Ten years ago, I probably would have killed it for a mount. Nowadays, replicas are easy to have done and more than likely I'd have let it go and had a mount done from that. I usually keep one or two kings a year for a round of squaw candy and that's about it, a smaller fish would have done me just fine ... for eating anyhow, I'd still like to catch one that big, who wouldn't??

C&R of kings is a taboo ideal to many in this area. I've seen many a letters in the local paper decrying it in light of the push of the Kenai River Guides' Association to employ C&R when marginal numbers of fish exist over basement escapement. The lynch mobs are assembled

FYI ... Color is actually very typical of "tide-washed" fish that inhabit the tidewater areas of both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers ... meat of them is better than even the brightest fall king you'll find in a river at home.

Bob-
Does anyone have any numbers regarding the mortality percentage of Kenai released kings?

It seems that from what I've heard and seen on tv, the battles with the very large fish can go on for hours which in the end would make survival of these true monsters very difficult.

Maybe it would be best to limit the catch such as the early season bait ban than C&R the oversized fish...or maybe I am in out in left field as I know very little about this fishery.

I use to fish the upper river for rainbows in September after guiding all summer and you would be surprised by how many huge kings actually make it up to spawn. we would see lots of fish in the 80 to 100 pound range dead or near death in all most every hole which always made me wonder why they did not catch more of these monsters but when you see them in real life it was a experience I will always remember. I can understand why you would not want to kill one after experiencing the death dance of these monster's!!!PEACE