I too have heard/read this factoid. In fact, it is supposedly the ruin of
many a hungry eagle unlucky enough to hook so large a fish that the bird
ultimately drowns, unlike the resourceful/lucky one in this tale.

Portia McCracken
Whidbey Island, WA
portia at whidbey.net
>

>
>I've been told that the structure of a Bald Eagle's foot is such that it is
>unable to release its grip on a fish when its leg is extended as would be the
>case after locking onto a too large fish. Apparently the bird must be
>standing
>on the prey to release his grip. So your poor eagle may have wanted to let go
>but could not do so!
>
>I'd be curious to hear from someone who knows if this is true about eagle
>(raptors in general?) or not.
>
>
>Scott Ray
>Yakima, WA