Northwest Fishing Reports

Dave Hickman caught a monster 38lb fish out of Curlew on Saturday and it is pending the Washington State record catch for Tiger Muskies. It exceeded the minimum 50in. for retention and Hickman had it officially weighed. Great read about the whole thing is below.

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/editors-blog/ ... wa-record/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;





I don't know, i still think Chris Gades Giant is unbeatable….even though he was gracious enough to release it.
2011






fishnislife

there is some big fish in that lake, congrats to the record holder, and anyone who gets to tangle fish one of these great fighting, ferocious fish

Doesn't look as big as 38lbs. Seems like grades fish is way bigger.

I believe there is a problem with the State Record system. A fish should not have to he killed to be certified imo. Heavier fish have been caught. In Chris's case he released it, and in others they were "undersized" and released. I wish we could find a way to certify the biggest fish, with no need to make a decision if you want to kill the fish or not. This would also qualify fish that are just slabs, but under the state minimum of 50". Congrats to this guy on the catch of a lifetime, judging by the article hes put his time in and deserves it. And I am also glad this record didn't go to some guy dragging around wedding rings for trout like the Idaho Pike record did. Its also nice to have the old questionable state record beat!

And again, no knock on Dave. He was well within his legal right to keep this legal fish. And I'm glad we finally have a legit state record Tiger muskie! And it's from the right side of the state this time!

Agree with mark. A shame a fish has to be killed to certify a record. Although I'm happy to see the last record overturned as questionable would be a polite way to put the circumstances behind that catch. Some states have gone length alone. I don't know why I'm surprised though as Washington still sees fit to kill native steelhead. At least if there's killing these fish are hatchery in origin.

I completely agree with you Mark K. There has got to be a way to record a fish and not have to kill it. Records have been set in this state but the angler has chosen to release the fish for future spawn versus retention of the fish and a name in the record books.



fishnislife

I don't think tiger muskies spawn.

No, Tiger Muskies don't spawn, they are sterile. But the killing does concern other specie that do spawn. It would be nice to be able to transport a live fish to be weighted and then returned to the same lake so those genes can continue.

You are correct, they are sterile. Which imo makes catch and release that much more important. Once a fish is taken out of the lake it is gone from the already limited number of fish that we have.

Congratulations Dave Hickman!!!!!!!!! Really nice fish and what a great way to end your family vacation.

zen leecher wrote:I don't think tiger muskies spawn.

I speak of other species in this state that have broke records and the angler is kind enough to let it go. In Gades case, he now has allowed for that beast to only get bigger and possibly let another angler have the enjoyment of catching it. I have nothing against Hickman for doing what he did, but there has got to be another way to record a catch.



fishnislife

Heck of a fish. Read the whole article and the gent has been fishing these critters awhile now. Like Mr. Kendall said, Well desrved and I say, The musky Gods were definately looking down on the guy!
I also think there is a way to do a catch and release record. Texas, yep Texas does have a way. And I agree with all except the cutting the line if you cannot get the fish unhooked. They figured it out. And this state can too. Texas also has a junior division for kids and a flyfishing record keeping system. We musky chasers just need to voice it to the WDFW. They are very interactive with us anglers. I think a length recording is the best way. What does the article say within the first sentence..a 38lb fish..I never understood the weight thing. Grew up with it always being length first, then the weight as a possible tie breaker. Here is what I found on the internets..

Submission Rules


How to measure fish
1.State record applications must be notarized.
2.A witness to live release is required.
3.For length measurement: ◦Place fish on its side with the jaw closed.
◦Squeeze the tail fin together or turn it in a way to obtain the maximum overall length.
◦Measure a straight line from the tip of the snout to the extreme tip of the tail fin.

4.Weighing is optional. The angler may use a hand-held or dockside scale, if available, to record the weight of the fish, but record status will be determined by length.
5.Photographs are required for all weight records, Catch and Release Records and Big Fish Awards. TPWD biologists will use the photos to identify the species and verify length measurement. Video recordings will not be accepted in lieu of photographs. ◦Take clear, color, side view photographs from several different angles. One must clearly show the fish lying on its side with a ruler or other measuring device placed beside the fish. Another photo must show the angler with the fish.
◦Get close enough so that the image fills the frame. Make sure anal and dorsal fins are spread out and visible.
◦If the fish is a shark, photos of the teeth as well as photos of the head and back taken from above must be submitted along with the side view photographs. The photo of head and back should clearly show whether a shark does or does not have a ridge between the dorsal fins.
◦Photos may be submitted by e-mail or mailed with the application. Submitted photos become the property of TPWD with publication and television rights, and will not be returned.


For Fly Fishing Awards
1. The lure must be a recognized type of artificial fly.
2.A fly may be dressed on a single or double hook or two single hooks in tandem. Treble hooks are prohibited. The use of any other type of lure or natural or preserved bait, either singularly or attached to the fly, is prohibited.
3.No scent, either natural or artificial, is allowed on flies. The use of scented material in a fly is prohibited.
4. The rod, reel, line, and leader equipment used must be designed for fly fishing.
5. Casting and retrieving must be carried out in accordance with normal customs and generally accepted practices. The major criterion in casting is that the weight of the line must carry the lure rather than the weight of the lure carrying the line.
This can work here! Good luck out there on the watah!

Also just to finish..The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame does do a recognition certificate for a possible world record musky caught in Wisconsin that was CAUGHT AND RELEASED. Certified 57" musky,they think, possibly 50lbs. That was released from Yellowstone Lake in Wisconsin. So if you guys and girls think, think you you might have caught a new record tiger here, check out the Hall of Fame website and see if you can get some recognition to hang on your wall.
Good luck out there and happy musky chasin' to ya.

Understanding the weight thing is simple. You can catch 10 fish of the same length and they can come in at 10 diffrent weights. A record, is a record of the biggest fish. A 50" fish that weighs 35 pounds is obviously bigger than a 50" fish that weighs 34 pounds. To establish an "accurate" record a weight would be necessary. I would hate to see a large tiger killed, only to come up a little short on weight if a person thought they had a record, but if it's a legal keeper, I guess thats up to the angler.

The 50" minimum in wa state for tiger muskies is a length that is close to the end of these fishes life. lakes where they are stocked are stocked regularly, new fish will grow, and the feed in Curlew is plentiful, so there is bound to be more in there like these. catch and kill of it meets the 50" length, I know I would.

Theres quite a few fish in that lake that size. Gades fish is an absolute monster though... Congrats to the angler. I for one would release the fish, but it is his choice to keep it and he is well within the law. A very clean looking fish to boot.

AJ's Dad wrote:Understanding the weight thing is simple. You can catch 10 fish of the same length and they can come in at 10 diffrent weights. A record, is a record of the biggest fish. A 50" fish that weighs 35 pounds is obviously bigger than a 50" fish that weighs 34 pounds. To establish an "accurate" record a weight would be necessary. I would hate to see a large tiger killed, only to come up a little short on weight if a person thought they had a record, but if it's a legal keeper, I guess thats up to the angler.

Mark,
You cannot base the length to weight to equal out all the time. You have to also take into consideration on the time of year. For an example, there were 2..2..52" plus fish caught on St.Clair this weekend neither of those fish were even close to 25 lbs. Its the middle of summer and typically these musky do not feed at the same rate as a spring or fall musky. So those fish were rather snakeie for their length. Their heads were nearly 15" long.
Water temps generally have a big factor in their feeding patterns. So length does not equal what a fish should weigh all the time. It is a good scale to use, i guess, but in this case Chris's fish of that fall season, I think, surpasses that fish caught last weekend by a few good pounds...saw the official length was 50.375" good fish none the less.
Todd

ncwflounderer wrote:The 50" minimum in wa state for tiger muskies is a length that is close to the end of these fishes life. lakes where they are stocked are stocked regularly, new fish will grow, and the feed in Curlew is plentiful, so there is bound to be more in there like these. catch and kill of it meets the 50" length, I know I would.

ncw,
In a way you are correct. Though in my and several of my musky chasers eyes its not necessarily true. Depends on fishing pressure,water conditions and prey.
The 50"inch limit was in fact, based on the highest length achieveable, to make it as close to a catch and release fishery as the musky fishing community could get at the time. Though in the WDFW eyes they felt, as close to the natural end of life cycle of these fish. Yet allowing some, some to be retained for those who wanted to catch and keep the fish. The "hardcore" musky chasers practice catch and release 100% of the time and have replicas made of their personal best trophy muskies..
Good luck out there,
Todd

Amx wrote:No, Tiger Muskies don't spawn, they are sterile. But the killing does concern other specie that do spawn. It would be nice to be able to transport a live fish to be weighted and then returned to the same lake so those genes can continue.

AMX,
Simple way..if you have a digital scale..weigh the net when its wet. Remember that weight. Then when you put a fish in the net, attach the scale to the net, lift the net up (with the fish in it) and out of the water. Read the scale. Then subract the weight of the net from the weight of the net with the fish in the net and Bam! you get a weight. On the water and release the new state record back into the lake..zinga! Problem solved..thank you goodnight! Or..good day!
Todd