Category: Events

The 2018 OHMC Division Day was held at Alum Creek Lake on Friday, May 4th. We had vessels of all shapes and sizes depart into the stormy seas after a bit of coffee and donuts. Staff members from the Ohio Division of Natural Resources were being guided for a morning of Muksie fishing by OHMC members. The white-capped chocolate milk made for some very challenging conditions and unfortunately, no fish were caught. As lunchtime approached, there were certainly some interesting attempts to get the boats tied to the curtesy ramps, fortunately, everyone safely moored up. We had some catered food brought in and everyone was able to ‘hold-down’ a meal in the windy conditions. I must offer my most sincere thank you to all of our guides and guests for coming out to brave the harsh conditions. Hopefully next year we can break the 3-year curse of no fish on division day.

Some of us went out to fish for the afternoon and I did manage to connect with a fish which wasn’t too big but was sure nice to hold. Later in the evening, the campground filled in and the stories began to fill the air. There was a new non-sticker boat that was looking to get the skunk off. It is always great to see old friends and new that share the passion of muskie fishing.

Saturday morning, we all hit the water with eager anticipation. The winds had calmed overnight and we were greeted with picturesque weather. Unfortunately, there were no pictures to be taken. The only fish caught was by Treasurer John Ringenbach. We met at the campground for our steak fry and proved that we are a pie-eating club with a fishing problem. I’ve never seen so many pies disappear (I may have contributed to that disappearing act).

On Sunday, the new non-sticker boat got the skunk out. OHMC 2nd VP Rick Simpson helped a young angler when he observed the enormous rod bend that was unmistakably a muskie on a light rod. Rick helped the young angler net the fish, get a couple pics and release a beautiful 49″ fish. That young man will now be a Regular OHMC member and get a free meal at next spring’s banquet.

At the conclusion of the event, Jeff Clark showed us all that he figured out the lake on his first trip to Alum Creek. He turned in two fish to take first place and the big fish cash prize. John Ringenbach finished in second place. Congratulations to our winners who will receive their trophies at our next banquet.

All fish caught: Jeff Clark (32.50″, 33.75″; 14.25 points): John ringenbach (33.00″; 7.00 points)

Ohio Muskie Show

January 19-21

Makoy Center, Columbus, OH

 

57th Annual OHMC Awards Banquet

March 3

McCalls Banquet Center, Canton, OH

 

Muskie Max

March 9-10

Embasy Suites, Pittsburgh International Airport

 

OHMC Division Day and Spring Outing

May 4-6

Alum Creek Reservoir, Delaware, Oh

 

 

Leesville Lungefest

June 9

Leesville Lake, Leesville, Oh

 

 

48th Annual OHMC Summer Contest

July 21-22

Piedmont Lake, Piedmont, Oh

 

 

6th Annual Minnow Fund Muskie Outing

September 29-30

Salt Fork Lake, Cambridge, Oh

 

 

Milton Muskie Munch

October 27

Milton Lake, Lake Milton, Oh

The 2017 OHMC Fall Outing was held on Saturday, September 30^th and Sunday, October 1^st.  The festivities started on Thursday as a few anglers showed up early to take advantage of the picture perfect weather.  The temperatures for the weekend never got above 75 degrees and did not dip below 45 degrees.  Mostly sunny skies and very light wind made for what most agreed to be the ideal conditions for camping and fishing.

By Friday evening the campground filled in and everyone greeted one-another with smiles, hugs, and handshakes.  The conversations were jovial and it seemed like we all were just glad to be there.  A few new faces were welcomed into the group.  As always, we made sure to greet new members and make them feel right at home with the club.  Club Treasurer John Ringenbach registered everyone in the campground on Friday evening as he continues his tireless service to the club from which we all benefit.

Early on Saturday morning as some anglers were just taking to the water, OHMC member Kyle Jones was enjoying the type of morning we all dream of having.  By 9:00 AM, he had put 3 huskies in his boat and done a good deed by assisting a nearby kayaker in landing a 46 inch fish which was that angler’s very first muskie.  I know it was an emotional day as it was the anniversary of the passing of a loved one.  I’m also sure that his loved ones would be incredibly proud of the good deed and talent put on display.  The bar had been set high for the event big fish award at 47.5”, but that would not withstand the Sunday charge that was coming.

As we filtered back to the campground Saturday evening to enjoy our steak fry, it was apparent that most of us were without that familiar slime on our nets.  So as usual, we drowned our sorrows in food.  The “roast” sized ribeye steaks were grilled to perfection by OHMC Past-President Fred Lederer and were thoroughly enjoyed by all.  We had plenty of side dishes and some amazing pie that a member brought for us to enjoy.  Surely, nobody was hungry at the conclusion of the meal.

Next, the raffle prizes were drawn by 2^nd V.P Rick Simpson, Secretary Stephanie Neville, and Trustee Robert Neville.  The 50/50 in the amount of $106 was split between the club and Fred Lederer who had purchased the winning ticket.  Many baits and miscellaneous items were won during the general prize raffle and most who bought tickets left the event with a prize

Some of us went back out fishing in the darkness on Saturday evening while others opted for an early bedtime – early rise approach.  Phil Jarvis headed out Sunday morning with a bit of disheartenment, but that was about to change.  He had a bite window open up late in the morning for a little over an hour.  That window saw him land five (5) fish including a Personal Best 49” behemoth that was good enough to take the $90 big fish prize.

