Idaho Record Atlantic

Fishing

Garret Buffington thought he had a huge brown trout when he landed a big fish last month at southern Idaho’s Deadwood Reservoir.

Instead, the Idaho Fish and Game Department has confirmed that Buffington’s catch was a 13.25-pound, nearly 30-inch Atlantic salmon - an Idaho record for the species. The department just started tracking records for the fish this month.

Fish and Game planted Atlantic salmon in the reservoir starting in 1990 in an effort to relieve kokanee overcrowding. Deadwood’s kokanee population was too productive, causing stunted fish.

Fish and Game put about 10,000 year-old, 7-inch salmon in the reservoir to thin out the kokanee.

“To our surprise, we have seen superb growth rates in these fish,” said fish manager Steve Yundt.

He doesn’t expect the record to stand long. Under proper food conditions, Atlantic salmon can reach more than 35 pounds.

Buffington, of Emmett, took the fish in to be examined and fish technician Brian Flatter was able to determine it was 6-7 years old, making it one released in 1990.

Buffington was fishing with his father, Jim, using a “Krocodile” spoon when the big fish struck. “We were fishing for kokanee and cutthroat trout, so we didn’t have a net. When I saw the size of the fish, I wished for a gaff,” said Jim Buffington.