Eastern Kentucky Biggest Goldfish Breaks the Record ! Golfish in Pine Lake
72Pine Lake in Lewis County Kentucky..Gold Fish
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Record Breaking Gold Fish ?
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Have you ever heard about a Huge Gold Fish ? Yes the little Gold Fish that you would have in a bowl ! Have you ever wondered if they really get Big ? I have read articles about them ,and had never really believed it until Monday ,April the 18th 2011 .On April 18th, 2011 at Pine Lake located in Garrison, Ky. Mr. Merle 'Plut' Horsley landed yet another record!!! Merle Horsley along with his family decided to go to this little lake and fish for a bit. After casting their poles they sit to wait. About 20 minutes in Merle got a bite. He was using an eagle claw fishing pole with 12 pd. line and a minnow for bait. After a little over a 2 hour struggle Merle landed the fish with first instincts of it being and albino catfish until he emerged it from the water. In total shock he realized he didn't land a typical fish...he landed a Goldfish. Hundreds of people from garrison went to pine lake that day to see the amazing catch.Many pictures were taken by many different people including the Constable of Garrison, Larry Colley, and Ky, Fish and Wild Life Officer who were also on the scene. After many hours of having the fish tied on a rope, they weighed in the massive fish....It weighted in at 65lbs...49 inches long.... and 34 and 3/4 inches in girth....absolutely amazing.. Ky, Fish & and Wild Life Officers along with many other scientists and specialists are still testing the species and we are awaiting proper confirmation on the fish.WOW It's a Huge Gold Fish !I notice that a local News Paper had picked up the Story . Then off to the News Paper's Home Page I go to read what they say it was {lewiscountyherald.com} , and again It states that it is a GOLD FISH. I know this sounds like it is just to far Fitch , but you must check this out . For Sure it is the Biggest Gold Fish I have ever heard of , and as far as Gold Fish go this is the only one with Real Proof to back up the Story. The Picture's are NOT self-made up , or Photo-shopped , or Tampered with.. This is Not Fake ! You might at first have thought it was a Koi Carp , but I have looked them up already , and I am not an expert , but this Looks to be the real deal ..Everyone will have their own opinion . As far as opinions go , There was tons of people who showed up and witnessed this themselves and posted on their own pages on Facebook.... Well recorded ! Very well recorded.This is something to be proud of . What a catch Mr. Horsley got himself ! Way to go . This is a Record Breaking Gold Fish . Biggest one so far , and it came straight out of a fishing day here in Kentucky. I still am amazed with 12 pound test line . makes you wonder how many times he had to chase that Gold Fish up and down the Lake until Officials showed up.. *Caught and Released back into Pine Lake this fish was.. If you would like to take a look at this amazing fish then take yourself a ride down to Lewis County, Kentucky and go to Pine Lake, This Fish was not harmed and it was not killed.. Mr. Horsley done a great thing by not killing it and by not having it out of the Water to long.. as you may see from these pictures he only had the fish out of the water long enough to get the photos There was many people taking pictures this day,and I have gotten these pictures from a few people just so that I would have more to show everyone.Congratulations to Mr. Merle Horsley , and his Family on this Great Catch ! What a joy it must have been to have been there , and seen it ! At this time everyone is still waiting on the official word if this is a Gold Fish. When we do get word from Officials I will update this post.Enjoy your Kentucky Fishing experience.. I know I sure do!UPDATE ~ After posting this I was contacted by the family Of the Late Paul Skidmore that built the lake ,I have spoken to the granddaughter of Mr.Skidmore a Mrs. Denise Huffman ,and They believe this was an old Family Pet Gold Fish that they turned loose in Pine Lake many years ago. Told to me was the Gold Fish had gotten so big in the Family Basement that they had to turn it loose..I am still working on getting facts. I am checking in on this and will be letting everyone know..Stay turned to this for all the updates....**Update ..The Lewis County Herald came out this week , and in it was a statement about this Gold Fish .It made front page .In the Paper it states that a Steve Marple, Manger for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife ,said he believes the fish could be an albino or gold-colored big head carp , noting that the scales on the fish are too Small for a goldfish or common carp.*****UPDATE***** Today April 27Th 2011. I was contacted by Mr. Merle 'Plut" Horsley , and here is what he had to say...From Plut Horsley @ skeeter747 the update on the fish is that the wildlife organization wants to do DNA on the fish to determine what type of fish it actually is, but to do so they would have to shock the lake and take a chance of killing all fish. Even if it doesn't kill them they want to take the fish from the lake to weigh it and it will kill the fish.i have decided not to let them have the fish so the actual species will be undetermined we will let it go as the little baby goldfish of pine lake.You will find this post at the bottom of my page under comments.... Thanks much Mr. Horsley, and if you hear anything let us know Please..
