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| As an alternate question to Brad's thread on reasons for folks NOT joining Muskies Inc. -
I'd like to hear from as many MI members as possible on WHY DID YOU JOIN?
Did you join to make a difference?
Did you join to talk with other folks and help increase your odds?
Did you join simply for the magazine?
Did you join become part of the "one voice"?
Just curious.
Brian
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| To meet people to fish with and to help support local stocking efforts
Our Fox River Valley Chapter 39 is top notch and I really enjoy being part of its leadership group |
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Posts: 8781
| I joined because I thought there might be some single women who were into fishing there...
There was one. She has a beard and she weighs more than me...  |
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Posts: 175
| It is the only way I know to give something back to the resource.
MI is the only organization that actively works with state fisheries agencies to maintain and/or improve the quality of muskie fishing. I belong to MI for the same reason I belong to Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and the Minnesota Waterfowl Association. It is giving back to the resource.
Just buying a license is not enough.
The sidebar benefit is that I hang out with a bunch of really great guys and gals. |
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Posts: 194
| I joined to help finance the stocking of fish in the lakes by me. Also, I might get to meet a few excellent fishermen, make some friends and learn from them. Mainly it's the fishery improvement they do. |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | I joined in 1985. Back then I was a trout angle knowing nothing about muskies. After meeting several folks (real good people) I got to like the Chapter a lot. I did get bummed not seeing our chapter in the magazine's news & views section, so I asked that I could write it. They let me be secretary doing the newsletter, board minutes, and the news&views. The more I got involved, the more it paid off. I made a lot of new friends and many are still very close today. To that it was the best investment I ever did.
If you join, please don't sit on your hands and expect someone to come to you. Take part in an outing, a project, or ever ask the president to something minor to do. Be involved and I will bet you it will pay off big time, like it has for me. I have met so many swell folks, not only in our chapter but many other chapters as well. Without, MI I would have had so much fun and of course the friendship it top notch.
Gerard Hellenbrand
Cap City #08 |
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Posts: 20219
Location: oswego, il | Luke Chinewalker asked me to join his club at the time(he moved away) the FRV chapter. I am glad I did. I did it because I knew people there and it would be fun. I have since become invlovled on the board and am the speaker director and do whatever else needs to be done. I enjoy my time with the club and encourage anyone who is not a member to join, it is what you make of it. I see my club as more of an individual club rather than part of an international club but it is both. |
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| I went Bass fishing on a lake that had Muskies in it. My ex-brother in law hooked a 36 inch Muskie on a Texas rigged worm that broke off. It then jumped trying to free the hook. I bought one bucktail and came back the next week trying to catch a Muskie, and have kept trying ever since. I actually caught a Muskie before my brother did, but he joined Muskies Inc. first. I soon followed, as he was getting all kinds of good advice and tips, and I wanted to learn more too. I have never regretted that decision.
I believe in MI, do whatever I can for MI, and try to make it as successful as I can. |
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| In 1985, like Gerard, I joined....I did it for the points. My buddy told me I could catch the biggest fish in the lake, and if I joined Muskies Inc., I could get points. If I got the most points, I won!!
D
In 1987 I realized there was more to it than the points.....it is the most awesome fishing organization available. Do you realize "these are the good ol' days?" Fishing for muskies has never been better!! Watching my sons catch 20 muskies this past week in Canada was a euphoric experience as a dad....at one point, I started welling up, listening to the boys talk about catching muskies, and how much fun it was!!
Thanks MUSKIES INC.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Donnie  |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I joined MI five years ago. I had been a Muskie fishermen for years and it came to a point that not being a member of MI was counter-productive. I was a Muskie fisherman and, after talking to a few folks from my MI chapter, it made sense.
Why didn't I join earlier?
- I didn't think I was as good a fishermen as most in MI. (Still am not, but so what?)
- I had met a few large-egoed guys from MI who turned me off. (We all know the type.)
- I was busy with other things. (Looking for a wife... ;))
- I didn't want it to cut into my fishing. (Dumb one there, eh?)
What I found troubling, especially at first, was learning how much I had missed out on during the years I wasn't in MI. I learned more about Muskie fishing in the first year being in MI than what I had learned in years of Muskie fishing before then. And I missed out on the yearly trips and many outings and, most of all, the opportunity to get involved when I had the time to do it.
But life goes on and at least I didn't wait longer to join.  |
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Posts: 8781
| In all honesty, I joined because I fished the Pewaukee Classic, had a great time, met a bunch of great people, and won the Musky package in the raffle.
After that day I decided to see of there was a chapter close to home that I could join, both to give something back and because I felt like it was an organization I wanted to be a part of. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I joined my first MI club in 1984 or 85, I think. I joined then because the group was pushing CPR, conservation, management, and an organized Muskie oriented influence/PR group, and it was working.
It still is. |
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Posts: 408
Location: Omaha, Nebraska | I joined MI cuz you talked me into it, snowcrest |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | The day after I got my MI card in the mail, I got my first muskie. m |
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Posts: 34
Location: Forest Lake Minnesota | To get the discount a Thorne Bros.
Seriously it was to see what it was all about, Hopefuly learn something to put a few more fish in the boat.
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| So did all of that happen, Dave? |
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Posts: 34
Location: Forest Lake Minnesota | I think it has helped me put a few more fish in the boat, The biggest change I have made is having faith in the few lures I use,the very few lures, definatly less than a dozen is all you need. Also believing that the spots you fish are good ones and if your are not seeing fish you are just not there at the right time The spots are good the fish just arn't active. The discount still is good at Thorne bros, I didn't say I don't still buy way to many lures.
This year i have caught 8 six over 40. Trying for a best year ever with 40 fish.
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| I also mostly use what lures are proven producers. Each spring, I take my favorite 30 baits and load my tackle box. I may add one or two by fall, but that's all. I'm going for a 50" this year. Last year I only caught one Muskie, although it was a 47" fish. My Chapter caught more 50's than any other MI Chapter last year, and I'd sure like to make that list this year. So far this year, the Fargo-Moorhead MUskies Inc. Chapter has caught 4 over 50 inches. I think 53 is the biggest so far. Maybe tonight I'll do it, as we have our League night.(Another reason I like MI). Later. |
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