Ohio Huskie Muskie Club, Inc

The 45^th annual OHMC Summer Contest was held on July 11^th and 12^th, 2015 at beautiful Piedmont Lake.  We had 55 anglers register and a total of 40 fish caught including 9 huskies.  The water temperatures ranged from 74 to 84 degrees while the air temperatures were from 60 to 84 degrees.  Most participants came in on Friday or earlier and did some pre-fishing.  Much of the talk on Friday evening was centered on what type of jigging would produce the winning combination.  Some felt that trolling would be the best strategy, while yet others remained steadfast in their belief that a casting approach would be best.

As the sun rose on a wonderful Saturday morning, the rain from the previous evening had vacated and we were left with bluebird skies to greet us.  Registration finished up by 8:00 and many persons headed over to the marina to partake in a buffet breakfast.  With full bellies, the boats left the docks and there were fish in some nets within minutes.  After completing the cleanup, I approached the dock where my boat was tied up and witnessed a club member fall in the water while attempting to tie up at the fuel dock.  Luckily, there was also a marina employee there and soon he and I had pulled the member to safety.  Having done my good deed for the day, I felt like perhaps a Karma fish might come my way.  Perhaps it will, but not on this trip.  I felt fortunate to be able to assist and I know if the tables had been turned that I would have been in safe hands.

We had a couple of new club members that do not have the proper motor on their watercraft to be able to fish Piedmont, but they were interested in attending the event.  I coordinated with other club members and found them some seats.  This type of kindness by our club members is one of the things that make me most proud to be associated with OHMC (“To promote good sportsmanship and brotherhood among men, women, and children.”).  Special thanks go out to the two club members that generously took out two of our newest club members for a day on the water, OHMC Treasurer John Ringenbach and OHMC Member Sam Reichenbach.  You both are truly kind gentlemen that I am fortunate to call friends.

The fishing reports on Saturday were mixed with most boats struggling for a pattern, while a couple of boats seemed to be on their game.  There was talk of clothes hangers and aliens, questions about the dates on the trophies, Beagles and Dachshunds everywhere you looked, and much laughter.  Jerry Rice of CrossBone Baits brought some inventory and there were quite a few other bait deals going on as well.  Jerry also serves as our club grill master and as has become customary, he came in early Saturday evening, fired up the grill, and proceeded to serve up some fantastic steaks for our cookout.  Members brought spring rolls, freshly cooked corn-on-the-cob, blueberry muffins, banana bread, cookies, cake, hot rigatoni, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, and several other goodies.  Yes, we ate well again!

After dinner, several boats, including myself, headed back into the darkness for a bit of night fishing.  Every boat that went out that evening caught fish.  The big fish for the event was caught during that time by club member Seth Ferrell.  His 48.50” behemoth netted him a cool $230 side pot.

As night turned to daylight, everyone was back on the water and the fishing seemed to improve compared to the previous day.  Quite a few members caught fish on Sunday, and the total number of fish reported demonstrates how great the fishing can be at Piedmont.  We all assembled on Sunday afternoon for the awards, door prizes, and raffles as well as to see just how many fish the Harmons’ had caught and what type of rod and reel Anna would win this time.

Our raffle winners were as follows;  Anna Land won the rod and reel; Rich Daniels won the Lure board, Paul Shepard won the 50/50 ($66), about 30 door prizes were handed out to attendees; and the Grand Prize was won by Marc Arena, owner of Red October Baits.

Our trophies were handed out to the event winners as follows:

First Place: Chad Harmon (30.50”, 31.00”, 32.00”, 33.50”, 35.25”, 37.00”, 43.00”)(60.25 Points)

 Second Place: Chuck Harmon (32.50”, 33.00”, 31.00”, 43.50”)(36.00 Points);

Third Place: Rich Welk (42.00”, 43.00”)(33.00 Points)

Anglers that reported fish are as follows:

