TWIN CITIES CHAPTER OF MUSKIE, INC.

OntheWater

Volume 10, Issue 6 JUNE 2007

from Juris Ozols

Year eighteen, and we had lunkers! Size? Well,what do Muskie fishermen know about poundsand inches as applied to trout? But no matter

that we never did figure exactly out how big they were.A bunch of the trout in the Vet’s Home fishpond wereas big as any we’ve ever had, and they got caught!

And the Vets who fished had a blast. Early on thefish were really biting – the Solunar stuff must havebeen right – and they caught ‘em. I don’t think it reallymattered about the size. Those old warriors just likedbeing there, wetting a line and pulling the trout out.And every time a fish was caught, the cheers went uparound the pond.

This year event organizer Terry Hagstrom hadspecial hats made up that said “I caught a Big One atthe Vets Home Fishing Opener”. A nice touch for thelucky anglers. But even the medium and small fishmade for a lot a joy for all the Vets that yanked them in.

And then of course those fish turned into lunch for the Vets andvolunteers. Carol and Denny Heath along with several other volunteers keptmighty busy filleting up the catch. And for the second year now chef Tom Lundworked his new high tech fish fryers, and the trout filets were absolutelysuperb. (I think Tom might run the only restaurant in the world that has neverhad a complaint about the food.)

Around midday the Solunar thing went sour, and the fish quit biting. Butour many volunteers manned the nets and the fish kept coming. We never got acount, but there must have been over 500 lunches served.

Many of the regulars were on hand. Shirley Peterson from the Vet’s Homescurried around continuously keeping things moving. Our friends from the VFWand American Legion, especially the Mendota Vasatka Goers Post 6690, werethere helping out. Their support has made this event possible for almost twodecades now. A grand bunch of people.

And we had a big crowd of our own Muskie Inc-ers, regulars and new-comers both, baiting hooks, netting fish, filleting, cutting potatoes and onions,frying, serving the meals, doing all of that.

Some vignettes: Jim Kroupa claiming that stirring beans was a rare artform, with very few people capable of doing it properly. Matt Olson frying uppotatoes and, for a change, not setting the pan on fire. Larry Proskin cutting uphalf a bag of onions and not crying a single tear. Brad Coyne all alone at thepond at the end of the day, fishing pole in hand, trying to get that “last one.”

A wonderful day.

Fishing Opener at the Minnesota Veterans Home 2007

Residents from the Minnesota Veterans Home enjoyed fishing for trout inthe pond set up for their “fishing opener” on May 5. A number of BIG troutwere caught as well as enough to serve lunch of freshly-caught fish.

Capable PartnersOuting

Share your love for the pursuit ofmuskies with a fellow outdoors-men June 10 on Lake

Independence at the Baker ParkReserve. We’ll be gathering at 6:30 amand fishing until around 1:00 pm. Weneed 15 boats to take out physicallychallenged members of CapablePartners. About one-half of theparticipants will need space forwheelchairs, but any size boat can bematched with one of the partners.You don’t have to be an expert angleror familiar with the lake to participate.Organizer Paul Hartman will gladly goover lure selection and the “hot spots”with anyone. A “shore lunch” will endthe day and anyone who wants tocontinue fishing in the afternoon iswelcome. Please call Paul Hartman at763-786-6031 to sign up.

Muskies Inc.Hall of FamerCongratulations to Juris Ozolswho was named to theMuskies Inc. Hall of Fame atthe recent Board Meeting andBanquet. Juris has created thelast 100 covers for the Muskiemagazine as well as puttingtogether the MI calendar since2003. Juris contributed manyphotos, articles and much elseto the magazine includingrunning the Photo Contest forfour years. He is currently theAssistant Editor of themagazine.

2 On the Water

from John Newman, Raffle Chairperson

Unfortunately, I cannot give anupbeat update. Our ticket salesare not coming in like we had

hoped. As of May 20th we still haven’tsold enough to pay for the boat andbreak even on our expenses. We areclose (about $9500), however, we haveless than 2 months to achieve our goalto provide funds for stocking. The goalof $15,000 means we have to sell 13,500tickets for total sales of $27,000

The good news is that to date, wehave issued 14,000 tickets.Theoretically, if everyone sold thesetickets we will end up with a $16,000profit.

Our raffle committee is continuingto work hard by displaying the boat invarious places as well as placing ourticket boxes throughout the Twin Citiesmetro area. We are a small committeeand can only do so much. That is why itis so important that EVERYONE sellstheir tickets.

