this is a picture of a rainbow trout recently taken on the south island of new zealand, which could be the largest freshwater rainbow taken on hook and line. my friend just returned from n.z. and brought me the picture.

Interesting. I just saw the current world record rainbow. It was caught out of the Kootenai river here in Libby MT a few years back. It is hanging in a real estate office here. I was going to transfer grams into pounds to check and see if it broke the record. I believe the Libby rainbow was 33.5 lbs. From the size in the picture, I dont think the NZ fish beat it.

If anyone is curious I can call The real estate Co to get the exact poundage

16.5 kg is a bit over 36 pounds. that's a big trout- larger than most of the salmon I've caught.

17 kg x 2.20462 ( advp) = 37.47854 lbs.

Hello Slabatha.

WOW, looks a a steelhead that was a bit of an over-achiever... NICE FISH!!!
Keith