Splash 11.11 - Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum

The Official
Publication of
the Fresh Water
Fishing Hall
of Fame
Arctic Char
VOL. 35
NO. 4
Fall 2011
Inside:
From the
Director's Desk
by Emmett
Brown,
page 2
2012 Honorees
Are Announced,
page 4
Hall Jim Beam
Bottles, page 8
Cool Water, Hot
Bass Fishing by
Babe Winkelman,
page 9
Ol' Tackle Talk by
Chris Slusar,
page 10
John Cleveland left, guide right • Arctic Char
C&R • Div. #1 – Rod/Reel
17 lb. line class • 36 Inches
Tree River, N.W.T., Canada • 7/24/2011
From the
Director’s Desk
by Emmett Brown
Founded 1960
Incorporated Not For Profit 1970
P.O. Box 690, 10360 Hall of Fame Drive
Hayward, WI 54843
Phone 715/634-4440
http://www.Freshwater-Fishing.org
e-mail: [email protected]
Printed February 15, May 15,
August 15, November 15
Programs and Activities
• Recognition of World Fresh Water
Sportfishing Records
• Record Book Published Annually
• Recognition for Achievement of
Excellence in Sportfishing
• Educational Museum of Sportfishing
Artifacts
Museum open April 15 through October 31
7 days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(no admittance after 3:30 p.m.)
Administration Office open year ‘round
5 days a week, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except
Christmas-New Year interim weeks)
Executive Board of Directors
Bill Gautsche . . . . . . . . . . . . President
Harold Tiffany . . . . . . . . . .Vice President
Ted Dzialo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary
Tom Turngren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer
Scott Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Bill Beckwith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
John Dettloff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Dave Perkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Don Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Jim Scheer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Wendy Williamson . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Ben Wold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Professional and Volunteer Staff
Emmett Brown . . . . . . . Executive Director
Kathy Polich . . . . . . . . . Business Manager
Darlene Overman . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary
Myrna Huber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk
Emmett Brown . . . . . . . . . . . Splash Editor
Tim Gavigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Webmaster
Tim Lesmeister. . . . . . . . Media Coordinator
Claudette Kersten . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteer
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is a
non-profit educational organization
dedicated to conservation and
sportfishing and to the maintenance of a
hall of fame where the history of fishing
and angling achievements are displayed.
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A 501(c)(3) organization
© Copyright 2011 Fresh Water
Fishing Hall of Fame, Inc.
October 22, 2011
It was 26 degrees this morning on my way to
the duck blind! I always greet late October with mixed feelings. The open
water fishing season is very definitely on the wane up here in the
northwoods. Alas even our web-footed adversaries will only be around
for just a few more short weeks. They are, afterall, migratory! That said,
the next few weeks will bring the absolutely very best open water
fishing and waterfowling of the year. Again, mixed feelings.
Mixed feelings as well, because very shortly our museum operations will
end for the year. On November 1st to be precise. We had a good year
from a visitor standpoint. No records were set, but our crowds were
enthusiastic and steady. This year will rank in the top five seasons from
an attendance perspective. Given our lukewarm economy, I will take it.
Thank you to all who took time out from your very busy schedules to
visit us this year. It is very much appreciated.
Our Awards Committee met last August and selected a very fine crop of
honorees for 2012. I will be forever grateful for all the dedication and
expert input this committee puts forth. I can't thank them often enough.
Thank you one and all! Our awards recognition program is certainly one
of our cornerstone missions and I am extremely proud of it. Please
review the fruits that their hard work produced beginning on page 4.
I read somewhere that the upper Midwest is the land of getting ready.
Meaning, of course, we are always getting ready for the next season. Life
up here seems to be an endless cycle of winterizing, cleaning-up,
breaking out the summer clothes and winterizing all over again. Seems
crazy I know, but this ever-changing cycle does tend to keep lethargy at
bay. To top it all off, the National Weather Service has predicted a
"brutal" winter for us this year. We'll see. I'll report on the accuracy of
their prognostication in three months.
Until then.
Warmest regards,
Emmett A. Brown, Jr.
Executive Director
Hall Awards Presented
Better Pictures,
Please
I have always suspected this, but I have
finally come to the conclusion that most
fisherpersons are among the worse
photographers in the world. I know I am
overstating this, but come on guys, how
about some better pictures please?
Don't get me wrong, I love your fuzzy, poorly
cropped and oddly angled photos, but it is
becoming increasingly difficult to find good
quality pictures for use in our annual
calendar and The Splash magazine.
Here's a few tips for better outdoor
photography:
Awards Committee member Mike Dombeck (right) presents the Kennebec Valley (Maine) Chapter of
Trout Unlimited (2011 Organizational Award) to Bill Oleszczuk. Bill is on the Trout Unlimited National
Leadership Council representing the Maine Council of Trout Unlimited. Their award was presented at
the awards banquet at the Trout Unlimited national meeting in Bend, Oregon on September 16. About
300 people from around the country were in attendance. Thank you Mike and a hearty
congratulations is in order to the Kennebec Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Hall Legendary
Communicator
Kieser Honored
by the Kansas
City Royals
• Be sure to always have the sun at your (the
person with the camera) back, even when
the sun is low in the sky or obscured by
the sun.
• Always (and I mean always) use a flash even on sunny days.
• Tilt those hats back or take them off.
Shadows on faces are hard to correct.
• Always take a minimum of three pictures.
One is bound to turn out nicely.
• Finally, be sure not to have too much
foreground or sky/background in the
frame. In other words, center the fish (the
subject) in the picture.
If you follow these few simple suggestions,
you just may find yourself gracing the cover
of the next The Splash or on our calendar.
