The New York herald., 1922-04-16
RAINBOW TROUT
MULTIPLYING FAST.
Species Brought From West
Ten Years Ago Outhriving
Native Type.
ny WILL WILDWOOD.


Rainbow chasing as applied to busl-
ness affairs brings disappointment al
most Invariably. but ardent fly-fishers
all agree that there is great satisfaction
in following the active ranbows of the
brook-the gamy rainbow trout--for-
merly found almost exclusively in the
streams west of the Rocky Mountains.
but now inhabiting Eastern waters with
the native brook trout on terms of equal
rights if not of strict equality.
1t was some ten years ago that the
first of these rugged Westerners were
introduced into the trout streams of
New York and New Jersey and not only
have the rainbows held their own, with
out any reflection on the game qualities
of the first inhabitants, the ever popu-
lar speckled trout, but in some instances
they seem to have gained. advantage
over the natives in the matter of multi
plying. Whether this has been due to the
pushing Western spirit. the natural
hardihood of the species or to restock-
ing is something for local anglers and
State statistcians to decide.
One overshadowing fact il clear: the
rainbow trout has come to stay, unless
all signs Of the times relating to game
fishes of fresh waters fail; and II is
encouraging to note that in certain
streams were brook trout have dimin-
ished to the point of real scarcity, de-
spite the efforts made in restocking, the
hardy mountain trout, as 1t is often
called, thrives when given the same OPP
portunity. This may, In fact should, in
dicate that instead of any war of ex-
termination being likely to occur be.
tween the two species each will be given
its place the priced native brook trout
presumably, given preference by Fish
Commissioners and local anglers where
conditions prove them to be especially
adapted to the streams, the rainbows
placed largely in other rivers and
brooks. except in places where careful
experiments prove that both will thrive
when occupying the same waters
western Trout Heavier.
with regard to the respective game
aities of the two species, there is
slight difference: the weight Is much
the same, with the Western trout aver
aging somewhat heavier and lacking
in appearance the matchless red, gold
and silver spangles of the speckled trout.
but in the selection of tackle for trout
fishing no distinction need be made. The
season is identical in fishing eo- either
species. the legal minimum for each is
6 inches: therefore, the angler wishing
to fish for rainbow trout has but td
select the streams known to contain
the game fish that came, like Lochinvar,
out of the West.
The radiant hues of the rainbow in
part appear In the colors of the noun (
tain trout, seen to best advantage when
darting through n clear. sunny stream,
and once hooked the fish, IL of fair
size, gives a fight for life as thrilling as
that of the universal favorte. the brook
trout.
In some OF the trout streams up
state in New York there is what
anglers call "a fair sprinkling" Of rain
bows, but for nearby fishing the New
Jersey rivers and brooks so literally
stocked annually for a number Of years
past with young fry of this species af-
ford the best sport attainable In this
line within easy distance of the city.
When and where to go are the prob
lens facing the fisher for rainbow
trout The first week of April proved
too early for good results. as is usually
the case, even when the rodster resorts
to use of the angleworm as a lure, but
the prospects become steadily more
weather grows warmer, and fair catches
have been reported of late over Jersey
way Quantity. however. Is not by any
means the principal thing to be consid-
cred, for it is greater angling
achievement to catch one or two large
trout than many small ones, and there
are fine four Founders to be had by
the fly caster who knows how to whip
the stream so lightly that his lure will
fan like a featherweight of the winged
kind in exactly the right spot
A Real Game Fish.
An enthusiast in rainbow trout fish
ing who caught his first fish OF this
species some years ago in the famous
Esopus Creek of the CatslSill region de-
clares 1t was the gamest fish for its
size he ever hooked, and following the
rainbow persistently since that time. he
came to regard the mountain trout as
first cousin to the lordly salmon.
Keeping in mind the fact that tres
pass laws are strict both in New York
and New Jersey, with penalties most
severe in the latter State. that residents
of Jersey must pay fishing license of
s165. non-residents and alien residents,
s3o5 residents of New York free to
Ash without license In their own State.
anglers may try the following streams
for rainbows with the knowledge that
the waters have been stocked literally:
The spillway stream and Whang
Brook near Carmel. N. Y: South
Mountain stream. Essex Park. and
Sylvan Lake. Burlington county. n. J..
Other streams noted for brook trout
fishing contain in many cases some
rainbow trout but when fishing mainly
for the rainbows the angler will find
il NECESSARY to obtain In advance re-
liable information on the subject.