Pine Lake
Pine Lake
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How did it get there ? I was told it must have been in Pine Lake for a long time to have been that big!
I fished pine lake when I was a kid. Great story!! Awesome fishing skill :)
SKEETER747
How it got there ... I grew up at Pine Lake. My Grandfather Paul Skidmore had it all built and two new houses. Grandpa built the house at the lake and my dad built the house right above that got moved when the DBL AA Highway come through. Down in the basement of my Grand parent home was a huge Aquarium that my grandpa had built. But all I ever remember being in it was a big Gold Fish that continued to thrive happily all by it's self and kept growing. I kept thinking of how big it was getting and we were all use to it being down in the basement. But as we got older and the Fish continued to get bigger one day grandpa said he was afraid it wasn't going to live much longer where it was. So, he said "We will just take it out and turn it loose in the lake since it's large enough to make it with the other fish and to big to get eaten" Well, we hated to see it go but we didn't want it to die so we all thought it was a good idea. Needless to say I never thought we would ever see it again in about 3 acres or so of water. There were times I remembered standing by the lake what seemed like hrs to see if it would just come to the top because I knew that we could see the gold color and so I would know it was still there and still ok. This fish from what I can remember seems to have been a part of Pine Lake since basically it's existents from the House to the Lake. It was pretty popular while living in the home and now this ... what other Gold Fish could it be? So many memories came back like I said and still has that it has just been one call after another to Family. My sister was as shocked as me and we kept talking and naming dates. It just has me amazed!! I lost my Dear Grandmother in 1984 and my Grandfather in 92. My Mother just a few years ago and her only brother - my Uncle in November. I thought Oh my goodness if they could have just seen this Beautiful Big Gold Fish & be able to talk about it's past and looks like it's present .... all the memories. The Gold Fish that everyone thought would never be seen again. It's just amazing.
People are talking and I have heard that it may have been a common carp , but This looks to be the same Gold Fish that you are talking about..!
I plan to talk to some people that wants to ask some questions. Seems I hear they are actually just not sure at the moment and working on it but ruled out the KOI, etc. So, I guess eventually we will know for sure. I found out that there was a leak causing the lake to lose water (probably the only reason this fish was ever caught) and I was told that there was many fish that were easily 6 - 7 ft. long. There is just such a long history with the lake, how hard those fish were to catch and how the lake was orginally stocked, etc. I did remember today a picture or possibly a 8mm. tape of 2-3 of us going out in the boat. Like I said in a earlier post my Uncle Rocky passed away in November. He was always taking pictures of a lot of the more memorable things we did and I am wondering if that could have been the day. But, none of these movies or pictures have been found yet. The family has been going thru things very slow as it is still hard for all to look through so many things of basically all the family history & items he had to due with our family. But, I know there is at least a pic of me, my sister and not sure who else was in the boat - something we rarely did unless we had a good reason to because of the lake being so big and deep for us back then. Anyway it's all such a surprise and it just happen. But in time I am sure I may be able to have my sister find some pics that could possibly relate to this which would be fantastic!! I honestly believe that this actually is the Gold Fish I am talking about & my sister never gave it a second thought when I told her and sent the link. She just started to try like me to remember which years this all related to. It's truly amazing and quite unbelievable to most I am sure. But, to her and I we were just about speechless. I am just hoping that there is someway possibly to maybe estimate an age or something that can prove this. So, I am devoting as much time as possible to try to find out all I can. If it is I believe it is possibly a true little storybook ending ... just amazing!
