THE RELEASE

AUGUST 2017
Website:
www.stcloudmuskies.com

Established in 1982

Meeting Date: AUGUST 15TH

Speaker: ERIC JACOBSON OF JUST BIG MUSKIES
7:30 p.m.
WAITE PARK AMERICAN LEGION

Time on the Water . . . . . . . By Bruce A. Kitowski, President

August is here, and two months of our season is over. I truly hope that everyone has had a chance to enjoy
friends and family. As always I am looking forward to my week in Canada coming up soon. If anyone has
some cool pics about a trip they were on or just down to the neighboring lake, please send us a few for our
newsletter. Or maybe just the kids having fun on the water.
Our meeting on August 15th will definitely be one you wont want to miss. Eric Jacobson of the Just Big
Muskies video series will be our guest speaker. So if you want to talk big muskies, this is the guy to talk to.
One last thing to report, and I do this with a heavy heart, I will not be running for President and/or any other
board position in the up and coming year. I have been the President for 14 years and believe it is time for a
change. This chapter has done many wonderful things for me and my family during the years. I have met
lifelong friends, and some that I can never begin to repay for all that they have done for me. I have learned more
than I care to admit, and hopefully I have passed a lot of that on to others. I will always have a passion for this
chapter, and all that have come before me to lay the pavement as to who we are today. In your eyes I hope I
have served you well, and done you proud to be a member of the St. Cloud Chapter of Muskies Inc.
Here are a few things that I have done as President that will need to be taken care of as I leave this position in
December:
- Running the Board meetings
- Working with the International and doing conference calls with M.I.
- Minnesota Muskie and Pike Alliance Representative for the Chapter
- Advertising Director
- Seminar Director
- DNR and Community liaison
The reason for announcing this so early is to give members time to decide and/or step up to a position to keep
this chapter running smoothly. I will help people understand my position thoroughly throughout the remainder
of the year. I will also remain a member and be around for any questions.

In addition Ken Schmitt and Sven Larsen will not be returning to the board in 2018. Later in the newsletter you
will find explanations of their positions and what they do. I know this is a lot, but I believe with the good
people we have in the chapter this transition should work. Thank you once again.

Bruce

POLITICAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR REPORT . . . . . . By Aaron Meyer

Wow. It's summer. The one time of year when we normally don't have to deal with the politics and public
hassles surrounding muskie management. It's usually the time that we can refresh our minds and go fishing.
Well, this summer we're dealing with what I call the "Jaws syndrome"... meaning an awful lot of people with
little or no understanding of fish (including some anglers) still believe muskies are essentially sharks swimming
around in our lakes.
A young girl was recently swimming in Island Lake reservoir, near Duluth. She was attacked by something in
the water. Whatever it was bit her foot, and did some real damage. The poor girl had lacerations deep enough
that she needed surgery and stiches. The wounds look really painful, and I'm sure it scared the heck out of her.
And that's where the Jaws syndrome comes in. All over the state, people who are opposed to muskie stocking
are blaming this attack on a muskie. They're using this as another tool to attack the stocking program. The Star
Tribune recently ran their second article on this story, and this time the writer flat out stated that he's sure it was
a muskie attack.
Here's the other side of the story. There are two very large, parallel cuts running down the top of the girls' foot.
I've handled some really big muskies and I've never seen one with teeth capable of those two cuts.... and I've
personally had my thumb locked in a muskies' mouth when it did a gator roll!
Those two cuts are about the right distance apart to be from the canine teeth of an otter. There was an incident
a couple years ago, on the same lake, where an adult woman was swimming and was attacked by an otter. She
sustained some pretty good wounds but her wetsuit protected her a great deal. She clearly saw her attacker and
positively identified it as a river otter.
The girl in the recent attack felt her foot get bitten and kicked the attacker off with her other foot. That would
explain how the two tooth cuts became long slices, rather than the puncture wounds you would expect from an
otter bite.
The teeth in a muskies mouth do not exist by themselves. They are in rows, mostly bordered, or surrounded by,
other rows. Those two big cuts should have had lots of little cuts next to them, if it were a muskie bite.
To me, it's clearly an otter bite.
We all know that a muskie can only eat what it can swallow whole, and even a huge muskie can't eat something
that's more than a few pounds in weight.
Unfortunately, a lot of people still think a muskie is a giant fish capable of biting it's prey in half, and
potentially could bite off a human limb- just like Jaws!
And so the battle continues...

