16.5 in. Brown Trout caught by Bruce Parks in Lake Saint Catherine in Vermont, United States on 07/15/08

16.5 in. Brown Trout caught by Bruce Parks in Lake Saint Catherine in Vermont, United States on 07/15/08
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Bruce Parks 16.5" Brown Trout caught by Bruce Parks on Tuesday July 15, 2008 at 18:36 in Lake Saint Catherine 5.24 km from Hampton in Washington County, Vermont (VT), United States North America using a black/silver husky jerk a Stick Bait by Rapala International

"A Bad Day for the Brown Trout"

We were trolling planer boards on the north end of the lake, just 50 yards out into the lake from the channel that goes into North Bay. Good, solid hit, clean release, FISH ON! Very good fight on noodle rod, 8 lb. Power Pro line with 4 lb. mono leader. When we got the fish up to the net but still in the water, we noticed what almost looked like a lamprey hit. Netted the fish and found it badly wounded (see photo). Knowing that Fish and Wildlife likes to keep tabs on St. Catherine brown trout, we chilled it and took it to the fisheries biologist in Springfield today (Wednesday, 7/16). After examining the fish carefully the biologist concluded that yesterday must have been a bad day for this trout. The wounds, he said, were most likely from an eagle (there are several Bald Eagles in the area), probably early in the morning when the fish was feeding near the surface. Somehow the fish got away from the Eagle and fell back into the water again. Later in the day we came by, trolled an irresistable lure past its nose and it hit the lure. I guess fish don't have nine lives??!!
I'll remember this fish the next time I have a bad hair day!

Posted by Bruce Parks 4 months ago

Member comments on this catch

Great catch and also a great story as long as your not the fish.

Posted by Brian Tufts 4 months ago

Joe Pych

OUCH! That's an interesting story. This fish has some nerve to be chasing lures with those gashes. And that eagle must have been huge judging by the spread of those claw marks.

Posted by Joe Pych 4 months ago

Fish Monger

Wow, that's unusual. It's a wonder it survived and an even larger wonder that it was interested in feeding. That's one in a million I say.

Posted by Fish Monger 4 months ago

Jarrett Rotz

nice fish and a good story...good catch

Posted by Jarrett Rotz 3 months ago

What do you think about this catch? Please tell me.

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