Swanton angler demolishes Nebraska state record with 89-pound flathead catfish - Omaha World-Herald

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Swanton angler demolishes Nebraska state record with 89-pound flathead catfish - Omaha World-Herald Posted: 10 Jun 2020 03:58 AM PDT Richard Hagen couldn't find Brutus a home, so he drove back to the Missouri River with the 89-pound flathead catfish swimming in an old deep freezer in the back of his pickup. Richard Hagen of Swanton, Nebraska, with his 89-pound flathead catfish. The old record was 80 pounds. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS He returned it to the water two days after fighting nearly 45 minutes to land what will be a state record fish. "He got me wet when he took off,'' Hagen said. "I said goodbye and lead a happy life.'' It was the best ending anyone could have hoped for, says Daryl Bauer, the fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Hagen is still waiting to receive the paperwork that certifies his catch as an official record. But other than that, it's a done deal. Hagen's flathead cat tops an 80-pounder taken out of the Loup Power Canal by Willam Swanson on June 14, 1988. The fish's release "fuels everyone's imagination,'' Bauer said. "There's a state record flathead catfish swimming around in there.'' Game and Parks officials think it will be a long time before a flathead cat bigger than Brutus is caught in Nebraska.  NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS Hagen caught the monster he named Brutus along the river near Brownville. He was fishing overnight Saturday with his brother, Darin.      His first fish was an 11-pound channel catfish; then he hooked Brutus using a bluegill for bait with a Meathunter rod and a Penn Fierce 3 bait-running spinning reel. He had Whisker Seeker 50-pound monofilament line. They didn't weigh it until they were done fishing the next morning — 88 pounds on the family's farm scale. That's when he realized it could be a state record, something he never thought possible although he's been fishing for catfish along the river most of his life. He was able to find a certified scale big enough for an official weigh-in at the Highway 50 Smokehouse in Tecumseh. That's where Brutus tipped the scales at 89 pounds and measured 53.5 inches long with a girth of 37.5 inches. "That's the biggest freshwater fish I've ever seen up close,'' conservation officer Matt Seitz said. "It was an amazing fish.'' Hagen made some calls after it was weighed, hoping to find it a home. But the tanks at Schramm Education Center can't accommodate a fish that size, and he couldn't get any of the big sporting goods stores to bite. "I wanted to find a place to put him in an aquarium where people could enjoy seeing him, or I was going to turn him loose back where he came from,'' Hagen said. The 61-year-old's phone has been blowing up since news of the state record has spread. Some callers didn't believe the fish was still alive when Hagen returned it to the water. Aerators keep the catfish alive in an old deep freezer before the fish was returned to the Missouri River. DENISE HAWLEY Aerators added to the freezer full of water did the trick. Even after an exhausting weekend, Hagen checked on Brutus throughout the night Sunday at his home in Swanton to make sure he'd make it. "I did my best to try to find a home for him,'' Hagen said. "I think he's in a better place.'' Bauer said there's some big cats in the river, and he's been expecting a blue catfish over 100 pounds for a while. Then his phone started ringing about the flathead. "That record could go higher, but it's going to take a really really exceptional fish to beat that,'' he said. Seitz agreed. Hagen didn't just beat the state record, he crushed it, and like Bauer he said he expects it to be a long time before the record is broken again. Then he changed his mind. "But you never know, it could happen tomorrow,'' Seitz said. "That's why people fish. You never know what you are going to catch.'' Name: Cade Atkinson, Gothenburg, Nebraska Species: Mule deer Where: Southwest of Gothenburg Size: 5x5 Noteworthy: It was the 11-year-old's second deer, which he took with the help of his dad, Brent Atkinson. Cade was able to take the buck down with one shot at 130 yards.  