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Ralph Loos: Illinois record largemouth turns 50, much to anglers’ chagrin

At a time way before the internet existed, the catch quickly became part of fishing lore, drawing anglers from across the state and the Midwest to Lake Pittsfield. (Stock photo)

In our online pole on the Illinois Outdoor News website that asks readers to cast a vote, I annually type a simple question: Is this the year somebody finally hooks a new state record largemouth bass?
Without fail, at least 85% of you always vote “no.” And you are always 100% correct. It’s true – despite a half-century of advances in the way we manage fish and the evolution of catch-and-release, no Illinois angler has been able to match or surpass Ray Easley’s legendary catch.

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