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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | I have now transitioned completely out of pizza season and my mind has turned to fishing. The second year of my quest for the mighty musky draws closer. Numerous threads concerning how opening day waters should be approached have recently graced this forum. They have been quite informative. Bait choices, bait presentation, types of structure, and many different strategies have been well covered.
My business has surged with the onset of Spring. My brain has shifted into overdrive and my thought processes have sharpened like the hooks of a well maintained favorite bait. I began to think outside the tackle box on how I could approach the opener.
Knowing that a small gathering of muskie fanatics typically takes place at Smokey's on Pewaukee Lake the night before the opener, a plan/theory began to slowly smolder within my brain. Talk and beer were plentiful last year, but more solid and filling consumables were conspicuously absent.
If a greater number of friends/fisherpersons could be brought together, and quality foods added to last year's formula, could that possibly lead to a more productive opening day? My food obsessed brain answered with a resounding yes.
My theory is that a musky angler, satiated the night before the fishing opener by well prepared food and the warmth of copious camaraderie, will be happier, less hungover, and possessed by a can do attitude that can only lead to positive results.
Fortunately for me, and any volunteers I can muster, I have a close friend who is a BBQ master and part owner of a traveling BBQ rig. I approached him with the idea of feeding my musky brethren and sisteren a plethora of slow smoked lip smacking chunks of pork and poultry. Eager to showcase his skills and 7,000 lb., 20 foot BBQ rig, he readily agreed that this was indeed a good idea.
I approached Professor Mike Koepp of the Water Front Musky College, who in turn approached John Laimon, owner of Smokey's. As the plan has very few weaknesses, it was quickly approved. Shawn and I will be taking Friday off, and setting up the rig at the crack of dawn on Friday, May 4th at Smokey's. This has to be done as we will be serving real dry rubbed slow smoked BBQ. The pork shoulders take 10-14 hours to be properly prepared.
This is the real thing. Shawn is providing the rig and expertise, I'm providing the food, and Koepp is handling some of the logistics and is our Ambassador of Waukesha County Musky Goodwill. You'll have to bring your own beverages.
All we need now are volunteers to eat the food and test my theory. There is no limit to the number of volunteers we need. The smoker can handle up to 500 lbs. of meat at one time. Literally anyone that reads this is welcome to volunteer. If you want to drive from MN or Ontario, feel free. I've heard rumors that Mr. Worrall and his gracious wife Sue are going to be in the area, and I hope that's true. Anyone from northern WI, IL, or MI who feels the need to wet a line in our area, should definitely consider getting here Friday. Anybody that wants to bring their families should bring them. Yahara Chain musky experts should also consider a quick jaunt down to Smokey's on Friday for the feast. I would really like A LOT of people to attend. It's not really worth it for ten or twelve guys.
I will need to have a general idea how many anglers are planning to attend this first ever SE WI Pre-Opener Smokey's BBQ Spectacular. After all, we need to know how many pigs and chickens will have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to test my theory. Please post here or PM me if you think you can attend. If you answer in the affirmative, please try to make it as I don't want to have a ton of left over food.
This is not an official M1st outing. If you need lodging, maps for lakes, etc., you're on your own. This is just a party, me, Shawn Reilly, and Mike Koepp are throwing to test my theory. No one is looking to make any money or promote anything, though I do hope that if you need to make any last minute fishing purchases, you make them at Smokey's as John is being very gracious in letting us set this up at the shop. He hasn't been feeling well and I wish him the best.
I do have one request. My buddy Shawn needs a seat for Saturday. He's kind of an inexperienced musky guy, but has gear and is pretty handy in a boat. He's a good fisherman overall. He kept us from being skunked last year at Eagle. I'd like a couple of volunteers to take the BBQ expert if I could get them. If he's going to cook, he needs to fish.
So there you have it. My pre-opener plan. Anybody that wants to come is welcome, just let me know. If you're a lurker and want to get to know some people from the board, this is your chance. Food will probably be ready to eat between 6:00 and 7:00, though it will last beyond that. We'll need to shut it down by 10:00.
Kevin
Dry rubbed and slow smoked.
Edited by MuskyHopeful 4/8/2007 12:31 AM
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | I'll be there.
That is amazing that you guys are doing this. I can't wait.
What a way to kick the season off!!!
I don't have my plans for a partner and boat finalized yet but might have a spot for a third in the boat. I will post if I have a spot open.
Edited by Jomusky 4/8/2007 12:12 AM
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Location: Athens, Ohio | I'll bring the cornbread. I think Mauser has some cooking oil, too. Awesome offer, gonna make every effort to be there. m |
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Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | I'm there with some smoked salmon.....I can't wait we need to get rid of this 30 deg temps.
Bring on those Old Crochey Dudes.....
Netmen |
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Posts: 23
| Kevin, Sounds like a great idea , I'll take this info to our M.I. [QCHH chapter 17] meeting thursday 4-12. Maybe I can get some guys to come up with me. I'll let you know if I get any commitments. Thanks , Don Frisch |
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Posts: 5
| Sounds like fun........Raider 150, roadtrip?? |
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Posts: 412
Location: Waukesha, WI | I'll be there! |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Hate to be a wet blanket, are there plans for a rain out location? m |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | Mikie, Mikie, Mikie, there are no rain outs. That my friend is what rain gear is for. 
I'm not sure if I can make it or not, so put me down for a definite maybe. It may be me and the young fisherchick, or just me, or I'll send a clone. Sounds like a great time. |
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Posts: 2753
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Mikie- Surely you jest! Just bring your rain gear. After all these are muskie fisherman.  Well maybe a walleye, bass, perch, salmon, bluegill, crappie, sturgeon, catfish, bullhead, burbot, carp, northen pike or even saltwater species fisherman or two thrown in for good measure. But rumor has it those guys even own rain gear.