Name: Chris Taylor, Fremont. Species: Largemouth bass. Where: Private lake in Fremont. Size: 21 inches. Noteworthy: The 10-year-old caught the Master Angler fish using purple spinner bait. Name: Tom Boyer, Omaha, with grandfather Jeff Carney Species: Blue catfish Where: Sandpit Lake near Ashland, Nebraska Size: 45 inches Noteworthy: This isn't the first big catfish Tom has caught, but he earned his first Master Angler certificate. In the past, the 7-year-old wasn't able to reel the fish all the way in on his own. This time he did, although he did take three rest breaks. Name: Dylan Clark, Omaha. Species: Spoonbill. Where: Lake of the Ozarks with grandpa Butch Clark and friend Brian Hinenan. Size: 52 pounds. Noteworthy: This was Dylan's biggest catch ever. Name: Bob Story, at left, Central City Species: Channel catfish Where: Loup Canal in Platte County Size: 26.5 pounds Noteworthy: The 75-year-old landed the fish with some help from friends. Despite a severe fish kill a few years ago and March flood damage in the upper canal in March, the fishing in the lower half has been good this summer. Name: Maezlyn Witherbee-Alef, Bennington Species: White crappie Where: Lake near Plattsmouth Size: ¾ of a pound Noteworthy: It was the 4-year-old's first crappie. She is pictured with her grandfather, Mark Witherbee. Name: Nate Ruffino. Species: Muskie. Where: Eagle Lake Sportsmen's Lodge in Ontario, Canada. Size: 40 pounds, 50 inches. Noteworthy: Ruffino was casting on the dock when a 25-inch northen pike hit his bait. While reaching for his net the muskie came out and grabbed the pike. It took three people to net the fish and hoist him into the boat. Nate was fishing with his father, Tom Ruffino, and friends Frank and Andy Tworek, Ron Schmidt and Frank Mason. Name: Hunter Redfern, Elkhorn. Species: Cottontail. Where: Stanton, Nebraska. Noteworthy: The 9-year-old was hunting with his dad, John, at his Gram's farm when he shot this cottontail rabbit. It was Hunter's first animal harvested with a .22 rifle. Name: Claudia Riggert, Pierce, Nebraska. Species: Deer. Where: Pierce County. Size: 4x4. Noteworthy: The 11-year-old killed her first deer from 217 yards with her .243. Name: L.D. "Spike" Gross, Fremont. Species: King salmon. Where: Lake Michigan out of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Size: 28½ pounds. Noteworthy: The fish was caught on flash bait from the deck of the Top Banana, a charter boat. The captain was Patrick Vesser. Name: Jay Wiederholt, with children Mara and Max. Species: Largemouth bass. Where: Neighborhood pond in Sedalia, Missouri. Noteworthy: Jay is a dedicated golfer. His brother-in-law, Bob, offered to take him fishing via golf cart. Several bass were caught and released. Name: Bill Henk, Omaha Species: White-tailed deer Where: North of Loup River in Howard County Size: 11x8 points. Brow tines 9 inches Noteworthy: Henk said this is his biggest trophy. It appeared out of a tree-lined draw just 15 minutes after he got in his stand at 2 p.m. He shot it from 150 yards. Name: John Beeson, Omaha Species: Deer Where: Otoe County southwest of Palmyra Size: 4x4 Noteworthy: The UNK senior killed the deer with one shot from 80 yards with a Savage .270 rifle. It's the third deer of his hunting career. Name: Dean Cowles Species: Tiger trout Where: Two Rivers Noteworthy: The 93-year-old has caught virtually all varieties