IGFA changes on line class records

Effective April 1, 2017, the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) has announced changes in their recognition of line class records.  The potential record catches will now be required to meet a minimum ratio between the weight of the fish and the line class category.  For line class records up to 10 kg, the weight of the catch must be at least 1/2 that of the line class.  For example a fish entered in the 10 kg line class must weigh at least 5 kg.  For line class records greater than 10 kg, the fish must be equal to, or greater than the line class  For example a fish entered in the 20 kg line class must weigh at least 20 kg.  Records previously announced prior to the rule change will remain intact with an asterisk next to the record catch.  For those of you who are record seekers, make sure to know the rules beforehand!

SIBERIAN WHITE SPOTTED CHAR

During the early 1990s, the Arctic Char was my favorite fish to seek along with the Amazon peacock bass.

 In search for trophy Arctic Char I was fortunate to fish the top destinations such as the famous Tree River in the Northwest Territories of Canada and High Arctic Lodge which is located in Nanavut, Canada.  Both places are way up north and have a window of about 6 weeks to fish as the ice comes fast up there!  In Alaska, we catch a relative of the Arctic char, the Dolly Varden.  Char and Dolly Varden's are sought after mostly because of their beautiful spawning coloration.

These silver colored species have their lower sides turn during spawning to a brilliant reddish orange.  Their backs turn greenish to brownish black and the upper sides have pink or red spots.  Their lower fins turn bright red trimmed with whte.  The lower jaw on the males get a slight kype.
Recently, I read a story in the IGFA "International Angler" on Kamchatka.  Here swim another species of which I was not familiar with, the highly prized sea-run East Siberian white spotted char.  These char have silver-gray sides with white cream colored spots.  They claim these Siberian char can reach 40 inches.  Hopefully someday soon I will get the opportunity to see one on the end of my fishing line!