a winner. We can’t say Thank You enough and all of member will support you! Our thanks to Mike Mccullen of Fudally Tackle Company for being our March speaker. The St. Cloud Chapter Annual Banquet is April 24th to so if you can attend and support them please do.
You should have received your amendment ballot from Muskies Inc. in the mail. I encourage each of you to Vote “Yes†to the Charter Amendment to expand the voting size of the MI Board by allowing each Chapter a direct voting member representative. It is extremely important for MI’s survival and future that you return it with your vote. Use the district finder to retrieve a list of your representatives with contact information.
It’s Minnesota Muskie Expo time. The Expo runs this weekend Friday through Sunday April 10th through 12th. The North Metro Mount winners, Markus Klobe Junior and Grant Lindberg Adult will be presented with their mounts on stage on Saturday at 12:30 pm during the Expo. We need volunteers to help us staff the NMMI Booth to tell the public why it’s important to be a member of a MI Chapter, why catch-n-release, the friendship and knowledge gained and to recruit new MI members.
The lakes are open in the Southern half of the state and the Muskie fishing season is only two months away. Start doing your early season prep work to get your equipment; boats and motors ready for what I expect will be a great 2015 year with lots of Muskie’s caught by our Members. Also think about how each of you can get a youth involved in our sport, how you can influence one fisherman about the importance of catch-n-release, proper fishing practices and MI Chapter Membership.
We are begun our planning for the New North Metro Members Challunge & Picnic to be held Saturday June 27th on White Bear, Bald Eagle and Forest Lakes. Our Members Picnic will follow the fishing contest portion at a central location with secure in sight parking for our boats so that we can all enjoy the fun! This will be more conducive to allow our families join us and for everyone to have a great relaxing fun time.
We have made enhancements to the 2015 League Night Event by increasing bonus points to encourage more youth and new member involvement and interaction. There are more East and West lake choices and we brought back the participation chance drawing entry for every League Night fished for the year end prize drawing that will feature a St. Croix Tournament Legend Big Nasty Rod.
I am are forming representative NMMI Team(s) now for the two and half day 2016 Gil Hamm Chapter Challunge August 26 through 28th on Leech Lake. Let me know if you’re interested in participating with me to bring home a win for the North Metro Chapter.
Please contact and thank your Minnesota elected representatives passing the Muskie 54 inch size limit that went into effect on March 1, 2015. There are many out that would like to see the size limit repealed so maintaining ongoing legislative support is crucial. Use the district finder to retrieve a list of your representatives with contact information.
I want to thank all the new members of the Board for their involvement and the positive impacts that they are making for our Chapter. Each every member can assist the Chapter in their own way and on their own schedules. Every little bit helps us all and the Muskie fishery we all love and respect. For instance just taking the time to talk to someone for a few minutes at a landing about our sport, what we do, how we respect the fishery and our lakes, taking some one new fishing especially youths, helping out one of the Board members so that they can spend time on the Chapter just to name a few. My thanks to all those that have helped me to allow me the time to continue to be your President for another very important year.
Welcome to Spring everyone!
Dan Mruz
North Metro President
< º)))))))))))))><(
|
|
Thanks to our special friends that helped make our 2015 10th Annual North Metro Muskies, Inc. Banquet a success.
A.J. Wiesner Living Legends Guide Service
Amanda Bever Stylist
Angel Outpost Resort
Baby Beavers
Big Game Lures
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle
Bob Turgeon
Clam Outdoors
Custom X Lures
Don Coffey Company, Inc.