Rick Simpson (35.50”, 45.75”)(29.25 Points); Phil Cummings (38.75”, 42.00”)(28.75 Points);  Fred Lederer (33.00”, 44.50”)(25.50 Points);  Loryn Wyeth (37.00”, 38.00”)(23.00 Points);  Seth Ferrell (48.50”)(22.50 Points);  Ray Elkins (35.50”, 37.25”)(20.75 Points);  Elmer McClure (31.50”, 40.00”)(19.50 Points);  Carolyn Lent (34.00”, 36.00”)(18.00 Points);  Jerry Rice (42.00”)(16.00 Points);  Syl Trunkett (39.00”)(13.00 Points);  Kevin LaRoche (38.50”)(12.50 Points);  Matt Clark (38.00”)(12.00 Points);  Troy Oliver (37.50”)(11.50 Points);  Paul Shepard (36.00”)(10.00 Points);  Jason Chamers (30.00”, 32.00”)(10.00 Points);  Tim Smith (34.50”)(8.50 Points);  Mike Sandridge (33.00”)(7.00 Points);  Kevin Proffit (32.00”)(6.00 Points);  Jenna Lederer (31.50”)(5.50 Points)

Thanks to all our trustees for everything you do to make these events go smoothly and thank you to everyone that came out to support our club.

The Ohio Huskie Muskie Club hosted our 2015 annual Division Day and Spring Outing from Friday, June 5^th through Sunday June 7^th, at Alum Creek Reservoir.  Festivities kicked off on Thursday with a boat axle replacement for Past President Fred Lederer.  His weekend would get better!  On Friday Morning, Members of the Outdoor Writers of Ohio, The Ohio Division of Wildlife, and the OHMC, all met at the Boat ramp for a day of Muskie fishing.  Soon, an error on my part by having brought the wrong supply tote, created an opportunity for the strength of our Board of Trustees to be displayed.  Everyone came together to get a list of needed items, and Trustee Stephanie Neville stepped up to get us re-stocked in time for lunch.  As I have indicated in the past, our club is truly blessed to have such a great group of trustees.  Thank you all.

With the glitches behind us, we hit the water and the nets started getting wet immediately.  We had four guests boat their very first muskie, including one tagged fish from the emigration study.  During Division Day, we had 11 OHMC members serve as guides for 9 Division of Wildlife personnel and 3 writers.  There were a total of 9 fish caught by 9 different guests.  After the fishing concluded, we all enjoyed a grilled lunch and a mutual Thank you from each group.  Our winner this year was Dan Kovalaske, the Castaila Fish Hatchery Coordinator.  Dan caught his first muskie, which was a 42” fish, while being guided by club member Phil Cummings.  Congratulations gentlemen!

The weather for all three days was just dandy as we enjoyed our first rain-free Spring Outing in many years.  The air temperatures ranged from 55 to 80 degrees with a mix of clouds to sunny skies.  Our Spring Outing event was conducted simultaneously with a Muskies Inc. Chapter 41 event and both groups enjoyed the atmosphere of cooperation.  With a medical emergency by a club member on the water, many persons came together and got him transported to the hospital where he was treated and released the same day.  Thanks to everyone that helped, it’s nice to know that our membership will drop everything to help a friend in need.

Our clubs had a joint shore lunch together which was catered by a local Boy Scout troop and they did a fantastic job!  We had burgers, brats, corn, cookies, brownies, and many other tasty treats.  Later, in the evening, we had our steak fry and once again, Jerry Rice did a fantastic job cooking all of our steaks.  We enjoyed 16 oz ribeyes and some of the best coleslaw I have had in a long time (Thanks Holly)!  Tim smith cooked us fresh corn-on-the-cob and some members that traveled from more than 4 hours away, took time to bring us side dishes.  Thank you to everyone that contributed to a wonderful meal.  We conducted our traditional raffle prize drawings afterwards and our winners were as follows:  Seth Ferrel won the Rod and Reel, Rick Simpson won the Lure Board, and Doug Miller won the 50/50.

We had 45 persons sign up and had 22 fish of 30” or greater turned in.  We also had many sub-30” fish caught and at least 3 of those fish were successfully scanned with PIT tag readers.   When the results were in, they showed that Fred Lederer had put on a clinic.  He boated 4 fish to take 1^st place.  Lou Spezio won 2^nd place and the big fish side pot.  Congratulations to our winners, they will receive their trophies at our annual awards banquet next March.

All fish caught are as follows:  Fred Lederer (32.50”, 34.25”, 34.50”, 36.00”)(33.25 Points); Lou Spezio (41.00”, 43.00”)(32.00 Points); Elmer Heyob (38.75”, 40.00”)(26.75 Points); Anna Land (30.00”, 33.50”, 38.00”)(23.50 Points); Bronson Gundlach (35.00”,38.00”)(21.00 Points); John Ringenbach (39.00”)(13.00 Points); Rick Simpson (31.50”, 32.00”)(11.50 Points); Cliff Honeycutt (35”)(9.00 Points); Jack Moga (34.75”)(8.75 Points); Holly Neville (34.00”)(8.00 Points); Tom Watson (34.00”)(8.00 Points); Jeff Ziol (32.00”)(6.00 Points); William Neville (31.00”)(5.00 Points)

Thank you to everyone that came and I hope to see you all next month at Piedmont.

