A TIGER FOR AN OLD MAN!

Utah Fishing Reports & Discussion Utah Fishing General
1

I have been sick for a long time, thinking and often wishing that I was going to die, but some very skilled heart and lung specialists at the Univ of Utah hospital have given me hope and recently, permission to go fishing once again.

Last week I took that trip. I chose Joes valley Reservoir in hopes of catching a trophy tiger muskie on ultra light tackle. I have caught several of the beautiful predators, but never on light tackle.

We got a room in Castledale and then drove the 14 miles to the high mountain lake. We got the guagga inspection behind us and were soon on the water.

Using the electric trolling motor on the boat’s bow we slowly worked the rocky structure that the big predators prefer on the east side of the reservoir. There were no other boats nor anglers on the lake, which is often the case. Anticipation was high as Wrongway Johnson and I methodically casts our lures lures towards the rocky edges. the afternoon passed rapidly with no follows nor strikes. We had worked our way back to the launch ramp when the big muskie struck my lure.

If we had been fishing in brush there would have been no chance of landing the fish. Any contact with anything in the water or even the bottom of the boat would severe the spider web thin line. Wrongway moved us into deeper water as I slowly brought the fish to where I would have a chance of landing him.

For the first 15 minutes the fish went wherever he wanted with long deep runs, but the strain from the light rod and the drag, however light, brought him back to the boat. The net was too small for the fish so I was forced to reach into the water and grab him in the gills. He thrashed as I lifted him into the boat and the pain in my fingers nearly overcome the adrenalin rush I was experiencing . Blood poured from my hand as the fish got his revenge, but pain and blood or not he was in the boat where we could measure and weigh him. 38" and 17.5 lbs. We quickly took a few pictures and released him. I was spent and exhausted, but extremely gratified.

We were back on the water by daylight the following day. It was to be a repeat of the previous day, casting carefully along the rocky structure. late in the afternoon we had another fish in the boat. This one also weighted 18 lbs and was just short of 38". Two days and only two fish. Normally this might have depressed me, but these were great fish that most anglers will never have a chance to catch. I was elated, but wore down.

The next morning we tried another part of the reservoir. There were giant fish in the shallows, but we could not entice them to strike at the lures we placed right in their faces. Finally, as wrong way was lifting his lure from the water another fish struck. We watched the tiger take the lure and turn to escape. 20 minutes later the third fish was measured, photographed and released. Our trip had ended. This old man had caught, perhaps his one last trophy in the company of a lifelong friend on one of Utah’s most beautiful waters. The Lord truly gives me many blessings.

footnote: The fish I landed on the 2 lb line exceeded the IGFA world record for that line class by nearly 5 lbs. Rather than submit it to the IGFA for consideration for the world record, I can only hope and dream that my health will improve and I can return and catch one of the giant 50" that swim the clear mountain waters.

2

Congratulations Steve on catching those beautiful fish. Sorry to hear of your poor health and hope that you have healthier days ahead.

3

Thank you for sharing that story.

Congrats on landing those awesome fish on such light tackle!

Here’s to better health for you!

4

Very nice report, I have also been down for a few years, its amazing how much joy I get at home staring at walls just thinking of all the great fishing adventures I’ve had. Its hard to beat the beautiful scenery at joes valley!! That had to be a long skillfull fight on 2lb test line. I’m glad you got out and are still able to enjoy our great outdoors, I look forward to seeing some more Post’s from you.

5

beautiful fish! ..

what type of musky lure does one use on 2lb test??

6

Nice … As one who has had recent major heart surgery, I hope you didn’t show the bloody hand picture to your surgeon.

7

Every tiger we have caught was on a rapala. Our color of preference is red crawdad. When we work the rocks and shallows we use a shallow running jointed shad rap. I think one of the pictures shows the lure in the fishes jaw.

