A-TOM-MIK

2008 Mustad Challenge Winners Team DA (Drosihn) Pictured from left to right event coordinator Captain Dave Wilson and coordinator Capt. Gerry Bresadola, Winners Ricky and dad Rich, and event coordinator capt. Tony Buffa The winners Rick Drosihn and his dad Rich were fishing out of an 18 ft aluminum boat. They had lost power to their riggers late in the day, then the vhf, graph did not work early on, no gps by the end of the day, no down temp. unit, I spooled up Ricky's reels the night before, he only had small Penns, they held 275' of 25# P line. Can you imagine electric riggers with no power, hand over hand on the rigger reel fishing down 130 ft!!!! They pulled off the win however and believe me when I say, "It could not have happened to a couple nicer guys" All Ricky and Rich had to say were many thanks to everyone who helped them. The night before Ricky said "I just want to fish this event with my dad" (: (: (: Runners up for the event were the Liquid Plumber Team Del claimed it was tough fishing but took some key copper bites to get his 6 fish needed for the event limit. Del also had a pretty nasty mis-hap busting a reel seat and losing a big guy which may have sent the win his way. Sorry Del, your a great guy with a great team but your mis-haps do not compare to Ricky's lol (: (: Great job bud! You always manage to find you way to the top of the boards !!! 60 team in all competed, the below are teams that weighed fish, somewhat tough fishing for many anglers Rank/Teams Name/# of Fish/Points/Actual Weight/Total Pts./Big Fish 1 DA (Drosihn) 6 60 63.90 123.90 22.70 2 Liquid Plummer 6 60 50.60 110.60 17.95 3 Trout One 6 60 50.55 110.55 16.05 4 Totally Hooked 6 60 39.95 99.95 0.00 5 Flash Five 5 50 49.00 99.00 21.95 6 Salmon Tracker II 6 60 34.95 94.95 7.10 7 Screamer 5 50 44.55 94.55 17.55 8 T-K 6 60 33.95 93.95 0.00 9 Finhooker 6 60 33.35 93.35 0.00 10 Dixie Dandy 6 60 32.70 92.70 10.95 11 Cannonball 6 60 31.55 91.55 0.00 12 Top Gun 5 50 39.05 89.05 22.00 13 Fishchopper Siggs-Rigs 6 60 26.05 86.05 5.05 14 Primetime 6 60 25.15 85.15 0.00 15 Warship 4 40 44.65 84.65 22.50 16 Fish Nutz 4 40 43.00 83.00 22.75 17 Hat Trick 4 40 37.50 77.50 20.05 18 Grand Slam 5 50 26.90 76.90 0.00 19 Rusty Leader 3 30 38.30 68.30 16.70 20 Billy V/Yankee Troller 3 30 36.30 66.30 25.50 21 Fish Hawk 3 30 33.70 63.70 18.25 22 Horsin Around 4 40 16.75 56.75 0.00 23 Suriki 4 40 16.45 56.45 16.45 24 Cold Steel 2 20 30.10 50.10 20.75 25 Triple Deuce 3 30 20.00 50.00 11.85 26 Tall Tails 3 30 14.55 44.55 5.55 27 Legendary 2 20 17.10 37.10 12.30 28 Spankmayer 2 20 17.00 37.00 13.60 29 Homz Office 1 10 24.00 34.00 24.00 30 Empty Hook 2 20 11.05 31.05 0.00 31 Gimpys 2 20 10.55 30.55 0.00 32 Bandit 2 20 9.80 29.80 0.00 33 Popeye 1 10 19.65 29.65 19.65 34 Frankie D 1 10 18.75 28.75 0.00 35 Little Whip 1 10 13.90 23.90 13.90 36 Hot Rod 1 10 6.95 16.95 0.00 37 Deeprived 1 10 5.55 15.55 0.00 38 Coyotee 1 10 5.00 15.00 5.00 39 M&M Boys 1 10 4.80 14.80 0.00 This was a great event, thanks to Dave Wilson and Company, Gerry & Shirley Bresadola, Tony Buffa, helpers who set-up and tore down, and all the sponsors. Lots of raffle items and a net pen donation as well. Sorry if I am missing some key contributors as there were many involved, this event was really a great success due to many. Much work behind the scenes for these events....... Team Billy V/Yankee took the big fish of the event, a 25+ lb. King and the 1st Annual Shane Zimmerman big fish award worth over $900 cash and a plaque. The King also placed them 1st in the LOC Derby currently. Great job guys !!!! Team Home Office took the 2nd place Shane Zimmerman Big Fish Award with a 24 lb King and won a nice set of "Fishermens Friend" trolling bags donated by Capt. Fred Maffeo worth $100.00 The Shane Zimmerman Youth awards were taken by the following: 1st Place Youth Team Tall Tails $50 cash at Wal-Mart Courtesy of Sterling Creek Campground & 1st place plaque 2nd Place Youth Team Fish Chopper/Siggs Rigs $30 cash at Wal-Mart Courtesy of Sterling Creek Campground The smiles say it all !!!! Great job by all competitors and all involved, can't wait till next year, Dave Wilson even noted he would listen to any concerns concerning the event if anyone had any. Team Rank/Winnings: 1) $1000.00 2) $450.00 3) $350.00 4) $250.00 5)- 10) $200.00 15) $100.00 A-TOM-MIK 20) $100.00 A-TOM-MIK Total payout $3250.00 Big Fish $570.00 + $350.00 Net Pen raffle $418.00 Tom

