2010 Milwaukee vs. Quad County Chapter Challenge Recap
The Horror ........ the horror
As I attached the trailer to the hitch I gazed to the heavens only to see a few twinkles peeking through the clouds. Wonderbar! For seven days I had hoped for overcast skies on the opener along with a southwest wind which would be a switch from the constant northeast blow we experienced all week. A day ago one wish, that of a southwest breeze came true. As I drove to the lake, I wondered if the wind switch was enough of a change to clear the west end of suspended silt, for it was there, that my partner and I would start in the twenty fourth annual Quad County vs. Milwaukee Chapter Spring Opener Tournament.
Our chapter members launched and gathered at Smokeys for an early morning gab session. Coffee was drunk, donuts consumed, and starting areas were discussed. It was then the sun started to play hide and seek between the layers of clouds. People's anticipation could not be put on snooze. They scattered to their vessels and took off leaving contrails of white water to break the flatness of the lakes surface. A few boats headed east, some north to Taylor's and the trestle, but the pelaton headed to the west. It was then I heard the "fishing hole" blaring from the green truck that turned onto the boulevard. Chewbacca had arrived and we to were slowly motoring toward our discussed starting spot. Water temps were in the high 50's low 60's. After the ride the motor was shut off, the trolling motor dropped in, front locator turned on, and the first casts of 2010 were taken.
Ten minutes after the designated starting time my partner pops a 35". What a start! As the morning ticked by we raised fish, but nothing connected. As the wind decided to let itself be known, the afternoon ended with six muskies released for us and four for Illinois. A comfortable 65 point to 45 point lead.
It was time for our "fest of the sausages". We gathered, ate, drank and shared stories with our friends from the south.
Sunday greeted us with a calm sunny morning. Teams headed to areas were they spotted fish the day before. The casting started. Over and over the routine continued. Fish were seen, but nothing snapping until fifteen minutes before the noon stopping time. The boys from the south pop two fish, a 47" and a 361/2". Small feeding window? The horror ..... the horror. Milwaukee Chapter defeated for the fifth time in our twenty four year history.
Buried with our cargos on and our St. Croix's by our side, just watching the sun still a rising in the Pewaukee sky.
Ah, but it's all in fun and will get them next year. Thank you John, Gordy, Rick, and Debbie for graciously letting us use the facility and all your help.
The big sticks from Milwaukee that kept us in the running: Mike Danko 35", Roy Hinkforth 46", Jim Frett 40" & 37", Steve Berg 39" and Tom Arvoy 36".
Darrel Mack
