[00:01.09]He was 11 years old and went fishing every chance he got from the dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a new Hampshire lake.
[00:11.02]On the day before the bass season opened,
[00:13.92]he and his father were fishing early in the evening.
[00:17.08]Catching sunfish and perch with worms.
[00:20.44]When his rod doubled over,
[00:22.43]he knew something huge was on the other end.
[00:24.68]He very gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water.
[00:29.26]It was the largest one he'd ever seen,but it was a bass.
[00:33.91]The father lit a match and looked at his watch.
[00:36.88]It was 10 pm - two hours before the season opened. 10
[00:40.89]He looked at the fish, then at the boy.
[00:43.96]"You have to put it back, son." he said. “
[00:46.09]"Dad" cried the boy. “
[00:47.77]"There will be other fish." said his father. “
[00:50.10]"Not as big as this one." cried the boy.“