WMT SERIES™ HITS 200 AT PIKE/ROUND & SQUIRREL TOURNAMENTS
The World Muskie Tournament Series™ (WMT Series™) hit a mile stone of epic proportions the weekend of June 29th and 30th when the Muskie Country Tournament Circuit™ (MCTC™) hosted two one day events on the Pike/Round Lake Chain on Saturday followed by the Squirrel Lake qualifier on Sunday reaching the 199th and 200th hosted tournament for the WMT Series™ since the inaugural event in May of 2001. The 200th tournament achievement is the first of its kind in muskie tournament fishing history for any singular muskie event or muskie tournament circuit, an accomplishment that won't be duplicated by the next largest muskie circuit or event until the year 2043 if they continue at their present rate. During the WMT Series™ historic run, the series has filled fifty four (54) tournaments (most by any muskie tournament or muskie tournament circuit) and has enjoyed the company of over 3,500 tournament anglers competing in the world's biggest and most prestigious muskie circuit.
Before you can reach 200, you have to get to 199, and for the Muskie Country™ anglers competing at the Pike/Round Lake Chain qualifier their thoughts were about the present and how they could land a 34 inch or better muskie on the chain. At 6:26am, the team of Jacob Zipperer and Chris Ziarnik did just what they had intended to do by landing and registering a 38.50 incher. Shortly after, the biggest fish of the day scoring 41.50 inches would be tallied by Nick Seeger and Nick DeBaker at 6:45am that would be the eventual winning fish. Todd Emro and Mike McCarthy would score on a dandy 40 incher at 10:24am that would give the duo a second place finish. The fourth and final muskie of the contest would come at 2:30pm when Brandon LaCrosse and Ian Fass put a 36.25 incher "on the board".
The MCTC™ Pike/Round Lake Chain qualifying event's top four finishers were;
1st - Nick Seeger/Nick DeBaker
2nd - Todd Emro/Mike McCarthy
3rd - Jacob Zipperer/Chris Ziarnik
4th - Brandon LaCrosse/Ian Fass
Sunday's event on Squirrel Lake would see a ten degree drop in the waters temps in just two days leading up to the tournament that would make fishing challenging at best, and catching at its worst. Typically Squirrel Lake gives up a high number of registered fish, but there has been nothing typical about this season's fishing, with the wild weather swings putting the resident muskies in a nastier mood than usual. But even with the odds stacked against them, most of the competing teams had opportunities at muskies over thirty four inches (34"), with one team having a chance at a real trophy fifty incher plus. There would be one team however that would make their opportunity count by scoring a big brute at 7:47am for the father and son team of Richard and Jeff VanRemortel measuring 45.75 inches giving them the victory for the WMT Series™ 200th tilt.
The MCTC™ Squirrel Lake and WMT Series™ 200th tournament winners were;
1st - Jeff & Richard VanRemortel
The next WMT Series™ event is a Muskie Country™ double header weekend on Eagle River Chain Saturday, July 27th and Sunday, July 28th on the Sand/Dam Lake Chain. There are still open spots for both events and there is still time to send in your entries for an earlier ease-out time. Teams looking to enter the tournament can do so also by attending the Friday night registration, July the 26th at the Hiawatha Hide Away on HWY 45 on the shores of Duck Lake starting at 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Also, if you are looking to just register for the Sand/Dam Lake qualifier, the registration will be held at the Pitlik's Sand Beach Resort Saturday the 27th starting at 6:00pm to 6:30pm.
All WMT Series™ events are open to the public and we hope you will join in on the fun and excitement. For additional information, log on to our web sites at www.WMTSeries.com or www.ProfessionalMuskieAnglerCircuit.com for more details or email us at HunterMD@newnorth.net or call 715-277-4411.
Sponsor Partners of the 2013 WMT Series™ are; Tooth Tamer Rods, Fittante Taxidermy, Tackle Industries Super D, T's Tackle, Dream Catcher Bucktails, Yakima Baits, www.MudPuppyLures.com , Optimum Baits, River Run Tackle, Trophy Hunter Accessories-Glittertail, Musky Mayhem Tackle, Figure 8 Lures, Lil' Hustler Tackle, Tyrant, Man Cave Bait Co., and Nauti Lures, LLC.