The annual Fall Muskie Tournament was held on Pomme de Terre Lake in southwestern Missouri on September 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th. With water temps in the 75 to 78 degree range and dropping rapidly due to fall conditions, it would have appeared to be easy fishing. When severe weather conditions and blue bird skies caused by being on the edge of a hurricane are added in and complicated by high water flows from the lake as the Corps of Engineers tries to draw down the lake, fishing turned out to be a real challenge.

With about 70 people fishing on Friday there was 7 fish caught.
Jeff Littlejohn boated a 43 ½ in the afternoon to take big fish and the first place prize.
Earle Hammond and Dave Tully boated a 35” and a 34” for second place.
Eddie and Debbie Stephens boated a 36” and a 33”for third place.
Steve and Scott Smith boated a 30 and Jeff Drigans and John Wollschlager boated a 32 ½.

Saturday fishing conditions started with overcast, moved to rain and then cleared off and created tough fishing conditions.
Jeff Drigans and John Wollschlager boated a 39.
Matt and Ralph Bingham boated a 33 ½.
Toby and Mark English boated a 33.

Clear skies were the order from daybreak until noon on Sunday.
Bingham and Bingham boated a 40 ½.
Paul Summerville and Todd Hardin boated a 45.

Final results for Saturday/Sunday were:
Bingham and Bingham with first place.
Summerville and Hardin were second and had a big fish prize.
Drigans and Wollschlager were third with a big fish prize for Saturday

Our banquet was held on Saturday night with raffles, silent auctions and giveaways for everyone in attendance.
Dale Cornelius from the MDC gave an update on the muskie program in Missouri and provided the latest
statistics from the Missouri Muskie Program results.

An inflatable life jacket was provided by the family of John Kirby in his memory and given away by drawing at the banquet.

Jim “Coach” and Kathy Wilson provided an embroidered jacket to the person catching the most fish in the tournament.
That prize went to Earle Hammond for his two fish on Friday (and having an earlier release than Eddie Stephens).
Our thanks to them for this great looking jacket.

A drawing was held on the dock Sunday at noon for a free entry into next year’s tournament and Paul Summerville won it.

A lot of people and firms contribute to support this event. This is Denis Ledgerwood’s last year of heading the tournament
and we owe him thanks for all the effort he has put forth in past years to make this event occur.

In addition we would like to thank:Trophies: Pitt Homes, Pitts Reality, Pomme de Terre Chamber of Commerce
T-Shirts: Production by Victoria Products, artwork by Chelsie Hardin

Other Items:
Dick McPike for a lure donation
Musky Wacker Tackle, lures by Gary Pearson
The Gapen Company
Fishing Hot Spots for 60 inch tape measures
Brandt Services for the PVC pipe for the floating rulers.
Sebile USA for lure packs for big fish and other winners.
Hoosier Handmade Muskie Baits for a silent auction item.
Reinhold Electric for a weekend stay at Red Oak Resort
Rick Kaufhold for computer mice
Spanky Baits
Tackle Industries
Tyler's Custom Creations
Rollie & Helen’s Musky Shop
Red October Baits
Custom X Lures
Musky Hunter Magazine
Wolverine Split Rings
InvisaSwivel
Hunter Oil Co.

George Donner is going to head up the tournament for 2011. It is scheduled for September 30 and October 1^st and 2^nd.

Many thanks go to Wayne Humphrey, Earle Hammond, and Gary Neely for their efforts which contributed greatly to the
workings of a successful tournament.