Fishing season is here and manypeople outside our club are enjoyingmuskie fishing. Let’s try and get thesepeople to help us stock fish and

improve the fishing opportunities foreveryone.

We have a great muskie fishery inthe Twin Cities metro area, thanks inpart to the efforts of our chapter andpast raffles. Help stock more muskies.Every $20 book of tickets you sell willpurchase ONE muskie for stocking.

The club has already stocked $2500worth of muskies in Minnetonka thisspring and we plan to do more stockingthroughout the year. We are limited,however, by the dollars that we raisefrom our stocking raffle. So its up toeach of you...

How many fish do you want tostock? I have thousands of tickets stillavailable. Please call me at 651-699-8676 and request more tickets!Together we can reach our goal andmaybe even go beyond.

At our June meeting we will haveour drawing for the following prizes forthose of you that have sold 4 books oftickets: Bull Dog Package, $20 Axel’sGift Certificate, $20 Carbone’s GiftCertificate, $50 Great American MarineCertificate, Calico Jack Fishing Shirt,Wolf Trap Lure Package, $25 Joe

Sensor’s Certificate, $25 Buon GiornioItalia Certificate, DunWright TacklePackage, $60 Joe’s Sporting GoodsCertificate, $60 State Fair Gift Pack.

Don’t forget our top 5 seller prizes:1 Week trip for 4 at Shingwak Resort,Lake of the Woods; 4 Days/3 nights tripfor 2 at Birch Villa Resort, Cass Lake;October 11-13 trip for 2 to VermillionDam Lodge; $100 Gift Certificate toThorne Bros.; $100 Gift Certificate toJoe’s Sporting Goods

Top prize in the raffle is a Triton176 Liberty with a 90hp Mercury andTriton Trailer. Second place prize is a$300 shopping spree at Thorne Bros.Custom Rod & Tackle, third prize is a$150 shopping spree at Joe’s SportingGoods, and fourth prize is a signed,numbered “Live Log” print by LesKouba (valued at $1000). The drawingwill be held at our July meeting.

Remember, if you are unable to sellyour tickets, return them as soon aspossible. The state of Minnesotarequires us to account for all tickets.

Thanks for your participation.

Project and Rearing Fund Raffle Update

Members OnlyContestfrom Pete Randall, Contest Chair

Muskie season opens June 2!If you want to enter a fish inthe members only contest,

remember to keep good records ofall the information required toregister a release. A fish must beentered within 30 days of the day itwas caught.

You may register a fish on line atwww.muskiesinc.org, just follow thedirections. If you need a printedform, I will have a couple at the nextmeeting. If you need any help orhave questions you can reach me at952-201-5000. Thanks, and we willsee you ON The Water!!

On the Water 3

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Host a Self Defense Class in YOUR OWNHOME! Instructor will teach 4-6 people inyour own home or other location! Call fordetails and other training options andproducts.

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Do you own a firearm for self defense?THEN YOU NEED THIS CLASS! It's notjust for carry permits. Learn Pointshootingin the dark! Our training can get youpermits for up to 33 states.

Call Brent for discounts! (651) 491-0101

Classified ads may be submitted by Twin

Cities Chapter members. Charges are $5.00 per

month per ad. Send ad information and check

made out to Muskie, Inc. by the 15th of each

month for insertion into the following month’s

publication to: Graphic Works, 7125 17th

Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423.

FAMILY INSURANCE SPECIALISTSNeed insurance for that new BOAT?

Giving special attention to our clients, we write all types of home, auto, life and recreational vehicle insurance.

Before you renew elsewhere – CHECK US OUT!Give Pete and Cindy Randall a call before you renew.

OFFICE: 952-890-5961

THE HOUSE RANDALL AGENCY

VET’S HOME OPENERTop row: Vets who caught a trout gottheir pictures taken. Below: An eventof this size needs many many volun-teers to bait hooks, net fish, fillet, cutand fry up potatoes and onions, andserve the meals. Thanks to all!

4 On the Water

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UP NORTHREALTY

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CONTACT MARK TIETJEN

1-866-336-1451

ON SABASKONG BAY LAKE OF THE WOODS6-time Muskies, Inc. Chapter Challunge Headquarters

Family owned and operated for 40 yearsAMERICAN PLAN • HOUSEKEEPING • CAMPINGThe convenience of a drive-in camp with the

privacy you would expect on an island.

