Last Updated: Friday, September 28, 2007 3:16 PM CDT
Tournament fishing memories
by Roger Sabota - Northwoods notebook
There we sat in our boat anxious to get going with perhaps thirty other boats around us. Each boat contained two anglers who were intent upon winning the first place check of $20,000. We were sitting in front of the boat landing waiting for the tournament judge to send us off at exactly 8 a.m. The event was the ever-popular Hodag Muskie Challenge and my partner was our son, Craig. He and I have fished together in all but two of these tournaments since the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce began sponsoring it 20 years ago.
Tournament fishing is a very different activity than recreational fishing with a couple buddies. This is especially true when there is a sizable amount of money at stake. It is obvious that everyone who is entered in the event is trying to win the first place money. Friends who frequently and freely exchange fishing information become quite closemouthed during a tournament.
We enter musky tournaments with the hope of winning but the primary attraction for us is the opportunity to visit with others who are attracted to musky tournaments. We have formed many friendships with anglers from other parts of Wisconsin and other states over the years we have been in these events.
Saturday morning the temperature was cool with a brisk breeze blowing across the docks at the boat landing. After unloading a boat from the trailer both members of the team are required to have their boat inspected by tournament officials. With the wind blowing across the landing some anglers had problems getting their boats alongside the pier for a boat inspection. Once inspected, each boat idles out in front with anglers waiting until the signal to go is given by the tournament official.
It is interesting to watch as most anglers are trying to position their boat for a fast and safe take-off. The fishing boats of today are large, comfortable and fast. Craig and I had a plan and once we were able to take off we headed up the river above Wildwood Bay. We were aware that the waterfowl season would open at 9 a.m. and wanted to be out of the way of hunters for at least the first few hours of the season. We also figured that the fish in the river would be less affected by the cold front and storms than the fish in the lake.
We started our fishing along the river channel edge casting our lures into the rice that grows up to the channel. I was casting or perhaps should say lobbing a heavy soft plastic lure called a ‘rubber dubber' named by its creator, Matt McCumber. Matt has been doing extremely well with his lure including winning the National Championship in Eagle River in August. Craig was casting a Double Cow Girl, which is very difficult to reel with it large, double Colorado blades. Both of these lures take a toll on an angler after a short time.
A few minutes after nine the show put on by the waterfowl hunters began. We could see at least four of the mechanized decoys with their wings constantly in motion. They are obvious from a long distance.
Some of the hunters were easy to see as they sat in their blinds with their heads well above the vegetation.
Twice we watched ducks moving toward a decoy set-up and as one of the hunters moved the ducks would flare and fly away.
Craig had a very nice sized musky follow his "Cow Girl" back to the boat but it did not open its mouth. We caught a large mouth bass and saw a northern follow a lure back to the boat but it also had lockjaw.
When we put the boat on the trailer after fishing hours were over at 6 p.m., the landing official reported that only three muskies were caught and registered from Boom Lake and the River. Crescent Lake was the most productive lake giving up ten muskies, including two caught by Matt McCumber and his partner, Jerry Driessen. They were casting the "rubber dubber" and caught both fish on that big plastic lure.
A quick summary of the twentieth Hodag Muskie Challenge would say that fishing conditions were comfortable but difficult. In part low water from a lack of rain made fishing difficult especially on the Moens Chain of Lakes. Any comments about the tournament must include a comment that it was extremely well-organized and well-officiated.
Tail Feathers
Last week the use of trail cameras was mentioned. I checked my trail camera during the week and it was gone. What a disappointment to find that someone had not only trespassed on private land but also stole my camera.
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