My Epic Journey

Nine-year-old Noah Smith represents at least the fourth generation in a long line of fishermen and the first among them to catch a gar.

But he earned more than just family bragging rights when he landed the 3.17-pound, 29 3/16-inch spotted gar June 30 from Crooked Lake in Steuben County. He earned a spot in the state record books.

“It feels awesome,” said Smith, who is from Delaware, Ohio.

Smith’s catch was not particularly large for its species. Spotted gar can grow up to 6 pounds. But his entry came at an opportune time. The Indiana Record Fish Program just recently began recognizing the different species within the gar family. In the past, the program grouped shortnose gar, spotted gar, and the much larger longnose gar into the same category.

Smith’s entry was the first submission for a spotted gar. On Aug. 17, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources sent Smith a letter certifying his record fish. How long the record will stand is unclear, but the family plans to enjoy it while it lasts.

“Nobody in our family has ever caught a gar period,” Noah’s father, Ryan Smith, said. “To catch that one and catch a state record is pretty cool.”

Smith baited his hook with a minnow and tied his fishing rod to a dock, letting it stay there overnight. When he woke up the next morning, he reeled in the fish.

He plans on mounting the fish on the wall in his bedroom.

November 24

12:44 a.m. A 68-year-old man on Owl Creek Road with emphysema needs an ambulance.

5:56 a.m. Woman on Ed Harsch Road says her landlord is trying to evict her illegally.

7:55 a.m. 911 caller says he fell from a tree stand on Ogala Horse Camp Road and may have broken his back.

8:09 a.m. There has been an accident on State Road 46 East.

10:39 a.m. An 18-year-old man is passed out at a doorway at a house on Eagle Drive.

10:39 a.m. A car and a box truck have collided on State Road 135 North.

1:01 p.m. Caller reports an accident with personal injury on Hurdle Road.

2:40 p.m. There is a suspicious car in a cemetery off of State Road 135 North.

5:47 p.m. 911 caller says she hit a deer on Peoga Road.

7:34 p.m. Man says a car in front of him has debris falling from the back and it hit his car.

November 25

1:27 a.m. A car hit a deer on Helmsburg Road.

1:41 a.m. A 72-year-old male on State Road 135 North has fallen and can’t get up.

5:42 a.m. A female has fallen on the courthouse steps.

7:05 a.m. Goats are wandering in the road on State Road 135 South.

9:21 a.m. Multiple 911 callers need an ambulance for a 54-year-old man having a possible heart attack on State Road 135 North.

(more…)

November 17

3:29 a.m. 911 cell phone caller says a tree is down on Bear Creek Road.

5:26 a.m. An ambulance is needed for an 87-year-old man with severe stomach pains on Shiloh Morning Drive.

7:12 a.m. A vehicle is weaving all over the roadway on State Road 46 East.

7:35 a.m. The fire department is needed for a chimney fire on State Road 135 North.

4:20 p.m. There is a possibly drunk driver in a silver Cadillac on State Road 135 North.

5:51 p.m. Fruitdale Road caller says her son told her that the neighbor’s house was on fire.

7:35 p.m. A woman says she needs a report for threats made to her by her husband.

7:38 p.m. There is a deer down by the school and the caller is concerned it may cause an accident.

November 18

12:35 a.m. Caller on Stevens Road says she has a pacemaker and she is having chest pains.

9:24 a.m. A 73-year-old female on State Road 135 North is complaining of shortness of breath.

(more…)