[farmer ted]

Today I was on river X and to my surprise managed to pull a 20" cutt out of a little pool. I was really surprised because I didn't know that river X had cutthroat in it.

It was a good time on the ultralight and a beautiful fish except that it had a sore/ injury on it's back. Of course I dropped my digital camera in river X last week and it no longer works. So the 20" cutthroat (master angler qualifying length) is back in river X since it's an endangered fish and I have no picture to remember it by.

moral: Don't drop your camera in the river or at least buy a waterproof one because as soon as you leave home without it, you will catch a BIG fish.

The funniest part is that if I had caught it 5 min earlier...two guys were walking by with a bunch of fishing gear and they proabably had a camera and could have taken my picture and emailed it to me or something...but time was not on my side.

As Bart Simpson would say: "the ironing is delicious."

 

[troutaholic]

River "X", uh-oh here we go again...

 

[farmer ted]

I was being a smartass...It was the Poudre.

So here's my dilemma:

a 20" cutt is a master angler fish. Since I didn't have a pic I would need 2 witnesses to verify the fish. Now, I caught, measured and released the fish fairly and legally but no-one witnessed it. Is it a moral dilemma if I fudge the witnesses a bit...say have my wife and a friend as witnesses? What would you guys do? It's not that the award is that big of deal, but it would be kind of nice. opinions are welcome.

 

[Firedawg]

Nice fish!!!! I know you had a blast with that ultra-light!

 

[waterfowler]

Nice fish farmer! As far as your dilemma, I personally wouldn't go there. There is too much to lose compared to what there is to gain. You know you caught it, that is the important thing. I hope you have bought a new camera on your way home.

Thanks for the river info, hopefully the next person releases the fish as well.

 

[farmer ted]

Upon further research, I've decided it was a cutbow. It was still pretty, fun to catch, a good time, and I'm still bummed I didn't have the camera but now at least I don't feel bad about the master angler thing. I don't think my conscious would have let me fake the witnesses anyway.

I had never caught a cutthroat or cutbow before so forgive my irrational craziness.

 

[andyrm66]

Best bet is to be honest. Way to go on (I think many on here would call) the right thing to do.

 

[john]

Farmer Ted: That's a damn good fish for the Poudre. Hope you get another! John

 

[goodtimes]

Next time you buy a camera buy the warranty (there is one that covers accidents) from circuit city. im a sales manager there and its worth it!

If your ever in boulder stop in and see me name is jason.

nice fish didn't know pouder had fish that size I always catch 12-14 inch range.

 

[Guest]

sounded like the dream steam to come and then be the pouder! ALSO AMAZING FISH GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

 

[yeager]

Farmer Ted " the anti bucket man"
see you could have used a bucket to keep your camera dry.

Then we would belive you! ha ha! > Nice Fish Ted.

 

[farmer ted]

If I would have had the bucket, I could have brought the fish home, took a pic, got a witness and then brought it back and released it. Maybe I should have a bucket!

It would be a little hard wading the river with a 5 gallon bucket though.

Maybe I should just hire one of you bucket guys to follow me around

 

[jigsallot]

farmer ted, what does a job like that pay ? i am sure i could find a bucket in the garage.  maby $15 an hour. i wont clean the fish though. that would be an extra $10 per fish and if i use my own camera there would need to be about a $5 per picture fee.... and my wife said i couldnt make any money fishing...