lonkm Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 Was enjoing the day like ever one else when my pole bent over. Thought OBoy! then reeled it in. Looked like a salamander, about 10 inches long, the color of a flathead, 4 legs. Had one heck of a time getting it off. Was very slick. My first and hopefully last. LOL
laker67 Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 Was enjoing the day like ever one else when my pole bent over. Thought OBoy! then reeled it in. Looked like a salamander, about 10 inches long, the color of a flathead, 4 legs. Had one heck of a time getting it off. Was very slick. My first and hopefully last. LOL Google "Hellbender" and then click on "photo". It sounds to me that this may be what you caught. They used to be fairly common on the Niaugua.
jdmidwest Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 Hope you let it go unharmed. They are trying to figure out what is killing them off, they suspect the Brown Trout. I know they are on the threatened or endangered species list in both Ark and Mo. They taste worse than a Spotted Owl so it is best to just throw them back. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
powerdive Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 I've actually caught two of 'em in the K Dock area. Believe it or not, I was trolling cranks both times. They are rather spirited...
retroaction man Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 Ive seen a couple of these down on the beaver tailwater. Always wondered exactly what they were. And ive only run across them dead. I could totally see brown trout eating these things
soggyfeet Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 HMMMMM does anyone have a hellbender fly recipe Brian
lonkm Posted January 11, 2009 Author Posted January 11, 2009 I turned it loose. It was very strong and lively. If a brown trout can eat it, that will be one HUGE trout.
laker67 Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 I turned it loose. It was very strong and lively. If a brown trout can eat it, that will be one HUGE trout. A brown weighing 26 pounds 13 ounces was caught below Powersite in 1997. It would qualify as a hellbender predator.
Wayne SW/MO Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Defiantly a Hellbender, they're native to the watershed, but its always a puzzle to me that they are in the lake. There's another unusual critter in BS that's probably seldom seen, the Chestnut Lamprey. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
lonkm Posted January 12, 2009 Author Posted January 12, 2009 jeff@hellbenders.org Here is an organization that studies them. Ran across them when I googled hellbenders.
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