After 14 years, the rainbow trout state record was officially broken by a Polk County teenager last Friday.
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, John Morgan reeled in an 18-pound 8-ounce fish, which surpassed the previous record, set by Ronnie Rowland in 2002, by almost two pounds.
The fish measured 32 inches long and 22.25 inches in girth.
Morgan, 15, was fishing in a pond owned by his grandfather’s friend, when a quick fishing break turned into a 20 minute record-breaking struggle.
Morgan is an avid fisher and fishes several days a week. “I just love being outside, hunting and fishing,” he said.
“We’re very excited for this young man to find himself in the record book,” said Region Three Fisheries Program Manager Mark Thurman.
While Morgan’s fish is now at the taxidermist, he's back to doing what he loves.
