While at the weigh station she asked one of the other women that were volunteering what the “lady LCI prize” was all about. So the volunteer explained that the woman that weighs in the largest fish in each category would get some sort of spa package. Effie immediately said, “Sweet, I’ll be back!” Well, little did she know that she would be back in less then an hour to weigh in this monster salmon and break the LCI record.

They left the weigh station and hit the water again, with Effie diligently behind the wheel. Rods in the water, Effie knew this was her shot. She was still driving, and about five minutes went by before things got crazy! She saw the pole release from the downrigger, jumped up and grabbed the rod. She really had no idea how long she fought the fish but it seemed like forever to her. The beast broke water and excitement lingered in the air. At that point they knew they had to land this fish because it was BIG! It took some work to get it to the side of the boat and Jeremy was ready with the net, however the salmon wasn’t done fighting. Every time he got that net any where near this fish it dove straight down. This happened at least four or five times before Jeremy ended up having to step off the back of the boat onto the transome to get far enough behind the fish to give it the “sneak attack”. They lifted the net into the boat and as soon as Effie saw the fish on the boat she was in shock. They did not want this fish to die. She sat on the bow near the live well adding ice water, trying to keep the fish alive, not just for the extra points, but because she really wanted to make sure that it made it back into the lake. Between the water in the live bag and the fish itself, Effie made Jeremy carry it to the weigh station. Even the guy at the weigh station was impressed. He said, “You just broke the LCI record!” At first, Effie didn’t realize just how big of an accomplishment that was. She just wanted the fish back in the live tank until all the necessary paperwork was taken care of and all photos were taken that needed to be. The fish got it’s moment of fame and made it safely back into the water to be caught again.

Effie didn’t want to go to sleep that night because she was afraid she would wake up and it would have just been a dream. “The coolest part for me is that I broke a record and the fish made it back into the water alive,” Effie commented. “I cannot thank Jeremy and his boys enough for such a team effort to ensure this beauty made it to the weigh station.”
So here are the stats that everybody is waiting for:
Was caught just north of Basin Harbor in Lake Champlain at approx 10:15-10:30am (official weigh in slip says 10:35am)
Rod: Eagleclaw 7′6″ trolling down rigger, ML

Reel: Cabela’s Depth Master 30
Lure: Honeybee Special (black, gold, white)

Depth: 22 feet
Lure was running about 55 feet behind the boat
Surface temp: 66 degrees
Official Length: 30 inches
Official weight: 11.42 lbs

Effie said afterwards, “I’ve said many times that I would love to catch a fish that put up a fight and took longer then a minute to get into the boat! Man did this one ever do that!”

She won four trophies:
1. Largest Salmon
2. Cold water super bonus
3. Lady of the Lake (woman that weighed in the largest fish in the cold water category)
4. LCI Record breaking salmon
Effie had won, $9,600 cash and a spa package for two. Not too shabby for a day of fishing!

On Sunday, the company brought its full fleet to the lake. By the end of the day, almost every fish in the lake had a sore lip! Bass were caught on lures, trout on spinners, and sunfish on little jigs. Youngsters and adults alike had a good time soaking up some sun and laughs, and of course catching fishing.

Not only did Eagle Claw bring its best fisherman out to the lake, there was a guest appearance made by one of the greatest fisherman in the world…the snapping turtle!

Not only do we know how to make fish hooks, we know just how to catch em too!

“I attended a ladies fishing seminar in Stuart, Florida a few weekends ago called “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing”.  I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of it or not, but it’s a weekend seminar to help us ladies become more comfortable with the sport of fishing by teaching us the simple basics.  Someone by the name of Sam Hudson was there on behalf of Eagle Claw and set up a station to teach us how to rig live shrimp on a circle hook.  He also gave us some handouts to help us learn the difference between hook sizes and shapes and in-line vs. off-set.  And finally, he gave us all a pack of different sized circle hooks to put in our tackle boxes.  I just wanted to take a few minutes and tell you ‘Thank-You’ for supplying us with someone willing to help us and for the hooks to get us started.  It was really an awesome experience and I hope Eagle Claw continues to be a part of it.”

Eagle Claw continues to remain dedicated to teaching and helping people around the nation become more involved and interested in the sport of fishing. Whether it be salt water inshore fishing, trout fishing in the rivers of Colorado, or off-shore marlin fishing, Eagle Claw wants to be involved.

