My first BIG one.

[KJSnider]

I just recently moved to Albany and checked out a lake in the area to see if I could get any bites. Went out twice last week for about 4 hours each and never came home with an empty bucket. Usually one or two of nice eating walleyes, so I was happy.

Then on Sunday morning, after sitting there for a couple hours, with only getting a little cigar, my ice-buster slowly dropped below the ice. So I reel up my other line with the angle-eye a little bit, and proceed to grab the other pole. I set the hook, and something is on the opposite end. I could tell it was pretty decent size, because it made a couple of good runs. I was thinking ok, it must be a northern. After a couple of minutes, because of the warm weather on Saturday I could see it a little bit under the ice, I could see under my feet. And what my eyes saw almost made me crap my pants. This thing was huge. Now my heart was racing. I have caught a 24" in the open water before, but this was even bigger. When I got it through the hole and onto the ice, I think I did a little jig. This walleye was 30". I had to measure it twice. I was ecstatic. Only thing though was that I was alone. I had mentioned to my fiancé last week that I needed a disposable camera to throw in my tackle box. I thought about taking it home to get mounted, but only have one freezer right now, and it would not have fit in there. So I looked at it once more, measured it again, took a mental picture, and put it back. What a rush.

This little lake will remain nameless for now, but is in the Albany-Avon area. Not many people there at all. You'll just have to look for yourself, and know that there is a 30"er in it waiting to be caught again.

KJ

[ducksnbucks]

KJ,
Congrats on the first big one, and also a way to go on putting it back. Its hard to do that on the first fish, but thanks to you someone else will be able to catch it and it can perhaps produce more 30" fish. Nice work! -Ding

[cliffy]

Sounds awsome...way to go. I have made the mistake about leaving the camera at home...last summer huge musky...no pics. I never made that mistake again. Anyway, good story...congrats!

[Dennis Steele]

Nice fish!
Congratualtions and good on you for releasing that fish!
I don't know that just anyone would do that.
I bet your getting a camera now!

[IceHawk]

Congrats on that awesome fish, I bet she put up quite a good fight. You always could get a replica made of the fish. Also I would like to give you a thumbs up for releasing a fish like that, It takes a true sportsman to do this and you passed the test!!!

[jlm]

Congrats! I to would like to thank you for putting the fish back. The replicas are great, I would get one done. I sure wish there were more fishermen out there like you! Now go and get his big brother!

[Tour. Pro 175]

Great fish. Great story. Thanks for putting her back. A true sportsman.

[Borch]

Congrats on catching a true trophy through the ice. It always seems that we catch the big ones without a camera or any witness's. Makes us even more temped to keep a fish like that(which by the way I wouldn't have held against you in the least).

Again congrats and hopefully she'll give someone else a thrill.

------------------
I bad day of fishing??? I honestly don't know what you're talking about!

[fishface5]

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[only-eyes]

nice fish, and next time you catch her she'll be a 31" thats gotta make ya smile!!!