Just a stock green crinkle fly of ours #23, the pattern has sort of taken a back seat to the Hammer era but has always produced and held its own if given the chance, plane jane as it comes, one of the first flies we ever built back in the beginning, chartreuse opaque beads, stock green Pro Troll ruddered E Chip, Tommy G's Little Whip was strutting with er chin up as we neared the dock. I remember doing big guys on this fly so many times, Kevin Davis had it going over the last week so we ran it, where's Jerry Falluca? I remember rigging up quite a few of these flies for Jerry and a buddy of his some 4 or 5 years ago, called it the tourney rig at one point back then. Anyways it was our lucky day for Tommy G and me, but there are more big guys on their way to the Eastern Basin, watch that LOC Board in the near future................... Tom

UPDATED RULES 06/23/08 Announcing the 1ST ANNUAL A-TOM-MIK / FAT NANCY'S "SHOOTOUT" Date: "PRE-FISH FRIDAY" July 11, 2008 Entry fee $100.00 cash only Register at Fat Nancy's, B & W Tackle Shop, The Econolodge in Oswego (on the river) or through Tom Allen -Registration deadline July 10 at these locations or Tom Allen will be at the Oswego Charter Marina from 4 to 5:30 am on 7/11/08 -You do not need to be fishing the Oswego Pro/Am to enter -Trout and Salmon allowed, NY State laws in effect, illegal fish will disqualify your team (Active DEC weighing fish) -Observers are not needed and there are no age limits for this event -3 heaviest fish, only 3 fish per cooler allowed -Weigh in starts at Noon at the big tent by the Captains Quarters -You must be in line by 3pm, absolutely no later -Fish must be caught on the day of the event, DEC discretion allowed -No altering of fish in any way or your team will be disqualified -Fish must be weighed at Oswego, boats need to conclude their fishing day out of Oswego or Mexico (Oswego Pro/Am ports) -You do not need to be present to win, however it is at your discretion to make your presence known to get paid -You must take care of your fish after weigh-in by legal means -Participants must have registration at weigh-in no exceptions -Fish will have gill plate punched at check-in -Awards ceremony to follow Pro/Am captains meeting (Approx. time 7:30pm) -10 places paid 30%, 20%, 13%, 10%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% -Based on 60 entrants: 1)1800.00, 2)1200.00, 3)780.00, 4)600.00, 5)420.00 6)360.00, 7)300.00, 8)240.00, 9)180.00, 10)120.00 -Blow off discretion of A-TOM-MIK or Fat Nancy's (Contact 315-529-6195) Tourism cell (Pro/Am) affiliated -Boat size will be limited to a minimum length of 18 ft (Pro/Am official rules) This 1st annual event is brought to you by: Fat Nancy's Tackle Shop & A-TOM-MIK Manufacturing Each sponsor listed will be donating an item for the 1st 50 registrants, this is a very nice offer from the following: *Michigan Stinger/Advanced Tackle* *Dreamweaver Lures* *Silver Horde* *Plano* *Seaguar* *Triple S Sporting Goods/Challenger* *Gamma* *Fat Nancy's* *A-TOM-MIK* * North Country Wholesale/Ken Simms* *Smart Shield/Skip Wells --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- ENTRY FORM (Fee $100.00) !!! 100% Payback !!! Team Name:_________________________________ Date Entered:________________________________ Person who collected entry fee:___________________________________ Liability signature:_______________________ (This is the angler getting paid) *Please note A-TOM-MIK, Fat Nancy's, owners of facilities used or volunteers are not responsible in any way for any parties during this event, if you choose to compete on this day please do so accordingly* No refunds paid, a draw will be held for the funds 10 places *Please be advised participants are not able to park at Patz Restaurant (near weigh-in) there is adequate parking atop charter captain marina in over-flow parking lot. You are able to drop off coolers behind the Best Western by vehicle or boat, this makes for an easy drop-off point. ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE E MAIL [email protected]

