How's this for a big fish story.
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service crew caught a 240-pound sturgeon last week. It is 6-foot-10, with a girth of nearly 4 feet. It is a native — and threatened — species to Michigan and one of the largest lake sturgeon ever caught in the United States.
"We're trying to protect this fishery," said Justin Chiotti, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist. "Everybody is always catching a huge sturgeon. Everybody catches a 100-pounder. But a fish this size is very, very rare to catch."
240-pound sturgeon caught in Detroit River among biggest ever recorded in US https://t.co/D6IUwI20E2
— Detroit Free Press (@freep) April 30, 2021
This fish was caught by a crew in a boat near Grosse Ile in the Detroit River.
The crew of three — two women and a man all in their 30s — measured and tagged the fish, a female, with a chip similar to what people put in their pets. So if anyone ever caught it again in the next 100 years, that person would know it was the same one and release it.
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They also took a photo of it, which, any fisher knows, is essential.
Within minutes, the photo posted to social media Friday started going viral.
This April 22, 2021, photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a 240-pound sturgeon that could be more than 100 years old was caught in the Detroit River by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with a USFWS staffer lying next to it. The nearly 7-foot-long fish, assumed to be a female, was quickly released back into the river after being weighed and measured.
What is less known, however, is the story of how it was caught.
The three scientists — Paige Wigren, Jennifer Johnson, and Jason Fischer — were on the Detroit River last week and had been fishing for a while, they said. They had five lines in the water.
Until then, they had only managed to catch a 5-gallon bucket.
The first three lines came up empty, but then, just before noon, Fischer, who was the newest to the crew, said he felt something on the line, a slight tug — and maybe, he said aloud, it was a fish.
Johnson was driving the 26-foot-long boat. Wigren was handling the hooks.
"The fish started to surface," igren said, recounting the story. "Jason said, 'There's a fish coming up,' and Jenny looked over, and she said, 'Big fish! Big fish!' I moved to the back of the boat, grabbed the net."
Here are five destinations to consider when the time is right to pursue a family fly-fishing adventure:
Family travel five: Reel adventures
1. Casper, Wyo.
With plenty of wide-open space at the ready, this central Wyoming town is a vibrant hub for outdoor adventure. Home to the North Platte River, which provides year-round fly-fishing opportunities, Casper has become a bucket-list destination for avid and aspiring anglers. The river sits below five reservoirs, enabling consistent water flows and temperature, thus manifesting a stable fishing habitat. You'll hear enthusiastic talk and big fish stories that originate on specific stretches of the river, including the Miracle Mile and Grey Reef. But for family travelers it's good to know there is also Blue Ribbon water flowing right through the heart of town, with plenty of public access points available. Appreciate the legendary waterway in a different way via the Platte River Trail system, which threads through the community for 11 miles. The paved paths provide access to wildlife watching, mountain views and public art.
2. The Florida Keys
Chase big bonefish, tarpon and permit in the Florida Keys, one of the world's top spots for saltwater fly-fishing. Practice your side casting and work on that double haul. Then prepare to be mesmerized by the reefs, flats and blue waters of these southern waters. Islamorada, comprised of six islands and billed as the "sport fishing capital of the world," is a popular spot for eager anglers. It's said backcountry and saltwater fly-fishing were launched in this Florida community. Key Largo, the longest island in the archipelago, is said to host more than 600 species of fish.
Contact: www.fla-keys.com
3. Steamboat Springs, Colo.
An outdoor lover's paradise, Steamboat offers family fly-fishing opportunities on the Yampa River. Spend the morning testing a few trout-rich holes before taking the remainder of the day to bike or explore the historic Western enclave.
Ask a local guide to lead the way for a multisport adventure, combining a short hike with the opportunity to cast a line into the pristine streams, lakes and reservoirs that dot the region.
Contact: steamboatchamber.org; www.colorado.com
4. Wellston, Mich.
Introduce your family to the joys of fly-fishing in the north woods of Michigan. The scenic and diverse Au Sable River originates north of Grayling and winds for more than 100 miles before meeting Lake Huron.
A "fly-fishing only" section of the river flows past Burton's Landing and is known as the "Holy Water" for its productive riffles and trout-filled pools. Team up with a local outfitter for instruction designed for young anglers.
Contact: puremichigan.com
5. Jackson County, N.C.
With more than 3,000 miles of trout streams and 1,100 miles of hatchery-supported trout waters in the mountains alone, North Carolina is a fly-fishing haven. Home to the nation's only designated fly-fishing trail, the Western North Carolina Fly-Fishing Trail takes anglers to 15 prime spots in the Great Smoky Mountains to cast a line. Expect a variety of options from wide-open rivers to small, secluded streams. The heart of the trail, the Tuckasegee River, or the "Tuck" as it's known by locals, is the county's largest body of water. Designed by two outdoorsmen and fly-fishing guides, the trail is an ideal way for fly-fishers of all skill levels and ages to learn the art of fly-fishing.
Contact: www.flyfishingtrail.com; www.discoverjacksonnc.com
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(Lynn O'Rourke Hayes (www.LOHayes.com) is an author, family travel expert and enthusiastic explorer. Gather more travel intel on Twitter @lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com)
