STAN HARRISON MEMORIAL SPRING TUNE-UP
Saturday, April 30, 2022
On Saturday, April 30th between the hours of 6:00 am and 4:00 pm, 50 two person teams launched to cloudy skies, 53° air temperature, 21 mph winds gusting to 35 mph and 48° water temperature to compete in the Muskies Inc., Heartland Chapter 10 “22nd Annual Stan Harrison Memorial Spring Tune-Up” muskie tournament fundraiser on Clear Lake.
The proceeds from this event go to promote local youth fishing programs such as Scout Fishing Days, Kids Fish Camps, Kids Fishing Tournaments, Family Ice Fishing Days, Youth Muskie Fishing Events and assist with local Iowa Fisheries Department projects regarding research, fisheries, maintenance and development.
The fundraiser Check-In was held on Friday, April 29th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the Community Center, Ventura, IA where participants from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and South Dakota were able to review event rules and mingle with other entrants rekindling old friendships and making new ones. During that time, random entrants received door prizes in the form of gift certificates and gift cards and all entrants were able to view the numerous raffle donations in the form of fishing equipment and general merchandise all generously donated by our local and regional businesses and Muskies Inc., Heartland Chapter 10.
Our Heartland Chapter President, Ryan Wilcke & Treasurer, Colby Dickes presented a “Lifetime Achievement Award” plaque to their Grandfather, Brian Buehler. Besides being a current Heartland member, Brian is also a Charter Member of the Heartland Chapter founded in 1995.
There were a total of 8 muskies boated with 5 muskies meeting the 30 inch minimum length requirement to be considered for awards. The fundraiser results were as follows:
1st Place: Ryan Wilcke/Colby Dickes, 2 fish, 38”, 43”, 29 pts
2nd Place: Nathan Hurst/Kolby Berg, 1 fish, 45”, 19 pts
3rd Place: Jake Johnson/Ryan Becker, 1 fish, 42”, 16 pts
4th Place: Brock Moyer/Tyler Paulson, 1 fish, 39”, 13 pts
Longest Muskie: Nathan Hurst, 45”
Longest Non-Muskie: Collin Hulke, Channel Catfish, 30”
Other Fish of Note: Colby Dickes, muskie, 42.5" (snaggeded, no points)
Jerry Goebel, muskie, 29”
Ryan Wilcke, carp, 29" (snagged)
Dylan Humberg, muskie, 28"
Colby Dickes, channel catfish, 26"
David Gifford, muskie, 19
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LEAGUE NIGHT
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
The Heartland’s first League Night of 2022 was held this evening, May 3 from 6:15 pm until 8:15 pm at Clear Lake. 12 hopeful muskie hunters were greeted by partly cloudy skies, 10 mph NNE winds, 54° air temperature and 49° water temperature. Great to get back into our League Night series!
The only action of the night was provided by a painted turtle snagged by Gene Julius and a carp and a 25” northern boated by Ryan Wilcke. For the record, Ryan wishes to recognize the superior netting skills of his boat partner, Colby Dickes.
Participants all with 5 total points after the first series event. Asche Bart, Barnes Derrick. Becker Ryan, Crail Tracy A, Dickes Colby, Graham Bob, Graham Kaleb, Julius Eugene, Nettleton Levi, Nettleton Pete, Wentworth Michael, Wilcke Ryan
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LEAGUE NIGHT
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
The Heartland’s final League Night of May, 2022 was held on Tuesday, May 17 from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm at Clear Lake. 12 enthusiastic muskie anglers were greeted by fair skies, 12 mph E winds, 62° air temperature and 65° water temperature. What a great night to be out on the water!
Action on the night came from three different species. Kaleb Graham boated his first muskie, a beautiful 44 incher. Kaleb wishes to recognize his netter & dad, Bob. Congratulations, Kaleb, on catching your first muskie!
Next up is Chris Doane boating a 34.5” northern & four largemouth bass with the longest being 21”. Chris wishes to recognize his netter & son, Matthew.
Rounding out the evening was Levi Nettleton with a nice 28.75” muskie. Levi would like to recognize his netter & dad, Pete.
Congratulations to all our anglers & their netters for putting fish in the boat tonight!
LEAGUE NIGHT POINT STANDINGS THROUGH MAY 17:
Graham Kaleb 28
Barnes Derrick 10
Becker Ryan 10
Graham Bob 10
Julius Eugene 10
Nettleton Levi 10
Nettleton Pete 10
Wentworth Michael 10
Asche Bart 5
Clausen Josh 5
Crail Tracy A 5
Dickes Colby 5
Doane Christopher 5
Doane Matthew 5
Simpson Rick 5
Wilcke Ryan 5
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LEAGUE NIGHT
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
The Heartland’s first League Night of June, 2022 was held on Tuesday, June 7 from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm at Clear Lake. 17 hopeful muskie hunters were greeted by cloudy skies, 6 mph E winds, 73° air temperature and 72° water temperature. The evening was cut short for most of the anglers when a thunderstorm moved through the area with lightning and heavy rain about 7:45 pm.
At least six muskies were moved with only one making it to the net. Devon Mullenbach boated a nice 44.75” fish (picture attached) with assistance from her netter, Derrick Barnes. Congratulations, Devon!
