Wow - just Wow

[DonAndersen]

I am excited!

For many years it seems like the trout lakes in Alberta have been stocked based on tradition. Starting with Mitchell Lake and an angler request for a fall spawners  [browns or brookies] to complement the spring spawners [rainbows], Brown trout were stocked  in 2003. Angler acceptance of the mixed species resulted in a further experiment in Birch Lake with Brook, Rainbow and Brown trout stocked in 2013.

At the request of many anglers, after either experiencing the Tiger Trout fishing in Manitoba or seeing the pictures, Tiger trout are now being stocked in several places throughout Alberta.

After many years of catching  Brown Trout from Europe, Brook Trout from some bog from in a  New England state and Rainbows from British Columbia or the US, we are now on the cusp of a brand new mostly made in Alberta Rainbow.

In conversation with Craig Copeland, Fish Culture Manager of Alberta Environment and Parks, I learned that a different Rainbow Trout is now being cultured for stocking . These Rainbow Trout, which are near 95% purity of Athabasca Trout, are one of the Native Trout of Alberta. The brood stock came from an end pit lake in an active coal mine. Clearly, as the trout are not 100% purity, they cannot be called Athabasca Trout for the purposes of identification. To reflect their mixed linage, they are designated as PLPL species in the stocking reports. Mr. Copeland also related that some of the PLPL strain have been added to East Pit Lake near Stoney Plain. He anticipated that somewhere between 100,000 > 150,000 PLPL trout would be stocked by 2020. 

Personally, as a third generation Albertan, I’m excited as hell to get a chance to catch a Rainbow raised in Alberta from Alberta stocks.

My thanks to all involved to make my dream come true.

 

 

Don Andersen

 

Here are some pictures of the Athabaskas - I know - I know - I'm not supposed to say that but......

[Taco]

F**k Yeah!!

 

[jjthom2]

Not to derail this but what genetic lineage are the rainbows in the Siffleur?

[Dangus]

Other than being local, do they have any other beneficial traits?

[SilverDoctor]

Gorgeous looking Rainbows. 

[DonAndersen]

8 hours ago, Bron said:

Other than being local, do they have any other beneficial traits?

Bron,

They exist in very tough conditions near tbe farest north end of trout habitat. Tough trout. 

I’ve often wondered if the cutthroat stocking in tbe rivers north of the Bow should not have been Athabaskas. After all, cuts are moving into a tougher region than they are used to whereas the Athabaskas are getting softer conditions.

Don

 

[DonAndersen]

9 hours ago, jjthom2 said:

Not to derail this but what genetic lineage are the rainbows in the Siffleur?

Call the Biologist in Rocky. She may know.

i suspect the rainbows may be  part of the rainbows thrown in nearly everywhere.during last 80 years which are related to the rainbows  in tbe Bow.

Don

[Dangus]

26 minutes ago, DonAndersen said:

Bron,

They exist in very tough conditions near tbe farest north end of trout habitat. Tough trout. 

I’ve often wondered if the cutthroat stocking in tbe rivers north of the Bow should not have been Athabaskas. After all, cuts are moving into a tougher region than they are used to whereas the Athabaskas are getting softer conditions.

Don

 

Hopefully they put on weight like Fraser valley rainbows! (lineage from sterile/low nutrient coastal lakes) 

[DonAndersen]

11 hours ago, Bron said:

Hopefully they put on weight like Fraser valley rainbows! (lineage from sterile/low nutrient coastal lakes) 

Bron,

Thr weight of the fish will depend on the lakes where they are placed. The overstocked lakes in Alberta will never give them a chance to see what they can do. 

There are however several lakes where they might do very well. Police or Bullshead come to mind.

Don

[bigbowtrout]

This awesome. Thanks for sharing Don.