YCA Youth Muskie Hunt REGISTRATION

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1 EVENT INFORMATION BELOW: YCA Youth Muskie Hunt REGISTRATION YOUTH MUSKIE HUNTERS & PARENTS: For those who have participated before, there will be a flat $150 fee that covers everything from food to lodging. Registration and payment is done on the YCA's website. FIRST TIME PARTICIPANTS ARE NO CHARGE what-so-ever but first-timers must still register. EVERYONE participating will be required to sign a release waiver. Watch for this when you register. The waiver includes a photo-release which is important as we end up in newspapers and on TV. There is a separate waiver for The YCA & Muskies Inc. Both must be signed. This year, we continue to grow and once again have many new families involved. For those families who have done this before, please make sure our new families feel welcome and give them as much information as possible as they embark on this life changing youth fishing endeavor. URGENT SAFETY NOTICE: Moose Lake has been lowered in 2015 due to Dam repairs that are taking place. The water levels are down as much as 2 feet. This means you must be extremely careful not only while fishing, but especially while you're underway (moving) in your boat. Moose Lake is loaded with huge rocks, stumps, and other hazards. Moose Lake also has very dark tannin-stained water giving you almost zero visibility of what lies beneath the surface. All these rocks, stumps and sand bars make for great fish habitat but they can be a disaster for boaters. Although some hazards are marked, PLEASE take extreme caution this year to ensure everyone's safety. If there was ever a critical time for us all to wear a Personal Floatation Device (a lifepreserver), this is it. DIRECTIONS: With the Dam under construction, you cannot use the road we normally use to go to Louie's Landing. Not a big deal here; just take Moose Lake Road East-Right (cross over the brand new bridge) and then after 2 blocks take a left on Louie's Landing Road. You're essentially just coming in the back way. KIDS MUST WEAR A LIFE PRESERVER. It's the law. Good idea for adults too! PLEASE make this a priority especially when the boat is underway. ADULTS: I know from my own personal boating experience that adults don't always put their life jacket on. I've been guilty of this myself. BUT, in this situation on Moose Lake, I strongly recommend that ANY TIME the boat is moving, put your PFD on. I'll be wearing one. Another good thing is to not stand in the boat while it's moving. Always stay low and brace yourself in case you hit something. ACCOMMODATIONS: Each of you will be receiving a separate as to what accommodations are available. If you're familiar with the area or have done this event before and are able to get a cabin or hotel room on your own, go for it!! With such a large group, we will have families staying all around Moose lake and on other Hayward area lakes. If there's another family you would like to share a cabin with or be next to, please let me know.

2 Although many of you are using your own boats, we all rely on our fishing guides to markup maps, show us the hot-spots and tell us what lures work best. The guides noted below are some of the best and most well-known Muskie fisherman in the North Central United States. Among this list of people below who are professional guides, we have Muskie book authors, Hall-of-Fame fisherman, lure manufactures, and Muskie tournament winners. They are all coming together for 2 1/2 days with their sole mission being to help your child catch a Muskie. Take advantage of them being around and feel free to talk with them and learn. Also, this year moreso than years past, we plan to move the kids around a bit more and give them an opportunity to fish with different guides and other kids FISHING GUIDES will include: Larry Ramsell, John Myhre, Daryl Neibauer, Chuck DiVito, Rog Williamson, Dave VanDoorn, Dan Koniewicz, Bill Nuyttens, Diana Nuyttens, Brian Corcoran, Glenn Zaroski, Tim Crews, Kevin Underwood and Trevor Bushnick. There will be others too. Muskies are a top-of-the-food chain fresh water apex predator and they are extremely difficult to catch; hooking them is one thing, getting them in the net is an entirely new set of challenges. So, do some research as a family ahead of time; buy a book or DVD. Catching one of these fish is a thrill of a lifetime and it's a major accomplishment. AND, it's not about the size either. It's simply about catching one for the kids. Over the years, our all-time numbers record is 57 Muskies in 2.5 days. The largest we've caught is a 46-incher. The bar is set high but let's beat that record and set a new mark! I am also having The Trophy Shop build a massive trophy for the YCA or Muskies Inc. youth who catches our first event 50-incher. This is entirely possible to do even on Moose Lake. Keep in mind, although this program is characterized as a youth Muskie hunt, this is also a multi-species fishing opportunity. Over the years, the kids have caught many 3-5 pound bass and one of the kids caught a 27 inch Walleye in the middle of the day on a Muskie bait! (A silver Shallow-Raider to be exact!). So, keep track of all your fish. TROPHY CATEGORIES: Family Sportsman Award "In Memory of Joe Tierno" 1st Place & Grand Champion (Total inches) 2nd thru 5th Place Overall (Total inches) Muskie Big Fish Award (Biggest Muskie!) Bass Award (Small or large-mouth) Alternate Species Award (Walleye, Crappie, etc...) Environmental Education Awards Master Guide Award (To the guide with the most MUSKIE inches) 50-inch Muskie Award

