Where do I begin? I'll start with the where, then let the story unfold.

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For some time I have wanted to attend my grandfathers outing, the Larry Ramsell Outing at the Vermilion Dam Lodge on Lake Vermilion in Minnesota. For a variety of reasons, I have never been able to attend. Until now! On October 13, 2016 at approximately 3 o'clock in the afternoon, my grandfather and I boated my personal best, a beautiful, hefty, 57 inch muskie!

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After a lot of planning throughout the year, I was set to attend the 2016 outing. For some time I wasn't sure I would make it due to my other grandpa falling ill and being hospitalized for some time. A couple of intensive surgeries and a lengthy hospital stay later, he was at home resting and doing much better. Even with the situation as scary as it was, he urged me to continue with my plans as he knew how important it was to attend the outing with grandpa Larry.

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So I was off! First heading to Hayward, Wisconsin to grandpa's for a quick overnight stay, then a short drive to The Vermilion Dam Lodge on beautiful Lake Vermilion in Minnesota. Upon our arrival we checked in with owner Ed Tausk. Once we were checked in, we wasted no time hitting the water. After setting up my new 8'6" St. Croix Legend Tournament rod with my Shimano reel that we freshly spooled with Cortland Line, we were off in search of some muskies!!!

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We arrived to a spot on the lake that had some great looking cabbage. Based on grandpa's many years of experience, he took us to the "inside" of the weeds, and the rest as they say is history! After only 20 minutes on the water, we boated my new personal best, a beast of a 57" muskie!!!

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This giant CRUSHED a 9" Suick Curly Sue, secured with my Huskie Muskie Leader and the fight was on! Once we had subdued this beast with grandpa's net, we quickly realized she was hooked deep in her gills on the inside of her mouth. Due to our knowledge of muskellunge and quick thinking, we were able to grab the knipex cutters and begin what seemed like a small surgery to our aquatic foe. We were able to successfully remove the bait with minimal (if any) damage to the fish. After we had removed the bait, we gently placed her on my Handlebarz Musky Lures Bump Board and she measured 57" on the money!

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At this point we knew if I were to get any pictures with my prized catch, we would have to do so quickly so we could return her to the water with a high percentage chance of a healthy release. I will admit I could have held her better to show her size better, but adrenaline had kicked in and my brain turned to mush and I instantly forgot the basics! All in all I am still happy with the pictures and even more so with the fact that we were able to watch her "wave goodbye" with her tail as she swam away to hopefully be caught again by another lucky angler!

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I hope you have enjoyed this little story of the most amazing day I have ever had on the water. The best part about catching a 57" muskie is doing so with your muskie mentor who just so happens to be your grandfather! It is a memory I will cherish forever!

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Thank you for all you have taught me and I can't wait for our next big adventure! Love you grandpa!

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Later I will write a lengthy blog detailing some information about things that we did and tools we had that were a huge factor in us being able to release this fish and it survive.

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