of trout over the years but never the hybrid tiger trout. It was a goal of his before he quit fishing. He caught two that day. Name: Derek Rutherford, Omaha. Species: Catfish. Where: Private lake near Valley. Size: 16 inches. Noteworthy: After several nibbles and lots of patience, Derek landed the biggest fish he's ever caught. It was released. Name: Emmett Golda, La Vista Species: Bass Size: 3 pounds Where: Halleck Lake in Papillion Noteworthy: Moments after dropping his line in the water, the 3-year-old needed a little assistance from grandpa Keith Bonner to reel in this fish caught with a bait worm. It was his first time fishing. His parents are Luke and Kay Golda. Name: Klaus Brotzki, Omaha. Species: Largemouth bass Where: Private lake in north central Missouri. Size: 6 pounds, 9 ounces Noteworthy: It was caught in 12 feet of water using a chartreuse and white chatterbait. It was weighed and released. Name: Grant Ryan, 10 Species: Blue Catfish Where: Saunders County sandpit lake Size: 44 inches long Noteworthy: The fish qualifies for Nebraska Game and Parks' Master Angler recognition. This is the second big catfish Grant has caught with his grandfather, Jeff Carney. Once the fish was released, he turned to his dad, Ben, and said: "This never gets old!" Name: Samuel Baumert Hometown: Norfolk Species: 15½-inch crappie Location: Near Schuyler. Note: The 6-year-old caught the Master Angler fish on an outing with his family. He used a minnow as bait. Name: Bridget White, Springfield, Nebraska Species: Triggerfish Where: Off the coast of Cancun in the Caribbean Size: 6 pounds Noteworthy: Bridget and Phil White caught six trigger fish and one white and one red snapper while out on a fishing charter. Name: Ben Zupan, Elkhorn Species: Bluegill and crappie Where: Lake Wanahoo Size: Around 10 inches Ben Zupan also was on his first ice fishing outing, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission event at Lake Wanahoo. Game and Parks provided gear and bait and even drilled the holes. The 16-year-old caught 15 fish, and grandpa Patrick McPherson caught four. "Over the last 12 years I've enjoyed teaching him how to fish,'' McPherson said. "He's become an extremely good fisherman who loves the outdoors and can't wait to go fishing. And, he's a better and smarter fisherman than his grandpa. Don't tell him that." Name: Jamison Childers, Omaha What: Largemouth bass Where: Douglas County private pond Size: 17 inches It was priceless, Paul Childers said, to see the smile on grandson Jamison's face when he pulled in his prize on the youngster's first ice fishing trip. "Seeing him sitting in his chair and all of a sudden hearing, 'Papa, I got one.' All I did was put a few fingers underneath the pole and he reeled them in,'' Childers said. The 6-year-old caught a 17-inch and a 19-inch bass on a private pond in Douglas County. Childers caught a 21-incher. Name: Jace Sheppard This past July, the 8-year-old caught a pike at Lake of the Woods in Canada. Name: Becky Connolly with guide Dean Roy, who is holding the fish. Husband Dan is to the left. Species: Muskellunge Where: Lake of the Woods Size: 47-¼ inches, about 37 pounds Noteworthy: The fish was caught on a jig and nightcrawler while fishing for walleye with a 6-pound line and a light-action rod. It was released unharmed. Name: Don Paltani and grandson Wyatt, Bellevue Species: Whitetail buck Where: Cass County Size: 5x5 Noteworthy: Paltani said it was a proud moment. Wyatt helped out with everything in taking care of the deer. "It is a moment to not be forgotten," Paltani said. "We look forward to more proud moments like this one when Wyatt comes of age to hunt." Name: Clay Gathye, Gretna, and grandpa Larry Gathye, Omaha Species: Mule deer Where: Pine Ridge in western Nebraska Size: 2x3 Noteworthy: The 10-year-old shot his first deer on opening day using his grandpa's .308 rifle. Name: Charlie Loofe, Elkhorn Species: Walleye Where: Buckskin Lake near Newcastle, Nebraska Size: 20 inches Noteworthy: The 10-year old was fishing with grandfather Mike Loofe of Wakefield. Name: Michael Marcuzzo, Omaha Species: Flathead catfish Where: Omaha park Size: 25 pounds, 39 inches Noteworthy: Marcuzzo was fishing with a friend at a local park when he caught this master angler with a bluegill. The fish was released. Name: Truman Stickland, Red Oak, Iowa Species: Bluegill Where: Viking Lake in southwest Iowa Size: 10 inches Noteworthy: Truman and brother Bennett caught some small fish, then Truman reeled in this one. Mom wasn't impressed, but Truman insisted he take it home. They then checked with Todd Carrick of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, who said it was a master angler catch. Name: Jeff Schindler, Valley Species: Lingcod Where: Homer, Alaska Size: 45 pounds Noteworthy: Jeff was fishing with dad Ron and brothers Brad and Rod. As he was reeling in a rock fish, this monster latched on. The quick-thinking captain gaffed it before it let go. Both fish were landed in the boat. Name: Jack Taylor, Bellevue Species: Largemouth bass Where: Private pond in Sarpy County Size: More than 3 pounds Noteworthy: He was fishing with his father, Aaron Taylor, and Jerry Lovell. Name: Doug Mellema, Kansas City, Missouri Species: Largemouth bass Where: Smithville Lake, Missouri Size: 5 pounds Noteworthy: The fish was caught on the second cast of the morning, using a Rapala Fat Rap, firetiger color. It was netted by Doug's father, Warren Mellema of Omaha. Name: Dean Cowles, Plattsmouth Species: Koi Where: Two Rivers Size: 14 pounds Noteworthy: Dean, 92, was fishing for trout when he caught this koi. Name: Davis Koile, Valley Species: Bass Where: Valley Size: 21 inches Noteworthy: The 7-year-old used a green pumpkin worm with a chartreuse tip rigged wacky style on a drop shot rig. The fish, which weighed 4 pounds, 3 ounces, was his first master angler bass. This catch made him "want to get even bigger ones." Name: Andrue Hackendahl, Elkhorn Species: Redear sunfish Where: Lawrence Youngman Lake Size: Just over 10 inches Noteworthy: The 9-year-old thought another little fish was stealing his night crawler. It was released. Name: Ainsley Anderson, Omaha Species: Walleye Where: Lake Pokegama in Minnesota Size: 29 inches Noteworthy: The 11-year-old used a Silver Wally Diver to catch the 9-pound fish, which was her second master angler walleye. Name: Hayden Anibal, Bennington Species: Crappie Where: Sandpit lake near Schuyler Size: 16 inches Noteworthy: The 11-year-old used a night crawler to nab her master angler fish. Name: Emma Anibal, Bennington Species: Largemouth bass Where: Sandpit lake near Schuyler Size: 18 1⁄2 inches Noteworthy: The 12-year-old used a night crawler to catch the bass. Name: Carter Cushing, Gretna Species: Channel catfish Where: Platte River Size: 20 pounds Noteworthy: The 14-year-old was fishing with his family, including sister Avery. The catfish put up a good fight and was released. Name: Erik Hultquist, Omaha Species: Brown trout Where: Fraser River, Tabernash, Colorado Size: 22 inches Noteworthy: The 14-year-old was fly-fishing for the first time on a river. Name: Gary Jacobsen, Omaha Species: King salmon Where: Kenai River in Alaska Size: 50 pounds Noteworthy: He was fishing with son Chris of Tekamah, Rick Beane of Minnesota and Dan and Eric Jensen of Kenai. Name: Frankie Jordan, Omaha Species: Largemouth bass Where: East Silent Lake, Minnesota Size: 4 1⁄2 pounds, 19 inches Name: Mitch Stanley, Elkhorn Species: Smallmouth bass Where: Boy Lake, Longville, Minnesota Size: 5-1⁄4 pounds, 21-1⁄2 inches long Noteworthy: Mitch was fishing with his grandfather, Gary Lortz. He caught the master angler fish