LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-01 AT 02:40 PM (PST)

I said it before and hold my ground. I think it is pitiful for these fish to be considered for records (of any kind). I would feel exactly the same way if it were me who caught the fish. There is no way, no how I would even consider it for a record. Personally I'd feel like an idiot if I did. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing really wrong with fishing these lakes. I mean I wouldn't mind catching a 20 lb. Rainbow even if it is a stocker but consider it for a record? I don't think so.

To me these "pay money - catch big fish" lakes are like amusement parks. Anyone can ride Superman or Freefall but not everyone has the guts to skydive solo.

As far as wild trout vs. native trout there is no comparison. First of all how could a fish possibly fight as hard as another when half it's tail has been cut off - and that's just for starters. Up until I went to Canada a few years ago I never had the opportunity to catch native trout. I booked a trout fishing trip on Lake Maligne thinking it would be an alright way to spend the day. I didn't really like trout fishing too much because they weren't much of a challenge to catch and didn't really fight very hard. Boy was I in for a surprise. After my first hookup I almost died of shock and instantly fell in love with catching trout. It was a beautiful 20 inch rainbow that took off top speed for about 50 yards and then made a beautiful jump. After that fish I was pumped to catch as many as I could. A ho-hum day turned into one of the most exciting days of fishing I've ever had. The biggest fish was only 24 inches but I'd rather catch a native 24 incher than a planter 24 pounder any day.

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You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.