A Whale of a Trout............

[CA-35]

An ice fisherman has shattered the 62-year-old record for the largest lake trout ever caught in New Hampshire. Thomas Knight told the state's Fish and Game Department he had a good feeling that the trout he hauled onto the ice on Big Diamond Pond in West Stewartstown on Tuesday was bigger than the previous record-holder, a 28-lb. trout caught in 1958.
The first scale he used to weigh the massive trout maxed out at 30 lbs., so he took it to a package distribution center, where he found out his catch weighed in at 37.7 lbs.
"Most state records, when bested, are done so by only a few ounces. Knight's fish shattered the old record by over 9 pounds," said fisheries biologist Andy Schafermeyer. "This fish is now the largest lake trout caught in all of New England."
Schafermeyer estimates the 40-inch-long fish was between 50 and 60 years old.

 

[Antney]

To each his own, I guess, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I just don’t get it.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Would have been nice if he was allowed to live to 70!

 

[F312]

If I fish I eat, however, I would have to release this fish immediately, if not sooner.

Ralph

 

[adorshki]

If I fish I eat, however, I would have to release this fish immediately, if not sooner.

Ralph

Funny you mentioned that, it's the first thing I thought of too, but then I guess documentation of the record might have been problematic.
It occurs to me though that even if released there's no guarantee somebody else who hooked it wouldn't be so conservation minded.
Especially if the presence of the, uh, "Big Fish" became known.
Tough call.
Do you keep quiet or risk being branded a common fabricator?:
"I caught a 37 lb trout while ice-fishing, but I released it, and now nobody believes me".
Fact or fish story?
:glee:

 

[Stuball48]

Did it say anywhere, the trout was not released or the fisherman did not transport the fish in proper vessels to keep it alive to verify the correct weight? Even if released the stress on the trout could have resulted in death but don't think I will crucify fisherman without all the facts.

 

[F312]

Did it say anywhere, the trout was not released or the fisherman did not transport the fish in proper vessels to keep it alive to verify the correct weight? Even if released the stress on the trout could have resulted in death but don't think I will crucify fisherman without all the facts.

You are correct sir.

Ralph

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Well it sure doesn't look like it's still flopping in the photo, but anything's possible!

 

[gjmalcyon]

According to this article, "(t)he fish will be sent to the taxidermist and made into a 'lifetime memory,' said Schafermeyer."

 

[F312]

His claim to fame, for both, I suppose.

Ralph

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

R.I.P. on the wall!

 

[MLBob]

To each his own

Its' simple: Some folks collect trophy mounts ; some collect trophy guitars

 

[Cougar]

An ice fisherman has shattered the 62-year-old record for the largest lake trout ever caught in New Hampshire....

Pffft. Lake trout are known to be BIG. But rainbows?.... They're rarely known to be big... except where Mrs. Cougar and I are moving (soon!). Apparently this 8 year old girl really pulled this one in.... Measured, weighed, photographed, and released!

Story here.

 

[Grassdog]

GREAT PIC COUGAR

 

[JohnW63]

I don't get the taxidermy thing. All I would be able to do is say " Sorry I killed 'ya " every time I walked by.

 

[davismanLV]

I don't get the taxidermy thing. All I would be able to do is say " Sorry I killed 'ya " every time I walked by.

I'm with you John..... he made it so many years and then.... it would be like someone lining me in and saying, "Look how fat and old he was!! And I caught him!! Ended his life!!" ..... like that's a good thing? Uhmmmm, nope. If you ain't gonna eat it, throw it back.... especially the big old man. God, that's sad........

 

[rampside]

With today's digital technology, take some pics and measurements and send it back to where it came from. A nice photo of the beauty while it was alive is better than a mount anyway!

 

[adorshki]

With today's digital technology, take some pics and measurements and send it back to where it came from. A nice photo of the beauty while it was alive is better than a mount anyway!

Think of all the young bucks that'll be able to make a run at the record now that the granddaddy's out of the way.
:smile: