Going to the great outdoors will open us up to new experiences and fun stories that we will never forget.  Whether we go hiking through the forest, climb a mountain, or go fishing, the most exciting things always happen outdoors.

If you happen to be a fishing fanatic, you may have a fish tale or two that you saved for your friends and family.  Maybe you had a rough time catching your first big fish, or perhaps you have become a nervous wreck trying to challenge a fish that you do not think you can catch only to pull the fish up in the end.  Here are some of the greatest fish stories that you may not have heard.

Fish Tale #1:  Beating Your Dad In Fishing

Sometimes, the proud father just wants to show off to his son how great he is at fishing.  However, sometimes all the lessons backfire on the father, and the son ends up getting the larger catch!

That is the story of David from Connecticut.  One day, his father took him fishing in the neighborhood lake.  It is the time of the year when fish are supposed to be plentiful.  After all the lectures and the routine, David and his Dad traversed the lake for three hours only to find nothing.  His dad was getting frustrated at David for fumbling what could have been great fish catches.  After three whole hours, his Dad finally told him to stay in the corner of the dock and he left him there.  After five grumbling minutes, David caught a lunker largemouth!  That is definitely a way to get back at Dad!

Fish Tale #2:  Finding A Thumb In A Fish

One of the fish tales that will make you roll over in disbelief is the story of Blake Robinson from Utah.  Blake caught a keeper mackinaw trout and quickly gutted it for dinner.  When he reached the belly, he saw a human thumb.  The thumb belonged to Robert Lindsay, a fisherman who lost his thumb in a boating accident the year before!  Since the temperature of the water is almost at freezing point, the thumb hardly decayed.  The trout might have thought that the thumb was a large worm.  The thumb was retrieved from the belly before the fish had the chance to digest it.  That is definitely one of the most bizarre fish tales you will ever hear.

Fish Tale #3:  Catching Fish In Hawaii

Hawaii is known for its beaches and large waves, but it is also popular for its rich marine life and challenging fishing grounds.  Unlike other places where you ride a large boat and go to deep water to fish, the locals prefer to ride a kayak and brave the waves while holding onto their fishing rod.  Kayak fishing requires extraordinary concentration since you have to coral the fish while battling large waves.  That is why catching a fish while kayaking is a recipe for a great fishing tale.

This is the story of Ed Kawasaki in Oahu.  One day they decided to drive to Oahu's north shore, thinking that they have a clear day ahead of them.  When they reached the shore, they were greeted by wind blowing at 25 mph.  The palms were swaying, and the waves were swelling.  Ed was ready to back out, but he couldn’t wimp out while in the company of his friends who were hardcore fishermen. 

They rode in their individual kayaks and went to the open sea.  They had to overcome the breaking waves, and since the waves were very high, the visibility was not good.  They had to look back to check if the waves were catching them, and with the wind blowing harder, finding a catch is becoming impossible.

One great thing in Oahu north shore is that even in strong waves, the fish always bite.  Alas!  After two hours of paddling, Ed caught a 17lb Mahi-mahi.  Since the kayak is not big enough for a man and a large fish, he had to drag it back to the shore.  As he was paddling back, his rod caught another 16lb Mahi-mahi!  Now he has two fishes and no space to put them, and with large waves coming at him, he knew he had to return to shore quickly.  In the end, he caught the two biggest fish of his life from a kayak.

Fish Tale #4:  Catching A 646 Pound Freshwater Fish

In an MSNBC report last July 2005, Thai fishermen were shocked when they caught a catfish that was as large as a grizzly bear, which sets the record for the largest freshwater fish ever caught.  The story did not go unnoticed to the researchers near the Mekong River.  It is believed that the population of large freshwater fishes in the Mekong River is dwindling.

The largest freshwater fish catch recorded by the International Game Fishing Association is 468 pounds, which is 196 pounds lighter than the new record.  The Mekong Giant Fish is facing extinction and by catching this large fish, researchers hope to study the fish to find more research leads in the Mekong River habitat.

Why We Need To Remember Our Fishing Tales

If you are a fishing enthusiast, you will find that fish tales range from the amazing to the very bizarre.  For professional fishermen and hobbyists, a great story is just part of fishing.  There is fulfillment when a young fisherman earns his first big catch, or when a veteran fisherman catches a rare kind of fish.  The fun in these fish tales is the journey and the experience that these individuals go through as they were catching the fish.  As they say, the journey is more important than the goal.          
If you have a fish tale or two that you want to share, it is important to document it with pictures for proof and a written story, so you can present the details accurately.  A great fish tale is one of life's simple pleasures.