Greg Howard was rightfully thrilled Tuesday afternoon when he and his fishing buddies stopped at The Western News office to show off a large rainbow trout he boated while fishing on the Kootenai River below Libby Dam.

The trophy trout measured 31 inches and weighed 12 pounds. Howard was fishing with friends, Wyatt Guttormsen and Randy Hutchinson, while floating the Kootenai on Feb. 28, the last day of fishing for rainbow trout in the section of river between the dam and the Highway 37 bridge.

Guttormsen reported catching nine trout, including two of 25 inches and 26 inches.

State regulations allow one rainbow of 28 inches or more to be kept if caught in that section of the river.

The world-class fishery has produced monster fish many times, most notably the state-record rainbow in 1997.

Jack G. Housel, Jr. caught a 33.1 monster on Aug. 11 at the David Thompson Bridge, just below the dam. It measured 38.62 inches.

The Kootenai was also home to another state record, one that was caught more than half a century ago.

Herb Stout's 96-pound white sturgeon was caught in 1968.

Anglers are now restricted to chasing big 'bows from the Highway 37 bridge to the Idaho border until the season opens in Libby Dam section on June 1.

They should also check current regulations for fishing the river.