Ness Information Service Nessletter

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Ness Information Service Nessletter, number 102, dated October 1991 (with a reference to June '91), features a prominent article by Erik Beckjord. The newsletter, with ISSN 0264-7001, is published by Ness Information Service and covers topics related to cryptozoology, UFOs, and unexplained phenomena.

Erik Beckjord's Contributions

The main focus of this issue is the correspondence and theories of Erik Beckjord. He discusses his ongoing work on the Chaffin Video, believing its focus is acceptable and that any blurriness is due to the video format itself, not the subject. Beckjord hopes for increased public involvement in monitoring activities, potentially reviving the 'Mountain Expedition' idea. He notes that photographs from the Mountain team were generally of boat wakes, but the investigation also involved correlation of reported sightings.

Beckjord recounts discussions within the old Loch Ness Investigation (LNI) about setting up a closed-circuit television network with remote cameras at intervals to cover the loch surface, monitored from a central HQ. This scheme, using 16mm movie cameras for recording, was deemed too costly and unsatisfactory for the technology of the time.

He theorizes about the nature of the creature in the loch, stating that it does not always appear in the same shape or size, leading him to reject the idea of it being a conventional animal. He suggests it is a 'lifeform' that moves and seems alive, referencing the Chaffin Video and the Crosbie Photographs, noting a resemblance in the 'rounded blob of a head' and 'tubular' body.

Beckjord's contact information has changed; his Cryptozoology Museum is now the Crypto-Phenomens Museum, located at PO Box 2534, Ca 90265. His interests include Bigfoot, Loch Ness, UFOs, and Crop Circles.

He also shares his thoughts on crop circles, referring to them as 'glyphs.' He details a complex pattern found at Hazeley Farm near Winchester in August 1990, consisting of three circles with outward-pointing horns and bars in the middle, which he relates to the ancient Tifinag language.

Beckjord addresses comments made by Alastain regarding the Chaffin video, standing by his statement that external commentary does not affect the video's content. He clarifies that a zoom lens provides greater magnification than the naked eye, and that a viewfinder is primarily for aiming the camera.

Lake Okanagan Monster ('0909090')

The newsletter includes information about a creature reported from Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada, referred to as '0909090.' A video taken in late 1989 by Ken Chaplin shows a creature described as green with brown spots, a reptile-like thing, about 15-25 feet long, with a long neck and flippers. The report mentions that the National Geographic Society examined the tape and confirmed it was not a forgery, but did not identify the animal.

Lake Memphremagog Monster

An old newspaper report from the Boston Globe details sightings and a photograph from Lake Memphremagog, straddling the US and Canadian border. Since 1992, 120 people have reported seeing a large, dark-colored creature. Witnesses described a long thick neck, a large head, and steady movement. Estimates of length vary, averaging 20-25 feet. An unnamed couple took a photograph in 1986, and a $1,000 reward was offered for a verifiable picture.

'Issie' - The Lake Ikeda Monster

Kenji Chono of Osaka, Japan, provides information about a Japanese lake monster called 'Issie' from Lake Ikeda. Reports from September 1990 describe about 20 people observing a 20-30 meter long black object with two humps moving fast on the lake's surface. A photograph taken in December 1990 showed at least three hump-like objects, which the US group OSW (Ground Saucer Watch) evaluated as possibly a reptile. However, on January 4, 1991, a large black object was videotaped by Hideaki Tomiyasu and his family. This video was later viewed by Erik Beckjord, who, along with Dr. Tim Parsons of UBC Zoology, identified the object as a common beaver, noting its deceptive profile and similarity to other beavers in the area. Another report from Kazuo Kawano describes a creature 5 to 10 meters long videotaped in October 1990. While the videos and photos are vague, Professor Yuichi Ono suggested the Tomiyasu video seemed to show a live creature, though not definitively. The humps and wake patterns are noted as similar to those seen at Loch Ness.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

This issue of Nessletter reflects a consistent interest in eyewitness accounts, photographic and video evidence of unexplained phenomena, particularly lake monsters and potential 'lifeforms.' The editorial stance appears to be one of critical analysis, seeking rational explanations (like beavers or boat wakes) while remaining open to the possibility of unknown creatures. There is an emphasis on gathering and disseminating information from various sources, encouraging reader contributions, and maintaining a skeptical yet curious approach to the subject matter. The recurring themes include the persistent mystery of the Loch Ness Monster, the investigation of other lake monsters globally, and the decoding of unusual patterns like crop circles.