Thank you.
-Editor
TIPS YOU CAN USE!
The Kansas City Royals honored Kenny Kieser on
August 3rd for his induction into Fresh Water Fishing
Hall of Fame and for his work over the past 30 years in
regard to the promotion of fishing with mentally and
physically challenged kids and young adults. Kenny
was chosen from over 13,000 nominations. This award
is presented only once at every home game.
Congratulations Kenny!
Courtesy of the Plano Molding Co.
3
The Hall Announces Its Honorees for 2012
O
n August 15th and 16th, 2011 our
Awards Committee met in
Hayward, Wisconsin.
The committee consists of a very talented
and devoted cross section of our fresh water
sportfishing leaders. They are: Bill Gautsche
– Chairman (Wisconsin); Wendy Williamson –
Co-Chairman (Wisconsin); Larry Colombo
(Alabama); Clem Dippel (Wisconsin); Mike
Dombeck (Wisconsin); James Gammon
(Indiana); Elmer Guerri (Indiana); Bruce Holt
(Washington); Tim Lesmeister (Minnesota);
Gil Radonski (North Carolina); Vin Sparano
(New Jersey); Burt Steinberg (Missouri);
Gregg Wollner (Minnesota) and Forrest Wood
(Arkansas).
Many candidates were considered, but only a
few were selected for this prestigious honor.
The results are as follows:
Elected for 2012 Enshrinement
Considered are persons who have made a
lasting National or World impact to the
benefit of fresh water sportfishing.
Steve Baumann – Minnesota
Steve was born in southwestern Minnesota
on a 240-acre farm community near Walnut
Grove. Steve chose the path of electrical
engineering. While in college, he began
working for a manufacturer that built
electronic components for the Vexilar
Company.
At that time, Vexilar was manufacturing highend charter-boat sonars and low-end
consumer models. Paper graphs were just
coming into use. Following the paper graph
was the CRT display. The one Vexilar built
was designed with the angler in mind.
In 1981, Steve researched LCD displays and
realized this medium could be utilized for a
sonar screen. Working with Vexilar engineers, they built the first LCD sonars for the
weekend angler. The sportfishing world was
set on fire with the Vexilar 480 LCD sonar.
No longer would anglers have to interpret the
signal of a flashing light on a circular axis.
Now they could just look at a picture.
In 1989, Steve began to notice that ice
anglers were discovering the Dave Genz
method of mobile ice angling and were utilizing the flasher style sonar in their pursuit.
With a background in sonar electronics,
Steve began to look at what was needed to
satisfy ice anglers and their sonar requirements.
4
In 1995, Vexilar introduced a unit which
allowed anglers to fish side-by-side with new
or old units without interference. The Vexilar
FL-8 (and its successive models) has become
iconic in the ice fishing industry. So much so,
that the name Vexilar is often used
interchangeably with all ice fishing sonar
units.
Steve has been a pioneer in the sportfishing
industry designing and advancing cuttingedge products that never existed in the
marketplace until his vision made them a
reality. Steve has always maintained the
highest benchmark in customer service and
loyalty.
Thaddeus “Ted” Dzialo – Wisconsin
Ted joined the staff of the Fresh Water
Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin
in March of 1986. Soon thereafter, Ted
became the Hall’s Deputy Director and
Museum Manager. In August 1987 Ted
became the Executive Director of this
historic institution.
Ted was instrumental in “fleshing out” the
Hall’s museum artifacts in its burgeoning
museum operation. Of course, Ted had help,
but he oversaw this tremendous undertaking
of identifying, restoring, cataloging and the
displaying of about 100,000 sportfishing
artifacts in the museum complex. Ted’s
particular expertise was in the unique
displaying of over 1,000 vintage outboard
motors. The Hall’s museum has the largest
and most complete display of fresh water
sportfishing’s heritage and history in the
world.
Ted has been instrumental in the promotion
of fresh water sportfishing for a very long
time. From March of 1988 until April of 2006
Ted was the editor of the Hall’s quarterly
magazine, “The Splash.” Ted used this vehicle
to champion many of fresh water
sportfishing’s issues and challenges.
Ted retired from the Hall in April of 2006, but
remains an integral part of the organization
as a member and officer of its Executive
Board of Directors.
James D. Range – Washington D.C.
Jim was one of our nation’s most prominent
champions of natural resource conservation.
He was known in Washington and throughout
the United States as a skilled policy
strategist with an extraordinary bipartisan
network of friends and contacts. Along with
his political adeptness, Jim possessed an
oratorical gift and was known as someone
who always spoke from his heart with
passionate conviction. A life-long
outdoorsman, Jim was instrumental in the
conservation and continued protection of
many different corners of the American
landscape. Jim was a passionate advocate for
the country’s fish and wildlife and their
habitat. Perhaps best known as a long-time
advisor to former Senate Majority Leader
Howard Baker, Jim also was known
personally to countless people as a beloved
confidant, friend and mentor.
At the time of his death, Jim worked as
senior policy advisor in the law firm of Baker,
Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
and served as Chairman of the Board of the
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
Partnership, an organization he co-founded in
2002. Jim was instrumental in the founding
of the Bipartisan Policy Center and worked as
an advisor to that organization.
Jim was chief counsel to Senator Baker
during the period between 1980 and 1984
when the senator served as Majority Leader.
From 1973 to 1980, Jim served as majority
counsel to the U.S. Senate’s Committee on
the Environment and Public Works. Jim was
council to the National Commission on Water
Quality in 1972.