Aaron
MN Muskie and Pike Alliance Co-Chair
 ______________________________________

YOUTH DIRECTOR REPORT . . . . . . By Eric Kohn

MN High School Tournament Regional Recap

Report from MN high School Tournament

Minnesota Chapters of Muskies Inc. with support from the Hugh Becker Foundation held the 2017 Minnesota
State High School Muskie Tournament on Lake Vermilion. This was the 8th year of this
tournament. Tournament headquarters was located at Vermilion Dam Lodge on the north-central part of the
lake.
The day started at 6:15 am with guide Bob Benson giving the 12 teams that competed a few pointers on the
tournament waters. Lake Vermilion is so large that we limit tournament waters to the western half of Lake
Vermilion. Bob gave sound advice in telling the kids to try the 3 options at this time of year: weeds, rocks, and
especially open water.
Then director Mike Riha advised participants about the rules, contact information, emergency boats spread
about the lake, and keeping any fish caught out of the water for 30 seconds or less. This was a catch, photo,
release tournament. No fish are kept. Each team was given a departure number and they left in order.
The weather was cold, cloudy, but thankfully no rain. From 6:30am to 2:30pm the teams tried their best, but
alas, as is often the case, the muskies were not cooperative.
Some sad faces coming in turned to glad faces as teams viewed the prize packages waiting for all. Ed Tausk
owner and operator of Vermilion Dam Lodge had his chef, Rick, get brats, potato salad, beans, and lemonade
ready for the returning participants. They, along with relatives, had a nice meal while Director Riha announced
places and prizes.
Every participant received a Plano tackle box with 4 new musky baits. Every participant received a blaze
orange Sport-Tek shirt with the Tournament logo.
Winners of the tournament were Hunter Penrose and Rayce Eggebraaten of Parkers Prairie HS located in west-
central Minnesota. Both sophomores won by catching the largest Northern Pike of the day. (No muskies were
caught on tournament day). They received walnut plaques in the shape of the state of MN and a 9 foot muskie
rod each.
Second Place went to Colton Gottwalt and Sam Nagel representing Little Falls High School. They received 2nd
place plaques and an 8 foot muskie rod each.
Third place went to Tyler Carlstrom and Jeremy Gilbertson, both seniors, representing Wayzata High
School. They also received 3rd place plaques and 7 foot muskie rods each.
Mike Riha would like to thank all the parents and relatives that had to sacrifice time, effort, and treasure to see
these kids get a chance to fish a big lake with big fish.
Special thanks go to the adult volunteers who chose to use their valuable resources to help with the
tournament. They include: Terry Schar, Nick Poppler, Aaron Peterson, Mark Weiss, Chris Thury, Curt
Ellestad, Erin and Josh Knutson, Chris Cochran, Chris Riha, Jim Kath, and the Women Anglers of
Minnesota. Without them the tournament would not happen.
The tournament committee is considering changing the eligibility for the tournament for next year. We are
thinking of expanding the tournament to include 7th and 8th graders. If you are reading this and have kids in
those grades next year and you think they would be interested in competing send an email next February to the
tournament director Mike Riha at mwriha@aol.com. If you have an opinion as to whether including these
younger kids in our tournament is good or bad and wish to share that with the committee-again send your
comments to the tournament director.
If you would like to volunteer or donate to the tournament, contact the director. We always need the financial
help and service help as there are no fees charged by the tournament for participation by kids.
Mike Riha Tournament Director. 763-607-2800 mwriha@aol.com
 AUGUST SPEAKER
Erik Jacobson is co-producer of the Just Big Muskies DVD series that features more than 50 muskies over
50" caught on video, and resides in Garrison, Minnesota. With mighty Mille Lacs Lake in his back yard he
spends most of his time fishing there, but is no stranger to many other MN lakes. He also has extensive
experience north of the border in Canada. Fishing for big muskies is his main passion, but he also makes room
for walleyes, bass, pike, trout, salmon and panfish.

Corey Nazer 715-456-5531

www.NazeBaits.com

MEMBERSHIP REPORT. . . . . .By Nate Rose

In July, we had 1 new member Vince Revermann join, so welcome him to the Club if you see him. Up
for renewal in August weve got Aaron Meyer and Jason Jones. The easiest way to renew your membership is
online. The website (muskiesinc.org) should prompt you for renewal once your membership expires.

Spread the word and encourage anyone interested in muskie fishing/management to join our chapter, it
would be great to see our chapter grow.

CONTEST REPORT

In July, we had 15 fish registered with Thomas Ardolf taking the lunker of the month title with a nice
48.5 fish on Mille Lacs, congrats! Bryan Thomson also got a number of fish on Lake St Clair which was good
to see. Troy Schmitz and Tom Agnew registered a couple fish each as well.

Now that we are moving into August the water temps have been approaching the high 70s so make sure
to take extra care for the fish you catch. Lets hope for some cooler weather and great fishing as we move into
the later part of summer! Good luck everyone.

