Fishermen always talk about the big one that got away, but not Fred Ostrander: he snagged a 121.5-kilogram halibut on a recent fishing trip in British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Islands.

Fred Ostrander, who caught a 121.5-kilogram halibut.Fred Ostrander, who caught a 121.5-kilogram halibut.
(CBC)

The retired mechanic, 84, said he refused the help of his two adult sons and fought with the big fish for more than an hour in Englefield Bay.

But as the line began to wear out, Ostrander's guide took over and required the help of another guide from a neighbouring boat to bring the fish up to the surface.

"I was just speechless," said Ostrander, on seeing its size, which measured 1.95 metres in length.

Ostrander said the fish was cut, packed and shipped to his home in Kitchener, Ont.