Thank you to Delores and all of the rest of our faithful users and fans out there!

In dismissing the petition, EPA indicated that the “petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the TSCA.” EPA also cited state-specific actions and the increasing education and outreach activities being undertaken, stating that those actions “…call into question whether a national ban on lead in fishing gear would be the least burdensome, adequately protective approach to address the concern, as called for under TSCA.”

“The sportfishing community applauds EPA’s decision,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) Vice President Gordon Robertson. “It represents a solid review of the biological facts, as well as the economic and social impacts that would have resulted from such a sweeping federal action. It is a common sense decision.”

Robertson further said, “Increases in the cost of recreational fishing would stop many anglers from enjoying the sport. The resultant decrease in fishing license sales and the federal manufacturers’ excise tax on fishing tackle, which represent the two most important funding sources for fisheries conservation, would be a large setback for fish and wildlife managers and this country’s natural resources.”

“The sportfishing industry is very proud of the fact that America’s anglers were united on this important issue and played a pivotal role in EPA’s decision to reject this unwarranted petition,” noted Robertson. “KeepAmericaFishing™ provides anglers an opportunity to present a strong, coherent voice so that they can express their concerns to decision makers. EPA’s dismissal is without a doubt in direct response to the facts we presented which were soundly supported by our collective comments and input.”

The sportfishing community’s objection to the ban was based on:

The data does not support a federal ban on lead sinkers used for fishing. In general, bird populations, including loons and other waterfowl species, are subject to many more substantial threats such as habitat loss through shoreline development. Any lead restrictions on fishing tackle need to be based on sound science that supports the appropriate action for a particular water body or species.

A federal ban of the use of lead in fishing tackle will have a significant negative impact on recreational anglers and fisheries resources, but a negligible impact on waterfowl populations.

Depending on the alternative metal and current prevailing raw material costs, non-lead fishing tackle products can cost from ten to twenty times more than lead products. Non-lead products may not be as available and most do not perform as well. Mandatory transitioning to non-lead fishing tackle would require significant and costly changes from both the industry and anglers.

America’s 60 million anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy, creating employment for over one million people.

This is not the first time that such a ban has been requested. In 1992 EPA received a similar petition to ban lead fishing tackle and in 1995 the Agency abandoned the proposed rule because there was no threat to bird populations and the economic impact was determined to be significant. In September 2010, legislation was introduced to both chambers of Congress to prevent an overarching federal ban on lead in recreational fishing tackle (S. 3850 and H.R. 6284).

“Even with this decision, ASA will continue to work with legislators and EPA to ensure that future considerations of lead fishing tackle bans are made in response to sound science, not unwarranted petitions,” concluded Robertson. “Aside from the many anglers that spoke up, many organizations and members of Congress deserve thanks for decisively voicing their opinion to EPA.”

To learn more about this issue and to support the voice of the American angler, please visit www.KeepAmericaFishing.org.

319 anglers in the American Fishing Tour National Championship presented

by American Bass Anglers. The event was held on Kentucky Lake October 6-8,

2010.

After a disappointing first and second day, checking in with no fish to

take to the scales, Minor did not give up. Day three paired her with an

angler who knew the lake well and had located fish, but had not been able

to capitalized on them. “We made a long run which included some thick

patches of fog,” said Minor, “and when we stopped, I didn’t really know

where we were, so I just started fishing.” It only took ten minutes for

her first catch of the day, and it was a big one. “We didn’t take time to

weigh it; we just put it in the live-well and kept fishing,” said Minor.

The pair stayed in the same area two to three hours and between them had

an estimated two 5lbers and four 3-4lbers. They left the area and fished

boat docks where Phillips had caught big fish on day 2, but did not find

them on day 3. They went back to their starting place and both finished

out their limit of five fish.

Weigh-in found them both with heavy bags, Minor’s going

15.51lb and Phillips 19.18lb. Phillips total weight was the heavy bag of

the tournament and moved him from 27th place after day 2 to third place

and a check for $3600. His big fish was 5.14lbs.