I was Chatting with a Person from that area and Found out that they still haven't gotten all the fact's about this Huge Fish. I have been told.
The lake water levels are down ? There has been a lot of rain there lately. I had not been told the levels was down. As for the Size of the fish I also was told that some of the fish out there at Pine Lake was between 4 to 7 feet. .
How hard the fish were to catch you said you remember .. Mr Horsley had to run around the pond following the fish because he didn't want the fishing line to snap .A Picture of this Gold Fish that you might have would be nice so that People may take a look at it and see if they think it is the same fish..
Many People are saying that this is a common carp fish , gold big head carp or albino but nothing to back them up so far ! So this just may have be the one you are talking about. Older fisher's say that it is not a gold fish . I am no expert and the expert's have not said for sure what it is at this point to my knowledge.
Rocky Skidmore I knew him. I know his ex-wife and Daughter. Yes that is a deep lake for that area . Also just happened this week there , but their Local Paper has not even came out yet .It is posted on their web site though.. See what You and your Sister have on old pic's of the fish you think it is .What year you think the Gold fish was put in to the pond?. I think this is well worth the time to write about.
The reason I said the water was down is from speaking to the Mr. Horsley. He also told me that the fish did what you said. I had to laugh. I am thinking maybe it was expecting some food? He told me of the water level and I believe he said he was doing the repair on the leak and said the water had risen aprox. 10 ft. I'm sure like you said it's possible it could be any type of the fish you spoke of and I also was told that at this point they are not sure. But, I was told that it was not a KOI. At this point I am still trying to find out myself. I just learned of the catch I believe yesterday evening. Yes his ex is also my husband's sister & all the family pictures, films, etc. are in Rocky's house and his youngest daughter is still sorting through them I am told. So many family pictures since he was still exec. of my Great Aunt Opal's estate when he suddenly took ill so I'm not sure if they have got to the pictures yet or not. I have some people contacting me soon and hope to have more answers soon I hope.
I have emailed the story to a few who should be able to give me some more info possibly by seeing the pictures I hope. You said you knew Rocky ... I bet he wouldn't know what to think if he had seen those pictures. I would have loved to been able to see his reaction. He and his ex was married shortly after Pine Lake was sold. It was such a wonderful place for us all to grow up at. I had my Wedding Shower/Party there and was married a few years before it was sold. Lots of memories and just seeing this huge pretty fish whatever it may turn out to be is awesome. I did just briefly look up the gold fish on google and it seems they orginated from some type of carp from China and saw where one lived for over 20yrs. bought in 1956 in a tank. But it said the Koi would turn back to a greyish color if turned loose .. so, who knows I'm just looking around at some of these fish - lol. I'm very anxious to find out. I believe it said the age can be told by a scale off the fish. Amazing!!
I have heard that when people dump them...they just continue to grow...like carp
@ Katz_22 ~I laughed also when I was told that Mr. Horsley had to run around the pond trying not to break his line while the gold fish still was in the water . Yes I now have learned about the water levels. As for the type of fish it is I believe it is a Gold Fish,but like I said I am no expert on fish. Although it is a record fish no matter what the out come of this .
C.S had two girls I think R.A.S and A.S by Rocky , I was at her home over this past summer as well as at R.S home . I know that Charleen has a brother that lives in that area but I don't think it is the same man that you are talking about being your husband right? I have sent this link out to a lot of people I know .This is well worth the read on a huge fish from Pine Lake. I also have searched looking for more about the world's largest gold fish before I posted this .I have read about gold fish living 20 yrs also and I am amazed by that.