“Jim Range was a dedicated, loyal and
trusted member of my staff who helped to
fashion some of this country’s most vital
environmental legislation,” Senator Baker
said, “Of all his efforts to promote
comprehensive oversight concerning clean
air and clean water, Jim was especially
helpful with a project that was a particular
importance to me. He was an essential part
of the team that was able to come up with a
unique approach that allowed the creation of
the Big South Fork National River and
Recreation Area located in Tennessee and
Kentucky. Were it not for Jim Range and a
few others, this idea would have never been
possible. Jim and I continue working
together, outside of our formal position in
government, to try to influence responsible
care for our country’s all important natural
resources in a bipartisan spirit. I will miss
Jim’s counsel, but more importantly, I will
miss him.”
Jim learned his love of the outdoors in the
mountains of Tennessee. He was an Eagle
Scout, acting as an aquatics instructor at
Camp Tom Howard, attending National
Camping School and working at Philmont
The Hall Announces Its Honorees for 2012
Scout Ranch. He attended Science Hill High
School. Jim attained his undergraduate
degree at Tulane University, an M.S. in
fisheries biology from Tennessee Tech and
obtained a J. D. from the University of Miami,
School of Law.
Inducted for 2011 Legendary Angler
Considered are persons who have had at least
regional lasting impact benefiting fresh water
sportfishing.
Duane A. and John G. Peterson – Minnesota
Duane and John were raised in Bemidji,
Minnesota, on the banks of the Mississippi
River. From the day they caught their first
perch on Lake Bemidji, they were hooked on
fishing forever. Duane and John have been
unconditionally committed to sharing their
fishing compassion and skill with others.
They have been recruiters, educators and
fishing pioneers beginning in the 1970’s and
into the 21st century. Their enthusiastic
passion for fishing have been contagious in a
manner that has improved and enhanced the
lives of many.
In 1983, Duane and John started the
Northland Fishing Tackle Company.
Northland is one of the premier brands in the
sportfishing tackle industry. Northland has
grown to employ over 150 full time workers
in Bemidji and Ranier, Minnesota. Northland’s
products are shrouded by innovation and are
always trend setting in nature.
Duane and John are highly committed to
selective harvest and catch & release fishing,
as well as the preservation of water quality.
They have been lifetime leaders in helping
teach our youth the values of sportfishing
and exposing them to our great natural
resources.
James Saric – Illinois
Jim has stood out for years as an
accomplished angler, teacher, innovator and
leader in the advancement of fresh water
fishing. As a tournament fisherman Jim has
won 7 major musky tournaments, the MWC
(Midwest Walleye Classic) on the Illinois River
in 1989 and placed second at the prestigious
Sturgeon Bay Bass Open in 1998.
Since becoming owner and publisher of
Musky Hunter Magazine in 1997, Jim has
devoted much of his time promoting and
educating the public on musky fishing. Jim
certainly has the credentials to do so. Jim
has boated more than 1800 muskies!
Included in that number are 110 muskies 50
inches or larger, with his biggest being a 53
pound released fish!
Jim’s highly acclaimed “Musky Hunter”
television show has won 4 Telly Awards. The
Telly’s are to cable television as the Emmy’s
are to broadcast television.
Jim’s first cutting edge articles appeared in
Fishing Facts magazine in 1984. He soon
became a field editor for Fishing Facts, as
well as a regular contributor to In-Fisherman
and the North American Fisherman.
Jim has promoted fresh water fishing in just
about every way possible. In addition, he has
demonstrated skills and developed
techniques that few other anglers have
matched. Jim is a tremendous ambassador
for fresh water sportfishing and particularly
for musky fishing.
Inducted for 2012 Legendary Artist
Considered are persons whose creations
introduce, encourage or inspire the enjoyment
of fresh water fishing on a local, regional or
national level.
Mark A. Susinno – Washington, D.C.
Working as a fabricator of bullet-proof doors
in 1985, Mark won the 1986 Maryland Trout
Stamp contest and decided to concentrate
on art professionally. Since then, Mark has
specialized in painting underwater depictions
of fresh and salt water game fish. Along the
way, Mark has added twenty more fishing
stamps to his list of credits. They include the
1991 First-of-State Pennsylvania
Trout/Salmon Stamp and the 2005 First-ofState Texas Fresh Water Stamp.
Mark states, “I’m a fisherman and that fact
affects how I approach making paintings of
game fish. I enjoy suggesting the sense of
light and space of the shallow-water aquatic
environment, but also feel the need to
present the fish themselves such that they
are recognizable to the average fisherman,
who is most familiar with how a fish looks
when it is out of water. When painting fish
(either in oils or acrylics), my main focus is
on creating an interesting abstract
arrangement of shapes, colors, textures and
patterns, which I hope will also convey a
more or less convincing impression of an
underwater scene.”
Inducted for 2012 Legendary Communicator
Considered are persons who have developed
a unique communication means or avenue,
which was instrumental in introducing fishing
to the public or in maintaining public
interests or awareness.
Dan Galusha – Illinois
Through his work via seminars, the
organization of special events, the Internet,
newspapers, magazines, television and radio
Dan has educated and informed anglers for
over 30 years. While most of his work has
been in the Midwest, Dan’s considerable
body of work has been national in scope as
well.
Dan’s promotional efforts have helped with
continued trout stocking programs in the Bull
Shoals, Arkansas and Davenport, Iowa areas.
During a special program for troubled kids in
a Davenport school, Dan was asked to take
some of the kid’s fishing as a special reward
at the end of the season. When he handed a
stocked tackle box to one of the kids, he was
asked, “Is this really mine to keep?” Dan
responded, “Yes, but promise to use it for
fishing and get more involved in the sport.”
