SHIOCTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An iconic statue was on the move Tuesday morning in the Village of Shiocton.
“Stanley the Sturgeon” was part of a repair project along the Wolf River at Bamboo Bend.
Now, he’s secured in place, just in time for the upcoming sturgeon spawning season.
For the past month, some people in Shiocton say it has been a question on the minds of many.
“They were getting calls steady down at the Village Hall. Everybody was asking where’s Stanley? Where’s Stanley? Oh my God, what happened to Stanley? That type of thing,” said Tim Conradt, Stanley the Sturgeon Builder.
Kevin Conradt, Shadows on the Wolf Club President, tells FOX 11 Stanley wasn’t far away.
“We had it at the village storage unit, and a couple of guys were riding on the back which you’ve seen I’m sure, and the wind blowing it. The biggest thing was the wind, was a factor here this morning.”
Kevin Conradt says the foundation holding the 15-foot long statue was in need of repair. Crews redesigned the support system and poured a new concrete base. The installation at Bamboo Bend coincides with the upcoming sturgeon spawning season. Conradt says that could be sooner than later.
“I’m thinking probably about the end of next week, they should be for sure on the rocks, and then, hopefully, as of right now, the village is not shutting it down. So people will be able to come and view the them this year, which is a good thing. It’s quite the sight to see.”
After some finishing touches, Stanley was in place.
“I wanted to do something iconic, because it’s a big deal for us. You go through other little towns and what not, nobody remembers the town, but they know, Oh you mean where the big sturgeon is? That type of thing, or the fish or whatever,” said Tim Conradt.
And the mystery of the missing fish was solved.
“I think we can put everybody to ease that it’s back where it was and it will be there for a long time to come.”
Stanley the Sturgeon made its debut at Bamboo Bend in 2010.
The spawning run on the Wolf River in Shiocton typically begins next month, and can last anywhere from a few days, to a few weeks.
