Rutzen and Miller Win the 2009 "WMT Invitational Championship"™

The Wisconsin Muskie Tour (WMT) hosted the season ending "WMT INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP"™ on the Manitowish Chain of Lakes on Saturday and Sunday, September 26th and 27th. There would be twenty one muskies registered during the two-day 2009 "WMT INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP"™ event with three teams scoring on multiple fish during the event. For the first time in the history of the "WMT'S INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP"™, two teams would tie for first place leaving the WMT rule of time, as the first tie-breaker, deciding who would finish in first place and who would be the runner up.

The first muskie of the day to be registered would come at 7:02am by the team of Joel Michel and Kevin Mahlberg, when they tallied a 37.75. 2008 WMT Invitational Champions, Mark Lijewski and Clay Schroeder would get on the board with a hefty 42.25" muskie at 7:30am. The first team to double up for the day would be John Kleczewski and Garret Shipman at 8:40am when the duo scored on a 34" muskie to add to their 41.75" caught at 7:13am. The second team to tally two muskies on Saturday would be captured by Tim Miller and Tim Rutzen Jr. at 9:24am when they measured a 40.50 to go along with their 41.50 muskie at 7:25am. The biggest muskie of the day would be captured by Dan Dassow and Scott Lewandowski at 3:18pm that measured in at 43.50".

The first muskie registered Sunday would come at 6:55am by Jason Baratka and Jason Weik measuring 40.25". At 8:02am, Dan Dassow and Scott Lewandowski would be the third, and last team to double up for the contest, when they scored a 38.50" giving the duo 82 points and tied for the lead, however by virtue of the time tie-breaker, they would capture second place. The biggest muskie of the day and for the competition would be landed by Ron and Ryan Meyer with a 44.25" muskie at 9:40am.

Other teams to score on muskies Saturday for the "2009 WMT INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP"™ were:

Don and Doug Grant 35" at 7:09am, Scott Gagliano and Dan Buss 40" at 7:50am, Cory Apfelbeck and Garth Mueller 38.50" at 7:52am, Rob Fisher and Scott Heabel 35" at 8:01am, Nate and Ron Jones 38" 11:08am, Neil Barnett and Bill Hill 37.25" at 1:42pm, Jarred Adamovich and Brian Krelle 34" at 4:19pm, Emmerich and Brian Kastner 38.25" at 4:13pm, and Brad and Al Wirt 40" at 4:29pm.

Other teams to score on muskies during the second day of competition of the “2009 WMT INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP™” tournament on Sunday were:

Dan Lewein and Greg Haluska 34" at 7:18am, and Rick Busalacchi and Mike Moore 41.25" at 11:38am.

The WMT's Manitowish Chain "INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP"™ top five finishers were:
1st - Tim Rutzen Jr./Tim Miller
2nd - Dan Dassow/Scott Lewandowski
3rd - John Kleczewski/Garret Shipman
4th - Ron & Ryan Meyer
5th - Mark Lijewski/Clay Schroeder

With the conclusion of the 2009 season, the WMT has hosted 142 professional muskie tournaments with over 2,000 tournament anglers competing in the most challenging muskie circuit on the planet. The WMT, and our tournament pros, are eagerly awaiting the tenth anniversary season in 2010. As thing are shaping up, it should be our best season yet as it is certain to be another historic year.

If you are interested in becoming the next big winner, meeting a great bunch of men and women, and learning more about this great fresh water game fish, fish the Wisconsin Muskie Tour. For more information about the WMT, log onto www.wmtseries.com or call (715) 369-1394.

Sponsor partners for the 2009 Wisconsin Muskie Tour season are: Shoeder's RV and Marine, G Loomis, Fittante Taxidermy, Rollie and Helen's Musky Shop, www.SimplyFishingMagazine.com , Badger Sportsman Magazine, Tackle Industries(Super D), A-Team Tackle Company, Hawg Seeker Tackle, Ace Baits, Suick, Bait Rigs, Worden's Lures, Yakima Bait Co., Bobbie Bait Muskie Lures, Cat's Tails Lures, RJ Lures, Skimmer Lures, Beast Teaser, HellRaiser Tackle Co., Musky Armor, Mud Puppy Lures, Grim Reaper Lures, Esox Edge Custom Lures, Trophy Hunter Glittertail Musky Lures, Inhaler Muskie Lure, www.MonsterLures.net Musky Mayhem Tackle, Dreamcatcher Bucktails & Tackle, River Run Tackle, Ducktail Lures, Big Game Tackle Co. LLC., Figure Eight Lures, Inhaler Lures and Tackle Co., and www.BigTalesTaxidermy.com and Lures.