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Trophy tales: Parting shots

September 2, 2009 at 12:08PM

Brooke Caldwell, 12, of Paynesville, Minn., caught this 45.5-inch muskie -- her first ever -- on Lake Plantagenette with her dad, Rick. They released the fish. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

One of the joys of fishing is that it brings family and friends together. Whether gathering in boats, canoes, cabins or campgrounds, there's opportunity to talk, laugh (and maybe even cry) face-to-face rather than via phones, computers or other high-tech gadgets. And time to share outdoor experiences -- a spectacular sunset, a loon calling across a still lake, the rhythmic lapping of waves against the shore.

Or the delight of landing a big fish.

Today we celebrate the near-end of another summer fishing season with our final fishing page of the season. Starting next week, our Wednesday Outdoors page will return with coverage of hunting, conservation, natural resources, outdoor recreation -- and, of course, fishing.

Thanks to the hundreds of people who submitted photos and fish tales this season. Anglers -- and hunters -- can post photos or videos of their trophies on Trophy Tales at startribune.com/cluboutdoors.

DOUG SMITH

Israel Moe of Walker, Minn., with a 31-inch walleye he caught in Leech Lake. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Kyle Pearson, 10, of Rochester caught this 21-inch smallmouth bass off a dock on Pelican Lake in Orr. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Dane Hanks, 5, of Richfield, landed this 5-pound, 21-inch largemouth bass on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis -- proving you don't have to go far in Minnesota to catch trophy fish. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Teng Xiong of Woodbury and friend Andrew Mechelke of Eagan caught these trophy bass in a Twin Cities-area lake. One was 6-pound, 4-ounces, the other was 6 pounds, 7 ounces. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Brianna Carlson of Hastings caught this 46-inch muskie on the St. Croix River. Her dad, Todd Spaeth, also of Hastings, helped net the fish. (Stan Schmidt/The Minnesota Star Tribune)