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Why do anglers enter fishing tournaments? What keeps them on the water during the heat of the day or during downpours? What is it that has them taking off from work and driving great distances to compete in fishing tournaments?

Most likely some tournament anglers will say they compete because of the large purse that goes to the winners. Others will say they enjoy competition in most any activity. There are those who simply enjoy getting together with other anglers. It appears that there are as many reasons that anglers compete in fishing tournaments as there are competitors.

There are fishing tournament organizers who believe that they need to increase the amount of prize money in order to attract more anglers to their tournament. One tournament held each year in the greater Eagle River area does not offer any prize money for anglers who catch a musky. This tournament is the National Championship Musky Open, which is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Muskie Clubs Alliance and the Eagle River Chamber. The entry fee is $50 and it is open to anyone who wants to join.

The tournament is held on seven different lake families from the Wisconsin-Michigan border lakes south to the Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes. A trophy is presented to each person who catches the largest musky from each lake family. Additionally, there are husband and wife, youth and guardian/youth trophies presented. At stake are the bragging rights for those who place in this event. There is one additional attraction that brings anglers to the tournament and keeps them there until the program is over – a new Ranger boat and trailer powered by a Mercury outboard. That boat, motor and trailer are essentially awarded as an attendance prize.

This event was held last weekend, and 1,074 musky anglers entered the event. During the lake update seminar I told the crowd that musky fishing has been difficult but they would probably set a new record. They indeed set a new record, registering 193 muskies that were 34 inches or longer. The old mark was beaten by 19 muskies in two and a half days of fishing. The largest musky registered was a 49-1/2 inch trophy that was caught by Joe Wilson, who is from Reedsburg. He caught it from Pioneer Lake. The big fish was caught using a double cowgirl bucktail. This lure has been producing many big muskies during the past several years.

The star of the tournament was eight-year-old Jonathan Miller, who is from Eagle River. He landed his first musky ever from Kentuck Lake on a figure-8. His trophy measures 48-1/2 inches long. Perhaps to prove that he did know what he was doing, he also caught muskies measuring 35-1/2 inches and 35-3/4 inches.

The national champion is a musky fisherman from Janesville who is well known for winning musky tournaments. Last year he won the National Championship and the Hodag Challenge Tournament. That angler is Matt McCumber. In addition to being crowned the national champion, he and his wife, Pam, won the husband and wife trophy. McCumber registered five muskies measuring 35 inches, 37 1/2 inches, 37 1/2 inches, 40 1/2 inches and 43 1/2 inches. His lure of choice is a large, soft plastic lure that he makes and calls a rubber dubber.

Now, with fall just around the corner, many of our minds are drifting to the fast-approaching hunting seasons. The goose hunters and bear hunters will be the first hunters afield with guns.

Even though an elk hunt in Wisconsin is a long way off there is extensive curiosity about the condition of the Wisconsin elk herd near Clam Lake. Since the elk reintroduction began in 1995, sportsmen have been able to drive to the Clam Lake area to hear the bugle of the bull elk.

Wisconsin elk may be heard all through the month of September and into October. The herd is estimated at 125 animals at this time. The majority of the bugling will be heard early in the morning and again later in the evening. More than a dozen herd bulls will compete for cows. The best bugling will be heard near Ike Lake, three miles southwest of Clam Lake on Highway 77. Other listening areas are along Hwy GG, FR173 and FR176. The best time to view elk and listen to them is in the morning during the week.

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