The Rainbow Trout
HISTORICAL
(Salmo irideus)
When the first Americans went to California they found there an abundance of speckled fishes which they instantly classified as trout as they did all speckled fishes. The rainbow family of salmon trout is divided into one species and five sub-species, and as you shall see later, it is one of these sub-species that we are mostly interested in.
The typical species is a common fish in the mountain streams of California. The five sub-species embrace the following: the brook trout of western Oregon (masoni); the Kern River trout (gilberti); the noshee trout (stonei); the golden trout of Mt. Whitney (aqua-bonita); and, finally, the McCloud River trout (shasta) which is the variety that has been transplanted so successfully in the waters throughout the United States. This is the fish that most anglers have in mind when they refer to the rainbow trout.
The Shasta rainbow trout has been transplanted into several western states; Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota; throughout the east and the Alleghanies; in the Ozarks and in several Rocky Mountain states and in almost every instance the new habitat has improved the fish, piscatorially at least. Anglers who have taken this fish in Michigan and the Ozarks, as well as in its native waters, say that the transplanted fish are far superior to the westerners, while strange to say, the eastern brook trout, when transplanted into western waters are said to be disappointing.
The great value of the rainbow trout is his ability to thrive in streams which lumbering operations have made unsuitable for the wilderness loving brook trout. The rainbow does well in warmer, less highly aerated waters than will fontinalis.
DESCRIPTION
The rainbow trout is heavier and stockier than fontinalis; his mouth is noticeably smaller and his tail slightly forked. The rainbow's back is bluish; sides are silvery and belly white. The spots are black and cover the back, fins and tail, the spots varying with the different sub-species. A red or rosy band extends along the sides. While not as beautiful as the brook trout the rainbow is a handsome fish.
HABITAT
In his native waters the rainbow lives in swift, cold water but transplanting has shown that he will thrive in fairly warm, deep and "dead" water although in most rivers he will show a marked preference for the rapids.
FOOD
Like all trout the rainbow feeds on insects, larvae, molluscs and small fishes although he has the reputation of liking fish less than other trout, with which theory we do not agree.
BREEDING AND GROWTH
The spawning season varies a great deal with locality and conditions. In California the breeding season is said to be from February to May; in Colorado from May to July; in the middle west and the east, usually in February and March. Salmon-like they lay their eggs in the gravel and leave them to shift for themselves.
Growth is naturally quicker where food is plentiful. In certain parts of the west where feed is scarce they do not exceed a fraction of a pound in weight. In the Ozarks and parts of the west they have been known to attain to twenty-six pounds; in mid western waters they sometimes reach ten pounds which is about their limit in California. A three year old fish will weigh between one and two pounds.
EDIBILITY
The rainbow trout is a good table fish but not equal to the brook trout in this respect. They have a tendency to get "soft" quickly so they should be the first put on the table when mixed varieties are taken.
GAMENESS
Irideus is a most brilliant fighter. He rises obligingly to flies; he is lightning fast; makes long runs and leaps like an acrobat. He is quite the equal of the small mouthed bass: he jumps better and takes flies more willingly but does not fight as doggedly.
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The brown trout
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