The IGFA has ruled Bud Rowlands 16lb 6oz as a new record for that tippet class he was using (I forget now what size it was). Anyway he now wants to apply for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. record. The state record rules state that the fish must be brought in hand to be weighed. Mr. Rowland released the fish after weighing it and taking all the IGFA required photos. He did also submit the scales that he used to weigh the fish.

Question?

Should he be eligible for the state record if he didn't meet their requirments?

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If the requirements are not met it should not be a Texas Parks & Wildlife State Record. Why bend the rules any time you want to ? If that's the case , just do away with the RULES altogether.
My $.02 worth

I agree.

From the data of the TP&W, which indicate a trout won't normally live that long, he really didn't do anything more than give himself a warm fuzzy feeling by releasing that fish any way. I have heard a rumor that two male trout were with the her and he wanted to allow the fish to spawn. Well by the time he took picture and measured her they were long gone. The stress on a fish of that age most likely turn her into crab food before that days end.

If he wanted a state record he should have followed the rules. He then could have donated the fish to Sea Center in Lake Jackson where the mount could be displayed for the public to see.

That would have have me a warm fuzzy feeling if I had caught her.

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