Dan has been the recipient of several media
awards. Most notably, Dan won the 2008
AGLOW first place award in their fishing
category. Another of Dan’s significant
achievements has been the production of the
award winning, “The World of Virgil Ward,”
which is a documentary for PBS about the
life of one of fishing’s most famous legends.
As Dan always says in closing his column and
shows, “Until next time, get out on the water
and enjoy a great day of fishing.” Dan’s
closing line is emblematic of his enduring
efforts to promote fresh water sportfishing.
George Kramer – California
Since George’s first freelance article in 1973
(a hopeful piece on a 7-time heart attack
victim, expanding his local lure business) he
has been telling stories, encouraging anglers,
helping youth groups and promoting
sportfishing in the West. Often using himself
as the foil, George’s columns in Western
Outdoor News and Fishing & Hunting News
are some of the most-read features in those
publications. Those forums, as well as others
in both print and on the Internet, have
allowed George to deliver key angling advice
and the encouragement of ethical behavior
for many years.
George’s 1990 coffee table book, “Bass
Fishing, An American Tradition,” is often
quoted, for its grasp of the heartfelt, mingling
in the tales of a lifetime of fishing. In 2001,
5
The Hall Announces Its Honorees for 2012
combining with noted angler Don Iovino,
George helped write, “Finesse Bass Fishing &
The Sonar Connection.” Never one to shun a
cause he felt deserving, George was the first
to address the issue of the media’s role in
covering the World Championship of bass
fishing. He declared that the on-the-water
media observers should observe, not fish, so
they (media members) could not affect the
outcome of the competition. George also
challenged his own state’s regulations on the
overt wearing of a fishing license.
In the mid-1990’s, George also unveiled his
own California Top 40 Bass Anglers List, as
well as inspiring a California Top Freshwater
Anglers list for Western Outdoors Magazine.
His Top 40 continues to appear each spring
and serves as a special means to recognize
or introduce competent, ethical bass anglers
who reside in the Golden State.
Keith Sutton – Arkansas
Few writers have contributed more to fishing
than Keith. Keith is often called “Catfish”
because of his numerous catfishing stories.
Keith is, indeed, the “Dean of Catfish.”
Keith’s articles have graced a who’s who of
outdoor magazines and newspapers over the
past 30 plus years.
Keith is the former executive director of the
Future Fishermen of America. Keith is
constantly trying to improve and expand how
we teach kids to use fishing gear and not
drugs. While many other writers have
focused more on “glamour” species such as
bass and trout, Keith has made it his
personal goal to promote fishing for lesser
known yet fun-to-catch fish.
Keith’s book, “Fishing for Catfish,” was
selected in 2000 as the Best Outdoor Book
by the Outdoor Writers Association of
America. Doug Stange, executive editor of InFisherman magazine wrote, “While other
books about catfishing have been written,
none are so comprehensive in their coverage
and so impressive in their illustration of this
topic of concern to 10 million catfish anglers.
This marks history…”
Keith is extremely proud (and rightfully so) of
his proclamation that, “I am proud to say my
lifelong efforts in this regard have brought
about significant positive changes, not only
in the catfishing arena, but in fishing as a
whole.”
Inducted for 2012 Legendary Guide
Considered are persons who have gained by
6
their expertise and professionalism, a status
of credibility and immortality judged so by
their customers and/or their peers.
great at what they do. Then there are the
legends. Gary McFadden, without a doubt,
falls into that latter category.
Duane Horstman – Wisconsin
Duane moved to the Boulder Junction,
Wisconsin area in 1973 and, with his family,
built a successful resort and guide business.
Duane was a pioneer in the area of deep
water vertical presentation. Duane willingly
passed on his knowledge, techniques and
discoveries to clients, fellow guides and his
many friends.
Russell “Smity” Smith – Wisconsin
As a young adult Russ spent just about every
weekend he could in northern Wisconsin. The
local fishing shops started paying attention
as they noted his catches and the stories
about the fish he caught on his handsome
lures. The lures sold well and a new business
was sprouted – The Smity Bait! Very few
musky tackle boxes in the northwoods of
Wisconsin are absent a “Smity.”
When Duane began guiding, most muskies
were killed, but as he often said, “We didn’t
know any better.” He embraced catch and
release and promoted and taught careful fish
handling. Duane was also an early proponent
of “quick strike” rigs when using live suckers
for muskies.
Duane was well respected by his fellow
guides.
Duane was a teacher, a pioneer in
techniques, a friend to his many loyal clients
and a man who deeply respected and cared
for the resources which provided his
livelihood. Duane gave back much more than
he took.
Gary McFadden – Alaska
Gary was born and raised in Leelede, Idaho,
but has made his home in Alaska for the past
36 years. Gary’s full-time guiding career
began 23 years ago with a call from George
Heim of Alaska River Adventures. George
heard about Gary and set up an on-the water
interview. They went fishing and Gary
demonstrated his fishing prowess by handily
out-fishing George. Gary was immediately
hired! At that time Alaska River Adventures
only had rafts, but Gary had his own boat – a
16-foot Whopper drift boat with three seats.
Gary is known far and wide as one of the
best guides and anglers on the Kenai and
Kasilof Rivers. Gary even has an island
named after him on the Kenai.
Easily recognizable in his bushy beard and
wearing a hat that is 36 years old, Gary
epitomizes the perception of the Alaskan
Guide. While he looks like he might tear you
up if you don’t follow his orders, his gentle
friendly demeanor and his innate ability to
instruct all levels of anglers, leaves a lasting
impression that this is one individual who
was born to guide.
