Operation Musky, 2013

[Frank Walsh]

Operation Muskie welcomes the 2013 Veterans tomorrow.

Today tables, tent and gifts for the 2013 Veterans are ready. Boats are gassed, ready to bring the Vets from Youngs Bay to Bay Store Camp. OM guides and crew are anxiously awaiting welcoming ceremonies and meeting the Veterans.

[bpearson]

2013 Operation Muskie. The 2013 OM Veterans are: Mike Barker, Todd Berge, Jarrett Calhoun, Grant Gimpel, Dan Gorchals, Matt Gyrion, Jason Harris, Steve Hintze, Nick Hoff, Mike King, Terry Larson, Mark Mickinak, Ryan Nutter, Troy Tabbert, Mark Tetrick, Richard Thorpe, James Tyrrell, Rose Vlaisavljevich, Erica Wagner, Ryan Wagner.

In AM, they will have an honor guard on the way into breakfast at Patchs. They will be thanked for their service by a Marvin Windows Representative. From there they are escorted to the Canadian border, have a tour of the US border facilities, and then on to Young's Bay. Then off to Bay Store Camp on Oak Island.....WELCOME & THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!

[Tim Kelly]

Have a great time guys, Hope the weather is kind and the musky kinder.

[dpear]

Thanks Tim.Well it's begun.Part of the crew left for Warroad at 5AM to meet the Vets and start the process of getting them here.They'll meet them at the motel,organize them,then they all go to the Patch restaurant where they'll pass through an honor guard of local Veterans to a great breakfast graciously provided by Marvin Windows.Following breakfast they will proceed to US Customs,escorted by flag flying motorcycles of the Patriot Guard.They get a tour of the new Customs facility then proceed to Canadian Customs and once through there,convoy on to Youngs Bay.Quite a few local people including Doug J will meet them there to welcome them.The guides will be there as well and will take the Vets and gear out here.Exciting times.We are hopeful they'll be here on the island by noon.
After a short break to get the Vets to their cabins etc we'll have our Opening Ceremony which always is a fun but,for me,an emotional time.Following that it will be off FISHING!!!!!They'll all have a bag lunch and will be out til nine rather than come in for supper since it's a short day.Hopefully will a lot of fish stories.
God bless them and all of you who support us and make this event possible!
We'll try keep you updated as we go.

[dpear]

Don't have any totals yet but guessing 5-6 muskies caught plus a lot of pike.I do know the biggest caught by a Vet was a 47.It hit right in front of Gillespies camera at the boat and all John would say is,'we got it,stay tuned'.Sounds like he got a little excited.:-)

[bpearson]

Here are a few more pictures from OM Day 1201732017420175201762017120172201462014720148

[Tim Kelly]

Great stuff! Is that "Beavers gone wild" in the first pic? :)

Try to slip some sedatives into Mr Gillespie's burger....

[bpearson]

Some more Day 1 pictures 20151201492015220150

[dpear]

Hot mostly calm day.Tough on everyone.Another guesstimate would be 6-7 muskies again.Biggest Vet fish today was another 47.Guide Jim
best got a beautiful 51.Lotsa pike.More pics tomorrow.

[bpearson]

Day 2 was hot and very little wind. Muskies must have loved the weather - LOTS of muskies seen and many caught and released. Pictures to follow.2015420155201562015720158201592016020161201 6220163201642016520166201672016820169

[dpear]

Vets just came in for dinner at 5pm.Sounds like a tough morning but good early afternoon.About 8 muskies so far today-hopefully more this evening.We are fortunate to have 2 lady Vets this year.One got her first fish today-a nice pike.The other had quite a day with 3 pike,few smallies and 2 muskies.HAPPY campers!!!Just last nite the same lady was near tears after losing a nice one on a Toppie.What a difference a day makes.We ran out awhile this AM and found a few nice ones.Hopefully the Vets catch them all tonight.Nice muggy evening,hope for a biggie or 2 for the Vets.
Overall a strange time since some are shallow and every day a boat or two is seeing spawning activity-Gillespie captured a pair on video today.On the other hand some are being seen mid lake on 'summer' structure.They are everywhere!We are surrounded,we'll fight our way through somehow!:-)

[dpear]

Thunder boomers hit prior to prime time.looks like only 4 more fish-no biggies.Dang!

[Tim Kelly]

Sounds like everyone's having a great time. Hope someone gets to ring the bell before it's all over.

[bpearson]

OM Day 3 - Big storm added some excitement to the day but that didn't discourage the vets and their guides. Thanks to all that made this day on the water possibe for them. All the happy faces tells the store of a good day spent on LOW. 20189202042018720202201852020020183201982018120196 20194201922019020188202032018620201201842019920182 2019720180201952019320191

[Tim Kelly]

Well done everyone. That's just a good feeling all round.

[bpearson]

OM Day 4- Windy, rainy and very tough long day of fishing. 'Course didn't stop the vets and guides from fishing. 20218202192022020221202222022320224202252022620227 20228202292023020231202322023320234

[dpear]

Lot's of tired but happy people around here.Happy at how this years 'Operation' went but sad the Vets(now friends)have left.What a great group!A true honor to meet,host and get to know them.Everybody caught fish although I think 3 were unlucky and didn't get a musky-just a good time and lasting friendships.
God bless them all!
On behalf of the Board of Directors,I want to thank all staff and guides for a job well done.What a great group we have!
We had a tremendous last evening with steak and all the trimmings and a closing ceremony that created many tearful eyes-particularly when the Vets had all the staff and guides stand by the flag and the Operation Muskie banner,came to attention,and saluted us.Emotional stuff.
Thanks to all our sponsors and all who support the Vets and made this event happen!
Good fishing,
Dick

[Frank Walsh]

Don't know how long you can access this article on line, but great one by Brad Dokken of the Grand Forks Herald.


http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/267251/group/Outdoors/

[dpear]

Man,that is one handsome dude kicking off that vid clip!

[Lisa]

Thanks, Dick and Betsy, for keeping us posted on the success the Vets had! Sounds like a very successful week! Thank you all for everything you did to make this week happen for the Vets!

Looking forward to hearing more about Operation Muskie when we arrive at Bay Store in less than a week! Hope to see you on the 6th!
Lisa