Muskie Mag Photo Winner

[Don Wittenberger]

Looks like I brought home a little more bacon for Chapter 57 by winning the November photo contest in Muskie Inc.'s magazine. This is the same shot of Mike Nielsen's 31.15 lb. release that was used on the cover of Fishing and Hunting News last year. I was surprised to open the magazine and see it, because I didn't send it in. Don't know who did. Anyway, the editors of Muskie magazine have been very generous to our chapter in terms of featuring our fish pictures, and I suspect they've secretly fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest, because there seems to be a pattern here ...

[kevinb]

Got my mag. today as well. Bravo Don,thats an awesome tiger.

[muskyhunter]

Looks like you might need a bigger net..? Maybe?

[Don Wittenberger]

I'd love to have a new, larger, state-of-the-art net.

[kevinb]

I'd love to have a new, larger, state-of-the-art net.

Have you been good this year?
Their is a Christmas Wish List in the off topic forum

[Don Wittenberger]

My Christmas present this year is paying off the mortgage, which will suck up every dollar I have between now and the end of December. Next spring, my daughter is getting married. The net can wait.

In any event, I will somehow come up with gas money to keep attending IFPAG meetings and representing Washington tiger muskie anglers in fish policy making. I sent off my application yesterday to reenlist for 2 more years on IFPAG.

Meanwhile, I'm scheming to make Washington fishing licenses free for all U.S. military personnel on active duty regardless of where they're stationed. I came up with an idea that might work.

[Rosann G]

=d> Thank you Don for signing up for 2 more years on IFPAG, you are doing a very good job for the tigers and I'm sure that it does get very expensive what with the price of gas and everything else. Congrats on both being able to pay off your mortgage and your daughter getting married. By the way, it's a great picture.
Rosann

[Don Wittenberger]

The magazine told me Tony Welch sent it in. I e-mailed Mike that if this photo gets any more famous we're gonna have to erect a bronze statue of him and his fish at the Speelyai boat launch.

[KUP]

Don: I talked to a supplier I know (soon to be sponsor of Chapter 57) and I told him about your IFPAG dedication and all you do for the tigers. He wants to comp you a net. Your choice: Frabill, Beckman, Stowmaster. So do your homework and let me know what you like & what fits in your boat.

Congratulations. You deserve it.

Koop

[mtsiview]

Don: I talked to a supplier I know (soon to be sponsor of Chapter 57) and I told him about your IFPAG dedication and all you do for the tigers. He wants to comp you a net. Your choice: Frabill, Beckman, Stowmaster. So do your homework and let me know what you like & what fits in your boat.

Congratulations. You deserve it.

Koop

Your right Kup, he does deserve it! Don, I just purchased the Stowmaster and it has worked real well (at least Kenster said it did when he was netting two of my fish!). The things I like most about it are; It's huge but it folds up nicely to store it away or just to keep it on the floor, it opens up quickly for use when needed and most of all, the net is extremely deep and tight woven so it helps keep the fish in while measuring and minimizes the tail and gill damage that is so prevelent with larger weaves.

Once again, Don, Great job with the IFPAG! And Kup, great job of taking care of our own!

[Kenster]

Your right Kup, he does deserve it! Don, I just purchased the Stowmaster and it has worked real well (at least Kenster said it did when he was netting two of my fish!).

HA HA HA. SHOW OFF!!!!!!!

Kenster

[Don Wittenberger]

Please convey my sincere appreciation to the sponsor, and explain that as an IFPAG member, I'm a public servant who can't accept personal gifts for performing my public duties.

[Rich McVey]

Please convey my sincere appreciation to the sponsor, and explain that as an IFPAG member, I'm a public servant who can't accept personal gifts for performing my public duties.

Exceptional job Don!

Dont we have a "pool of equipment" for CAST or other such events? It would make a nice donation there...

[muskyhunter]

Wait to go Kup...on top of that one too! You should know better..that might be considered a kick back...

[Don Wittenberger]

MH, making that judgment is my responsibility, not KUP's or the sponsor's.

[muskyhunter]

Wasn't making a judgement of you...just saying that Kup...in a non-profit maybe should post in a open forum. Leads to questions.

[Don Wittenberger]

It WAS posted in a public forum -- right here. What you call "crap" was a generous offer made with the best of intentions, entirely above board, on this public board for all to see. It's been sitting here for a week and you didn't say anything about it until now, so either it took you that long to get your olfactory senses in gear or you have some other agenda.

[kevinb]

Lets not get started on "other agendas" unless we want more public embarrasment

[muskyhunter28]

Question, How big was that fish in the Magazine? the Magazine says it is 53 inch?
But have we not been wondering if a 50 had ever been caught in the state of Washington?

Is there not another post on this site, Titled "HAS IT FINALLY HAPPENED?"
were there is lots of debate about a 50?

Whats going on?

My head will explode if I ponder this anymore!

[Don Wittenberger]

Question, How big was that fish in the Magazine?

I'm not sure. There's no mention of length in my fishing report (Merwin Lake, Cowlitz County, 9/17/2005). I don't remember measuring it, and I'm sure Mike doesn't remember -- he was so excited he locked my keys in my truck and we were stuck at Speelyai until the tow truck showed up at 9 PM -- and Tony, who submitted the photo to the magazine, wasn't with us that day so he doesn't know more than us. I'd say 50 inches tops, but I tell people it was 48 inches, because that's my vague recollection.