Splash 4.11 - Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum

The Official
Publication of
the Fresh Water
Fishing Hall
of Fame
VOL. 35
NO. 2
Spring 2011
Inside:
From the
Director's Desk
by Emmett
Brown,
page 2
Hall Awards
Are Presented,
page 3
Lindners on the
Troll by Bill
Siemantel, page 4
Legendary Angler
Virgin Ward by
Dan Galusha,
page 6
New Walleye
Theory by Dan
Gapen, Sr.,
page 8
Ol' Tackle Talk by
Chris Slusar,
page 10
Spring Is Here!
From the
Director’s Desk
by Emmett Brown
Founded 1960
Incorporated Not For Profit 1970
P.O. Box 690, 10360 Hall of Fame Drive
Hayward, WI 54843
Phone 715/634-4440
http://www.Freshwater-Fishing.org
e-mail: fishhall@cheqnet.net
Printed February 15, May 15,
August 15, November 15
Programs and Activities
• Recognition of World Fresh Water
Sportfishing Records
• Record Book Published Annually
• Enshrinement for Achievement and
Accomplishment
• Library for Research and Pleasure
• Educational Museum of Sportfishing
Artifacts
Museum open April 15 through October 31
7 days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(no admittance after 3:30 p.m.)
Administration Office open year ‘round
5 days a week, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except
Christmas-New Year interim weeks)
Executive Board of Directors
Bill Gautsche . . . . . . . . . . . . President
Harold Tiffany . . . . . . . . . .Vice President
Ted Dzialo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary
Tom Turngren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer
Scott Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Bill Beckwith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
John Dettloff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Dave Perkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Don Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Jim Scheer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Wendy Williamson . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Ben Wold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director
Professional and Volunteer Staff
Emmett Brown . . . . . . . Executive Director
Kathy Polich . . . . . . . . . Business Manager
Darlene Overman . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary
Myrna Huber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk
Emmett Brown . . . . . . . . . . . Splash Editor
Tim Gavigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Webmaster
Tim Lesmeister. . . . . . . . Media Coordinator
Claudette Kersten . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteer
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is a
non-profit educational organization
dedicated to conservation and
sportfishing and to the maintenance of a
hall of fame where the history of fishing
and angling achievements are displayed.
A 501(c)(3) organization
© Copyright 2011 Fresh Water
Fishing Hall of Fame, Inc.
2
April 13, 2011
What a difference a week can make! Just a few
days ago, I was ruminating that we were in for
another very late spring. A string of 70 plus
degree days has put a reluctant spring right back on the road to normalcy. I am
happy to report our snow is gone and our ice shrouded lakes are loosing the
battle to stay covered by their “hard water” captors.
In two days our museum will once again be open. Our maintenance crew is hard
at work preparing our grounds and museum for the upcoming season. They
already look very nice!
I am very excited about our new museum display which should be finished
within a month or so. In a joint venture with the Rapala family of Finland and
Ron Weber (one of the original importers of the Rapala to North America) we are
recreating Lauri Rapala's original Finish workshop in our museum. This
workshop will be the only one of its kind in North America. It will feature many
of Lauri's original artifacts from his 1950's era workshop. The plan is to update
the room on a continuing basis, displaying new artifacts each passing year. I am
extremely grateful to Ensio Rapala, Ron Weber and Sirpa Glad-Staf for making
this all happen. Thank you all very much!
Speaking of new additions, we have also just recently upgraded our entrance to
the “Big Musky.” This remodel centers around our Jim Beam Bottle Display. It
now looks quite nice and reflects the proper decorum owed to our initial major
fund raiser. This initiative provided the necessary funds needed by the Hall to
form and build. A huge thanks goes to Kurt and Craig Mazurek for donating their
considerable talent, time and effort toward this project!
Beginning with this issue of The Splash, we will now publish it on the 15th day
of the 2nd month of each new quarter. The only change is that now the spring
issue will be published in May instead of April. All other publish dates will
remain the same.
Currently, we generally have less than 100 updates to our World Records Book
on an annual basis. It seems a terrible waste to produce a new book every year,
when a simple two-page update would suffice. This is especially true when you
consider we also publish these updates on a quarterly basis in The Splash.
Therefore, in the spirit of "greening," we will only produce a complete World
Records Book every other year. Commencing this year, we will produce a 2011
World Records Update and publish this in lieu of a complete book. In 2012 we
will again produce a complete World Records Book. Please review a more
detailed explanation of this decision on page 3.
I'm sure you will all understand and support this conservation minded effort on
the Hall's part. Thank you.
Until next time.
Warmest regards,
Emmett A. Brown, Jr.
Executive Director
Hall Awards Are Presented
Record Book Change
As the premier organization responsible
for the qualification and publishing of
North America's fresh water
sportfishing records, the Hall takes this
undertaking quite seriously. Currently,
we recognize about 125 different fresh
water species and have over 3,000
entries in our record book. Our current
World Records Book has over 80 pages
dedicated solely to these record
listings.
