From The Front Deck

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

Wed, Oct 10th -

Chap Meeting -

Frank Jakubicek -

IL DNR Biologist

Oct 11-14 — FRV

Youth Musky Outing,

Sunrise Lodge, LVD

Sat, Oct 27th — FRV

Tournament Challunge

on the Chain

Wed, Nov 14th -

Keith Cortopassi

Sucker Fishing

Wed, Dec 12th - Home

Brew - feat

Dave VanDoorn -

Local Waters

Thrs, Jan 10th -

Mike Keyes - 2013

Keynote Speaker

What’s Inside

Cash is King - FRV Raffle

2

Chap Mtgs - Oct: Jakubacek Nov: Cortopassi

3

Georgian Bay Recap - S Crook

4

LVD Youth Outing

6

FRV Challunge Tournament

6

Membership - Pics

7

LOTW Fall Outing Recap

5

Is it me, or does it seem like musky tournament fishing is down-in general- all across the country? Whether it’s a local, regional or national tournament like the PMTT; it seems as though each year less and less people are fishing these sanctioned events. It’s been years since the PMTT had a ‘full field” of anglers, and it has been many, many years for the FRV chapter to have a full field of 100 boats in our own Spring Challunge on the Chain. In 2013, we will host the 17th Annual Spring Challunge on the Chain! So, I need to ask; why is tournament participation down? Is it because money is so tight for most of us that we just don’t have the extra cash to plunk down for an event like this? Have the musky tournaments saturated the markets and lost their luster? Have the prize payouts been diminished? Is the entry fee so high Vs. those payouts; that most of us don’t find it worth the money to fish it? Is our schedule with the kids so hectic that we cannot find time to fish these events? These are all good questions that beg asking, and we are asking! You can find this very thread

posted on the FRV discussion board. We are asking our club members and tournament participants for feedback. Why are our numbers dwindling for our musky tournaments? Why have you stopped fishing the Challunge? Unfortunately, the cash payouts are directly proportional to the number of participants; if we have a low turn-out, the cash payouts are reduced. Would we get more entrants for the Spring Challunge if we had remote launches and let the anglers dump in at the marina of their choice? Could we have every-one meet & depart from a central location on the Chain in the morning, then pull our rigs over to Famous Freddie’s for the dinner & raffle? What if we moved the Spring date from the last Saturday in April to a Saturday in mid-May? Would better weather equal better fishing? Would better weather equal more an-glers participating? If you haven’t voiced your opinion, we love to hear from you. Get on the FRV site and respond to the thread, as your input is critical for how the 2013 Challunge series will be set up! We value your opinion! BTW, our 2nd Annual FRV Youth Outing to Lac Vieux Desert is fast approaching. Training classes for the kids were held on 9/26/12 at Cabela’s and 10 children along with parents and guides are set to assemble at Sunrise Resort on October 12th–14th! Youth Directors Hugh Flack and Dave VanDoorn are very excited to launch this event. Stay tuned for info & pictures in the November issue! Our 10th Annual Fall Challunge on the Chain is scheduled for Saturday October 27th and will run from 7:00AM-4:00PM. We will be headquartered out of Famous Freddie’s on the south end of Pistakee Lake. Additional tournament info & your starting positions can be found on the FRV website www.frvmuskie.com. Currently, we have about 20 teams registered, so there is still time to sign up for this event. Chauncey Niziol from ESPN Outdoors will once again M.C. this event. Come on out and join us for a great day of “on the water” fun & camaraderie! Our October 10th club meeting will feature IDNR Biologist Frank Jakubicek. Frank is the IDNR biologist for Lake & McHenry counties (to name a few), and he will be talking about the Fox Chain. Frank will cover some great information on musky biology, stocking, lake ecosystem & what is go-ing on with it; so don’t miss this information packed meeting! Bring a friend and take some notes as the information shared will certainly help your fishing on the Chain! Come early & join us for the all you can eat buffet for $13.00/person. The evening menu will be posted on the FRV website shortly. As we move closer to the year-end; we are looking for additional nominees to get on the 2013 FRV board of directors. If you are interested in being nominated for one of those open slots, let me know and I will e-mail you an applica-tion. As you may know, this will be my last 2-year term as your President, as I will be stepping down at the end of 2014. It’s been a great honor to have been your President for 8 years and your VP for 4 years prior to taking over the reins from Phil Gutmann. It’s been a great run and I’ve seen the club grow and develop into one of the best Chapters in the country. I’m looking forward to finishing strong and handing things over to the new President in 2015! Finally, mark your calendars for the upcoming FRV Fundraising Banquet which is scheduled for Saturday, March 2nd at the Schaumburg Golf Club. Stay tuned to the FRV website and newsletters for sign up forms and additional information. We will have a ton of great prizes to raffle & auction off, as well as an outstanding dinner menu. Make plans now to bring your entire family, friends & neighbors to this Annual Fundraising Event!! Until next month…. Bag a slob!!

