Biggest to the boat!!!

[Muddler]

I just wanted to share an experience that I was truly blessed with, turning a bust into the best! The weekend before Memorial day I headed to the John Day at the mouth to play with some fishies. The thunder storms that beat the area the week prior pushed the flow to 6800 fps and 3" of visibility. I was not alone as others with the same intent were dismayed. Instead of heading back, I decided to push on, further up river to Arlington. Dodging storms I worked tubes inside the protected area and was rewarded with some nice fish in 13-16 " range until the winds died down enough to let me go outside and play. I worked tubes along the steep rock bank then a drop shot rig. I was getting ready to head for cover as another blast of weather loomed close by when my line stopped. Rearing back found solid hold and the fish raced around the boat! I thought I had a big carp but as I regained consciousness I realized that this was the biggest smallmouth I had ever hooked into! As I reached for the jaw, I trembled! On the bench in my boat I have several marks at 18" apart and laying this beauty down, she measured a hands width more than the first mark making her about 22"!!! Due to the weather, my camera was in the rig but the image is lodged deep. The next day I was fishing at The Dalles, the weather was blue bird and the bass were abundant. Quite a few nice ones but nothing like that big female! That is/was (to date), my biggest smallmouth. Thank you Lord. :applause: :dance:

[Striper Club]

Nice fish!!! I was in the general area that weekend as well and only got a few dinks (and some decent panfish along the road). The weather was unkind (good sized mudslide that Saturday), but it looks like your persistance paid off bigtime!! :smile: :wave:

[Dave Smith]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!! I have been doing fish replicas for about 20 years and according to my molds, you could be approaching the legendary 6 pound mark! If the fish was fat enough it could be even bigger! Remember that even though you hear of tons of people catching 6 pounders, few are ever weighed or measured so a fish of that size is definitely a BLESSING!!!!!!! Dave

[bucketmouth]

Dave I have pictures of a 23 inch LM and a 21 1/2 inch Smallmaouth that I have caught. Can approximate weight be calculated from the pictures? Can replicas be made from pictures? I am very interested in having both done so they can be displayed at future Sportsmans shows.

[Dave Smith]

bucketmouth- I would be glad to estimate their weights from the pictures. Sometimes you can do it really accurately and sometimes you just can't- it depends alot on what else is in the picture and the distance and way the fish is held. As far as replicas- I am pretty booked up at the moment but I might be able to help you find the right person to do them for you. I can tell you right now- those are both nice fish!!!

[Muddler]

Thanks Dave. I wish was able to snap a shot of this fish! She was swollen with eggs so I handled with extreme care! I am curious as to what something like that in a replica would run? Well...at any rate, I know that someone out there will be able to catch her again and that is a good thing! Take care of your catch. I know I'll be looking up that address again and hopefully, I won't leave my camera behind!