Help Me Understand Why........

[Bman]

I think I remember them trying to keep it alive. It is very difficult with an old fish. On the previous record, hatchery personel and a couple of others spent the best part of 5 hours trying to revive that fish. I'm sure alot of effort was put into trying to revive the current record. These record browns are near the end of their life cycle when they reach 25 to 30 pounds. I am alot happier to see an angler land a record fish, than to find it floating dead due to natural causes or the stress of the battle. Trout records are a big thing in missouri. Big browns are a big thing even if they are not records. Can you honestly say what you would do put in the same situation? This is a good topic for discussions.

On the previous record. If the hatchery guys would have been able to revive your fish. What would have happened then?

[eric1978]

I think I remember them trying to keep it alive. It is very difficult with an old fish. On the previous record, hatchery personel and a couple of others spent the best part of 5 hours trying to revive that fish. I'm sure alot of effort was put into trying to revive the current record. These record browns are near the end of their life cycle when they reach 25 to 30 pounds. I am alot happier to see an angler land a record fish, than to find it floating dead due to natural causes or the stress of the battle. Trout records are a big thing in missouri. Big browns are a big thing even if they are not records. Can you honestly say what you would do put in the same situation? This is a good topic for discussions.

Bingo. Trust me, I'm hard-core C & R, but a state record? That fish was an old man, and unless you released him right away, he's pretty much guaranteed not to survive the stress of what he went through, and even if he did, how much longer does he have to go anyway? By the time you get him to a certified scale, you might as well hang him on the wall, 'cause he's toast.

The part that would spoil it for me is catching it on Powerbait...but that's me.

[laker67]

On the previous record. If the hatchery guys would have been able to revive your fish. What would have happened then?

SOH aquarium at the hatchery visitors center.

[ozark trout fisher]

If any of you have read the article Phil wrote on the main page about the state record Brown Trout- please help me understand and comprehend a few things. I realize I run the risk of getting pummeled here but that's why we have discussion boards right?

Help me understand why the joy and excitement of catching that monster is not enough- why would you want to kill it and then not even eat it? I understand there is a state record at risk here, but aren't the pictures, witnesses and scale you use enough proof you beat it. Does it really take freezing the fish and getting your name in a few books to close the deal?

I do understand he is completely within his rights to do what he did- I was just wanting to hear a different perspective than mine on why he might have done what he did- -

Just seems to me like a waste of a hell of a fish-

Thoughts??

Sitting back here, in my chair typing this, I agree that it would be ideal for it to have been released. But then, I have never caught a state record fish, so I have no idea what I'd do in the situation, so I won't judge. I would hope I would release it, but I just don't know if I'd have the self control in that situation.

I'll need another bowl of popcorn please. I have a feeling this is gonna get good

[Micheal Kyle]

I am a big C&R Guy on a lot of things and Missouri trout are one of them Trout are supposed to pink not white.

About the only fish I will keep are Crappie, Walleye, and Whites. Got have fish for a fish fry once a year.

He was in the right to do what he needed to do for the record though.

I will say this the IGFA has created a C&R record section.

Maybe Laker can fill us in I can not aces the IGFA Records for some reason tonight.

[laker67]

I will say this the IGFA has created a C&R record section.

Maybe Laker can fill us in I can not aces the IGFA Records for some reason tonight.

I was unable to locate anything related to the C and R. That would be a great asset for line class applications. Under the current requirements, your fish is pretty much a goner after weigh in and species ID from the biologist.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Come on Chief, quit beatin around the bush, how do you really feel?

SIO3

Oh I hear ya. I am not trying to be harsh, that is just my opinion. I think what he experienced was great and we all would like to go through that at least once in our lives. I would.

But let the man alone. Is he any less of a outdoorsman because he kept it? Hell no. Not in my opinion. It is almost like some are saying, the record shouldn't count since he killed the fish. See, it has changed from he kept the fish to he killed the fish. Does anybody say "Boy I killed me a mess of crappie today." NO, so why use that term now?

Some need to get off of their self righteous high horses. In my opinion of course. I don't want to offend you know. Should the record not count because it was caught using powerbait? Is it unfair that he used a guide?

Here is the question....should records only come from waters where natural reproduction occurs? The grumbling in hunting camps is becoming increasingly louder as more and more records come from "deer ranches" where large racks are "grown" through genetics. Would Taney be considered a "trout ranch"?

Anyway, I better quit for awhile or I am gonna get skinned. OTF, pass me some of that popcorn!

[laker67]

But let the man alone. Is he any less of a outdoorsman because he kept it? Hell no. Not in my opinion. It is almost like some are saying, the record shouldn't count since he killed the fish. See, it has changed from he kept the fish to he killed the fish.

That's exactly right Chief. This is the largest brown trout ever caught in missouri. Some respect should go with that title.

[KCRIVERRAT]

I know what you're saying Glory Daze, but in the heat of the moment, It'd be hard to not bring that fish back to be SURE if it was a record fish. It might of died after the fight anyway... who knows? Like some of the other posts stated, it was an old fish... and there's bigger browns waiting to be caught in Taney.

Strictly a matter of preference, but if I ever do catch that 5# smallmouth out of ANY Missouri stream... it's replica will be on my wall.

KC

[GloryDaze]

Now you all know as well as I do all the stars that had to align perfectly for that guy to catch that fish. Think of how many lures passed in front of that dude in his day and he never got caught (well, if he did the he would have been released obviously). I mean really- I wonder how many lures that guy saw in his day and that was the day he finally decided to give her a try - - bad luck for mr. fishy

Does he deserve a nice compliment for landing the fish- absolutely, but as for the respect card.. seems a little extreme to me.... I am not trying to take anything away from him, hell what I wouldn't give to be so lucky to land me a monster like that. Whether or not the fish lived, died, whatever- I really don't care either way I just thought it was a a real nice fish that seemed to go to total waste.

Now Chief- this was not intended to be an ethical debate, rather me just curious as to why kill (freeze) the fish. Then I learned on this post alone the fish was at the end of its life cycle, I would have never known that had I not asked. I thought this would be a good conversation, debate whatever you want to call it, and it has been for the most part.

Now on a side note- I will give the guy a little respect for being from Arnold, MO- that much we do have in common