Ontario’s Molson Big Fish Contest Muskellunge Division 1959 through1990
2 weeks ago by Chris Munchow
Modified 2 weeks ago at 2 weeks ago
Ontario’s Molson Big Fish Contest*
Muskellunge/Masquinongy Division
1959 through 1990
by Larry Ramsell, Muskellunge Angler & Historian sui generis
Contributions by Brent Edmunds, Muskie fisherman/researcher/firefighter
*Note: While the following data seems to be the actual dates of the Ontario Molson Contest, as administered by the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters (OFAH), research by Brent Edmunds of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, found that apparently it was 1959 when the OFAH must have gotten involved. As earlier references he found referred to the “Molson Big Fish Contest” (no results) in 1956 and “Big Fish Contest” in 1950, (however, no mention of Molson in that one) and no catch records of either has been found. It stands to reason then that pre 1959 contests were club contests in the Ottawa, Ontario area sponsored by Molson’s and called the Molson Big Fish Contest through the 1950’s until 1959.
Brent also learned that the Molson Contest did indeed also begin the 1991 season, what would likely have been the last year, but a single paragraph in a 1991 Ontario Out of Doors magazine stated that the contest was cancelled mid-season 1991, making 1990 the last “official” contest year. The contest was indeed running earlier in 1991, but no reason was given for the cancellation. The OFAH told him that a long-serving staff member thought it was due to lack of contest interest and were of little assistance with his research and Molson Coors failed to reply to his inquiry.
Following are the published muskie results beginning in 1959, when the OFAH took over with photos where available. Some picture photocopies are of poor quality but better than nothing:
1959: 48# 12oz. 54” long, caught by Leo Gauthier from Lake Nosbonsing, near Callander, Ontario. Leo was prolific as both angler and guide as he won both the first and second years of the Molson contest and placed 4th in 1965 with a 46# 15oz. giant on a homemade bucktail and spoon and guided the winner of the 1967 contest Bill Rabe, left in the second photo. The first photo caption said that it was already his 4th award, however no records can yet be found of any contest results prior to 1959.
Above: Leo Gauthier with the mount of his near 50# Giant. Leo (R) w/1965 4th place fish 46# 15oz.
1960: 42# 0oz. 51” long x 22” girth caught by Leo Gauthier from Lake Nosbonsing, near Callander, Ontario.
1961: 48# 0oz. caught by Edward E. Brewer from a lake unnamed.
1962: 45# 1oz. 52” long, caught by Jack L. Bevcar from McGregor Bay/Georgian Bay near Birch Island, Ontario.
1963: 51# 0oz. 58” long with a 28” girth, caught by Edward J. Smith from the Moon River/Georgian Bay, near Mactier, Ontario, on October 30. He was guided by Jim Grisdale.
Photos above courtesy of Rick Shepherd & Laval Martin, Valabel Lodge (L) and Bill Hamblin (R).
Smith’s catch was the first muskie over 50 pounds entered into the Molson contest.
*1963: 51# 0oz. caught by Martin Belzak from Honey Harbour/Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour, Ontario, *NOT ACCEPTED in contest as it was caught after the Oct. 31st deadline.
1964: 47# 12oz. caught by C. Millen. Water unlisted.
*1964: Approx. 60# caught by Fred Keeley from Honey Harbour/Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour, Ontario.
*1964: Approx. 60# caught by Bob Leloff from Honey Harbour/Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour, Ontario.
* Both of these last two fish were entered but NOT ACCEPTED in contest as they were supposedly caught after the October 31st deadline according to the Toronto Daily Star, 14, December, 1964, page 14, hence no verification of catch, length, or weight exists.
1965: 48# 0oz. 58” long caught by Stewart Levere Sr. from the St. Lawrence River, Cardinal, Ontario.
Note: Evidently the Levere family went on a tear in 1965, as Mr. Carroll Levere took 2nd place with a 47# 8oz. dandy and Mike Levere (all of Cardinal, Ontario) tied for 5th with a 42# fish.
1966: 46# 14oz. Caught by Stewart Levere Sr. from the St. Lawrence River, Cardinal, Ontario.
1967: 48# 12oz. caught by William J. Rabe from Lake Nosbonsing, near Callander, Ontario.
