Tom Healy’s phone has been ringing off the hook. People he hasn’t heard from in 25 years have called to congratulate him. Fishermen around the world have heard about him and wish they were him.
All because of a big trout.
Healy, 66, a retired construction executive and TU member since 1995, was fishing for king salmon on Michigan’s Manistee River when he hooked into the fish of a lifetime–a 41-pound, 7-ounce, 43.75-inch brown trout, which breaks the species’ state record and may well have broken the world record. He’ll know soon.
Healy and a fishing companion were “testing crank baits in log jams…and then this silly fish showed up,” he said. After 15 minutes, he landed the trout using spinning gear and a No. 8 shad-colored Rapala Shad Rap.
“I was a retired old guy looking for some peace and quiet on the river,” Healy said. “And then, it was like all hell broke loose.”
Tim Roller, a guide with the Cadillac Mich.-based Ultimate Outfitters, had local fish and game officials verify the fish’s size and weight. Although Healy, mostly a catch and release fisherman, said he thought about returning the six-year-old trout to the river, but realized that “this fish was a special fish and it deserves recognition.” Now, wrapped in a towel in a freezer, the trout will be brought to a taxidermist where fish biologists will be able to gather more information about its genetics. The sex of the fish is unknown, Healy said.
The current world record brown trout is held by an angler who caught a 40-pound, 4-ounce brown trout caught in 1992 on the Little Red River in Arkansas. As for future fish, it’s a saltwater species that Healy dreams of landing, after fishing for Michigan steelhead this fall, a pursuit he says is his passion.
“One day, maybe I’d like to catch a tarpon on a fly. I’ve hooked into one in the 135-pound class (on spinning gear), but it broke off.”
Reflecting on this lifetime achievement, Healy says he doesn’t know why he was so lucky to catch the fish.
“Why me? I don’t know. I’ve had people tell me, ‘Tom, it’s meant to be.’ You’ve made hundreds of thousands of casts. It’s your time.’”
By John J Sabrowski October 14, 2009 - 5:44 am
Good on your, it is a real trophy fish for sure. World wide, still to see. Hope so for you are like me. I am reitred, twice, USAF and Early SS at age 65 this Dec 12, 09. I life in Rapid City, South Dakota. I have my only fish mounted on my kitchen wall over the table we eat on. It is a 17 inch fat lake bass. We have near us in the Black Hills of SD, Packtola Resievor, BIG Lake Trout. People come here from all over the Mid-West to try and take them home to put on their wall. I hope to get one here some day also. Drop us a line or two at our email address. Get auainted over Internet.
By John J Sabrowski October 14, 2009 - 5:44 am
Send comments via e-mail.
By robert matthews October 14, 2009 - 5:49 am
seems like a humble guy deserving of a great catch – as a fellow “old fart” out fishing our lives away, we need a little excitement – hey?
By Vincent A. LaZara October 14, 2009 - 9:11 am
If you think a story about a member who caught his “record” trout on a crankbait and then killed the magnificent fish is going to help raise funds, think again! As to Healy’s rationalization about wanting to get the fish rather than himself recognition, please give us a break.
By Richard A October 14, 2009 - 9:37 pm
I am VERY disappointed that this fish was not returned to the river. It would be gratifying to know that it was still swimming. Just think of those genetics! yeah, it deserved recognition alright. 8^(
Isn’t the catcher aware that extremely accurate replicas can be reproduced from a photo and a few measurements? I’ve seen them and they are beautiful.
By Ivan Secord October 15, 2009 - 9:53 am
Congratulations Tom. I live down here in S. Lyon, Mi and frequently fish out of Ludington and sometimes Frankort. My first Brown was out of Frankfort and it was a beauty but only 1/4 the weight as yours. Wishing you big congrates to you.
I would actually like you to meet a good friend of mine who lives in Tampa who is an avid fisherman there. He is retired like you and me. I can arrange for a call if you would like to talk to him. Contact me at Trivita.Biz@charter.net
By Richard A October 15, 2009 - 3:49 pm
I haven’t kept a fish in at least 30 years! To me that’s part of conservation!
PS: If someone wants to keep an occasional trout or two for the table that’s a personal decision but a fish like this one, the nourishment is in the catching and releasing.
By Doug Andrews October 20, 2009 - 12:33 pm
Guys,
Lets not make fishing a sport where snobbery prevails. There are all types and methods of fishing and one is not superior to another. Richard A. is certainly entitled to his opinion as to how HE wants to fish and if HE will catch and release or choose to keep a trophy, however, he shouldn’t try to impose his choices on others. All fisherman are a benefit to conservation through their purchasing of licenses and equipment. It’s what funds what we ALL love to do. Get off Mr. Healy’s back and simply enjoy his good fortune.
By Chris Chamberlain November 7, 2009 - 6:22 pm
Tom you make me proud! Born and raised in Michigan and fished the Manistee. I practice catch and release in the salt around this area but I must be honest, I too would have kept that beauty. Good fortune to you my friend. Fish on brother!
By ken December 6, 2009 - 7:32 pm
Nice fish. I am a catch and release guy and it would have been a tough decision with that one. I fish both fresh and salt water. But I have to say I caught a 17 lb brown on a 4 wt fly rod and let him go, with second thoughts
By Brian Nottphishkiler January 4, 2013 - 5:24 pm
I’ve been guiding in alaska for rainbow trout for the past eight years now, and can say first hand that if we all practiced a “leave up to the angler” style of fishing, world class fisheries would dry up and we’d end up with high mountain fishing everywhere, where a 12in. rainbow is a monster. Removing a magnificent fish such as this from the gene line is a travesty, and in my opinion ridiculous considering he wasn’t even targeting the species. It was a beautiful fish though Mr. Healy, how much fun was bashing its head in on the bottom of the boat?