3 VHF RADIOS: A Marine or VHF radio is the preferred method of communicating. On Moose Lake we're in the National Forest and cell phone coverage is almost zero. This is how we monitor everyone and it is what should be used in the event of an emergency. We utilize Channel-7. If you have a VHF Radio please bring it. The YCA has several VHF radios to loan out if you need one. The Mystic Moose Resort has a powerful VHF Base Station set up and again, Channel-7 is monitored. Last year, we had a boat with engine troubles that got stranded well into the evening hours. The VHF radio was key to finding them and getting them towed to safety. EVENT & MEAL SCHEDULE: > THURSDAY Sept. 17 CHECK-IN: When you arrive, please see Kevin Bushnick or Bill Nuyttens at Louie's Landing. Go to Louie's Landing first. Fishing starts any time after 2:00pm Thursday. When you check-in at Louies Landing, you will receive a PACKET that includes the agenda for the Youth Muskie Hunt including: 1) Schedule of events and meal times. 2) A Boat identification ribbon. 3) Fish Creel Cards. 4) Lake Maps. 5) Guide assignment if applicable. > THURSDAY: Dinner will be held at Charlie's Restaurant on County Road S. 6:30-9:00pm. > FRIDAY Sept. 18: BREAKFAST at the Louie's Landing. 7:30am-9:30am. > FRIDAY: LUNCH at the Mystic Moose Resort under the big tent. 11:00am-1:00PM. > FRIDAY: DINNER at Louie's Landing 7:30-9:30PM. NOTE - FRIDAY EDUCATION SESSION: Running from 12:30-1:30 on Friday after the kids eat lunch. ALL kids will be required to attend an educational session given by Michelle Groves of the YCA. Several topics will be covered including "How to handle a Muskie" and what to do if someone gets hooked. The kids will be required to have Michelle or Kevin sign-off on their creel cards that they attended this program. Kids cannot receive a trophy unless they have received this important training. > SATURDAY Sept. 19: BREAKFAST at Charlie's Restaurant on County Road S. 7:30am-9:30am. > SATURDAY: LUNCH at Louie's Landing. 11:00am-1:00PM. > SATURDAY: DINNER at Louie's Landing. 7:00-9:00PM > SATURDAY AWARDS & CLOSING CEREMONIES will be held at Louie's Landing starting around 9:00pm after dinner. This is where we recognize the kids for their hard work with trophies & prizes being handed out in many categories of youth fishing. The event will conclude after the awards ceremony. Everyone can leave Sunday morning at their convenience. FISHING TIPS: First, Orange can be hot on Moose Lake both in terms of stick baits and buck-tails. I like Silver & Black too. If you see a white or orange lure with some silver on it that looks like a beef sandwich, then buy it and bring it. ALWAYS have a top-water bait on hand for Moose. Larger floating Suick's are good if you fish them correctly. This lake is a relatively shallow, very dark tannin stained body of water. Most of the fish are caught from mid-

