Fish of the Week: Cam Riedesel & many muskie

Cam Riedesel caught 40 muskies in 2013.

Thirty of them topped 30 inches, including the 39.5-incher above caught on July 30. The 14-year-old eight-grader from Ottawa entered 22 muskies to easily take first in the Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail Youth Honor Roll for 11-16 year-olds.

“Cam’s on cloud 9,” said Pete Riedesel, Cam’s father. “And that trophy. Wow. I’ve never seen one that needed its own seat belt!”On Saturday at the Chicago Muskie Show, Cam received his trophy from the IMTT and a couple muskie rods and a reel. The other winners were Zach Stall, 5, who had seven entries to take first in the 0-10 bracket, and Wade Garrett, 11, who had big fish (52 7/8).

Cam’s exploits remind me of Hall of Famer Spence Petros when he talks fishing as a kid. So my day was made when the two met and Cam started picking Petros’ brain on how to make it in the business.

Speaking of business, the IMTT takes youth seriously. Once again, the IMTT plans to give a college scholarship for somebody working in the field. The IMTT/Glenwood Lodge Fishery Scholarship Fund raffle runs through May 31. Go to illmuskie.com.

There are many ways to send nominations for FOTW, the weekly celebration of big fish around Chicago fishing on the Sun-Times outdoors page each Wednesday: Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email (straycasts@sbcglobal.net).