while nobody has come forth with evidence of cheating, there seems to be a lot of "scuttlebutt" around that it was common practice to catch salmon in lakes that produce bigger salmon (Squam) and enter them in the derby for prizes. Clearly if it could be proven there may be some legal ramifications but in the absence of proof, even threatening the polygraph should keep everyone honest.
Whether they did the poly or not, maybe it's just coincidence but the winning fish this year was only 3.7 pounds. A nice fish for Winni but not the 4-5 pound fish that have been winning in the past years. Coincidence or effective rule enforcement? Either way, I'm glad the sponsors responded to the rumors by essentially saying "we're doing what we can to keep this event honest". Good for you Diane - thanks!
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