Muskie Chapter holds 40th annual tournament

Submitted photo A 35 inch muskie caught by Earle Hammond on a recent fishing trip to Lake Pomme de Terre.

Last week, while on a muskie fishing trip on Pomme de Terre Lake, with Earle Hammond, (who locals refer to him as Mr. Muskie), I saw first hand the vicious strike and fight of this sharp toothy fish.Hammond cast a shad lure near some structure and started retrieving the lure.

When the lure came within 10 feet of the boat, a silver flash inhaled the lure and the battle was on. I can see why muskie anglers use 50 to 80 pound test braided line and carry a large net to boat the fish.

Being a veteran of catching some 200 muskies, Hammond soon had the fish in the boat. In a short time he measured the 35 inch fish, posed for a photo and released the fighter back into the lake in hopes that another fisherman might sometime hook it again.

The Pomme de Terre Chapter of Muskies Inc. held their 40th annual tournament this month with 30 boats. On Friday, the first day, there was a total of 12 muskies caught. First place went to anglers Kevin Richards, Henley, Mo., and Joe Cook. St. Louis.

Cook caught the largest fish, a 41 inch fish. They caught two fish, the 41 inch and a 35 inch muskie. On the Saturday and Sunday part of the tournament, 30 teams caught 16 fish. First place went to Denis Ledgerwood, St. Louis, and Dick Stewart, Branson. Stewart caught the most fish in the tournament by netting four fish.

Hammond, said, "During the tournament fishing was down a little bit, but after the tournament it really picked up again. Before the tournament, and afterward, we were catching a lot of fish."

The Pomme de Terre Chapter of Muskie Inc. is the fourth oldest chapter of 60 chapters in the country. There are more than 100 members in the Chapter from all areas of the state as well as all the states surrounding Missouri.

Hammond said, "When the tournament first started 40 years ago, there were about 120 boats, but it only took one fish to win the tournament. Today, if you don't catch two or three muskies, you don't stand a chance of placing.

"The muskie fishing has gotten better and the fishermen have become more knowledgeable. Fishing for muskie here is totally different than fishing up north. Our seasons are different, we troll in the spring and they cast, we cast in the fall and they troll the majority of the time.

"My son and I caught eight muskies after the tournament and had 27 contacts with muskies. I love fishing for muskies."

Since the muskies don't reproduce in Missouri lakes, a stocking program started on the nearly 8,000 acre Pomme in 1965. Other Missouri lakes that have these toothy fish stocked annually include Fellows, an 820 acre lake near Springfield, Hazel Creek a 530 acre lake near Kirksville, and August Bush Memorial Conservation Area Lake (No. 35 Lake in St. Charles County).

Other lakes that contain muskies include Henry Sever Lake, in Northeast Missouri and the Lake of the Ozarks.

The muskies are well known as one of the largest and hardest fish to catch. Anglers use lures from 5 to 12 inches long, but are also caught by bass anglers using spinner or crank baits. Even crappie fishermen can hook a muskie while using jigs or minnows.

Muskies are known for following a lure back to the boat, often hitting the lure at the last second as you are lifting the lure from the water. An angler needs to follow the lure back to the boat. Should you see a fish do a figure 8 movement with the lure, it often ends with the fish hitting the lure.

On our recent trip, Hammond had a lunker bass follow his lure. He put the rod tip into the water and moved the lure in a figure 8 pattern to entice the fish to hit. The big bass did hit the lure and Hammond netted the big bass.

More than 90 percent of muskies caught are released. Anglers seldom keep their catch.

In September and October, when the water temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees, the fish move into shallow water which is one reason the annual tournament is held the first weekend in October. Pam Price at the Fellows Lake Marina, said, "When the water temperature drops to 70 degrees, we start to see the muskie anglers hit the water."

The muskies in Missouri reach into the 50 pound range. A 50 pound plus muskie was caught on Fellows Lake back in 2012. Fish in the 40 inch range are not uncommon in the various lakes that hold these fighters. The muskie is known for its vicious strikes and great fighting ability.

You will understand the lure of muskie fishing when this Missouri torpedo hits your lure.

For a dedicated muskie angler hooking just one fish or even having a big fish follow the lure to the boat means it has been a good day.