Last year I fished in the 2nd annual Whitemud River freshwater drum tournament. After the first of 2 days of competition the leading drum was 17 pounds. Once that fish was weighed in I thought there was no chance of winning anymore, so I wasn't even thinking about a bigger one. I was just having a fun time catching fish. Later in the afternoon on the 2nd day I hooked into another fish which I had thought to be another large carp. This fish fought me up and down the river, even getting tangled into other anglers lines. After about a punishing 15 minute fight, we netted the enourmous fish, which ended up being a drum. Since I knew Freshwater Drum can be stressed very easily I was very quick in getting the fish weighed and snapping some quick pictures. The fish ended up weighing a solid 21 pounds 3 ounces and measured 33 inches. Quickly after we put the fish in the water right aways and began to revive it. At this point I thought I had the tournament in the bag, but it was not so.......... after a long hour and a half of trying to revive the fish it was pronounced dead at the scene. Since there was a live release rule in affect the fish was disqualified in the tournament. I was crushed not to win the derby.....but still very pumped in catching a fish so big!
Flash foward to this year. After the let down at last year's derby I came back fired up and more determined to win than ever. We fished through rain and cold hard and were rewarded. I ended up with some redemption by capturing 1st and 2nd place with an 18lber and a 14lber. It felt good :)
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