Variation in Wild Browns

[Barleywine]

Fished some refreshingly cold water today (upper 50's temp) that has wild browns and no stocking. I'm always amazed at how the browns in this particular water vary so much in appearance. Some are beautifully colored, and others are almost as drab as stockies.

 

[lightenup]

I find some variation in the creeks I fish as well.....I guess trout are like people, we are all different, some are stupid and easy to catch...some are wary and hard to catch...some are dark and some are light....I wonder if there are judgmental trout? HMMMM?:shrug:

 

[Trout Guy]

Fished some refreshingly cold water today (upper 50's temp) that has wild browns and no stocking. I'm always amazed at how the browns in this particular water vary so much in appearance. Some are beautifully colored, and others are almost as drab as stockies.

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I fish alot of streams with only wild fish. And I find that theres alot of color variation between them if the streams have a variety of substrate.

Also, fish (trout in this instance) can change hues depending on light and stress levels. Although, genetics do have a large role in coloration and porportions.

Maybe a rod and gun club(s) stocks that paticular river/creek your reffering to..

 

[Barleywine]

I fish alot of streams with only wild fish. And I find that theres alot of color variation between them if the streams have a variety of substrate.

Also, fish (trout in this instance) can change hues depending on light and stress levels. Although, genetics do have a large role in coloration and porportions.

Maybe a rod and gun club(s) stocks that paticular river/creek your reffering to..

There are no clubs to stock this stream. No stocked feeders or any other way for the fish to be stockies.

I think you may be on to something with the light variable. There are places that lack good overhead cover here, and perhaps that changes the hue as you said. I'll have to notice the cover and substrate the next time I get one of those drab fish. Thanks.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I agree 100% with troutguy. I also fish many wild brown trout streams. I have noticed that the lighting and substrate do indeed dictate a browns hues. Its something I look forward to when i fish new wild brown trout water and something i still enjoy about the streams i fish. You can find some really unique brown trout hues in some streams in pa. A little tribe to the Big L has some of the most unique looking brown trout I have ever caught.

 

[Matt Grobert]

Also keep in mind that females tend to be more subdued in color than the males, just like with birds.

 

[Barleywine]

I agree 100% with troutguy. I also fish many wild brown trout streams. I have noticed that the lighting and substrate do indeed dictate a browns hues. Its something I look forward to when i fish new wild brown trout water and something i still enjoy about the streams i fish. You can find some really unique brown trout hues in some streams in pa. A little tribe to the Big L has some of the most unique looking brown trout I have ever caught.

I'd like to see pictures of those unique browns. Perhaps you can post some photos the next time you catch those fish. Without naming the stream of course. The beauty of these wild fish is also a major reason why I fish for them also. Really enjoy the look of wild browns and brookies. I've never seen a work of art that gives me more pleasure than these little jewels that we catch.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I'd like to see pictures of those unique browns. Perhaps you can post some photos the next time you catch those fish. Without naming the stream of course. The beauty of these wild fish is also a major reason why I fish for them also. Really enjoy the look of wild browns and brookies. I've never seen a work of art that gives me more pleasure than these little jewels that we catch.

I will take a look and see if i have any pics of them. I dont really have any plans to get there anytime soon. Each wild trout is unique and there beauty is something i never tire of either.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I took a look for the pictures but I believe they were on my android that got destroyed. The name of the stream also eludes me. It is a trib to the lehigh river right by mud run.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Obviously all US wild brown trout streams had to have had at least one stocking to introduce that species. If you have a single stocking "take" and those fish naturally reproducing from the same genetic stock, you're likely to have less variation in things like coloration. If the stream saw multiple stockings from various genetic backgrounds before wild reproduction ceased the need to continue stocking a stream, that might explain some of the larger variables in things like coloration. But river bottom substrate can also influence colors as trout can to some extent blend their colors in to match the bottom more closely from one section of a river to another.

 

[Barleywine]

Obviously all US wild brown trout streams had to have had at least one stocking to introduce that species. If you have a single stocking "take" and those fish naturally reproducing from the same genetic stock, you're likely to have less variation in things like coloration. If the stream saw multiple stockings from various genetic backgrounds before wild reproduction ceased the need to continue stocking a stream, that might explain some of the larger variables in things like coloration. But river bottom substrate can also influence colors as trout can to some extent blend their colors in to match the bottom more closely from one section of a river to another.

Thanks Rusty. I've often thought that it makes sense that there could be more than one strain of browns or other trout in the same stream. Stocking in this particular stream would have taken place before the Pequest hatchery was in operation. Anyone have any idea if the Hackettstown hatchery frequently changed strains?

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Anyone have any idea if the Hackettstown hatchery frequently changed strains?

Not sure, but over the past century plus, there have been many, many stockings by private individuals, clubs and the state. Some legal and some not, but lots of stockings. When I think of the Musky alone, we have wild browns, state stocked browns and private club stocked browns from at least 2 different sources (Musky Trout Hatchery in Bloomsbury and Greenwald in PA).

 

[Pete]

If you're a TU member, or have access to one...
The "Summer 2012" issue of Trout has a related article, by Dave Whitlock, on page 57.

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I don't know if these are password protected, I had to login to get them....

http://img.qmags.com/TU/TU0612/thumbnails/size8/TU_0612_0059.jpg
http://img.qmags.com/TU/TU0612/thumbnails/size8/TU_0612_0060.jpg

 

[BRK TRT]

In the same issue of TM is an article on brook trout in VA.


Brk Trt

 

[CMoser]

There are many there. If it is what I think it is its stocked or was stocked in the lower portion, it has a fantastic white fly hatch.

 

[Barleywine]

In the same issue of TM is an article on brook trout in VA.


Brk Trt

Excellent article Brk Trt, along with the one cited by Pete. Good to see that the sulpher dioxide reduction is raising the PH in Virginia for the brookies. Took me a while to get my Summer issue of Trout, but now I'm caught up.

I thought that these two fish caught yesterday were rather interesting.

This brookie has very noticeable parr marks but also has the bright orange that I associate with spawning colors.

This brown isn't all that special in the front 2/3 of the body, but the tail area is ablaze.



Maybe this water temperature has something to do with all of this. We made the mistake of wet-wading.

 

[BRK TRT]

Great coloration on both fish.
I've taken a few brookies at this time of year that have their spawning color.
I don't know what stream you were fishing, but that's some damn cold water.

Brk Trt