I am not sure if I knew your grandfather , but I knew a Buck Skidmore that was from that area .So off I went to see if I could find out more about this Fish while asking around I got a name on a person that I think is you .Would you be Mrs. Huffman? I found you through my friends list on facebook .I had to see if I knew you, but I don't. I would like to thank you for passing this story around. There has been a lot of people that have read this article, and are looking for updates on this gold fish.
So as you may see this Story is of interest to me. I have been searching the net for any information that I can get on Gold Fish. here is a site that I saw on a friends page trying to find out what the fish is.
check it out if you haven't already. I also want would like to know the age of the Fish . That would make this story nice. Mr. Horsley should have a storybook wrote about this great catch.
@ zduckman I have also been told that when they are dumped that they can make it. So I think this is the same Gold Fish that Katz_22 is talking about. We will find out !
I WOULD THINK THAT YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FISH SOME LIVE FOR MANY YEARS IF IN THE RIGHT ENVIROMENT NOTHING HAPPENS. JUST LIKE SOME DON'T LIKE ANYTHING ELSE. MAY HAVE BEEN IN THERE MANY MORE YEARS AND NEVER HEARD OF IT JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE A BAD DAY AND GOT CAUGHT AND REELED IN - LOL FROM EVERYTHING I CAN FIND THAT'S WHERE THEY ACTUALLY ORIGINATED FROM WAS CARP SO I FEEL IT IS PROB POSSIBLE AND NOT SO MUCH OF A MYSTERY JUST THE FACT THAT'S IT'S SO HUGE AND IT DIDN'T GET THAT BIG IN A COUPLE OF YEARS I;M SURE.AT LEAST THEY GOT WHAT THEY NEEDED I WAS TOLD TO CHECK IT OUT.TEST OR WHATEVER TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY NEED TO, MY OPINION ALWAYS HAS BEEN THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY A LOT OF HUGE FISH OF ALL TYPES THAT PEOPLE HAVE PROBABLY EVER SEEN... OCCASIONALLY ONE POPS UP AND IT'S REAL ALIKE THE PICTURES CLEARLY SHOW. HAD THOUGHT ABOUT GOING AND MAYBE CHECKING IT OUT, i was told where the lake had a leak and the water level dropped it can be seen along with some other huge one as the water level is going back up and prob never see again possibly for many more years - hopefully it continues to thrive and keep on going - who knows :)
sg I also have fished all the Lake's around that area. This is a amazing Story. I have family that live close to this area.
You should go check it out. It is amazing to look at this in person.You will see for sure that this Fish looks to be a Gold Fish. The water levels will go up again and like you said this may not be seen again .
Great Hub. I have 7 gold fishes in my aquarium. I was reading about them online. I remember once reading that these fishes live up to 35 years, but I never saw or even imagined a goldfish growing so big!
satto61 it just amazed me so much , cause I have fished all over that area. Also the fact that it was told to be a gold fish , and Katz_22 thinks this is the same gold fish her family had turned loose there ! So you like gold fish also and that is cool! The size of this fish with Mr. Horsley fishing with the 12 pound test line really amazed me .
