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It was the biggest fish he had ever seen.
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With 25 years of noodling experience along Missouri's waterways, Mark Jennings thought he'd seen it all. That was until he encountered what locals are now calling "The River King" - a flathead catfish measuring over 4 feet and estimated at 90 pounds. "In all my years, I've never seen anything like it," Jennings admitted, his voice still tinged with awe. The veteran noodler's reputation precedes him in the Ozark region. "When Mark's out there, you know something special's about to happen," said longtime neighbor Joe Thompson. That afternoon, a small crowd gathered on the riverbank, their collective breath held as Jennings approached the massive fish. "Watch your footing, Mark!" shouted park ranger Sarah Miller, her lifeguard training kicking in as she monitored the situation. Jennings' experience showed in his careful movements, maintaining balance against the strong current while keeping the safety of onlookers in mind. Dr. Emily Carter, University of Missouri fisheries biologist, notes: "Catfish of this size are extremely rare. They represent decades of successful conservation efforts in our waterways."
