Jake Wolf Memorial @ Spring Lake

On Saturday April 19th temperatures climbed into the mid 70’s with mostly sunny skies and a light SSE wind bringing nearly perfect conditions for the 29 two-person teams from 3 states to chase Muskies on Spring Lake North near Manito IL. This year the tournament was postponed from the usual mid March date to a mid April date due to ice on the lake. With water temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 degrees most of the fish caught showed signs of being in a post spawn condition and were quite hungry after their springtime ‘activities’.

There were a total of 29 legal (30 inches or longer) Muskies registered during the one day event and many teams reported having caught several fish in the sub 30 inch range. The team of Coltin Thomas & Tony Casto boated 5 fish totaling 175.75 inches to earn First Place honors and the $725 First Place payout. Second Place went to the team of Jim Frohlich and Nicholas Weesies with 4 fish totaling 131.5 inches. The father & son team of Bob & Shawn Taylor earned Third Place with 3 fish combining for 110.5 inches. In Fourth Place was the team of Ron Haynes & Wally Prociuk with 3 fish totaling 100.5 inches. The largest fish of the tournament measured 40.75 inches and earned the team of Tim Guastaferro Sr & Tim Guastaferro Jr $460 for their efforts.

Anglers who also caught fish were:

Garry Handlin – 33.75″, 31.5″ & 32.25″
Brian Sorrentino – 37″ & 37″
Tim Guastaferro Sr – 40.75″
Tim Guastaferro Jr – 35.5″
James Dingus – 37.5″
Jim Kelly – 32.25″
Pete Riedesel – 39.25″
Ray Wheelock – 35.25″
John Wright – 33.75
Jared Goyke – 38″
Adam Vahl – 35.25″

Adam Vahl caught his Muskie while using a Paul Center Custon Muskie Rod he won on Friday night for donating non perishable food items to the IMTT. These donated items are then passes along to local food pantries to help others in need. Paul Center of “ANGLING ADVENTURES AND CUSTOM RODS” donated the beautifully made rod as an added incentive for tournament members to donate non perishable food items. At the Jake Wolf tournament alone over 800 food items were collected.

The IMTT wishes to thank everyone who came to the tournament and shared a great day on one of Illinois’ best ‘number’ lakes for Muskies. To each of the IMTT Sponsors and Supporters – We could not do this without your generosity.

Thank you all!
– IMTT