As you read these articles, one thing to keep in mind—you never know when you’re on a world record fish. I have tried to plan going after a world record, but for some strange reason, it never quite happens like you think it should.
In the case of one of my largest fish caught on 2 lb. tippet, a Pacific King Salmon, I was actually practicing casting to fish, hooking them and playing them to get ready for another day when I would have witnesses coming on the trip for verification purposes.
I was trying to catch a bigger fish on 6 lb. tippet to break my existing record. Fish kept breaking off; I was getting frustrated. I kept looking for fish to try and hook. What was I doing wrong was the only thing going through my head. Read article to see what happens.
The other record, that I still currently hold, is a Brown Trout that was 12 lbs., 8 ounces caught on 2 lb. tippet. I and a friend were out looking for large enough Browns to try to break the 2 lb. record. We were in a tight part of the stream where fish were coming in off a flat area heading into holding lies to rest before moving up into a tail out.
We were being picky. “Don’t throw yet Nunz, just go after the largest fish. We don’t want to spook them.” That was what my friend, Joe Ebersole, was telling me. Joe has been on every trip with me looking for the record fish. After over 5 hours of frustration from fishermen that would not have the courtesy of standing down and go past us, Joe and I were at our wits end! People would just walk right through the middle of the fish. They would get right next to us and cast right in front of our face. These were some of the most unethical fishermen we have ever seen.
We gave up, got out of the water and waited for another friend to get there with lunch. George Schictel, the owner of a very large tree production nursery, showed up with a picnic basket, complete with wine! When I told him we were quitting for the day, he said you’ll feel better after lunch and when you eat a Haas Avocado, you’ll be right back and find that fish. We explained to George what everyone was doing. He said “let them try it while I’m here.”
We went back to fishing and to our surprise, people were leaving! Joe tied a Peacock Hurl Nymph, a special tie that both of us collaborated on tying for these Browns. We had an entire fly box full. George was fishing just upstream from me. Joe and I were watching fish, trying to find the one big one to cast to.
Then I saw it. A high white mouth opening and closing. Brown Trout have a white interior around the opening of their mouth. When we tried to find the tail, it was at least 2 ft. back. Joe said go for it! I started to cast at the fish and then 3 fishermen walked right in front of me. I said “please do not walk through the run.” I got this belligerent “I’ll go where ever I want.” George started to fume and walked up to the 3 of them and politely asked if they would like to be fish bait in about 3 minutes. These gentlemen agreed to get off the water.
I thought the fish were gone. Suddenly there were about 20 or so fish that came back. I waited and waited. Joe said “I don’t see them”. I looked and looked and then I saw that BIG WHITE MOUTH. He was hidden next to the side of a large flat rock. I said “Joe that’s him.” I cast the fly-it went by. I adjusted the cast and went again. I watched the fly come down through the seam. It got closer and closer. Suddenly, I saw that BIG WHITE MOUTH open and the fish move forward. I thought he got spooked and then suddenly he swallowed the fly. I lifted the rod very gently and he set the hook himself. He went out into the deep water. I played the fish to the net 7 times in over 25 minutes before we could get the net on him. I was shaking and worried that the tippet may have broken. IGFA rules say the entire line must not break, even in the net.
We took the fish, measured length and girth, weighed him on a Certified Scale (certified by IGFA) and all I could say is how many ounces on each line on the scale. I was too nervous to think, WE HAD IT!!He tipped the scale at 12 lbs. 8 ozs. He was 32 ¾” long with a girth of 16 ½ inches. When IGFA tested the break strength on the tippet, it broke at an amazing 1.73 lbs.
If it wasn’t for George and that Avocado, I don’t know if I would be writing this story now.
P.S. What is more amazing, the 2 lb. tippet that I caught my 26 lb. King Salmon on broke at 1.66 lbs. Now that is what you call using light tippet. Guess what, I’ am still looking to break a record. The adrenaline rush does not stop. Once you feel that surge, you’ll never stop looking!
The articles speak for themselves. Add to that 5 years of managing for Orvis and conducting up to 200 classes every fishing season, as well as at least 250 private classes per year. Targeting fish of every species. Bass, Pickerel, Perch, Pike, Musky, Pacific Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Steelhead, Trout of all types. Then salt water’s elite—Sail Fish, Marlin, Permit, Jack Crevalle, Tarpon, Bone Fish, Giant Grouper. All of these have given me the knowledge and experience to be able to help you in your quest for that one once in a lifetime trophy!
If nothing else, you will learn how to use your equipment, how to spot fish and read the water and most of all, how to be safe within your surroundings.
Please feel free to call on me with any of your questions.
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