 

 

2015 Minnow Fund Muskie Outing Summary:

68 Anglers Registered
29 Fish Caught

$2,091 event profit.

Youth Big Fish: Jake Wickline (36.00”)
First Place: Chuck Kuhlman (36.00”, 39.00”,43.00”) (40.00 Points)
Second Place: Patrick Vogel (36.00”, 37.00”, 39.50”) (34.50 Points)
Third Place: Steve McCloud (32.00”, 35.00”, 36.50”) (25.50 Points)
Big Fish (Tie): Chuck Kuhlman (43.00”) and Jack Moga (43.00”) ($275.00 Each)

Friday Night: Beverages and Registration
Saturday Morning: Breakfast and Registration
Saturday Evening: Dinner & Door Prizes with DNR Personnel.
Sunday Afternoon: Awards, Door Prizes, Raffles for Rod & Reel, 50/50, Lure Board, and Baits.

All Fish Caught:
Chuck Kuhlman: 36.00” and 39.00” and 43.00”
Patrick Vogel: 39.50” and 37.00” and 36.00”
Steve McCloud: 32.00” and 35.00” and 36.50”
Kevin LaRoche: 38.00” and 38.00”
Sylvester Trunkett: 39.00” and 37.00”
Jack Moga: 43.00”
Scott Hale: 34.50” and 33.00”
Chuck Land, Sr.: 41.25”
Jeff Clark: 40.00”
Guy Bechter Jr: 31.00” and 33.50”
Chris Silverthorn: 37.75”
Phil Ringenbach: 37.00”
Ken Miller: 37.00”
David Zimmerman: 36.50”
Jake Wickline: 36.00”
Patrick Andino: 33.00”
Elmer Heyob: 32.75”
Jeff Ferjutz: 31.00”
Bob McCloud: 30.50”

Thank you to everyone that came out to support the event, to those that donated to the event, and to those that dedicate their time to run the event. This does not happen without your participation and it is truly appreciated. Also, thank you Rosie, Syl is a lucky guy to have such a great gal.

The 54th Ohio Huskie Muskie Clubs Annual Awards Banquet was held on March 28, 2015 at McCalls Banquet Center in Canton, Ohio.  The attendance remained steady compared with the last two years and all those in attendance were treated to good food, friends and laughter.  A total of 90 OHMC members and 6 vendors were in attendance.  Every person in attendance received a complimentary ‘Fish Ohio’ boat towel provided by the ODNR and a fishing bait as a door prize.  We had a trivia contest as extra entertainment again this year.

During the business meeting, members voted on the lake nominations for our 46^th Annual Open Summer Contest in 2016.  The winner was West Branch Reservoir, with the event to be tentatively held on July 9^th and 10^th pending park approval.  Elections for officer positions were held during the business meeting.  The OHMC officers for 2015 are as follows; Paul Anderson, President; Jeff Ferjutz, 1^st Vice-President; Rick Simpson, 2^nd Vice-President; Tim Smith, Secretary; John Ringenbach, Treasurer.  There are currently several vacancies on the board of trustees, so if you are interested, we could sure use the help.  Please see any trustee or officer.

Before the banquet meal started there was a pause for a moment of silence for all the club members whom had passed last year and for those individuals that are in the military and may be away from their families.  Next, we took a moment for a blessing of the meal by club member Dennis Mitchell.  The food was very good with a buffet that included Baked Chicken, Sausage and Peppers, McCalls Signature Potatoes, Green Beans, Rigatoni, a Garden Salad, Rolls, and Sherbet.  We all had a great time and lots of fun with the fish stories that were being told.

