- [Host] Hi folks, we are going to show you best of all the Pike and Muskie that we've caught over the years and how you do that.

We've had so many wonderful experiences, but it's my favorite fish.

And I think after watching this, you may wanna catch one too.

- [Narrator] This is a show about the men and women that serve in our military.

It's a story about life as a soldier and now a civilian.

It's a story about honor, courage, and sacrifice.

Join us as we make friends, catch fish, and give back, to some of the bravest people there are.

These are their stories.

This is Fishing Behind the Lines.

- [Announcer] Fishing Behind the Lines is brought to you by: (upbeat music) - [Narrator] You know, folks, one of the things people ask me when they see me in the store or along the river, what's your favorite fish?

And I got to tell you, I love them all.

But I love one, maybe even a little more.

And that's the Northern Pike and Muskie family, and that includes Pickerel too.

Ever since I was a young kid, I always wanted to catch one.

I'll never forget the first one that I ever caught.

And you never do!

For me, through all these years, doing Fishing Behind the Lines, it's been one of my greatest joys.

I think this a good fi- This is a good fish, it's a big fish.

If it's a Bass, it's really big.

I saw a flash of that fish hit and he did come right out of the branches.

- Oh yeah.

Net it?

- Yeah.

If I can get it too, I think this is bigger than the last one.

Ooh, this is a dandy!

Holy cow!

- Angry.

- Oh my God.

- Angry.

Come on little guy.

- Yeah, little guy.

He says, "don't call me little guy, taken me years to get his big".

Now if you were to hold this, this fish, I would say this fish might go.

I don't know.

It feels pretty heavy.

Of course my hands getting tired, but look at all the blood marks on the side from stress and strain.

So we're gonna to let him go.

Now, my thing is I've got to open his gills.

That's a heavy fish too.

I'd say that fish is close to 10 pounds, but I don't know.

He sure feels it.

I want to get his gills open.

Now, here's what I'm gonna do.

When I put him in, I'm gonna hold him.

- He's gonna start breathing?

- Yeah, because he's under shock.

He's an old fish too.

That fish is older than you'd think because- there he goes.

- It's going back home.

- Ooh.

Wow.

One of us had to break the ice on these Pike.

- Yeah no kidding.

- I'll tell you what.

Holy cow.

I think this is a really, Ooh, look at him.

- Oh man.

Wow.

He's got shoulders.

This is a nice Pike.

Woo.

Wow.

Good net job.

(laughing) Kinda premature at that, wasn't I?

- It is a little heavy.

- Wow.

That's a nice, nice Pike, Ben.

Wow.

Oh my gosh.

Look at the size of that side on him.

- Yeah.

- He's a beauty.

I want you to hold him just up there.

Yeah.

Even though you didn't catch him pose with him.

(laughing) What do you think of that fish?

- Woo!

Look at that mouth!

(laughing) - Will's yelling from the other end of the boat.

Okay.

We'll get him back in the water because- Wow.

- Wow.

Big fish.

- Let's see if he'll make it.

He's swimming off.

There he goes.

Wow.

- [Max] Yeah is that a real soft tip Rod?

You're not just burying their lip enough?

- Must be.

- [Max] Oh, There we go.

Muskie!

- Muskie?

Holy cow.

Okay.

Let me get a net or something.

- [Max] I have no wire leader.

- You have no wire leader?

- [Max] No, but he hit the back of the hook, I'm good.

- That's all right.

Just keep him happy.

Keep him happy here and I'll land him for ya.

- [Max] He's lifting the lip.

There his is.

He's good, No he's good, we got him.

- No wire leader.

- [Max] I just committed to Bass and here we go.

- Okay.

- [Max] Awesome.

- Max, we may not get the big ones, but we get'em.

You give us that much time and we get'em.

- Need some pliers?

- We need something.

These, teeth I got- I'll tell you what you give me some slack.

I'm gonna go over here, where we can look into the dens and mouth of a Muskie.

And this is a young Muskie.

This Muskie is not very big yet.

But if you look and I think we can zoom in, that's the teeth inside a Muskie and his is actually much bigger than that.

Boy you did great.

Is that your first Muskie?

- It's my first muskie.

- Look at that beautiful shine.

- That's a nice fish.

- Do you want to hold him?

- Yeah, sure.

I'll hold him.

Let him go.

Awesome.

Right in front of me.

- You started small.

Hey buddy.

There he goes.

Look at him.

It's staying right there he won't leave.

I don't know.

He says, okay, buddy, my turn, your legs are spread.

I've got an evil look in my eyes.

Yeah.

Look at him.

No, he says, hell, these guys don't pet me much.

Look at that I can even touch him.

I can even touch him down there and he doesn't care.

Isn't that amazing?

Hey guy, you gotta go back to your, your place.

Go back to your- honestly we didn't mean to hurt you at all.

- [Max] Look at that.

- We really didn't.

Look at all those little tiny minerals around him.

- [Max] Man that's cool.

- Oh it's going, it's running.

It's running.

He's running.

Did you see if you got him?

- Yep I got it.

- Oh this is exciting.

Tyler this is the big deal.

- [Speaker] Keep the tension.

- It's a pike.

- Oh, it's a big one.

Oh my God.

- [Speaker] There we go.

- That's a beauty!

- [Speaker] Finally!

- A beauty Tyler!

You have no idea the thrill.

The thrill Tyler, you did it!

Only Tyler, and guess what?

- [Speaker] Monofilament leader.

- Tyler, this was your dad's secret set up.

The little bitty size six hook, he said, you're going to need the pliers, the little bitty treble.

Special monofilament.

- [Speaker] He barely got that thing.

You're lucky, Mr. - Now, this is the normal size of Pike.

I'll tell you what we're going to do, is I stick my head down there with a vicious teeth everywhere.

(laughing) I'll tell you what.

There's some teeth in there that would do a number.

That's a healthy, beautiful Pike isn't it?

- It's a nice one.

- All right it's your choice.

You're going to have to make this choice real quick.

Whether you want to take this home to mommy, because you said mommy loves Northern Pike.

As long as you clean them for her, or put him back in the hole.

Mommy!

Mommy's dancing a jig right now.

I don't know what it is using a buck- oh, it's coming up.

It's coming up.

I've got a long worm on top, on the back of this buck tail.

I want to catch this fish, so I hope- there he comes.

It's a big Pike, it's a nice Pike.

Really nice Pike.

I want David to see this fish badly.

Oh, we did it.

Boy, it's wonderful to have a guide.

- That's what I'm talking about.

- Oh my gosh.

- Get all your fingers in there.

- All of them?

- Hard as you can.

- I don't like this.

- Hold as hard as you can.

- Okay.

- [Speaker] Yeah are the ones you had to have the gloves for right?

- Now that's truly a great guide.

That hands you a toothy critter like this and says, get all your fingers in there.

If you're going to cut them, cut them like a man cut all of them off.

But this, this is a big Pike.

This is, this is well over three feet I think.

And he, and he came up to the top, I thought it might've been a Muskie or a big bass at first, but I'm really thrilled.

Now, the only thing that's taken this throw away from you a little bit, cause I wanted David to get this.

I want him to be the one to catch these fish today, but not enough where I'm going to put the fishing rod down and not fish.

I want everybody to see when this fish goes back.

Next I'm going to come back here and we'll release them off this shorter end of the, the boat.

You can see how long this fish is.

This fish is really a long pike.

One of the longest ones I've caught in the St. Lawrence in a long time.

You can see why he was laying right along this shore.

And when that jig came down, he came out and got it.

The grandness of this water dwarfs the size of that fish.

It really does.

Makes it look much smaller than it was.

Now Mike, why do you think it stayed on top?

- [Mike] He's just resting.

He's gonna go.

- [Host] Is he?

- [Mike] See his gill plates moving?

- Yeah - He's taking in air and he's swimming.

- [Host] There he goes.

Oh, I love that.

- Yup.

Yup.

Yup.

Yup.

I thought it was a Pike.

- [Host] I think it's a Pike because it came all the way out of the water after it.

You're going to net it.

Then you're going to take the hook out.

- I am?

(laughing) - You can Mount this thing, right?

- [Host] Huh yeah sure.

- Easy, weasy.

- [Host] Okay.

You did it.

Yup, You got it.

Yep.

you got it.

Turn to the camera.

(laughing) - And they say this is Don's fish.

That's a yeah.

- That's a nice weigh.

- We've been looking for those all day.

- Well you've had how many?

You had at least five of them or six.

- So that's what they look like.

- That's what they look like.

Look at those teeth inside it.

You don't even want to- yeah right.

You can go ahead.

- Oh, he's hooked good.

- [Host] Is your motor still on?

- Motors off.

Come- I'm coming right?

You can come right?

- [Host] We're going to come.

We're going to come right up on your other side.

- Okay.

- [Host] In the net!

Oh my gosh.

- [Speaker] Just drop it down into the water a little bit.

Right there.

Right there.

Perfect.

- [Host] Okay now rescue work your magic.

- Take him underneath here first.

- Now turn around to Andrew.

- Okay Andrew you better be quick.

(laughing) - Put them down there and then hold them by the tail briefly.

- You're beautiful.

So he's all everything's- - So you can let go with your left hand completely.

But hold on with that right hand.

- Thank you so much.

- Pulling them till he, you feel him?

