Larry Ramsell

Switzerland Bans Catch-And-Release Fishing Editor’s Note: Today’s story comes to us from the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association. Catch and Release fishing will be banned in Switzerland from next year, it was revealed this week. And anglers in the country will have to demonstrate their expertise by taking a course on humane methods of catching fish, under new legislation outlined by the Bundesrat - the Swiss Federal Parliament. The new legislation states that fish caught should be killed immediately following their capture, with a sharp blow to the head from a blunt instrument. Under the new regulations, the use of livebait and barbed hooks is also prohibited except in certain situations. The laws come into effect in 2009 but while the Swiss government does not mention Catch and Release specifically, it does say that "it is not permitted to go fishing with the 'intention' to release the fish." EFTTA lobbyist Jan Kappel has been in contact with Martin Peter, Vice President of the Swiss Angling Federation, to see whether a joint approach to the Swiss government could persuade them to amend the legislation - which forms part of a much wider animal welfare programme. The law on the protection of animals was passed by the Swiss parliament in 2005 and officials have spent three years refining the details, taking into account the comments of interested parties. Said Jan: "Catch and Release is one of the most difficult issues we have to deal with, and one of the most important in my opinion. “The new Swiss law doesn't make use of the term 'Catch and Release', which is the same as in Germany – but I don't see how governments can enforce legislation which makes 'intent' illegal. “And demanding that people kill the fish they catch gives no thought to the conservation benefits from releasing them." Angling Codes of Conduct with regards to proper handling and releases can be found for practically any fish species caught by anglers in Switzerland and the rest of the world. The new Swiss law makes it obligatory for anglers to take lessons before being granted a fishing license. So there is absolutely no need for an outright ban on the release of fish in Switzerland.” It’s believed that the legislation could affect as many as 275,000 anglers in Switzerland, who generate around 30 million Euros in annual tackle sales. EFTTA acting president, Pierangelo Zanetta, said: "EFTTA does not believe that forcing anglers to kill their catches is either good for nature or for recreational sport fishing - which makes a significant financial contribution to the EU economy. “Making the killing of fish obligatory will simply reduce fish population and, at the same time, run the risk of having a negative impact on sport fishing. "Anglers and the sport of angling invest time and money to improve water quality and create larger and healthier fish populations. We believe is it far better for the fish if the fisherman decides, according to the situation, whether to keep and eat the fish or to release it."

I am one of those fortunate few that get to fish with "That Lazarus Man". I have been in the muskie game for over 50 years and in my opinion, he is the best muskie fisherman that has ever set foot on this planet! Don't get me wrong. There are many who are "very good" in this muskie game, but Laz is the "Dean". The posted photo (surprised me it got out) is truly a giant 49-pounder that most would kill for. While not real common even for Laz, that is far from many of his larger ones. His stats would blow the mind of even the most seasoned of muskie hunters and I won't detail them here. I did dedicate 4 pages in Volume II of my revised 3rd Edition book "A Compendium of Muskie Angling History" to him (with his hesitant permission) that "touch's" on his accomplishments in the muskie game. A truly amazing gentleman who hasn't left me on the dock...yet! I consider it a privilege to occupy a space in his boat. As for his choice of hats, it only accentuates his "hate" of the miserable beasts...LOL Muskie regards, Larry Ramsell www.larryramsell.com

I think Marc has pretty much nailed it. WAIT for the rod to "load-up" before setting the hook (or don't set at all). In some muskie fisheries almost any "hook-set" will mean a missed fish! I believe it is due to the manner/way in which they attack the lure from directly underneath. If you wait for them to go back down, they will almost always set the hook themselves. Set too soon and you will just get your lure back! Tough to "not" set the hook, especially when you are paying attention and see the strike, but give it a try and I'll wager your hooking up average will increase dramatically! Good luck. Muskie regards, Larry Ramsell www.larryramsell.com