with a leech. The fish was released. Name: John Swinarski, Omaha Species: Whitetail deer Where: Sarpy County Size: 7-pointer Noteworthy: Swinarski wants to thank the farmers and landowners who allow hunters on their land. "Really appreciate it,'' he said. "We are always looking for more hunting land.'' Names: Cooper and R.J. Hladik, Sedalia, Missouri Species: Largemouth bass Where: neighborhood pond in Sedalia Noteworthy: The boys also caught dozens of scrappy bluegills that were about 10 inches. They used hot dog bites and worms to catch green sunfish, too. All were released. Couy, Reece and Nick French with a 113 1/4 pound blue catfish. It was 5-foot-1 inches tall with a girth of 3 feet 11 inches.  Name: Doug Finnicum, Omaha Species: Largemouth bass Where: Douglas County private lake Size: 4 to 6 pounds Noteworthy: It was his largest bass from this lake. Name: John Schulte, Omaha Species: Pheasant Where: Public land near Columbus Noteworthy: The 13-year-old used his 20 gauge shotgun to kill his first rooster during the youth pheasant opener. He was hunting with springers Ruby, who flushed the wild rooster out of a plum thicket, and Camo, who retrieved it. Drake Clements got a 16-point buck on the first day of the firearm deer season. It was the 11-year-old's first buck. Name: Kevin Marr, Omaha Species: Wiper Where: Lake Manawa Size: About 8 pounds, 3⁄4 inches Noteworthy: Marr fishes at the lake every Monday. This time it was cold and windy, but he persevered on the fourth cast. It took about 17 minutes to bring the fish in. Name: Michael Bebout Species:Whitetail deer Where: Johnson County by Sterling on his grandmother's land. Size: 5x5 Noteworthy:Michael shot this 3 1/2 year old deer at 160 yards with a Browning .270. It is his biggest buck so far. This buck was so well hidden in the timber that, after shot, they walked within 2 foot of the deer and couldn't see him. Michael found him. Trophy Board photos: Nebraskans and their trophies See a photo gallery featuring some local hunters' top prizes from across the Midlands. Name: Cade Atkinson, Gothenburg, Nebraska Species: Mule deer Where: Southwest of Gothenburg Size: 5x5 Noteworthy: It was the 11-year-old's second deer, which he took with the help of his dad, Brent Atkinson. Cade was able to take the buck down with one shot at 130 yards.  Name: Chris Taylor, Fremont. Species: Largemouth bass. Where: Private lake in Fremont. Size: 21 inches. Noteworthy: The 10-year-old caught the Master Angler fish using purple spinner bait. Name: Tom Boyer, Omaha, with grandfather Jeff Carney Species: Blue catfish Where: Sandpit Lake near Ashland, Nebraska Size: 45 inches Noteworthy: This isn't the first big catfish Tom has caught, but he earned his first Master Angler certificate. In the past, the 7-year-old wasn't able to reel the fish all the way in on his own. This time he did, although he did take three rest breaks. Name: Dylan Clark, Omaha. Species: Spoonbill. Where: Lake of the Ozarks with grandpa Butch Clark and friend Brian Hinenan. Size: 52 pounds. Noteworthy: This was Dylan's biggest catch ever. Name: Bob Story, at left, Central City Species: Channel catfish Where: Loup Canal in Platte County Size: 26.5 pounds Noteworthy: The 75-year-old landed the fish with some help from friends. Despite a severe fish kill a few years ago and March flood damage in the upper canal in March, the fishing in the lower half has been good this summer. Name: Maezlyn Witherbee-Alef, Bennington Species: White crappie Where: Lake near Plattsmouth Size: ¾ of a pound Noteworthy: It was the 4-year-old's first crappie. She is pictured with her grandfather, Mark Witherbee. Name: Nate Ruffino. Species: Muskie. Where: Eagle Lake Sportsmen's Lodge in Ontario, Canada. Size: 40 pounds, 50 inches. Noteworthy: Ruffino was casting on the dock when a 25-inch northen pike