None of the local lakes in my area have fly fishing records, and I was thinking of turning in a few species of fish from them to get myself in the books. Anyone know how to go about doing this?

Everything you ever wanted to know about records here in TX can be found at the Texas Parks & Wildlife web site, in the fishing records section. You'll need access to a certified scale, and there are some forms to fill out.

We'll see your name on the site soon, I'm sure. Many posters here hold records, including some pretty impressive ones!

Take a picture of your fish next to a ruler.Write down the length and girth of the fish. Put it in a plastic bag and take it to the nearest grocery store deli counter or meat market counter.Don't worry about the weight of the bag, it is immaterial. All their scales are certified, just get the number off the scale, don't worry about the certification date. Get the name of the person behind the counter and put their name and the store's address and telephone number on the TP&WD application form. Post offices and mailing places, as well as feed stores and bait shops have certified scales as well.

Send the picture of the fish along with the application form to TP&WD in Austin. Wait a few weeks and they'll send you your certificate. They usually update the records site about once a month or so, so it make take several weeks before your record appears on their website.

If you catch a state record you'll need a picture of yourself holding the fish. as well as two witnesses when it's weighed. Two store employees are fine. Get the form notarized and send it to TP&WD.

Don't forget to put the name of the fly on the thing when you send it in, if this is for a fly fishing record.

I am going to break Lady Birds record for LMB this year.It's only three and a half pounds. + I work at the silly grocery store so weighing the fish there wont be a problem.

Well that is cool. I can't wait to hear the good news!!! Maybe this ol' gal will break a record one of these days once I get that boat...hehehe.

I think they have covered it. So yea, do it. Really not that difficult once you find access to a scale or have your own certified. Add's a little extra fun to a fishing day.

That is something my son and I are going to do a little more of together this year same as I did with my older son several years ago. We turned in a record or two last year and he had a lot of fun with that. We are all set with a new certified scale that will take bigger fish than my old scale. That way we will not have to kill any fish we don't want to. We even have a couple State and World records in our sights to try and beat.

As John knows, kids LOVE to get record fish! There are Junior Angler Awards available on every lake in Texas.

I heard about certifiing your scale but can you weigh the fish then have your scale certified? I am gunna get me some records this year.

I wish the pond I fish had record submission avalable, but its unlisted on the tpwd site

Pond,

It kinda does. You need a name for the place and it will register as a "private body record".

the pond doesnt have a name

Buy a tape measure used for sewing. It will roll up into a very compact size and is much easier to make you length and girth measurements.

Has anyone tried to certify the X-tool scale. I really like the design of that scale, but wondered if one would pass.

Yes, but kinda puts you in a spot if your scale tests out inaccurate and you released the fish.