September 2, 2016 at 3:29 p.m.
40th annual World Musky Hunt held in Lake Tomahawk
Donna Rickman boats biggest fish of the derby
40th annual World Musky Hunt held in Lake Tomahawk
Musky Hunt chairman and honorary guide Ron Rickman was the emcee for the night with his customary, entertaining style. Rickman was on the winning team in the World Musky Hunt in 2005 and started on the Board of Directors in 2009. The World Musky Hunt is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that enjoys giving back to the Lakeland area and the communities who have supported the Hunt over the years. There were 50 past hunters, or individuals who had previously participated in the World Musky Hunt, as well as 21 new contestants for this year. Rickman stated he was excited to have one team of active-duty military members from the 173rd Brigade Engineer Battalion involved in the Hunt this year. The army team was sponsored by BT Equipment, which is headquartered in Watertown. The contestants and past hunters were paired up with area guides, who donated their time and equipment, and went out in search of the elusive Esox on the Lake Tomahawk Chain.
The Hunt is headquartered at the Ray Sloan Center in Lake Tomahawk every year. Rickman said the Hunt used to be run out of Bosacki's Boathouse in Minocqua, but the event outgrew that location and Lake Tomahawk welcomed the organization and the event with open arms. New last year was the World Musky Hunt Scholarship Fund. The organization was able to provide two Lakeland Union High School seniors with $500 scholarships. The organization looks to provide two more scholarships this year to students who are majoring in fisheries biology.
Each year there are new contestants, who form three-person teams. The entry fee per team is $300. Past hunters, those who have competed in the past, are invited back every year. Entry fee for a past contestant is $120. The contestant team that wins the Hunt receives a great package of prizes including rods and reels. The angler who boats the largest fish also receives a free replica mount by Joe Fantane mounts. There are no cash prizes in the tournament, but contestants do receive a plaque as well as a great deal of World Musky Hunt merchandise, according to Rickman. Plus, of course, bragging rights for the year. The fact that the event grows year after year is a testament to the camaraderie the anglers and guides have and the great memories they make on the water each and every year. Rickman said the event is all about having fun. He wants people to enjoy their time on the water, and to catch a few fish in the process.
Twenty-five total fish were caught during the event. Rickman's wife Donna was able to boat the biggest fish of the weekend for her team, Shut Up and Fish, at a drag-screaming 46 inches. Her guide was McCumber. The C&R Team boated three fish, 36 3/4 inches, 35 inches and 36 1/2 inches and were guided to those fish by three different guides: O'Brien, Slagoski and Pomplum. The Hamre Harrassors were able to boat a 37-incher, guided by Farrow. The 2016 Military Team were also successful with McCumber guiding one member to a 34 1/2-inch fish and J. Driessen guiding another to a 34 1/4-incher. Contestants fished for two days - Friday and Saturday.
Past hunters also fished Thursday, making theirs a three-day outing. Thursday was their most successful day, with eight muskies being boated. The largest that day was caught by Dick Cleary at 39 inches, guided by Niewolny. Friday's big fish was hooked by Ben Otterstater and guided by Herzfeld. It measures in at 44 1/2 inches. Saturday was a fairly successful day as well with seven fish measured. Steve Willing's 43-incher was the biggest of the day for past hunters at 43 inches.
He was guided by Mike Driessen.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached at [email protected].
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