Nate
 Contest Standing July 30, 2017

CURRENT STANDINGS
MensMasters Bryan J Thompson 5 65 44.00
Mens Thomas Ardolf 4 64 48.50
Brad St George 3 60 47.00
Tom Agnew 3 42 44.00
Nathan Rose 2 36 44.50
Troy A. Schmitz 2 32 47.00
Scott Wold 2 28 41.00
Eric Kohn 1 26 52.00
Steve Bautch 1 17 42.50
Chris Paye 1 15 41.00

LUNKER OF THE MONTH

Month Name Length Lake
May Scott Wold 39.00 Redstone
June Eric Kohn 52.00 Mississippi River
July Thomas Ardolf 48.50 Mille Lacs
OUTINGS CHAIRMAN . . By Ryan Hoffman
It's hard to believe but the Mantrap outing on Sept 21-24 is only a month away! If you've been on the fence
about going, there are still spots left!

We're staying at Norway Hill Resort again and we have deposits on the same 2 cabins we used last year that can
accommodate 14 people. Based on 14 people going, the cost is $130 each including tax (this includes your
deposit). Cost is subject to the cabins we rent being full. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are
interested in going or if I can answer any questions for you. You can call, text, or email me. 320-492-7369
/ rhoffmanisu@gmail.com.

Just a reminder for those of you who have paid your deposits, your full payment for your portion of the cabin is
due to me by the August club meeting.

Here is the video from the outing last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIGAqq7jgP8&t=121s

Here is the resort website, you may recognize a few faces on the fishing page!

https://www.norwayhills.com/html/fishing.html

Good luck on the water in August. I hope to stick a few!

Ryan
FUTURE MEETINGS: By Bruce Kitowski
September19 TH Eric Altena will be our speaker ( Little Falls area Fisheries Manager)

Monthly Lure Give Away By: Sven Larsen

Thanks to everyone for their support for our monthly lure raffle. Remember to bring a few bucks and take your
chance at the lure raffle.
Sven

The Web:.
Check out the chapters Facebook page for happenings in the Chapter. Feel free to share your catch and release
pictures for all to see. Those pictures inspire us to get out there and see what is around the next bend!! Each
member that has a Facebook account can simply select SHARE and we can inform many, many more people
about the Club. So, please take the time to do that and share the Club with others and encourage membership.
 NEWSLETTER EDITORS
Ken and Norine Schmitt
1208 8th Street South
Waite Park, MN 56387
E-Mail to KENORSCHMITT@GMAIL.COM
WEB E-MAIL: info@stcloudmuskies.com
 OPEN BOARD POSITIONS:
There will be several openings on the board this year and below are descriptions of the open positions. Please
carefully consider running as an officer or for a committee appointment. There are a lot of great members out
there with a lot to offer to the Club. It is for the good of the Club that the members engage themselves in the
leadership of the Club so everyone has a chance to enjoy the benefits of the Club and not continually get burnt-
out by taking on too much. As Bruce mentioned in his Presidents message, the resigning members will be
around to help the transition as you assume the new leadership roles. Elections are in December.

Secretary:
Take minutes and distribute to board members.
Manage and check the chapters three email addresses
Check membership list monthly to determine eligibility for member of the month
Update inventory of lure auction lures and high value items that are held as inventory
Organize lure auction for monthly meetings and provide storage for lures
Report to international MI as needed
Provide screen and projector at monthly meetings as needed by meeting speakers
Provide guidance on old business at board meetings to insure completion of projects
Maintain officer/committee list

Webmaster:
Update the website
Post monthly meetings and upcoming events
Post the monthly newsletter
Update calendar to include monthly activities
Update sponsors
Update home page with current months activities

Vice President:
Assist the President in setting up the board and membership meetings
Run the board meeting and membership meeting in the absence of the president

Treasurer:
Monitor/reconcile bank accounts and transactions monthly
Pay approved bills
Prepare monthly reports for board meetings
Prepare IRS tax audit information yearly

Fish Dinner Chair:

Organize committee to run event
Prepare budget for event
Set up donations for tip-boards and silent auction
Organize food service with venue

Newletter Editor:
Put together monthly newsletter, request articles, and email out
Print newsletters for mailing to those without email service
Coordinate mail/email list with Membership Director
Solicitation of Newsletter Ads
Contact current advertisers for annual renewal
 ALEX SMITH - A beauty from Lake Wabedo

FROM BRYAN THOMPSON

Heres one of the bigger ones we caught last week
on Lake St Clair. Most were smaller. We looked at
it as more of an exploratory trip since it was the
first time being there on our own.

FROM TOM AGNEW

A Nice 43

Proudly Supporting St. Cloud Chapter-Muskies Inc.!
St. Clouds Only Best Price Dealer
3019 West Division Street
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 251-4943
Visit us on the web:
www.stcloudauto.com
St. Cloud Muskies Inc.
1208 8th Street South
Waite Park MN 56387