Would you keep an apparent state-record fish caught in the river if it had no other value than that of being record size?

Fished the upper Snohomish and lower Sky yesterday afternoon. Was a banner day with 7 fish landed in about 3 hours of fishing. 1 big chum, 5 nice, bright silvers from about 8 to 13 lbs, and one serious slab of a buck that I'd estimate was 24-25 lbs. (I've caught 3 silvers over 20# this season so I'm not over-exagerating) Problem was this bad boy was red and ugly (although beautiful in it's own way with it's huge hooks) The only reason to keep it would be to hold the state record coho but I wouldn't have even wanted to be seen in the picture with it. I admired and released it wishing I had caught him 4 weeks earlier. Until I saw him close I thought I'd hooked either a really big chum or an old summer-run king. Anyway... would the record be worth it even if it would have ended up fertilizing the roses?

You did the right thing! Let him go make some more big fish! It would have been nice to get some measurements so you could calculate the size a little closer though.

Amen Brother Amen!

Way to go!

I was fishing by myself so it was a little hard to handle him for measurements while running the boat, net, etc. I sure thought about it though and did make a mark of his length on the gunnel of the boat - I'll have to run down to storage tomorrow and put a tape to it.

Bravo! Thanks for doing the right thing.

Your name may not be in the record book but it is in another book.

I I can't understand why someone would kill an animal for the sole purpose of showing their prowess.

Trophy hunters have to be some of the sickest individuals on the planet.

Again...BRAVO!

Ocean Sun:

Ya done good!

If you have the needed fish to fill the freezer, there is no need to take home a fish that has little use but to sit on ones wall. (To what purpose would it's life have served?)

I took the last "food fish" we "needed" last night (a late hatchery hen), but can certainly add more to the freezer IF they are real bright. From now on, if the fish has any color...back it goes. I would likely keep hatchery fish if they look good, but the wilds go back in the puddle to make lots of babies for the future.



Mike

No! You did the right thing.

I'm with Gary on this one, taping it would have been nice or a quick photo, though this is tough to do by yourself.

It would be nice if Washington had a catch and release rewards program along the lines of Alaskas program. I think that this would satisfy the egos of many potential "big fish" killers in situations such as this.

CF

It's kind of absurd what people do to break records and get their name in the books. I was appalled when I read of a person breaking a line class record fishing for Ling Cod, using eight pound line and scampy jigs. I wonder how many pieces of lead were left in fishes stomachs in an attempt to break the record. I see it to often in the San Juans, intestinal blockage from ingested lead.

Ya done good. Keep it if its edible & legal. the fish at this point has survived everything thrown at him- he deserves to meet up with a nice hen!

I wouldn't of kept it.

This brings up a good point. I kept a chrome silver from the OP that went 24lbs on my berkley digital scale. I'm sure it's not accurate or certifide. What's the state record for coho?

Wow check out the weight of the new record Jackmackerel

good call!!

If people were in it for show then no fish would be safe!! If you feel good when you go home and know that you did nothing illegal or unnecessarily than that was a good day. Fishing for me is for me and not for the show. I know how good of a fisherman I am and don't need to show it. Not saying that when I do catch a huge fish on a river that it doesn't give me that inital rush to keep it. I also always have a camera!!
Just my worthless thoughts.
Good Job!!

If I really thought it was 25 lbs and if it was a hatchery fish and if the hatchery had it's quota so I knew the genetic stock wouldn't be used, you bet I'd keep it.

That's a lot of ifs though.

i think i got the crappiest record in the books.....great sculpin...woohoo