hit his bait. While reaching for his net the muskie came out and grabbed the pike. It took three people to net the fish and hoist him into the boat. Nate was fishing with his father, Tom Ruffino, and friends Frank and Andy Tworek, Ron Schmidt and Frank Mason. Name: Hunter Redfern, Elkhorn. Species: Cottontail. Where: Stanton, Nebraska. Noteworthy: The 9-year-old was hunting with his dad, John, at his Gram's farm when he shot this cottontail rabbit. It was Hunter's first animal harvested with a .22 rifle. Name: Claudia Riggert, Pierce, Nebraska. Species: Deer. Where: Pierce County. Size: 4x4. Noteworthy: The 11-year-old killed her first deer from 217 yards with her .243. Name: L.D. "Spike" Gross, Fremont. Species: King salmon. Where: Lake Michigan out of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Size: 28½ pounds. Noteworthy: The fish was caught on flash bait from the deck of the Top Banana, a charter boat. The captain was Patrick Vesser. Name: Jay Wiederholt, with children Mara and Max. Species: Largemouth bass. Where: Neighborhood pond in Sedalia, Missouri. Noteworthy: Jay is a dedicated golfer. His brother-in-law, Bob, offered to take him fishing via golf cart. Several bass were caught and released. Name: Bill Henk, Omaha Species: White-tailed deer Where: North of Loup River in Howard County Size: 11x8 points. Brow tines 9 inches Noteworthy: Henk said this is his biggest trophy. It appeared out of a tree-lined draw just 15 minutes after he got in his stand at 2 p.m. He shot it from 150 yards. Name: John Beeson, Omaha Species: Deer Where: Otoe County southwest of Palmyra Size: 4x4 Noteworthy: The UNK senior killed the deer with one shot from 80 yards with a Savage .270 rifle. It's the third deer of his hunting career. Name: Dean Cowles Species: Tiger trout Where: Two Rivers Noteworthy: The 93-year-old has caught virtually all varieties of trout over the years but never the hybrid tiger trout. It was a goal of his before he quit fishing. He caught two that day. Name: Derek Rutherford, Omaha. Species: Catfish. Where: Private lake near Valley. Size: 16 inches. Noteworthy: After several nibbles and lots of patience, Derek landed the biggest fish he's ever caught. It was released. Name: Emmett Golda, La Vista Species: Bass Size: 3 pounds Where: Halleck Lake in Papillion Noteworthy: Moments after dropping his line in the water, the 3-year-old needed a little assistance from grandpa Keith Bonner to reel in this fish caught with a bait worm. It was his first time fishing. His parents are Luke and Kay Golda. Name: Klaus Brotzki, Omaha. Species: Largemouth bass Where: Private lake in north central Missouri. Size: 6 pounds, 9 ounces Noteworthy: It was caught in 12 feet of water using a chartreuse and white chatterbait. It was weighed and released. Name: Grant Ryan, 10 Species: Blue Catfish Where: Saunders County sandpit lake Size: 44 inches long Noteworthy: The fish qualifies for Nebraska Game and Parks' Master Angler recognition. This is the second big catfish Grant has caught with his grandfather, Jeff Carney. Once the fish was released, he turned to his dad, Ben, and said: "This never gets old!" Name: Samuel Baumert Hometown: Norfolk Species: 15½-inch crappie Location: Near Schuyler. Note: The 6-year-old caught the Master Angler fish on an outing with his family. He used a minnow as bait. Name: Bridget White, Springfield, Nebraska Species: Triggerfish Where: Off the coast of Cancun in the Caribbean Size: 6 pounds Noteworthy: Bridget and Phil White caught six trigger fish and one white and one red snapper while out on a fishing charter. Name: Ben Zupan, Elkhorn Species: Bluegill and crappie Where: Lake Wanahoo Size: Around 10 inches Ben Zupan also was on his first ice fishing outing, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission event at Lake Wanahoo. Game and Parks