The great lakes are tiny river tribs alot of times...no flow so you need light line for stealth and you dont need heavy line for fish control...sorry not a valid comparison.
as well, not many people are fishing light leader in the river right now, its high and dirty so there is no need. If you read the initial post, the guy actuall had heavy line on, he yarded the fish up out of a log jam. When he did that (1 minute into the fight), we both saw it was a wild fish. When you know a fish is going to be released, thast when you should stop pissing around with it. when I see a wild fish I usually tighten my drag down and get them in...not to the point I am horsing them but when I know I can't retain the fish, its a different type situation then.