John Abler
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin’s Love Affair with an Ancient Fish a tale of 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 UW-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.
Collection compiled by the UW-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, WI.
National Capital Contracting
John Abler is an experienced sturgeon fisherman with a wealth of stories and knowledge about the sport. He has been involved in sturgeon fishing since the early 1940s and his experiences include memorable encounters with sturgeon and fishing trips with his father. Abler's expertise and passion for sturgeon fishing are evident in his detailed accounts of his experiences, making him a valuable source of information for those interested in the sport.
Scope and Content Note
John Abler is interviewed about tall tales from his days sturgeon spearing with his family and friends. John Abler and his wife, Dorothy, provide a rich and detailed account of sturgeon fishing and stories about Abler's father. The interview delves into various aspects of sturgeon fishing, including specific anecdotes and experiences that Abler encountered during his many years of involvement in the sport. Abler shares recollections of sturgeon fishing trips. The interview also touches on the changing regulations and size limits for sturgeon fishing over the years. Additionally, the interview captures Abler's reminiscences of his father's experiences, such as a snowstorm that disoriented his father while he was out on the lake. Furthermore, the interview provides glimpses of the equipment and tools used in sturgeon fishing, such as spears and shandies. The interview also features discussions about specific locations and landmarks associated with sturgeon fishing.
Note: Tape begins in the middle of a discussion and cuts out before the interview concludes.
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Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only. The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent.