Mystery surrounds the catch of a 90 pound Ahi Tuna, caught at Wallula Junction in the Columbia River

Pictured here, locals Skyler Bee & Nick Pendleton wrestle the mystery fish to shore after a two hour long fight to land the salt-water tuna – more common to sushi bars than fresh water rivers.

Skyler Bee walked the familiar path at Wallula Junction on Sunday, October 22 before sun-up. It is a familiar walk for this 19-year-old Walla Walla man. His passion to fish the Columbia River brings him to this, his favorite haunt, often. The morning is brisk, and the river is clear. Along with is buddy Nick Pendleton, they expected to land a few fish and be home by noon.Around 8:00 am, Bee’s pole, let out a kick. “It was a big strike”, Bee explained, “I knew something big hit it, but had no idea what I was in for”. After a two hour, grueling fight, Bee, with the help of Pendleton and two other local fishermen, landed a surprise catch. A 90 pound Ahi Tuna.

Yes, that’s right, Ahi Tuna – a salt water, ocean fish more commonly found off the coast of Hawaii.“We had no clue what kind of fish it was”, Pendleton said, “I just knew it wasn’t anything we had caught before”. The big fish, later identified by local authorities as Ahi Tuna, has left local officials baffled. “This is a mystery to us all”, said the Director of Ocean Aquatic Studies at Island Institute in Kona Hawaii, “how an Ahi could survive in fresh water has us all scratching our heads”. The fish, named “Aloha” by Bee and Pendleton, was flown to the Hawaiian lab for further study. Scientists at the institute are currently working to find answers.