63# fish from Georgian Bay

[gutlessshot-wontpostw/realname]

I was stopped by an Ontario Provincial Police boat with a Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officer on board for a routine check of licences, safety equipment, etc. while fishing Sturgeon Bay, an inlet off of Georgian Bay one week ago today (today being Oct 21).

We asked how the fishing was and he said: "No muskies today but there was a 63 incher caught in Midland Harbour (also off of G Bay) the other day."

This was from a MNR conservation officer, NOT a local baitshop owner. Now, he did not say he saw it, he may have just been passing along gossip, but considering the source, I have got to ask:

Anybody know anything about this? I do not care about specifics, be vague if you want to keep some of the info secret, I just like to hear about big fish.

And secondly, did any muskie 'historians' and 'study' authors incur any cuts, abrasions, broken limbs or other injuries in their rush to discredit the fish?

(Sorry, couldn't resist. But the first part of the post is true! Anybody know anything?)

[Jim Grove]

Yes!

There is a story about a "60 pound" plus fish caught. I have heard a number of stories. Because I don't want to spred more gossip I won't tell you what is not concrete. But as soon as everything comes out I'll fill you in on what I know.
As far as your last comment, I can say a number of us Georgian Bay regulars are not too happy about that artical! In my eyes (and in the eyes of meny others) O'Brian's fish stands!!!

Jim

[Marc Thorpe]

Jim,hot off the info vine!
Yes it will stand,cant say more.
Keep your eyes peeled.
Good hunting!
marc

[John Schardt]

You guys are confused! That big fish came from the Chippewa Flowage! Great Catch if true. Word of advice, don't let ANY "historians" from Hayword to go near this fish.

[use it!]

Come on Mark!

You've got my e-mail address!

Jim

[Jim Grove]

Good!!!!

Just seen Larry's post on the other site. Check it out!

Jim

[Fishman]

Have it on good autority that the fish from midland harbor was possibly 44# had maybe a 24" girth .I'll see the pics this week when I'm up there and post back sunday nite.... ARTIE

[you have got to be joking]

what ever credibility that crew over there still had, and it was in tatters after the one sided discrediting of old record fish, the 'study', the threats of lawsuits as the study findings fell apart, and the 'nyah nyah nyah' tone behind the discrediting of the O'Brien fish ("You younger generation guys want records scrutinized, well here's your scrutiny . . . ") it is now gone with the reinstatement - reinstate all you want - give recognition to Hartman and Lawton while you are at it!

is there anybody who cares what these guys think anymore? anything in print with their names on it should get about as much respect as the Weekly World News, you only read it to be entertained, not informed in any meaningful way

Saric and Heiting always seem like classy level-headed guys when they post on-line, and I have never, even in the mud-slinging, gossip-filled world of muskie fishing where anyone who tries to make a name for themselves suffers slings and arrows at one time or another, heard or read anything negative about either of them

not sure why they associate themselves with this muskie-studying record-busting gang

[Bob Kafato]

Check with Outback Tackle in Midland. He told me he has caught a Musky, or at least had a followup they saw on every trip this year. I think he said he landed a fifty something this year. He has a picture album of his guided Muskie trips out of Midland and it is pretty impressive. I tried to book him myself on short notice but didn't get him out.

[STEAMBOAT]

I saw a picture of the supposed 63# E-mailed to me by the guy that caught it and there was a small miscalculation with regards to the girth. After being scutinized by several G-Bay guides and a couple of biologists', the girth would be closer to 24" instead of the reported 31". All agreed that it was a low to mid thirty pound fish. As sad as it is, Georgian bay also has a Louie Spray.

[Jim Grove]

Hey Folks

I did some research with Mark Thorpe on the report of this fish months ago. I recived a number of good photos and some detailed "release data sheets". And have spoke to this angler (in person) a number of times before and after the report of this fish. I'll tell you how "I think" this fish quikly became record size.
I have data on a number of real nice fish including "2" that where released within a week of one and other. In roughly the same area.
One was 51" by aprox 31"girth. The other was aprox 58" long. Info on these two fish got wind by the public (ie. us nossy muskie fishermen) and somehow where made into one fish. A fish that was 58" by a 31" girth witch would be well over 60lbs.
As far as I know this angler never made any clam to a fish over 60lbs.
Nor did I hear or see any deliberate falses in his statments to me or in his data sheets.
All I did see was some big smiles holding some real nice fish!

Jim

[Capt. Ahab]

Thank you Jim for this most recent clarification...and thus ends the gripping tale of the most recent MOBY MUSKIE ><>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:>

[Witness]

I was there....and it's true...it's all really true.
It was 63lbs if it was a pound. We weighed it on a supermarket scale in town. Shockingly, it was confiscated later that day by two men with dark sunglasses and black trenchcoats and black patent leather shoes. They said they were from fish and wildlife but drove a black 1982 Delta 88 with Michigan plates on it. In hindsight, these men were imposters but what could we do, it was now too late. Let me tell you, it was all very weird, but it really did happen.

[muskytitan]

Guys,

I am the angler that caught one of the fish in question. In 2001 I only boated 4 fish, the largest of which was 42 inches. In 2002, I boated 18 fish with 10 fish in the 40 inch class and 3 fish in the 50 inch class. My 2002 fall fish measured 52 1/2 x 29 1/2 and was verified prior to release by Brian Berriault at Backwater Tackle. As Jim Grove states in his reply to this string, no one ever claimed that this fish was a record only that it was a 50 pound class fish - a fish that was successfully photographed, revived and released to grow and fight again someday. Anyone who knows me or Brian can vouch for our integrity.

Let's keep things in perspective, for most of us the satisfaction in fishing for these beauties lies in spending time on the water with good friends in pursuit of these remarkable fish!! Good people and legitimate muskie hunters that fish the Bay like Brian, Jim Grove, John Perry, Jim Hutchings and Warren Wilkinson know what I am talking about.

One thing is for certain, given the controversy surrounding this issue, there should be little or no motivation to share big fish catches with fellow muskie anglers. Comments like those made by Steamboat are unnecessary especially when one considers the source.

Titan

[Super Fly Jimmy]

Hey Steamboat, how's it going? Been jumping off any top ropes lately? I'm still wrestling but only part-time. I'm doing a tour next month of Montana and Wyoming. Small-time stuff really, high-school auditoriums and such....not like the good old days when you and I and Roddy and Andre and Mr. Wonderful and Kenny Patera and Big John and King Kong Bundy...man I could go on forever. Well, I just wanted to say hello and to wish you good luck Steamboat. Peace Brother. Say hi to the Tonga Kid if you see him. Heard you two were a couple a while back.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Good to see both of you! I'm doing interpretive dance now and loving it! Trying to stay in shape and have been car pooling with Tony Atlas to Baskin Robbins 3 days a week for seminars. Hope all is well....

[TK]

Titan -
Don't let it get to you. Guys hear differing stories, and when stories conflict, questioning whether or not any of them are truthful. It's not a shock, considering most of the news about big fish catches are word of mouth, and details get fuzzy each time the story is passed on. Don't take the questioning personally.

Congrats on a great fish, and thanks for turning it loose. Be proud of it - it's a rare fish.

Cheers,
RK