Fishing for Muskies
how big
How big was the longest muskie ever caught in Indiana? Self-described "country lawyer" and fisherman Richard Helm ’67 not only told us, he brought a replica of the actual fish for his presentation on "Fishing for Muskies in Indiana."
Kerner
Dr. Don Kerner asks Helm how long it has taken him, on average, to catch the muskies he's caught.
lure
Helm shows how difficult it is for treble fishing hooks to dig in to the bony mouth of the muskie . And the length of that replica of the largest muskie ever caught in Indiana? 50 inches.
casting
Because they are so elusive, muskies are called "the fish of 10,000 casts." Helm said it has taken him an average of 3 hours (sometimes much longer) for each muskie he's caught.
tools
The muskie is as hard to handle as it is to catch—the gill slits "can cut like a knife," and then there are those teeth. Handling requires a special glove and these tools, among others.
jd
Math professor, birder, and fisherman J.D. Phillips looks over one of the lures Helm uses for muskie.
arnold
Paul Arnold joins the conversation.