Due to the massive amount of new information that makes up our sport’s history this Revised, Updated & Expanded 3rd Edition has taken two volumes, including a Volume I that alone was nearly twice the size of the 2nd edition! Volume II, which you are about to peruse deals with everything else not contained in Volume I. Detailed completely will be the legendary information from histories archives. As with the first volume there will be a considerable amount that has never before been seen by the majority of the general public. Volume II completes the updating of A Compendium* of Muskie Angling History.

*Compendium: A compendium gathers together and presents in concise or outline form all the essential facts and details of a subject.

As I noted in the first volume, the compilation of muskie angling history is an ongoing pursuit that I hope never ends! My unending search for ‘ancient’ muskie history bears enough occasional “new fruit” to warrant my continued effort...I love it!! You will find tons of new information contained herein. Revealed for the first time are a considerable number of recently obtained historic photographs.

The Muskie Mystique- In trying to decide chapter order for this Compendium, I thought perhaps it would be a good idea to set the stage by learning the different viewpoints from throughout the historical years of the sport as to what has caused anglers to become so interested and excited over this torpedo-shaped fish that has a propensity of following an anglers lure to the boat, turning his or her legs into jelly. I felt it best to include as many viewpoints as possible for two reasons. First, they are all accurate (I love 'em); and second, to reinforce my conviction that the muskie has, over the years, created more romance and insanity than any other of Mother Nature's finny creations in North America!

Just what is this thing called "Muskie Mystique"? What is it that turns normal people into maniacs? What is it that causes many anglers to dream of catching a muskie, even though they have never ever seen one? Why do outdoor writers consider the muskie a glamour fish? As all knowledgeable fishermen know, a muskie is a fish governed by the laws of nature, isn't it? Well, maybe yes and maybe no. Let us delve back into the archives starting in the 1920’s when muskie angling was fast becoming popular, angling equipment was improving, and outdoor writers found an exciting subject to write and, of course, exaggerate about.

RECORD MUSKIES? The Could-Have-Been, Should-Have-Beens, Might-Have-Been, Legends And Hoaxes.

One of my favorite pastimes in the slow part of the muskie season is to dig through the archives of the old muskie literature. Particularly favorite times are prior to 1911 when no formal records were kept and extant literature is hard to find. Additionally, the early days of record keeping (1911-1940) when several record size fish were taken but not officially recognized, too are interesting. Many legitimate record class muskies never made the "official" record list because those fish were not entered in the annual Field & Stream fishing contest.

I marvel at the legends as well as the verified tales. The legends often have much imagination, but the sad tales are the near misses. Most often angler ignorance of record application procedures (certification of scales, etc.) was the primary cause of record fish not being accepted, including failure to enter the Field & Stream magazine contest after its inception in 1911, which prevented the fish from making their official list. As we travel back in time I will give you as much information as is available to me on each potential record fish, hoax, etc. Undoubtedly I will still miss a few and lack full information on others (please let me know of any not in this book that you good readers may know about). In addition will be the stories of other historic giant muskies regardless of legitimacy. I will start in 1774. I will list the year and if it is a legend, a reference, not verified, not sport caught, poached or just a plain hoax.

Big Muskies: When? Where? Why? During my many years of researching muskie history one thing became painfully obvious to me. Verified fifty-pound and over muskies were and are not caught very frequently. In fact far less than 200 have made my list. Of course more have been caught but for one reason or another were never officially verified. Where credible I have included them starting in Volume I which included their catch stories. Catch stories for as may list 50-pounders will be included in this chapter. Since publication of my book’s first edition in 1982 and second edition 1997 I have learned of a few more early historic catches as well as several that have been caught in recent years and these stories where available will too be included. Of course catch and release is making it more difficult to document giant muskie catches as the vast majority are released un-weighed. Those “potential” 50-pound class fish will be addressed in Chapter Six.

Over the years a number of legitimate 50-pound plus fish were caught that for one reason or another were not entered in contests and therefore not verified and of course prior to the Field & Stream contest which began in 1911 there was no official sanctioning body. Therefore it is impossible in most cases to verify those catches valid or not. If true however they should be recognized and I have attempted to do so in this book but take no responsibility for their accuracy. At the very least they all help add to the mystique!

Wow! What a change in the North American muskie picture for BIG fish since the publication of my second edition in 1997.