|
|
| |
Golden Trout
Oncorhynchus
aquabonita |
JOSEPH TOMELLERI GRAPHIC
TEXT BY DENNIS BITTON
The most compelling memories created by golden trout
come from the physical work it takes to get to them, the
scenic vistas that are their homes, and their vivid
colors. They are indeed golden, just about everywhere on
their bodies. Some consider them to be the most
beautiful of all freshwater fish. Golden trout are
native only to the headwaters of the Kern River in
California, at elevations higher than 6,800 feet above
sea level. Today they are California's official fish but
have been transplanted into high lakes and streams in
many western states and even some Canadian provinces.
Golden trout have a red band along the lateral line,
running through 11 dark oval par marks. This is the only
trout species in which parr marks remain prominent
through the adult life of the fish. The back is
greenish, fading into a light yellow near the lateral
line. Most of the belly is also golden colored, except
for a red streak running right along the bottom of the
fish (running stem to stern) capping off the side view
of this beautiful fish. Pectoral, ventral and anal fins
are orange or red colored, tipped in white, and banded
by black. The gill plates of the golden trout are
usually red, and spots are more profuse toward the tail.
Golden trout transplanted into foreign surroundings may
not match this description exactly due to varied
surroundings and diet. For instance, when reared at low
elevations, they often lose their brilliant colors, and
turn a steely blue. Some shrimp-fed golden trout in
other states become even more exotic, displaying shades
red and/or orange all over their bodies. Golden trout
can and do interbreed with cutthroat trout, so
cross-bred hybrids are a common occurences outside of
their native range.
Because of the nutrient-poor waters in which they live,
native golden trout rarely grow large. The California
state record is nearly 10 pounds, but most fish run from
8 to 12 inches long. In Wyoming's Wind River Range,
introduced, but naturally reproducing goldens feed on
scuds and daphnia, and often grow to sizes of 5 pounds
or more.
Golden trout are perfectly developed for their
high-altitude habitat. Their summers are short, and they
have to feed heavily when food is available in order to
survive the long winters. As a result, they aren't
usually picky about what they eat. A fly box with
assorted midges, caddisflies, damselflies, scuds, and
small mayfly imiations should serve you well.
Because they live in extremly clear, unprotected water,
goldens can be very difficult to approach and cast to.
In streams, the broken water and streamside vegitation
will mask your approach,a nd the fish only get a quick
look at your fly. Fishing is easy under these
conditions. In alpine lakes above treeline, the fish can
be very difficult to catch. Most afficiandoes use 12- to
18-foot leaders tapered to a 6X tippet, and concentrate
on stealth presentations.
|
|
|
