In past years, we have skipped the July meeting because most of us were fishing.

However, members have told the Executive Committee that they want more

opportunities to get together so we will meet July 22 to hear big fish stories.

I mean, stories about big fish.

At least two groups of Flatlanders are catching giant fish as you read this.

Well, we hope we are.

Our fearless leader, Steve Ruhmann, is in charge of the annual outing to

Walsh's Bay Store Camp on Oak Island, Minn. We fish the Canadian waters

of legendary Lake of the Woods. A dozen Flatlanders were scheduled to make

the trip and there will be at least a dozen stories to tell when they come back.

Last year 14 Flatlanders made that trip and they caught 29 muskies ranging

from 31.5 inches to 46.5. The conditions were brutal with wind gusts more than

any fisherman should bear. This year the forecast is for much more pleasant weather.

Lee Bach leads a second group of Flatlanders on their own Lake of the Woods outing.

Last year Lee, Mike Tronc, Larry Ohda, Les Edgcomb, Gary Severson and

Cliff Stetter caught 21 muskies with the biggest being a 48.

The two groups may get within shouting distance of each other, which could

lead to some good stories as well.

We will provide photographic evidence of the stories told, at least the

ones we will admit to. Come and hear and see for yourself.

Scott Grabow caught the biggest musky during the Wednesday Night Fishing

League to win this year's league title. Scott caught a 37. He also caught a

nice fish that did not count. The fish could not tell time and hit Scott's lure a

few minutes before league night began. Gary Severson finished in second

place with a 36 and Steve Ruhmann finished third by doing the two most

important things a musky fisherman can do: He showed up and he netted

his partner's fish. About a dozen Flatlanders participated in the league.

The fish did not cooperate. They teased us once in awhile, but were camera

shy for the most part. Congratulations to the winners. We hope to see

more Flatlanders - and more fish - next year.

We are looking for ideas on how to make Pierce Lake a better fishery.

Although our own funds are limited, we can apply for a grant through

Muskies Inc. to improve habitat, stock fish or anything else that might

make the lake better. We plan to invite someone from the Department

of Natural Resources to our August meeting to discuss the possibilities.

Be ready with your own ideas.

We will make a $100 donation to Operation Musky, the effort to take Iraq and

Afghanistan war veterans fishing, again this year. Steve Ruhmann will

present the check to Dick Pearson or Frank Walsh when he gets up to

the Bay Store Camp. Operation Musky is a wonderful endeavor that

we have been happy to support.

The Executive Committee is always looking for suggestions - and help.

If you have an idea, pass it along to an EC member at a monthly meeting.

The only way to make the club better is for members to be involved.

With the fishing season upon us, it is important that you keep your

memberships current. If you are not an active member, your catches

can not be counted in the Members Only Fishing Contest. Muskies, Inc.

should send you a renewal notice in advance of your membership expiring.

Please return that form immediately to keep your membership current.

We include your membership expiration date with the labels on your

monthly newsletter. It should also be printed on your membership card.

If you see that your membership is soon to expire and you have not

received a renewal from M/I, please contact Wally Haas or Jack Pertz.

If you have renewed and your newsletter still contains your old expiration

date, do not worry. Labels are printed for two or three months at a time,

so it is possible that we generated the labels before M/I updated the

records. If you ever have any questions about your membership, please

feel free to contact Wally or Jack.

Outings Schedule

The season is in full swing and there are a number of great outings coming up.

Dave Jack has offered to donate a custom rod for the first place winner.

It is $5 for each outing. Contact Dick Estes at (815) 332-2307 or Tim Scruggs at

(815) 633-2326 if you have any questions.

The Dates:

April 24: Pierce Lake ( No Fish)

May 1st: Wingra ( Dean Rahn, 37.5, Mike Bowers 36, Ken Borne 36.5 )