Have fun!
Al |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | OK, OK, just a thought. Soggy BBQ with a bunch of muskie nuts is better than dry pork, alone. Besides, the sun always shines on Pewaukee! m
"Keep yer cornbread dry!" |
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Posts: 227
Location: Southeast Wisconsin | I'll take a soggy sandwich in the rain anyday over this crap fest of weather we've been having lately..
Anyways, Ill be there friday night...Mainly just to check out the so called competition though...lol |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | PORK! I'll be there. Great idea Kev.
Can i bring the wife? She's not much of a muskie nut, but she loves good BBQ.
Edited by Magruter 4/9/2007 8:41 AM
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Posts: 5874
| Hopeful,
I got Laser in with me, but there is plenty of room in the new 1890 for another. Shawn can fish with us til he wants to jump in with somebody else.
Edited by Shep 4/9/2007 1:15 PM
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Posts: 122
Location: Kenosha, Wi. | Will definitely be there! Always wanted to fish Pewaukee for the opener. This really sounds like a great time and those that are setting this up should be commended. Now, if "Mother Nature" would just throw us a bone on this weather, that would really be nice!
Edited by musky54 4/9/2007 5:08 PM
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Posts: 336
Location: Wheeling, IL. | so what date is this and is there room for us boat sluts? |
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Posts: 412
Location: Waukesha, WI | Southern opener is May 5th, and the BBQ is the 4th. I won't know if I have room for about another week when the other half of Team Draggin' Anchor chimes in. |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Scott, wives sure are welcome. I love the ladies.
Mikie, I think your question was answered. The smoker trailer has a roof so cooking will not be affected by precipitation.
We will offer a Gortex bun option for the pulled pork if the weather gets overly moist.
Kevin
Dry rubbed and slow smoked. |
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Location: Des Moines IA | Looks like Team RumbleKnott (MuskieMike, RUMBLEFISH, & MRS. RUMBLEFISH) is in for the feast. Where is the closest, best ho/motel around Pewaukee?
Edited by MuskieMike 4/9/2007 8:58 PM
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Mike, do a little googling. Not sure what you want to spend. In Brookfield, on Barker Rd., there is a Hampton Inn and a La Quinta that are a short hop down I-94 to Lake country. Do not stay at the Motel 6. Also check Waukesha for anything on Grandview Blvd. or Silvernail Rd. Also Google Pewaukee Hotels. Ask me when you find a couple that you think fit your price range, and I'll tell you how close they are.
The thing about Pewaukee is it's basically right off the freeway, so anything in eastern Brookfield, northern Waukesha, or Pewaukee is literally minutes away from Smokey's.
Kevin
Tantalizing the muskies with the smell of smoked meats. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Rain or shine baby. This is going to take some control to keep this Friday afternoon/night festivities down to a reasonablely early night.
Smokey's will be locking the doors by 10pm. Beer will be sold in the Muskie Shop until we drink the whole stand up cooler. After 10pm we can spill over to the Waterfront Sports Bar or head home for some sleep and be ready to kick some musky a$$ early Saturday morning.
We will have the rig pulled up next to the muskie shop where tables and chairs will be set up. The Muskie Shop will be open and stocked up for people who need a hot bait or two. Hopefully John will be strong enough to enjoy the BBQ. He is still very weak and it's day to day. A bad infection by his heart has him in the hospital for almost two weeks now. A few prayers would help our friend so keep him in mind.
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Posts: 336
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | I'm in along with my brother. This should be an absolute blast. Unlike last year, I will be home and sleeping at a reasonable hour...those chicks from The Waterfront were the death of us last year. Kevin, I have no classes on Friday's so just let me know what time you want people to show up and help. Mike, I just heard about John's health and hope like hell that he gets better soon. Any idea if he can have visitors? If you have any other info, please send me a PM. Joel, if you guys want to crash at my place the night before so that you don't have such a long ride in the morning, let me know and Ill have everything set up. |
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Location: Hartford Wi | Kevin
I hopefully can be there depense on the work and if i have off |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | I need more volunteers to test my theory. Looking for more responses.
Kevin
The big girls like pork. |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | I'd love to join you Kevin, but my travel budget is all allocated to a certain fall trip...
Besides, my contribution to the data in an experiment such as this is usually thrown out as an 'outlier' or some sort of spurious data. It would keep your results more believable, and therefore more easily accepted for peer-review publication if I were not a participant.
S. |
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Posts: 155
| I,d gladly come and stir the pot! |
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Posts: 5874
| Whatever you need from me Kevin. I'll be there anyway, so I might as well do something constructive for a change.
Hey Capt Extreme. Weren't we supposed to have an early night last year? hehehe Sure enjoyed looking at those hooters til bar close! hehehe |
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Posts: 284
| I hate to sound cheap but is there an admission fee to cover all this food. If you need volunteers for eating I am a college kid and have lots of friends that would love a good bbq. However I have lots of broke friends. |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Matt, I plan on putting out a box for small donations. If you're fishing this area and you're broke, I'll be glad to feed you. To be honest with you, though, I wasn't really planning on feeding a dorm full of starving college kids. The BBQ is for guys/gals from the board and their spouses/kids who are planning to fish SE WI or are close enough to buzz in for BS and pork and poultry consumption.
If you have a couple hungry buddies, that's one thing. "lots of broke friends" is something else.
Hope that makes sense.
Kevin
The big girls like pork. |
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Posts: 284
| Sounds great I will let you know if I can attend and I will leave my broke friends at home. I had noticed that you kept asking for more "volunteers". If thats what you needed to make this work I could help you out thats all. Hope to see you there |
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