The Fish of a Lifetime

Written by: Rich Goates

The high country hadn’t been open for long. My brothers played hooky from work and took their kids fishing. I joined them after work, arriving at Trial Lake around 6 PM. It was already cooling off, and fishing was slow. I fished for an hour without a single hit.

I grew up in the Uinta Mountains, just 20 miles from Trial Lake. Being familiar with the fish there, I fished without a net. Most of the trout in Trial Lake are Rainbows and Tigers, measuring between 6-12 inches. They’ve been planting trout in the Uintas for decades, but many are caught before growing larger. Boy, was I wrong that night.

My brothers packed up, but I stayed a bit longer. Just after they left, I got the surprise of a lifetime. Fishing from the dam, I was using a pink-headed balanced leech in about 5-10 feet of water when I felt a bump on my line. Thinking it was a rock, I lifted my rod – but the line pulled back. I had hooked a big fish.

This fish was strange. It swam away slowly, taking line against my drag. It seemed like it was returning to the depths. I had heard of "being taken to backing," but hadn’t experienced it. My line was running out, but then the fish turned back. I reeled quickly to keep the tension but knew I had to stay calm.

As the battle continued, I remembered – I didn’t have a net! I started hopping rocks in the near dark to reach the beach. Somehow, I made it without losing the fish. When the fish surfaced, I saw it was a “two bender,” with two bends in its body as it jumped. It was the biggest fish I’d ever seen in the Uintas.

I talked to myself, “Please don’t lose this fish.” After about 20 minutes of back-and-forth, the fish was exhausted. I shuffled backward and landed it on the beach.

The (Almost) state record tiger trout.

I tried taking pictures, but it was hard holding such a big fish alone. I measured her – 32 inches! I attempted to revive her in the water, but she went belly up. I knew she wouldn’t survive. I had no knife to clean her, so I used a fishing tote to transport her home.

What else do you do with a Tiger Trout that big? 

Once I got cell reception, I called my brother. When I told him I had a 31-inch fish in my car, he couldn’t believe it. After weighing and measuring her properly in Heber, I realized I had underestimated. Final measurements: 33 inches, 14 pounds, 16-inch girth. I later found out she would have set a state record for catch and release.

Rich posing with his "fish of a lifetime"

The taxidermist estimated the fish was 18 to 20 years old. Anglers, they’re out there – go find them!

Summary:

Where: Trial Lake

When: June 27, 2019

Fly: Barbless Orange-Headed Balanced Leech (Click here to order)

Tippet: 5x

Fish: Tiger Trout

Dimensions: 33 inches long, 14 pounds, 16 inch girth