Monster Rainbow

[Dylan Cluver]

Do you think the vertical hold could've hurt it? Sweet fish

[Geoff]

They're Brett's patterns.

I was looking for more a general what are the fish eating, I saw what he caught that fish on.

[Phil Lilley]

Do you think the vertical hold could've hurt it? Sweet fish

MDC ppl have said yes- holding a big fish like the vertical can put a lot of strain on their insides but how much... ? I didn't know this when I help John display his fish and release it.

[John W Kelly]

Do you think the vertical hold could've hurt it? Sweet fish

After reading the "Dead Browns" thread, I was wondering if it was dragged over the rocks to land it.

[Micheal Kyle]

What a great fish and a catch of a life time right here in our local waters for both guys involed in the 2 catches. Also glad to see they were on fly rods

IMO 31 inch rainbow would be about 15-16 lbs all depends on the girth, I have seen a lot of 30 inch rainbows caught and caught a few myself and none of them have been over 20lbs. My wife caught one that was 34 and girth was 19 inches and it weighed in at 19.2 lbs Plus our fish were actually measured with a tape measure not just laying it up against something and saying it is a certain length and girth.

Fish can be very deceiving in size I have seen so many fish that were 20 inch fish be called 22-24 inch fish.

Yes this fish is a monster rainbow but I would like to see what the actual measurements were other than a guess against a net and guess of the girth. With guessed measurement and with the calculations is does come up to 23.42 lbs. Which would smash the current state record.

AGAIN GREAT MONSTER OF A RAINBOW TROUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that the rainbows are going to be awesome this winter and I personally think that we might just see a new State Record!!

[ness]

School me please, fellers. What's the 'vertical hold'? That slight tip up?

That's a heckuva fish for 6x and and a size 18 fly. Good on him for putting him back.

[Phil Lilley]

Holding a big fish upright makes the guts push down in the body cavity- something the fish never experiences in the water. Hold the fish horizontal is better.

I don't think it's THAT big of a deal. It's just better.

[Geoff]

I've also heard it can distend jaw muscles and cause there mouths to not function as properly til the muscle heals/recovers, more with the bass guys using them as handles.

[tippet7]

nice fish. too bad it was it guided by CW, they probably did a little shuffling to attract the fish. oh wait, did i say that out loud??

[ness]

Holding a big fish upright makes the guts push down in the body cavity- something the fish never experiences in the water. Hold the fish horizontal is better.

I don't think it's THAT big of a deal. It's just better.

That's kinda what I figured. Doesn't see to me the guy is holding him at much of an angle, so I wondered if I was missing something.

Not faulting the guy, but any fish that big is gonna feel it when they lose the buoyancy of the water. I've got a feeling this brute was netted pretty quickly, like, really quickly, and back on his way in pretty good shape fairly quickly. 2 feet of water, 6x tippet, size 18 fly.