Muskie II in D&R Canal

[Almaink]

This afternoon when I pulled into the parking area I noticed a guy had just caught a fish and was taking its picture with his cell. I got out and walked over to see a 12" Rainbow flopping in the canal path dirt. The guy removed the hook with a pair of hemostats then threw in back into the canal where it floated away dead. He said "O shit". I said why did you do that? Didn't you know it was dead once you let it flop on the cart path? He said no he thought it would be OK as he's done it lots of times. I asked him not to do it anymore and told him if you can't remove the hook without dropping it on the ground don't throw them back keep them, someone will come along and take it if you don't want it. Then I walked up stream looking for fish with a spinner. I found a spot where they were hitting and set up shop. In a short time I had 4 nice trout and a big snapping turtle was just off the edge checking out my stringer. I let him know I was there and he moved on. Just then I thought I had a snag on my spinner when it started moving up stream! I felt something big on the line and started to reel it in thinking it might be a big breeder. Once it got close enough I saw it wasn't a breeder but a Muskie! Not a real giant but bigger that any I've ever caught before. After I adjusted the drag real quick it started taking out line and I figured I was in for a battle. It only made two runs though and I was able to drag it up on the bank to get the hook out with long nose pliers. It was about two feet maybe longer. I had no camera or tape measure and I wanted to get it back in the water quickly, so I picked it up and put it back in. It didn't try to bite me in fact it stayed real calm as I put it back in and it swam away. I'm still amazed I was able to land it with no leader, on a small trout lure with 6 pound test.