WHAT A MEMORY!!!

20 # Lake Sturgeon (Mississippi River @ Winona)

55 # Lake Sturgeon (Mississippi River @ Winona)

55 # Lake Sturgeon (Mississippi River @ Winona)

Had to kiss my personal best (all species)

        I received a text from my son-in-law Jeff Friday night, wondering if I wanted to head to the River Saturday.  It took all of a nano-second to say "hell yes!".  As it turned out, the weather was to be nicer on Sunday, so we waited and headed out for Winona about 8 am.  The weather was cool, but dry, and Jeff proceeded catch walleye, sauger, and (baaaa) sheephead. 
     We moved to a prime spot, and Jeff suggested that I bait up the heavy duy cat rod.  In a very short time I caught, measured, took a photo, and released a 40" lake sturgeon.  It gave me the toughest fight in memory.  I was definately excited to say the least!  I would have been satisfied if the was the only fish I caught all day, but that was not to be the case! 
    I don't think a half hour went by when I had a light bite again, similar to the last one.  After a short wait, I set the hook and all hell broke loose!  I was making some headway when she broke water with a beautiful jump, and I swear, I thought it was six feet long.  My arms actually ached, my hands were shaking, and I wondered if my heart was going to make it.  We tried several times to net the monster, but the net was too small.  Now I'm really shaking, and on this try, we got the head in the net, and Jeff got his hand under the tail, and flipped her in the boat.  I could not believe what I had caught (with Jeff's help)!  It was the largest fish I have ever caught, and I have been fishing for over sixty years!
    It was a day that I will never forget.  Thank you Jeff Weatherly for turning me on to the most memorable fishing trip ever, and thank God for giving me the opportunity to partake of His Bounty!