We always half-hitch (2) 1/16" bands to the copper itself, about 6" from the backer/copper connection. Then place the bands into a shower curtain ring, reason being we have had issues with the thinner backers severing the bands which creates a false release. I would not think your connection from the band on the backer would weaken it. First thought that comes to mind is if there was a chance the backer itself was weakened due to any type hang up with the backer on your release (What do you use to connect your band to your planer line?) When your backer hangs up on your planer line at times and gets somewhat "hung" up on your release there may be a possibility of an issue there, then when a King hits and breaks the band the backer may have been weakened if it was entangled from the release in anyway? Had issues like that a few seasons ago with Laurvick releases and the gator clip on the backside, it gets rusty and will wear almost anything if it comes in contact with it Outside of that from time to time while I am winding bulk spools of Fireline and Power Pro I have noticed frays in each brand right smack in the middle of a bulk spool, certainly no great amount of them but even 1 is too many obviously. I think I have noticed about 3 or 4 in the last few years Tom

Have never tried it, but read on the internet anglers have done that with success, so it must work for some

The Albright knot or the use of an inline swivel/hay wire twist are both very good connections, some minor pros and cons with each but each will suffice and are favored to the personal preferences who use each one. IMO the haywire twist and inline swivel is becoming more popular as copper concepts are becoming a normal presentation. Mainly due to the fact some anglers just can not master the Albright knot, but when tied properly does work very well. You mentioned using a 20# leader off the copper, some of the seasoned guys we cater to running copper now days prefer the use of a SPRO swivel over a knot when using a 20# leader. We rig our commercial rigs with 30# Seaguar and use the Albright. Good Luck Tom

Certainly the truth, 100% payback, the work for this behind the scenes is donated and appreciated, all monies are payed back guaranteed and a great job is done !!! Do not hesitate to get into these side events, they are worth it !!

Nice job Guys !!!!

Great Job !!! Awesome Hospitality !!! Kevin J., Mike Lis and Brett, Gustin from Maui, Salmon Bound Bob, the Wilson Community, just a flawless event that we were blessed to be a part of. Thanks to these guys and the rest involved for the betterment of the Niagara Pro/Am........ The welcome feeling that was felt by all made a great statement !!!! Tom

If the committee is interested in considering future options maybe this would satisfy many of the anglers to counter the situation we ran into this year. Why not offer: The option to cull fish between 18 - 24 inches, if you choose to keep the fish you must use it in your limit, (No later culling), cold water/survival rate not being that bad was mentioned. During the event we had about 6 in this range we had to keep, these are not staggering numbers for release considering the total weight take of this Pro/Am (9000 lbs. of fish taken) The Pro/Am Pro side had 54 limit catches and 38 weigh-ins without a limit (46 teams x 2 days). Unlike the communication issue not being over-turned there may be a good number in favor of this to convince the committee? Which could favor many anglers...... The scuttlebutt around the event seemed to be in favor of raising the size all together to 24". My argument would be on the years that fishing is somewhat tougher we might want to keep these smaller fish, so the option would be nice. Just a thought, not sure if there would be concerns I didn't think about? Tom

