Record Fish
It is a clear, crisp fall afternoon on Lake Nipissing, Ontario. Kevin Davison and his brother Gary are trolling large musky baits in deep water, adjacent to main lake structure. The strike comes quickly and is exceedingly powerful. The battle is violent as the mammoth fish fights fervently against its would-be captures. Despite its grandiose size the musky leaps repeatedly allowing Kevin to recognize that he has hooked a potential record class fish. The battle concludes with the fish of a lifetime lying captive in the boat. A quick measurement answers the question burning in their minds – 58 inches. The fish is indeed record size. Without hesitation, the two anglers record all the vital information necessary to submit the fish for consideration as a live-release record and then promptly free it to the depths from which it came. The fish is now a pending world live-release record.
Currently, the only international organization accepting live-release applications that does not insist an angler weigh the fish on a certified scale, placing undue stress on it is the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. Should your opportunity of a record fish arise; be sure to remember the following 6 criteria to assure your name appears in the annals of the Hall of Fame.
1. Applications for records of fish caught in private or club waters will not be accepted.
2. There are 74 species recognized in the Hall of Fame. All record released fish are recognized by length only. Length is to be measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail while being gently squeezed closed.
3. A clear full-length photograph of the fish being held horizontally to minimize stress. The live release program emphasizes fish survival as being the highest priority. Weighing of the fish will immediately disqualify the entrant as it has been deemed excessively stressful.
4. Though one witness is required for the application, this person must not play any part of the hooking or playing of the fish. The angler may be assisted in the landing of the fish. A signed affidavit and description of the events are necessary.
5. 25 feet of line or 25 inches of tippet are to be submitted with the application. The Hall lab will determine line class from the sample supplied.
6. The witness, the angler as well as a notary must sign all applications for records. Applications that are not submitted within 90 days or that are incomplete run the risk of being denied.
For more information on the registration of live-released fishing records, visit the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame at http://www.freshwater-fishing.org.
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Bass Wishes,
Chris Hockley
Copyright © 2007 Chris Hockley
It is illegal to reproduce or distribute this work in any manner or medium without written permission of the author, Chris Hockley c/o Blitzcreek Pro Fishing 47 Lorne St., Sunderland, Ontario, chris@blitzcreek.com