4 later in the day or evening. Watch for warmer water. Even a slight temp increase can trigger these fish. Pay attention to moon phases as well. (Free iphone App)... Lastly, a lure retriever pole or other device is a good idea as there are stumps and rocks everywhere on Moose. FISHING RULES & GUIDELINES: I'm a big fan of healthy competition. But, I don't want to get carried away with rules & regulations so let's throw down some basic guidelines and work within them. A Wisconsin Fishing License is required for adults. No need for the kids 15 and under. Participants 16 and older must have a valid Wisconsin fishing license. The DNR, the Game Warden and the Sheriff are often around during our events. Let s make sure we obey the laws and set an example. I highly recommend getting your fishing license well ahead of the event. SUCKERS: These large minnows are like filets to a Muskie. Unfortunately, although they are legal to use, finding them at your local bait stores is becoming increasingly difficult; they are also expensive. We will do our best to get some but no guarantees this year. If you can, feel free to get your own suckers at area bait stores. TROLLING: Trolling is now permitted on Moose Lake. BUT, not recommended as there are snags everywhere. Troll at your own risk and expect to lose lures if you do. LOGGING YOUR FISH: Please log the EXACT time you caught your fish on your creel card we provide. In the event of a tie, the first fish caught wins the tie. The first fish caught becomes the leader and must be beat by at least 1/4 inch. Once a fish is caught, measured and logged, that fish becomes the fish to beat. Therefore, if someone catches a 42 incher on Thursday, you'll need to catch a 42 1/4 afterwards to put yourself in the 1st place position. Again, fish must be at least 1/4 inch larger incrementally to advance your position. Fish must be measured. (DO NOT weigh your fish as it puts too much stress on them.) If you get length and girth, we have a weight formula. The winning Muskie or other species will be based solely on LENGTH. If you want to participate in the Big Fish Pool (optional), the pool does NOT apply to alternate species; it applies to Muskies only. There will be a 1st & 2nd place for this. See Kevin Bushnick to participate. NOTE: A PICTURE MUST BE TAKEN of the fish to qualify. Keep your cameras at the ready. Try your best to capture video if you can. Video is not required but do your best to get some. HAND-OFF from a parent or guide ARE absolutely acceptable. The key here, is the child must be the person to bring in the fish. It's a team effort netting and everything else, but to win, the child must bring the fish in. That's about it. There is a rules committee in case something unusual comes up but we generally don't have any issues.

5 Key items to remember and bring: 1) CRITICAL BRING A DIGITAL CAMERA or make sure your phone has one and it s at the ready. Video camera's are great too if you have one. Make sure you take pictures of your fish to ensure you are in the running for the trophies! A digital picture and measurement must be taken to qualify. No exceptions. 2) Sun screen. The days are shorter but the sun is still out. Please remember to wear sun-block. 3) Bug Spray. Depending on weather, the mosquito's can still get nasty this time of year. 4) Rain gear & hats. Also, an extra pair of shoes or boots. (CRITICAL) 5) CLOTHING: Layers work best. Mornings can be cold; day time warms up; nights can get cold. Dress accordingly. 6) Bring your own TOWELS & toiletries regardless of where you are staying. 7) Make sure to bring your own snacks, pop, junk food, jerky, waters, Red-Bull, Mountain Dew, and whatever else you might need to keep you casting all day long. Plenty to eat at Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner but you're on your own in between! 8) Make sure your boats have proper registration and have your paperwork with you. 9) Check your trolling motor batteries and make sure they are charged. If you have boat problems or battery issues, there is NO Marina on Moose Lake. So, make sure your boat is in tip-top shape before coming to Moose Lake. 10) MUSKIE GLOVES are extremely important if you plan to touch or handle these fish. Muskies have razor sharp teeth and injuries are common when these fish are caught and handled without protection. During your education session, we will be showing what can happen even to experienced Muskie fisherman. So, make sure you have gloves. Muskie Armor is a top brand but anything is better than nothing. For minor scrapes, bug bites, etc... There will be a First-Aid kit at the Mystic Moose Resort. Jim Onarheim (owner of the Moose) is a fireman and highly trained emergency medical technician. He actually teaches emergency response. CALL 911 IF NEEDED. We are fortunate to have a Hospital in downtown Hayward with medical services An important note: These events are youth & family oriented and are considered "alcohol prohibited" programs. We strongly discourage the consumption of alcohol throughout the event and we do this to ensure the safety of everyone, especially the children.

6 I am truly looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting several of you for the first time. These events are life-changing and above all else, are a genuine opportunity to get closer to your kids. Take advantage of this time together. KEVIN BUSHNICK's CELL PHONE IS: Note: Feel free to call with any questions. YCA MAILING ADDRESS: Youth Conservation Alliance Kevin Bushnick 847 S. Randall Rd. Suite 101 Elgin, IL Mystic Moose Resort - Event Command Center Jim Onarheim 7611W Pine Point Road Hayward, WI