There is no photo of Mr. Rabe & his fish. He can be seen in the photo with Leo Gauthier in the 1959 listing.
1967*: 51# 8oz. caught on November 23rd, on a 2” minnow by George Drysdale from the Moon River, between Mactier and Parry Sound, Ontario. After deadline, NOT ACCEPTED.
*George Drysdale’s 51 ½ pound Moon River muskie (above) caught in 1967, after the Molson Contest had been closed for the year. Photo in Toronto Daily Star, December 24th,1967, page B14.
1968: 50# 12oz. caught by Stewart Levere Sr. (his 3rd winner in 4 years!) from the St. Lawrence River, Cardinal, Ontario.
1969: 49# 12oz. caught by John Schursch from Shoal Lake, Rainy River District, Kenora, Ontario.
1970: 40# 12oz. caught by John Looze from Dryberry Lake, near Sioux Narrows, Ontario
1971: 45# Ooz. caught by Ray Deschevy from the Magnetawan River, Britt, Ontario.
1972: 46# 9oz. caught by Harold Baltz from Eagle Lake, Vermilion Bay/Eagle River, Ontario.
1973: 47# 0oz. 58” long with a 25” girth, caught by Frank Bishop from the St. Lawrence River, near Kingston, Ontario.
1974: 46# 0oz. caught by Frank Miller from one-million acre Lake of the Woods, in Western Ontario.
1975: 51# 8oz. 53” long with a 25” girth caught on a Creek Chub Giant Pikie by Robert Geister on September 23, from Pipestone Lake, east of Nestor Fall, Ontario. Note: Geister also won 1st place for 12# test line in the 1975 Annual Field & Stream contest with this fish.
“Geister’s Goliath” at 51 ½ pounds. Photo courtesy of Bunny Geister
1976: 48# 8oz. caught by Gene Hoffman from the Moon River, Mactier, Ontario.
1977: 54# 8.5oz. 60” long caught on a red & white rainbow-colored Swim Whizz by Mark Kontianen the 3rd week of October, from the Moon River, Mactier, Ontario.
Two great shots of Mark’s Mauler, Molson Contest winner and new contest record!
Photos by Darryl Choronzey courtesy Mark Kontianen and Fishing Facts.
Mark and his Moon River Mauler (L) and Mark and partner Juha with the Mauler (R).
1978: 48# 4oz. caught by Mark Thompson from Honey Harbour/Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour, Ontario.
1979: 47# 0oz. caught by Don Desjardins from the Moon River, Mactier, Ontario.
Note: Also in 1979, Craig Dawson (see 1980 & 1981 below) entered muskies weighing 44# 4oz. & 43# 8oz., a harbinger of things to come.
1980: 49# 7oz. caught by Craig Dawson from Wabigoon Lake, Dryden, Ontario, one of 4 in the top ten in the 1980 Molson contest. In addition to 1st, he was 2nd (47# 15oz.) 3rd (46# 10oz.) and 9th (43#2oz.)! In 1981 he tied for 1st place**…long story!
1981 tie**: 55# 0oz. 56 ¾” long caught and released by Craig Dawson in July from Wabigoon Lake, Dryden, Ontario. (Released; weighed in the boat on a bathroom scale and possibly a hand held spring scale-in picture). New Molson contest weight record-tie.). Dawson’s fish is highly disputed.
1981 tie**: 55# 0oz. 55” long caught October 11th, on a Green/black/orange scale sides Jointed Swim Whizz by Gary Ishii from the Moon River, Mactier, Ontario.
**After Mr. Ishii entered his fish, a late entry arrived from Craig Dawson claiming yet another 55# muskie. Although I have listed them here as a “tie”, Dawson was awarded 1st place based on his claim of a slightly longer fish than was Ishii’s. Lawyers got involved. Dawson claimed his fish, weighed on a bathroom scale (in the boat, not allowed for record), actually weighed 58# as the scale was later checked and found to be weighing 3# light. Ishii’s fish was also initially weighed on a bathroom scale (on land) and weighed in at 62#! It was later checked by Ontario Consumer and Corporate affairs-Weights & Measures Canada folks and found to be accurate within ¼#!! In the meantime, Dawson committed suicide and the OFAH awarded the 1st prize 50hp motor to his estate. Behind the scenes, the lawyers were still busy…and quietly a duplicate prize was awarded to Mr. Ishii, but the records were left unchanged…a travesty!
