On Missouri's KMMO-FM’s Brian Sowers dubbed me “The Muskie Professor.” And it stuck. That’s because when I’m not teaching Missouri Valley College students to be award-winning writers, I’m teaching people like you how to be better muskie fishermen. On Missouri’s Lake Pomme de Terreesota’s Cass Lake chain. And, as a regular contributor to “In the Outdoors with Brad and Brian.” on the radio.

You can hear me on KMMO-FM and on kmmo.com. Sundays, 7:00 p.m. Central.

OFF-SEASON: READ TO LEARN!

From September to May, I reflect on the previous season and read what the experts advise. As a Life Member of Muskies, Inc. I read Muskie. Musky Hunter Magazine is a must-read. Musky Hunter Magazine keeps you on top of the latest equipment and techniques. I’m convinced that the more you know about other species of fish‒a muskie’s smorgasbord‒you'll have better luck. That’s why I also the fishing articles in Sports Afield and Outdoor Life. As a trophy life member of the North American Fishing Club. I read North American Fisherman. The pre-eminent multi-species In Fisherman features its professional staff, guides, and experts who combine science and fishing skill. In Fisherman helped me understand what goes on beneath the water for all species‒and muskies. Plus, the expert staff at Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters in Walker, Minnesota, have taught me a lot over the years about muskie fishing in area lakes. Then, in the off-season, I pass on the experts’ wisdom coupled with my experience to you during the fall and winter months.

JENSEN JIGS A MUST FOR MUSKIE SEASON!

During the summer, it’s nearly every week reporting first-hand experience to KMMO-FM and kmmo.com listeners. I’m on the water learning from other fishermen, refining my techniques, and field-testing Jensen Jigs Musky Clatterbaits.

What do I do between broadcasts? Three things.

First, I field test prototype Musky Clatterbaits under different weather and water conditions. Next, I compare how they perform against my fishing partners’ favorite lures. Finally, I report my findings to Paul Jensen. When time permits, he sends me a refined version of the Musky Clatterbait to test.

Pursing muskies for 55-plus years has taught me a lot their habits, their haunts, and their hungers. That’s why Jensen Jigs Musky Clatterbaits are my go-to lures.

Their colors match the hatch. Their natural hair, rabbit strips, and holographic flashabou pulse with life. Their improved blades flash and roil the water. Baitfish colors, pulse, flash and roil add up to one thing. Big muskie-catching action. Cast or troll. Fast or slow. I’m honored to be Paul Jensen’s design consultant and field tester. We listen to each other’s recommendations, so Paul has developed the most consistent muskie lure that I have ever fished with. Even though I can no longer be a paid fishing guide until I pass the necessary tests for the now-required U.S. Coast Guard six-pack license, I continue fish with muskie men, women, and youth. They use their favorite lures. I use Jensen Jigs Musky Clatterbaits. Do you need to ask who scored the best?

JENSEN MUSKY CLATTERBAITS SCORE BIG!

In 2009, it was Jensen Jigs Musky Clatterbaits 51% and all other brands 49%. It gets better. After our phone and email exchanges, Paul refined and improved the lures. Here’s the score during the 2010 Cass Lake season:

Jensen Jigs Musky Clatterbaits: 57%

All other brands combined: 43%

The old standbys continue to catch muskies, and that’s why they continue to sell. But Jensen Jigs Musky Clatterbaits have out-caught them all.

In the 2009 season, I caught a 60” muskie trolling on Cass Lake with the Cass Lake Cisco.

Jon Durr was piloting his boat for me, and wouldn’t you know it? Jeni Cervellera decided to sleep in, and we didn’t have her camera. You’ve heard about the big one that got away. This time, the big picture got away. More about Jon. After 10 years of pursuing muskies, Jon Durr had only one follow. One. Conditions were absolutely miserable that late June day in 2009. Heavy rain, two- to three-foot waves. Cold water temperatures, barely into the 60s. Paul Jensen had sent me a prototype Musky Clatterbait. “What should I use?” Jon asked. “Dark skies mean dark lures. Use this one.” I handed Jon the new design. Within a few minutes of casting, Jon boated his first muskie. Jeni took our picture with his 47 1/2” muskie, which we quickly released.

Jon D's Silver Rain was born‒tried and true.

The following week, John Sabourin and I spent a day pursuing muskies. He is one of the most knowledgeable muskie fishermen that I’ve known. I took him to a spot that he didn't know existed, which was perfect for trolling. “I hate trolling!” John grumbled. “We’re going to troll here, John. See? There’s a muskie on the sonar.”

