Bob and Darlene Homan
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin’s Love Affair with an Ancient Fish showcases the cultural and scientific history of an iconic Wisconsin fish, the lake sturgeon. Throughout the process of writing the book, the authors interviewed community activists, sturgeon-spearing enthusiasts, spear and decoy craftsmen, and scientific researchers associated with the Lake Winnebago sturgeon population. Because of the cultural, social, economic, and scientific knowledge captured in these interviews, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Water Library preserved the audio files as a collection of oral histories. This collection, People of the Sturgeon, encapsulates perspectives on lake sturgeon as they are reflected in the book. The People of the Sturgeon collection includes interviews with outdoorsmen, scientists, and craftsmen associated with the Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, lake sturgeon population.
The collection was compiled by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Water Library. Audio courtesy of the Oshkosh Public Museum. Recordings were collected as part of the research for People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press, Madison, Wisconsin.
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On June 5, 2007, Dick Koerner interviewed Bob and Darlene Homan about Darlene's record sturgeon and other spearing stories. Darlene Homan, born on October 20, 1931, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, holds the record as the top female sturgeon spearer on Lake Winnebago. Bob Homan, born on April 16, 1930, in Menasha, Wisconsin, has been a long-time participant in the sport. Darlene became involved in sturgeon spearing through her husband's influence and her participation in local organizations like Payne's Point Hook & Spear Fishing Club and Sturgeon for Tomorrow. The interview delves into the changes in the sport over the years, including stricter regulations on fish size and fishing hours. They recall their years of active participation, where they often fished from a shanty in front of their home, taking turns covering the fishing hole throughout the day. Darlene shares her experience of spearing a record-breaking 159-pound sturgeon in 1986, which was particularly significant because the fish had no eggs, making it a rare and remarkable catch. The Homans also discuss memorable moments from their years of sturgeon spearing, including close calls with large fish, the camaraderie among spearers, and the peacefulness of the sport.
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