Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations 20# 34" long NC record RbT

Harry L. Hoots III
Hoots Holler

They say good news travels fast, and the rumors of a potential new state record trout started circulating at lighting speed a couple of weeks ago. First I got an email from my guide buddy Judson Conway, who runs Elk Creek Outfitters in Boone NC, asking if I had any information about it. Next came several other curious email inquiries from other fishing friends asking me if I had heard the new angling news.
After a little digging, and an email to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, I found out the rumor was true; a potential new state record fish had been caught by Leah Johnson, age 21, of Sapphire, North Carolina on January 28th.
Excitement was in Johnson's voice earlier this week on the phone as she relayed to me the events leading up to catching the new pending state record rainbow trout.
"It was a nice day and we had been cooped up in the house from the cold weather and it seemed like a good time to go fishing," said Johnson.
Johnson, who has been fishing since she was 5 years old, was out for a day on a private section of the upper Horsepasture River in Jackson County where she and her boyfriend Chris Woods had permission to fish.
Woods had already taken a monster trout earlier in the day (in the 15 pound range), but Johnson decided she wanted to fish a little longer. After not having much success, she opted to try out a new lure the duo had just purchased that morning before heading to the river--a black and brown Rapala plug.
"I got tired of fishing what I was fishing with, and he put the Rapala on for me; the first cast I caught that fish," said Johnson.
Her line came taut with none other than a 20 pound 3 ounce, 34-inch long, gigantic rainbow trout. "It was a monster!" said Johnson.

Originally posted by Russ:
Wow, what a fish! Thanks for the post Ric.

Cecil, are you missing one of your pets??

Originally posted by ewest:
What a fish !! Uhggg can you imagine catching a 15 lb. RT and still having your girlfriend beat you by 5 lbs.

Look for the rumors to fly now on how that was a broodstock fish just released, came out of a private fed pond, how it was poached, or how it was caught far far away. It always happens.