When Leon Mattes reeled in a lunker of a speckled trout in May 1950, he could never have guessed that the fish would stand as Louisiana's state record for more than half a century. But today, with that 12.38-pound speck having reached epic status, 14 anglers have set themselves on a course to conquer Louisiana's fishing Everest. Each has the same goal, but the chosen and chiseled means are as varied as the determined men and women who have selected them. These are Louisiana's best anglers, and odds are, one of them will eventually push Mr. Mattes to No. 2.