I wouldn't say he latched on. Maybe the directors commentaries provide more of that background than the actual episode, but he'd often call Todd out if he would say, matter of factly, that something was most definitely Saskquatch, and he didn't appreciate that sort of thing when trying to make an objective, more investigative film.

At the time, I imagine Todd was one of the more available resources Les had, so at least it was somewhere to start.