Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Lunker Northern....legit?

Brettski:

While you were wasting your time putting in a big, gorgeous pond that is well on the way to becoming the envy of pondmeisters world over, several of us attended to important matters by discussing this picture. I cannot locate the thread right now or I'd link to it. {Edit: But that's why we love Eric!}

It is fair to say there was a healthy level of skepticism about the authenticity of the photo. To my own limited Esox experience (haven't caught a Northern for 20+ years and have never seen a Muskie up close and personal), it looks a little fishy. Specifically, the highlights on the fish's head and the water do not quite smell the same to me. Alternatively, I feel it is within the abilities of good photo editors (yours truly not included) to put a Northern's skin pattern on the body of a Muskie. This may be a better explanation if the photo was created, as some experienced posters thought the fish had Muskie characteristics. A 44 pound Muskie is a (very) nice catch, but certainly no world wonder.