Wow. Talk about a long time between entries.

MuskieFIRST has grown so much it is hardly recognizable except for the format. What used to be a small, closely knit community has expanded to a city, suburbs, and back country in about 20 states.

It's been good to see, and a blast to be a part of. Moderating hasn't really changed, most folks 'get it' and behave well enough. Traffic is just nuts.

So welcome to 2015. I will be updating my blog regularly this season, and this IS where stuff gets said that you will never see on the boards.

Set the Hook!

Haven't added much here for a long time, great place to muse so I'm firing the old blog back up.

Muse1) What the hell is wrong with some folks? Seems like a couple guys have decided they are experts in electronic media publishing and want to run content management on OFM. One answer...no.

No apologies for keeping it legal, clean, and other electronic media folks happy with us.

Muse 2) Some folks.... no one cares about their personal vendettas. Just can't seem to play well with others. Too bad, grown men behaving like little kids fighting over a toy. I don't care, but get pretty frustrated because I don't have time to get all involved in a fight over nothing, and they waste my time having to delete stupid and explain to the rest of our visitors who are usually confused as to what the tempest in a tea cup is all about anyway, how we made this place friendly and busy.

That's time I could have spent uploading the latest interview from JK and Ron and Al Lindner, an article from an expert in the fishing world, a new product or show video, or other content you probably would actually be interested in. Anyone has an issue with that can go watch TV or yell at their significant other or employer or something, the rest of us are too busy talking about muskies to give a rat's fanny. Easy to identify this crew, they hang together in the virtual world and take shots at us from the cheap seats. I hope they become interested in golf more, Hopeful would straighten this bunch out in a hurry.

By the way @#7$%$#, and you know who you are...we have several contract employees and the gentleman you insulted recently is a very highly valued employee at OFM. He's doing a great job, traveling the country and covering events while creating and publishing content for some very big companies and fishing Pros. He operates the social media presences for some of the companies who's products you buy and use and is very well respected in the business....and if I were him, I'd punch your incredibly dumb ass dead in the face. Thankfully for you, he's more of a gentleman than I. I AM sorely tempted to put a boot in your ass next time we meet. I may just embarrass you loudly in front of your peers...and I guarantee I'll have the opportunity eventually. Or I might just listen to Zach and ignore you, which is the best road to take.

Yeah, that's probably it.


Muse 3) Ice is here. We got too much snow last night, so it'll be tough until we get some serious cold, but a few lakes were still open and will form up well.

Muse 4) Deer season was a blast. Still have a little hunting to do, but Sue was a machine, Keith did very well, and I enjoyed that more than my own hunt, which was cool.

Muse 5) I really love my job. Best work I have ever had, thanks to Zach, TJ, Carlos, Chris, JK, our promotional partners, and of course, each and every one of you.

2012 is going to be great. Happy Holidays everyone, and may the boat always control easy and the reel never backlash.


Set the Hook!

It's June and I've hardly hit the water, Loads of work this year, but GOOD work for the most part. Maybe more time on the water over the summer...I sure hope so.

Goes for both women and men. Some of the comments on the Big Buck thread were so far separated from reality I nearly redefined my thinking on what an Outdoorsman and for that matter, a Sportsman, really might be in this country today.

I define an Outdoorsman as a hunter and/or fisherman, and student of nature. A true Outdoorsman takes the time and extends the effort to clearly grasp reality in management and conservation of our nation's fish and game resources, and is unselfish in that endeavor. This person understands and supports all facets of the sports of hunting and fishing, and takes steps when necessary to defend our privileges to enjoy both, or either. This person knows or is attempting to learn what is required to go afield or onto the water no matter the conditions and enjoy the Sport successfully, and supports, educates, and encourages the younger generations to enter the Sports.

Discouraging younger sportsmen in any manner for no reason other than 'school yard bully' attitude is unacceptably juvenile behavior in my mind, and I have seen an undue amount of that from my supposed peers recently. True Sportsmen would not tolerate or ever participate in attempts to discourage future Outdoorsmen, my great grandkids will need their mentors when they come of age as I needed mine and you needed yours to 'hold their hand' so to speak, and guarantee the future of our great hunting and fishing traditions. One can be a true Outdoorsman at any age; 14, 22, 56, and in the case of my friend, Clarence Kalkofen, 100, and can unfortunately be much less for no other reason than selfish 'me first' attitude at any of those ages as well. Which shall it be for you?

There are many categories out there in both sports. An Outdoorsman would not ridicule a waterfowl hunter just because he/she is a big game hunter, to the contrary. By the same standard, a truly dedicated Muskie angler would not ridicule a Big Game hunter or a Bluegill angler, nor would a Varmint hunter ridicule a Waterfowl hunter for their passion for their Sport.

Pass it forward, and do so without expectation of public reward. The reward comes from the satisfaction of seeing another succeed in part due to your influence.

An Outdoorsman would respect and pass on that respect for all other Outdoorsmen and Women, the resource, and our privileges to enjoy them. If we lose sight of this, my great grandkids may never know what it's like to stalk an Antelope on the Wyoming High Prairie, select a bow stand for Whitetail, or set the hook on a big Muskie......because no one will care.

So another year swims by so fast it's a blur. Had a great 2007, with friends and family.

Fishing was GREAT all summer, fall, and winter. Deer hunting was off the edge great, and we hunted new areas this year.

The grandsons are nearly old enough to hit the water this summer, really looking forward to that. The summer looks good this year too, hope the fish are as active as they were last year.

Seems that I attracted some rather vociferous and obnoxious detractors this year because of what I do here, to those folks I suggest you take a second or two to look at what you are doing...going after folks you hardly know over what you think should be done on a free message board you visit on ONLY your own accord...pretty damned silly. Life HAS to have more serious issues to you than that. If we ever meet, maybe I'll buy a round.

Looking forward to a trip to the Goon two weeks again this year. A week on Vemilion a Spring Bay, and a couple outings...yes!

Lots of filming this summer, the new hydrophone to mess with, and Zach's magic to play them in..this is going to be fun.

A couple trips with Slamr, MuskieLeague with Sue, a trip or two with my sons, and a ton of travel covering FLW and PWT Walleye Tours events for WalleyeFIRST, going to be another great year.

In the mean time, enjoy Muskiefirst and stop by the Hideout sometime....the coffee's always on.

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"I don't care about science or any of that $H!&"


Obviously.

Another League night in the can, and another lost fish, oh well. This is about the best time a Muskie angler can have! One of the guys doubled up tonight, while the rest of us looked on unforgiving waters. That's Muskie fishing!

34 in the boat this year. None over 48 yet, just too much work and too much road time covering walleye tournaments. The last regional PWT is next week, then there's two championships: PWT and FLW. Just not enough weeks in the year. At least I enjoy the journalism part of my career, it really is enjoyable work. kinda cool to be behind the scenes with a Nikon and a Press Pass.

By the way, as an added comment, I'll post an occasional nice fish on MuskieFIRST caught in my 1890, but not many of my fish make the site unless I pop a monster. I've been fishing muskies for over 36 years, and honestly only need to impress my grandson....and he likes crappies. This site ain't about 'the owners', it's about YOU.

Enjoy.

So where have I been? AWOL, it seems, but that's the way life is sometimes.

Sumer is nearly over, and we are entering the part of the year Sue and I live for; fall. Deer hunting for Slamr's cooler and my freezer, Muskies, Walleyes, Crappies, and cool nights.

The walleye Pro tours are wrapping up, the last before the championships is next week. 12 events since winter left us, lots of driving and plenty of windshield time.

Muskies are going pretty well here, just wish I could score during a League night. I have sucked wind bad this year.

As always, you can tune a piano....

Darth Vader's Outhouse is OPERATING!! Warm, wonderful, clean, and way less work than my wood furnace in the basement. Hot water, too. Lot's of work to install, but worth it.

