People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish
Interviewee Sort ascending | Collection | Description | Interviewer | Date of Interview | Location of Interview | Affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Russell Collar | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Russell Collar describes his experiences fishing for sturgeon using snag lines. He explains his “closest call with a warden”, how to tie sturgeon, when his father was pulled in, and what happened to his albino sturgeon. He also describes his earliest memory of sturgeon fishing, and how he thinks the river has changed. |
Ronald M. Bruch, Kathleen Schmitt Kline | Shiocton, WI | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum | |
Ronald M. Bruch | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Ronald Bruch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and spent his childhood summers in Ashland County, Wisconsin. Bruch attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He later obtained a master's degree and is completing his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Bruch began his career with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 1976, starting as an intern in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He held various positions, including working on the O'Connor River Project and in Marinette and Milwaukee. |
Paul Muche | Unknown | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum | |
Ronald M. Bruch | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Ronald Bruch was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He spent his summers in Ashland County, Wisconsin, where he developed a keen interest in sturgeon and other fish species in the Flambeau River. Bruch attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, earning his bachelor's degree in fisheries. He earned his master's degree and worked towards a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Bruch began his professional career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 1976. |
Kathleen Schmitt Kline | Unknown | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum | |
Ron Vanderzanden | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Ron Vanderzanden is interviewed by Dick Koerner about increased regulations and fines in modern day spearing, including the half day season, and the impact it has on poaching. Ron also tells tales of his past experiences sturgeon spearing. |
Dick Koerner | Menasha, WI | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum | |
Ron Epprecht | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Ron Epprecht is interviewed by Eugene Herubin about his skill at decoy carving. He discusses color, shape, and style variations for decoys, how he got involved with carving, and why he has a continued interest in carving and spearing sturgeon. |
Eugene Herubin | Oshkosh, WI | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum | |
Robert Abraham | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Robert Jake Abraham, also known as Bob, was born and raised near Lake Winnebago, where he developed a deep connection to fishing and hunting from a young age. His family has a long history in the area, with his father being born just a mile north of their current residence. Robert's family were local dairy farmers, and he dairy farmed for many years before transitioning to fishing and guiding. He has a rich history of sturgeon fishing and guiding and has been involved in the local fishing community for decades. |
Dick Ristow | Unknown | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum | |
Richard Braasch | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Richard Braasch, born in 1935, hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and comes from a family of five children. His parents were of German descent, and his father worked at Winnebago State Hospital while also being a handyman mechanic. Braasch's mother was a homemaker who worked part-time at Fernau’s Roadside Market during the summer. Braasch grew up near Lake Winnebago, where he developed a passion for fishing, hunting, and swimming. He began sturgeon fishing with his father at the age of nine and has been an active member of the Sturgeon for Tomorrow organization. |
Dick Ristow | Oshkosh, WI | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum | |
Reuben Hoelzel | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Eugene Herubin interviews Reuben Hoelzel about his history with sturgeon spearing. Having been born in 1916, Hoelzel remembers when sturgeon spearing was an economic necessity and meals with sturgeon were like feasts. He discusses passing on the tradition to his children, how to clean and cook sturgeon, and decoy painting. |
Eugene Herubin | Appleton, WI | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents | |
Pete Schuh | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Pete Schuh is interviewed by Dick Koerner about his experiences spear fishing, changes in regulations over time, and superstitions. |
Dick Koerner | Menasha, WI | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum | |
Mike Will | People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish |
Mike Will was born in 1951 and started sturgeon fishing at the age of 14. He used primarily set lines to catch sturgeon although he has participated in approximately 9 spearing seasons. He enjoys caviar, but does not make it himself. Mike believes that the sturgeon are getting bigger, and he likes the system they have in place now. Most people from his area sell the sturgeon, rather than eat it themselves. |
Ronald M. Bruch, Kathleen Schmitt Kline | Lake Winnebago, WI | University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum |