Dale MacNair's 57x33 release interview

[Red Childress]

15 minute interview of Dale McNair about his historic musky catch..........


http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1287

[stushsky]

red,
i just listened to it...amazing! what is the biggest musky you or one of your clients have caught up on the river and what is your estimate of the biggest you have ever hooked / seen cruising up there?
stan

[Red Childress]

A client landed a fish in the 40 pound bracket back in Dec. '05 that was 49 inches with a girth of 25-26 inches..... Another client landed a 49.5-inch MALE back in October '05. There was sperm flying everywhere when we took the photos.

Personally, I have landed 5-6 fish between 48-49.5 but "the boat" has not landed a solid 50 inch fish yet. We have lost 2-3 fish that were over 50, one of which broke the leader 30 feet from the boat.

The biggest fish I have seen in the river was (and eventually harvested) 54 inch/44-pounder from '06. The fish was caught and killed by a former client who came back 6 months later and caught her in April. I had seen her 2 times before her fate was sealed.

[Red Childress]

How about a fish of that size coming completely out of the water in 43 degree water??? Can you imagine the rush.....

Those guys had planned on fishing all nite. I suspect it was due to the clear water of the St. Lawrence and their assumption of the big fish feeding at or after dark even though it was late November....they were also hitting the full moon phase. I KNOW this same thing happens on the Allegheny at times, especially in the sections having clear water. The only difference might be the number of 57x33's prowling around after dark. :)

In my opinion, river muskies are a considerably different critter when compared to lake muskies.

[b.bent66]

i think it amazing that dale released what could be a world record fish. it just goes to show that you dont have to harvest a monster fish to be famous. i agree on river and lake muskies being different but i think that its all fish not just the muskies.

[RapRunR]

Thanks for sharing !!!! Sure would like to see that repro when it's done. That is a great story and for a guy to let her go like that is simply awesome !!!