Hi Rosann, Hi Bill; how are you EASTsiders doing?
The trip was great - we got a lot of business handled at the International level: among the many items; watch for the new International website coming soon! It takes a lot of generous, dedicated volunteers to run Muskies, Inc. 7,500 +/- members, policies, politics, DNR and Fish & Wildlife agreements, Grant money available to the Chapters, Magazine support, etc. Finest group of volunteers; they spend some time, EACH day, on Muskies, Inc. I am proud and humbled to be a small part of it.
I did not get pictures of the big Board Meeting, but I got several of the big Minnesota Muskie Expo,
http://www.minnesotamuskieexpo.com
which was in the same building, just below us. That must have been a coincidence.
Below are a few pictures; I will try to post them, then describe them:
1. "Minnesota Muskie Expo" 2010..."Presenters" stage in foreground.
2. "Minnesota Muskie Expo"...Show floor...at least what I could get with the camera...LOL...there were boats too!
3. The "LAX" reproduction booth...unreal! Great work, fantastic display!
4. Rick Lax and me. Rick, was nice enough to take a "World Class" Tiger Muskie from his wall for me to hold for this shot! Great guy!!...*The 51.5" Tiger we display for all our "Shows" etc...was donated to us by Rick Lax...Thx. again!
5. 2005 PMTT Winner/Minnesota Guide, Josh Borovsky and myself at Josh's booth. Josh had already booked the month of June for guiding on Lake Vermillion. Josh, will also be competing again this year for the 2010 PMTT Trophy, $$$, and the new Ranger boat! That means he may be selling his old one! I wish him the best of luck...it is a long year starting in Kentucky...finishing this Fall on Lake Minnetonka (similar to Lake Tapps) in Minnesota. Good luck my friend!
6. Steve Heiting, Managing Editor, of Musky Hunter Magazine, and me in front of the "Musky Hunter" booth. Steve is a wonderful person and has been a great help to Chapter 57...Thx Steve.
7. Myself, with "Hunt For Big Fish" personality Larry Dahlberg in front of the "Hugh C. Becker" foundation booth. Larry, is a true gentleman and absolutely fascinating. Hugh C. Becker, was a good friend of Larry's etc...Hugh, has left a fund in his memory for Muskies Inc. to use wisely to help with worthwhile "projects" etc...Hugh, was an absolutely devoted member of Muskies, Inc. who wished for the Muskies, Inc. Organization to carry on well into the future. Hopefully, Washington State will soon benefit from some of Hugh's legendary generosity! Thanks Larry...Thanks Hugh...I hope you're catching some big one's up there in "Muskie Heaven"!
8 & 9. The "pool demonstration" put on By the "Twin Cities", Chapter 1, of Muskies Inc. This gives all the manufacture's a chance to "demo" their new lures to the crowd of Muskies, Inc. members. this was a great presentation!!! It took about three hours, non-stop, action! Thanks, President Troy and ALL the great members of Chapter #1...you guys/gals rock!!! Great fun!
10. A Spring thunder-storm approaches Minneapolis. Picture taken from the shores of Lake Nokomis...Downtown Mpls. in the background.
*This was a truly great trip...getting to take care of "International" business and getting to meet so many wonderful friends along the way! I thank-you all for your generosity and hospitality should you get a chance to read this.
If you live in Washington and you ever get a chance to take in the Minnesota, or Chicago, "Muskie Expo's" I suggest you do so!:)
