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| Musky Mission Complete's 2018 Main Event on Leech Lake was yet again, a resounding success! All of us on the board are humbled by the Veteran's who attended and the guides who donated their time and expertise. We are equally appreciative to everyone who donated items and services to our cause. We would like to render a crisp military salute to you all!
We also want to share a quick recap of the event, pictures will be posted shortly:
Guides and board members arrived to Grand Vu Lodge on Leech Lake throughout the week in preparation for our Veterans. We were ready for our twelve Vets to arrive on the afternoon of Thursday, 13 September. The weather looked good for fishing! We were able to provide each Vet with various prizes, including tackle to everyone, and nice musky rods and reels to a lucky few. One of our prestigious guides, Nate Reilley gave a great dockside musky casting and lure retrieval presentation to everyone. Great job Nate! Everyone was "chomping at the lure" to get out and fish. We had some decent action right away. Veteran Bob Saffell boated a nice 35.5 inch pike on his third cast! Veteran Steve Williams hooked his first ever musky with a 30.5 incher in the first hour. Later, Veteran Tim Depies boated his first musky early also. Tim had only ever fished in a trout pond his entire life. Who says this catching muskies is difficult!!! Others boated pike, bass and even a 28 inch walleye. What a great start to the event. When everyone arrived back to camp, stories were exchanged and dinner was served.
Friday proved to be a great day, but a little tougher slugging. After a quick breakfast, we were back chasing muskies. Two muskies were caught by guides during the day. The Vets had some great opportunities, but lost about half-a-dozen. Every boat had some good action to include a monster 50 incher that shook off right by the boat. Once again, many pike, bass and another big walleye were caught. Again, dinner and "fish stories were shared by all after a long day of fishing.
Saturday gave perhaps the highlight of the event with Veteran Pete Kemmer catching a beautiful 47.75 inch musky! Pete was also able to connect with an old friend in Nick Parrott. While we all want to catch a musky, the real mission is healing Veteran's through a rekindling of camaraderie and building relationships. We definitely saw this happen! Once again, Vets had some good opportunities at some nice fish. As we know, even getting close to catching a musky is a memorable event.
Saturday night was a time for awards and recognition for all our Vets. It was capped off by yet another wonderful meal cooked by our staff. Everyone had a great time celebrating catching, and losing, some nice fish.
After another quick breakfast on Sunday, everyone said their goodbye's and headed back to their various homes. The board members and staff celebrated yet another resounding victory for our main event. That lasted for about 5 seconds as we started strategizing for next years event...
We would like to recognize all of those who contributed to our success. Pulling this off takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and funds. The following people and/or businesses deserve great thanks and appreciation!
Aaron Meyer, Andy Hutter with Apex Predator Fishing, Bemidji- Cass lake Chapter Muskies Inc, Bigwood Tackle, Bob Landerville, Bode Gaebler, Brian Ophus, Brainerd Lakes chapter Muskie Inc., Capital City chapter 08, Muskies Inc., Chaos Tackle, Ryan Crosby with Crosby Guide Service, Dan Linder/Linder's Angling Edge, Dave McBride, Dick Pearson, Drifter Tackle, Doug Malsom, Fargo-Moorehead, Muskies Inc., Joe Fittante, Fudally Tackle, Gary Dew, Gary Schwartz, Jeff Anderson and Grand Vu Lodge, God's Country Chapter Muskies Inc., H2O Tackle, Hirsch's Ghosttails, Jig Rippers, Jim Dembiec, Joe Davis, Joe Getty, Kramer Bro's Tackle, Lake X Lures, Live Action Guide Service, Lakewood Products, Mammoth Lures, Mike Lee, Milwaukee Musky Expo, Muskie Solutions, Musky Mayhem Tackle, Musky Safari Tackle, Nate Reilley, Nauti Lures, Naze Baits, Otis Simpson and American Legion post 16, Paul Hartman and Minnesota Musky Expo, Pete Maina, Pete Rich Guide Service, Steve Scepaniak and Predator Guide Service, Rabaska Bucktails, Red Tail Tackle, Richard and Jane Stresnak, Ryan Nutter, Shannon Green, Silvia Spitzer, Eddie Spoerl, Steve Sworrall, Supernatural Baits, Tackle Industries, Team Rhino Outdoors, Thorne Bro's, T n A Tackle, Toothy Tackle, Todd Forcier, Wade's Wobbler, Will Wakoviak, Wounded Warriors Guide Service.
We already cannot wait for next year's Main Event!
Musky Mission Complete |
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