Missing gill covers?
Hi. I'm a freelance science writer, currently writing about the Elk River in SE BC.
I'm trying to get a feel for how common it is to catch trout (or any wild fish) with missing or shortened gill covers? It's not uncommon to catch westslope cutthroat with this deformity on the Elk, but how about other rivers in BC and around the world?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Tina
Have caught rainbows similar to this in Salmon Lake at Douglas Lake Ranch
Last edited by Walleye76; April 14th, 2017 at 03:00 PM.
Hi. Thanks for your reply! Is Salmon Lake a stocked lake?
It is stocked usually in the Fall with Pennask strain rainbow trout fry. Check the gofishbc website for stocking reports of most lakes in BC. There could also be naturally reproducing rainbows in the lake too, not sure though.
"There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm." Patrick F. McManus
Walleye76 (April 24th, 2017)
Great, thanks. This deformity is more likely in captive-bred fish--for one, they are more likely to be exposed to sub-optimal temperatures or nutrition during development. From the scientific literature it appears to be much, much rarer in wild, self-sustaining populations, but I just wanted to know what experiences anglers have "on the ground." You guys and gals probably see more wild fish in a year than most of us will see in a lifetime.
It also has a natural spawning population as it has been stocked with both Triploid and diploid penask
Last edited by Walleye76; April 24th, 2017 at 06:55 PM.
Have a look at this previous post regarding gill deformities.
https://www.flyfishbc.com/forums/thre...Mutant-rainbow
"It's niced to be reminded that one cannot put a line in the water without tempting the unknown" Haig-Brown.
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