SKEETER, I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT TO TELL YOU TO SEND ME A REQUEST ON FACEBOOK - SRY, BUT PLEASE DO IF YOU WANT AND YEAH YOU HAVE MY RIGHT NAME AND NO THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT BROTHER. I THINK HE IS AA COUPLE YRS OLDER THAN THE ONE I BELIEVE THAT LIVES WITH HER OR BESIDE HER. HIS OLDEST DAUGHTER IS ABOUT A YR. AND HALF YOUNGER THAN MY DAUGHTER R.A. & THE YOUNGER DAUGHTER IS 25 A. J. BUT HIS SISTER IS EVEN A COUPLE YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME AND ROCKY WAS 4 YRS. SO, SEEMS LIKE THE FACTS ARE COMING TOGETHER IF WE CAN FIND OUT IF THIS IS WHAT ENDED UP TO BE THE BIG OLD GOLD FISH NONE OF US WANTED TO PART WITH . BUT IT WAS A CHOICE WE HAD TO MAKE - LOL AND IF IT IS THE ONE LOOKS LIKE WE ALL DEF. MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IF IT IS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW MY SISTER I KEEP MENTIONING OR NOT BUT SHE REMEMBERED IT. I WAS JUST THE ONE THAT WAS ALWAYS DRIVING THE FAMILY CRAZY I'M SURE BEING THE ANIMAL, ETC LOVER. IF ANY KIND OF A PET REGAURDLESS OF WHAT IT SEEMED TO BE I WOULD TRY TO BRING IT HOME IF I FOUND A STRAY OF ANY KIND. LIKE I SAID I HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO ACTUALLY SIT DOWN AND REALLY GET THE DATES THE WAY I WOULD LIKE SO I CAN BE ACCURATE - CAN'T MISS IT MUCH. BUT ME AND HER ARE GETTING TOGETHER PROB SOON ONE DAY THIS WEEK AND COMPARE NOTES AND MEMORIES, HA! SHOULD BE VERY INTERESTING. (SRY, JUST NOTICED THE CAPS) I ONLY KNOW OF ROCKY'S EX YOU ARE SPEAKING OF BEING AT PINE LAKE ONE TIME BEFORE I GOT MARRIED AND THAT WAS THE DAY I SPOKE OF WHEN THEY HAD A BIG SHOWER/PARTY WHATEVER FOR ME AND HIM. HIS OLDER SISTER RODE OUT TO THE LAKE WITH ME TO TAKE SOMETHING TO GRANDMA AND I INVITED HER TO GO TOO AND SHOWED HER AROUND. IT HAD BEEN IN THE LAKE SEVERAL YEARS IF THAT IS IT BY THAT TIME AND SHE NEVER LIVED THERE. IT WAS STILL ALL PRETTY NEW WHEN I TOOK THEM OUT WITH ME AND SO BEAUTIFUL AT THAT TIME. SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIM THEN AND HE HAD JUST RECENTLY DIVORCED. I REMEMBER HIS FIRST WIFE LIVING THERE TWO - THREE YRS WHEN HE WAS GOING TO COLLEGE. THE GOLD FISH WAS PUT IN THE LAKE LONG BEFORE ROCKY MARRIED HIS FIRST WIFE, D.L. FROM VANCEBURG, KY. I BELIEVE BUT NEED TO CONFIRM THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN ABOUT THE 5TH./6TH, GRADE MAKING ME NOT MORE THAN 10 TO 12 YEARS OLD WHEN IT GOT PUT IN THE LAKE WAY BEFORE HE WAS MARRIED THE FIRST TIME. MY SISTER SAYS SHE THINKS THAT'S REAL CLOSE BECAUSE SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE 8TH. POSSIBLY THE SUMMER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE GONE TO HER FIRST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. SO WE HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO SIT DOWN YET BUT WE ARE ALMOST EXACT ON THE TIMES. BUT SOON RIGHT AT THE MOMENT HER HUSBAND IS HAVING TESTS DONE & SHE HAS JUST BEEN REALLY BUSY. BUT, THAT'S THE SHOCKING THING IF IT'S THE GOLD FISH WE ALL HAD BECAUSE WE WERE JUST CHILDREN!TRYING TO SEE IF THEY CONFIRM IT IS A GOLD FISH ALTHOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE ONE TO ME. BUT, I'M NO EXPERT AS YOU SAID - GUESS IT COULD POSSIBLY TURN OUT TO BE SOMETHING ELSE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING MYSELF. BUT, GUESS WE WILL FIND OUT!
this is way cool !
hi there skeeter i know these people in them pictures and you have done a good report to keep people up to date on this .
In Holland you often see very large goldfish in the streams and ponds of decorative gardens - they grow to be very large. It is sad that Pine Lake Goldfish is now dead; it seems strange to celebrate the unnecessary death of something quite unique and wonderful.