A Compendium of Muskie Angling History: Volume I by Larry Ramsell My editor and collaborator for my Updated, Revised and Expanded 3rd Edition, Brad Latvaitis and I, are both proud of the over 3 months work we put into this volume (Volume II to follow shortly). Abstract: This 3rd edition of A Compendium of Muskie Angling History, Volume I is like reading a murder mystery, with some strange twits of fate, where you know who did it but you don’t know how and you just have to find out! Finally, the complete truth of muskie angling world record history is revealed for the first time and past “revisionist history” corrected. There is a gaggle of historic photographs within, including many new photographs never before published. A must read for “muskie junkies” and fish historians everywhere. Excerpt: Due to the massive amount of new information that makes up our sport’s history, this revised, updated & expanded 3rd Edition will consist of two volumes. Volume I, now available, deals only with the largest documented historic muskellunge, including the sanctioned world records and a number that weren’t sanctioned. Detailed completely will be the world record wars, containing everything you wanted to know including a considerable amount that has never been shared with the general public. You will find tons of new information contained herein to not only correct the errors of the past but reveal a considerable number of recently obtained historic photographs among the over 200 to be enjoyed. Readers of “Compendium” 3rd Edition-Volume I, will discover that some of the fish of the past two editions have been upgraded to their rightful place in world record history and that there are several new additions to my Chronological List of World Record Muskellunge, as well. As was the case with my first two editions, my sole purpose for this 3rd Edition is to set the record straight...again. I do it as a “Labor of Love” and a desire to gather our sport’s history in one place for all to enjoy. Information on fish caught prior to 1911 is sketchy at best. In 1911, Field & Stream magazine started an annual fishing contest to recognize the heaviest catch of several sport fish, including muskellunge. Soon, the heaviest fish of each species sanctioned by Field & Stream were recognized as world records. In addition to Field & Stream’s records, the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame (NFWFHF) established a freshwater angling records program in 1970. More comprehensive than Field & Stream’s annual contest, the NFWFHF records program provided anglers with additional opportunities for recognition. Eight years later, Field & Stream gave its costly and time-consuming annual freshwater fishing contest to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA); salt water angling’s record keepers since 1939. Importantly, both the IGFA and the NFWFHF independently utilized and became stewards of Field & Stream’s records. Muskellunge world records have long been both a source of enjoyment and controversy for muskie anglers. Large muskellunge have made news since the mid 1800’s but prior to Field & Stream’s Annual Fishing Contest in 1911, there was no official program to list and recognize them. Formal world records became an offshoot of Field & Stream’s Annual Fishing Contest. Although record keeping was not the original intent, the annual contest results recognized a new record whenever a catch at year’s end exceeded the previous top contest fish by weight. Only the largest fish entered in the Field & Stream contest made the world record list even though several times multiple fish beat the previous listed record in a given year. For example, even though Percy Haver’s June 29, 1939 Field & Stream fishing contest entry exceeded the weight of the standing world record, and Louis Spray’s July 27, 1939 entry exceeded the weight of Haver’s, only John J. Coleman’s October 3, 1939 muskie, which exceeded the weight of both the Haver and Spray fish, made the world record list. Fish that were not entered in the Field & Stream contest were not evaluated or considered as records, even though they may have been legitimate and in many cases were. In the late 1930’s, the American Museum of Natural History became involved as the official record keeper for both fresh and salt water catches. In 1939, the IGFA took over the duties of keeping salt water records. After the American Museum bowed out of record keeping, Field & Stream continued to list world records for freshwater catches and when a previous best was beaten in their contest, it was written about in the magazine. Field & Stream turned their freshwater angler record program over to the IGFA in 1978. In 1970, the NFWFHF introduced an independent world freshwater angler records program. In 1980, the NFWFHF and IGFA merged the two programs but differences arose and the NFWFHF began their program anew in 1981 under the direction of NWFHF founder, Bob Kutz. Notably, both the IGFA and the NFWFHF accepted the world records sanctioned by Field & Stream and independently became stewards of historic records in addition to sanctioning new records. My Chronological List of Muskellunge World Records is based on archival reports, Field & Stream contest records, IGFA and NFWFHF records, correspondence, affidavits, discussions with anglers and their friends and ancestors, interaction with record stewards and the perusal of popular and technical literature. The list of world records, including fish sanctioned by the record stewards, is largely predicated on angler honesty. Although the record stewards had rules for record application, they were often difficult to implement and at times cost prohibitive to completely document, particularly in the “early” years of record keeping. One does not “write” a book of this type, rather one attempts to compile the multitude of facts, photographs and information into some semblance of order...ENJOY! For ordering information and order blank, go to: www.larryramsell.com (books & products page).

All: I have decided to begin work on a "Revised 3rd Edition" of my book, "A Compendium of Muskie Angling History." As before, I would like to include as many of histories BIG muskies in it as possible. This request is primarily for fish caught since 1995, but if anyone has photo's and information for any time in history that I do not now have, I would love to include them as well. This edition, as before, will contain a chapter on "Release." Since the publication of my 2nd edition in 1997, the live release of GIANT muskies has accelerated tremendously, and as such is, in part, responsible for the greater number of muskies over 50 pounds being caught today, and are a part of our sports history and must be included (I'm anticipating a huge growth in this "chapter's" size!). While it is impossible to "verify" the majority of these huge releases, it in no way diminishes the fact that they were caught. So...I would like to include as many as I can get photo's and information on. If you or someone you know has caught a giant musky that "could" have been over 50 pounds (weighed or not), please send me a photo and catch information, including length and girth. Waterbody need not be named unless it is already known or is not desired to be kept secret. I need "hard copy" photo's (email can be used if resolution is high enough, but a hard copy is best...any Internet "links" to giant muskies of the past will be helpful as well). Those submitted without girth measurment (assuming none was taken) will be considered on lengh and photo alone, but final disposition will be my call. Thanks in advance to all. Musky regards, Larry Ramsell www.larryramsell Address: 10907 N County Road S Hayward, WI 54843 email: [email protected] Phone: 715-462-9880