Manitou,

  I see how my post could have been misconstrued.  However, your assumptions about my feelings on harvesting legal fish could not be further from the truth.  The point of my post was actually:

sure would be nice to recognize catches that ultimately are released to be caught again.

Nothing wrong with keeping a legal fish, a record fish, or honoring those harvested record fish.  Sarah Terry is awesome and I'm a fan of her and those other Cave Run diehards as much as anybody! 

(playful)You seem a bit uptight this morning, have you had your coffee yet or what?

Mike

 ps- hope that "makes it easier for reasonable people to discuss anything"

No problem Danno I can be the exact same way at times except minus the strung part!

Illinois has had how many lakes hold musky records going back to 1990? 5?  Otter, Shelbyville, Shabbona, any others that anyone knows of?  I'm sort of surprised Kinkaid doesn't have a record Illinois musky.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but Chad Cain caught one last year that was a few ounces shy? She was released and I also believe she'd have been released if she were a legitimate record.

It's ironic how it's taboo for an elite guide to keep a record.  Nevertheless I get it.  I just think we should find a better way to honor the release records for each state-

for instance, maybe Spencer Berman caught a State Record a few years back in Indiana, released it, but doesn't get the same amount of credit as if he whacked it.  It isn't like he can claim it on his official resume, and that's a shame.  Perhaps states should hire some photo police(forget the tech. term) and review applications for release records. Also purchase on the water scales for the 3 most likely lakes?   2 non-partial witnesses on a certified scale, released, reviewed and verified.

Not disparaging the harvested records, just trying to get the CPR folk recognized on the same level.  They too, deserve honoring! 

Personally, and by no means am I forcing this opinion on anyone, I have no problem with bonking a world record.  State record, eh- is it worth contradicting my ethics?  Nope, not to me! I'd be upset but okay with it if a record fish wouldn't go (of course only after using my home-made muskellunge defibrillator and a full on session of mouth to mouth)

State release records should get their just publicity and recognition in my humble opinion.

Mike Witowski

Proprietor

www.muskydeFIBrillator.com

Actually Wade I'm just brainstorming and shooting from the hip.  I understand states can't afford such a venture, but perhaps there's private money, or fundraising that could occur to make such a dream possible. 

Surely understood.  But here in the General Discussion forum of MuskiesFirst in the month of February people are starting to get the stir crazy from all this cabin fever, at least I am!  Just having a reasonable discussion- feel free to respond to the other ideas/discussion within this thread if you are tired of my whine....

Mike

ps Interesting thread IMHO thanks Kingfisher