While these rapalas are not the only lure that will work, I’ve caught thousands of fish with them through the years and other than a silver rattle trap, the rapala shad rap is my go to lure. Good luck

8

Awesome Story! Thanks for sharing. I hope your health continues to improve and you can share many more of your fishing adventures with us :slight_smile:

9

Congrats on some beautiful fish, Sir. I hope you get the oppertunity to catch many more!

10

First off congratulations on catching some fine looking tigers, having said that there are somethings that I feel need to be said. These are large fish that fight hard and quickly build up lactic acid in their muscles that makes it very difficult for the fish to recover from being caught. The longer you fight these fish the more acid builds in the muscle and it takes longer for the fishes body to process the acid and recover. I see that you are using a gaff to hold the fish for photos, why would you gaff a fish that you are intending to release and is bellow the size limit for that body of water?

I am going to stop now as I am sure that my comments will get me in trouble, but please if you plan on fishing for these fish learn how to handle them and respect them for the awesome fish they are!

11

Thank you for posting your experience at Joe’s, along with the photos. Boy those Tigers have some mean looking teeth. Hope you heal up quickly and can get back out and have more great experiences.

I have planned to hit Joe’s Valley in the near future and this is encouraging. I know the water level is way down right now, and presumably going lower, from where it was in the spring, which had it looking about full. Having only been there twice I am not sure if this is the norm, but I guess the good thing is all those large Tigers, Splake, and Cutthroats have fewer places to hide.

Please keep posting your adventures. It is appreciated.

One more comment, I saw the comment about the use of a “gaff”. I’m no expert, but it looks more like a scale than a gaff. Not sure of the affects, having not used a scale.

12

It looks like you are correct about the scale, I was wrong. I just saw a hook through the gill on the musky and assumed it was a gaff.

13

Great fish, but I will say I have seen people get arrested (at strawberry) mishandling and then releasing fish that died that were not of legal length. Please practice proper and legal C&R practices if you want there to be 50" fish and don’t like hand cuffs…

14

Pez glad to see you’re recovering and going out and enjoying. Good on ya. I’d like to take a moment to provide you and others some info to help in the future if you’re planning on fishing for this species of fish.

We along with a small group of folks have been fishing for tiger muskies here in Utah for 10 plus years and have really learned a whole lot both on and off the water. So with that being said here are things we along with others have learned and would like to share with you et al.

First fighting this species of fish on very light tackle as you indicated you used is not recommended unless of course you are highly seasoned at fighting big fish on extremely light tackle. I won’t go into those details as folks can research the info…it can be done but again not recommended for an unseasoned angler. If you want an IFGA record there are articles on that also on proper light tackle to be used to possibly attain a record.

Now fighting a fish for an extended period causes an oxygen deficit in the tissues, forcing the muscles to function anaerobically (without oxygen). This causes lactic acid to build up in the muscle tissue, and then to diffuse into the blood. Lactic acid acts as an acid in the blood, causing the pH of the blood to drop. Even slight changes in pH can cause major disruptions of the metabolic processes, ultimately killing the fish. If the fish is quickly brought to the boat and quickly released, its blood pH usually returns to normal and the fish will be unaffected. However, after a long battle and long release, a fish may appear to live once released, but the imbalance in the blood chemistry may kill them as late as three days after being caught. The fish will die under water only to surface later in the day or several days later, the means of preventing this type of mortality is to not keep the fish in a prolonged fight for a long period of time.

Also with this species if fought for a long time one may see red under the skin including red fins and red in the soft tissues such as the mouth. This is a clear sign via pictures that the fish was fought for an extended period of time and even if the angler successfully releases the fish most likely will not survive.

For handling the fish here is a great video I strongly recommend all watching…never put your hands in the gills we all know that. However with these fish especially they have very sharp razor gill rakers that can cause serious damage to the angler and also the fish. Again please take time to watch this video.

