My buddy caught an 'eye late afternoon, I caught the same one about 2 hours later. Nice 24" fish--we knew it was the same fish because it had a bulge in its side--probably an old war wound with a muskie. I guess we should count that one as stupid or maybe he loved pain?
You might have caught one of the more challenged ones...or it had masochistic tendencies. :]
I fish for trout here. Many times I have recaught fish with their poor mouths practicly torn off...yet they are still feeding. Now, as for smart...I marvel that I can be skunked so often by a creature with a brain the size of a pea. Its like trying to catch little einsteins.
Or maybe this fisherman needs more schooling.