Fishing Forum

Well, it was just a couple weeks ago that I announced my big Tiger Musky, and now I'm here to say I broke my personal big fish record again today by a couple pounds - on my 23rd birthday! Our party comprised me, my father, and my uncle.

I've always wanted to catch some big Lake Trout, but don't own a boat capable of doing any trolling, or any of the GPS and Fish Sonar. The opportunity came along with the assistance of Capt. Steve (he's a member of the board, goes by a name I forgot) and his fishing guide service. The name of it is Trophy Fishing Guides. My father thought it would be a good birthday gift. He fishes out of the Lucerne area on Flaming Gorge, and is probably the only guide there who guarantees a fish over 32 inches or he'll book you another trip for free. He's very knowledgable, professional, and an all around fun guy to spend the day with. He worked hard to see that we got results.

We fished from 10am to about 6pm, and caught 3 fish (one a piece). The fish came ealier on, and after about 1pm it went totally dead, even though Capt. Steve was marking huge groups of dozens of fish on the humps we were trolling through for the remaining several hours. Sometimes despite all the best efforts they just won't bite, but it was still a great day.

I was first up when the rod tip bounced, and it happened to be the big fish of the day. It took a good 15 minutes to bring it in with the line being 90 feet down and a couple hundred feet out. It was quite a fight, and there is nothing like seeing that shadowy figure emerge from the depths in that glassy water. The hook popped right out when the fish was boated, so it was definetely a good thing I've learned to keep the tension constant. Measured 37 inches, and estimated between 20 -25 pounds. We got it all on video, snapped some pics, and released it unharmed.

My uncle got one close to the same size as mine, and my father got a smaller but still respectable Laker around 8 pounds.

Hopefully some video will be posted soon, but that takes a while. For now, attached are the pics.

Also, those rainbows are spawning like crazy, good sized ones too, all around the boat launch. I caught one in the act of spawning when we came info for a restroom break on a crawdad colored tube jig. It went right in front of her nose and she just snapped it up.
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oh you cought a cute little puppy mac.. [cool]
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So you only caught one fish? That's a pretty expensive fish.[:/]
Either way, I'm jealous. Congrats![]
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Sounds like a wonderful birthday trip. Congratulations to one and all.

That looked like a great trip. I too will be out on a guided trip next week. I hope to have the same luck you did!!!!

[quote fuzzyfisher]oh you cought a cute little puppy mac.. [cool][/quote]

I seriously think a 20-25 lb fish isn't considered a "puppy mac". That is a fine fish in any one's book.

Congrats on your fun birthday outing with loved ones and a great catch!
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[quote HookJaw_Brimhall]So you only caught one fish? That's a pretty expensive fish.[:/]
Either way, I'm jealous. Congrats![][/quote]

Yeah, but it didn't cost me a penny! And when you compare it to the price of buying all the right gear - boat, gps, electronics, etc. I think its a good trade.

That's not to say I wouldn't rather have all my own stuff.
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Way to go! Maybe to some considered a pup but not to often is a 20+ pound fish posted with pics to back up the claim! Nice work I am heading up there this weekend myself and would love to hook into a fish like that, So far I can't crack the 5lb mark on those guys!
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great report and pictures. what a great birthday present.
thanks for sharing. [cool]
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I think Fuzzy Fisher Ron was just joking around about the pup thing.

It isn't a huge Laker, but it is a good fish nonetheless. When you've never caught a trout over a few pounds before, a Lake Trout over 20 pounds sure gets ya excited!
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What did you catch that mac on, and how deep?
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We were trolling anywhere between 75 and 90 feet deep. It was on a flashy custom spoon hand painted by our guide. A bit of a secret.
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I can see you had a great time and great Mack teacher. I guess while trolling the laker hooked itself, but you did a good job of taking the whopper out.

Now, this is both a good and bad thing. You are hooked on Macks for a long time, and I predict you will be trying to manage your life around Gorge trips. Yes, it is very hard in the beginning. You just want more and more.
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happy birthday ryan, and a nice fish. You done well,.
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nice pic. fuzzy was just telling it from his veiw. see i see a pup as well. but the first laker is always 1 good fish to whoever reals it in. my first was a 31 pounder. spoiled first day in the first hr buddy with me his was a 35. see my first was a double. i dont mind catching the 20 plus fish at all. some fight like a 30 plus. this last trip i watched a 28 run from 90 ft to 140. chuck had a blast with that fish. so what im saying is nice job. now you get to go back for the bigguns.[]
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Thats a nice fish. Trolling can be a very effective way of catching fish. As far as them hooking themselves (like dangler said), I know it takes alot of skill to troll near the bottom of a reservoir with a radical bottom structure. It's harder than some might think to not loose your expensive equipment. To each there own on what means of presentation they choose. Personally. I enjoy sipping on a beer, rocking my tunes and waiting for the next 45 minute battle. I dont need the sore back along with focus, focus focus. Like I said, to each their own.
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man any mac over 20 lbs is a nice fish. and yes i was just funing ya.. glad ya got joke unlike some..
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WOW! very nice! although the third to the last picture is a little deceiving cause with the tape it doesn't look like it has reached the 3' mark, more like a 34", but heay its a picture LOL
How do they estimate the weight? I caught this 35" Hybrid a couple of years ago and I was guessing around 20\








Sorry, don't want to Hi Jack, just curious on estimating weight and you are the closest catch so to speak[laugh]
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Quote:To each there own on what means of presentation they choose. Personally. I enjoy sipping on a beer, rocking my tunes and waiting for the next 45 minute battle. I dont need the sore back along with focus, focus focus.

+ 1
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love that fish pic![] looks like a solid 17er in my eyes.
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