Daryl Bauer, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
What is a trophy?
If you look up the word “trophy” in the old, hard-bound dictionary sitting on my bookshelf, you will find a whole list of definitions. I like the last one the best–a trophy is “anything serving as a reminder”.
I have always told folks that a trophy is what you make of it. Naturally, there are standards such as Master Angler awards, state records, state citations or record book recognition. I hope those are NOT the only standards by which folks judge trophies. There are many fish that are caught that might not meet some “master angler” or state record standards, but are trophies because they are special in some way.
By most standards, a 28-inch pike or an 18-inch largemouth bass are not trophy fish. However, if they are the largest fish a person has ever caught, or a personal best for that species, then you better believe they are a trophy!
An example I reminisce about every year about this time would have been a 13-inch trout. A 13-inch trout? Big deal. But, it was a 13-inch brook trout caught from one of the prettiest areas of Nebraska. There is nothing purdier than a male brook trout in spawning colors.
I spotted that fish holding in a riffle with an even larger female brookie. Made no difference, once I saw that beautiful male brook trout, that was my target. I crawled on hands and knees to get into casting position without spooking the fish. Soft cast, carefully drifted the bait towards the fish then breathlessly watched as that male inched forward and tilted over to take it! Set the hook and quickly landed him.
As I started taking photos with an old 35 mm camera, I snapped one frame. Advancing the film for more shots, the lever geared to a stop. HORROR! I was out of film! May or may not have captured one frame of that gorgeous fish.
Later at my camera shop I explained my fears to the film processor. Begged him to make a special effort to develop that very last inch of film hoping that I got a photo of the fish.
A week later, I nervously opened the envelope and rejoiced to find that I got the shot. One shot!
To this day, I will tell you that 13-inch inch trout is one of my most-prized trophies.
Oh sure, I have caught and released bigger fish, much bigger from Nebraska waters: a muskie of near 50 inches, 40-inch pike, walleyes exceeding 29 inches, a flathead in excess of 50 pounds, wipers nearing 30 inches, big bluegills, crappies, bass and many others. Trophies every one of them. And a lot of others too; some of them much smaller.
Certain fish or game may be trophies because there were special people with whom we shared those successes.
Or they were trophies because they were “firsts” or represented a hard-earned achievement.
My point is to spend time reflecting on your outdoor experiences, your outdoor successes. Take time to appreciate every success as a “trophy”. It is not always about the most or the biggest. It IS about the best, best of times, best memories done the right way. Every fish should be appreciated.
If it is a trophy to you, do not let anyone else tell you otherwise.