Proof of the popularity, and oddity, of catching salmon at Fort Peck Reservoir is the media coverage Fauth’s new record chinook has attracted from local and national media. An Instagram post of the video Fauth’s friend shot of landing the fish has received more than 3.7 million views.

“It’s been kind of wild,” said the Malta resident, who thought his wife had bumped the rod in its holder when the fish struck. “Then the fun began.”

His granddaughter, who lives in Sweden, even wrote and produced a song using artificial intelligence. Titled “Big Catch on a Budget,” the lyrics include an homage to Fauth’s frugal uncle Vern who gave him the inexpensive rod he caught the trophy fish on.

Listen to the song here.