17-Year-Old Angler Sets World Records Using Science

Ryder Humphries caught the fish that would earn him two world records, but the 17-year-old will tell you the real work happened long before he ever touched the water.

The Canmore high schooler set both the International Game Fish Association all-tackle length and junior world records for bull trout last November on the Bow River. Both fish measured 70 centimeters, but Humphries says he's caught at least 30 bull trout that were longer.

The difference? He planned these catches for months, studying timing, equipment rules, and photography requirements with scientific precision.

"This wasn't some random event," Humphries said. "You have to take the scientific end of things very seriously."

He timed his attempt during the Bow River's fall bull trout migration, one of the few predictable windows in an otherwise unpredictable sport. Every detail had to follow strict IGFA rules, from leader length to measurement angles to certified equipment.

The Grade 11 student at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy dedicates over three hours daily to studying aquatic ecology and fish behavior. He's spent entire weeks on the river, sometimes fishing 12 hours a day, learning how fish move and react within their environment.

His personal best bull trout actually measures 95 centimeters, significantly larger than his official records. But without proper documentation and certification preparation, those catches remain personal achievements rather than world records.

"I've caught 10 to 20 bull trout bigger than my records," he said. "But you never hear about those ones because I didn't do the work to get them certified."

Humphries is a fifth-generation Canmore resident, and fishing connects him to family history spanning more than a century. His great-grandfather fished the same Bow River valley, and his grandfather saw that same passion reignite in his young descendant.

Why This Inspires

Humphries treats his passion with the dedication most teens reserve for college prep or competitive sports. His approach shows how combining traditional skills with scientific rigor can transform a hobby into something extraordinary.

Bull trout records are particularly challenging because the species is threatened, requiring stricter conservation protocols and verification standards. Rather than seeing obstacles, Humphries studied the requirements and built a system to meet them while respecting the fish and their habitat.

Despite online skepticism and criticism following his records, Humphries remains focused on what matters: the preparation, the understanding, and the connection to place and family that fishing provides.

"The most magical moment is when I can sit and look at the fish I've caught and think about the hours I spent chasing it," he said.

For Humphries, these records are just the beginning—a benchmark proving his methods work, not the limit of what he believes he can achieve.