1-888-488-5601or 807-488-5601

www.redwinglodge.net

Over 7,000MuskiesReleased

REMEMBER TO THANK OUR SPONSORS.Each resort here has donated a tripto our chapter. The trips are given asprizes for the top ticket sellers in theRearing Fund Raffle as well as to thetop places in our Muskie Tournamentheld in September. If you areplanning a muskie trip this season,be sure keep these sponsoringresorts in mind. And, if you happen tosee the owners, please be sure tothank them.

On the Water 5

tc chaptercontacts

OFFICERS

PresidentShawn Kellett 952-380-1218

First Vice PresidentBrad Coyne763-412-6697

Second Vice PresidentJim Kroupa 952-474-5967

TreasurerSteve Hedensten 651-765-2493

SecretaryJoe Mellot952-226-4880

Regional Vice PresidentEric Schultz651-917-8272

Members Only ContestPete Randall952-201-5000

Youth DirectorBrent Fox651-491-0101

InternationalTournament Directors

Dianne Dahl/Stu McIntosh651-699-9817

Project and Rearing Fund

John Newman651-699-8676

WebmasterMike McGrath612-743-9188

BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE

Bob Culbertson 651-457-2758Terry Hanson612-221-1818Paul Hartman 763-786-6031Greg Ide612-331-5034Gregg Kappes952-470-2260Matt Olson612-423-2404Amy Orr612-840-3856George Selcke952-933-2608Troy Zuelke952-955-3890

www.twincitiesmuskiesinc.orgOn the Water is publishedmonthly for members of theTwin Cities Chapter of Muskies Inc.

Copy deadline: 15th of eachmonthContact: Graphic Works 612-866-4730 • olson@3pete.com

10%DISCOUNTON ALL LURESTO MUSKIES INC.

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nextmeeting

JUNE 12SPEAKER:

JOSH STEVENSONJosh, owner of Blue Ribbon Bait in

Oakdale, is the current state Tiger

muskie record-holder. He will

discuss early season muskie tactics

on metro area waters as well as

targeting tiger muskies.

Thank Our SponsorsA big thank you to all the man-ufacturers, retailers and resortsthat have helped the Twin Citieschapter in the past year bydonating merchandise and tripsused for incentives and prizes forour fundraising events as well asthe prizes for the Winter Picnicand the welcome table at eachmeeting.Please make every effort tosupport these sponsors so theyhave an incentive to keep onsupporting us. Without them thischapter could not do what it doesfor the resource and its members.If you’re looking for a new bait,keep in mind that manufacturersof some of the most productivebaits ever designed are amongour sponsors. And remember tobuy them from sponsoringretailers. If you want a muskie tripthis season, keep the sponsoringresorts in mind.

ADVON IncorporatedAxel’s RestaurantBasin BaitsBib’s BoxBirch Villa ResortBreak On The Lake ResortBuon Giorno Italia Calico Jack TackleCarbones PizzaChet’s Wine & BrewskyCortland Line CompanyCountry CraftsDan Craven Guide ServiceDucktail LuresDunwright TackleDockside Marine/SnoProFarm & City InsuranceFiber Tech ReproductionsFig Rig RodsFrabillFrankies Live Bait & MarineGreat American MarineHuddle’s Resort

Joe Sensor’sJoe’s Sporting Goods Johnson Outdoors, Inc. -

(MinnKota) Lindy Little JoeLittle Boy Resort and

CampgroundMarCum TechnologiesMercury MarineMinnesota State FairMoose Country RestaurantMuskie Barge Co.Musky FixMusky Innovations LLCMusky Magic LuresNorthern Lights Casino &

HotelOsseo BakeryOsseo Meat MarketParkway Auto CarePhantom LuresPine Beach ResortProfessional Edge Fishing

Rods

Pure Fishing (Abu Garcia, Berkley,Fenwick, Spider Wire)

Ranger BoatsRapala-NormarkRay’s Sport & MarineRed Wing LodgeReed’s Family Outdoor

OutfittersSah-Kah-Tay ResortSalmoShingwak ResortSlammer LuresSpirit of the North ResortSportsman’s WarehouseSunset Cove ResortThorne BrosTrails End LodgeTrueglide BaitsVermilion Dam LodgePaul VillnowWades Custom TackleWolftrap Tackle Co.Zero Max

Muskies Inc. Twin Cities Chapter GeneralMeetings are held at 7:00 pm the secondTuesday of every month at the Knights ofColumbus Hall, 1114 AmericanBoulevard West, Bloomington, MN (justoff I-494 & Lyndale Ave.).