Four inductees for 2011 were so honored at the 32nd Annual America's Outdoor Show on January
30th in Rosemont (near Chicago), Illinois. The honorees from left to right (front row holding their
plaques) are: Legendary Guide Todd Gessner; Legendary Angler Kevin Van Dam; Sandy Portincaso
(accepting for her late husband Legendary Angler Tony Portincaso) and Legendary Communicator
Mike Jackson. Congratulations all! Standing in the background are previous Hall inductees who were
one hand to celebrate the occasion: (left to right) Babe Winkelman; Emmett Brown (Hall executive
director); Ed McKauskas; Spence Petros; Al Lindner and James Lindner. A special thanks goes to them
for taking time out of their very busy schedules to attend this ceremony. Finally, a huge thanks goes
to Jim Sugarman for allowing the Hall the opportunity to showcase its international awards
recognition program at this fine venue. It is very much appreciated, Jim. Editor's note: About one
month after this picture was taken, Legendary Angler Kevin Van Dam captured his fourth Bassmaster
Classic title by a very decisive margin of victory. Way to go Kevin!
We have always been on the cuttingedge of world record keeping. For
example, in 1993 we were the first
record keeping body to establish and
encourage a Catch and Release
category.
Since its inception in 1972, our World
Records Program has been and remains
extremely popular with the fresh water
sportfishing community. However, we
have recently noticed that many of our
major records have biologically reached
their plateau. Let's face it, fish only
grow so large. Due to this natural
governing mechanism, we no longer see
the amount of "broken records" we
once saw during the early years of our
program.
Currently, we generally have less than
100 updates to our World Records Book
on an annual basis. It seems a terrible
waste to produce a new book every
year, when a simple two-page update
would suffice. Especially when you
consider that we additionally publish
these updates on a quarterly basis in
our Splash magazine.
Front row (left to right): Legendary Angler Dave Genz, Lengendary Angler Nick Adams, Legendary
Communicator Mark Fisher and Legendary Guide Chris Kuduk are inducted in to the Fresh Water
Fishing Hall of Fame on April 2nd at the 79th Annual NW Sports Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota for
2011 in front of a standing room only crowd. In the back row are past inductees who took time out of
their very busy schedules to help celebrate this year's inductions. They are (left to right): Jim
Kalkofen; Gary Roach; Randy Amenrud, Ted Takasaki and Ron Schara. Thank you for your support!
Finally, a huge thanks goes to show manager Jennifer Thompson and her staff for providing this
wonderful venue to the Hall.
Therefore, in the spirit of "greening," we
will only produce a complete World
Records Book every other year.
Commencing this year, we will produce
a 2011 World Records Update and
publish this in lieu of a complete book.
In 2012 we will again produce a
complete World Records Book.
Thank you.
- Editor
3
Lindners “On The Troll”
If we were going to play a game of
name association it would start out
something like this, Buck Perry
(Spoon Plugging), Bill Murphy
(Stitching), Bill Dance (the Tennessee
hat), and then if we tossed out the
name Al Lindner, he would have to be
named as one of the most well
rounded anglers for all species with
smallmouth bass at the top of that
list.
T
his last winter I was fortunate
enough to have the chance to fish a
number of days with Al. He was visiting his son Troy who now lives out here in
sunny California. With the winter months of
Minnesota getting colder than Al could ever
remember, the vacation was timed perfectly
for targeting cold-water Southern Cal bass.
You may not know, Troy Lindner and I have
been tournament partners in several
Southern California team circuits over the
last year. During our many pre-fishing days Al
would go with us and would help us put our
game plans together.
At the end of Al’s stay, he asked me to do a
TV show with him. We started brainstorming
about California fishing tactics and places
where we could film on the water. Lake
Casitas was shut down from the threat of
mussels and Castaic charges to make a film.
This left Diamond Valley as a good
alternative. After getting everything in place
to shoot the show over at Diamond Valley
Lake, Al and I started to talk shop about
catching big fish.
As we continued to talk my blood started to
boil about the chance to hook Al into a
lifetime fish. His time was running short
By Legendary Angler Bill Siemantel
I put a seat up front in my Bass Cat so I can
sit down and dial in the speed I need to make
the lure run the way I want it to. It is better
to see it two feet under the water to give you
a better idea of what it is doing 30 to 40 feet
deep 100 yards back.
because his vacation was near its end.
“Okay buddy, when I am home from the fire
station and I think the time is right you have
to get up here to Castaic ASAP.” I could not
even finish the sentence when he said, “You
give me a call and I will be there in 30
minutes with my boat ready to go.”
Two days later, after getting home from the
station, I could feel it in the air. I couldn’t hit
the redial fast enough to call my friend. As he
answered I just said, “Are you ready to catch
a pig?” And his first reply was, “Can my kid
come along?” I do not know about you, but
that is just too cool and I said to bring him.
The only bad thing about that was the
technique I was going to use would only
allow two guys to fish. I guess I was going to
be the guide for the day.
Within 30 minutes (not breaking any
speeding limits) they were at the lake ready
to go. I stepped out of my truck reached in
the back and grabbed only two rods, one box
of big baits and my camera case. They both
just looked at me as if I was joking or I had
other rods still in the back of the bed.
I think one of them said when I got to their
boat was, “Are we trolling for trout?” The two
sticks I brought were my Lamiglas XC 807
big bait specials teamed up with two
Shimano Triton Mark IVs spooled up with
18lb lead line. I just gave them a big smile
and said, “Let’s go.”
Within a few minutes I had both of them out
in the water trolling 12” baits. You Bass
Angler’s Guide readers need to put this stuff
in your memory bank.
Trolling has been a proven technique for ages
and Buck Perry has promoted “SPOON
PLUGGING” in his book that everyone needs
to read at least once. The key to trolling is
precision depth control with a complete
understanding of structure layout and lure
capability.
Troy (left) and Al Lindner are all smiles as Al
hefts 2 fine California largemouth bass!
4
Here are my steps for long line trolling using
lead line and the trolling motor.
Next, understanding your equipment is just
as important. Many bass anglers don’t know
about lead line, so here are some quick tips.
The line has a continuous lead core which
runs the entire length that is approximately
100 yards per spool. It has 10 colors which
change every 10 yards. It also has an
approximate sink rate of 1 foot down, with 2
yards out.
This is the sink rate when you are fishing for
trout with small baits like a needlefish. Big
baits have different depth factors depending
on lure design (billed or no billed baits),
thermo clines and extreme water temperature change can affect the sink rate. So
understanding these differences will help you
when trying to hit the key spot-on area within
your troll.
Now, to dial in the running depth of the lure
for the speed you are going, you will need to
take several things into consideration. If you
are using a billed swimbait which floats and
you go faster with your trolling motor that
will drive you lure down. If you are using boot
tail swim bait like a 8” Optimum the speed
and friction will drive your lure up in the
water column. Let your line out, I call this “let
back,” a calculated distance of line behind
the boat. Every line has different factors from
fluorocarbon, mono, wire to braid. Each one
will be unique in its capabilities.
This is easier than you think, it just takes a
little time going through the motions to get a
feel for it. To figure depth control, locate an
area of the lake with a uniformed depth.Then
get your bait, (maybe a billed bait like an MS
Slammer, a non billed bait like a BBZ-1 or a
boot tail style). All have different features
that either drive the bait deeper or lifts the
lures as speed is increased as stated above
out behind the boat at a known distance.
The color change of the lead line helps, if
using mono or wire a marking pen or reel
counter is the next best bet. So, say you are
4 colors out and your lure hits the bottom at
25’, keep going at a constant speed for a
minute or so. If your lure stops hitting the
bottom let some more line out. If you start to
drag the bottom and your lure is not
deflecting properly then you are too deep, so
Lindners “On The Troll”
bring some line in. I like 3 to 5 bumps on the
bottom with about a 4 second pause of free
swimming before I hit bottom again.
After you have the right line, mark your
trolling motor with a grease pencil and then
glance at your fishing line for the right color.
Remember that knowing how much line your
reel takes up per revolution and understanding lure depth control with each lure
you use will make you more precise when
you move your lure up and down in the water
column. Knowing this will help you hit the
top of the ridge in 30 feet of water as you
pass over it, or present your bait perfectly to
individual fish you see on your graph. Fish
above or below moving schools of bait or
pods of trout that the bass are keying on.
Similar systems can be used with mono,
wire, planner boards and down riggers. These
techniques are deeply ingrained in the minds
of the trolling angler who fish trout, salmon,
walleye and stripers. If it has worked for
them for years then why can’t it work for us
in the chase for monster bass?
All of this really comes into play when you
are working inside or outside turns around
points, humps, ridges, flats and creek
channels. Whenever you move the boat from
a straight pull of the lure the line will do
certain things. For example, the weight of the
lead line will start to fall as you make your
turn. To keep your line from snagging on the
bottom you have to increase the speed of
your boat 2 to 3 times faster than your
original speed. Once you have straightened
back out, you can drop your speed back
down to the mark you made with the grease
pencil on your trolling motor. Remember to
watch your graph and look for hard bottom
structure to bang your bait against. Also do
manual directional changes at key locations
in the water column to trigger the followers.
Now that you have the basics for a proven
fish catching technique, I should get back to
the story at hand.
After trolling for about an hour, I went past
an inside corner of a subtle break line with a
very small point at one end. The wind was
blowing just enough to make it hard for boat
control. I noticed four or five really good
marks holding 2 feet off the bottom in 25’. I
remember looking back at my two friends
with a wicked grin and I told them the next
pass was going to be money!
is what we had to do on the next pass. We
have to come in at an angle with the wind
from 38’ of water and I would go past the tip
of this point 50 yards. This is going to put
the boat in 6’ and should have the lures right
around the 25’mark. This is basic BBZ
mindset on working “uphill,” creating a
“funnel” and then doing “directional change.”
That’s when I hit my “trigger point.” Another
mental calculation on “let back” is how far is
your lure behind the boat and at what point
do you need to increase your speed and
make your turn so you do not drive the lure
into the point and get stuck. That is my
“trigger point.”
I will have to kick the boat hard right and put
it on high to keep the lead line from catching
the bottom and to get the perfect “course
change” (changing the path of one’s bait at
key structure or cover elements, creating the
ultimate “illusion of realism”) of the lure right
at the tip of the point. As we made the hard
right hand turn I told them it should take
about 20 seconds for the line to tighten up
and then they should start to feel the big bait
hitting the bottom. Well I was off a little, because it took about 30 seconds and both the
father and the son said at the same time that
they could feel their lures bumping bottom.
Then there was a moment when nothing was
said, but the boat rocked hard side to side. I
was hoping that one of them got hooked up.
As I turned around both of their rods where
doubled over. Yes it was a double hookup on
the troll. Now you have to remember that the
purpose of the trip was to get Al into a
personal best bass. Well, as Murphy’s Law
would have it, Troy was the one who hooked
the bigger of the two fish.
To say these guys were a little excited would
be way off mark. I have never seen two guys
jumping back and forth trying not to tangle
the lines of both of the fish they were
fighting. They were screaming and laughing
like these where the first bass they had ever
laid a hook into.
The Lindner’s were excited, but totally in
charge of the fish.The funny thing is that
even though Troy Lindner is a professional
sports trainer and is in better shape than
most of us, I had to laugh a little watching
him getting out of breath with that little
green fish at the end of his line (okay, it was
a big fish).
