The list was long, but these fish were our favorites.
2016 was a great year for Walton. Not only did we get our first run of rods sold out during the presale in a matter of days, but we were also stoked to see all the fish being caught. 2017 is going to be a big year. We will be officially launching in early spring with our rods, fly line, and possibly some apparel, so there’s a lot to look forward too. However, before we get to that, let’s take a look back first.
The following 10 fish pictures were the biggest or best fish caught on a Walton rod this year. Honestly, they are in no particular order, but here it goes anyways!
#10. Hawaiian Bones
With just a short time on the market, and an even shorter pre-sale, getting a few photos from full time guide Capt. David Lee Winters, was a treat. This is one big bone and one of the first pictures we got of a saltwater fish on a Walton rod.
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Jun 7, 2016 at 11:00am PDT
#9. Big Ol’ Fatty Hoosier Carp
Indiana isn’t known for it’s fishing. However, Indiana does grow some big carp. Seeing this is our home state, Brad Smith, the owner of Walton, fly fishes for what we can and carp are always looking to oblige. This carp is the biggest we have seen come on a Walton rod yet.
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on May 30, 2016 at 7:30am PDT
#8. Toad’bow
This rainbow, caught by Colorado trout guide Spencer Watson, isn’t your normal rainbow trout. As you can see, that fish is a toad…with fins. Would you believe that thing came on a dry?
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Aug 26, 2016 at 6:51am PDT
#7. Wyoming Butter
Walton’s operations manager got in on the action out in Wyoming in the fall. This big buttery brown was caught in a river that has a population of less than 3% brown trout. Looks like Mike Malchow hit the lottery.
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Oct 4, 2016 at 7:51am PDT
#6. Mayor of Brook City
Montana trout guide Drew Baker got into a monster brook trout in late summer. This guy is always catching giant fish and this brookie is a great example. Look at the jaw on that thing!
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Nov 7, 2016 at 8:58am PST
#5. New York State of Mind
Brad Smith, the owner of Walton, got in on some lake run browns near Oak Orchard back in November. Fish like this were everywhere, but not many were this colorful. What a good looking brownie and riot on his 6-7wt Walton rod.
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Nov 14, 2016 at 9:34am PST
#4. K9 Photo Bomb
It’s hard enough taking photos out on the river, but when your dog wants in on the action, it gets even harder. Our guide and team member Sally Schmidt did some fishing with our ops manager Mike Malchow, and his dog Sully. It looks like Sully had a good time.
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Nov 30, 2016 at 8:14am PST
#3. Slob’trout
Colorado fishing guide and team member Spencer Watson is always catching huge fish. This thing is so big it’s freakish. It’s hard to believe this fish was caught on a 5wt Walton Series One.
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Dec 12, 2016 at 4:01pm PST
#2. Morning Meat Eater
Watching Mike Ray from West Virginia catch this giant lake run brown as the sun was coming up over the treetops was a special memory from 2016. It just so happened this was his biggest brown trout to date.
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Dec 29, 2016 at 2:35pm PST
#1. Brick House
This monster ‘bow was just caught the other day by Spencer Watson. Like I said above, this guy is always catching huge fish. Check out the colors on this 28″ rainbow. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
A photo posted by Walton Rods (@waltonrods) on Dec 30, 2016 at 8:16am PST
These 10 pictures are just the beginning to the 900 some other pictures tagged with #waltonrods on Instagram this year. Once Walton officially launches in the spring, this list will be even harder to pick next year.