downriggeral
5/13/2013 7:08:00 PMCan't see for sure from the picture but I think it is a Red Band Trout. They are native to the Columbia. Awesome fish and fight like crazy. I usually turn them loose if possible to propagate the species.
Big D
5/13/2013 8:49:00 PMI have it on good authorty that the fish you're holding is a stocker Rainbow from Lake Roosevelt that has either entered Rufus Woods by coming over or through Grand Coulee Dam. You can tell by the missing adipose fin.
MotoBoat
5/13/2013 9:22:00 PMThat is a pretty fish! The white fin tips, I thought meant wild trout. I can not make out a adipose fin though.
jpjames14
5/14/2013 9:07:00 AMThe adipose and the top of the dorsal were both chewed off so to speak. So that is why you can't see it. It was there at one time, I made sure to note that when I caught the fish - it's not a stocker. Could be a misclip on the other hand... I've never heard of a red band trout, but if that's what it was I'm sorry I didn't let it go either. Thanks for the comments everyone.
hewesfisher
5/14/2013 9:21:00 AMBig D is right and it most likely got washed down from Lake Roosevelt. I've caught numerous rainbows in Lake Roosevelt, so can say with relative certainty that's what it is. Adipose fins are clipped at the hatchery and the healed scar is how you ID them. Though not impossible to be a red band trout, it's not. Here's a link to what a red band looks like - http://mtnhp.org/thumbnail/defaultGen.aspx?itemid=90066&maxw=1024&maxh=768 Still a nice fish!! :-)
jpjames14
5/14/2013 9:29:00 AMFrom what I read all a red band is, is a rainbow w/ a little more distinct spots...? That picture is of a juvenile (or small) which have very different markings... But I still don't think this is an adult red band. SO, I will take your word for it, and I'm hopeful it was a wash down... But... Do those hatchery fish from up above produce eggs unlike their mutant Rufus brothers? Because this one had a belly full. Not something I like to come right out and say, but I couldn't tell until it came home with me.
Big D
5/14/2013 10:37:00 AMYes, Lake Roosevelt hatchery Rainbows are fertile and do breed. The triploids in Rufus are infertile but on occasion they also produce eggs which is truly weird. In the past I've purchased Triploids directly from the tribe that when cleaned were found to be full of eggs.
Things that make you go hmmmm, I guess.
Things that make you go hmmmm, I guess.
jpjames14
5/14/2013 10:50:00 AMRoosevelt Bow it is. Awesome fighting fish, and a great eating fish too. Thanks for the insight guys!