I’ve heard a lot of stories and have seen many pictures of Rainbow Trout with mouth deformities. But never had I caught one until now. I caught this fish on a lower section of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. I’ve heard of these deformities occurring often in Hatchery raised fish due to over and inter breeding. That would make sense as a lot of these wild Rainbows on the lower portions of the river are descendants of hatchery fish. It did however get me thinking that we might be having a part in these deformities. Especially since I see all kinds of foreign substances introduced in the stream that could wreak havok on these fishes genetic code, as they form. I have seen alcohol, shampoo, plastics, etc. So the next time you’re up in a mountain stream and you see trash on the river, pick it up. Or if you see someone introducing a polutant, stop them and let them know the effects of what they are doing. Let’s remember that these streams are our backyard and the fish that inhabit them are a source of recreation for many people across the south land. I know I want the next generation to be able to enjoy it as I have, do you?
Themocracy
“The Phantom OF The River”