He tossed out a Cass Lake Cisco. Within thirty seconds, John boated a small muskie that we quickly released. I gave him the lure.

The next morning, he caught a 60” muskie on the Cass Lake Cisco, but it broke off. That led Paul to create an even stronger Musky Clatterbait that’s sturdier than the other brands I’ve examined.

O.K. So what do I do in my other life? As you already know, I’m Professor of English at Missouri Valley College that is loosely affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. There, I teach literature and writing courses. I’m a life member and past president of The Missouri Writers Guild, and belong to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

MY OTHER LIVES: PROFESSOR AND WRITER!

In addition to being a muskie fishing pro, I’m also a professional free-lance and fiction writer. So I teach my students how to market their work. Sort of like fishing for muskies: use the right line, the right material, and they will hook the editor. Results? More than 40 of my undergraduates published over 50 pieces in commercial magazines and newspapers. In 2010, one of my students received the Pearl Award for outstanding e-magazine writing. She was the youngest entrepreneur to speak at the Maastricht Institute on the Missouri Valley College campus. Another submitted her short story to the 79th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. Of the more than 1,000 submitted, her story placed 30th. And as one of the top 100, her story will be published in 2011.

My young adult novels and short stories draw from Old Icelandic, Anglo-Saxon, and American legend.

My freelance humor has appeared in Reader’s Digest. My articles have appeared in Capper’s Heartland View, The Ozarks Mountaineer, and The Story Teller. My award-winning fiction has appeared in Hodgepodge. I’ve completed one young adult historical fantasy, “Windigo Watchers.” It’s set on Cass Lake in 1832, during Henry Rowe Schoolcraft’s expedition to find the source of the Mississippi. It’s under revision, and I’m half-way through writing its sequel, “Big Guns at the Lake.” The action takes place in 1984, 152 years later. Both novels deal with how young men deal with monsters‒supernatural and human‒much like Old Icelandic heroes of yore. Maybe I learned to tell stories because I started fishing when I was four. I caught a monster bullhead. At best nine inches long. Then I worked my way up through perch, largemouth bass, northern pike, and finally to muskies.

MY PREVIOUS LIFE: RADIO!

But I’ve not always been a professor, having been in radio with duties ranging from announcer to station manager. I developed 21 character voices for the ads that I sold and produced. Two commercials landed me two ADDYs. An ADDY is like a giant muskie!

MY NEW LIFE: GRANDFATHER!

From the time that they could walk, my two daughters and my son became my fishing buddies. Now my son and grandsons pursue the might muskellunge, and I hope my two granddaughters and third grandson will join me later. My oldest grandson enjoys telling others how “The Great Unknown” took out all of his monofilament line and broke free last August. Maybe he’s on his way to being a fiction writer, too.

Join me as we test Jensen Jigs Musky Clatterbaits on Pomme de Terre or out of Cass Lake Lodge. Make an appointment. Email me at lorengruber@muskieprof.com. Or give me a call on my lake phone, 660-815-1244.

Until then, “May All Your Mornings Be Muskie Mornings!”

TESTIMONIALS!

Here are excerpts from testimonials that keep me working for Jensen Jigs Muskie Clatterbaits and you:

John Sabourin:

I’ve caught and released many Cass Lake muskies, so it takes a lot to impress me. In June 2009, people at Cass Lake Lodge said that Loren Gruber knew his stuff. So I asked him to take me muskie fishing. He took me to places that I didn’t know held muskies.

"Loren is the best muskie fisherman on Cass Lake."

Mike Weeks:

" I can’t wait to get back to Cass Lake with Loren Gruber who grew up fishing for Muskies more than 50 years with my grandfather and father in this region. Knowing the Lake, the baits, what’s working and what’s not is essential when you only have a few days or a week to fish. Loren helps to make sure your time spent fishing maximizes your chances to catch the Muskee of your dreams."

Jim Mazucca:

" My thoughts regarding Loren Gruber as a fisherman, guide and friend. I have known Loren for a number of years now. He introduced my youngest son and me to Musky fishing. We’ve been hooked ever since." "We learned not only to fish for Muskies but why we do what we do. Loren understands the biology of the fish and is always willing to share his 50+ years of Muskie fishing experience. Just as enjoyable as the fishing are Loren’s endless stories. Best guide I ever had."

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