Ghostails
Headlock Lures
Hilton Garden Inn Maple Grove
Jason Hamernick Musky Breath Guide Service
Jay Young Muskie Streamers
Jim Hansel Artist
Joe's Sporting goods
John Hoyer ‘Skie Patrol Musky Guide Service
Josh Borovsky Guide Service
Josh Stevenson Mighty Muskie Fishing Guide Service
Just Encase
Knipex Tools
Lake X Lures
Larry Dahlberg
Lax Reproductions
Matt Seifert Musky Mercenary Guide Service
Maynard’s Restaurant
Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club
Monster Lures
Mouldy's Tackle
Musky Busters Lures
Musky Frenzy Lures
Musky Hunter Magazine
Musky Innovations
Musky Mayhem Tackle
Musky Tackle Online
Nelson Marine
Outdoor News
Phantom Lures
Ray Connoy Custom Muskie Rod
Rubber Hairy Tackle
Ryan McMahon Musky Guide Service
Salon Jolee
Shimano
Shumway Lures
Slammer tackle
Smitty Baits
Sportsman’s Guide Outlet
St. Croix Rods
Stealth Tackle
Supernatural Big Baits
Thorne Brothers
TrueGlide Small Batch Baits
Tuned Up Custom Rods
Tyrant Tackle
United States Distillery Products
Vexilar
Waterbeast
Wood’n Wildlife Mike Purcell
Yeti Coolers
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next Meeting
April 21st
If you throw Pounders you know how hard they are on you, and how effective they are on big Fall fish. Now there are other big plastic baits that are a bit easier to fish than the Pounder, and are useful for different presentations. Dennis Lappen, of Musky Innovations, will be the speaker at our April meeting. Dennis lives on Lake Minnetonka and is expert there, but also fishes Lake St. Clair and many places in Canada. Dennis has a unique fishing style, starting with a posture that minimizes fatigue (If you see a guy in a Javelin, who looks like he is playing a banjo-that is Dennis.) Dennis will bring some lures to demonstrate application principles and will have some custom lures for sale.
Musky Innovations started manufacturing musky lures in 1993. These lures have been responsible for numerous monster muskies taken from some very challenging waters.
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
Starts Friday. I-94 in both directions: Road closed to traffic between MN 280 and John Ireland Boulevard (near Saint Paul). Road closed to traffic. Road maintenance operations. Starting Friday until April 13.
Closure extends to I 35E. Motorists are advised to use 280 to University Ave to Hamline Ave.
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.
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.
|
|
|
Registration is now open for the 25th Annual June Jam Muskie Tournament
By Steve Wernersbach
We are looking forward to hosting another great tournament on seven premier Muskie waters in Polk County: Bone, Cedar, Deer, Round, Wapogasset, and Blake Lakes, and the Apple River Flowage. Wilkins on Bone Lake will be the tournament headquarters. The pre-tournament registration party will be at Wilkins on Friday night, June 19th starting at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Enclosed are the rules and an entry form. Remember to sign BOTH releases of liability. Registration is limited to 175 Open-Division participants (there is an early registration discount if your entry form is post-marked by May 1, 2015). The tournament also has a special Junior Division for participants age 15 and under. Confirmation packets will be mailed to registered participants in mid-May. The tournament is still shaping up, so check for updates and download additional forms at www.northmetromuskies.com.
June Jam is a 100% catch and release Muskie tournament hosted by the North Metro Chapter of Muskies, Inc., emphasizing sportsmanship and respect for the resource. There is no weigh-in or transport of fish, and all fish are immediately released in their home waters after being witnessed and recorded for tournament points.
Major sponsors this year are Red Wing Lodge, Fudally Tackle, Phantom Lures, Pro Label, and Wood’n Wildlife.
|
|
|
Not Our First Rodeo
Red Wing Lodge & Muskies Inc.
It’s easy to include yourself in a big-time Canadian fishing trip, join an outing that has successfully taken place for years at a base camp that just works great for muskie hunters. For either that first Canadian trip or for an extra trip for the Canadian veteran, Red Wing Lodge on Sabaskong Bay is an amazing destination. 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 50 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.
|
|
|
Working to Preserve, Promote and Advance Muskie and Pike Education and Research in Minnesota
|
|
|
|
