Vermilion Dam Lodge - Lake Vermilion Minnesota
Recently I attended the 15th Annual Larry Ramsell Muskie Outing held at the Vermilion Dam Lodge on beautiful Lake Vermilion in Minnesota. My experience there (besides catching my personal best muskie) was spectacular!
Upon our arrival we were greeted by the owner, Mr. Ed Tausk. The hospitality he showed to everyone was nothing short of extraordinary. His staff was extremely helpful and by the end of the trip everyone seemed like family. The atmosphere is simply amazing.
During the outing, we were provided with enough food to cure the hunger of a small army! Our first evening we were served roast beef. Not the imitation stuff you find at your local fast food restaurant, but thick tender cuts of mouth watering goodness! Each day the food continued to impress, usually leaving me with no room for desert.
In addition to tremendous hospitality and food, we got to hunt muskies!!! Could this place be heaven on earth? Excellent food, top notch service, muskies, what more could a guy ask for? Each night names are drawn for who will be fishing with a local guide. The guides at this years event were: Luke Ronnestrand, Bob Benson, Dan Altmann, Pete Brezinski, Dusty Carlson, Matt Seifert and Bill Schumway. Let me tell you, these guys know their stuff! They spend countless hours on the water locating these fish and developing a pattern. Not only do they try and put you on big muskies, they give out priceless information that can help make you a better angler. Besides one on one tips and tactics in the boat, the guides give nightly presentations. They also had a presentation on trolling given by Brett Erickson and of course a presentation by grandpa, Larry Ramsell.
So at this point you must be thinking, "wow that's a lot" just wait, there's more!
Thorne Bros. Custom Rod & Tackle also had a set up of a wide variety of muskie gear, from line to landing nets they brought enough "stuff" to outfit more than a few muskie anglers. I couldn't help but overhear the owner talking about different baits, and lines etc. and I can say that this man knows his stuff! He was extremely helpful and it was a pleasure talking with him.
Most of you fellow muskie junkies have heard of Mike Keyes of Keyes Outdoors. Mike was at the outing filming a show, as he has done for many years. Normally with tv personalities you hear that they are rude, stuck up, and all sorts of other terrible things. I can tell you first hand that Mike & Dave from Keyes Outdoors are the most laid back, humble guys you will likely ever meet. I had the opportunity to chat with both Mike & Dave and enjoy a few laughs. I look forward to seeing them again at the next outing.
In closing, if you find yourself looking for the trip of a lifetime, with opportunity to grow your knowledge of our sport, and meet some awesome people, while staying at, in my opinion a 5 star resort, give Ed at the Vermilion Dam Lodge a call today! I can't guarantee that you will catch muskies everyday, as we all know these majestic creatures don't always play by the rules, I can guarantee you this. You will learn something, make some new friends, and be served food until you are bursting at the seams!
I hope as the muskie season winds down, you take some time to slow down and enjoy the little things! I hope to see some old and new faces at the 16th Annual Larry Ramsell Muskie Outing next year.
Keep that lure in the water!
-Muskie Kid
