Marty Donaldson, a McAlester resident, set a new record at Robbers Cave State Park on Dec. 15 when he reeled in a massive 6.8-pound rainbow trout from the banks of Lake Carlton. This impressive catch shattered the previous park record of 5.01 pounds by more than two pounds.
Donaldson, a seasoned angler, was wrapping up a routine fishing trip, casting his final bait into the lake when he felt the unmistakable pull of a substantial catch.
“It caught me completely off guard,” Donaldson said. “It was the last fish of the day and the biggest one I’ve ever caught.”
Landing the trout proved to be a challenge. Donaldson had to drag the fish across shallow water, ensuring it didn’t escape before bringing it ashore.
“Gosh, am I gonna get this big thing in or not?” he recalled. “I stepped into the water to make sure it didn’t get off.”
Once the fish was secured, Donaldson carried it to the park lodge, where a staff member marveled at the record-breaking trout.
“I felt terrible because the fish was still losing eggs,” Donaldson admitted. “But the woman at the front desk reassured me, saying, ‘Don’t worry about that; we just have to get a picture of it.’”
The rainbow trout was not only a trophy catch but also became a delicious meal.
“I smoked it like you would salmon, and it was absolutely delicious,” Donaldson said.
This record-breaking catch at Robbers Cave State Park is sure to inspire anglers across Oklahoma, proving that incredible moments can come even during the last cast of the day.
Image/Source: mcalesternews
