Sunny skies and calm winds greeted the Professional Musky Tournament Trail anglers to the scenic musky filled waters of the Eagle River Chain of Lakes in Eagle River, WI on June 23rd and 24th for the Mercury Marine Summer Challenge. The cool and rain heavy spring made water level higher, which made locating good weedbeds and also the muskies a little more of a challenge to find. Current areas turned out to be the big attractant for the muskies according to the many team’s results. A total of 43 muskies up to 46.50” were registered during this annual two-day event hosted by the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce.
The winning team of Bryan Schaeffer of Tomahawk, WI. And Sam Ubl of Mukwonago,WI. held on to their lead from day one by catching a total of four muskies that were 40.75”, 39.50”, 38.50” and 31.50”. These two anglers had the muskies figured out in this tournament because besides the muskies that they caught the two anglers had five other muskies on that got off. Schaeffer and Ubl caught their muskies on shorelines where current was hitting which was occurring more than usual because of the higher water conditions. Their muskies were caught on three different lakes in the chain on Lake X Lures Toads and bucktails reeled as fast as they could reel them. Schaeffer and Ubl`s success awarded them with a first-place win worth $18,000, trophies and two beautiful winner rings by Feldstein Jewelers.
In second place were Chris Riebe of South Elgin, IL. and Matt Snyder of Tower, MN. with muskies that were 44.75” and 43”. Riebe and Snyder caught their muskies on SS Shad and a Llungen Lure bucktail while fishing in shallow water near lilly pads and lay down logs. In third place was Ben Michlig of Minoqua, WI. and Matt Michlig of Milwaukee, WI. with muskies measuring 43.25” and 37.50” that were caught on Lake X Toad lures. In fourth place were Jeff Piazza of Lake Tomahawk, WI. and Mark Lijewski of Minoqua, WI. with two muskies of 41” and 31.25” taken on jerkbaits off the first breakline. Rounding out the top five was Kreg Knoll of Menasha, WI. and Dylan Banker of Hortonville, WI. that used Medussa’s worked slowly with a pause occasionally in bright colors and registered two muskies of 37.50”.and 36.75”.
Most of the teams commented on the incredible hosting of the tournament central meeting place at this event, Eagle Waters Resort on Eagle Lake, as a big thank you is sent out to them on their well-run establishment and the entire Eagle River community for welcoming the PMTT anglers the way they do every year.
Tournament Director Tim Widlacki thanked all the PMTT`s fantastic sponsors, especially Mercury Marine for sponsoring the tournament and the entire trail. Also, the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce for hosting the event and the great hospitality they have given us every year. Also, Ranger Boats, Musky Hunter Magazine, Keyes Outdoors, Motorguide, Chaos Tackle, Vitaminerals, Feldstrein Jeweler’s, Morehead Tourism and all the associate and contributing sponsors. Please let these fine people know that you appreciate their promotional efforts in support of freshwater’s most challenging fish and those extreme anglers who chase her on the first, best and only truly national Professional Musky Tournament Trail circuit, the PMTT.
Our next event will be the Musky Hunter Magazine`s Late Summer Showdown
on Lake St. Claire August 11-12 in Michigan/Canada. To obtain
By: Duane Landmeir, PR Mgr