There are many guides in Alaska that are
Russ has spent his entire adult life dedicated
to the promotion and teaching of
sportfishing. Russ is a fixture in and around
the lakes and rivers of Minocqua in
northeastern Wisconsin. He is one of the
area’s most sought after guides.
Russ’ favorite fish is the muskellunge, but he
is equally adept at luring walleye, bass and
panfish in to the boat for his clients. Russ is
truly a guide for all seasons and all species.
William Wright – Wisconsin
Bill was a professional guide for most of his
adult life, having moved to the Hayward,
Wisconsin area in 1921. Bill plied his trade
mostly on the famed Chippewa Flowage,
often times in search of the elusive musky.
Bill was one of the first three original officers
of Guide Service, Inc. This association raised
the level of professionalism for guides in
northern Wisconsin to unprecedented
heights.
Bill was a gentleman, a good and patient
teacher and a highly knowledgeable
fisherman and outdoorsman. To spend a day
with him as a customer was an invariable
instructive and valuable pleasure. Bill was
“old school” almost always serving a shore
lunch for his clients. He considered a shore
lunch as an integral part of the northwoods
experience.
Bill was well respected not only by his peers,
but by his numerous and frequent clients. Bill
averaged 150 days on the water for most of
his career. That feat, in of itself, is legendary!
Inducted for 2012
Organizational/Governmental Award
Considered are organizations or governmental
entities, which have demonstrated and/or
performed a valuable service or act to benefit
fresh water sportfishing within its jurisdiction
The Hall Announces Its Honorees for 2012
or the boundaries of its organization whether
local, regional or national.
American Sportfishing Association (ASA)
The American Sportfishing Association is the
sportfishing industry’s trade association,
committed to looking out for the interests of
the entire sportfishing community. The ASA
gives the industry a unified voice speaking
out when emerging laws and policies could
significantly affect sportfishing business or
sportfishing itself. The ASA invests in longterm ventures to ensure the industry will
remain strong and prosperous as well as
safeguarding and promoting the enduring
economic and conservations values of sportfishing in America. The ASA also represents
the interests of America’s 60 million anglers
who generate over $45 billion in retail sales
with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s
economy creating employment for over one
million people.
The predecessor to the ASA was the
American Fishing Tackle Manufacturer’s
Association (AFTMA) which was inducted
(Organizational) in to the Fresh Water Fishing
Hall of Fame in 1988.
TRCP (Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
Partnership) & Native Trout Adventures
The TRCP and their sportsmen partners
travel throughout the American West in
search of native trout that are dependent on
sound public land management. Yellowstone
cutthroats, Rio Grande cutthroats, red band
rainbows – a range of species which rely on
the pristine waters and top-quality habitat
provided by responsibly managed land and
waters. All drive the TRCP in their mission to
guarantee every American a quality place to
hunt and fish – now and in the future.
T.R.’s Vision: In 1912 Theodore Roosevelt
said, “There can be no greater issue than
that of conservation in this country.” While in
the political arena, he succeeded in making
conservation a top tier national issue. T.R.
had the foresight to address these issues still
so significant to sportsmen today, understanding that if we want to ensure critical
habitat, special hunting grounds and secret
fishing holes will be around for future
generations, we must plan carefully today.
TCRP Mission: In order to guarantee all
Americans quality places to hunt and fish, we
strengthen laws, policies and practices
affecting fish and wildlife conservation by
leading partnerships that influence decision
makers.
Inducted for 2012
Special Recognition Award
Recognizes individuals, groups or
organizations for their programs benefiting
fresh water angling which are not clearly
covered by the other recognition categories.
Great Lakes Research and the North
American Benthological Society have
provided the pulpits for spreading his
mantras: “Shared Responsibility for Shared
Resources” and “Poor Habitat/Poor Fishing----Good Habitat/Good Fishing.”
Charles Coutant – Tennessee
After receiving his PhD in biology in 1965,
Charles started his research on Columbia
River biology on the U. S. Atomic Energy
Commission’s Hanford Nuclear Reservation,
Washington. His particular research
emphasis was on high temperature effects of
Hanford reactor discharges on salmon and
trout.
Roy Heidinger – Illinois
Roy (PhD) is Professor Emeritus and former
Director of the Fisheries and Illinois
Aquaculture Center at Southern Illinois
University in Carbondale, Illinois.
In 1971, after moving to Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, Tennessee Charles was asked by
the National Academy of Sciences to
summarize the temperature requirements of
fresh water aquatic life and develop
temperature criteria for successful
populations.
In 1989, Charles was asked to serve as a
member of a scientific advisory body
overseeing expenditures for salmon
restoration in the Columbia River basin that
were mandated by the Northwest Power Act
of 1980.
Charles was the president of the American
Fisheries Society from 1996 through 1997.
Carlos Fetterolf – Michigan
Armed with degrees from the University of
Connecticut and Michigan State University,
Carlos evaluated success on Tennessee
reservoirs for management and tourism
purposes.
Carlos negotiated successfully with the
Corps of Engineers to stabilize water levels
during bass spawning in storage reservoirs
and to increase minimum flows to benefit
tailwater trout. In the 1960’s, Carlos
developed biological evidence of unlawful
pollution which resulted in corrective
actions. This made possible the excellent
urban fisheries downstream of Detroit,
Kalamazoo and other communities.
Carlos represented Michigan in regard to
several interstate/federal issues. In
retirement, Carlos remains active in fishery
matters and currently chairs a Trout
Unlimited effort to establish trout streams
following dam removal.
