DaleHollowTroller (US)

 Trolling for trophy bows on Dale Hollow lake last sunday we got a small 3 1/2 bow, good eating size but not what we were looking for.Kept fishing hard and then it came ,pop went the down rigger.I knew I had a good one or at least doubled up smallies like on new years day.When we first saw it iIcouldn't believe my eyes, the biggest bow i'd seen to date.I got it to the boat and Tony grabbed the net.I use a rubber basket net so we can release the smallies quickly and unharmed.I fought it to the boat and tony stabbed at it with the net and got it on the first try.Then the damndest thing happened,that big old sucker jumped right out of the net back into the lake and took off running again.I fought it back to the boat again and he got a second chance at it.Once again he got it into the net and tried to lift it into the boat and thats when disaster struck,my telescoping handle on my net folded in the middle and creased.Off she went again on another run.At that point I was sure we were never going to land it.Once again I got it to the boat and with a net half a handle he risked life and limb,stepped out onto the swim platform above 38 degree water and landed my trophy.