Musky fishing this weekend. Deer hunting Sunday night, maybe cut a couple loads of wood. Losing lots of weight doing this, just 28# more and I'm down to scary skinny. I'll make it, at least to 25 more. trick is to hold there. I need to do that, too.

Sometimes some people amaze me despite the fact nothing should. Sheesh.

I learned alot of things this week, first of which is that Slamr is a muskie magnet up here in the North, and that suckers make muskies weird and crazy. I have to learn more about this quick strike method, it's really cool watching those fish stalk a sucker on a rig.

I learned that a wood boiler is a pain in the behind to get installed. I also learned that the things are way cool, and I will save a fortune in heating and hot water bills.

I think I'll go fishing. I know I'll go hunting.

Of Muskies and Ego, An Old Guys Perspective

I've been in this trade for a very long time. Sometimes I wonder what I might have done with my life if I had applied the same energy to some concrete and steel city based business, but that's water over the dam.

Muskie fishing by it's nature draws out the testosterone in some, it always has. Fishing in general is somewhat ego driven, especially if one practices CPR exclusively. Since Muskie angling is mostly catch and release these days, the only possible reason one might have to fish them is somewhat ego driven, even if it's only for the peace and quiet as the angler goes one-on-one with the muskie. Beating a big fish at it's top game is extremely gratifying, and not just to us men. The ladies also have a stake in the game, and rightfully so. Do I have an ego? Hell yes, HUGE. I do try SO hard not to wear it on my shirt front, I really do.

Muskie fishing is one of the fastest growing segments of the fresh water angling market in the US and Canada. That's easy to see, just looking at the explosion of traffic here on MuskieFIRST over the last two years. There are a number of 'new' anglers in the sport, in every catagory from newbie weekend angler to aspiring 'Pro'. Some would say this is a good thing, some would say it's a bad thing. I think it's terriffic.

The number of new to the sport muskie anglers is growing so fast it's nearly meteoric. With that growth comes a full fledged developing electronic community, as witnessed by a user base here that covers most of the US, Canada, and a fair segment of Europe. In any community, there are those who simply go about the business of enjoying the information and experience of participating. Some want to directly interact, and some want to excell. Nothing new , really, it's just that because there are SO many new entries into the sport, there are far more egocentric individuals out there.

As of late, some of the 'new society' in the muskie world have become REALLY aggressive in the business of establishing position. Here's where the Old Guy stuff kicks in.

I really hate to see division and controversy driven by ego, that isn't constructive and certainly doesn't compliment the sense of community we all seek. Sure, there will be the social deviants out there, but we'e been fortunate enough to only encounter one here in the last 4 years, and I do so miss Buckster.

I'd like to pass on some observations here in the hope of making an impact with those folks jostling for position. Why would I do that? Too many reasons to list, but the most important is just to push the concept of humility, and the idea that we all are in this community together. It would be really nice to get along a bit better.

To the egocentrics out there, and you know who you are:
So you catch a few big fish. Maybe you are a Pro Staffer for a company or two. Perhaps you write a bit, maybe you guide or fish tournaments. You haven't done anything unique, different, or exclusive; there are thousands of guys who have done those things, some still in the public eye, and many not. Some would outfish you, and that’s a fact.

I have no business offering advice from any angle but this; I have been on all sides of the fence, Industry/Pro/Guide/Writer/Just another guy. I'm not alone, either, this has been the topic of conversation amongst us industry types and many of the folks who've been around the block a few times for a few months now.

We don't need you to tell us what to buy and what not to buy unless you're actually a retailer and can speak to NUMBERS of experience. Even then we'd appreciate your advice, but only in the context of why your choice is actually BETTER than others, not what your opinion of 'junk' is. I might have one or two of those 'junk' items, and actually LIKE them alot, so to me, your credibility is shot clean to hell. If you have changed your brand as often as your shorts, then shut up, you have no credibility anyway.

What about your experience trumps the experience of anyone else’s? Sure, if the question is asked, it's expected and encouraged you'll answer, but Puuuleaseeee, do so with some tact and humility. If you're right in your answer, many of us already know that. If your answer disagrees with someone else’s RELAX, it's entirely possible there is more than one answer to any one muskie question. No one's trying to diss you, the rest of us have the right to our opinion too.

There will be other aggressive muskie aspiring Pros who are shooting at the same target as you. They are your allies, not your competition, but this isn't an usVS them deal, either. It's your collective job to create an image that's attractive and informing to the rest of us. Show us you have legs in the business, that you are a fair, honest, reasonable, talented stick with something to offer, not something to prove. Sitting around in a collective electronic circle jerk sporting some sort of supposed huge cognitive advantage over the rest of the muskie anglers out there will not get that done. So what if you have done your studying; someone had to write the stuff you read to become so informed, and most of those authors are still fishing. Pounding yourself on the back while beating up on some poor fellow who disagrees with your ideas or preferences will do nothing but make you look like schoolyard Jock bullies to the rest of us poor students out there. This never ends, no one knows it all. No one. Every single muskie angler out there is a student of the sport until the last day he gets on the water. This isn't basketball or football where sheer athletic ability will get you by, no matter how obnoxious you might get. This sport is very personal to most of us, and there isn't any high powered team paying your way. Your audience is the collective 'us' you so frequently forget are even there.

That's why some make it over the long term career either part time as Roger Sabota, or full time like Mr. Dorazio and some don't. Those who will still be here in front of audiences at sport shows and writing in magazines and promoting the top company's products are the guys who 'get it'. The rest? Well, that’s what this entire rant is about.

In response to the recent rhetoric on the muskie boards regarding CPR, Trophy muskies and conservation ethics...

I guided from 1974 to 1999 quite a bit, and mostly for muskie. The number of muskies kept in my boat in that timeframe one could count on one's fingers.

Bottom line, after working for almost 30 years promoting CPR, I have learned what works and what doesn't.

Belittling, admonishing, or flat rude behavior doesn't get it educating Muskie anglers any more than it does students. Want to alinenate them, then that's the right course to take. For every ONE you alineate, there will be another ten who listen to his story and agree. Negative is more easily reinforced than positive, unfortunately.

I do eat fish, alot of it. I don't operate under any notions that the fish I eat don't impact the fishery, they do, and the waters I fish for my table fare are managed by our DNR for that purpose. Care to take no more than one can consume from waters that easily support that selective harvest; that's is conservation.

I don't want anyone other than those who manage the fishery to tell me I can't take a few crappies or gills or a Pike home. I hunt, fish, and do a bit of gathering too. To those who live in the concrete and steel; I don't ever expect you to understand, but I also do not seek your permission. I will do my best to educate, in fact I'll even offer you a stay at the Hideout for a venison steak on the grill and a crappie fillet next to an omelet. I am a sportsman, and outdoorsman, and a conservationalist; I know what is good for the waters I fish and woods I hunt and what isn't, and practice accordingly.

My sons follow my lead, and their sons will follow theirs. We practice a tradition that has been handed down from sportsman to sportsman for centuries, and we do not need any lectures from those who have not had that incredible luxury about selective harvest; we are proud lifetime promoters of the legacy of that concept. Those who DO need the lectures, need to hear the positives, need to be offered a place in the boat or blind so they can experience the ethic we hold as trophy anglers and hunters.

I do feel there are waters across the Muskie range that should be listed 100% CPR. Some need a 50" limit or more to protect the trophy potential allowing the muskies to reach full potential so us CPR elitists can then exploit those fish for our sport (that's reality, right?). I applauded the move to 54" on many Ontario waters, and the change from 6 a day to 4 a day with slots limits for the 'other' game fish.

So don't preach to me about conservation. I suggest you don't 'preach' to anyone, you will come off as a 'preacher' of a 'religion' that many anglers do not share or understand. Instead, why not use that energy to support and organize programs to up the size limits on muskie waters where that is appropriate, encourage CPR in waters where that too is appropriate, and exhibit patient humility as we try to educate anglers who do not yet share our views; yet have as much a right to the waters and fish within them as we do.