His presidencies of the American Fisheries
Society, the International Association for
Roy is world-recognized for his
contributions to the field of fisheries and
aquaculture during a career which has
spanned over 40 years. Roy published much
of the seminal work on largemouth bass
biology and management that is cited
widely today by professionals. Much of
Roy’s groundbreaking work on assessing
the age of fish is now commonly used in
fisheries agencies and educational
institutions worldwide.
Roy has trained many fisheries
professionals, many of whom are now key
players in the world of fisheries
management. Roy has served on numerous
positions within fisheries organizations,
most notably being a major contributor to
the leadership of the American Fisheries
Society.
Roy has produced well over 100
publications on fisheries science, mostly
focusing on fresh water fisheries
management.
Roy retired from SIU in 2000, but remains
active in research and consulting.
As anyone who knows Roy can attest, he
also is an avid and accomplished fisherman
and fishes almost every day that he can.
Roy is a source of considerable knowledge
about fishing and has an innate knowledge
about any aspect of fishing imaginable.
For more information about
our Awards Recognition
Program, please visit
our website at
www.freshwater-fishing.org
and click on
Enshrinement/Induction.
7
Hall Jim Beam Bottles
P
erhaps one of the most frequently
asked questions we receive from
our visitors at our location in
Hayward, Wisconsin is, "What are all those
fish decanters you have on the shelves in
your gift shop?" That's a great question and
we are always quite willing to oblige.
During the early 1970's we were in need of
substantial funding, if we were going to be
able to break ground on our museum site in
Hayward, Wisconsin. Enter the James B.
Beam Corporation of Chicago, Illinois. Over
the course of the next seventeen years,
Beam produced twelve decanters for us. The
royalties from the sale of these bottles
provided much of the necessary funding not
only for our main entrance building (once our
museum) in 1974, but also our iconic Big
Musky in 1978 and our current museum
complex in 1982.
These bottles were, in fact, our first major
fund raiser. They were sold in three
numbered sets (A, B and C) of one through
one hundred and were sold for one hundred
dollars each. They sold exclusively at the
Hall. Additionally, there were forty-eight
hundred unnumbered bottles of each
decanter that were sold through various
other outlets such as liquor stores, taverns,
resorts, etc. These decanters are often times
referred to as "tavern runs" by collectors.
They sold for ten dollars in 1971 and sold for
as much as fifty dollars in 1983, when the
original series ended.
In 1987, Beam produced one last decanter for
us. It was a "bisque" walleye and sold for one
hundred dollars. It had a one-time run of one
hundred units.
As the saying goes, "All good things must
come to an end." Our Beam decanters
proved to be one of our most successful fund
raising efforts and today command a good
price on the secondary market - when you
can find one.
We still have them for sale in our gift shop on
a very limited basis. If you are looking for
any, please contact us and we will do what
we can to fill your request.
Below is the complete list of the decanters
and the year they were first issued:
1971 - Stand-Up Musky
1973 - Largemouth Bass
1974 - Bluegill
1975 - Rainbow Trout
1976 - Coho Salmon
1977 - Walleye
1978 - Northern Pike
1979 - Black Crappie
1980 - Yellow Perch
1981 - Channel Catfish
1983 - Hall Replica Musky
1987 - Bisque Walleye
A Day of Fishing with Al Lindner
On September 23rd Legendary Angler and Hall Enshrinee Al Lindner
spent a day on the water with Hall member John Hill of Jefferson,
Wisconsin. This came about because John won the 2011 exclusive
drawing for all Hall members who upgraded their memberships to
either the Gold or Platinum levels. Both Al and John report that a
splendid time was had by all.
Now about the fishing. John wanted to go musky fishing so Al selected
Lake Shamineau near his home in Brainerd, Minnesota. Numerous
northern pike and largemouth bass were caught, but as musky fishing
often goes, no muskies were boated. Not that they didn't have
numerous opportunities, however. Apparently, both Al and John each
had a "good one" on and off. Additionally, three other muskies
followed-up to boatside. As we all know, that is the lot of a musky
fisherman.
Al has graciously agreed to do it again for 2012. Thank you Al!
8
Al Lindner (left) and John Hill contemplate their day of fishing on Lake
Shamineau.
Cool water, hot bass fishing!
By Legendary Angler Babe Winkelman
I
t’s sunrise on a Minnesota lake. In
back bays, waterfowlers unleash their
barrages on mallards, widgeon and
Canada geese. The teal and most of the
woodies have already high-tailed it for
warmer climes to the south, and the big
flights of divers are still bottled up in Canada.
“jumps” and begins going sideways. Since
the Magic Shad is heavily impregnated with
garlic, I’m confident that the bass will hold
on long enough for a good…
HOOKSET! There she is! Coming up
immediately for one of those slow-motion,
head-shaking jumps that only big largemouth
bass can muster. I love it when they do that.
I’m on the lake too, although not wrapped in
camo and concealed in the rushes. Nope, I’m
on open water, off the tip of a submerged
point that was teeming with bright green
cabbage just a few weeks back. Now, sparse
patches are all that remain, along with some
spindly lily pad stems wafting in the gentle
waves.
Taking a moment to look around, I revel in
what I see: Nothing. No jet skis, no pleasure
boats, no water skiers, nothing. Most of the
docks have been pulled in preparation for
winter ice. Except for the gunners, I have the
whole lake to myself. Life couldn’t be any
better.
Reaching into the rod locker of my Crestliner,
I draw three rods. One has a big, tandem,
willow-blade spinnerbait -- perfect for bulging
at a slow pace just below the surface. I’ll fire
that weapon after the morning sun has had a
chance to raise the water temperature a few
degrees. The second rod, another baitcaster,
has a shallow-diving crankbait – an ideal
“search bait” for covering a lot of water if I
need to. The third stick is a 7-foot spinning
rod with 8-pound mono and a weighted worm
hook. But a worm is not what I’ll use.
