Posted on 06/25/2007 7:06:21 AM PDT by girlangler
TODAY'S FEATURE
Big Fish Story
One June 6, Adam Konrad, a Canadian angler was fishing the Lake Diefenbaker system of Saskatchewan. Konrad landed what has been submitted to the International Game Fish Association as the trout that, if accepted, would break the world record for all-tackle trout, a massive 43.6 pound fish that measured 38.5 inches in length and 33 inches in girth.
The current record of 42-pounds, six ounces has stood for the past 37 years, but would appear to be in jeopardy as Konrad's catch was weighed on IGFA certified scales, measured and otherwise documented in both photos and video.
Konrad wasn't some lucky angler who just happened upon a monster fish. He and his identical brother Sean, are both dedicated anglers who have their own theories about landing record-breaking fish. So dedicated, in fact, they refer to themselves as the "Fishing Geeks". Sean (the "other brother") already holds the record for 12-pound test line, having landed another 33-pound, 6-ounce trout from Lake Diefenbaker.
Should Adam's miniscule 6-pound line test out at 6-pounds, he'll have the undisputed record in that line class. Should it test out heavier, he'll bump his brother's record.
As Adam told the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Star Phoenix there's more to being in the right place at the right time. "The big fish sit and you've got to present the hooks and lure. I call it finesse fishing. People go out and fish in the same spots I do and they get skunked every time."
He also knows that it takes big bait to land big fish. He was tossing an orange, 4-inch Mepps Syclops spoon.
The Fishing Geeks have, indeed, made a career out of pulling big fish. They estimate having caught more than 200 20-plus-pound trout in the past two fishing season, along with another dozen or so in the 30-plus pound range.
While Adam's pleased with his catch, he wasn't flattering about the fact the big one seems, well, unattractive. "It is an ugly one and it is fat," he says, "With a 34-inch girth it's bigger than a human, almost."
Are there bigger fish out there? The brothers think so, but think a trout is pretty much "maxed out" at about 40 pounds, making this latest lunker a bit of an aberration.
Although, they said people laughed when they said there might be a 40-plus pounder out there, too.
This time, the brothers Konrad are looking to capitalize on their trout-fishing acumen. They've struck an exclusive deal with trophytroutguide.com and are hoping there's "opportunity" out there for them.
I use a lot of Mepps products, swear by them, and know the fine people at Mepps. I am so excited for them, as this will put them in the spotlight in a major way.
Looks like we’ll have to work extra hard to break the record now.
I’ll call you this afternoon. Getting fishing stuff ready now.
43.6 pounds is too big for my charcoal grill.
Los Angeles Class trout?
That’s why God invented the sharp knife.
makes those puny catfish I caught in the Intracoastal yesterday seem rather lacking...:(
Mepps used to produce for me, but I don’t think I’ve had success for well over a decade.
Paraphrasing from the movie 'JAWS':
Eric, you need a bigger grill. lol
It isn’t mentioned in the article so we should assume the trout was a (grease-ball) Lake Trout? I don’t know of any other member of the trout family that could get this large.
That’s a Rainbow trout, alright. I thought they might be cheating and landing Lake Trout, a char. But nope. That’s a true Rainbow, according a local guide service.
What kind of trout was it?
Weber used to make a really big grill, about 30 or 32” but quit making them some years ago. I saw one at a yard sale for $200 and wish I’d put it in my pickup.
Rainbow, according to the target species and size estimates of local guides.
My biggest is 18+ pounds, but that was a steelhead, an anadramous rainbow in the Skykomish River. On a fly and fly rod, though.
Lakers can be greasy, so put in more heat and run the fat off...
rainbow. check out trophytroutguide.com
Cut off the belly meat. Good eats.
I had no idea that trout got that large.
(I caught a 53 lb. king salmon on 12 lb. test. He pulled our Zodiac up river a while until he got tired, since I was afraid reeling him in would break my line.)
That is a huge rainbow. I thought perhaps a lake trout.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.