History

It was a cold blustery night back in the winter of 1976 as three men were sitting around a fireplace, comfortably warm and telling stories.

Among the stories being recalled were many about musky fishing — of warm summer nights or cool fall days, in the midst of the Wisconsin Northwoods’ Colorama.

And then, Harold Mares, at whose Appleton home the conversation was taking place, told his two companions, Andy Andel of Rhinelander and Wayne Papini of Mosinee, that he would someday like to see something that would immortalize that tremendous game fish and allow the rest of the world to know and understand the great sport of musky fishing, as well as promote the beautiful State of Wisconsin.

Mares told his friends about an annual sojourn he makes to Lander, Wyoming, to take part in the world famous One Shot Antelope Hunt, an event which has helped popularize the pursuit of that trophy game animal and at the same time, bring a touch of fame to that small community.

Perhaps, he suggested, something similar in the midst of Wisconsin’s Northwoods would be just the thing.

Within a few months, word about the project spread and a meeting was called in Minocqua. It was attended by interested persons from around the state, bubbling over with enthusiasm and ideas.

The World Musky Hunt was no longer just an idea. It had become reality.