Rich Gallagher

G E N E R A L M E E T I N G S

7:00 PM SCHAUMBURG GOLF

CLUB/CHANDLER’S CHOPHOUSE 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, IL.

(847) 885-9009

B O A R D M E E T I N G S

7:00 PM. Cabelas, on Tuesday

following the General meeting.

All members are welcome to attend.

OFFICERS

President Rich Gallagher 847-741-9771 VP of Operations Steve Crook (IMA Delegate) Regional VP Dan Koniewicz Treasurer Steve Kroll Secretary Dave Hebeda

2012 BOARD MEMBERS Frank Lucido - Membership Director 847-559-8300 Dave VanDoorn - Youth Director Hugh Flack - Youth Director Dan Lamkin - Show Coordinator Mark Lamont - Media 847-791-4766 Ken Miller - Contests Todd Minor - Speakers - (IMA Delegate) John Deutinger - Website Jim “Jimmy Z” Ziebka - Outings/ Raffles Ken Sponseller - Stocking/Research - (IMA Delegate) Mark Rue - General Meetings Tim Crews - Merchandise Dave Lukac - Newsletter Editor www.muskieswearboots@att.net Mel Wagner - At Large Blake Pawlikowski - At Large Pete Barber - IMA Delegate

W W W . F R V M U S K I E . C O M

FRV MUSKIES INC. P A G E 2 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

THANK YOU CHANDLERS – Thanks goes to Chandlers for donating the banquet room, where FRV Muskie hosts our monthly club meetings. It is our responsibility as FRV Members to show our appreciation to Chandler’s whenever possible, by attending the din-ner @ 6 pm, held before each of our Club Meetings… Wed Oct 10th Meeting Menu for Frank Jakubicek is TBD. Cost is $13.00/Adults, $8.00/Child - does not include beverage.. www.chandlerschophouse.com

“CA$H is KING” 50/50 FRV RAFFLE

Extremely High Raffle Odds - 1 in 75 for LARGE CA$H PRIZE. See an FRV Board Member to purchase Raffle Ticket…

FRV MUSKIES INC. P A G E 3 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

W W W . F R V M U S K I E . C O M

Musky Biology 101 - Crash course at FRV IL DNR Biologist is FRV October Guest Speaker

FRV welcomes Frank Jakubicek to host our Wed, Oct 10th Club Meeting. Frank is the Fox Chain O’ Lakes Resident Fisheries Expert. He has been working with the IL DNR for 18 years, and 10 of those years have been spent studying & surveying the Fox Chain, as well as other bodies of water in Lake & McHenry Counties. This will be a “must see” presentation for anyone interested in the biology behind the musky fishery success story on the Fox Chain. Come and hear what Frank has to say - get a lesson in ski-biology.