Additionally here is a link to the DWR page on proper Tiger Muskie release tools and proper holding.

http://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/tiger_muskie_tips.php

Now for vertical holds the issues aren’t necessarily with displacement of internal organs (as I’d always assumed). Those organs and the connective tissues are actually fairly elastic. The most pronounced and long-lasting damage from vertical holds occurs in the ligaments and skeletal and muscular structures around and immediately behind the head and gills. This also includes the gill lamellae and rakers. Damage to these areas can have a serious effect on respiration, mobility, and ability to forage.

I’ve attached a pic on proper holds for this species of fish. See below attachment.

Finally have you ever wondered how much the one that got away weighed? While the one that got away will always be fertile fodder for tall tales, now you can accurately estimate the weight of the ones that you let get away. By gently taking some simple measurements of the fish before it is released and employing the formula below, you can know exactly how much the fish weighed. Any further exaggeration is purely discretionary on the angler.

The Formula:

(Girth x Girth) x Length) / 800 = weight in pounds.
(girth and length are inches)

Example:

If the fish’s girth is 15 inches and its length is 29 inches, the formula would be used as follows:

15 x 15 x 29, divided by 800 = 8.16 pounds

Then the “.16” or “16/100” is converted to ounces (multiply by 16) .16 x 16 = 2.56 or 3 ounces
so this fish is 8 pounds 3 ounces
Again actual length and girth of fish is purely at the anglers’ discretion.

So again holding a fish vertically for a long period of time just for a weight of a fish you plan on releasing isn’t good…recommend using the formula above for that weight.

I hope the info I provided gives you et al more knowledge and improves your game especially with this species of fish. Good luck and have fun out there.

15

Thanks one and all for the information provided. It is appreciated by myself and I am sure, others who have and will read it.
In my defense let me say this; I am an coast guard 100 ton master fishing guide. I have fished many of the worlds great waters, both fresh and salt water. I am a member of the IGFA, the billfish foundation and other organization and have caught world and state records as have my clients and fishing partners.

Once retired, I formed a non profit organization that has taken over 2,000 disabled veterans and children fishing. Most of these individuals were in wheelchairs. Additionally I have taught 100’s of school age children to cast and the basics of fishing .No one ever paid a dime for these services.

Using excellent light tackle, I applied the maximum pressure I could to the fish. Aside from having the irritation of a lure in its mouth I believe that most of the time the fish was trying to get rid of the lure and was unaware he was hooked. After 15 minutes the fish was to the boat. I didn’t want to chance the line contacting the net where it would certainly have broken. I opted to lift the fish from the water with my hands and brought him aboard. He was weighted with a spring scale (certified) measured and released after being photographed. The fish, in my opinion, was not mishandled and I would do it again with a DWR officer aboard the boat. There was nothing unethical nor illegal with the catching of this fish nor the 1,000 of others I have caught through my long life as a fisherman.

I appreciated all the advise given on this forum. It is well thought out and valuable to all fisherman, both novice and seasoned. The perfect way to protect these fish and many other species is not to fish for them. Although it would have been possible to Winch the fish to the boat with heavy tackle, that is not fishing to me and I would rather not fish at all if there is no joy in the sport. We are all in a new era of angling and ethics since the time all fishing was done for food. Release is the new norm. I won’t go on about this today, but it is on my mind often. Thanks again for all of your comments.

16

Thank you for posting this information regarding the handling of Tigers. It’s very valuable to those like myself who have yet to catch a Tiger Muskie but are heading out in the near future to attempt it. You most likely saved some Tigers from premature death due to ignorant handling.

Still, thanks to the gentleman for the original post so that all this valuable information was brought up.

17

This seems to me to be the perfect representation of a great thread. Cool story in the report, helpful information, good discussion. It could easily have devolved into a non-productive discussion but it worked out great. This is the kind of thing I consider now when I’m getting ready to make a knee-jerk post and I’m pretty sure future me will appreciate that.

18

I’m always more than willing to provide information on this species along with others who are also very knowledgeable. This species is a very hearty fish…however caution needs to be exercised to prevent and reduce angler injury and fish injury/mortality especially when water temperatures are high.

We can suggest the following to whomever wants to learn about the fish of 10,000 casts.