I have not heard that the Gold Fish was dead and I live on the same road as Pine Lake! Where did you get your facts at ? if you dont mind sharing this .
Well I haven't heard anything about the death of the Gold Fish ! But I will sure be calling and or even make a trip down there to see for myself if this is true or not ! ...Thanks for reading this post. .. @ Katz_22 I don't think we know each other ! I did grow up in that town , but have moved away so as to all the people that are from there I sure don't know them anymore ! Some people that I am Kin to live down there though. anyone that can find out information on this Please feel free to comment..thanks much...
Ok I think you are talking about a women named Sue D. as being your Sister by what I have got from this post. I don't know her , but I went to School with her baby girl T.D and that's how I would know her name if this is the same family you are from the C. Family ,but I am still not sure if I have the right Family on this matter..As for the Gold Fish I have not had any luck on information today ! Soon as I get it I will post it on here..
THE GOLD FISH IS NOT DEAD IT IS VERY MUCH ALIVE
The goldfish took two hours to land; there are photos of the fish both in daylight and at night-time suggesting it was out of the water a long time; and at no place in the article is it ever stated that the fish was released. Even in catch and release scenarios, my understanding is that after a two hour fight, the likelihood of survival would be small.
If the fish had lived, I would have thought that this would have been one of the most important facts of the story and find it peculiar it wasn't mentioned. I hope that you will let people know so that they will not be distressed because of drawing the wrong conclusions as I obviously did.
I spoke to the man that caught it and I was sent a message confirming that it was released and fine. Last report I got the fish is still fine.
Skeeter ... you are right about my sister being S.D. But, she is 2 years younger and I was talking about my sister that is 2 years older than me. O.C. & Tera I talked to today so if you know her and her age I can understand why you wouldn't know me - lol But, if you lived here before and knew her then probably know of your family if from Garrison where we grew up. I used to know everyone but a lot has moved and new people have moved there that I don't know I'm sure. I had a visit from my older sister this evening and we had about an hour to discuss this and I estimated me being between 10 -12 yrs old when it ended up with be being more like 9 - 10 years old and the fish being released out into the lake around 1964 is really close to what we came up with going over old times and the history of this fish. So, from what I understand my younger sister would prob barely be old enough to remember much about it according to my other sister. I guess they were talking about it before I believe yesterday evening or night when they were together. I haven't heard anything from anyone yet. Like I said I spoke to Tera this morning and she said some people were asking her how to get in touch with me and I told her it was fine to give my number. I called one number that I was given by the person that caught the fish and said the Game Warden would like to speak to me. I called the number but had to leave a message and haven't received call back yet. I'm pretty busy almost every day next week but after that should have plenty of time to talk to whoever about it or next week if it is evening. I just have something to do as far as day time almost every day next week. I spoke with Diana Clark that has a post stating that the fish is not dead. I have been told by all parties that the fish was returned to the water safely and unharmed. I was also told that where the water level had dropped due to the leak I guess that the fish was still basically coming up and showing itself according to the man that caught the fish - same man if I am correct that caught it. But, you have the right family. I just have 2 sisters and the sister you are referring to is Tera's mom but as for the Goldfish it is my older sister that I have been trying to figure this out with because she seems to be pretty good with the dates except she said she made a mistake when posting on her FB or the one that got on the Hearld that it would have been 1968 and that was the year she got married ... just a typo.I forgot to even check my Face Book to see if you sent me a friend request. It would be much easier than here because of using names etc. until this gets figured out if hopefully it does. My older sister is pretty familiar with the Gold fish like me but says more than anything she just remembers it was always down in the basement and seems to be pretty clear on what year we had to put it in the lake. So that was good anyway.
This is incredible!! My thoughts are that this fish is for sure NOT a koi- We've got some koi in a lake on our property and they dont look anything like this fish. AMAZING!! Glad to hear he/she survived the ordeal :)
I heard this Gold Fish feed that whole for a week..
@ lobonorth thanks for that.. I went and added it to the post !!