After netting Al’s 7 pounder, I emptied the
net as fast as I could and scooped up Troy’s
big bass. At a whopping 11.50 pounds, Troy’s
bass surpassed both his and his father’s
largest bass to date.
After a handful of photos with Al and Troy, I
could truly see the love in Al’s eyes being in
the boat with his son and watching him
catch a fish of a lifetime.
I know if that were my Dad and I, my Dad
would be the first to say I just got lucky or
he let me catch that fish. Because he did
not want to hear me complain on the drive
home. I felt bad for Al and I told him I was
sorry for him not catching the big one. Troy
and I are tournament partners and we will
have our time on these big bass waters.
Al looked right at me and said, “We not only
got a double hookup trolling big baits, but I
was here with my son as he caught the
biggest bass of his life. Bill, this is more
than I could ever ask for, and it is a day I
will always remember.”
Take care and keep it in the BBZ.
For more information, please contact Bill
at bigbasszone@sbcglobal.net
Tom Christianson (left)
presents Emmett Brown with a
donation representing 3% of
his guiding fees from 2010.
This is the second year he has
been so generous. Tom has
pledged to do it again in 2011!
Thank you very much. Tom
specializes in guiding on the
famed Chippewa Flowage near
Hayward, Wisconsin. For more
information about his guide
service please visit Tom's
website at
www.walleyemaxx.com
It took me about 7 minutes to reposition the
boat for the right approach. I told them this
5
“A Legend - Gone, But Not Forgotten”
By Dan Galusha
On September 13, 2004, the fishing
world lost one of its biggest legends Virgil Ward. He started from humble
beginnings, and made it to “a comfortable life”, as Virgil said it, through
his love and dedication in teaching
people to enjoy the sport of fishing.
V
irgil’s parents, William Sevier Ward
and Pearl Lorence Wright, were
married on June 25, 1902 in
Texarkana, Arkansas. After moving to
Easton, Missouri, Virgil was born on May 25,
1911.
His father had a good business in a cider
and saw mill. This was traded for a 120-acre
farm, near Amsterdam, Missouri, for which
was purchased cattle at $300 per head. The
Depression hit, and the price of cattle
dropped to $30 per head.
As with many families during that time, they
were extremely poor. Many times Virgil and
his brothers and sisters didn’t attend school
because they had to work. When Virgil did
go to school he would walk three miles.
While attending Amsterdam High School he
was the county champion for three years in
track. He was never beaten in any running
or standing broad jump competition. He also
competed in the discus throw and pole vault
and was the leader of the basketball team.
When asked about his favorite subjects,
Virgil jokingly said, “Geometry and girls.”
Maybe that is why he was called the “sheik”
in his high school yearbook.
Although Cleda Irene Thornbrough, who was
called the “Prettiest girl in school”, attended
the same high school, Virgil did not meet
her there. Their meeting took place during
one of Amsterdam’s band concerts, of which
there were one or two each week.
The meeting eventually resulted in Virgil and
Brad Mosier, co-producer/videographer for The
World of Virgil Ward documentary, prepares for
another shot, as Virgil shows him the way he
used to edit film for his shows.
Cleada’s wedding on December 3, 1933.
Virgil was 22 and Cleda was 21. They were
so poor they could not afford a wedding
photo or washer.
Their first child, Bill, was born in 1934.
They also have three daughters: Barbara,
Karen and Sandy, nine grandchildren and
five great grandchildren.
Virgil started a plumbing shop in Amsterdam and also sold appliances. The family
lived in the back of the shop, which
eventually became the home of the Bass
Buster Lure Company. It remained as one
of the Bass Buster plants until its closing a
few years ago.
In 1955 Virgil and Bill started the Bass
Buster Lure Company and patented the
fiber weedguard. This weedguard
revolutionized the weedless jig and is still
used today by jig manufacturers. He also
created the famous maribou jig and Beetle
Spin. Later the company was sold to the
S.C. Johnson Company, who owns Johnson
Outdoors.
Virgil’s athletic and competitive spirit
carried throughout his life. He played
basketball until the age of 38 and baseball
until he was 48. In competitive fishing he
won the 1958 Regional Bass Competition,
1962 World Series of Sport Fishing, 1964
National Championship of Fresh Water
Fishing and the 1964 Outdoor Writers and
Broadcasters National Fishing Tournament.
According to Bill Ward, this competitiveness and faith in God is what carried his
father through many tough times, including
his fight with bladder cancer, which is
what finally took him.
A wooden top water lure was the start for the
Bass Buster company. (photo courtesy of Todd
Hall, Amsterdam, Mo)
6
Some of his first experiences with the
electronic outdoor media were with Lloyd
Presley, who had a local outdoor radio
show in Springfield, Missouri. Later Lloyd
Virgil stops to pose with Sam Johnson and his
crew, as they prepare to take another fishing
trip.
One of the most famous segments in TV fishing,
was Virgil Ward demonstrating lures in a tank at
the end of each show.
started Presley’s Country Jubilee, which was
Branson’s first country theater. Virgil
appeared on Lloyd’s show reporting his
fishing success in the Ozark area.
It wasn’t long before Virgil was going strong
in the outdoor media, with a column in 455
newspapers and a radio show on 200
stations.
From 1963 to 1964 Virgil hosted his first TV
series with co-host Bud Iman, for the
Missouri Conservation Commission. The
shows aired on KY3 in Springfield, Missouri.
