I was a bit surprised that no letters were written to TROUT FISHERMAN about Ceri Jones' Ferox off Corrib ... they did now ... What is your opinion on the story? He killed the fish , had it mounted and received a free steack dinner? DShould he have let the fish go? What would you have done, if you were to catch such a grand fish?
Tight Lines,
J.J.

I certainly wouldn't have started a witch hunt berating him in the press for killing the fish, which, after all he's legally entitled to do. What would i have done? I'd certainly like to think that i'd have unhooked him, and slipped him back however i would certainly need a memento, such as a photo. In reality, with such a fish of a lifetime, probably after many many hours of slow trolling, i'd have done exactly the same as Ceri Jones, if i'm honest with myself

If it was a truly "wild" ferox then perhaps the best would be Not to kill it, but as was stated the choice is up to the angler. I certainly do not think trout that size are fit for the table.

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The scenery in the Grand Coulee area of eastern Washington was worth the air fare on its own!

PC thing would be to release the fish - not a good reason to do anything in my opinion.

Killing and eating it is okay in my book, though I doubt it would taste very nice and hence would be a waste.

Killing and mounting it ensures the trouts infammy for many years to come. is that justifiable, hmmmm , very debateable.

Should the angler be villified for killing the trout - absolutely NOT.

Should he have taken a photo and released it, in my view YES, it would have been the sesible thing to do unless he reckoned that he could not revive the trout and ensure its survival.

Should deep trolling for this relatively scarce strain of trout be allowed, thats another debate...

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An la ag iascaireacht is an la go brea.

What's your beef flempike? By the way it's 'steak'.

I don't read TF, so don't know the ferox's size. But if worthy of 'setting up' then yes.

As for Byron's "I certainly do not think trout that size are fit for the table" why ever not? Corrib is a natural limestone lough... just prejudice, ignorance, showing thru. I'm told no difference than from eating salmon.

It was 18odd lb. a cracker for sure, but there's far bigger in Corrib.

Also, does anyone know HOW or indeed IF these fish are 'scarce' as mentioned above.? they're rarely fished for, compared to fishing for 'regular' trout. Sure they're not caught that often, but does that mean there aren't many of them, or just that we haven't perfected the means of angling for them?

This beastie for example...

I suspect that anyone who gets involved in this debate whether the fish should have been killed or not is in for criticism. It is the angler's choice at the end of the day no matter how or where the trout will finish up. What we would have done under the cicumstances is our opinion and we are entitled to that as individuals. Therefore is there a right and wrong to this situation?

Ferox trout of that size are rare because they are rarely caught. One missing out of the Corrib is surely not going to make much of a difference is it?

BK

My opinion is worth Nowt ....and i'm sure someone will have a dig at the countless big browns that i've whacked from Rutland or Grafham, but these are stocked fish put in for one purpose to provide the angler with sport...so are completely different in my opinion....(thought i better get that in first)


However I would have killed the Ferrox as well....I've no hesitation in saying that at all....It wouldn't even need to think about it for a second !!

It's a once in a lifetime fish.....he's caught other smaller fish and returned them; spend countless hours trying to catch it, 1000's of pounds so why not..I'd have it mounted as well.

Hardly anyone fishes for Ferrox, it was an old fish and it will have no impact at all on the fish stocks.


At th end of the day it's his choice to fish for it, catch it and kill it...he's done nothing wrong and it's an amazing angling feat... yet he is being treated like a murderer..

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Mock me, vilify me, but don’t ignore me!

Sorry about the spelling mistake there ... I am from Belgium, see. That should excuse me for that. I like to believe I understand and can write and read the English language a little bit though. No offence though. Won't be wrong spelling that one again ... Ferox ... yes ... incredible fish. I do not know lots about it. It's one of those mistery fish to me. And as a member stated here, the FEROX is not often fished for. Makes me wonder if anything is known about numbers, rarity, etc. Or whether any of you can lead me on this. On some data. Certainly is that his fish seems to be a 'specimen fish' anyhow in any standards. How many of those Corrib could hold? Great mistery there beneath the waves of that vast and beautiful lough. Mounted fish always inspire fishermen, I always look at them in pubs, hotels, fishermen's lodges, wherever I go. Mostly ... they inspire you. Whenever casting a line, you never know what will hapen next.
J.J.