The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1920-08-10
THINKS THE
BIG TROUT WAS
ASTEELHEAD
J. w. TitcOmb Writes In
fOrmingly of the Big Fish
Caught at S. ]. Center


An interesting contribution in re- |
gard to the kind of trout that was
recently caught by George Astle at
st. Johnsbuly Center has come to |
the Caledonian-Record from John W.
Titcomb, fish culturist for the New
York conservation commission at Al |
bany and we'll remembered as the |
former director OF the United States
Hatchery at st. Johnsbury and State |
Fish and Game Commissioner. The |
letter follows:
Editor CALIFORNIAN
Not long ago | received a marked
copy of your issue of June 30th for
which | am indebted to you or to
some one interested in the reported
catch of d six pound trout at st.
Johnsbury Center, and | wish to ac-
knowledge your courtesy in sending
the paper if you sent it, and ! would
have acknowledged it earlier had |
not been on tour of inspection trips
about the state. As there has been
some discussion as to the species
caught, let me state that | do not re-
call that the stream has ever been
stocked with brown trout. There
were several paintings of rainbow or
steelhead trout from the little hatch
cry at Lyndon Center and | should
be inclined to think that the trout
caught by Mr.. Astle was a steelhead
trout.
see there has been some discus
sion as to the difference between a
steelhead and a rainbow trout and
will explain that steelhead may be
likened to sea-run rainbow. There
are several varieties of the trout of
the Pacific slore commonly called
rainbow trout, then there is trout
closely resembling the rainbow
which goes to sea like the salmon and
returns to the fresh water streams to
spawn; this is called the steelhead.
Some ichthyologists regard the steel
head as merely one u the varieties
OF the rainbow trout; however, it
grows much larger than does the
rainbow which remains naturally IN
fresh waters. In our eastern waters
the two fishes have been introduced
Unfortunately to one and the same
waters with the result that 1t Is prac-
tically impossible to distinguish be-
tween them.
The German brown trout is quite
prevalent in this state and has ruined
many native trout streams. However
there are manv large omen waters the
temperature of which is considerably
higher than is favorable to the native
brook trout where the German brown
trout has become established and fur
nishes good fishing. They are some
times caught weighing over ten
pounds. They are more destructive
to the native trout than Is the ram
bow trout; of large growth but where
it is possible to stock the lower wat
ers of an open stream which has some
natural or artificial obstruction to
prevent the ascent of fish to the up
per waters which are still native
trout waters the introduction of
brown trout is to be encouraged.
am inclined to think that Vermont
has a number of streams where the
brown trout could be used to advant-
age. They are already in the Mad
River near Waterbury and have FUR
nished some good sport. While l
was Commissioner | was very wary
about using the brown trout because
| knew how destructive they had
been in other states, but with my
present knowledge of the situation
should be inclined to extend their
range to a few large trout streams
in which there is very moor fishing
for any fish at the present time. |
merely speak of this because 1t will
answer some of the inquiries which
have been sent to me personally from
Vermont With kindest regards,
Yours very truly,
j. w. Titcomb
Fishculturist.
Albany, N. Y,
July 81. 1920.