New retiree from Roselle goes on first fishing trip in 50 years and catches a 52-inch muskie

Recently retired from the post office, longtime Roselle resident Ross Elke went on his first fishing trip in almost 50 years with his brother Roger and friend Larry Sorich to Eagle Lake Lodge in Canada.

Around 6 p.m., Ross hooked a rod bending, reel screeching fish that took 15 minutes to land.

At the other end of the line was a 52-inch muskellunge (muskie).

According to International Game Fish Association, the largest muskie on record is 60.25 inches.

After many pictures and pats on Ross' back, the fish was released unharmed back into the water.

When asked why he chose to release the fish, he said "I don't have a frying pan big enough."

The lure that caught the fish came out of his grandfather's tackle box for the first time since the 1970s, and now joins Ross back in retirement after a job well done.