Fishing in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, 16-year-old angler Ryder Humphries caught two all-tackle length world records for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) within a single week in 2025. The catches were officially recognized by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).
“On the Bow, you don’t really get second chances with fish like that,” he said. “Too much pressure and you lose them; not enough and they get into the rocks or the current and it’s over.”
A resident of Alberta, Humphries landed the record-breaking trout just five days apart in November on the Bow River near Banff. Both fish measured 70 cm (27.56 inches). The records fall under the all-tackle length and all-tackle length junior categories, meaning the two fish were able to be measured and released.
Ready for the Moment
While some might credit luck for such a streak, Humphries attributes his success to “discipline” developed through years of eye-witness study of the river. Humphries also believes migratory bull trout of the Bow River have a fighting “intelligence” to them. Both record-breaking fish employed the same battle after being hooked: diving deep into the heavy current and using slow, powerful head shakes.
“When a bull trout like that decides to move, it just goes where it wants, usually straight toward structure or the heaviest water it can find,” Humphries explained. “Your job is just to steer it from danger, not try to control it.”
The key to success was mostly just steady pressure, trying to turn it without rushing. When Humphries finally got his fish close enough to see them in each instance, that’s when he saw the thick shoulders, huge yellow fins, and a mouth built for eating other fish.
For the Record Books
Even after getting his trout in the net, the whole process wasn’t over yet. When it comes to IGFA length records, landing the fish is only part of the job.
“Everything has to be done exactly right: measuring, documenting, keeping the fish in the water as much as possible, and making sure it swims away in ideal condition,” he explained. “That’s honestly what made those fish mean more to me than just the number. I have caught many bulls that would classify as trophy size, however the process was what made it meaningful.”
For Humphries, these records are a sort of validation of months of preparation rather than just a pat on the back. While these weren’t the longest fish he has ever caught, he said, the successful execution of the official record process was a personal milestone to him.
“There’s nothing more rewarding I can think of than the moment you have with a record fish, the eye contact with such a magical animal, and a subtle understanding between us,” Humphries explained.
Looking ahead, the young angler does not see those five days in November as the pinnacle of his fishing career. Instead, he plans to grow from it, hoping to use the experiences to help shape his future in fishing.
“I fish multiple species, and I don’t plan to build my future around one catch or one record,” he said.
Other Notable Bull Trout Records
Ryder Humphries caught his two bull trout with a G. Loomis rod and Shimano Stradic reel paired with Berkley 8-pound test, casting a jighead paddle tail or Krocodile spoon. But other world record holders caught their bull trout differently.
For example, Bo Nelson landed an 81 cm (31.89 inches) bull trout using 4-pound fly fishing gear, tipped with an egg pattern fly. And N. Higgins weighed a 32-pounder in Idaho in 1949 that measured 102.87 cm (40.50 inches), caught on a Lucky Louie plug. Higgins is the longtime all-tackle record holder for bull trout, which might be downright impossible to beat.
To learn more about the largest trout ever caught, see Wired2fish’s rundown of other record trout catches.
