Jim Munday - 3/12/2017 4:04 PM I suppose in the big, big picture of world-wide issues the accuracy of Musky world records don’t matter all that much. But then again neither do a thousand other things. But for those who value the hobby of Musky fishing and things related as important to them, it has its time and place. Larry just happens to someone who is particularly passionate about it, as both a historian and an accomplished angler. We could vote on the Grand Puba status, I suppose. But I respect the man quite a bit even without the title, and he’s taken a lot of personal flack for presenting his case. Steve W. seems to be a fairly cranial guy, and apparently considers the matter worth a measure of discussion year after year. Me…I’m as flawed as the next guy and have no desires to be anybody’s moral conscience in life. Yet there’s something about what seems to be an intentional effort to deceive the public for political and monetary gain that bugs me. So I appreciate Larry’s passion and Steve’s willingness to provide a forum for the subject matter on occasions. It’s always a risk to share your perspectives on this volatile matter, because you just may find your post highlighted in another guy’s rebuttal later on. But such is the nature of discussion. ;)

Bravo - well said; from my seat here guys like Spray only helped to dupe a generation of muskie fisherman and perpetuate an unobtainable size expectation (25 years ago it was gospel that they regularly got above 60lbs).  Although some may still want to romance the cheaters, it’s my opinion that they simply did for muskie fishing what Lance Armstrong did for the Tour de France.

I think it's fair to say that Armstrong created a lot of excitement and new interest while setting his records along the lines of Spray. The difference between Armstrong’s and Spray’s muskie abominations is that Armstrong was completely stripped of his records, while Spray is still being paraded around and celebrated by John Dettloff and Emmett Brown of the “Hayward” Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Dettloff and Brown's continued support of this absurdity while being at the helm of a organization charged with keeping fair and accurate fishing records makes them just as guilty as Spray, and about as honorable as Lance Armstrong in my book.

Mudpuppy asked “why” Larry Ramsell should be the Grand Pubah of muskie records… I say “why not”? Seriously, would you rather have John Dettloff be in charge again now that his bias and lies have been exposed, same with Emmett Brown who is probably having his morning cup of coffee while reading this. I bet he just shrugs his shoulders and goes back to business as usual with no regard for the truth.

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(Emmett Brown defending Spray @ the Hall of Fame .jpg)

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