Big Surprise Bear River 10/2

[Jig-fisher]

I had not fished the Bear River for several weeks.  Due to working out of state, hunting, and quarantine I just haven't been out there.  So I got up early and gave it a try.

Fishing was decent.  3 cats in the 1st hour with the largest at 25".  Then the big surprise.  The next fish hit the chub minnow hard and I got a good hook set.  The fish then rocketed up the river.  I thought to myself, "this isn't fighting like a cat."   Then it took drag twice and surfaced out in the middle.  Definitely not a cat.  Maybe a huge eye?  But it wasn't fighting like a walleye.  I finally got it near the bank and it turned on its side.  Then I saw the big thick striped sides of a big wiper!  Wow, I couldn't believe it.  I have caught a lot of different fish out of the Bear, but this was a first for me. It measured 23".

I would like to hear if anyone else has caught a wiper out of the Bear.  I haven't heard of one being caught before.

For reference, I wear a size 12 boot.