Lake Winter Outing & Results
Twenty anglers participated in the 27th Annual CCMI Lake Winter Outing on Saturday, June 26th. Although Lake Winter had suffered 4.5" of rain in 2 hours on Wednesday the lake was in good shape and the Dam survived a massive flow of water. The weather forecast for Saturday was more rain and thunderstorms but to everyone's relief we had an overcast sky, no rain, and a light breeze out of the Northwest, perfect muskie weather!
The fishing started out very slow in the morning but the Hoffman/Reinstra Boat decided to give up on the mid lake drifts and fish a Bay just in case the muskies were trying to get out of the strong current of the flowage. The decision paid off as Reinstra landed a little 32" on the first cast of a Top H20 surface lure. Within a half hour another 32", a little chubbier, struck the same bait. Hoffman got wise and started to throw a Loon Hawg Wobbler and on his second cast nails a fiesty 35.5". All action within 45 minutes in the Bay! The Enger/Phillips boat saw 2 of the fish caught and were pursuaded by Hoffman/Reinstra to put on some surface baits, not that they needed to be convinced! This decision paid off nicely as Dawn Enger, fishing another Bay, nailed a sky soaring 45 incher later in the day with a Topraider! A very large bodied Bronze beauty! Dawn's first and memorable trip to Lake Winter.
Karen Phillips, a previous Lake Winter Champion, was not to be outdone and picked up a nice 35" with a Dancin Raider. The Wood/Crandall/Kopf Boat decided to work the drift just South of the Grass Island and Crandall was rewarded with a nice 34.75" muskie casting a Hot colored Phantom Softail, the same bait and location where Matt Hill caught a 39 incher that tied Shane Nesheim for first place in 2009.
A great meal was served at Julies Trailside Bar and Restaurant on Hwy. 70. A few cool stories were told and Bill Wood said he was able to fish for 5 hours and couldn't think of a better place to be that day. Bill was presented with a hand carved Muskie Pen by Geoff Crandall and a handmade muskie bait by John Eversoll. Bill was thanked and applauded for starting the Outing 27 years ago.
Entertainment supplied by Muskie Singer Geoff Crandall who sang 4 original muskie songs to the enjoyment of the crowd. A good time was had by all!
Champion: Dawn Enger, 45" Muskie
2nd Place: Gary Hoffman, 35.5" Muskie
Smallest Muskie Award: Steve Reinstra, two 32" muskies
Honorable Mention:
Karen Phillips, 35" Muskie
Geoff Crandall 34.75" Muskie
Rumor has it that the Bartolini/Reim Boat did not get enough of Lake Winter and fished early Sunday morning with Dan Reim catching a beauty, a 43.75" on a Topraider! Congratulations to all!
