Troutbitten

Wild Trout vs Stocked -- The Hierarchy of River Trout

October 12, 2021 Domenick Swentosky Season 1 Episode 4
Troutbitten
Wild Trout vs Stocked -- The Hierarchy of River Trout
Show Notes Transcript

Keep wild trout wild. Not all trout are created equal, and there are many differences in the trout we catch -- in their appearances and their behaviors. Wild trout, stocked trout, holdover trout, fingerlings and club fish are very much a different breed -- or at least they can seem that way.

My friends join me for an honest discussion about the trout we pursue. All of us fish for every kind of trout on the list. And all of these trout hold value -- but not equally.

We believe wild trout populations should be protected, wherever they are found. That starts by eliminating the stocking of hatchery trout over wild trout. And it continues by finding struggling wild trout populations and helping them -- strengthening their numbers by improving water quality and habitat. Neither government nor private organizations should be permitted to stock over established wild trout populations. Full stop.

Why does a wild trout matter? Because it’s real. Because it’s adaptable. Because it holds the evolutionary genetics for surviving in its own river system. Because it is a strong, lasting creature. Because wild trout are (most often) more challenging to catch. Sometimes they’re harder to find. Because they are survivors. Because they are a symbol of nature’s persistence against human intervention. And a wild trout, in all its beauty, is . . . simply . . . wild.

In this episode, we talk about each of the five kinds of trout that we catch, because this hierarchy holds up all across the country, not just here in Pennsylvania.

Wild Trout
Fingerling
Holdover
Stockie
Club Fish

All trout have value. And if you are having a great time catching trout, well, that’s the point. Enjoy it. Get out there, fish hard and have fun.

And yet, there’s also nothing wrong with addressing this topic and understanding that there are major differences in the trout we catch. Stocked trout are often nothing like their wild counterparts. This is true.

We discuss the following:

  • The harm done by stocking over wild trout
  • Stocked trout habits
  • How to tell the difference
  • The important value of stocked fish
  • How club fish set up expectations

We believe that wild trout, wherever they are found, should be kept wild and given a chance. It's important to recognize the exceptional value of wild trout and to understand the limited value of the stocked trout. We should not get them confused. By pushing for regulations that protect wild trout and enhance their habitat we can prepare a better future. By choosing to showcase wild fish over hatchery fakes we send a signal.

Value the wild trout. Protect it. Catch it, and release it.  And yes, value the stocked trout for what it is. 

Resources

READ: Troutbitten | The Hierarchy of Trout In Pennsylvania
READ: Troutbitten | Posted -- Club Fish -- 2065
READ: Troutbitten | Why Wild Trout Matter
READ: Troutbitten | What Happened to Laurel Run? The Story of a Stocked Trout Stream and a Fisherman
READ: Troutbitten | Does a Stocked Trout Ever Become Wild?


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This is the Troutbitten podcast. Thanks for tuning in. My name is Domenick Swentosky. I’m the owner of Troutbitten, I’m a fly fishing guide, and the author of Troutbitten.com, which is a very large resource for anglers interested in fly fishing for trout.

Today we’re gonna talk about wild trout and stocked trout. My friends are here to join me, and I’ll introduce them in a moment. 

But first, let me thank everyone out there who has supported this podcast since we launched. Your kind words and enthusiasm have been overwhelming . . . and encouraging. To help keep this podcast growing, you can find the donate button at the bottom of every article on the Troutbitten website. And, just as importantly, you can subscribe to this podcast. Leave a comment and give it a five star review on Apple Podcasts. Because those things are really what drive success in the podcast field.

Alright, so now, a little more about this topic of Wild Trout vs Stocked.

Back in 2016, I published an article on Troutbitten titled, The Hierarchy of Trout in Pennsylvania. And in that article, I argued that there is a clear order, or grading, so to speak, of the trout we catch. That order is: Wild Trout, Stocked Fingerling, Holdover Trout, Stocked Trout and Club Fish.

Tonight, we’ll talk about each of these five kinds of trout that we catch, because this hierarchy holds up all across the country, not just here in Pennsylvania. 

Now, as I learned when I wrote the article, this topic can really be turned on its head. And my meaning or intentions often get misunderstood. I know that people can feel protective or defensive about the way they fish and the trout they catch. I get it.

So let me say this as plainly and honestly as I can: All trout have value. And if you are having a great time catching trout, well, that’s sort of the point. So that’s excellent. Enjoy it. Get out there, fish hard and have fun.

And yet, there’s also nothing wrong with talking about all this, and understanding that there are major differences in the trout we catch. Stocked trout are often nothing like their wild counterparts. It’s true.

Why does ANY of this matter?  Why not just leave people alone and stop judging their fish? Right. Let people go fish for what they want.

Well, I agree with ALL of that. 

But here’s the thing. Overstocked fisheries often set up unrealistic expectations or ideas about what good trout fishing really is. And stocked trout can, honestly, teach an angler bad habits.

Perhaps most importantly, stocked trout can do great harm to wild populations.

We believe wild trout populations should be protected, wherever they are found. That starts by eliminating the stocking of hatchery trout over wild trout. And it continues by finding struggling wild trout populations and helping them out -- strengthening their numbers by improving water quality and habitat.

Neither government nor private organizations should be permitted to stock over established wild trout populations. Full stop.

We believe that wild trout, wherever they are found, should be kept wild and given a chance. 

Keep wild trout wild.

Alright . . .  one more thing before we get going.

The Native vs Non-Native Topic inevitably comes up in this kind of discussion. 

But we’re not doing that today. I will simply say that, here in Pennsylvania, and in so many other places across the US, we are thankful for the introduction of the brown trout. Without it, many of our best trout rivers would have no trout, as our native brook trout simply cannot withstand the warmer water, agricultural and other pollution that the brown trout tolerates.

Native trout ARE ideal, yes. But in a changing world, sometimes, the only survivor is a non-native trout.

Alright, so how about some introductions and a little Q&A round . . .

. . . Introductions and conversation . . .