- Our buffet dinner runs from 6:00 PM-7:00PM. - The meeting will start promptly at 7:00PM. - Admission is $3.00/person at the door! Hope to see you there. For more information check out the Forum Page at: http://www.frvmuskie.com

Frank Jakubicek District Fisheries Biologist

FRV November Meeting about to get “PSYCHO!” FRV welcomes Keith Cortopassi, from Musky Psycho Tackle

.Our Wed Nov 14th Club Meeting will be hosted by local sucker fishing expert and owner of Musky Psycho Tackle, Keith Cortopassi. Keith (Musky Psycho), manufactures a superb quality sucker rig. November is a great time for suckers, enough said!!!

Keith’s favorite local waters are the Barbie Chain, Tippy, & Shabbona.

Keith’s talk will cover “Sucker Fish-ing Tactics.” Be sure you don’t miss our November FRV Club Meeting.

Giant Sucker

FRV MUSKIES INC. O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 P A G E 4

W W W . F R V M U S K I E . C O M

Monsters Abound Under Georgian Full Moon FRV VP of Operations Steve Crook had the musky trip of a lifetime! Steve scored two 40 pounders, followed by yet another 50 inch musky later in the week. The 50 slammed home within the first three minutes of fishing on the day. Steve also caught two low 30 inch muskies, a 47, 48, & many nice northern pike. The biggest fish was 56 x 25 and over 45 pounds; the other big gal had the same frame, but only three inches shorter at 53 x 24, & 41 pounds.

Steve was fishing Lake Huron with his good friend, & Georgian Bay Musky Guide, Johnny Dadson. Steve’s other boat partner was friend Bob Bailey, who is President of the Michigan Musky Hunters. The Crook Crew were speed trolling bucktails to hook-up with these mon-

sters; the 56 x 25 came on perch color, & the 53 x 24, & 50 x 23 hit on walleye color. Both Johnny and Bob both make these Dadson Blade Baits, which registered all three big muskies. The 48 was caught on a “Hosebait Fattie” Jointed Pickie type bait in a perch pattern, also while trolling. Per Crook, “Georgian Bay fish don't seem eat when the winds are blowing, but they do bite right before the big winds ensue. These fish were all caught in blue bird skies, during the middle of the day. During two days of windy stormy weather, we only caught some mid 30s muskies and pike!”

“It was the full moon period of August, at time when we always do well catching at least one 50 inch musky - each of the last seven years that Steve & Johnny have fished together. “

Great Trip Steve!!

NO

SALES@ 3DPICTURESTORE.COM

PO BOX 8066 BARTLETT, IL. 60103

FRV MUSKIES INC. P A G E 5 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

W W W . F R V M U S K I E . C O M

Highlights from FRV Fall Outing (Sept 8-14) on Lake of the Woods

The FRV Gang arrived Saturday at New Moon Lodge near Morrison, Ontario. The group was greeted by wind, wind, & more wind! It was chilly as well. On that 1st day (2) fish were caught by Brendan and Kevin (42” & 43”). On Sunday, Hugh hammered (3) skis - (25”, 38.5”, & 46.5”). Johnny got one as well, not sure on size. Monday was windy once again. On Monday & Tuesday, there were (4) fish caught. Jerry L. had a (41”); Kevin had a (46”); Gino had a (45”); & Johnny H. had a (46”). It should be noted that Gino and Johnny's fish were caught on Gino's home made glide baits! On Wednesday of the trip, the wind was HELLACIOUS! Only two boats went out, & it was Hairy. Hugh then popped a (40”& 41”) on Thursday, as well as a few big pike. Chuck got a (42”) as well...

New Moon Lodge “a fishing experience”

FRV MUSKIES INC. P A G E 6 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

W W W . F R V M U S K I E . C O M

Kids Eagerly Await!! It’s Less than 2 Weeks!! 2012 FRV Youth Musky Outing at Lac Vieux Desert!