At this same time he also taught a fishing
class at Southwest Missouri State
University.
This was the springboard for his most
famous accomplishment - the nationally
“A Legend - Gone, But Not Forgotten”
Virgil wins another tournament.
guests. Whether they were professional
anglers like Roland Martin and Charlie
Campbell, country entertainers like Roy
Clark, Dotty West, Junior Samples, Box Car
Willie and Mel Tillis, sports celebrities like
Pete Rose, Stan Muscial, Darrel Porter,
George Brett and Wayne Gretzky,
entertainers like Nanette Fabray, Hugh
O’brien, Fred McMurray, Glenn Ford and
Martin Milner, guides like Jim Rogers or
outdoor media people such as myself.
Virgil felt his best show was a trout episode
shot in Alaska out of Golden Horn Lodge. He
said the fishing was fantastic, with at least a
five-pound fish on every cast.
A lot of the camera and sound work was done
by Virgil.
After Virgil’s retirement from the show, it
was hosted for about three years by his
grandson Greg Ward. Greg had been
groomed to take over the show and knew
the hard work his grandfather had put into
it. However, Greg did not like the work and
fame which went with it and would just
rather hunt and fish anonymously.
Many of the people in the outdoor media,
including myself, have had their careers
influenced either directly or indirectly by
Virgil. One such person is Al Lindner, who
decided to start his TV show after being a
guest on Virgil’s show.
The earlier days of the Championship Fishing
TV Show were produced on 16mm film.
syndicated Championship Fishing TV Show.
He hosted the show for 25 years. Twentyone of which took the number one rating for
fishing shows, according to the Nielsen and
Arbitron rating services. One year the show
placed number one over 400 syndicated
shows - one of Virgil’s proudest achievements.
The show had many top name sponsors.
Three of which were Bass Pro Shops, Ranger
Boats and Johnson Outdoors. The owners of
these companies (Johnny Morris, Forrest
Wood and Sam Johnson) were not just
business acquaintances, they were also
close friends with Virgil.
This same friendship carried over to his
Throughout his life there were numerous
honors bestowed. He was a member of the
Ozark Fisherman’s Hall of Fame, the IGFA
Hall of Fame and the Fresh Water Fishing
Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of
fishing’s highest recognition, the Dolphin
Award and was included in the Living
Legends of American Sportfishing.
In 1975, Missouri’s Governor Christopher S.
Bond proclaimed October 19 as Virgil Ward
Day. Governor Bond said, “Virgil Ward,
through his many efforts, has made an
invaluable contribution to Missouri tourism
and has made millions of Americans aware
of the world of fishing.”
In 1997, Brad Mosier, photojournalist, and I
had an idea to produce a documentary
about Virgil’s life. By 1999 The World of
Virgil Ward was first aired on WQPT PBS-TV,
in Moline, Illinois and later on other PBS
affiliates. It is still available to PBS stations
across the nation.
While taping the documentary we asked
everyone why he or she thought Virgil was
so popular. Perhaps it can best be answered
Catching another nice bass was not unusual for
Virgil.
by paraphrasing the statement we received
from his grandson, Eric Curnutte – by
saying, “He is more than a fishing show
host, he is a friend that we looked forward
to seeing each week.”
I feel a big part of his success was the fact
that the person you saw on television was
the person you would meet. He was a good,
religious, family man and projected that to
his audience.
One of the guests on my radio show once
said, “If all people in our industry were as
nice as Virgil we would have very few
problems in the fishing community.” I would
change that a bit by saying, “If all people in
the world were as nice as Virgil we would
have very few problems anywhere.”
Virgil championed the causes of catch-andrelease and cleaning up litter, such as old
fishing line, way before it was popular. He
has taught us a lot, not just in fishing, but
also in how to be a good person.
Virgil was 93 years old and fished up until a
couple of weeks before his passing. His last
trip was on his private lake with his son Bill.
In some way try to keep a little bit of Virgil
in your heart and allow The World of Virgil
Ward to live on forever.
He will be missed.
God has a great fishing partner.
For information, listening to his memorable
theme song and photos regarding Virgil and
the documentary visit the Dan’s Fish ‘N’
Tales® website at www.dansfishntales.com
and click on the link to The World of Virgil
Ward page.
7
A New Theory for Catching Walleye
By Legendary Angler Dan Gapen, Sr.
A
fter working the island shores at
the center of Kagianagami Lake in
Ontario, ‘Bobber’ Anne and I made
the decision to cross over to the main land
shoreline. We’d been searching island
shorelines attempting to film northern pike
on our underwater video. We were successful
by filming three pike strikes on a 4-1/2 inch
fire tiger Flub Dub plug. But, all were under
ten pounds. What we wanted was a fish over
40 inches striking the bait.
“Anne, let’s not pull up the underwater
camera. It takes too much time to reset it.
Instead, let’s leave it down and troll across
the two blocks of open water that separates
us from the main shoreline,” I commented as
I throttled the boat towards the far shore.
We reached the 140 foot depth mark when
Anne’s rod rapped hard and bent under the
strain of a fish strike. I had not been
watching the screen which showed us what
was happening behind the trolled Flub Dub.
Later that night, when we reviewed the tape
footage, we were able to see the action as a
fish struck Anne’s lure.
After a short two minute battle a 4 pound,
black-backed, orange-bellied walleye came to
net. We previously finished a TV show
working the lake’s rocky reefs, shoreline
points and rocky shoreline. All of these fish
had greenish-grey backs, white bellies and
yellow sides. This fish was completely
different in color than the shoreline walleye
we had done the TV show on.
