Dont believe it, not even a little bit.

I use to the same technique in a few small streams out here and use it still for hatchery summerruns. I have had only one fish die on me in 15 years. Ive had numerouse summerruns and cutts inhale it past there gills with allot of blood. I have caught theese fish a week latter with my line still sticking out of thier mouth.

The part I really dont believe about this story is that you had that many winter fish take it that deep. Like I said ive used this technice before and have never had a winterfish take it that deep. Only time ive seen it happen is with bait divers.