Gary Ishii and his first muskie!
Dawson w/his claim
“Guide” Gary Finkler w/Gary Ishii & Ishii with his Giant
Ishii and two more shots of his first muskie! Photos provided by Gary Finkler, Ishii’s “guide”.
1982: 51# 8oz. 57 ¾” long with a 27 ¾” girth caught July 23rd, on a Lindy Musky Tandem spinner by Don Reed from Wabigoon Lake, Dryden, Ontario.
51 ½-pound “Fury” held by Don Reed who is 6’3” tall & 242#. Photos courtesy Don Reed.
1983: 50# 0oz. 54” long with a 24” girth caught on a Dardevle spoon by Terry Bachman, September 21st from Lake Nosbonsing, Callander, Ontario.
Terry Bachman with old “Iron Jaws”. Photo courtesy of Terry Bachman
1983 Live Release*: 54.5” long x 28” girth caught by Noel Ure from Moira Lake, ,near Madoc, Ontario.
*1st year of a Live Release division in the Molson contest. From 1983 through 1986 fish measurement was tip of the jaw to the FORK of the tail. From 1987 through 1990 fish measurement was from the tip of the jaw to the farthest tail tip.
1984: 56# 11oz.* 54 7/8” long** with a 25 1/2” girth caught by Eugene Borucki on a 5 ¼” black & silver Rapala August 30, from Manitou Lake, near the middle of Ontario Hwy. 502. **Measured lying down.
*It should be noted that there were several considerable weight discrepancies shortly after the Borucki catch was entered in this contest as well as the IGFA (International Game Fish Association), FWFHOF (Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame) and In-Fisherman magazine. Fish weight became confused when Mr. Borucki converted the metric weight (25.72 kilos) to pounds and ounces. The conversion from 25.72 (original metric weight) is 56.7 pounds and Gene put 56-pounds 7-ounces on his applications; an easy error to make. At any rate his fish set a new record for Ontario’s Molson Contest, mistakenly converted to 56.43-pounds using 56# 7oz., and the In-Fisherman magazine contest at 56# 7oz. It also became the 30-pound line-class record for the IGFA at the submitted 56# 7oz. (25.59 kilos-IGFA’s conversion for 56# 7oz. and listed as such***) and 35-pound line-class record for the NFWFHF in the power trolling sub-division, converted from the submitted 25.72 kilos correctly by myself for the Hall to 56# 11oz., the correct weight and listed as such. Oh, the confusion of conversion!
***I pointed this out to the IGFA in June of 2007 and they indicated that it would be corrected for their 2008 record book.
Gene at the dock and in the boat w/son and Dennis Engberg (R) at the dock w/Gene’s Hawg
1984 Live Release: 51 ½” long x 23 ½” girth, caught by Martin Williamson* from Honey Harbour, Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour, Ontario. *Martin caught a 61# 4oz. Giant from the same area in 2000. Information at the end of this article.
1985: 55# 0oz.* 57” long with a 25 ½” girth caught on a Blazing Tiger Whooper Stopper Hellcat on September 22nd, by Steve Albers from Eagle Lake, Eagle River, Ontario.
Albers (L) w/guide Hal Perkins after catch, Albers on dock and Albers right after the proper weighing.
*It should be noted that the OFAH printed contest results for 1985 had the weight listed as 50# 12oz. in their annual contest brochure. This was because the first weighing on an uncertified scale of 50# 12oz. was inadvertently put on the Molson contest form and mailed in. Evidently Albers was unaware of this mistake and didn’t learn about it until the Molson results came out. It made no difference however, as the incorrect weight was still enough for him to finish in 1st place. His application to the FWFHF had the weight correctly listed at 55# and was accepted as the 25# line class world record.