From October 11-14th, 2012 the previously selected FRV group of young musky hunters will embark on a fabulous chap-eroned trip to Sunrise Lodge, on the shores of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Lac Vieux Desert, to fish for some fat autumn Muskies! Youth participants will have all of their expenses paid by the Fox River Valley Chapter of Muskies Inc!! The developing anglers were briefed in a Musky 101 Crash Course prior to departure. Additionally, during the adventure, the young hooks will have the opportunity to learn musky fishing skills, outdoor traditions, good sportsmanship, boating safety, weather awareness, planning, organizational skills and a host of other tools designed to help them throughout their lives both on and off the water. A Musky Rod will be awarded to the lucky youngster with the biggest fish of the outing. His or her name will also be added to the FRV Perpetual Plaque. Tackle Industries has also donated a second Youth Musky Rod to be raffled off at random, at the end of the Outing. Good Luck, & Good Fun to all the young guns & guides….

According to FRV Muskie President Rich Gallagher - “Our board works tirelessly to promote the three main tenets of Muskies, Inc. -Youth, Fisheries and Conservation”. Gallagher added- “In addition to our work to add more Muskies to local waterways, and to protect those waterways for future gen-erations, our youth programs provide a vital platform to ensure the future of musky fishing by introducing the next generation to the magic of our sport and educating the public on the role and importance of the King of Fresh-water Fish. LVD (Lac Vieux Desert) harbors some big fish and we know the kids are going to have a terrific time and encounter some great fishing too.

Fox River Valley Chapter of Muskies Inc. 17th Annual Fall “Challunge on the Chain”

Catch & Release Muskie Tournament Series Headquarters: Famous Freddies on Pistakee Lake - Fox Chain of Lakes It’s almost Halloween. Work your tricks to treat yourself to some prize money… It’s time to sign up for our 17th Annual Fall “Challunge on the Chain Tournament.” This is the second installment of this two event series, and will be held on Saturday, April 28th, at 7 am... The tournament will be held once again at Famous Freddie’s on Pistakee Lake. The chain is on fire this fall!! Throw some pumpkin color baits. Conjure up a beast! Details about the event - ramp/launching instructions, and how to register on-line if you visit our website.

The bottom of the entry form appears below if you don’t want to go on-line to sign up...

They are biting!!!

Name: _______________________ Address: _____________________ City: ________ State: ___ Zip: ___ Phone: ____________Date: ______ Email Address:

Pre-register Entry Fee Per Team _____Fall Tournament $200

Mail Completed Form & Payment to: Fox River Valley Chapter of Muskies Inc.

P.O. Box 7613, Algonquin IL 60102

FRV MUSKIES INC. P A G E 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

W W W . F R V M U S K I E . C O M

FROM THE MEMBERSHIP CORNER… For the past three consecutive years our Chapter has remained at 300 plus members. This places our Chapter in a tie for third place with one of the Minnesota Chapters… Size is important, it helps our chapter to provide better speakers, along with more events and outings. This is the primary reason your membership is important to our Chapter’s success.... Our biggest challenge is reminding members not to let their memberships expire, so

when you receive a reminder letter from either FRV or MI, please don’t procrastinate, renew it promptly... You have the convenience of renewing your membership at the monthly meetings, by email to: franklucido@ameritech.net or www.muskiesinc.org. Thank you all for your support and good fishing,

Frank Lucido / FRV Membership Director

PETER J. BARBER & Associates, Inc.

CPA & Consultants

Family & Estate Tax Planning & Preparation Business Accounting & Taxes

LAX REPRODUCTIONS Rick Lax

Website: laxreproductions.com

Bus Phone: 715-547-3710

JAWS VII - “The Minnesota Tours, Ay!” Starring Blake P as the Hired Gun. “Fish puts big Grabowski on Pawlikowski” - Roger Ebert “ He Bleeds Chocolate Milk” - Michael Phillips Coming to Theatres - Halloween 2013

Fox River Valley Chapter P.O. Box 7613 Algonquin, IL 60102

Interested in sponsorship for a tourna-ment or advertising in a newsletter? Please contact the FRV Board mem-bers via email at:

info@frvmuskies.com

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