provided gear and bait and even drilled the holes. The 16-year-old caught 15 fish, and grandpa Patrick McPherson caught four. "Over the last 12 years I've enjoyed teaching him how to fish,'' McPherson said. "He's become an extremely good fisherman who loves the outdoors and can't wait to go fishing. And, he's a better and smarter fisherman than his grandpa. Don't tell him that." Name: Jamison Childers, Omaha What: Largemouth bass Where: Douglas County private pond Size: 17 inches It was priceless, Paul Childers said, to see the smile on grandson Jamison's face when he pulled in his prize on the youngster's first ice fishing trip. "Seeing him sitting in his chair and all of a sudden hearing, 'Papa, I got one.' All I did was put a few fingers underneath the pole and he reeled them in,'' Childers said. The 6-year-old caught a 17-inch and a 19-inch bass on a private pond in Douglas County. Childers caught a 21-incher. Name: Jace Sheppard This past July, the 8-year-old caught a pike at Lake of the Woods in Canada. Name: Becky Connolly with guide Dean Roy, who is holding the fish. Husband Dan is to the left. Species: Muskellunge Where: Lake of the Woods Size: 47-¼ inches, about 37 pounds Noteworthy: The fish was caught on a jig and nightcrawler while fishing for walleye with a 6-pound line and a light-action rod. It was released unharmed. Name: Don Paltani and grandson Wyatt, Bellevue Species: Whitetail buck Where: Cass County Size: 5x5 Noteworthy: Paltani said it was a proud moment. Wyatt helped out with everything in taking care of the deer. "It is a moment to not be forgotten," Paltani said. "We look forward to more proud moments like this one when Wyatt comes of age to hunt." Name: Clay Gathye, Gretna, and grandpa Larry Gathye, Omaha Species: Mule deer Where: Pine Ridge in western Nebraska Size: 2x3 Noteworthy: The 10-year-old shot his first deer on opening day using his grandpa's .308 rifle. Name: Charlie Loofe, Elkhorn Species: Walleye Where: Buckskin Lake near Newcastle, Nebraska Size: 20 inches Noteworthy: The 10-year old was fishing with grandfather Mike Loofe of Wakefield. Name: Michael Marcuzzo, Omaha Species: Flathead catfish Where: Omaha park Size: 25 pounds, 39 inches Noteworthy: Marcuzzo was fishing with a friend at a local park when he caught this master angler with a bluegill. The fish was released. Name: Truman Stickland, Red Oak, Iowa Species: Bluegill Where: Viking Lake in southwest Iowa Size: 10 inches Noteworthy: Truman and brother Bennett caught some small fish, then Truman reeled in this one. Mom wasn't impressed, but Truman insisted he take it home. They then checked with Todd Carrick of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, who said it was a master angler catch. Name: Jeff Schindler, Valley Species: Lingcod Where: Homer, Alaska Size: 45 pounds Noteworthy: Jeff was fishing with dad Ron and brothers Brad and Rod. As he was reeling in a rock fish, this monster latched on. The quick-thinking captain gaffed it before it let go. Both fish were landed in the boat. Name: Jack Taylor, Bellevue Species: Largemouth bass Where: Private pond in Sarpy County Size: More than 3 pounds Noteworthy: He was fishing with his father, Aaron Taylor, and Jerry Lovell. Name: Doug Mellema, Kansas City, Missouri Species: Largemouth bass Where: Smithville Lake, Missouri Size: 5 pounds Noteworthy: The fish was caught on the second cast of the morning, using a Rapala Fat Rap, firetiger color. It was netted by Doug's father, Warren Mellema of Omaha. Name: Dean Cowles, Plattsmouth Species: Koi Where: Two Rivers Size: 14 pounds Noteworthy: Dean, 92, was fishing for trout when he caught this koi. Name: Davis Koile, Valley Species: Bass Where: Valley Size: 21 inches Noteworthy: The 7-year-old used a green pumpkin worm with a chartreuse tip rigged wacky style on a drop shot rig. The