We’ve all been there. You pack up the heavy gear, set your sights on a legendary predator, and head out to the water with dreams of glory. But the universe? The universe usually has its own punchline ready.
Just ask Helena local Tod Smitham.
Tod and his buddy Jonathan Miller hit up Salmon Lake with one goal in mind: catch some northern pike. But as anyone who has ever stared at a motionless bobber for hours knows, sometimes you just need to pivot.
Taking a breather from the pike grind, Tod decided to downsize his rig. He threw on a smaller bait, hoping to entice a modest trout or perch just to get some action.
Instead, he hooked into a absolute unit of a Largescale Sucker. Because, hey, suckers have to eat too.
As it turns out, this particular fish had been eating very well.
Here is how the new king of Montana suckers shapes up against the old titleholder:
