This is why I fish the rivers

[Chief Grey Bear]

10 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

There are a whole lot of reasons why I fish rivers that have little to do with the fish, but that's one very good reason!  We all love smallmouth, but I'm never disappointed when the big fish that hits turns out to be a largemouth.  20 plus inch river largemouth are almost as special a catch as 20 plus inch smallies.

You are right. I should have said: "One of the reasons..."

I usually catch one or two 20+ LMB's a year. This ol girl was one of the thickest I have ever seen. Most are getting old and thinning a bit. This one was healthy and thick!

[DADAKOTA]

10 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

There are a whole lot of reasons why I fish rivers that have little to do with the fish, but that's one very good reason!  We all love smallmouth, but I'm never disappointed when the big fish that hits turns out to be a largemouth.  20 plus inch river largemouth are almost as special a catch as 20 plus inch smallies.

Couldn't agree more Al.  As much as I hate the competition that Spots give the smallies I have seen some monster spots come out of a river.  We've caught several 4 and 5 pound fish over the years with the biggest over 6 on a rapala digital scale.  Welcome tussles, but I'd swap them all for more smallies and less spots.

[Flysmallie]

1 hour ago, Chief Grey Bear said:

The elbows are bent. 

Plus, I don't have a big as head as some like to say. 

I don't care how you hold it as long as you keep those man boobs covered up. 

[ollie]

Yea, probably only like 18".  Come on Chief, fess up!  lol  Nice pig man.

[Brian Jones]

Heckuva of a largemouth; long armed or not.

[snagged in outlet 3]

What did it eat, Chief??

[Harps]

Solid fish Chief!

[Chief Grey Bear]

On September 13, 2016 at 7:23 PM, jim m said:

super river fish, and I bet she's still swimming in that river

In fact she is.

[Chief Grey Bear]

On September 14, 2016 at 10:27 AM, snagged in outlet 3 said:

What did it eat, Chief??

A cheap Cotton Cordell jerkbait that came from the $2.96 bin.

I wish I would have snagged a few more. It has the widest wobble of any I have ever used.