Well, it was another great spring tournament. And it's unofficial, but we believe there were a couple of records set! AND NO - one wasn't that red neck from Texas 3-Peteing. He now smells like a skunk! He caught some bass and northern's, but ZIPPED OUT on the big M's. Make sure you let him know how pleased you are about that.  

Well, enough about that. From a weather perspective - Friday night was not the night to have left your boat in the water. While no boats came loose nor did Tom's dock, he was worried the boats would work the dock loose. There was some boat damage to one of the boats from rubbing up against the dock. Saturday started out nice and sunny, just had 30 knot winds to contend with. The fishing was tough in the wind. Most folks found a place out of the wind to fish. One of the records we may have set if having 2 fish over 40 inches. The other is possibly the total number of inches caught. While I know 21 fish caught isn't a record. Some of the folks who've fished most all the tournaments feel like to overall size of these fish is the biggest to date. Of the 21 fish, 2 were over 40 and only 3 were under 30. We had a total of 722 1/4 inches of fish caught. I've attached a spreadsheet of all the listed fish. Some folks didn't show for the final ceremony Sunday, knowing they couldn't beat what was already on the board, they may have caught some additional fish. The 2 40+ inchers were on the board Saturday evening.   

The best thing about this tournament is the story around the FIRST place fish. Nate King, Jeff King's son, is the winner with a 45" muskie taken from North Twin. The neat thing is how they caught the fish. Jeff picked up a brand spanking new pontoon boat Friday afternoon. Saturday morning in 30 knot winds coming across the lake right into the boat landing they successfully launched his new toy. From there they headed across the lake to get out of the wind. It was the boat, Jeff's, and Nate's maiden voyage. Not only with this new boat, but their first time muskie fishing. Jeff and his partner let the two boys fish up front. I think the men mostly manned the beer cooler from the back of the boat. I wasn't there to see it, but I'm pretty sure they all 4 felt pretty lucky to have got the fish in a net and on board. Nate was beaming from ear to ear when he got his $131 first place winnings, the traveling trophy, and the traveling vest. The vest was a bit big, but he wore it proudly. Jeff says, if momma agrees, they will use the winnings towards getting a replica of Nate's fish made. I sure hope they decide to do so. It was a beautiful fish.  Second place went to Perry Clough with a 41" fish, also on Twin. Third place went to Joe Seffker with a 39" also from twin. As you can see, most of the fish were caught on twin.

Special thanks go to Perry for lunch, Gordie and Borky for the raffle and door prizes, and Jim J for setting up the casting contest for the kiddo's. As far as the raffle goes, there were a couple of very nice prizes. Borky won the anniversary addition Ambassador reel and Gordie won the weekend's stay at North twin Lodge. But, there were plenty of witnesses - so we can't accuse them of rigging the drawing. But, next year I might get one of them to buy my tickets!

As the MM31 winner (or should I say winners Dad) Jeff will be looking for folks to help out with MM32. The place and time are already determined. It will once again be on North Twin the weekend of October 10-12, 2003. Tom has 4 cabins set aside. The sooner you call, the better. He's got another couple of cabins not yet filled in addition to our four. Last year we only used 4, that's why he only reserved 4 for MM32. Of those 4, 2 are taken by myself, Gordie, and our partners (8 total). So call soon if you'd like to stay at North twin Lodge. The number is 715-545-FISH, owner Tom Hickson. I'll probably make chili for lunch again. Borky has committed to having some buffalo meet for me to use. So start planning your trip and working on a winning strategy.  

Digital photos of the 3 winning fish were taken and should be to me within a couple of days. I'll forward them along to everyone. The one of Nate and the 45 incher is a great photo. He's holding the fish like he never wants to let it go !!!!!  Proof, if you have a child that's interested in fishing, don't hesitate in bringing them alone. There were 3 young men fishing this time. We could always use more entrants for the casting contest. 

Take Care…..Steve   

Attached is the winning fish and Nate. After looking at this photo you'll probably wonder how did they ever get him to let the fish go! They fished some more Sunday afternoon and Nate caught another fish. A 35' one. See the second photo. To me this is what fishing's all about. These two young men are the next generation catch and release folks!