After the Hall published his record, a letter of concern was sent to me through the Hall. It was forwarded to me, but Hall Director Bob Kutz responded directly to the concerned individual after doing considerable research into the matter assuring him that:
“…the (Albers) application was in good order on proper scale weighing, witnesses, I.D. and notarized signature of the angler.” He further stated “We do not go by contest applications or weights as an alternative to our own official forms and procedures. In fact, in previous instance, we have found Molson contest weights in error. We were called down once – earlier in record acceptance by Ontario H & A (OFAH) officials when we took for granted a fact from a Molson application because the angler neglected a fact on our form. We learned our lesson!” Kutz also stated: “I contacted several people to get the step by step procedure of the catch, weighing etc. Each called had the same story details though each was a separate contact not knowing what the other said. As follows: When the fish was caught and brought to camp, a suitable scale was not available. The fish was weighed on a bathroom scale with someone holding it and then the persons own weight was subtracted. That (fish) weight was the 50lbs. plus. Meanwhile, in the excitement a Molson entry form was filled out and that one apparently turned in.
“The lodge owner and others thought the fish heavier and should be weighed on a better scale. The lodge owner head for town or to a distant neighbor to find a proper scale. Steve Albers and his Dad went out again to find another big one. They returned about 4 P.M. from fishing and so did the lodge owner with a Beam/Balance scale. (Which is a proper scale for accurate weight and record purpose.) The fish registered a heavy 55 lbs. and was called 55 lbs. (Some Beam scales measure in ¼ lb. increments.) By that time a crowd gathered and many witnessed this. If the fish (an assumption) was weighed on a proper scale several hours earlier it might have been even heavier, given loss to fluid.
“On the way home, several days later, the frozen fish was weighed by customs at the border and still weighed 55 lbs…”
So, folks, there you have it, the reason the Molson contest listed the fish weight at a different weight than did the NFWFHF.
1985 Live Release: 52 ½” long x 24” girth caught by Douglas Hookum from one-million-acre Lake of the Woods, in Western Ontario.
1986: 49# 2oz. caught by Robert Mason from Georgian Bay, Ontario.
1986 Live Release: 49 ¾” long x 25” girth caught by Robert Hruska from Rainy Lake, Ontario.
1987: 54# 3.2oz. 54” long with a 25” girth caught on July 16, using a Lindy Rig w/a worm on a #4 hook, by Jim Carroll from Lake Restoule, near Powassan, Ontario.
Jim Carroll and son Scott-photo courtesy of OFAH and Peter Gorski
1987 Live Release: 53.5” x 25 ½” caught by Bob Mehsikomer from one-million-acre Lake of the Woods, Ontario. Bob also took 2nd place with a 53” muskie and 1st place in 1988.
1988: 65# 0oz.** 58” long* with a 30 ½” girth caught October 16th, by Ken O’brien using a 4 1/8” black and silver Rapala from the Moon River, Blackstone Harbour, Mactier, Ontario.
*While certified by the OFAH and is the Canadian Record, this fish is highly controversial. My personal length measurement of 54” eight days after the catch was followed by the finding of the same measurement from TWO different molds made of the fresh fish, one by a taxidermist and the other by Kevin Hockley of the Royal Ontario Museum.
**The important weight of 65# is also in dispute. While weighing a certified weight of 65# on the day of capture, it was found that 8 days later the fish only weighed 56# on two different scales that were later certified to be accurate. It is a biological certainty that a muskie supposedly weighing 65# cannot possibly lose 9# in 8 days in a freezer (the current Modern Day World Record of 58#, Modernmuskierecords.org, was in a freezer for 5 months and lost NO weight.). It is suggested that when the O’brien fish was hosed down to remove dirt, etc. while hanging (it was weighed while still in a hanging position without lying the fish down) that a bit over a gallon of water (8.34#) was INADVERTENTLY drained into the stomach cavity of the fish and later drained out when the fish was laid down. Early photos of O’brien with the fish shows an extremely extended belly, until the last photo taken.
Further, Outdoor writer John Power of the Toronto Star told noted Georgian Bay guide and friend Stan Nowocin the following information contained in an affidavit by Mr. Nowicin; “ I, the undersigned Stan Nowocin (Stan The Muskie Man) of 223 Birdsong lane Honey Harbour would like to state and declare, that prior to his death, John Power, former outdoor writer for the Toronto Star, told me in 2004, that the Canadian record Muskellunge/Masquinongy, reported to weigh 65 pounds and accepted by the OFAH and the Ontario MNR, caught in 1988 by Ken O’brien from the Moon River, Ontario, was not a legitimate weight and in fact did not even weigh 60 pounds. Mr. Power related this to me circa 2004. He shared this with me, despite the fact that he was a witness signatory to the affidavit claiming the aforementioned weight of 65 pounds at the time of the catch.”. NOTE: I have in my possession, the original signed and duly witnessed and Notarized affidavit of the above statement by Mr. Nowicin…LR
Above, the fish in the bottom of the boat after capture. After throat slit to kill fish.Mark Airstone photos.