Swim, perfect.

- Big Northern.

- [Host] Is it?

- Yeah.

- [Host] Ooh.

- That's what I'm talking about.

- [Host] That's great.

I had to hop over this boat.

I got so excited seeing this fish.

You must be pretty excited too.

- I am excited.

(laughing) It's my second Northern pike, but it's kinda, - It's a good one.

- It's a good one.

It's a good keeper but, - Yes.

- Definitely it's a big one.

- See all the sores on it.

You know what I think that's from?

It's from the spawning time when they're, when they're fighting and doing all kinds of stuff, they, they go through all kinds of stress when it's that time of the year.

When, when they spawn.

Now these fish have all spawn now, but they're still in here in the shallows.

Holy cow that's a nice fish.

Did he hit hard?

- He hit hard yes.

- What are you, what were you using?

- Oh, it's a spinner bait.

- Okay let's put him in.

Let's see.

Yeah.

And when you put him in, take your other hand and get it on his tail so you can hold him there until he tries to swim away.

- There he goes.

- Oh my gosh.

Oh, this is a good one.

Look at the size of that fish.

- [Speaker] That's the back of it.

- [Host] Boy.

- [Speaker] You want me to get the net for you though?

- [Host] Yes.

Actually, you know.

- [Speaker] Cast your jig way back there.

Just cast it, yeah.

- [Host] That's what I did just cast way, way- - [Speaker] Oh my God.

- [Host] This is a nice one isn't it?

- [Speaker] Right here Don.

Does he fit in the net?

Yeah he barely fits in there.

- [Host] Boy I'll tell you what, that is fun.

That is fun.

- [Speaker] Go ahead.

- [Host] Go ahead and what?

(laughing) Go ahead and what?

- [Speaker] Do your thing.

- [Host] Do my thing yeah do my thing he says.

It's easy for anybody to say do- - [Speaker] That's a big Pike.

- [Host] Yes it is.

- [Speaker] He stinks dude.

- [Host] Does he?

That's a big fish.

Fabulous job.

Fabulous.

- [Speaker] Hold it from the bottom.

Get a good shot.

Nice!

- [Speaker] Let me get a picture when you're done.

- I'm pretty good- I'm pretty happy with this.

Now well, if you'd help me, if I could just use your T-shirt.

- [Speaker] My T-shirt?

(laughing) - [Host] Now you finally- - Holy.

- [Host] Oh my goodness that's a Tiger Muskie Oh my gosh.

- He's pretty heavy.

- [Host] Here, bring them right over here.

- [Woman] To you?

- [Host] No bring him right here.

(laughing) - He's a mean one.

Uh uh not on me.

- Okay you gotta give me some slack.

- Oh yeah remember I don't know how to do this.

- You're awful good at slack remember?

- I don't know how to do it on this one.

- Push it- you figured it out.

(laughing) - This, look at the colors.

- That's really cool.

- Look at those beautiful co- (screaming) Look inside that mouth.

Can you see them?

- [Woman] Yes.

- What do you think?

- [Woman] Ah, that's sketchy.

It's creepy.

- Okay, we're going to put him back.

This is called a Tiger Muskie.

They've been put in these lakes to help control some of the pan fish.

I'm going to put him back, put him back right over here, where we can see him.

And as we show his teeth, they really are vicious.

All right, we'll get him back in the water.

See I'm holding his tail until he has enough strength to pull out of my hand.

This is about the average size of these Tiger Muskies in these, in these small Indian river lakes.

Now, they can grow and grow and grow, but they can't reproduce naturally.

So there he goes.

Boy, that thing hit it.

Now, I know this is a Pike.

It's gotta be.

Oh there he is, he isn't too bad.

He's not bad.

Come on, baby.

We got a whole bunch of people that want to look at you.

Ooh, that's not a bad one.

- [Speaker] Wow that's a nice one!

- Whoaey!

Guess what Steven?

I don't even see my lure.

- [Steven] It's all right, we'll get it.

- Holy cow.

Is this- (laughing) This is something.

Scotty, you're rubbing off on me.

You're rubbing off on me.

Boy that's a dandy, this is fun.

And I'll show you what's left of the lure, that I caught it on.

Cause I'm, I'm pretty impressed with this lure.

Yeah, you should get him back.

Holy cow he sure took off.

Holy cow!

That fish hit and it hit hard and it stays, when it stays straight down, if this is a pike, it's not a little one.

This is a big, big fish.

No, this is a really big fish.

I'm telling you, this lake is famous for its big pike.

And I'm hoping that that's what I've got, is a big one.

Here he comes.

Oh my gosh.

Oh, it's a monster.

Holy.

Oh yeah.

Oh my gosh.

- Oh yeah.

- Oh, oh my gosh.