Oswego Pro/Am 2001 fishing with the Cold Steel boys, was a neck in neck race to within a few points with Bob Jordan, Tony Buffa and us after day 1, we knew we needed 12 to have a chance with only an hour left and watching Bob Jordan clear the gap into Oswego, he was done early and had his fish. Went a few hours at one point without a rod moving, finally rod goes off, a nice King screaming, we were counting our chickens on this fish..............Finally get the King to the back of the boat, Scotty one of our crew at the time knocks the King off, about a 20 lber., fish off.......... F_____ !!!! As I am sure most everyone here except Yankee has been there, ouch, very quiet on board now with minimal time left, lots of F_____'s around and Andy kicking the same bucket a few times. Next thing you know rods goes off again, another screaming King, kept Scotty away from the net and we won that year from the points from that fish. Like someone laready noted, there are so many stories. Tom

It slides out fine, and otter boats or big boards are a much better choice than small boards once running over 300' of .037 45#. Many type releases will work, the most popular seem to be double 1/16" rubberbands held in with Laverick or curtain rings, you can even use pinch pad style and slide the connection on the dacron, then slip the bands into the pinch pads (bury it) We usually attach the bands to the copper about 6" from the copper/braid backing on the copper side. One other option is to use (can't think of the name) those small plastic tension releases (with a tension screw) and attach the braid in that release itself, I do not recommend 30# PP with this option however, 50# PP or 30# fireline works fine with these. Tom

Many of our staffers who have several seasons under their belt running copper prefer the lighter action ugly sticks, in all honesty you can use just about any rod you may already have, a bit of backbone in the butt section is nice, just make sure on older rods the guides are all in good shape free of nicks and such, many diver rods are also popular. Tom

If you have saved our past years url in your favorites it has changed, please update to stay in touch with our info from Oswego, NY. http://www.atommiktrollingflies.com/reports_2008.htm Thanks, Tom

If you have saved our past years url in your favorites it has changed, please update to stay in touch with our info from Oswego, NY. http://www.atommiktrollingflies.com/reports_2008.htm Thanks, Tom

I was hoping the mention of the 33 lber would come out, I heard of that fish also, just waiting for the confirmation somewhere

NICE JOB RICK WTG !!!! WE SAW YOU OUT THERE !!!!

"Past Derby Stats" http://www.loc.org/derby/pastderbies/20 ... gadult.asp

Oswego had obstacles as well, our fish were penned (40,000 Salmon and 20,000 Steelhead) just a week ago from today. The temp in the Oswego marina was 51 degrees when they were put in, 5 days later we have 62, our river was dropped which hurt and the warm temps all played part. The Kings were towed out last night and released and one pen of Steelhead were also released yesterday, I was finding more floaters each night as the temps were rising in the one trout pen so they let them go. This was the first year I ever remember not having the fish in the pens for at least 3 to 4 weeks and more. Lets hope the Kings do well, these 40,000 were all the Kings we will have stocked in Oswego !! Thats our update. Tom

images yet?

Looks like the North Pole..........

Was a great deal Pete, great looking boat, lucky buyer !!! I'm jealous !! Tom

Another vote here for Blacks, been using them since the 90's Tom

It can be a tough bit at times, our Torpedo trolling weights were sold for 14.99 retail 5 years ago, now our cost is twice that, retail ranges from $40 to $50 ea. a 300% increase. Our stainless trolling wire cost has jumped 25% in the last 4 months. We purchase copper 800 lbs. per purchase for best shipping and cost advantages, if the price jumps 50 cents thats a 400 dollar bill between purchases, and it has made this 50 cent jump 4 times in a little over 2 years. Not a lot of control when running a small business, usually what happens is the manufacturer will pass a percentage of the increases on and eat the rest to maintain active sales. In most cases at this point we need to put out more money, then hope to sell more product or eventually just make less !! Tom