Fishing 101
Do you ever stop and think about the people that have influenced your life? What events in your life have redirected your future? That you would find something when you were just a teenager that would change your life course?
I would like to introduce you to Ron Mazur, a teacher from Argo High School in Summit Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, who has made a profound difference in the lives of some of his students. This group has been coming together for more than 20 years to fish the waters of Lake of the Woods.
In order to tell their story, I was invited to sit in on one of the recap sessions held each night after a day of fishing. The room is filled with loud excitement and anglers’ listing their catch of the day to the record keeper. There are 5 conversations going on at once. Of special interest is the newest piece of equipment for the group, a portable photo printer that is bringing to life the day’s trophy muskie for all of those in attendance. There in vivid color is the fish that tells the story of how a group of urban kids would fall in love with the sport of fishing and how this sport would transform their lives and influence their careers.
Ron is a tall thin, statuesque man with a love for practical jokes and a passion for fishing. He is the kind of guy you could spend all night listening to his stories of fishing and not notice that the clock says 2 AM. Ron is able to tell his adventures so that you feel you are there with him in the boat; you can feel the sun on your face, hear the hum of the reel as he casts his favorite lucky lure and see the fish charging the bait.
Ron tells the story of how a group of strangers from Chicago came to fish together on Lake of the Woods. Ron was a member of the Midwest Muskie Club when he decided to travel to Lake of the Woods in search of a trophy. As a teacher, Ron felt that a good addition to the traditional physical education classes was a course on fishing. He obtained approval from the school board. This fishing class would give Ron an opportunity to share his passion for fishing with youth that otherwise would not have the opportunity to try this outdoor sport. Ron taught his students knot tying and other fishing techniques. The kids practiced casting lures in the school swimming pool. Some of the kids that signed up for the class had never had a chance to fish nor had tried casting lures.
By this time, Ron had begun a lifelong friendship with Rich Zebleckis, owner of Swenson’s Resort on Lake of the Woods. Ron and Rich presented fishing seminars together at Chicago area sport shows. Ron asked Rich to put together a fishing package so he could bring the students to Canada. The intent was to bring as many kids and their chaperones as possible to experience the variety of fish species available. After the first two years, it became apparent that the majority of these eager young anglers were looking for their trophy muskie. Each year the number of anglers grew with friends, fathers and students. In total, over 40 different people have participated in this annual outing.
Along with an education in fishing techniques, the students were given hands on training on map reading, understanding the influences of weather patterns on the lake and also the habits of other wildlife in the area. For many, their love for fishing and this part of Canada grew to the point of influencing major decisions in their lives. They stayed in school, many choosing careers that deal with the environment and the outdoors or careers that allowed them to continue to fish the lake.
In addition to influences on careers, fishing on Lake of the Woods influenced their personal lives. Many chose wives on the condition they would be able to continue their annual fishing trip to Canada. The prospective wives were told that this part of the angler’s life was not negotiable; this was a part of their life that they were not willing to change. Some have even timed the birth of their children so that it would not interfere with this annual event. One angler, Brett Dunn stated, “Your child better be born in the winter, because it would be a crying shame to have to miss the birth of your own kid because you were catching muskies on Lake of the Woods.”
Over the 20+ years of fishing the group has tabulated some impressive stats. With the use of computer technology, all the information on the group is readily available. No fish story can be exaggerated. Each catch is carefully recorded to list who made the catch, what lure and color was used, where the fish was caught, who caught the fish and its length.
Tim McDonald, a commercial artist is the leader with the most inches of fish caught in one trip. Tim has three published muskie prints, two of which graced the cover of Musky Hunter magazine. Brett Dunn holds the record for the longest muskie at 54 inches. The group has caught over 600 muskie with almost 300 being over 40 inches and 20 over 50 inches.
They have tabulated over 120 different muskie fishing locations on Lake of the Woods. The anglers use code names for many of these locations. They often name the location after the angler that first caught a fish in the location or after a distinctive land feature. This naming technique has also drifted into their names for their meals – pelican eggs and mystery meat sandwiches.
Jim Vondrak, one of the original chaperones has never missed the annual event along with his son Tom. Jim tells of how he saw changes in his son from fishing on the lake. Jim said his son graduated high school and lived in a mobile home during his six years at university. The walls and ceiling of the trailer were so covered with fishing maps of Lake of the Woods that you couldn’t touch the walls without touching a map. Jim said he made a point of telling Tom’s future wife that she would need to accept Tom’s love for fishing because that part of his life was not going to change. Jim and Tom talk about this annual event like doctors preparing for major surgery. Some of the decisions that need to be made: how many fishing rods to take, which type of lures to bring, what time they will arrive, when they will put the boat in the water and which favorite spot they will go to first. Tom is teaching his two girls to fish and plans to bring his girls up to Lake of the Woods. That trip however would not be part of the annual trek as this group is only for the guys.
Tom Vondrak stated, “Ron has created a bunch of fishing monsters addicted to Lake of the Woods. It’s the only vacation that everyone talks about the next year before we even get home. Ron taught me how to fish plastic worms, so I guess he is responsible for the about 10,000 bass on the end of my line. I’ve never been to paradise, but I bet it looks a lot like Lake of the Woods.”
Some of the now adult anglers have purchased property on the lake and are in the process of building their dream cabin. One of this group Tom Burri struggled with choosing between being a positive influence in society or a detriment. This now successful fisheries biologist was asked what turned his life around, Tom said, “I met a fish”. Tom made the decision to get an education and find a job so that he could continue his passion for fishing on Lake of the Woods. Tom stated, “I fell in love with the “Up North” life introduced by Ron. I am quite sure it saved my life from the many temptations and dangers found in a big city. It also provided me with a direction to head and the wonderful life I now lead.”
With all this positive influence on others one might wonder how Ron’s life was impacted. Tragically Ron lost his first wife after a lengthy illness a number of years ago. Ron later found friendship with camp owner Rich’s daughter Sue. Ron and Sue both have such a love for fishing it was only natural that they would fall in love and get married at the Lady of the Lake Church in Morson on Lake of the Woods.
All of us have had a mentor that helped to direct our careers and helped us choose a path. Some people are able to keep their relationship alive throughout their lives. This group has seen each other through the joys of marriage, the birth of children, the sadness of divorce, illness and death. Throughout it all remains their love for fishing and the appreciation for Lake of the Woods.
By Nancy Miller
