10 pounds, 6 ounces Willamette River, OR

[bassfishingnw]

DO WE NOW THIS GUY????

On BASSMASTER Lunker Page (http://espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/gallery/bass/aug/panel5.html)

NICE FISH!!

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/winnercomm/outdoors/bassmaster/i/PG3_b_Lunker_James_McCalmon.jpg

[Jellyhead]

All I can say is......

:shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

I wonder how it tasted :whazzup:

Gawd, I hope he released it, that fish had to be over 10 years old...

Aaron

[BuKuBass]

More people should realize that a vertical liplock is not the way to display any fish. It's best to hold the fish horizontally with one hand applying slight pressure to the jaw and the other cradling its belly. Prior to being caught, their organs have always been cushioned by water and aren't used to the unsupported weight. But if one is so ignorant to kill such a fish for consumption, they're probably too stupid to know any better. graemlins/berry.gif

[moman]

Am I missin' something, wouldn't that be a state record by a good 3 lbs.?

[Phish_on]

That's how they do it on TV! Released it? How many steelhead smolts can that thing suck down in a day? I'd release it into the freezer then into the crab trap.

[ultralight]

moman,

the OR state record is a 11 lbs. 9.6 oz. hog from a farm pond in 1994.

[Merle]

BuKuBass.
You have such a kind way with words. We should get you a job with the state department. I'm sure the ammunition manufactures in this country would appreciate your diplomatic charm.

[rebell]

Man, nice fish.

And to Phish_on, How many Salmon and Steelhead did you tag last year? Bet they would have spawned a lot of smolts. Im sorry ( well sort of ) but catch and release has worked for our warm water fisheries for a long time. Most of these guys cherish these fish to a point that they would fight to save one. I release all of my Bass and Walleye without a second thought. And I also release 90% of the Slimers I catch each year. I guided Oregon and Alaska for 10 years, When the debate came up in Tillamook a few years back about making it one fish a day I asked all of my clients if they would support that. Most said yes. So why do most (not all) Salmon and Steelhead fisherpeaple have such a hard time with catch and release? I know many peaple on there second and third hatchery tag. I love eating Salmon, but only so much. And no way would I ever let one get freezer burned, I have more respect for them then that. All Im saying is give catch and release a try on all fish, you cant beleive how good it feels.

[ 08-26-2002, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: rebell ]

[Phish_on]

Let's see ... last year ... I tagged ONE hatchery coho. wooo-hooo.

I release countless native trout. I would release every bass in a lake or pond that was managed as a bass fishery.

Willamette bass are an invasive species, I don't believe I am going to impact them by killing every one I catch - except maybe increasing the average size.

If I can convert a spiny fish into half a dozen tasty crustaceans, I'm gonna try.

Your choice is valid. My choice is valid. Go fish.

[Paddlefish]

Hate to display a potential "adipose complex" here, but I'm with Phish_on on this one.

I've done plenty of catch-and-release bass fishing. I've also advised my kids that they don't need to feel guilty about killing white-meated smolt killers either.

Anybody ever notice how effective a smolt imitating plug can be on the Willamette, or how the smallmouths hang around on the downstream edge of rocky points and structure -- just where thousands of years of evolution conditioned the downstream salmon and steelhead smolts to migrate?

And is a once world class trophy trout fishery like Crane Prairie Reservoir really better with the addition of bASS, Boogill, and crappy? (All misspellings intentional.) :mad:

The warm water fish have their place and I love them as well. My gripe is with the guys who believe that EVERYWHERE is that place.

[ultralight]

Paddlefish, you've managed to say it without coming across as an "elitist" salmonoid fisherman, and I fully agree that it's best to have diverse fisheries. Unfortunately the warmwater fish are much superior at adapting themselves to most environments than are coldwater fish, so much more effort must be given to preserving the native coldwater fishery imo. I hate to be pessimistic but I only see things getting worse for people who wants to keep out the panfish from their favorite coldwaters. So my suggestion is to fish day and night until the last smolt is inhaled by a bass then move to Alaska. :grin:

[rebell]

Again, most seem to be missing the point. If you can kill one Saolmonoid be it hatchery or wild, how can you justify killing a fish that eats salmonoid smolts only because it does. If you want to take home a bass for dinner fine, if your going to kill it because it eats a smolt , you belong on the dinner table also!

Just an opinion.

[Wannabe]

My goodness!!! Haven't seen this much friction on this warmwater page since it's inception. One thing for sure, we all love to catch fish. I've lived in this state for over fifty years and have done most of all the fishing this state has to offer. I've also done my share of eating fish and now for the most part releasing fish. I prefer the bass fishing as I believe it's less combat fishing. I haven't heard of too many people bringing guns into play when fishing for bass. If we want to point fingers at what takes all the salmon/steelhead smolts the list would go on and on from dams/birds/forestry practices/warm water in the ocean/our managment/white bucketeers thinking their catching trout to just mention a few. I think its pretty cool to have such a great bass fishery around here that through the struggles of all this can hold on to some degree. It would just be nice if all us fishermen got along, enjoyed what our Great Lord has created and get along and work together to help keep this for our kids and their kids. Granted bass may not belong in Crane Prairie due to an improper introduction. But all bass don't belong in ponds either. Look at all the great fisheries we have around this nation where all the fish live together very well. As you've all said...my two cents. Tight Lines
<)))><

[rebell]

Thanks Wannabe, once again you have proved yourself as a true proffesional.

[lightline]

Amen wannabe: Rebel do you owe wannabe money????

[rebell]

No, We both share a love for the sport. Im not even sure who he is, but thanks again Wannabe for your opinion. And to Phisn_on also. I hope you can see we all just love to fish, be it salmonoid or warm water, I hope everyone can get along. All your opinions are valued.

rebell

[bassfishingnw]

I just want to say thanks to "WANNABE" for his comments!

I also would like to find out where that back water :shocked: is behind the gentelman holding the NW Trophy!!

[Phish_on]

Mercy! Good stuff ...

I think I mentioned that I don't kill Willamette bass JUST because they eat smolts, I use 'em for crab bait. If I put one on the dinner table, I would belong in a doctor's office. Do you eat things that live in the Willamette? (Live there, not "pass through")

I do like to catch bass, but, I only try a few days out of the year. Usually when I'm fed up with chasing the elusive spring chinook. I'm just saying they're nothing like an endangered species! And you know, if I caught a monster like Clem is holding up there ... I think I'd probably release it, just 'cause someone else (or I) might catch it again.

To keep it in perspective, I've kept one bass this year. Two last year.
Go fish.