THE RELEASE

JUNE 2017
Website:
www.stcloudmuskies.com

Established in 1982

BOAT SHOW: JUNE 20, 2017

GANDER MOUNTAIN PARKING LOT
6:30 9:00 pm

KIDS FISHING CONTEST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.

On June 11th the chapter will be hosting the annual Waite Park Family Funfest Kids
Fishing Contest at Rock Island Pond (just behind Bernicks.) The event will take
place from 1-3pm with set up at noon. We could still use a few volunteers at this
point. If interested please email me at EsoxMaster@charter.net or call and leave a
message at 320-290-7101. Thank you.

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

Another opener is finally here. This February I was sitting in an ice house on Lake of the Woods with Ken
Schmitt and we were discussing that it would be forever before the muskie season would get here. Well that
only shows how fast life is going. This month our membership meeting will be our annual Boat Show at
Gander Mountain. Please bring your rigs and share the things you have done to your boat and trailer with the
rest of the members. We always have a blast!!! In July we will not have a membership meeting.

Please be safe out there this weekend and remember that you are ambassadors of this chapter, we see things just
a little bit brighter than most. May your lower unit never find anything hard!!!

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

As this newsletter is about to go out, we're finding out that Minnesota's hunters, anglers, and others that care
about our natural resources are actually coming out with some wins this Legislative session!

As usual, our Legislators are basically refusing to work together on any of the huge issues that will affect all
Minnesotans. Both sides are digging in their heels, refusing to compromise on any difficult issue, and then
pointing the finger at the other party.
But here are a few really great things that look to have actually passed:

1. The last piece of the puzzle keeping the new pike regs from being implemented was a statewide statute
allowing for one pike over 30 inches. This had to be abolished Legislatively before the DNR could implement
the new regulations. It looks like that worked out, so I would assume the new regs will be put into place next
year.

2. We actually got hunting and fishing license fee increases. License fees supply the vast majority of the
funding that supports natural resource management in Minnesota. Without license fees keeping up with the
costs of operation, we would see drastic cuts to the very things that keep us all on the water and in the woods
and fields.

3. The two-line fishing bill had gained quite a bit of momentum, but luckily that got shut down.

I don't have the specific details on any of these just yet, and can't really explain how we managed to come out in
such good shape, but it has a lot to do with the work of the MMPA and our Lobbyist, and all the work we've
done in the Legislature over the last few years. And, the efforts of sportsmen getting Tom Hackbarth unseated
are still carrying significant weight at the Capitol.

One last thing that looks to have passed is the Buffer Bill. This is the controversial bill that would work to
protect our waterways, reduce erosion, and create more wildlife habitat. It's had a lot of versions with
differences in how far it reaches and how it would be implemented, but any form of it is a step in the right
direction for protecting the interests of hunters and anglers in MN!

Stay tuned for more details.

Aaron
MN Muskie and Pike Alliance Co-Chair

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

Upcoming volunteer opportunities:
High School Musky Tournament Lake Alexander Friday, June 9th
Waite Park Family Fun Days Fishing Derby Sunday June, 11th

MN High School Tournament is June 9th from 6am to 1pm. Guide boat volunteers are still needed.
Contact Jim Kath at Kathmuskiehunter@gmail.com

We need additional volunteers for the Waite Park Fishing Contest. For those of you that are signed up to
volunteer on June 11th, please be at Rock Island Park by noon behind Sand Companies and next to
Bernicks). Event ends at 3:00 with prizes and clean-up after.

Eric Kohn
epkohn34@homtmail.com
______________________________________

Corey Nazer 715-456-5531

www.NazeBaits.com
MEMBERSHIP REPORT. . . . . .By Nate Rose
In May, we had 4 new members! These included Phillip Werner, Tyler Ledwein, Meghan Ledwein, and Hank
Ledwein so welcome them to the club if you see them. Up for renewal in June weve got Tony Sobania, Tina
Sobania, Bree Sobania, Katie Sobania, Ann Sobania, Alex Lauer, and Scott Wold. 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
Contest Standing May 31, 2017
CURRENT STANDINGS
Division Name # of Fish Points Largest
Mens Scott Wold 1 13 39.00

LUNKER OF THE MONTH

Month Name Length Lake
May Scott Wold 39.00 Redstone

The 2017 season is underway with Scott Wold catching a really nice fishing in Wisconsin, congrats! Its
only a few days away from the Minnesota opener and it should be a good one. Ive heard the water temps are
around 55-60 so it should be a decent start to the year. Good luck this weekend and stay safe!

Nate
OUTINGS CHAIRMAN . . By Ryan Hoffman

We added one more person in May to the outing so 6 spots are still left for the SCMI Club Outing on Big
Mantrap, September 21-24. So far I have deposits for 8 SCMI members. We'll be 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. If you would like to go, please bring a $40 deposit to the next club
meeting. You can call, text, or email me. 320-492-7369 / rhoffmanisu@gmail.com. This year payment in
full will be required 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

Ryan
BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS FISHING OUTING. . . . . . By Eric Kohn
The 15th annual Big Brother and Big Sisters Outing took place on Saturday, May 6, 2017. The weather was
spectacular with a light breeze and beautiful sunshine. We had 17 kids attend the event with their adult
sponsors. Each child received a spin cast combo and a tackle box. As the morning sun warmed the water the
fish began to bite. The final total was 58 fish caught including 4 catfish up to 20 inches, 3 largemouth bass to
11 inches, a 13 sucker and many bluegills up to 7.75. The smiles were all around as kids learned how to cast
and rig rods for the first time. All of the participants were very appreciative of the time and talents that were
shared with them from our numerous volunteers from the chapter. The event culminated with a small cook out
and an awards ceremony. Thanks to all of the volunteers that came out for the morning. Volunteers included
Ken and Norine Schmitt, Eric Poissant, Bruce Kitowski, Ryan Hoffman, Ken Smith, Mark and Darlene Rosten,
Scott Wold, Justin Scharer, Tom Agnew, Bill Musielewicz, Steve Bautch and Eric Kohn.

Thank you for the grant to put on this event Volunteers setting up the tackle boxes.
Hugh C.Becker Foundation, Inc.

Hoffman boys getting the worms counted out for

distribution to all the kids. A beautiful day to catch fish!!!
FUTURE MEETINGS: By Bruce Kitowski
July 18TH We will have a board meeting at 6 pm but no membership meeting.
August 15TH Eric Jacobson will be our speaker (Just Big Muskie series)
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. Here's hoping we draw your name this month.
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
GANDER MOUNTAIN PRIVATE LABEL RODS
From: Dennis Lappen

Bruce received this email. It is an opportunity to individually purchase rods. If

interested, please follow instructions below.

For over the past 10 years Musky Innovations has produced all the private label musky/pike rods for Gander
Mountain. With their Chapter 11 declaration and their change of name from Gander Mountain to Gander
Outdoors, we have a group of these private label rods that we must sell off.

As a supporter of the Musky Inc. Clubs, I thought we could offer these rods to club members. These rods were
$125 retail rods in Gander stores, and I would sell these at $40. These rods are built with same blanks as used in
our EVO Series. All lengths and powers!

Remember that we will ship these rods in a tube which costs $25 but can handle 7 rods per tube. Consolidate
any orders to save on shipping costs.

Make all checks out to Musky Innovations and ship payment to following:
Rick Quade
12946 Shorline Blvd.
McCordsville, IN. 46055
317-752-8608
ricchardquade@hotmail.com

Dennis Lappen VP of Sales

(952) 994-5681
dennislappen@aol.com
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