Quote Originally Posted by elnutsmalljaws View Post
I don't have a clue about the Walleye or Muskie but will stand 110% behind David L. Hayes and his World Record Smallmouth. Met Mr. Hayes on 2 different occasions as well has his lovely wife this spring and anyone that spends more than 2 minutes in the same room with this couple will swear on a stack of Bibles that the record is legit. I saw the fish in person, and there is no picture that I had ever seen before or seen since that does this fish justice. I have seen and held many 5 pounders and 5 more that went over 6 lbs plus have seen Billy Westmoreland's 10 pounder mount and this 11-15 lb Smallmouth is so FREAKISHLY larger than any other fish I have seen that it is unbelievable. The Smallmouth World Record fish is legit.

I spent an entire afternoon at Mr. Hayes house back in March, doing an interview and photo shoot for a magazine article. Everything that Elwood states above I will second. One of the kindest funniest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. When you see this fish, there is no doubt it is as big as reported. There are some people in Tennessee that started this whole controversy that need to be smacked around. Thank goodness that the hard work of TWRA's Ron Fox for doing dilligent work and the IGFA eventually came to its senses.