@ Katz_22 I sent ya a request just 5 minutes ago.
@ Ashlea424 thanks for leaving a comment about koi that's what I was saying.
@ Long John Silvers you did not read it right or you think that comment you made was funny. The Gold Fish is in Pine Lake.. go take yourself a look.....
Hi skeeter747 - Great news from Katz_22 that removed any concerns I had for the fish.
I am pleased that the comment section has served the useful purpose of clarifying what, in my view, is now a lot more entertaining and interesting article because readers who care about such things as whether the fish survived or not no longer have to worry about its fate.
Great catch and great hub.
Thanks.
@ lobonorth Thanks so much ! I never once thought the fish was dead or harmed. Like you said most people that read this will not know unless I post it on here. This is a huge topic down there ,and I am taking myself a trip to see the fish soon. I will post something about it. That is if I learn new details.
again Thanks for your help !
Ashlea424 ~~~ From what I have been told the Fish is a She due to the fact at the time of the catch Mr. Horsley or Randy Wilburn told me that it had lost a lot of eggs before the Game Warden got there.
skeeter747 ~~~ Hey, hopefully we can possibly meet up soon when you get ready to go make the trip out to Pine Lake. I had planned to go down today (Sat.) but without any news yet decided to wait. But, I told them that I would get in touch when I did get the right time to go down to the Lake.
lobonorth ~~~ I was very happy to report that the Fish was safely returned to the lake unharmed. One of my very first questions actually because I noticed on a FB comment that Randy said "No, it was released" so I made sure I confirmed before I posted and noticed that Diane Clark had also posted it was alive. I also spoke to her.I couldn't imagine something like this happening and then the fish not making it so I was assured that it was fine. So, it was a relief to find that out because of what you said about taking so long and then the wait. But, apparently they were good at keeping it alive.
"Talk about an Old Fish Tale" as they say ~ But, this is a pretty hard one to believe even with the real pictures and knowing if it's the one and where it actually orginated from, ha!!
I'm just anxious to get some kind of confirmation. But, I'm sure like everything else these things take time.
@ Katz_22 Yes also I had seen where is was put back in the lake, but I forgot to put it on here until another hubber brought it up,many thanks @ lobonorth ,and I am glad this Gold Fish is alive ! What A Story I have came on while doing this..AMAZING is all I can say...At this time we all are still awaiting conformation on the fish..
@ Katz_22 I will meet you soon !
cool i know these ppl that got that fish, didn't know anything about it until i was told to go look and wow that's really a big one there.
@ stitch rivet thanks for reading this and pass it on to all your friends...
Dayum that's a big fish.
@ Chris Crow . They put it back in the lake , and it sure is a big one...
skeeter747 the update on the fish is that the wildlife organization wants to do DNA on the fish to determine what type of fish it actually is, but to do so they would have to shock the lake and take a chance of killing all fish. Even if it doesnt kill them they want to take the fish from the lake to weigh it and it will kill the fish. i have decided not to let them have the fish so the actual species will be undetermined we will let it go as the little baby goldfish of p.ine lake
@ Plut Horsley .. Thank you for the update. If you hear anything new Please let us know...Thanks much
Mr Horsley , How do you plan on stopping them from getting the fish ? You say the DNA
has not been taking yet ! So would them not taking the Fish mean that there will not be no way on how to find out if this was a Gold Fish ?
Good information on golden fish. Excellent Hub
@ Subh thanks for reading it !
I remember when we built that lake and there was some darn big fish out there over the winter - we could see the gold shapes swim past under the frozen top of the lake it is was eerie. One big old goldfish was called Ole Troubadour by the locals, he used to go around with a guitar and tambourine and sing about the gold fish, I think the siong went something like this -Way down south where the rain do snow, got job on an oil rig digging for gold and i foud a fish, digging and a working on the land - a giant gold fish with two big puppy dog eyes like a little panda bear.
@hvhampers wow that was cool. Tell us more !