Instead, I’ll “match the hatch” with new soft
plastic I recently discovered and have fallen
in love with. It’s called a Live Magic Shad
from Lake Fork Tackle. Into the tackle box I
go and come out with a big 5.5-inch model in
pearl white.
Why big? Because the cooling water has
slowed down the bass’ metabolism. It
doesn’t mean they’re not eating. They are.
But they’re more interested in inhaling a big,
slow-moving meal than chasing quick little
baitfish. It’s like diving right into the 24ounce Porterhouse steak instead of wasting
your time on appetizers.
Why pearl white? Because I know these bass
love to eat ciscos, and the white Live Magic
Shad is a dead-ringer for a high-protein cisco.
This is especially true in the way the lure
moves. Its body has a series of segments
molded into its form that create a hinge
I proceed to pick the point apart with
surgical precision and pluck every active
bass from the spot. It takes patience and
adherence to a game plan. It takes boat
control, to make sure the boat is perfectly
positioned for each ambush point without
being too close to spook the bass in clear
water. It takes focus, since finesse fishing
with soft plastics means watching your line
and being in-tune to the lightest bites.
effect. When you swim the bait on a steady
retrieve, the lure slithers with a tail-stroke
action that looks just like the real thing.
When you twitch it, the broad tail and hinged
body impart a kind of underwater “walk-thedog” action that’s dynamite. You can do
anything with this soft plastic that you can
do with a worm: Texas rig, Carolina rig, dropshot, jigworm (shaky worm), etc. For slow
presentations, the weighted worm hook
works really well and creates a nice, slow
descent for fall bass fishing.
The presentation I’ll select on this brisk
autumn morning will be subtle. It’s post
turnover, so the water temperatures have
stabilized. The water is extremely clear,
which is another byproduct of the turnover.
As I mentioned, the lush summer weeds have
withered to the last holdouts of dying
growth. This is great news to the bass
fishermen, because those fish still want to
relate to the remaining cover. Since weeds
are at a premium, the bass will congregate
on the most attractive cover available. I
remember a few years back taking three 6pound largemouth on three consecutive
casts from a 3-stem cluster of lily pads. Don’t
know about you, but I dig that kind of
concentrated action!
So, it’s time to fish. I’m on the tip of the
point, like I said. My first cast sails well
beyond a patch of brown pads. Perfect. I
twitch-swim the Magic Shad to a couple of
feet shy of the cover and then let it fall –
knowing the nose-heavy worm hook will glide
the bait down and toward the roots of the
pads. It doesn’t make it that far when my line
But when the smoke clears, 22 bass have
been boated and released from one spot on
the lake. Whew! And it’s not even noon yet.
The next structure I target is a long, skinny
rock reef with sharp drop-offs to deep water.
This is classic structure, especially after the
turnover because it is a magnet for baitfish.
The sun has warmed the water since
morning, so I know I can be more aggressive
on this spot. Time for the big tandem
spinnerbait, beginning with white. I add a
stinger hook and a red Lindy Thumpin’ Grub.
The grub increases the visual profile of the
bait and adds a splash of color, while the
stinger hook gives me an insurance policy for
short-strikes.
I position the boat parallel to the line of the
structure, so I can make casts that cut
diagonally across the reef. This effectively
puts my bait beyond the shallowest portion
of the structure and allows me to swim it up
from deep water; over the top; and let it fall
down the break at the end of the retrieve.
With this method, I can intercept fish moving
up or down from the top of the reef while
keeping the bait in the primary strike zone
(right up on top) for a good spell on each
cast.
My approach pays off. Big bass are scattered
all over these rocks and taking the
spinnerbait with such gusto that I remove the
stinger hook. My arms are getting tired.
Hallelujah.
Good Fishing!
9
Chris Slusar
Can You ID?
W
ell, my early summer has
been packed with activity,
including lots of time on the
water. Fishing has been great! During a
late June fishing trip that included a visit
to the HOF, I was able to boat my largest
musky to date, a 48 inch fish. Even better,
my son was on-board to enjoy the whole
experience.
Aside of the outdoor fun, I’ve been
actively chasing, identifying and
appraising fishing tackle.
As I’ve been short on the “Can you ID”
section of recent articles, I thought I’d
dedicate some space to several
assessments.
Creek Chub No. 800 Giant Jointed Pikie- Wow, what a
behemoth! At 14 inches long, this is the largest of the
Creek Chub offerings. This big guy has seen better days but
its perch color is still intact. Originally marketed in 1957,
this later model holds tack eyes and probably dates to the
early 1970’s. In fishable condition, this piece is valued at
$15-$25.
Heddon S.O.S.- These “Swim On Side” lures date from the
late 1920’s to mid 1930’s. The upper piece is a musky sized
number 370 and is colored white with silver flitter. The
lower piece is a number 140 in perch. Both pieces have
some flaking and are in good to very good condition. The
smaller SOS is valued at $25-$40 and larger is valued at
$35-$60.
Please do forward your questions or
requests for identification to
[email protected]. Alternatively, send your
queries to Chris Slusar in care of the
Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
Until next time, enjoy an old lure!
Heddon No. 10 Minnow- This unusual little piece was
provided by Augie Wilks. It dates to around 1920 and is
known as the Light Casting Minnow. Color is difficult to
determine given aging and what appears to be some over
painting. In its original form it would have had a dressed
rear hook. Considering condition, this piece would be
valued at $20-$40.