- Oh my gosh.

That that's a beauty.

I'll tell you what.

You've got a good grip on it.

I'm going to stay in here with you okay?

And sort of pose, can we turn it kind of- Yeah.

Oh my gosh.

That's one of the biggest pike, even way up in the wilds of Canada, this would be a monster.

I can't believe it.

Let's get him back in the- I want him to live although, a lot of people probably wouldn't.

Man!

- That's beautiful.

- How he's going to have to be nursed back I believe.

Does he seem okay?

Wow.

- Oh, it's a big one too.

Oh this is a big one.

This is big fish.

Oh my God.

Oh my God this is a big Muskie.

Oh your motor, control motor.

Thanks Russ good thinking.

It's a big, big fish.

This isn't a little Muskie.

- Play him out.

Huh?

Oh, look at the size of that beast.

- It's a huge Muskie.

- He's going to go behind you.

How big is he?

- He's forty-five plus.

- He's big Don.

He's big.

Wow.

Wow.

- Gary have you ever seen anything like this in your life?

Gary, - Look at that thing.

- Have you ever saw anything like this?

- No.

What a beast.

- Very calm.

- Do you want me to hand that up here?

That'll probably be you'll, yeah with your rod, it'll probably be close.

- Head first.

Always head first.

Boy it's a big fish.

This is one of the biggest Muskies I have ever encountered.

- Oh my goodness, you want to hand that net up here Russ?

I'll try and get him up here.

- He's got him.

- He's got them?

- Yeah he's got him.

- Oh yeah.

Oh my goodness.

- One for Russ.

Okay, he's still all curled up at this end, Gary.

- So that's a well over 30 inches.

(laughing) Oh my God.

- Here let me, let me help support him underneath.

- Okay.

- Oh my God.

- Push me out into the- - It's a fish of a lifetime.

It's the, it's the Muskie of my lifetime right there.

I am.

I am.

I don't know what to say.

I've been in the boat the whole time.

Gary and Ross are trying to get the fish, the hook out.

Trying to at least let you see it without hurting it.

Now Russ is just holding it in the water to try to revive it.

It's a biggest fish I've ever caught.

Biggest Muskie.

That Muskie is so huge.

How's he doing?

- He's, he's, not high, but he's got life in him.

- Is he trying?

- Oh yeah.

Oh yeah.

There he goes.

Beautiful.

Nice and easy.

Congratulations my friend.

- He's on.

He's on.

- Turn the code.

Oh, turn the two around.

- Okay, hold on I'm snagged.

- I'm trying Bill.

I'm trying just, just keep a steady pressure.

I'm trying to get you where they can see you.

It's taking me away.

Now he caught my line, because my line was snagged.

Oh, if we get him, it's- - Cut your line, Don.

- Okay I'm trying.

Yeah it's a giant.

Just take your time.

Oh God.

He come back to that lure didn't he?

- Quick, quick, quick.

No, don't lose him, don't lose him.

Holy shoot!

That's one of the biggest Muskies I've ever seen.

Just a minute.

Just a minute.

He's coming around the boat.

He's coming over.

He's under the boat.

I can't- I can't see.

- Just a minute, I'll bring him around.

No he's under the boat.

- Okay hold on, here he comes right to you.

Here he comes right to you.

- There he is!

Oh my God.

Oh my- - Holy crap!

Holy!

Smash my- yeah weight that's okay.

But he's got so much power watch your pull.

- Okay, hold on.

I want you to hold them up.

- Okay.

Let me just get them by it's tail.

You grab his head and I'll grab his tail.

- Right there.

Oh my God.

- Let's say that- They're done.

- I see him.

I see him.

Okay you hold him straight up to your body now.

There you go.

So when you see how big that fish is.

Oh my God!

Alex, did you think you'd be guide of the century?

- Oh my God.

Wow.

- Okay we gotta get him back in the water now.

Not the net.

Now we got to get milk him- and we got to nurture him back.

Just told him right straight.

- His gills are opening up.

There you go back and forth.

- I'm just taken back.

I'm, right now, I'm almost like I've had a carbohydrate overdose.

I'm just numb!

Boy.

Is she swimming?

I want to thank all of you for watching today's show.

It's been a special show for me, looking back through the years at all the great Pike and Muskies, and I'm looking forward to even more.

- [Narrator] Fishing Behind the Lines is brought to you by: (upbeat music) - You know, folks, the fishing was really fantastic today, but that's only the beginning of the attractions to see and do around here.

For more information about this, go to our website, WPBS tv.org.

- [Narrator] If you would like a copy of this episode of Fishing Behind the Lines for $15, including shipping and handling, visit wpbstv.org and click on the shop WPBS button, please ask for the episode number on your screen.

(serene music)