Colby Dickes had a nice League Night surprise for everyone. He launched his newly acquired Ranger boat. Congratulations, Colby!
Current League Night Point Standings:
Graham, Kaleb, 33
Mullenbach, Devon, 24
Barnes, Derrick, 15
Graham, Bob, 15
Nettleton, Levi, 15
Nettleton, Pete, 15
Wentworth, Michael, 15
Becker, Ryan, 10
Dickes, Colby, 10
Julius, Eugene, 10
Simpson, Rick, 10
Wilcke, Ryan, 10
Asche, Bart, 5
Clausen, Josh, 5
Crail, Tracy A, 5
Doane, Christopher, 5
Doane, Matthew, 5
Graham, Hunter, 5
Humberg, Dylan, 5
Humberg, Todd, 5
Jeppeson, Adam, 5
Jeppeson, Keeton, 5
Pingel, Scott, 5
Templeton, Alex, 5
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IOWA CHAPTERS' CHALLUNGE
Saturday, June 18, 2022
The first leg of our 2022 Muskies Inc. Iowa Chapters’ Challunge was held on Saturday, June 18th from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm at Clear Lake, IA. hosted by our own Heartland Chapter. There were 21 anglers representing 11 Heartland, 2 Upper Great Plains & 8 Mid Iowa Muskies members. Anglers were greeted by partly cloudy skies, 14 mph ESE winds, 63° air temp & 75’ water temp. Throughout the day, anglers dealt with wind gusts from 22-31 mph.
A total of two legal muskies were boated with others being moved or lost at boatside. Congratulations to our friends at Mid Iowa Muskies for placing 1st in this year’s Challunge followed by our Heartland and Upper Great Plains. The results are as follows in descending order:
Kevin Elizondo, Mid Iowa Muskies, 38”, 12 pts (Big Fish Award winner, also)
Colby Dickes, Heartland, 30”, 4 pts
A special thanks to all the Heartland members who were able to support our Chapter with their participation in the Challunge.
A big shout out to the netters and all our friends from Mid Iowa Muskies & Upper Great Plains for their continued support of our Iowa Chapters’ Challunge Series. Always great to get together & compete against other avid muskie hunters and talk about all things muskie!
********************************************************************************************* SCOUT FISHING DAY
Saturday, June 18, 2022
On Saturday, June 18th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, under fair skies, 71° air temp and 17 mph ESE winds, gusting to 26 mph, Heartland Chapter members Christopher Doane, Youth Director and his son William Doane assisted 11 enthusiastic scouts and their parents from pack 4022 of Nora Springs, IA. with a fishing outing at Buffalo Run Golf Course.
Christopher gave a presentation on some of Iowa’s varied fish species from largest to smallest. He also spoke on the Muskies Inc. mission statement and what specific activities our Heartland Chapter performs to meet those objectives.
After the presentations concluded, the Scouts were each given a rod and reel combo and two new lures. They were also provided with a slightly used lure which was donated to the Heartland by anglers as part of a muskie rod giveaway during the Heartland’s spring muskie fishing tournament fundraiser.
With new fishing equipment in hand along with night crawlers and artificial baits, the scouting entourage made their way to the lake for an aquatic assault on some bluegill and smallmouth bass. Fish, too numerous to count, were reeled in to shore on seemingly every cast.
What a special honor for our Heartland Chapter to assist in this annual youth outing to get our young people outside and fishing!
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LEAGUE NIGHT
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
The Heartland’s second League Night of June, 2022 was held on Tuesday, June 21 from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm at Clear Lake. Ten eager muskie hunters were greeted by fair skies, 13 mph WNW winds, 84° air temperature and 78.9° water temperature. With low humidity, what a beautiful evening to be out on the water!
Only two muskies were reported moved, but, both were successfully netted! Bob Graham boated two bookend 31 inchers with assistance from his netter and son, Kaleb Graham and much cheering and encouragement from grandson, Hunter Graham. Double congratulations, Bob!
Four other fish of note:
John Strait, walleye, 25 3/8”
Hunter Graham, walleye, 19” (no picture)
Derrick Barnes, largemouth bass, (no measurement or picture)
Michael Wentworth, largemouth bass (no measurement or picture)
Current League Night Points Standings:
Graham, Kaleb, 38
Graham, Bob, 30
Mullenbach, Devon, 29
Barnes, Derrick, 20
Wentworth, Michael, 20
Dickes, Colby, 15
Nettleton, Levi, 15
Nettleton, Pete, 15
Wilcke, Ryan, 15
Becker, Ryan, 10
Graham, Hunter, 10
Julius, Eugene, 10
Simpson, Rick, 10
Albrecht, Scott, 5
Asche, Bart, 5
Clausen, Josh, 5
Crail, Tracy A, 5
Doane, Christopher, 5
Doane, Matthew, 5
Humberg, Dylan, 5
Humberg, Todd, 5
Jeppeson, Adam, 5
Jeppeson, Keeton, 5
Pingel, Scott, 5
Strait, John, 5
Templeton, Alex, 5
Wilcke, Brice, 5
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