---
title: "World Record Brown?"
description: "Internet message boards throughout Michigan are abuzz with word of a possible world record brown trout taken on the Manistee River yesterday morning. Tom Healy of Rockford, Michigan caught the huge brown which weighed in at 41 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 43.75 inches long. Biologists have reportedly taken scale samples of the fish to verify the catch."
date: "2009-09-10"
modified: "2021-04-20"
authors:
  - name: "Gerry Bethge"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/gerry-bethge/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gone-fishin/2009/09/world-record-brown/"
categories:
  - "Fishing"
  - "Freshwater"
  - "Record Fish"
  - "Trout Fishing"
---

# World Record Brown?

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/53VIX7HQOKABEOK7EJEEO2NOAI.JPG>)

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/3TZUL2TSFHCXPRBNSWWTICC4NY.jpg>)

Internet message boards throughout Michigan are abuzz with word of a possible world record brown trout taken on the Manistee River yesterday morning. Tom Healy of Rockford, Michigan caught the huge brown which weighed in at 41 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 43.75 inches long. Biologists have reportedly taken scale samples of the fish to verify the catch.

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/3TZUL2TSFHCXPRBNSWWTICC4NY.jpg>)

The fish easily surpasses the former Michigan state record of 36 pounds, 13 ounces and should also top the 1992 Little Red River, Arkansas mark of 40 pounds, 4 ounces set by Howard Collins. It is expected that Healy will contact the IGFA to claim the record.

## Author
The “Elder Statesman,” of the *Outdoor Life* staff, Gerry Bethge began his career at the magazine in 1982. He was fortunate to have worked side-by-side with outdoor-media icons such as: Jim Carmichel, Jim Zumbo, Jerry Gibbs, and Charlie Elliot among others. During his career, he has held numerous titles including: executive editor, fishing editor, web editor, and editor-in-chief of brand licensing.