fish, which weighed 4 pounds, 3 ounces, was his first master angler bass. This catch made him "want to get even bigger ones." Name: Andrue Hackendahl, Elkhorn Species: Redear sunfish Where: Lawrence Youngman Lake Size: Just over 10 inches Noteworthy: The 9-year-old thought another little fish was stealing his night crawler. It was released. Name: Ainsley Anderson, Omaha Species: Walleye Where: Lake Pokegama in Minnesota Size: 29 inches Noteworthy: The 11-year-old used a Silver Wally Diver to catch the 9-pound fish, which was her second master angler walleye. Name: Hayden Anibal, Bennington Species: Crappie Where: Sandpit lake near Schuyler Size: 16 inches Noteworthy: The 11-year-old used a night crawler to nab her master angler fish. Name: Emma Anibal, Bennington Species: Largemouth bass Where: Sandpit lake near Schuyler Size: 18 1⁄2 inches Noteworthy: The 12-year-old used a night crawler to catch the bass. Name: Carter Cushing, Gretna Species: Channel catfish Where: Platte River Size: 20 pounds Noteworthy: The 14-year-old was fishing with his family, including sister Avery. The catfish put up a good fight and was released. Name: Erik Hultquist, Omaha Species: Brown trout Where: Fraser River, Tabernash, Colorado Size: 22 inches Noteworthy: The 14-year-old was fly-fishing for the first time on a river. Name: Gary Jacobsen, Omaha Species: King salmon Where: Kenai River in Alaska Size: 50 pounds Noteworthy: He was fishing with son Chris of Tekamah, Rick Beane of Minnesota and Dan and Eric Jensen of Kenai. Name: Frankie Jordan, Omaha Species: Largemouth bass Where: East Silent Lake, Minnesota Size: 4 1⁄2 pounds, 19 inches Name: Mitch Stanley, Elkhorn Species: Smallmouth bass Where: Boy Lake, Longville, Minnesota Size: 5-1⁄4 pounds, 21-1⁄2 inches long Noteworthy: Mitch was fishing with his grandfather, Gary Lortz. He caught the master angler fish with a leech. The fish was released. Name: John Swinarski, Omaha Species: Whitetail deer Where: Sarpy County Size: 7-pointer Noteworthy: Swinarski wants to thank the farmers and landowners who allow hunters on their land. "Really appreciate it,'' he said. "We are always looking for more hunting land.'' Names: Cooper and R.J. Hladik, Sedalia, Missouri Species: Largemouth bass Where: neighborhood pond in Sedalia Noteworthy: The boys also caught dozens of scrappy bluegills that were about 10 inches. They used hot dog bites and worms to catch green sunfish, too. All were released. Couy, Reece and Nick French with a 113 1/4 pound blue catfish. It was 5-foot-1 inches tall with a girth of 3 feet 11 inches.  Name: Doug Finnicum, Omaha Species: Largemouth bass Where: Douglas County private lake Size: 4 to 6 pounds Noteworthy: It was his largest bass from this lake. Name: John Schulte, Omaha Species: Pheasant Where: Public land near Columbus Noteworthy: The 13-year-old used his 20 gauge shotgun to kill his first rooster during the youth pheasant opener. He was hunting with springers Ruby, who flushed the wild rooster out of a plum thicket, and Camo, who retrieved it. Drake Clements got a 16-point buck on the first day of the firearm deer season. It was the 11-year-old's first buck. Name: Kevin Marr, Omaha Species: Wiper Where: Lake Manawa Size: About 8 pounds, 3⁄4 inches Noteworthy: Marr fishes at the lake every Monday. This time it was cold and windy, but he persevered on the fourth cast. It took about 17 minutes to bring the fish in. Name: Michael Bebout Species:Whitetail deer Where: Johnson County by Sterling on his grandmother's land. Size: 5x5 Noteworthy:Michael shot this 3 1/2 year old deer at 160 yards with a Browning .270. It is his biggest buck so far. This buck was so well hidden in the timber that, after shot, they walked within 2 foot of the deer and couldn't see him. Michael found him.

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