How do you tell the difference between a Rainbow and Steelhe

junho · **Joined:** Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:15 am **Posts:** 32

kimbyote wrote:

there is a part of the cowichan that is fly fishing only year round (from the lake mouth to the 70.2 Mile Tresle). But below it, the majority of the river opens up to all fishing methods after Nov 15 (Unless stated otherwise).

Ahhh, I see now. I guess I was confused what constituted the "upper part" of the river. I get it now. Fly fishing only from the Greendale Trestle to 70.2 Mile Trestle, and Fly fishing only from Aug 1st to Nov 15 from 70.2 Mile to 66 Mile.

kimbyote wrote:

Also thought I'd tell you, it's harder to tell between a wild and hatchery trout since they've stopped clipping the dorsal. Apparently the reason for doing this is to give the tourists the illusion of catching a 'wild' fish. It sucks because it's even harder to determine the wild to hatchery ratio.

How are you suppose to tell at all without that fin clipped?

Rudder Nonsense · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2010 10:46 am **Posts:** 39

Just ask the fish "Arr, Billy, have you ever been to sea?"
If it answers "Aye Captain Highliner."
Then it's a steelhead. :roll:

Moisture Missile · **Joined:** Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:53 pm **Posts:** 1263

Reel Knotty wrote:

Just ask the fish "Arr, Billy, have you ever been to sea?"
If it answers "Aye Captain Highliner."
Then it's a steelhead. :roll:

I'll have to give that a try - what if he just looks at me like an idiot and doesn't say anything?

junho · **Joined:** Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:15 am **Posts:** 32

Moisture Missile wrote:

Reel Knotty wrote:

Just ask the fish "Arr, Billy, have you ever been to sea?"
If it answers "Aye Captain Highliner."
Then it's a steelhead. :roll:

I'll have to give that a try - what if he just looks at me like an idiot and doesn't say anything?

Haha, maybe lick it to see if you can taste any salt?

Rudder Nonsense · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2010 10:46 am **Posts:** 39

Moisture Missile wrote:

Reel Knotty wrote:

Just ask the fish "Arr, Billy, have you ever been to sea?"
If it answers "Aye Captain Highliner."
Then it's a steelhead. :roll:

I'll have to give that a try - what if he just looks at me like an idiot and doesn't say anything?

Then you ask it if it's ever been rammed up the stern by a one eyed sea serpent. I bet it starts talking fast! :mrgreen:

Moisture Missile · **Joined:** Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:53 pm **Posts:** 1263

Reel Knotty wrote:

Moisture Missile wrote:

Reel Knotty wrote:

Just ask the fish "Arr, Billy, have you ever been to sea?"
If it answers "Aye Captain Highliner."
Then it's a steelhead. :roll:

I'll have to give that a try - what if he just looks at me like an idiot and doesn't say anything?

Then you ask it if it's ever been rammed up the stern by a one eyed sea serpent. I bet it starts talking fast! :mrgreen:

PurrNaK · **Joined:** Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:39 am **Posts:** 145

Wait, they aren't clipping anymore? How do you tell if it's hatchery or wild now? Is that everywhere or just in Chow

Moisture Missile · **Joined:** Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:53 pm **Posts:** 1263

PurrNaK wrote:

Wait, they aren't clipping anymore? How do you tell if it's hatchery or wild now? Is that everywhere or just in Chow

You can't, if its not marked then you must treat it as a wild fish. No more hatchery steelhead on the cowichan, they shut that program down.

junho · **Joined:** Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:15 am **Posts:** 32

Ahhhh, that makes sense now.

kimbyote · **Joined:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 1:09 pm **Posts:** 20

unless you have some travel sized DNA sequencer, you're not going to be able to tell if the fish is a hatchery or wild. But it's not just Cowichan that they stopped clipping the fins. I've caught non clipped hatchery trout in many lakes around Vic.. some where there are no wild populations.

Example.. Ida Ann, all the trout in there have their dorsals.

How do you tell the difference between a Rainbow and Steelhe

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