1st Muskies Inc. Chapter in WA.

[Anonymous]

Enthusiastic tiger muskie anglers are organizing the first Muskies Inc. Chapter in the state of Washington. http://www.muskiesinc.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The first meeting will take place at the Denny’s Restaurant in Federal Way, WA.
at 2130 320th Way, on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 7 p.m.
Contact person: Perry Peterson at: nwmuskie@comcast.net
Guest speaker will be: Bruce Bolding from Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Olympia 360-902-8417 boldibdb@dfw.wa.gov
Besides monthly meetings and the Muskies Inc. magazine subscription, the chapter will focus on techniques of muskie fishing and where to fish for them. Members can talk to the experts, provide in-put on management, regulations, limits, etc, as well as enjoy the camaraderie of other muskie enthusiasts. A newsletter and a web page will be available to all those outside of meeting range.
Muskies Inc. is an active, service orientated, non-profit organization for men, women and children with the single focus of improving the sport of muskie fishing, wherever the fish are found. Founded in 1966 by Gil Hamm in St. Paul, Minnesota, the original group of 13 avid muskie fishermen concentrated on continual improvement of the muskie resource through rearing and stocking efforts and sound conservation practices.
Today, DNR and Fish & Wildlife departments have realized the value of stocking muskies. There are 37 of the lower 48 states with active muskie stocking programs.
Muskies Inc. has expanded to over 7,500 members and 52 independent local chapters throughout the country. They have become a national voice for the protection of the muskie species.
Muskies Inc. is widely recognized as the first organized group of sports anglers to espouse the “Catch and Release” practice now embraced by many of the conservation minded groups throughout North America.

[muskyhunter]

Awesome,
Thanks for the information. Hopefully the state can continue what it has started and will support this great fishery. I am glad that there will be a chapter here in this state. I will be there at the meeting!! Any reports of any new plants in Tapps,Merwin or Mayfield lakes? :d/ :d/

[KUP]

So glad you can make it, muskyhunter!! The more the merrier, all are welcome: old muskie pros, new guys wanting to learn and all in-between. Bruce (speaker that night) from Fish & Wildlife is the go-to guy when it comes to questions about the state and the tiger fishery. ie: hatchery, diet study, radio tracking study, stocking program and the future of this exciting sport fish and it's challenges. I am pumped... can't wait!!

Pass it on!

[muskie guy]

This is the best thing yet for us muskie anglers! Thanks to every one for their efforts in putting this together.

[dlt074]

outstanding!

[bad esox]

Hey glad to hear Muskies Inc. is going to start-up here in WA. They have done a great job in the Mid-West helping people learn more about this great game fish. Did you know that the concept of "Catch and Release" was started by Muskies Inc. The key to any great fishery is CPR (Catch-Photo-Release) let'em live to fight again!!! 30-40 lb. fish are possible here in Washington if they are given a chance. I can't wait to see this happen.

If you are new to Musky fishing and you see a fish follow your lure to the boat try using the figure "8" pattern. The figure "8" will sometimes trigger these fish to strike. Remember to always keep the lure moving. If you do not catch a Musky right away do not be discouraged. The Musky is the legendary fish of 10,000 casts!!!! In my opinion some of the more high percentage baits to use are probably Buck-tails, Rapala's, and Jointed Pikie-minnows. With this selection you can fish just about any situation. Hey let's go fishin' !!!!

[Don Wittenberger]

Yes, I think it's a good thing for tiger musky anglers in Washington to get organized and get involved with issues involving the management of this fishery, such as stocking and catch regulations. The bass and walleye anglers are well organized, and not all of them are on your side where muskies are concerned, so you need the clout of a club behind you.

I hope to make the meeting. Does anyone want me to bring my Wisconsin musky boat down for show-and-tell?

[KUP]

Heck yeah, Don, not only bring that boat, but bring Mike and Tony. too! The 3 of you could try out Mayfield the next day....!

