After Ingrid finally managed to get the fish alongside the boat, I was able to net it. John and I lifted the salmon into the boat. Ingrid, meanwhile completely exhausted could not believe her luck. We drove back at full speed, since we did not want to set the fish back in the torrential current. I explained to Ingrid that we usually release all "the really big ones" to preserve the gene pool. She and her husband agreed to it without hesitation.
Does anyone else out there think this is OUTRAGEOUS ??? Landing a fish in what was most likely a nylon net and thus removing protective slime where fungus forms, slamming the fish into the bottom of the boat and then transporting to softer/slower water and in his words "I put the giant back into the river approximately 10 minutes later", is in my minds eye a criminal act and should be punished with fine and perhaps jail time. I doubt seriously if this fish is alive and well today.
I have studied the pictures and compared them with pictures of my trips to the Kenai. I'd guess this to be in the neighborhood of 65 to 70lbs no bigger, (fish I've landed). I've witnessed Less Johnson's current recorded record at 97+ lbs and the comparison is no where the same. This is just some Canadian trying to drum up more business for himself.