From Another Time

I know the phrase “catch and release” has been around for a long time but there was a time when “catch and keep” was popular. And I am old enough to know about it.

Growing up in the 1950’s fishing with my dad he always made sure the stringer was handy. Whether it was perch or catfish from Lake Erie, or walleye when we took trips to Canada, we would keep what we caught unless there was a size requirement. We would catch and my mom would clean the fish. The catching and keeping helped put some food on the table.

About the time I began high school my family used to take fishing trips to Canada. It was an area north of Peterborough in the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario. The lake we fished had bass, walleye and muskie. I always liked those trips because we got to fish from a boat as opposed to pier fishing in Lake Erie. And there was a chance to catch some big fish. One big fish stands out from all the rest.

Our last fishing trip to Canada was 1969. On one of the last days of the trip I hooked and landed a 48” muskie. It was by far the biggest muskie of any we caught in the four years we’ve been going up there. Immediately my dad wanted to have it mounted because back then that is what you did when you caught a fish like that. So, being almost second nature to keep a fish, we had the muskie mounted. Little did I know but that would be the last fish I would catch for 40 years. And, looking back I am amazed I caught it. If anyone could see the knots I tied back they would also be amazed. I used to make 5-7 overhand knots when attaching the lure to the line.

This muskie was caught 50 years ago. 48" length, 28 pounds. 

By far the largest fish I've ever caught.

(Click on image for a larger view.)

Now, 50 years after catching it, that muskie still hangs on my basement wall. It reminds me of another time. Not a better time, just different in many ways. Thankfully, making replicas by taking several measurements and a photo is now available. I would definitely do it differently now. Saving the resource is important.

Here’s hoping everyone has a chance to hang a fish on the wall.

Go out and fool a fish!