The Monster of Fort Peck: One Angler's Unforgettable Record-Breaking Catch

Imagine this: a calm day on Fort Peck Reservoir, rods out, and then... boom. A fight. A really, really big fight. That’s pretty much how it went down for Rob Vashro, a dedicated angler from Helena, when he reeled in something truly monumental this May. Not just any fish, mind you, but a paddlefish, an ancient behemoth, and one that tipped the scales at an astounding 101.4 pounds. Yes, you read that right. Over a hundred pounds of primeval fish, making it a brand-new state record for Montana. Quite the story, you could say.

It happened on May 19th, a Sunday. The kind of day that just screams 'legend' in the making. Vashro was doing what paddlefish anglers often do—snagging. And suddenly, he had his hands full, or rather, his entire body working to bring in this incredible creature. A paddlefish, with its distinctive, elongated, paddle-like snout, isn't just any catch; it's a living fossil, a testament to Montana's incredible aquatic ecosystems. This particular specimen stretched out to a remarkable 75 inches, measured from its snout right to the fork of its tail. Honestly, it’s truly a sight to behold, an animal that has graced these waters for eons.

Now, breaking a record, especially one that’s held for a few years, is always a significant event in the fishing world. The previous state record, set by Robert Nelson back in 2020, was a respectable 95.5 pounds. Good, absolutely, but Vashro's catch? It just blew past that. It wasn't merely a personal best; it was a state best. And for a fish of this magnitude, the process of verification is, understandably, pretty rigorous. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) officials, including a local biologist, were called in. They meticulously measured, they carefully weighed, and they officially certified the catch the very next day, May 20th. That’s when it became absolutely official: a new chapter in Montana's illustrious fishing history.

But here’s the kicker, the truly commendable part of this whole tale: after all the excitement, the measuring, the weighing, and the record-setting fanfare, Vashro and his crew did the right thing. They released the magnificent paddlefish back into the Fort Peck Reservoir, alive and well. What a testament to responsible angling, truly. It ensures that this ancient giant can continue its journey, perhaps even spawning again, adding to the rich biodiversity of those Montana waters. And you know, for a state that prides itself on its outdoor heritage, stories like Rob Vashro's record-breaking, yet conservation-minded, catch are what truly define it. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about respect for the wild, and for the incredible creatures that call it home.