Operation muskie

[Frank Walsh]

We are in the process of setting up. Three days to go. Let the games begin!!!

[dpear]

Counting down.Getting closer.Excitement building.Much of the food is now on the Island;the gas and oil is here;and the guides and staff will start trickling in tomorrow and throughout the weekend.
The weather forecast is fantastic with sun and moderate temps throughout the entire 'Operation' now being predicted.Exactly what we need to trigger fantastic fishing!
The breakfast and reception activities for the Vets is ready in Warroad and we thank Marvin Windows and Jeff Parker for their contributions and hard work on that end.
Even the muskies are getting excited with two over 50 inches being caught the last 2 days by guests in Camp.
All in all it's shaping up to be another great event.Can't wait to meet the Vets and get the Operation going!

[dpear]

Whew!What an afternoon.Our Op M chef,Brett Miller,showed up with the remaining food.Imagine 2 Lund Alaskans full of coolers of meat,pasta,etc.Jake,Frank,Laura,Bets,Brett and I had our hands full unloading and unpacking.Sure glad Jake is young and tough and that Frank has been working out at the Oak Island Health Club cause I couldn't lift one end of a few of the coolers.Lets just say that the Vets and staff are going to be well fed.

[Tim Kelly]

Have a great time guys. Always think of you all when the event's on.

[dougj@wiktel.com]

Have a great time guys. Always think of you all when the event's on.

Looks like the muskies are getting ready also. Starting to show up on rocks. Bet the Vets will catch a bunch.

Doug J

[dpear]

Beer arrived a few minutes ago.Not exciting to unload but enjoyable later.Eating Tent goes up in the morning,all the Vet goodies get organized and then about ready to roll.The wait is nearly over.

[dpear]

Mess Tent is up,tables in place,breakfast food and assorted snacks in the cabins,rods/reels lined and leadered and ready,Vets individual coolers,lure box and lures are set up,a meeting concerning the Opening reception is done,firewood for evening fires is cut and stacked and we are ready to roll.Lots of cool prep pics taken which hopefully can be added here later.

[JBlanck]

Busy weekend, I'm sure. Good luck this week!

[bpearson]

The Veterans are on their way!!!

Today will be a very exciting and busy day for them. First is they are honored at breakfast in Warroad, with a combined VFW and American Legion Honor Guard. Then they will be escorted to the US/Canadian border by the Patriot Guards.

When at the US border they will be given a tour and the escorted through Canada to Young's Bay Landing. At Young's Bay they meet their guides and ride in the guides boat to Bay Store and Camp on Oak Island.

At Bay Store and Camp they will be greeted by the OM staff, who will help them find their cabins and store their gear.

Once they are unpacked, Dick Pearson will introduce the OM guides and staff. Followed by introduction of the Veterans as they receive their gifts....musky rods, reels, lures, coolers, t-shirts, caps, etc.

Thanks to all the individuals, companies, clubs, resorts, guides that made donations to make Operation Muskie possible. Thanks to your support, 20 more veterans will participate in Operation Muskie 5.

Thank you all!!!!!!!!!

[dpear]

Good day.Lots of fish seen,but sounds like only 6-9 caught.More info and pics tomorrow.Great weather and 20 happy Vets.

[bpearson]

Veterans arrived in their guides boat and their gear came in the 'Red Head'. After unloading the gear from the boats and getting settled in their cabins they returned for the introductions. Along with the introductions to all, the veterans received their gifts from generous sponsors. Afterwards guides and vets headed to the boats for an evening of fishing.

[dpear]

Hi all and good morning.Well we have a new Op M size record!!!Kurt Southwicks first muskie was a veryyyyy 'BIGGIE'.Pics to follow later this morning

[lambeau]

Kurt Southworth is a very good friend of mine, thanks for creating this opportunity, OM!

[Lisa]

Wow! What a monster! So happy a Vet got to enjoy this thrill! Hoping many more get the same opportunity before the week is done! Great job OM!
Lisa

[Kyle_Doonan]

That is a monster of a fish

[Tim Kelly]

Fantastic! What a fish. Hope the rest of the operation carries on like that.

[bpearson]

Day 2 - Long day of fishing and good food and then camp fire pictures.

[Tim Kelly]

Looks like a really great time. Congratulations to everyone.

[bpearson]

Day 3

Another GREAT day. Fish were moving. Some boats raised over 20 fish! One boat caught 6 fish. A total of over 20 fish were caught

Vets are having a great time and learning a lot about muskie fishing.

Camaraderie between Vets & guides and seeing the Vets relax is awesome! Thanks to EVERYONE that make Operation Muskie possible!

[dpear]

All good things must end.The Vets are on the way home.A fabulous group and a fabulous time.Thanks again to all of you for supporting Operation Muskie.
Next year we'll have more pics and more timely coverage of the event but more info and pics will follow in the next few days.

[bpearson]

As dpear said "A fabulous group and fabulous time" thanks to all the support of Operation Muskie. The attached photos are of fish and fun during OM day 3.

[Tim Kelly]

Well done to all you guys looking after them. Time to crack open a cold one and enjoy them moment, then there's the tidying up.

[lambeau]

Job well done, team. Take a breath and enjoy that cold one, knowing that you've created a life-long memory for another 20 veterans.
My wish is that every vet experiences the same kind of tangible thank-you at some point.

[bpearson]

Was wonderful to spend these short days with the 2012 OM Veterans. The days seem to go by so fast. Today was departure day..we wish them a future of good health and happiness.

Day 4 pictures below.

[bpearson]

2012 Operation Muskie has ended for the year, but the great memories will continue. Thanks to all the people that have made OM possible!!

A special thanks to Frank and Laura for all the hard work that makes OM a success year after year. Don't know how Laura does it, but imagine ordering food for everyone, planning the storage of it and then the preparation. The groceries come a hour by land and 7miles by water, no 'running to the store' to pick up something.

Thanks to Brett Miller who helps Laura plan the meals and then cooks for everyone. Thanks to Frank and Jeff for cooking the fish.....no one goes hungry.

Thanks all!

[sorenson]

I missed the whole show (been a bit off the radar lately)...glad to see it went off w/o a hitch. Congrats to the vets that got fish. Thanks to the guides, sponsors, promotors and those that did the work to make the event possible. My biggest thanks is to the vets - thank you for all you have given to your country.
S.