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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | My publisher surprised me by delivering Volume II of my "A Compendium of Muskie Angling History" 3 weeks early! Both volumes are now plentiful and available and would make a great Christmas gift for that good muskie buddy of yours.
Vol. II review:
Finally, the mysteries of Muskie Angling History are sorted out and facts are once again brought public. Historic photographs abound and “lost” fish stories are to be enjoyed again.
This 3rd edition of A Compendium of Muskie Angling History Volume II is like picking up a good novel that you just can’t put down. Much sleep was lost to readers of the first two editions and much more will lost with this one! There is a gaggle of historic photographs within, including many never before published in modern times. Historic information basically “lost” in magazine and newspaper archives has been reborn. A must read for “muskie junkies” and fish historians everywhere.
Due to the massive amount of new information that makes up our sports history this Revised, Updated & Expanded 3rd Edition has taken two volumes, including a Volume I that alone was nearly twice the size of the 2nd edition! Volume II deals with everything else not contained in Volume I. Detailed completely will be the legendary information from histories archives. As with the first volume there will be a considerable amount that has never before been seen by the majority of the general public. Volume II completes the updating of “A Compendium of Muskie Angling History” and itself is 721 pages of great reading.
My unending search for ‘ancient’ muskie history bears enough occasional “new fruit” to warrant my continued effort. You will find tons of new information contained herein. Revealed for the first time are a considerable number of recently obtained historic photographs among the over 400 contained herein.
Just what is this thing called "Muskie Mystique"? What is it that turns normal people into maniacs? What is it that causes many anglers to dream of catching a muskie, even though they have never ever seen one? Why do outdoor writers consider the muskie a glamour fish? I marvel at the legends as well as the verified tales. The legends often have much imagination, but the sad tales are the near misses.
Big Muskies: When? Where? Why? During my many years of researching muskie history one thing became painfully obvious to me. Verified fifty-pound and over muskies were and are not caught very frequently. In fact far less than 200 have made my list. Of course more have been caught but for one reason or another were never officially verified. Where credible I have included them starting in Volume I which included their catch stories. Catch stories for as many list 50-pounders will be included in this Volume II chapter. Since publication of my book’s first edition in 1982 and second edition 1997 I have learned of a few more early historic catches as well as several that have been caught in recent years and these stories where available will too be included. Of course catch and release is making it more difficult to document giant muskie catches as the vast majority are released un-weighed. |
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Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | A great read, highly recommended. |
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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | 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.
For more, ordering information and order blank, go to: www.larryramsell.com (books & products page).
Edited by Larry Ramsell 9/22/2007 4:48 AM
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Posts: 719
| I got tired just reading the promo................
Seriously enjoyed the history in the first one, will be getting this one. |
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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | bturg:
I shortened it a bit, but in all honesty, the book is huge and will be a difficult but interesting read for many. LOTS of info that I felt just shouldn't be left out.
Mr. Worrall had the following comment on another post after he had a chance to review an advance reading copy:
"The book looks really good, by the way, and should be popular with the Muskie crowd and anyone interested in the history of this amazing sport."
If past response to my first two editions is any indication, this two-volume "encyclopedia" will be a block-buster! But then I'm biased, LOL.
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Posts: 3158
| Im sure "dock" has contacted you but your welcome to our TC chapter to debut it talk about it and sell a few copys at any time ,,,,sooner the better |
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Posts: 19
| Larry,
When do you anticipate mailing the books out once the order is placed?
Mike |
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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Mike:
I box orders received via mail almost immediately and have them out in a day or so via Priority Mail. |
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Posts: 19
| Good deal Larry. Is there anything in either edition that is going to shock me? Can't wait to read them. Thanks.
Mike |
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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Mike:
I think "most" will find the world record "truths" a bit shocking and the rest very enjoyable, especially the over 700 historic photos! |
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Posts: 19
| Good deal Larry, I always enjoy your work. Whether people agree or disagree with you, everyone should appreciate the time you take to keep a history of this great sport. Thanks.
Mike |
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| I just got my copies of both volumes! I was amazed at the amount of information packed into 2 HUGE books - the new add-on information with volume II is a lot more than I could have expected! If you have the "Musky Bug" like I do, I highly recommend these. There is nothing else out there that even comes close.
Thanks Larry!
Bruce Michael
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