When the sun sinks below the tree line and the fish are breaking the surface, it can be magical.

He gathered himself and pulled again - and the fish broke.

The fish broke water a few yards from the boat.

"Does a big fish ever break the line and get away?"

"I remember," he said, "and about how a big fish might break the line and get away."

Just then the frantic fish made one last surge for the bottom, and broke the line.

And then the fighting fish broke the surface of the lake.

Just as quickly, the fish broke free and he continued upriver.

But no fish broke surface or collided against the hidden legs.

The fish broke the record of 480 pounds for that species in the 30-pound line category.