Release equipment

Handling

Tackle

We aren’t perfect but with years of experience and literally thousands of hours on the water employing the 3Ps (passion, persistence and above all patience) we have “learned” and can really work with others to help them learn about this awesome fish.

Above all, we’ve learned and are always willing to accept constructive feedback on what one provides regarding this species we learned a great deal from other tiger muskie anglers. Most seasoned tiger muskie anglers have been there, seen that and done that…we all have learned very valuable lessons on what to do and what not to do. We’ve learned by researching and doing…lessons for sure.

If one wants to learn about the species they are a student of the species (no matter the species) and will put the time in and learn both on and off the water or Mother Earth if your passion also includes hunting…nothing is a given only learning is a given and the effort put forth to learn.

I’m happy the information provided was positively received and helped others…one learns by researching then going and doing including repeatedly working on their skills including really understanding their equipment/tackles limitations especially for the angler and overall betterment and survivability of this species.

Tight Lines and again go out and have fun!!!

19

Why did you post this? He didn’t kill anything, he caught some tigers, he did it legally, he released them healthy in the reservoir. You sir should check yourself before you start being so critical of very seasoned fisherman. Truth be told, you’re being an ass and it is irrelevant that he is sick.

20

Your words gave me thought. One thing being an old man gives you is a different philosophy of death and much thought on how fragile life is; not only my own life, but everything that lives. I do not take killing anything lightly.

Many studies show that pike, muskys, and tiger muskys are relatively hardy fish with high survival rates when handled properly and released. There is no documentation that removing a fish, from almost any specie, from the water long enough to measure, photograph and then releasing increases mortality significantly. There is always a potential to kill a fish. The best way to avoid it is to not fish at all.

I choose to fish with light tackle as it is the ultimate challenge in sportfishing where the object to catch the fish as opposed to fishing for food where the fish is destined to die for the plate. Virtually every specie of fish including giant marlin, sharks and tuna are caught on very light tackle including 2 pound test line. I suspect there is less lactic acid build up with light line especially 2 pound where the angler cannot put pressure on the fish without breaking the line. Drag is set on the reel in ounces. I believe that the fish is reacting to the steel in its mouth and not the restraint of the line. With the necessary light drag a trophy fish can move as it wants. The fight is seldom violent as when one hooks a fish on heavier line. The angler knows the outcome if the hook set is physical; the fish takes the lure, the anglers tightens the line to imbed the lures hooks, the fish experiences the sting of the steel and reacts by swimming away. By positioning and moving the boat, when fishing from one, the angler goes to the fish shortening the line and often the length of the fight. With constant light pressure the fish will often come to the boat seemingly unknowing what is going on. When the fish runs it does not have to struggle as violently as would be the case with heavier drag and line.

Fish are killed for a myriad of reasons even when this is not the intent; hooks entangled in gill rakers, removed from the water too long, etc. Marlin and sailfish are often tail wrapped as they jump, this kills the fish. We killed a giant marlin off Kona Hawaii 50 years ago when the big hook in a 10 pound tuna used as bait punctured the marlins heart. In those days we would have killed the marlin any way, but the struggle getting a 400 pound dead marlin from the depths even on 120 pound class tackle was monumental. A live fish on light tackle is much easier to bring to the boat

With giant fish in the ocean a heavy leader of 10 to 12’ is used. The wireman or someone in the crew grabs the heavy leader and controls the fish. In freshwater the fish is netted. No major struggle is incurred to build lethal amounts of lactic acids if the angler is experienced and the crew does its part. All of this, is perhaps conjecture and rationalization on my part, but it comes from being a fisherman for over 60 years. This much is certain; as long as I can I will fish, I will use light tackle and I will do everything possible to hook, handle and release fish as is within my power and within the constraints of the laws, if I want to kill a fish to eat or mount, I will. That is the end of this story from me. I hope that even though we don’t agree there has been food for though and we can continue to share our stories and experiences without too much angst. Steve