The final standings were as follows:  Phil Jarvis (1^st Place); (49.00”, 41.00”, 39.25”, 37.00”, 30.00”) (66.25 points): Kyle Jones (2^nd Place); (47.50”, 46.00”, 43.00”) (58.50 points): Bill Lambert (3^rd Place); (41.50”) (15.50 Points): Greg Eischen; (33.00”) (7.00 points): Nick Cox; (32.00”) (6.00 points).  Our winners will receive their trophies at our annual banquet next spring.

Many thanks to everyone that came out to the event and especially those that help conduct the outings.  I look forward to hopefully seeing many of you on the water this fall, the fishing shows this winter, and the banquet next spring.

The 2017 OHMC – M.I. Chapter 19 Nite-Bite was held Friday, August 19^th into the morning of August 20^th at Leesville Lake.  It was hot a takeoff but cooled quickly after sundown.  This led to very dense fog that created challenges for everyone on the water.  Thankfully, all anglers made it back to the ramp safely.  Unfortunately, the fish did not cooperate very well.  We had 19 anglers sign-up and 4 fish reported as being caught. Thank you to those that came out and especially Jason Chalmers and John Ringenbach for conducting the event.  Bill Shultz took first place with two fish 35.00” and 42.00” for a total of 25.00 points.  Will Tollerton took second place with a 44.00” fish worth 18.00 points.  Chad Harmon finished in third place with a 39.00” Fish for 13.00 points and increased his lead in the overall tournament standings.  Our winners will be presented their trophies at next year’s awards banquet.

 

The 2017 OHMC Summer Contest was held July 15^th and 16^th at Salt Fork Lake in Cambridge, Ohio.  We had 33 anglers register and 30 fish reported being caught.  Chad Harmon claimed First Place for the third year in a row.  Fred Lederer earned Second Place and Stephanie Neville earned Third Place.  Our winners will receive their trophies at the next annual banquet.

The campground filled in on a sweltering Friday evening just in time for a torrential downpour.  Fortunately, the brief rain event was the only precipitation we would see this year.  The weather was near perfect for the weekend with highs in the low 80’s and lows in the mid 60’s.  Water temperatures ranged from 80 degrees to 85 degrees.

We started out Saturday morning with our traditional coffee and pancakes during registration.  Soon the armada took to the water to test their skills.  Early in the day, it was apparent that this was to be an event for the record books as the fish showed up in the nets early and often.  Regular reports from various anglers of a successful release kept our spirits high as everyone knew the bite was on.

I personally witnessed several releases and every angler was fast and efficient to get the fish back in the water quickly.  There was one floating fish that a member put in his cooler to be enjoyed as table fare.  I admire this approach and feel that while we do our best, occasionally a fish dies.  Much better to not waste the meat and my hat goes off to the member that tried to revive a fish that wasn’t his, but in that failed attempt recognized the opportunity to have a meal.  That is the only fish that was seen floating during event hours and may not have been an outing anglers fish.  There was an extraordinary number of non-members fishing all over the lake on Saturday.  I’m very proud of our members for their skills in getting so many quick, successful releases in adverse conditions.

Saturday evening we all came in for a well-deserved break to enjoy another great Steak cookout.  Thank you to Past-president Fred Lederer and Honorary Trustee Jerry Rice for once again doing a great job on cooking our steaks to perfection.  Tim Smith once again treated us to fresh corn-on-the-cob and for that and all the other work he does, I sincerely thank him.  Nearly all of our trustees showed up and each one jumped in to help where needed.  We are genuinely fortunate to have such a fantastic group of dedicated individuals.

We drew our raffles at the conclusion of the dinner and saw the following results: Herb Stephens won our Rod-n-Reel; Bill Lambert won our 50/50; and Bill Lambert also won our 2017 Grand Prize.  Thank you to everyone that purchased those tickets.  This is our best fundraiser and allows us to function in a financially stable manner and generously donate significant dollars toward the Minnow Fund.  In addition to the raffles, we drew door prizes and every person that signed-up received a free bait or another nice prize.

Sunday morning was a cloak of fog but that did not slow us down.  We poured into the lake to get some more of the incredible fishing.  Most of the anglers that entered, either caught or netted a fish.  There were a few exceptions to that and I must confess that I was disappointed to keep my cold streak alive by seeing no slime on the deck of my boat.  I did, however, have a great weekend with old friends and new friends as well.  The camaraderie of our group is second to none and I am truly appreciative of every person that took the time to come out and enjoy a weekend with our club.

When the dust settled the following were all fish turned in for the event:  Chad Harmon (Big Fish ($135)); Chad Harmon (47.00”, 36.00”, 49.25”, 44.50”, 34.50”, 36.00”) 91.25 points;  Fred Lederer (46.00”, 38.00”, 35.50”, 44.00”) 59.50 points;  Stephanie Neville (36.50”, 32.00”, 31.50”, 32.50”, 30.25”, 35.50”, 32.50”) 48.75 points; Jenna Lederer (43.00”, 39.00”) 30.00 points; Kevin Proffit (31.00”, 49.00”) 28.00 points; Phil Jarvis (33.50”, 37.00”) 18.50”; Rick Simpson (42.50”) 16.50 points; Tim Smith (41.75”) 15.75 points; Bill Lambert (41.00”) 15.00 points; Kate Patton (38.00”) 12.00 points; David Baio (35.00”) 9.00 points; Rich Welk (30.00”) 4.00 points; Jeff Ferjutz (30.00”) 4.00 points.