Minor followed Phillips to the scales and weighed in 15.51lb, then asked

for a big fish to be weighed. That first fish she caught turned out to be

a money fish, as it weighed 5.55lbs and was the Big Fish for day three,

worth $3,150. The total weight pushed Minor from the bottom of the

rankings to 20th place and a check for $500. She also won Lady Angler of

the Year for 2010.

Becky Minor with Big Bass of the ABA Championship

The American Fishing Tour is a national draw trail designed for the

week-end angler and is open to boaters and non-boaters from age 14 and up.

The 2011 season in this area begins in the fall with tournaments scheduled

for Lake of the Ozarks, Stockton, Table Rock, Big Hill and others to be

announced soon. For more information, call 888 203-6222 or visit

www.americanbassanglers.com.

Larry and his hat hook

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Eagle Claw Hat Hook & Tie Clasp, the Wright & McGill Co. is introducing an imaginative line of artistically styled hat hooks called the 155 Graphix Edition.

There are 7 new designs that have been added to the hat hook lineup. These new styles bring a breath of color and life to an already famous icon of the fishing industry. Joining the existing Gold, Red, White & Blue finishes, that the 155-hat hook is currently available in, are 5 new custom designs: Camouflage, American Flag, Rainbow Trout, Carbon Fiber and Flames. Also joining the 155 Graphix Edition are an Eagle Claw and a Lazer Sharp branded hat hook.

Flag Graphix Hat Hook

The new 155 Graphix Edition hat hooks are a fun and exciting way to show an angler’s love and passion for their sport. Now anglers can coordinate their hat hooks with their outdoor gear and proudly represent the brands that have kept America fishing for generations.

As always 100% American Made!!

Rainbow Trout

But when you are on a boat running out of San Diego you can be on the water a long time. You need stuff to keep you busy. The Crew on the American Angler run a fun contest with the Eagle Claw hat hook. You know the small one that goes on the brim of your hat.

Eagle CLaw Hat hook

They like to have a little fun and give them out as souvenirs form the trip. But as an added bonus, if you actually manage to catch a fish on one you get a prize pack of Eagle Claw gear for your efforts.

20lb Yellow tail on a hat hook

Jack Sussoev, Jr. recently took the hat hook challenge and was rewarded with a twenty pound yellowtail plus the gear for his trouble. Not bad Jack, I think that is a better use of one of those anyway!

One of our Pro Staff Team Members, John Grosvenor offers some good easy to follow tips for getting your young fishing partner out on the water, keeping them happy and building an angler for life

Check out the video

Contact John Directly

The big pond on the course attracts Eagle Claw fisherman!

However, one of the stipulations of this unique tournament is to find a golf course with the correct type of “hazards” because there is another contest built into the Eagle Claw event, a Fishing Contest. What sense would it make for a fishing tackle company not to do some kind of fishing event? That is why with the Eagle Claw golf tournament, there is a separate fishing event that takes place too! Golfers smuggle in tackle and rods into their golf bags, and make a couple casts at the ponds in between holes. As in any fishing trip, first fish, biggest fish, number of species, and most fish are common awards that anglers (I mean, golfers) try to accomplish!

Team TroKar!!

This year, the tournament was held at Pelican Lakes Golf Course in Windsor, Colorado. A course with more water on it than any other course in Colorado. Throughout the day, bass, crappie, and some big catfish and carp over 10 pounds were caught on the course ponds. Chris Russell caught the first fish with a good sized Largemouth at 8:21 in the morning, right after tee time!

first fish of the day.

Chris Russell shows off his crappie!

As the day went on, more fish were caught, including some nice smallmouth bass by Mike Chaney and Mike Jackson! Sometimes we wonder ourselves, “Whats more important, the golf tournament, or the fishing contests that take place in between the golfing…?”

Mike Jackson and Mike Chaney double up on smallies!

Big Fish went to Garrett Marquez with a 12 plus pound catfish.

After it was all said and done, through the entry fees and donations, Eagle Claw was able to raise enough money to donate $3000 to the Future Fisherman’s Foundation Association (FFFA). Everybody had a great time, and some decent fish were caught.

Jackson's glove gets some fish slime on it!

And of course, we have to mention, the golfing was good and the team of John Jilling – the President of Eagle Claw, finished in first!

Matt Gray goes classic!

By the way, no fish, drink girls, pelicans, or humans were harmed in the Eagle Claw Golf Tournament!