The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

DaceAce wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 12:48 pm Yes, it was actually about 32lbs and submitted by an angler for stuffing. After a few months he was told that the fish hadn't dried out properly or suchlike and had been thrown away. Not long afterwards the taxidermist (Roy Whitehall) claimed a new record with a fish over 40lbs. But some people smelt a rat. The witness as an old lady walking her dog. Diligent work by Martin Gay proved that it was the 32lb fish that had been stretched based on the fact the pike markings are like a fingerprint.

Tengisgol wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:18 pm

DaceAce wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 12:48 pm Yes, it was actually about 32lbs and submitted by an angler for stuffing. After a few months he was told that the fish hadn't dried out properly or suchlike and had been thrown away. Not long afterwards the taxidermist (Roy Whitehall) claimed a new record with a fish over 40lbs. But some people smelt a rat. The witness as an old lady walking her dog. Diligent work by Martin Gay proved that it was the 32lb fish that had been stretched based on the fact the pike markings are like a fingerprint.

Noting that Martin Gay is no longer with us, and with an apology if I am going slightly ‘off piste’, do you know Mark, what was the truth in the story behind Martin and the very large common carp/s he caught, that ‘rocked the specimen world’ back in the day?

There was some suggestion they were Canadian fish I recall, but I don’t want to call into doubt a highly respected angler that is not with us to comment, but there may be an acceptable explanation for what happened at that time without upsetting anyone.

Do you happen to know about that?

DaceAce wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:21 pm

Tengisgol wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:18 pm

DaceAce wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 12:48 pm Yes, it was actually about 32lbs and submitted by an angler for stuffing. After a few months he was told that the fish hadn't dried out properly or suchlike and had been thrown away. Not long afterwards the taxidermist (Roy Whitehall) claimed a new record with a fish over 40lbs. But some people smelt a rat. The witness as an old lady walking her dog. Diligent work by Martin Gay proved that it was the 32lb fish that had been stretched based on the fact the pike markings are like a fingerprint.

Noting that Martin Gay is no longer with us, and with an apology if I am going slightly ‘off piste’, do you know Mark, what was the truth in the story behind Martin and the very large common carp/s he caught, that ‘rocked the specimen world’ back in the day?

There was some suggestion they were Canadian fish I recall, but I don’t want to call into doubt a highly respected angler that is not with us to comment, but there may be an acceptable explanation for what happened at that time without upsetting anyone.

Do you happen to know about that?

I know of the story but not the absolute truth.