ODNR attendees were Mr. Scott Hale, Inland Fisheries Program Administrator; Mr. Curt Wagner, Fish Management Biologist District Three; Mr. Phil Hillman, Fish Management Supervisor, District Three; Ms. Deb Walters, Fish Management Supervisor District Five; Mike Greenlee, Fish Management Supervisor District Four; Kevin Page, Inland Fisheries Research Unit Research Biologist.  Phil spoke about his personal observations from attending OHMC banquets over so many years.  Also, Scott presented information about the development of fisheries in Ohio, and highlighted the most recent addition to the list of program lakes; East Fork.  The presentation showed a comparative analysis of historical fishery development in Ohio and was very insightful.  Also, the importance of participation in the Muskie Angler Log (MAL) was prominently highlighted.

A special thanks goes out to all the vendors that set up a booth at the banquet this year, and also all of the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club supporters who donated to the club.  Please patronize these companies as they make our events a success.  The following were supportive of raffle and door prizes.  Xtreme Muskie Lures,  Marshall Custom Tackle, Musky Fisherman Specialties, Jerry Rice, Jimmy’s Bucktails, and Tuff Shad.

AWARD RESULTS FOR OHIO LAKES, MUSKIES CAUGHT

Ohio Huskie Muskie Club Inc. Annual Banquet Awards Winners, for club member’s recognition of outstanding catches and achievements in the 2014 season.

H.E. Pooch Curry Award   (Largest musky by length only) was presented to Tom Johnson with a 51.00” musky caught at Salt Fork Lake.

The Matthew Smith Memorial awards for juniors were as follows:

Boys Release—Charles Neville with a 45.50” fish.

Girl’s Release—Ashley McCartney with a 45.00”  fish.

 The Royalty Awards

King Trophy Division, a kept muskie, length plus weight by point system. (None)

Queen Trophy Division, a kept muskie, length plus weight by point system. (None)

King Release — Tom Johnson with a 51.00” muskie caught at Salt Fork.

Queen Release –Kathy Mitchell with a 47.00” caught at Piedmont.

Mr. Muskie Award – Guy Bechter

Woman of the Year Award – Charlotte Fuchs

Overall Tournament Champion – Charles Neville

 

First Ever 50-Inch Award

Tom Johnson with a 51.00” from Salt Fork.

David Baio with a 50.50” from Leesville.

 

Dr. Dunmire Plaque Awards

There were (23) Dr. L. G. Dunmire Plaque Awards recognized by the club for those anglers whom caught at least three Huskie muskies measuring 42.00-inches in length or longer. Patrick Klingensmith (37), Greg Bozick (29), David Baio (25), John Ringenbach (10), George Weber (10), David Brown (9), Bob Marshall (9), Chuck Harmon (8), Dennis Mitchell (8), Sam Reichenbach (7), Bill Schultz, Jr. (7), Ray Hinchcliff, Sr. (6), Ray Elkins (5), Nick Smith (5), Chuck Land, Sr. (4), Kathy Mitchell (4), Dennis Braun (3), Sherman Champlin (3), Chad Harmon (3), Joe McManes (3), Charles Neville (3), Philip Ringenbach (3), Tim Smith (3)

10 Or More Release Awards 

There were (37) Plaques Awards recognized by the club for those anglers whom caught 10 or more muskies 30-inches in length or longer and released all of them.  Pat  Klingensmith (211), David Baio (123), Bob Marshall      (110), Greg Bozick (96), Bill Schultz, Jr. (87), Ray Elkins (53), Sam Reichenbach (46), Robert Basic (38), Chuck Harmon (38), George Weber (38), David Brown (37), Tim Ritter (37), John Ringenbach (34), Nick Smith (33), Ray Hinchcliff, Sr. (31), Chad Harmon (27), Josh Marshall (27), Jason Basic (26), Dennis Braun (23), Kathy Mitchell (23), Bill Brant (22), Charles Neville (21), Dennis Mitchell (20), Sherman Champlin (18), Beau Chumley (17), Linda Hannen (17), Jack Worline (16), Tom Morris (16), Chuck Land, Sr.  (15), Tim Smith (15), Tom Johnson (14), Tom Hannen (13), Tony Crisp (12), Jeffery Ulanich (12), Ashley McCartney (11), Paul Anderson (11), Dave Nabb (10),

Raffles:

The Business Meeting 50/50 was won by Greg Eischen.  The Banquet 50/50 was won by Barb Dickson.  The Lure board was won by Mike Reed.  The Rod and Reel was won by Chuck Land, Sr.  The Trivia contest was won by Rick Simpson.

The banquet is now history and it is now time to start some actual muskie fishing, Thank you to everyone that attended and to all of those people that helped make the event such a great success.