Steelhead-British Columbia

I love an amazing trophy as much as the next guy.  If you visit the greatwhitehunter blog regularly, you will see scores of giant big game and fishing trophies.  But for me, when I am in the wild, most of the time, the scenery, adventure, people and…well, just the overall experience is what makes it the great outdoors.  Add a great fish or big game animal to the equation, and you have memories that will last a lifetime.

Today, I came across the website for Noel Gyer Guided Fishing Adventures in British Columbia, Canada. http://noelgyger.ca/  I could immediately see myself lofting a fly over a lazy river in a deep forested gorge.  Hooking up on an old lunker.  Feeling the adrenaline surge as the battle to move the Steelhead or Chinook to shore replaced the concerns of daily life even if just for an hour.  I got a chuckle at the photo above and the guide with a cigar hanging out of his mouth.

The site, while not overly glossy, has one page that is full of photography and fish that will make any fisherman long for a day on the river http://www.noelgyger.ca/photos-of-the-week.htm

This fish is particularly special.  The fisherman, Annti, from Finland, caught what may be a new fly caught world record Steelhead.  He was fishing with Steelhead Heaven on the Skeena River Tributary. 

I loved this quote, “When he hooked this monster it flew out of the water four times and across the raging river, he then put the brakes on this hog with his single hander 9wt and brought it to the slow edge of the downstream side of the pool, when the guide landed it he could not believe the size of this guy and was shaking as it came to the net hoping it would be landed.”

Annti, had an entire film crew that captured the moment in HD.  His personal previous record was a Steelhead weighing in at 20 pounds.  This monster was just one of seven Steelhead Annti landed that day.  This impressive world record Steelhead weighed in at an unfathomable 30 pounds.

Lake Trout

For freshwater fisherman, outside of the King Salmon, one of the most popular “big game” species of fish is the beautiful lake trout.  Where I come from these monster trout are often referred to as Mack or Mackinaw.  While Mackinaw are certainly one of the more popular varieties of Lake Trout, there are other species as well.  For a guy like me, either way it amounts to one big fish.

Thanks to Jennifer for sending the beautiful photo of her recent Lake Trout catch.  This 27 pound beauty was caught in the Northwest Territories of Canada on Great Bear Lake.  She was fishing with the guides of Trophy Lodge.  Caught in 60 feet of water on a Eppinger Husky with hammered copper and an orange stripe.  The world record Lake Trout is a 65 lb monster which hangs on the wall of a fishing lodge somewhere in  Canada.  Here is a photo of the brutish fish.

A possible new world record was caught and released recently with the whole thing being caught of film.  Reportedly weighing in at 70 lbs, visit http://bpspinners.com/morecoolfishingstuff.html to see video of this tremendous fish.

Thanks again to Jennifer for use of the photo of her fish.  Jennifer is the owner of www.allcanada.com, billed as the home of the world’s best hunting and fishing.  The All Canada show has shows throughout North America through January and February.  Visit http://www.allcanada.com/ for a show near you.

European Trout Fishing-Slovenia

The beautiful country of Slovenia in the former Yugoslavia is one of the unexpected jewels of trout fishing.  Located adjacent to Italy on the North Eastern Coast of the Adriatic Sea, this beautiful country boasts my parents favorite European City (Bled-I think I spelled that correctly).  It is also home to the beautiful Marble Trout.  Thanks to Beaver at www.frontierstravel.com for use of the fabulous pictures. 

If you are in southern Europe and have an extra couple of days, try out some of this beautiful Alpine fishing.

Contact Frontiers International Travel at www.frontierstravel.com for information and booking of one of the fabulous adventures.

Frontiers International Travel; PO Box 959; Wexford, PA  15090-0959-Telephone: 724-935-1577;  Toll-free U.S.:  800-245-1950

Giant Tadpoles?

These dudes may look like Tadpoles, but they are actually a variety of Catfish that have to be one of the most unique gamefish in the world.  Next time you are in Spain, simply drop by the river Ebro and see what all the fuss is about.  Fish over 100 lbs are common.  The catfish shown in the photos are in the 200lb range.  Thanks to Stephen from Carp and Catbusters for use of the photos.  http://www.carpandcatbussters.com/  Click on the photo below for even more photos of these exceptional fish.

World Record Largemouth

I’m not a bass guy, but I recently came across two stories of world record largemouth bass.  The first was caught in Japan of all places.  See story at http://www.bigfishtackle.com/fishing_articles/Freshwater_Fishing_Articles/Bass_Small_Largemouth_/New_World_Record_Largemouth_Black_Bass__722.html

The next story occurred in 2006 and boasts a much larger fish that was actually caught and released.  This one in California.  The second story is truly a feel good story that is worth the read.  By the way, what happened to the good ol’ southern largemouth fisheries?

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?page=f_fea_bass_world-record_Weakley_25.1

I found this quote quite interesting about this 25 pound monster, “It’s simply because there are people who are out there who didn’t think a bass can grow to more than 22.25 pounds,” said James Hall, editor of Bassmaster magazine. “It’s because of how elusive the record has been for so many years.”

Jen’s first flyfishing catch

Jen and I recently made a trip to the beautiful Teton River in Driggs Idaho.  We spent the day at Huntman Springs on the largely undiscovered backside of the Grand Tetons. 

Click on the links below for more photos of Jen’s first fish on a fly, our day of adventure  and Huntman’s Springs. 

Those of you who follow my blog know that the month of October was a fun one for my family.   Both of my boys harvested their first mule deer.  Zach and Haley caught some monster rainbows.  Seeing Jen get addicted to flyfishing was right up there.  I can hardly wait to hit the river together for many years to come.

Huntsman Springs was simply beautiful.  Combining first class lodges with the outdoors is always a great combo.  Click on the photos below for photos and more info about Huntman Springs.

Thanks to the Huntsman’s for an incredible day of fishing and relaxing in Idaho.  Contact Tiffini Vance at Prudential Realestate 801.913.9930 for more information about the Huntsman’s new development, Huntman Springs.

Barramundi-an Australian original

A couple of weeks ago, I did a post on Giant Barramundi, which is an Australian freshwater fish.  Unfortunately, the photo I posted was of a Giant Trevali, which is a saltwater fish found in Australia and many other places as well.  It is now corrected.

Here are the photos of Barramundi.  This photo is of a truly enormous Barramundi.  Compare with the other photos in the post for comparison sake.

Thanks to Kerri from Clear Water Island Lodge in Australia for use of the photo of this terrific Giant Trevally.  Check out the website for more photos http://www.clearwaterislandlodge.com.au/  If you are ever in Australia and looking for adventure Clearwater Island Lodge is a great choice.

Zach lands a lunker-Haley’s Fish is huge!

Zach caught one of the biggest trout I have ever seen last night.  Check out this rainbow!  26 inches long, 18 inch girth and over 8 lbs!

Haley’s is quite a nice fish as well!  Shaped like a football-this fish weighed in at over 5 lbs.

Thanks to the Jones for the invitation for a great fishing trip!

Monster Muskie

Kyle Anderson of Rapid City, MI caught this 50-pound 8-ounce Great Lakes muskie. The fish is now the new Michigan state record.

Muskie-aka Muskellunge are a highly sought after game fish.  Read more about this great story http://frontrangeanglersfishingreport.blogspot.com/2009/09/crush-this-muskie.html

Peacock Bass-an Amazon Original

These are one of the more colorful freshwater sportsfish I have seen.  These beautiful fish can be caught on the Amazon.  For more information on these beautiful fish or to book a trip go to http://www.peacockbassassociation.com/html/capt_peacock_negro.html