“He was eight feet long and every inch a fighter,
Eighty pounds of mean and ornery pike.
The Frenchmen couldn’t catch him
and the English wouldn’t try;
And the Seneca claimed that fish would never die.”
 
The "Ballad of Old Mossback" recounts the legendary tale of a monstrous pike named Old Mossback, renowned for his size and elusiveness in Lake LeBoeuf. This giant muskie became the obsession of muskie hunters but Old Mossback remained elusive, leaving behind tales of his intelligence. Anglers revered him, but his wily nature ensured he was never caught. 
 
This local legend inspired Jack Paluh to create “Out of the Depths.”  A specialized crafted lure called the LeBoeuf Creeper has been woven into the painting as Jack visually retells the Old Mossback tale.