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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Don't really want to create a firestorm or cause anyone any grief. Just read the MF News Trawler Article on the MF Homepage-> "OH: Mansfield man lands lunker". It's really the fishermans choice to keep or release. But as I finished reading this story, it struck me that there is a lot of education that needs to be done to enhance the fishery and perhaps even protect fisherman from their own ignorance.
A 51" 42 lb muskie is a pretty nice fish in most muskie fisherman's book. However, some the statements the fisherman makes really got me thinking that maybe MF needs another forum info page where we can consolidate critical information on Muskies and Muskie Fishing. Don't get me wrong MF is my home page. It has ton's of great content. A vast majority is buried in thousands of achived threads. If you have the time you can find just about anything with the search function. I'm talking about something that's right on the MF front page for new/inexperienced anglers- first time visitors, i.e., maybe you call it " Muskie Facts" or perhaps better yet "Muskie 101 for Idiots" . I think the later would get a lot more reader hits.
How about some of the basics about muskies, biology, life span, including how fragile the resource can be in certain waters. But more importantly -
Landing & handling & releasing the fish. - The lucky fisherman- fought this fish for ~45 minutes on 80lb test line. Then he says he tried to release her and she didn't survive because she was beatup from spawning. I have an idea why this fish couldn't be revived & released.
Care & handling of trophy fish/record fish- What do you do if you decide to keep one for the wall. What if you think you have a record fish?
Keeping & Eating muskies- I can't tell you what one tastes like because I've never eaten one. Once again I believe it's the fisherman's right to eat anything he legally catches. But, I was really surprised when I read the close of the article. How much mercury & pcb's are in a fish of this size? This guy's photo looks like he's relatively young, and may or may not have a wife & children. Mercury & pcb's are inherently more hazardous for women of child bearing age and young children. Hell they're even hazardous for old farts like me & Steve Worrall. Include links to scientific sites/pages that discuss mercury & pcb poisoning etc. This is no joke, if it saves one person/child from mercury poisoning or one child from mercury/pcb induced birth defects, it would be worth any effort required to create it.
I know that there are doctor's, fishery biologist's, chemist's and others with scientific backgrounds who are MF regulars that could help to pull together something that may prevent a tragically avoidable situation for some family. I'll help consolidate the information on this subject. I also think it would be great teaching tool for the sports shows and muskie fishing clubs.
If someone reading this knows this young man , please go see him and talk to him about the wisdom of what he may be doing to himself and his family ( or future family). It's his right to do with this fish as he sees fit, I think it probably should go to a hazardous waste facility. Is he sharing it with friends & extended family?
Don't get me wrong I don't think this fisherman is an idiot, I think he's taking some risk based on a lack of good information. Perhaps MF & we (the regulars) can help fill those gaps.
What do you think, is "Muskie 101 for Idiots" a good idea? What other subjects should be included?
Edited by ESOX Maniac 5/14/2004 8:35 AM
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| I like the idea of an obvious area on the splash page where a beginner can click and get some basic or important info. Good point. |
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Posts: 5874
| The 101 thing ain't gonna fly. Already been down that road with "Structure 101" It needed to be renamed out of respect for the Muskies 101 website.
But I do like the concept. How about a take off of the "DOS For Dummies" series of books. But I suppose that would end up violating some copyrights. Maybe "Muskies for Bait Angler"? Muskies for Newbies? "Basically Muskie? Any number of titles are available. How about "Slamrs Guide: How NOT to Fish for Muskies!" Subtitle, "Here's what I do. Do the opposite for success" |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have been working on a FAQ section that addresses exactly what you are speaking of and much much more for over a year. It should be ready to go in another couple months. |
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| Educating should not include bashing people! I am all for educating but, I am tired of this "holy-er than thou" approach. I am not picking on anyone in particular. This has just been my experience in the past on various sites. Thanks, Tom |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | MuskyTom- I used "Muskie 101 for Idiots" to get attention. I see I got yours. I agree with Shep it's probably stepping on the good folks at Muskies 101's toes and they are certainly not idiots.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/dec00/mercury07120600.asp
http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/fishing/freshwater/articl...
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/reprints/mercury.html
http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/~mercury/src/poison.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2000/oct/1/autism_mercury.htm
http://www.epa.gov/region02/health/mercury.htm
http://tlredwood.home.mindspring.com/mercurypoison.htm
http://www.elpc.org/energy/mercury2.htm
http://www.calpoison.org/public/mercury.html
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/health.htm
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/pages/consumption/ind...
I am not for the "holy-er than thou" approach either. What about his family & friends? A 42 lb muskie has a lot of edible flesh. I honestly hope this fellow doesn't feed that entire 42lb muskie to his pregnant wife or children. They may not have an informed choice! Not everyone has access to the internet.
I suggested MF and the regulars take some step to help educate. I didn't say don't eat muskies. I wouldn't eat a 40" Pike or a 30" walleye for the same reason, i.e., there's to much risk of mercury & pcb poisoning. I certainly wouldn't feed it to my grandchildren. Maybe I'm a bit to sensitive on this subject- but if you knowingly expose your family or friends to this type of potential disaster after you know the risks, you're an idiot.
Steve- I'm glad to hear you're working on something, i.e., Muskie FAQ's. However, I think the critical stuff will get lost, i.e., ignored by the casual reader. Especially if other topics like lure color, right rod & reel and other FAQ's on how to catch the beasties is included in the same section. However, I guess its a matter of how you structure it. I do like Shep's "Muskies for Dummies".
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Posts: 7119
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Thank you for the input Al, we appreciate your inisghts. Right now we do not have the time or resources for new projects beyond what we are trying to do already. And if anyone ever keeps track, we generally run far behind on timelines for things we plan to do already.
As much as I appreciate your push for us to do more for education, right now, I won't, and we won't commit to doing anything more. Therefore the effort has to be led by the users like like yourself. Thank you for the insights.
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Actually, the FAQ is seperated by catagory and includes handling, release, and much more information. It probably won't be called a FAQ for the reasons l stated, look for it about mid summer. Right now it probably contains about 100 topics already. |
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