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Several years after I caught this smallmouth, I dropped by the area DNR office located just 2 miles south of
Walker on state highway 371. I wanted to be sure that they sent me the final report on
the results on the 1996/97 Woman Lake Survey . As I entered the
the office, my eyes chanced upon a smallmouth mount, on the wall. Actually, one could not
help but see it, the size was astronomical! I nonchalantly waltzed closer to the mount
so I could read the plaque as I was waiting. It read 8–lb 14–oz. My mind started to whirl.
How is it that the state record is only 8 lb? Shouldn't this be the state record?
That's gotta be it. It was only a fake.
As I was finishing my conversation with the DNR person in charge of the report,
I just had to ask. "The smallmouth over there," pointing to the wall, "is it fake?" I asked.
The DNR person replied, "NO." He then preceded to tell me this story.
"It was caught in a gill net on Woman Lake several years ago, and we decided to
have it mounted." I was astonished. "The unofficial state record really came out of
Woman Lake", I thought. "To qualify as a state record, it must be taken on a line and hook,"
continued the DNR person. Whata shame. It is a beautiful mount. A great fish.
He must look down from fish heaven and kick himself in the ass for being so stupid
getting caught in a gill net. |