This assortment was made by the South Bend Bait
Company of South Bend, Indiana. The upper piece is a
model #963 Surf Oreno in red head, white body. The thin
body indicates it was made early in the life of this popular
lure, probably between 1916-1920. The lower left lure is a
model #973 Bass Oreno in red head, white body. With
glass eyes, this piece was likely made between the late
1920’s to early 1930’s. The lower right lure is a model
#972 Babe Oreno in a tough red body, black head color
combination, which dates this guy to between 1921-1936.
The two red and white pieces are found commonly in poor
condition and are valued at $5-$10. The tougher Babe
Oreno is not in great shape but the color is unusual, so is
valued at $10-$20.
TIPS YOU CAN USE!
Heddon 3 hook minnow- This number 100 minnow in
rainbow popped up at a show earlier this year. It is a two
belly weight model and has unmarked props, which dates it
to around 1910. Although an early piece, the condition
leaves a little to be desired and is valued at $20-$40.
10
Tandem Spinner- Richard Weippert sent in this old timer for
valuation. A neat metal bait dating to around 1896, this
piece was made by the P&S Ball Bearing Bait Co. of
Whitehall, New York. This classic metal spinner is
frequently marked with a patent date. This piece is valued
at $20-$30.
Courtesy of the Plano Molding Co.
World Angling Records Granted
DIVISION #2 – FLY FISHING
4th QUARTER - 2011 UPDATE
NOTE: World angling records are updated quarterly and the ultimate synthesis is
published annually in book form each April, distributed free to members, media,
manufacturers and world fisheries as a public service.
NOTICE TO REPRINT
©COPYRIGHT 2011 FRESH WATER FISHING HALL OF FAME. Excerpts or whole may be reprinted without
written permission as public information only, but not for commercial profit purpose. The source of this
information must be credited to the Fishing Hall of Fame in a type size readably noticeable or as the
contents of the companion text.
Fish
CHAR/
Arctic
Line
Class
12 lb.
Tippet
PIKE/
Northern
50 lb.
Tippet
42”
SALMON/
Atlantic,
(Sea-Run)
4 lb.
Tippet
“Kept” World Records List
Fish
SALMON/
Atlantic,
(Sea-Run)
Line
Class
17 lb.
Tippet
DIVISION #2 – FLY FISHING
Lbs./
Ozs. Angler
Where Caught
Date
4-3
Alan
Little Main
7/8/2011
Madden
Restigouche River,
New Brunswick, CANADA
SALMON/
Chinook,
(Inland)
30 lb.
Tippet
16-0
TROUT/
Brook
15 lb.
Tippet
2-9
Bill
Flader
Sheboygan River,
Wisconsin, USA
9/21/2011
Alan
Madden
Cascapedia River,
Quebec, CANADA
6/28/2011
“C&R” World Records List
SALMON/
Chinook
(Inland)
Fish
CATFISH/
Sharptooth
CHAR/
Arctic
Line
Class
10 lb.
17 lb.
lb.
Length Angler
16”
Steve
Knapp
36”
John
Cleveland
Where Caught
Tree River,
N.W.T., CANADA
Date
7/25/2011
Dan
McGuire
Rainy River,
Minnesota, USA
8/25/2011
24”
Alan
Madden
Jacquet River,
9/1/2011
New Brunswick, Canada
6 lb.
Tippet
32”
Alan
Madden
Jacquet River,
9/1/2011
New Brunswick, Canada
30 lb.
Tippet
39”
Bill
Flader
Sheboygan River,
Wisconsin, USA
DIVISION #1– ROD/REEL - FOREIGN
Line
Class Length Angler
Where Caught
All
31”
Leonard J.
Rufiji River,
Tackle
Kouba
Tanzania, Africa
(only)
10/5/2011
Date
7/16/2011
KIPAPA
All
Tackle
(only)
12”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Lake Tanganyika,
Tanzania, Africa
7/17/2011
DIVISION #1 –ROD/REEL
Fish
BASS/
White
Length Angler
36” John
Cleveland
Where Caught
Mississippi River,
Wisconsin, USA
Date
7/3/2011
KUHAY
All
Tackle
(only)
26”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Lake Tanganyika,
Tanzania, Africa
7/16/2011
Tree River,
N.W.T., CANADA
7/24/2011
KUNGULA
All
Tackle
(only)
12”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Lake Tanganika,
Tanzania, Africa
7/17/2011
NDUBU
All
Tackle
(only)
11”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Lake Tanganika,
Tanzania, Africa
7/16/2011
Steve Knapp
White Bass, Div.
#1 – Rod/Reel,
10 lb. line class,
16 inches,
Mississippi River,
Wisconsin, USA,
7/3/2011
John Cleveland Left, guide right.
Arctic Char, Div. #1 – Rod/Reel,
17 lb. line class, 36 inches, Tree
River, N.W.T., Canada, 7/24/2011
Dan McGuire Northern
Pike, Div. #2 – Fly Fishing,
50 lb. tippet, 42 inches,
Rainy River, Minnesota,
USA, 8/25/2011
11
Return Service Requested
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U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 3
HAYWARD, WI 54843
Fresh Water Fishing
Hall of Fame & Museum
P.O. Box 690
10360 Hall of Fame Drive
Hayward, Wisconsin 54843
Phone 715/634-4440
A NON-PROFIT MUSEUM-EDUCATION ORGANIZATION
Custodian of Historical Sport Fishing Artifacts, Enshriner of Persons for Outstanding Achievement
and Accomplishment, Official Qualifier and Recorder of World Fresh Water Sportfishing Records,
Librarian, Educator and Clearing House for Contemporary and Historical Fishing Facts