“Anne, let’s make a circle and see if that
deep-lipped Flub Dub attracts a freak fish,” I
suggested. The time of the day was 4 p.m.
with the sun still high in the western sky.
As we circled I noted suspended fish at 80,
60, 50 as well as 40 to 20 feet. Kagianagami
a beautiful 6 pounder, was seen striking my
bluish-colored Flub Dub hard from behind. It
missed the bait’s hook as its shoulder
slammed the bait sideways. The fish then
circled within sight of the camera lens and
inhaled the bluish-colored bait. There’s a
second and third clue to my walleye theory.
The red fish marks on my Humminbird were
not lake trout, but walleye rising up off the
bottom in the 100 to 140 foot deep water.
The blue Flub Dub was the color of the lake’s
cisco population.
has a good population of lake trout. I
assumed the fish on my Humminbird LCR
were lakers.
“Anne, do you think these are separate
walleye that feed mainly on the lake’s cisco?”
I asked, as we headed to the lodge for
supper.
Suddenly, both rods went off. This time I was
watching the underwater screen as it showed
clearly a walleye pursuing the lures, then
striking them.
“This could make a separate TV show. I’m
going to give it a try in the morning,” came
my final thoughts as the outboard motor was
revved up and we headed in.
As my fish was netted I observed it was
snag-hooked on the side of its head outside
the mouth. At the time I didn’t think that
foul-hooking a walleye was too unusual. Such
an action occurred hundreds of times in my
lifetime while working walleye and other
fresh water fish. I would learn later this was
the beginning to a new theory we proved
over the next two days.
The next morning we were out on the same
spot. But, the graph showed all the fish on
bottom. Where had the walleye gone? Were
the red marks on the bottom walleye or
trout?
With the deep diving Flub Dub running at 10
to 12 feet, it was obvious the walleye we
were catching over the 100 to 140 feet deep
water were in suspended positions feeding
off the lake’s cisco. They traveled between
20 to 10 feet deep.
Two more circles over the deep water
produced five more fish, two over six pounds.
All had that black dark coloring. The last fish,
Not until 2 p.m. did any fish action occur, as
red dots began to rise off the bottom.
“Anne, here they come, take a look,” I
commented, pointing to show my partner the
LCR screen.
We had only caught two 7 to 8 pound pike
during the time we left the lodge’s dock. The
blur of ciscoes could easily be seen on the
underwater camera at 20 feet below surface.
Not until the sun lowered at 3 p.m., did we
hit fish. The walleye were up!
During the next four hours we caught and
released 47 walleye, all released. They all
were caught on the cisco-colored Flub Dub.
While catching these fish we successfully
captured 39 of the strikes on the underwater
camera. This all added positive information
to my new theory. These walleye were rising
up off the bottom each day as the sun
reached 2 o’clock in the sky. With a bright
August sun blazing down off the lake’s
surface, walleye refused to rise to feed.
Perhaps because of their eyes, which are
highly sensitive to bright light.
The Ol’ Man with a nice deep water walleye.
8
Black-backed walleye that came out of 140 feet
of water.
What was most amazing was an action
performed by the dark walleye, as they
attacked the bait. Of the 39 fish we caught,
seven were hooked outside the mouth—foul
hooked. This occurred when the attacking
A New Theory for Catching Walleye
Anne shows off a near 9 pound walleye taken
suspended over 110 feet of water. Caught on a
Flub Dub.
walleye slammed the bait from the side, as it
seemingly attempted to stun the Flub Dub.
Numerous fish slammed the Flub Dub on its
side and failed to return to eat the lure and
hook up. During those four hours of fishing
we also observed six body slams by walleye,
an immediate circle and a mouth hook up.
Anne and I had observed a new action by
suspended walleye. Like sailfish, marlin and
tuna which intentionally stun baitfish by their
bills, certain fresh water fish will perform a
similar act.
Since that day on Kagianagami I have
observed this action with northern pike,
‘Bobber’ Anne with one of those black-backed
deep water walleye.
muskie, smallmouth bass and stripers.
Thanks to the underwater camera, a whole
new feeding technique used by fresh water
fish has been exposed.
I want you to ask yourself these two
questions. “How many times, when retrieving
a lure after a cast or when you are trolling,
have you received a tap on your bait, then a
moment later there comes a hookup? How
many foul-hooked fish have you landed?”
I guess you’re never too old to learn.
Although walleye were not the original target,
that day on Kagianagami Lake created
excitement for this “Ol’ Man!”
A Must Read
If you are looking
for fishing yarns
and adventure
ranging from the
southern tip of South
America to the
northern reaches of
Alaska look no further
than Dan Gapen, Sr.'s
(co-authored by
Bobber Anne Orth) hardbound oddesy
entitled, "Adventure Fishing the
America's." Dan and Anne's masterpiece
is not just another sportfishing book. It is
story telling that only the "Ol' Man" Dan
Gapen could have told in his near 80
years of sportfishing! Although I would be
hard-pressed to pick out a favorite,
certainly Dan's chronicle of finding a new
method to catch suspended walleye over
140 feet of water rates near the top.
Dan and Anne's beautifully hardbound
400 page book features 50 chapters and
has 32 pages of color photographs.
This book is a must for every
sportfisherman's (and woman's) book
shelf.
Reserve your copy today by calling Dan at
877.623.2099 or go to his website at
www.gapen.com. The cost is $32.50 plus
$6.95 shipping and handling.
