A 44-pound 5-ounce brown trout has just been verified by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) as the new world record.
It might just be the girthiest damn fish of all time, and the most impressive fish the internet has seen since the Virginia man with the massive chub earlier this spring.
The fish was caught by Seamus Petrie in the Ohau Canal in Twizel, New Zealand, back in October of 2020, but the fish’s status as the new world record was just now confirmed.
The Otago Daily Times reported that after catching literally the largest brown trout anyone has ever caught, Seamus put the fish on ice and headed to the local watering hole for a cold one. He donated the fish to the Razza Bar and Bistro so it could be taken to a taxidermist and hung on the wall, so if you’re ever in Twizel go check it out and maybe by Seamus a beer to celebrate his accomplishment.
The bar already has a 38-pound 9-ounce and 38-pound 2-ounce trout hanging on the wall.
The previous world record was actually pulled out of the same canal back in 2013. That fish weighed 42-pounds 1-ounce. The IGFA also tracks a separate record for the longest brown trout, which was caught in the Milwaukee Harbor in 2011 and measured just over 3-feet long. No way that thing was near as girthy as this fish out of New Zealand though.
Put New Zealand On Your Bucket List
If New Zealand isn’t on your bucket list, well it should be. Not only does the Land Of The Long White Cloud boast arguably the most spectacular natural scenery on earth, the place is also home to the very best brown trout fishing on the planet. Plus New Zealand offers incredible hunting opportunities for a multitude of species like red stag, tahr, and chamois.
Brown trout are actually not native to New Zealand though, but were introduced by colonization societies in the mid 1800s. According to Fish & Game New Zealand, the fish are now found in most of the country’s fresh waters with the exception of the far reaches of the North Island.
To many peoples surprise, brown trout actually aren’t native to North America either, but first began being introduced to both Canada and the United States in 1883 with stock from across their native European range.
And if that picture isn’t enough to convince you that you need to go fish for trout in New Zealand, then this video should do the trick.
“Fly fisherman and historian Jack Kós delves into the backcountry and the archives as he explores the introduction of brown trout to New Zealand. One hundred and fifty years since the first ova was hatched out near the Avon River.
The Introduction reveals the efforts that brought trout to New Zealand and the challenges faced moving forward.”
