just some good pictures.

I think that eel is an American eel. They are born in salt water and then migrate to fresh water when they are small. Females migrate very far up the mouths of rivers, while males stay around the coast. Toward the end of their lives, they migrate to salt water again to mate and lay eggs. Once they are done mating and laying eggs, they die.

I don't think it is a far stretch (although probably not ordinary by any means) for one to travel like that. Most dams on large Texas rivers are required to have "eel ladders" to facilitate the migration up and down river for American eels.

Awesome photo, possibly a once in a lifetime pic. Nice yella dogs too, I miss the wards!

Cheers
M