I don't know why they would want to come back and go to such extreme and take a chance on killing the Gold Fish. They had their chance when they were there. It was out of the water and doing fine at that time. So, why didn't they get all the info then? Possibly thinking this "Gold Fish" couldn't possibly be just what it appears to have turned out to be - Just an amazingly large Gold Fish big enough for a 3 year old to take a ride on and play around for a few minutes like the video showed! Impossible, they thought? Possibly not!
I don't know why they would want to come back and go to such extreme and take a chance on killing the Gold Fish. They had their chance when they were there. It was out of the water and doing fine at that time. So, why didn't they get all the info then? Possibly thinking this "Gold Fish" couldn't possibly be just what it appears to have turned out to be - Just an amazingly large Gold Fish big enough for a 3 year old to take a ride on and play around for a few minutes like the video showed! Impossible, they thought? Possibly not!
I am confused by all of this also. I mean why kill the gold fish ? Why remove it from it's home ?
Skeeter 747 I just have a feeling that when it was first caught and whoever came to check it out just thought possibly "No Way" and just sort of disregaurded it and now they don't have any other name to put on it. No, I personally don't think it should be killed. I think when it was out of water they should have taken everything they needed to do whatever tests or whatever was needed then. Wouldn't you agree? I sort of think it's a little funny because it sort of speaks for it's self. It's Gold and it's a Fish that just happens to have lived long enough to grow to an enormous 65 lbs. = One huge Gold Fish !!!
I would like to know for sure what the fish is. However with that being said I would not like to see the fish harmed. This fish could well be the child hood fish turned loose many years ago. Mr.Horsley deserves a lot of correct trying to protect this fish. A big thank you to Merle Horsley on what he is doing....you are right this a gold looking fish and that makes a gold fish.
Skeeter747
I have searched and searched for another answer to give this fish other than what it is. "One Huge Goldfish" & lobonorth said he had seen many large Goldfish. I love that all the pictures were taken. Had this happen several years ago I doubt we would have been lucky enough to see the video, etc. Strange, don't you think there was a goldfish in that Basement - Fact - that was put in the Pine Lake (Very Possibly one of the largest to survive in a tank before it was released) and now I'm looking at 65 lb. Gold Fish. I'm wondering just what size scales this type of Fish is supposed to have - lol I'm like you...I would love to have it confirmed. But, not enough to have this beautiful fish be killed just to prove a point!
I didn't understand when they said "weigh it - when it had been weighed" I called the number I was given and reached voice mail - I left a message and as far as I know my call was never returned. I've been really busy & still haven't got down there except when I was in a hurry & had to be right back. I still plan on taking a day in the next few weeks and spending the whole day just to visit etc. I've heard that "A PICTURE SPEAKS FOR A THOUSAND WORDS" how true in this case. So, we're left with pictures for the whole world to see & I guess they are left with proving it isn't what the pictures at this point clearly show that it is!!
I was told that the scales are to large to be a gold fish< But let me ask you this. If the gold fish was released back into pine lake and the officals do not have it. Then how the hell do the officals know what it is ? I am no expert but Why call yellow the color black. Most of these people that have gave their thought as to what this fish is. Are in a different state looking at pictures online like most. Ok I am no expert but you can not tell a sick person for sure that he has a cold, or flu from just looking online. Without the test who knows. Without the test there is no story left the officals think. This will always be that town's story and No One can take that away. This is by NO DOUGHT a GOLD FISH until some wise man offical can prove me wrong ! I love this story and I would not like it at all if the fish gets harmed. Mr. Horsley has done a great thing with sharing this story with the world. Many thanks goes out to Him and looking forward to his next big catch.
Katz_22 13 months ago
My Grandfather built Pine Lake in late 1959/1960's and I grew up there. That Gold Fish has a long family history as to how it got out to the lake. When I saw these pictures the memories quickly came flying back to me remembering where that Fish had to come from!! I quickly got on the phone to confirm everything with my sister and needless to say she was as surprised as me. What a history behind this surpising catch ... Denise