Guide Greg Wells and youngster Maria Muller of Sheboygan Falls show off a 42-inch muskie caught during the Youth Muskie Hunt on Lac Vieux Desert.--Contributed Photo

A muskie hunt that caters to youths

By Sharon Gifford
Special to the News-Review

The 2008 Youth Muskie Hunt, sponsored by Muskies Inc. International and individual chapters, was recently held at Sunrise Lodge on Lac Vieux Desert.

Roy Kalmerton, a member of the Sheboygan chapter, challenged other chapters to join them at the group’s third biannual event. The Illinois Fox River Valley Chapter took on that challenge and the two chapters were able to bring 26 youth, 26 parent guardians, and 24 guide mentors together for the outing.

Two local professional guides, Bruce Becker from Watersmeet, Mich., and Pat Sheenan of Land O’ Lakes, also volunteered for the weekend muskie hunt.

“We want to get kids into fishing. With such hectic lives nowadays, children and adults need to step back, slow down, revisit nature and rebuild that heritage that we all enjoy,” said Kalmerton.

Last spring, the two chapters advertised the Youth Muskie Hunt throughout their communities. Interested students, ages 10-18, filled out and submitted applications. The application included such questions as “what is your most memorable experience in the outdoors?” “why do you think you would like to take part?” and “how would you share your experience with someone else?”

Kevin Bushnick, the international youth director and a member of the Fox River Valley chapter, said, “We accepted the applications in large part based on enthusiasm.”

Each youth chosen was required to bring along a parent or adult guardian. That parent witnessed and experienced the joy of fishing as well as bonding with their child.

The child and adult were also required to attend two three-hour training classes prior to the outing. Classes include fishing techniques, tackle, all aspects of muskie fishing, catch and release, and boat safety. The Illinois chapter boat safety class was taught by Bushnick and U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain and examiner Bob Parker.

Guide mentors are adult members of the club who donate their time, boat and equipment to reap the rewards of teaching muskie fishing.

“We want the kids to carry on the tradition — pass the torch to the next generation,” said Greg Wells, member of the Sheboygan chapter.

The chapters have fundraisers throughout the year that benefit the event, as they pick up the cost of all the youth and their adult companions. There are also a number of businesses that donate food, drink and monetary donations.

“All we ask of the kids during this weekend is 100% participation, but we don’t have to encourage them too much. They want to learn how to fish. They just need this outlet,” said Wells.

All participants arrived Friday morning, fishing for four hours Friday and another eight hours Saturday.

“We can fish muskie in our communities, but we chose northern Wisconsin to get away from the everyday life,” said Kalmerton. “The planning and adventure of traveling add to the hunt.”

There was a sharing circle around the campfire both Friday and Saturday nights. On Friday night, they were asked “what they want to learn at the hunt and how they would share that when they go home,” and Saturday night they were asked “what did they learn and what was their best memory of the weekend.”

The youths also are challenged to get their friends hooked on fishing.

“It was amazing how quiet it was when people were talking about their day on the water and what it meant to them,” said Bushnick. “I saw rough and tough fishermen tear up, unable to complete their sentences after hearing kids share how important it was to them to spend time with their dads.”

Throughout the weekend, most of the young anglers saw fish. A total of five muskies from 25 to 38 inches were caught and released. Wells hooked a 42-inch fish, but couldn’t convince the young girl to take the rod and bring in the fish. Participation awards, including fishing equipment, were distributed on Sunday.

“Professionally, I sell high-end computer systems to the biggest companies in the world. For me, this youth event was more gratifying than anything I’ve ever done in my entire professional career. These kids changed my life,” said Bushnick. “Now the challenge is for both of these chapters to bring two more chapters into the fold for the hunt in 2010.”