From his first experiences going fishing with his pa as a boy, Jerry Apps was hooked. Eighty-some years later, Apps reflects on a lifetime of fishing and the memories and lessons hauled in along the way. As he recounts the simple pleasures of casting a line from shore on a warm summer evening or reeling in a lunker on opening day of trout season, he reminds us of the values fishing can teach people of all ages: persistence, resourcefulness, cooperation, and the importance of caring for our natural world.  

Along with his best-loved fish tales, Apps includes fishing photos from the family album and favorite angling locales, lingo, bait, and gear. He draws on interviews with fellow fishermen and -women, his own journal entries recorded over decades, and his popular newspaper column Outdoor Notebook. And, since it’s a tradition among fishing folks to pass along tales told by others, he shares stories that have come his way from extended family and friends—some of them funny, some poignant, many embellished, and all of them keepers. Imaginative pen-and-ink illustrations made by artist Sid Boyum to commemorate the annual fishing season opener add charm to this delightful volume.   

In Lunkers, Keepers, and Ones that Got Away, Apps captures the exciting, heartwarming, and nostalgia-inducing experiences that fishing brings to avid and casual anglers alike. 

Find Lunkers, Keepers, and Ones that Got Away at your favorite book retailer or in our online store. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jerry Apps is a former county extension agent and is professor emeritus with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Jerry is the author of more than forty fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. He divides his time between his home in Madison and his farm, Roshara, in Waushara County. 

AN INTERVIEW WITH JERRY APPS

When did you decide you wanted to write this book?

Back when I was growing up, fishing was one of those activities that everybody in the family seemed to enjoy, and I thought it was important to get some of those stories down. Families can still enjoy spending time outdoors and fishing together!

What was it like fishing with your Pa in the sleigh coupe?

The sleigh coupe, used for many years during the 1920s and 1930s, was designed to keep the farmer comfortable while carrying his crop of potatoes to the potato warehouse in Wild Rose, where he would sell them. The farmer waited for the price of potatoes to go up in the winter, compared to the fall when they were first harvested. 

The sleigh coupe sat on the front of a large bobsled on which the potato sacks were packed. Inside the coupe was a wood-burning stove. The driver could see out the window in the front as they hauled potatoes. Years later, when Pa's potato farming had decreased, the little sleigh coupe was stored away. 

My Dad had his mind on a way to be more comfortable while ice fishing, rather than sitting on the shore of a lake by a campfire. In the fall, when the ice was at least 4 inches thick, we would haul the sleigh coupe out on the ice - we fastened runners under each side so it would pull easily on the ice. We built a floor for the sleigh coupe and attached the runners to the floor. The wood stove remained because there was nothing more cozy than sitting next to a wood stove on a cold winter day when the fish are biting.

Did you ever receive fishing-related gifts for Father's Day?

Not really.

What did you give your Pa for Father's Day?

For Father’s Day, we likely gave Pa a new handkerchief or a new pair of socks - nothing you would consider impressive. However, the meaning of our gift was clear.

What is your favorite fishing spot?

Wild Rose Mill Pond - it has a sense of history. Fishing at the Mill Pond allows one to see and feel what life was like 100 years ago. A farmer would come to fish at the crack of dawn, as the sun set in the west. During the day, farmers would go to the mill one after another, with wagons pulled by horses, carrying sacks of grain to be ground into cattle feed. 

The Boundary Waters are located on the Canadian border. In this special place, one can experience solitude, quiet, and sounds not previously heard, such as the call of a loon on a dark night. The place allows us to visit nature as it once was and as it continues to be.

Wisconsin's fishing traditions:

Wisconsin is known for its cheese, beer, and numerous lakes and rivers, which makes it a great place for fishing. From the giant muskellunge in the north to the tiny little bullhead caught by preschoolers in a pond, Wisconsin is the place to be for fishing.

What is your favorite fish to catch?

My favorite fish to catch is the smallmouth bass - when it latches onto the bait, it leaps with a thunderous explosion into the air, water flying everywhere. It is trying to get the hook off the line.

What is your favorite fish to eat?

My favorite fish to eat - my dad always called it sweet - is a little bluegill - it puts up a big fight and then gives up to the fishermen, especially a good fish for teaching about fishing.

Other favorite fish to eat:

The walleye is considered a highly prized and very tasty fish. On the other side of the fish menu, one should consider the kinds of trout in WI. The native brook trout may not impress you with its size, but you will love its distinctive taste. Not to overlook the tasty brown trout and Norway trout - both of which, when filleted and fried, will provide a wonderful fish-tasting experience.