By Carrie Moritz, Gazette
On Monday, Markell Gnadt took his father, Woody, out fishing and had a "monster" of a time. At a private location on Split Rock Creek between Garretson and Brandon, Markell snagged and reeled in a 40-inch, 29-pound 10-ounce flathead catfish.
"Woody instilled the love of fishing in all the Gnadts," Markell said, so it is something the family does regularly.”
He had taken his father out on a difficult day, as it was Woody and his wife Marcia's wedding anniversary. Marcia, who passed earlier this year after a bout with cancer, was a beloved matriarch and community member. This was Markell's way of loving his father and honoring his family.
"I've never seen a flathead catfish in Split Rock Creek," Markell remarked, noting that he had been told by others that they'd been seen, but Markell had never seen one this size. Usual fish caught are walleye, carp, and bass.
The catfish jumped on his hook within the first fifteen minutes of casting, and Markell said it took another 15 minutes to reel the monster in.
He wished, though, that his father had caught it instead.
"The thrill of catching a fish is watching someone else catch it," Markell said.
He said he was done afterward, because there's no way to beat that record.
"I'll never be able to top that. I'll never be able to fish again," he said with a laugh. "It was the highlight of my life. It's all downhill from here."
However, Woody was able to revel in the catch as he willingly cleaned the monster and the five fish he caught. The catfish itself filled a large Tupperware bowl.
"Anyone who knows us knows the Gnadts love their catfish deep-fried," said Markell's wife, Julie. They were looking forward to capping off their Labor Day weekend with the feast.