–Editor
2011 Mega Raffle
This year's boat package extravaganza is
again sponsored by Lund Boats and
Mercury Marine. It is a 1625 Rebel XL
Lund boat/trailer with live well, a
MotorGuide bow-mount trolling motor,
pedestal seats and much more. It is
powered by a Mercury 60hp motor with
power trim and tilt. What a great prize for
some lucky individual.
Tickets will again be priced at $5 each or
$10 for a card of 4 chances. These tickets
will be available at the Hall and on our
website beginning May 1st.
A tremendous thank you goes to Lund
Boats, Mercury Marine and Hayward Power
Sports for their tremendous support. Thank you to all who have
supported us in the past. We look forward to your continued
support. It is very much appreciated!
Jim Lennox (right) of Issaquah, Washington is all smiles as he
picks up his 2010 Lund/Mercury boat shortly after the
November 1, 2010 drawing at the Hall. It could be you this year!
9
Chris Slusar
Frenchy LaMay
O
nce or twice each year I’ll make
it to the home of the Fresh Water
Fishing Hall of Fame, Hayward,
Wisconsin. A visit isn’t complete
without a quick view of the landmark
musky that guards HOF territory. As a
symbol of my favorite fresh water fish, I
am quickly drawn to memories of my
early musky fishing years and those that
influenced my enjoyment of the sport.
Near the top of the list is Verlin ‘Frenchy’
LaMay, a well-known musky fisherman,
storyteller and top-notch lure maker.
Frenchy was a fixture on the Chippewa
Flowage (near Hayward) for the better
part of 50 years and was as great a
fisherman and personality as he was a
lure builder. While I’d enjoy recanting a
few stories, it’s his lures that have
provided an enduring memory for most.
Although Frenchy was creating and using
his own musky lures prior to the late
1960’s, it was during this time that his
fish catchers began to attract an
audience. In the early years, Frenchy built
his lures for personal use, but gradually
began sharing his works with friends and
acquaintances. His earliest pieces were
simple surface lures, distinguished by size
and strength. His pieces were generally
solid shafted, which meant that the line
tie was directly connected to the rear
treble hook - an improvement from the
weaker screw eyes often used during the
period. Water-churning propellers were
over-sized and hand cut from stainless
steel. Through the 1970’s his musky lures
gained local interest. His early 1980’s
retirement from the teaching profession
allowed for greater production.
I was first introduced to Frenchy in or
around 1981. It was shortly after this time
that his lures were branded with the word
“LeLure”- I’m sure a play on his nickname.
Lure production from the early 80’s
demonstrated improved design and
cosmetics. Topwater lures continued to be
the mainstay, with most production
involving Toppers, Globes, Wobblers,
Creepers and the emerging Thumper.
10
Aside of the LeLure hallmark, LaMay
creations of this period are identified by
the solid shaft design, well soldered on
the ends. Belly hooks were connected to
the center shaft via handmade wire clips.
Frenchy avoided the use of split rings, so
belly or spreader hooks were often
fastened with soldered brass rings. Paint
durability and patterns were greatly
improved and included scale, striped and
other fancy finishes.
By the mid to late 1980’s, Frenchy was at
his creative and productive peak. In
addition to his staples, he ventured into
sub-surface lures and musky sized
remakes of old classics. His legendary
status meant that all production was
flying out the door faster than it could be
made. I recall visiting his home during
this period and picking newly made lures
off the drying wire in his small shop. As a
college student, dollars were tight, but I
spent every dime I had!
By 1994, Frenchy had signficantly
reduced production following loss of
eyesight in one eye, giving rise to a new
venture. In 1994 or 95, Frenchy and a
group of close friends formed the LeLure
Tackle Company and began making his
famous baits. The earliest offerings were
very high quality and made in limited
production - 2,500 or fewer of each
color. Each piece was housed in a
handsome, marked box. After the initial
run, the company developed fisherman
versions that sold on a carded bubble
pack. While the lures were an early
success, rising costs are thought to have
curtailed production by or around 2000.
Although LeLure designs were more
recently produced by overseas
resources, models and colors are
limited.
Production figures on LeLures made
before 1995 are not known, but it is safe
to say that field finds are unusual if not
rare. There are many LeLures in the
hands of caring collectors and still many
in the tackle boxes of avid and knowing
musky fisherman….I still fish with
several Frenchy classics. Although value
can be quite subjective on these pieces,
those looking for original Frenchy’s can
expect to pay $100-$400 for an excellent
example. Offerings from the LeLure
Tackle Company are collectible but will
bring substantially less.
Until next time, please do forward your
old fishing tackle questions or requests
to slusar@wi.rr.com. Alternatively, send
your queries to Chris Slusar in care of
the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
This Topper dates to the mid-late 1970’s and was
previously owned by another well-known Chippewa
Flowage musky fisherman and guide, Ron Dettloff.
The pictured
Globe style
lures are
Frenchy
classics. The
upper piece
dates to the
mid-late 70’s
and
characteristic
of the cigar
shaped design of the period. Note that the brass prop is
allowed to float freely on the central shaft. The lower piece
was made in the late 80’s or very early 90’s and is stamped
LeLure. The larger body is accompanied by a rotating prop,
now connected to the head.
Famous for its
surface
strikes, this
Frenchy made
Creeper dates
to the late
1980’s. Note
the strongly
marked LeLure
name and
soldered brass
rings securing the treble hooks to the spreaders.
This LeLure
Tackle Company
creation was
made around
1995 and is one
of fewer than
2,500. This
Water Thumper
model was
signed by
Frenchy.
World Angling Records Granted
2nd QUARTER - 2011 UPDATE
NOTE: World angling records are updated quarterly and the ultimate synthesis is
published annually in book form each April, distributed free to members, media,
manufacturers and world fisheries as a public service.
GOURAMI/
Giant
AllTackle
(only)
24”
Leonard J.
Kouba
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
11/5/2010
MAD BARB
AllTackle
(only)
23”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Gillhams Lake,
Thailand, Asia
10/26/2010
PIAU/
Flamengo
AllTackle
(only)
14”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Rio Negro,
Brazil, South America
12/1/2010
PIRANHA/
Black
AllTackle
(only)
20”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Padaueri River,
Brazil, South America
11/30/2010
TIUI
AllTackle
(only)
15”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Ciuini River,
Brazil, South America
12/6/2010
NOTICE TO REPRINT
©COPYRIGHT 2011 FRESH WATER FISHING HALL OF FAME. Excerpts or whole may be reprinted without
written permission as public information only, but not for commercial profit purpose. The source of this
information must be credited to the Fishing Hall of Fame in a type size readably noticeable or as the
contents of the companion text.
“Kept” World Records List
Fish
PIRANHA/
Black
Line
Class
AllTackle
(only)
DIVISION #1 – ROD/REEL - FOREIGN
Lbs./
Ozs. Angler
Where Caught
5-8
Leonard J.
Padaueri River,
Kouba
Brazil, South America
Date
11/30/2010
“C&R” World Records List
DIVISION #1 –ROD/REEL
Fish
WALLEYE
Fish
TROUT/
Gila
TROUT/
Lake
Fish
CRAPPIE/
Black
WALLEYE
Fish
CAPARARI
Line
Class
17 lb.
Length Angler
34” David
Mohler
Where Caught
Dogtooth Lake,
Ontario, Canada
DIVISION #2 – FLY FISHING
Line
Class Length Angler
Where Caught
All20” Matthew
Frye Mesa Res.,
Tackle
Rinker
Arizona, USA
(only)
Date
9/5/2009
Date
2/23/2011
4 lb.
Tippet
31”
Al
Noraker
Lake Athabasca,
9/15/2010
Saskatchewan, Canada
15 lb.
Tippet
36”
Al
Noraker
Lake Athabasca,
9/14/2010
Saskatchewan, Canada
DIVISION #4 – ICE FISHING – POLE/LINE
Line
Class Length Angler
Where Caught
Longest 17”
Matt
Great Pond,
(only)
Ziomek
Massachusetts, USA
Longest
(only)
33”
Timothy
Geni
Last Mountain Lake,
1/5/2011
Saskatchewan, Canada
DIVISION #1 – ROD/REEL - FOREIGN
Line
Class Length Angler
Where Caught
All39” Leonard J.
Padaueri River,
Tackle
Kouba
Brazil, South America
(only)
CARP/
Unltd.
Jullien’s Golden
24”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Date
12/23/2010
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
Date
11/30/2010
11/5/2010
Fish
BLACK
SHARKMINOW
DIVISION #2 – FLY FISHING - FOREIGN
Line
Class Length Angler
Where Caught
All19”
Leoanrd J.
K. P. Lake,
Tackle
Kouba
Thailand, Asia
(only)
Date
11/5/2010
CARP/
Catla
All
Tackle
(only)
24”
Leonard J.
Kouba
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
11/3/2010
CARP/
Chinese
All
Tackle
(only)
20”
Leonard J.
Kouba
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
11/1/2010
CARP/
All
Jullien’s Golden Tackle
29”
Leonard J.
Kouba
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
11/1/2010
15 lb.
Tippet
29”
Leonard J.
Kouba
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
11/1/2010
CARP/
Silver
AllTackle
(only)
22”
Leonard J.
Kouba
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
11/3/2010
CARP/
Siamese Giant
15 lb.
Tippet
37”
Leonard J.
Kouba
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
11/3/2010
JACUNDA
AllTackle
(only)
17”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Bariri River,
Brazil, South America
11/29/2010
PARROT
CICHLID
AllTackle
(only)
13”
Leonard J.
Kouba
Bariri River,
Brazil, South America
11/29/2010
ROHU
15 lb.
Tippet
22”
Leonard J.
Kouba
K. P. Lake,
Thailand, Asia
11/3/2010
Al Noraker
Lake Trout,
36", Lake
Athabasca,
Saskatchewan,
Canada,
9/14/10
Timothy Geni Walleye, 33", Last
Mountain Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada,
1/5/11
Leonard J.
Kouba Caparari,
39", Padaueri
River, Brazil,
South America,
11/30/10
David Mohler
Walleye,
34", Dogtooth
Lake, Ontario,
Canada, 9/5/09
Matt Ziomek Black
Crappie, 17", Great
Pond, Massachusetts,
USA, 12/23/10
11
Return Service Requested
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 3
HAYWARD, WI 54843
Fresh Water Fishing
Hall of Fame & Museum
P.O. Box 690
10360 Hall of Fame Drive
Hayward, Wisconsin 54843
Phone 715/634-4440
A NON-PROFIT MUSEUM-EDUCATION ORGANIZATION
Custodian of Historical Sport Fishing Artifacts, Enshriner of Persons for Outstanding Achievement
and Accomplishment, Official Qualifier and Recorder of World Fresh Water Sportfishing Records,
Librarian, Educator and Clearing House for Contemporary and Historical Fishing Facts