4 O’brien “belly” shots.
O’brien with the muskie hanging. It was washed off and transferred from this position, hanging, directly to the scale used to officially weigh the fish.
Marion Grisdale (L) and O’brien shown holding a 36” yardstick next to the fish. 6 Photos courtesy Derek Chantler.
O’brien with the fish after arriving at Jim Grisdale’s resort dock. It was then moved to George Grisdales resort and hung from a stairway. On the right is the First photo there at the stairs at George Grisdale” resort of the fish shown w/Ed Barbossa’s son. Photos courtesy Mark Airstone (L) and Ed Barbossa (R).
Where has the belly gone? Last photo of O’brien holding the fish vertical AFTER it had lain on the dock to allow any internal water to drain out. (R) photo shows the fish MOLD made by the Royal Ontario Museum.
1988 Live Release: 56” x 25 ½” caught by Bob Mehsikomer from one-million-acre Lake of the Woods, Ontario.
1989: 59# 11oz. 60” long with a 29” girth caught by Art Barefoot on a blue & silver #1800 Cisco Kid lure on June 5th, from the French River delta, near Bigwood, Ontario.
Art’s Giant French River delta beauty. Photos by Mike Crilly courtesy Bear’s Den Lodge.
1989 Live Release: 49” long* x 24” girth* caught by J. Neil Harris from Lake Simcoe, near Barrie, Ontario. 2nd place was a 52”* long x 22” girth* caught by Christine Kilgore from Stoco Lake, Ontario. *Evidently some formula of length and girth combo determined the winner (it wasn’t by adding the two together). 3rd place was a 49 1/4” long x 23 ½” girth caught by Gord Pyzer from Lake of the Woods, Kenora, Ontario.
1990: 46# 10.4oz. caught by Robert Byers from the St. Lawrence River, near Iroquois, Ont.
1990 Live Release: 50.25” long x 26 ½” girth caught by Gord Pyzer from the Winnipeg River System, near Minaki, Ontario. Gord also took 2nd place with a 48 ½” long x 24 ½” girth muskie from the same water.
1991: No official entries as contest was cancelled mid-season likely due to lack of interest.
EPILOGUE
Limited, but interesting Canadian catch data from about a third of the near end of the 20th century. So, what can we glean from this information. First, would have to be the travesty of the Gary Ishii fish, which we learned about above. Second, would have to be the Ken O’brien fiasco. When that fish was accepted as the new Canadian record, sadly it replaced the long-standing 48-year record muskie at 61# 9oz. 59” long with a 31” girth, caught on October 8th, 1940, on a #12 Pfluger Muskill spinner by Edward Walden from Vermilion Bay of Eagle Lake, Vermilion Bay, Ontario. It should still be the Canadian record in my humble opinion.
Ed Walden giant from Eagle Lake. Photo courtesy of Gord Bastable.
Third would be the interesting fact that if the Gary Ishii fish had been initially weighed on a certified scale at 62#, he not only would have won 1st place by himself in 1981 but would still be the Canadian record holder. Lastly, not contest related, but record related, had the O’brien record been, arguably, disqualified, Martin Williamson’s 61# 4oz. Brobdingnagian 55 ½-inches long by 31 ½” girth caught on a homemade Goliath lure from Honey Harbour, Honey Harbour, Ontario, on November 26th, 2000, Martin would have had the 2nd largest verified muskie ever caught in Canada, falling 6oz. short of topping the Walden record, and Walden’s record now would have been in 1st place for 85 years!!
Martin Williamson with one of the largest muskies ever caught and verified in Canada.
Read more of the catch stories of many of the above listed fish as well as dozens and dozens of other North American historical Giant Muskies in my two-volume 3rd Edition of “A Compendium of Muskie Angling History” available from AMAZON. Search “Larry Ramsell muskie books”. Available in both Print and Kindle format.