Now that's a Brownie!!

[MOPanfisher]

4 hours ago, Chief Grey Bear said:

You're right Gavin. 

So we all know this fish is at or near the end of its lifecycle. 

Being that you most likely will never catch one that size again from an Ozark stream, would you put it on the wall?

Me personally no, I wouldn't mount it.  I would release it hoping that if it only lived another week some happy feller could again catch.  Besides I have never mounted any fish.  I have a bunch of the memories saved in my head though, without the actual fish there they can alway grow a little in my mind.

[Johnsfolly]

Trophy size and quality is regionally specific. This is an Ozarks fish of a lifetime. With the skill of folks using reproductions, there would be no reason not to get this mounted while the fish gets to swim away.

[LittleRedFisherman]

What a beast.  Awesome fish. 

[Smalliebigs]

That's a very long skinny looking Smallie...looks like an Arkansas fish...nice long one

[Chief Grey Bear]

11 hours ago, Smalliebigs said:

That's a very long skinny looking Smallie...looks like an Arkansas fish...nice long one

I can confirm it was a Missouri resident 

[Flysmallie]

In my opinion fish mounts are kind of dumb. I see it for a lodge, or BPS, or whatever but just to mount one because it's a goodun is dumb. A nicely done picture would be more valuable to me. 

My dad had a couple of mounts done in his lifetime and as he got older he regretted it. So much that they weren't even displayed in the end. After he passed I rescued them and have them in my office but I would much rather have a picture of him holding them. 

[Harps]

I'm in the replica camp. If I caught a 22" smallie ANYWHERE, I would get a replica. I don't have any replicas.....

I would be interested in knowing the weight as well on that fish.

I know a guy...............who caught a 23" smallie here in the Ozarks, fish went back in the water.

[joeD]

Where'd ya'll catchit? Bennett springs?

 

[Flysmallie]

43 minutes ago, joeD said:

Where'd ya'll catchit? Bennett springs?

 

 

Didn't you hear? It's now illegal to provide that information due to the OAF Constitution. 

[joeD]

"Illegal" is a strong and loaded word.  Let's just say, "frowned upon."   In certain "quarters" I might add, with trepidation.

BTW, and my mistake obviously, what a great fish bearded guy caught. Congratulations to him. Splendid fish.