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This past week my stepson Joey Dushek and I were invited to join some friends on an annual trout fishing and camping trip on the Rush River in Pierce County.

Kiril Kustief is my investment representative through Edward Jones in Mauston.

Twenty years ago, Kiril was going to college at U.W. Stout in Menominee and was an avid trout fisherman along with his good friend Jason Morlock who was also going to school at Stout.

I camped and fished with both Morlock and Kustief two years ago along with several of their family members and realized that both of these guys could have earned a degree on how to catch trout on the Rush River.

Friday, May 2

High 52, Low 39

There were about ten people praying that the impending storms, that were about to hit our campsite, would hold off until we built camp. That is the scenario that Joey and I, as well as Kiril and Kelly Kustief and their eight- and five-year-old boys Kevin and Calon were living with. Jason Morlock and Kelly’s brother, Pat Wilson and his seven-year-old son Adam rounded out our gang.

Good luck was pretty much on our side as the last tarp was hung about the same time a cold rain began descending upon our camp. With a forecast of snow by morning, I once again was well aware that I must be on another outdoor experience as wet, blustery weather was a part of my life.

Our campsite was in a yet to be grazed pasture, surrounded by picturesque bluffs on a piece of private land that this gang was just starting their 15th adventure in a row, on.

Everyone throws in five bucks a piece for the longest trout of the weekend, but the real prize is the coveted plaque that goes along with financial booty. The name of each year’s winner is on the plaque and bragging rights are earned for a year by generally 1/8 of an inch over the second place finisher.

Saturday, May 3

High 54, Low 34

It was rise and shine at 4:20 this morning and the outside environment was cold and wet, which made getting out of a sleeping bag, putting on chest waders and hitting the creek all the more difficult. Life was the most difficult for Joey Dushek as he realized a mouse had chewed a hole in one of the feet on his chest waders.

Kiril Kustief invited Joey and I to fish his favorite hole with him and thus my humiliation began. I had been fishing maybe 30 seconds when I got my first snag, which then resulted in having to tie another knot.

The problem was it was so dark out that my poor decrepit eyes could not see to tie a knot in the poor light conditions. Meanwhile, Mr. Kustief was having a hay day catching trout.

Another situation most stream anglers experienced on this day was a bit of a flash flood. Basically it became very difficult to cross the river, especially if you only weigh 160-pounds.

For breakfast, the gang has an annual trout feed. At that time it was determined that Joey was winning the contest with a brown trout that measured just over 15-inches. Everyone but yours truly had caught plenty of trout and we enjoyed filleted brown trout for breakfast.

The following day was a beauty with comfortable weather and an excellent fish bite.

I spent my morning sitting on a rock and catching lots of trout while doing a whole bunch of nothing.

Probably the best part of my trip was watching Kiril Kustief fish with his seven-year-old nephew Adam Wilson. As I sat on the rock watching the river flow, I witnessed young Adam competently catch trout after trout with the help of his uncle. Adam knew exactly how deep he could wade without filling his knee boots, could cast a spinning rod with incredible accuracy and knew how to land a trout.

Both of Kiril’s boys have gone on this outing since they were in their mother’s womb and next it looks like Jason Morlock will be adding to the fold. Jason and Dana Morlock are expecting their first baby in June and I’m betting their child will be picking blueberries in August and fishing trout next May.

Play outside!

Sunset

P.S. Kiril won the plaque and money with a trout just a tad longer then Joey’s.

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