" the Larry "

[LungeHunter]

Hey all I am new to MC but I am a muskie fishing maniac , my friend and I had the "dream come true trip" last month to the St. Lawrence River , in fact it was an accident that we ended up fishing the "Larry" as our original plans fell through , we had a great 2 days boating 3 nice fish and finding a new place to "hide".
I always had the " Larry " my wish list as did my fishing partner.
I was most impressed with the gin clear water and the schools of fish we could see from the boat and with all big muskies we saw patrolling the flats and breaks , and the area is beutifull as well.
We would like to hear some stories about the River , and some hints and tips on camping , pike fishing walleye fishing , and of course some big "Lunge" stories as well !!!!
keep well and keep the tip up and the line tight , looking forward to your responses.

[Jim McCullough]

Lunge,

Welcome! It's good to have you aboard! :) The Larry gets discussed here quite a bit. There are guys from this board who are organizing a chapter of Muskies Canada up there. When they get the details ironed out, you should join. You don't have to be from Canada to be a member. This would be a fantastic way for you to meet some great Muskie fisherman!

[kjadams]

Why is it called the "Larry"? What section of the St. Lawrence river is it located near? Just curious.

[Jim McCullough]

KJ,

It is called "The Larry" because Larry is a nickname for Lawrence. The chapter they are starting is in the Gananoque (sp) area. Hope that helps. :)

[Maskinonge']

To answer these questions and more - the St. Lawrence River is approximately 630 nautical miles (1000kms) in length. Approximately 115 of those nautical miles (200kms)- running easterly from Lake Ontario comprise the frontier between the Province of Ontario and New York State. An invisible borderline running down the middle of the river separates the two countries for these 115 miles. Otherwise, the remaining 515 miles are entirely within Canada.

The river was originally known to the First Nations people as the "Kanata" and sometimes as the "Hochelaga." Jacques Cartier is the European credited with its modern discovery in the 1500's. Cartier subsequently named a large bay - Baie de St. Laurent, but it was Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600's who extended the name to the entire river. Thus the "St. Lawrence River" is an anglicized version of the river's correct modern name "La Fleuve St. Laurent."

The St. Lawrence is known only to U.S. fishermen as "The Larry." In Ontario it is referred to simply as, "The St. Lawrence" or "The River" if a local. Using the slang term "The Larry" in Canada will only bring stares and raised eyebrows.

Please practise CPR when musky fishing on either side of the border. It is a fragile fishery dependant on natural reproduction. 48" minimum and only one line allowed in Canada.

[Jim McCullough]

Mask,

Thanks for the history lesson. That was very interesting. :)

[riverrat118]

The US New York side will also increase it's size limit starting OCT 1st this year to 48". Here's a link to some more very early history of the St lawrence. http://www.grindstoneisland.org/Dodge/Bef1800/default.htm
John Schardt

[LungeHunter The]

Thank you for all of your responses I did hear the name the "Larry" in Canada but if you say it is Us then it is , my buddy did hear the referance right here on MC so I would imagine it stuck to him I can not wait for our fall trip up and the spring pike tourney at Lake St. Francis, thank all of you again , by the way Cleveland MI and Akron/Canton MI are having a tourney at Chautaqua Lake this weekend I am pumped up about it , I live in Cleveland but Chautaqua is my home lake I fish it all season long , stop by and see us!!!!!

[riverrat118]

Here is another link to some great stories from the St Lawrence. Lot's of work went into this site. Under Morristown is a story from one of the best oldtimers who in my opinion, was the best muskie fisherman to fish the river.Jim Evans is alive and well. We've had a few talks in the last five years. Sorry to say, he doesn't get out any more. Our best conversations revolved around all the NY gangsters(Gambino,and his son)who booked Jim. Jim pulled out a scrapbook that included Politicians,Gangsters, and just average people. I'm still trying to get him on my boat.The man perfected night trolling on the St Lawrence, especially in oct and nov.
http://www.northcountryfolklore.org/
John Schardt