At most fishing derbies, the biggest stories happen during the official hours. For 20-year-old Rich Courtright, the moment that mattered came after the crowds had thinned and the competition had wrapped.
The 76th annual Riverton Fishing Derby took place April 11 along the West Branch of the Farmington River in southwestern Connecticut. Known for its strong turnout, the event draws anglers from across the region, thanks in part to generous spring trout stocking supported by local fishing clubs and the state fisheries department.
Rich and his father, Richie, have made a tradition of fishing the derby together each year. Like many participants, they spent the early morning casting shoulder to shoulder with other anglers, working the river from 6 to 10 a.m. By the end of the event, Rich had secured third place with a respectable 5.6-pound rainbow trout, earning a handmade wooden clock.
Rather than calling it a day, the pair decided to make one more stop along the river on their drive home to Bethel. It turned out to be a decision that would rewrite the record books.
After parking, they split up to cover more water. While working a stretch that had already seen heavy pressure that morning, Rich spotted something unusual. In clear water behind a large boulder, a flash of red revealed a massive trout holding deep.
Multiple casts followed, with a steady rotation through lures and presentations. Nothing worked. After trying nearly everything in his tackle box, frustration began to set in. That’s when a simple idea changed everything.
Remembering a container of live mealworms back in the car, Rich made the short trip to retrieve them. He rigged up with 6-pound test line, a small size 8 hook, and a few split shot. His setup was modest but meaningful: an older Penn spinning reel paired with a vintage ultralight rod gifted years earlier.
Carefully drifting the bait into the trout’s line of sight, Rich made repeated casts without spooking the fish. After about a dozen attempts, the giant finally committed.
The fight was controlled but intense. The trout stayed deep and never jumped, forcing a careful battle to keep it out of the strongest current. After nearly 10 minutes, the fish was guided into a landing net.
It was immediately clear this was no ordinary catch.
With no certified scale nearby, the Courtrights improvised. After an unsuccessful stop at a tackle shop, they headed to a local grocery store, where a hesitant seafood manager eventually agreed to weigh the fish. The scale read 16.47 pounds.
Soon after, state officials confirmed the catch as a new Connecticut record rainbow trout, officially weighing 16 pounds, 7.5 ounces. The fish surpassed the previous record, which had stood since 1998.
The trout will be preserved with a traditional skin mount by an experienced taxidermist. For Rich, the fish represents more than a record. It stands as a reminder that persistence, adaptability, and a return to simple tactics can still produce extraordinary results.
Image/Source: OL
