Tyler Grimshaw, an 11-year-old who lives for fishing, was testing out his new winter fishing bibs that he received for Christmas and very nearly nabbed himself a state record while fishing Flaming Gorge in Utah on Sunday.
Tyler broke his personal best and came within less than six pounds of setting a Utah record for lake trout, catching a 48.16-pounder while jigging at the famous fishery.
In June, it was reported he had caught a 41-pounder all by himself. Both were weighed in the net and released.
It took Tyler “a solid 20 minutes” to reel in the latest trophy trout, his mother Vanessa Grimshaw told USA Today/For The Win Outdoors. “An adult probably could have done it quicker, but because he is so little, it took a bit longer.”
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The Utah record for lake trout is 53 pounds, 15 ounces caught by Chance Scott earlier in the year. The record before that was a 51.5-pounder in 1988 and then prior to that was a 41-pounder, according to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. It gives you an idea of how close Tyler is coming to a record. All were caught at Flaming Gorge.
“They definitely knew it was bigger than his previous one, and knew it wasn’t far from the state record,” Vanessa Grimshaw said. “He would love to take the state record while still a kid.
“He loves fishing, that’s all he cares about. His next goal is to catch a trophy lake trout from his kayak. But he just got his first kayak this summer, so he still has a lot of practice before he has the skills to pursue lake trout from a kayak. He would fish all day, every day if allowed.”
In September, Tyler caught a personal-best 7-foot sturgeon while fishing the Snake River in America Falls, Idaho. No weight was taken on that fish as it is unlawful to remove them from the water.
Bass fishing is his true passion. Tyler’s favorite fishermen are Aaron Martens and Mike Iaconelli. One day he hopes to participate in a Major League Fishing bass tournament.
“But he would never pass on chasing trophy lake trout,” Vanessa Grimshaw said.
Photos courtesy of Vanessa Grimshaw.