And I agree this Chapter getting off the ground is real important to the future of our muskie fishery. Sure hope y'all can make it (that means EVERYONE reading this!)
I printed up some nice colored flyers promoting the meeting. Used a great photo of Mark's 41 incher from Tapps.
(THANKS, Mark!) Then I put $70 in the 'ol Dodge today and made my way around South King County, puttin em up at the G. I Joes in Kent, Federal Way and Puyallup. I also pasted them to the front door glass at Sportco in Fife.
The fishing manager at the Sportsman Warehouse in Federal Way, Tadd T. made sure they were up on BOTH front doors as well as back in the fishing department. Customers seemed to be really interested, too, besides just the usual "What the heck is THAT?!". (the fish, not my flyer..... )
Gonnason's Marina in Kent also had me put them on both entrances so anglers and boater could see them.
Just in case I put one in the window at the Denny's where we are meeting.
And Todd down at Auburn Sports and Marine was way cool about not only putting them up by the front door glass, but he showed me a few of his favorite lures, too. Now, this trip would have been a little faster if I had left my money in the Dodge; had to pick up a few new lures there! And Kyle over in the NEW BOAT side (droooool)
had me put one in the winder, too. Kyle is a transplant from Minny-soda, too.
I know we got great press from the F & H News and I have sent press releases out to 15 major newspapers, state wide, but we still want to reach as many as possible.

So, now the question is...can you guys help me get these flyers out to YOUR areas?

Even you anglers east of the Cascades; this will be your chapter, too, with a voice in all things. Just because you might not be able to make it to all meetings, we will be posting news in a Muskie Newsletter (hard copy & on-line)
and I would love to see a couple of "traveling meetings" even on the water, over on the Eastside. Maybe Tiffany's? Newman, Silver? This will be YOUR chapter, all of us, across the state, with a unified voice for the fishery.

So, who can I send a couple of flyers to? Even one or two would help..and YOU know your best places: fishing shops, outdoor stores, small boat retailers. Let's get the word out. I can send as many as you like. Send me a PM (private message) or email with your name address and they are on their way. I am donating printing and mailing costs, it's a non-profit, NBD. (It's a big pdf file, you don't want me to email you the flyer).
Spokane? Tacoma? Shoreline? Vancouver?
I'll buy ya a cup of coffee and a slice of pie at the meeting. LOL. (That's a mid-west thing. :)

Let me know, too, if you can recommend anyone else I can mail one too; I am sending one to Tiffany's and to Mayfield lake Resort.

... this is an addiction, isn't it....?
KUP

[muskyhunter]

Hey KUP,
I'd be glad to help you out. Shoot me an e-mail or use the PM at the bottom. I'll give you me home /Cell phone number. I live in Tacoma. I'll do what I can. I am going fishin Sunday. Long Lake in Lacey. Ah heck give me a call at253.985.0414
"You wanna beer with that?" Its a Wisconsin thing! Thanks, Todd

[KUP]

Great! Will do!
Plus, I just got a box of 50 (!) catalogs from Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop (World's Largest Musky Shop) and I will send one along to whoever wants a flyer. And of course will be taking them to the meeting on the 24th.
And... I only give those mid-westeners such a hard time cause I'm married to one of them. Me, I'm a northwestener, you know, God's country WITHOUT the skeeters and humidity. LOL

[Don Wittenberger]

There's a fishing tackle store in my area called Angler's Choice, 20222 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. He specializes in bass fishing is an authorized MinnKota repair station. If you mail him one with a note asking him to display it, I bet he would.

I've let Mike and Tony, and also our friend Vince in Portland, know about the meeting but don't know if they will attend. They have to come a long way; and Vince has a full-time law practice to tend to, and Mike has a part-time job. Tony is already a Muskies Inc. member, with a Minnesota chapter.

[Don Wittenberger]

What makes you think we don't have skeeters? Apparently you haven't fished Evergreen Reservoir in summer yet.

[KUP]

Thanks, Don, for the info on Angler's Choice. I will send him a flyer tomorrow.

I appreciate all of you guys sending me addresses where I can mail more flyers.
Keep 'em coming!

This Muskies Inc. organizational meeting is going to be a historic moment in muskie history in this state and I am DEDICATED to this project.
Please keep passing the word to fellow anglers you meet on the muskie trail.

I'm a real stickler for privacy rights, too, so any info you send is secure and goes no further.

[muskie guy]

KUP;
The information you sent me will be on display this evening at several fishing shops here in Spokane. I am going to run some over into Coeur D'Alene Idaho too. Thanks for the package.

[KUP]

Thanks for doing that, muskie guy! Any and all help is appreciated.
The more press we can get, the better.
All you guys who are passing out flyers; you are appreciated.
I knew we had to start somewhere with a 1st Chapter.

But if this thing takes off like I think it is going to,
it only makes sense to eventually form a Spokane Chapter at some point.
I know "1st things 1st" but wanted to let you know:
Long term goal:
We will definitely support you Drysiders when you're up to bat.

It's a lot of organizing stuff
and TIME consuming(holy smokes!) but,
then,
I think about that face....
lurking by that log.....
then...
that follow....
....................................and it doesn't seem so hard anymore. LOL

[bad esox]

Nice description!!! and it is so true of our "little friends" out there waiting to have some fun with us:) Thanks for all that you are doing.

[Deadeyemark]

Hey Muskyhunter,
I was checking out your profile and the space behind 'gender' say 'non specified'. That scares me. Especially since we're riding together to the meeting next week.



Just kiddin. LMAO

[KUP]

Fellow anglers:
We are less than a week away from making muskie history. (May 24th Fed. Way Denny's)

Ask your bass fishing buddy to tag along.

Look around for more places I (or YOU) can take flyers. Let me know?

Do you have a suggestion for posting a notice on- line?

Anyone know if they will do a PSA for us on the radio? (we are a non-profit)

Just found out that 4 staff members from WDFW will be coming, too.
I know all of us will conduct ourselves as professional anglers:-s

There will be a free raffle for a 6pack of lures for all those who register for membership that night.=p~

And yes, Bill and Rosann, we are bringing digital camera, too.
You only get one chance to be a Founding Member.

Y'all come!

[Don Wittenberger]

I spoke with Mike Nielsen (the fellow on the cover of F&HN) by phone on Saturday, and it's my understanding he may attend the meeting.

I also asked Mike about water conditions at Merwin Lake. Mike lives within walking distance of the lake and frequently goes kayaking there, so he's very familiar with lake conditions. He said visibility is about 3 feet, compared with Merwin's normal visibility of 20 to 25 feet. Normally, the sediment would settle to the bottom or flow out of the reservoir through the dam. The problem is, mud is still washing into the lake. In other words, the developed hasn't done anything to stabilize the slope, and nobody is making him do it. Sure looks like Merwin anglers will be fishing in muddy water this season. That may kill the weeds that started growing in the lake last year. (Prior to 2006, I found no weeds in the lake, but last fall the lake was developing good weed beds in some areas.) I don't know what it'll do the fish -- I'm not a biologist -- but I would imagine if you put enough sediment into a lake, at some point the fish will suffocate and you'd have a massive die-off. Even if that doesn't happen, if the poorer visibility makes it harder for the fish to find their prey, it could reduce the tiger muskie population through starvation. This just can't be good for the fishery. It won't be helpful to fishermen new to the lake, either, because they won't be able to see what's underwater.

The fiasco at Merwin Lake provides another illustration of why we need a muskie club in this state. One individual doesn't have much influence, but an organization can put pressure on government agencies to take action against threats to the fish, the lakes, and the surrounding lake. It's my understanding the developer went ahead with construction without all the required permits. I'm pretty sure other laws were broken, too -- I don't think our laws allow landowners to pollute public waterways and kill fish or damage public resources. The way you get public agencies to intervene to protect our lakes is to establish relationships with them, keep them informed of potential problems, and monitor how they're responding to a potential threat to a lake or a fishery. It's a lot harder for bureaucrats to back-burner a problem when community groups are involved with the situation. One of the things I hope will come out of the formation of this club is an organized effort to work with public officials toward protecting our tiger muskie lakes from such incursions.

[Deadeyemark]

Keep us up to date on this situation Don. You're right about having a much stronger voice as a chapter. I've got a few items on my agenda also. One is the access to Lk Tapps. Another is Pierce Co Code 8.88.460 which allows water skiers to ski to and from their docks in 'No Wake' zones. As a group, these items will need to be discussed and I'm sure we'll be heard. This forum will also help. We all have to police this sport.