June has been a hoot. Lots of time on the road, good trips like the Cumberland trip. Next week, I'm on my way to North Dakota, long drive to see a couple dealers and cover the RCL Walleye out there. N0o boat, either, so I'll miss out on the incredible Pike fishing there. Oh well, I'll be back here on Sunday, maybe I'll take Sue crappie fishing.

Only a week and I'll actually be able to fish Muskies again. I am really looking forward to the opener this year. Sue is better this week after a heart scare, she's going to probably need some future attention from the medical profession, but is doing much better afetr a day in hospital.

Keith is ready for Muskies too, and even more ready for bow hunting this Fall. He's shooting almost every day with his new compound and his new Long Bow.

We had two very nice bucks in the front yard this evening. Thay had better be scarce this fall, or they'll end up in Keith's garage.

What a month so far. I've been on the road just about full time, no breaks at all, and don't see much of one coming up for awhile unless I can find someone to hit the road for us covering a couple of the Walleye events. I enjoy getting to the tournaments, that at least is a plus!

Interesting, this debate over Wisconsin Muskie management. I've talked to the guys in the trenches, biologists, scientists, and the like from several states now, and a general consensus is forming up.

The WI DNR has a program now 4 years underway, and plenty of study underway too. We will learn more this summer, and the folks in Point will amaze those willing to accept good, up to date, effective genetic research. Those who are not can look to the experimental reports from the 60's and 70's all they want, this will be the real deal.

I won't even comment on what's happened so far between the parties involved in the debate, or the communications I've seen. What I will say is Mr. Simonson is probably close to dead center bullseye.


I think that the vulgar publicly spoken tone of the entire affair is a shame. I think that some of the press saw an opportunity to 'jump a story', and exhibited a nasty case of publicity seeking bad judgement in the process.

I think that some folks assume I 'support the DNR' and want to be critical of that. What a crock of total bullcrap. I support good science, reasonable debate, honest approach, fair debate, and detest publicity seeking campaigning reliant on National Enquirer style expose writing.

And that's all I have to say about that....

DANG my head hurts today. The human race convinced me that I need to be as far away from same as possible.

March my fanny. This is nutz. It was 53 yesterday, and is 3 degrees today. Sheesh.

Well, crappies were scarce, but the perch were hot. It got so derned cold I left at dusk, sisnce the crappies were not there. Couldn't move around much to find them, only had a hand auger and the ice is 24". Whew. Back on the road tomorrow...

Well, another Mad Town show is a wrap. This is a classy show; huge attendance, lots of booths, and much commerce.

I'm tired. I'm going Crappie fishing tomorrow.

OK, another Muskie Show in the can, and more weird and strange evening to early morning behavior. Shep needs to keep his camera in his pocket.

Thank you Slamr and Mrs' Slamr for the hard work. Thanks to Shep for setting up the swap. Thanks to Mr. Cady for providing a moment at the show that was much like the opening moments when the DDD first hit the market.

I'm going ice fishing with my son now, it's his Birthday.

Thinking of Muskie fishing tonight as the day ends. Most of my days actually DO end, right at midnight when it suddenly becomes tomorrow. Or is it today again? Only Ranger knows the answer to that one. Or maybe Sponger. Damn it, I miss Sponger's wit here, he was in for a couple yesterday, and I was actually thrilled to see his wit and wisdom. Rockfish rule, I guess!

Only a few weeks and I'll be heading to Cave Run. Justin Mullins, Crash, Tony, Chris, and many more friends to see, plus wet a muskie lure. Then upon my return, it's Mexico for a week with Sue. YES!!!

The Extreme show in Medina was a blast, but sucked because Sue couldn't get a day off to join us. Oh well, next year that won't happen. Slamr worked hard, so did my son Brian. No shows this week, which is a blessing. I'm icefishing Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and SUnday, then on the the shows again for two months straight.