French Creek 2-14-09

[tomgamber]

ryguyfi wrote:
From the size of the fish in the picture (not familiar with the stream) is it possible that this is a "natural" golden rainbow?

Only if it was taken 40-some years ago in west virginia...They do stock large ones but I've seen little ones too.

 

[ryguyfi]

tomgamber wrote:

ryguyfi wrote:
From the size of the fish in the picture (not familiar with the stream) is it possible that this is a "natural" golden rainbow?

Only if it was taken 40-some years ago in west virginia...They do stock large ones but I've seen little ones too.

I know there are many more native brookies and browns that rainbows, but I'm sure there would be an odd chance that a native golden rainbow could happen. I've never seen or heard of one but I'm sure that it could be close to the chance of an albino white tail deer.

 

[tomgamber]

Albinism is inherited, a recessive trait that shows itself occasionally. The golden rainbows that were found in WV that became the source to the stocked strain were an actual mutation. They were all that way.

The PFBC also says that Golden Rainbows are used exclusively for production and that only Palaminos get stocked.

So I guess while its possible that a Palamino and another Rainbow could have reproduced, knowing that the odds of any rainbows reproducing is extremely rare, I think the odds are on my side of being correct in saying that is not a wild fish.

 

[Edmo]

tomgamber wrote:
Albinism is inherited, a recessive trait that shows itself occasionally. The golden rainbows that were found in WV that became the source to the stocked strain were an actual mutation. They were all that way.

The PFBC also says that Golden Rainbows are used exclusively for production and that only Palaminos get stocked.

So I guess while its possible that a Palamino and another Rainbow could have reproduced, knowing that the odds of any rainbows reproducing is extremely rare, I think the odds are on my side of being correct in saying that is not a wild fish.

Hey Tom,
I think you may have it backwards. The PFBC stocks golden rainbows not palominos. If the golden rainbows then reproduce with a normally colored rainbow then the offspring will be what is called a palomino. At least that is what I gathered from reading the info on the link I posted earlier.

 

[tomgamber]

quote from the PFBC web site:

"In Pennsylvania, the rise of the palomino rainbow trout stemmed from obtaining fertilized golden rainbow trout eggs from West Virginia. Subsequently, when these golden rainbow trout reached maturity, they were crossed with normally pigmented rainbow trout and the offspring resulted in the development of the palomino rainbow trout. The initial stockings of palomino rainbow trout in Pennsylvania waters occurred during the 1967 season. At present, however, due to their more brilliant coloration, we use golden rainbow trout exclusively for production purposes rather than the lighter palomino rainbow trout."

 

[Edmo]

PFBC website quote:
"The orangish trout stocked by the Commission are accurately called "golden rainbow trout."

 

[tomgamber]

So is the information on the site contradictory, or does it say that they once only stocked palaminos and now only stock goldens?

So where are all the guys who claim they can tell a wild fish by looking at fin and tail condition and such. I would be willing to admit its possible if that info were placed into the equation and if there is evidence of other rainbows reproducing in the stream. Par marks might sway me as well. I can be patient.

 

[JackM]

It may not be crystal clear, but I think they are saying that they used to play around crossing the "golden rainbow" back with rainbows, but now they no longer cross them and only produce "pure" golden rainbows.

 

[MKern]

that's what I got from it.

 

[tomgamber]

so could this fish be wild?

 

[jayL]

I could secretly be charlie sheen. :lol:

I guess it's technically possible, but I'd bet a year's salary against it.

 

[MKern]

Tom,
It could be, but probably isn't.

The stream would probably have to have a decent population of wild/reproducing bows. Then, 2 stocked goldens would have to "hook up" to produce this fish.

If not stocked intentionally, its probably a pond-jumper and got scooped up with the rest of the fish, then dumped in. The commis isn't going to transport 1 small fish back to the hatchery. I have seen/caught small goldens before, usually where Lycoming Creek Anglers dumps their fish in, so it was probably from a club stocking.

But hey, anything is possible.

 

[JackM]

Yes, I think that goldens are not sterile, so a theoretical possibility exists it was bred in the stream. As MKern mentions, sometimes fish get into raceways accidentally and are either missed or the employees see no real reason to chase the undersized fish down and remove him from the batch. I have caught freshly stocked trout of other varieties that are under 7", but the PFBC is not intentionally stocking them at that size.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

The chances of that fish being wild are slim to none. Beyond it being a genetic mutation you have to look at the survival of such a trout and predators. Im sure all or almost all golden rainbows stocked are either... harvested, die of stress from heat or are taken by predators such as herons. Heck you can see those things a mile away. Just imagine with a birds eye how far away they can see those fish. Im really certain that this fish is stocked.

 

[Maurice]

Tom,

I had a big dissertation written about how confused I was about the F&BC explanation and when I go to the end, I figured I was just over-reading it. And then it came to me....I don't even care about them so I deleted it.

Hey, remember that 30" golden at the Owassee section of Pine two years ago? That thing looked like a the Yellow Submarine.

 

[jayL]

It was a freaking hog. I think I took a shot at it with a san juan, but it was cruising everywhere.

 

[Blackfly]

I will say this, whether you call it a Golden Rainbow or Palomino, I have never caught one. The ironic part is that I float stock a few different streams and I have stocked at least a 100 of them over the last 7 years. Still never caught one. I know where they are, I know where I put them and I know what they like, but never caught one. Just find it strange, I really don't target them either. I know some guys see one and fish for it until they catch it or sting it. Oh well, tight lines to all.

 

[spectorfly]

I have yet to catch one too. I've had my shot at a few and even hooked a few but they all either didn't want what I was throwing or broke me off.