The success of the Mt. Lassen strain as a fast grower, excellent survivor, and good sporting fish has led to the continued maintenance of this strain. An experimental enhancement was conducted in the mid 1990’s when the Mt. Lassen eggs were crossed with males from natural spawning rainbow trout from Pekisko Creek, a tributary to the Bow River. However, the “pure” strains of Mt. Lassen rainbows were found to have superior characteristics on all counts. The trial cross has now been retired and Raven has returned to the exclusive use of the Mt. Lassen strain.The Allison station currently uses two distinct strains. In 1985/86, four rainbow trout strains and seven crosses were evaluated for egg production suitability. These stocks originated from: Troutlodge (Oregon), Beity Hatcheries (Washington), Mt. Lassen (California), and Pennask/Beaver Lake (British Columbia). A variety of strains and crosses were used up until 1989 when the Beity strain (BEBE) and the Beity x Pennask/ Beaver Lake (BEBL) had exclusive use. The BEBL strain was back-crossed with the BEBE’s in 1990. This strain is still referred to as the Beity x Beaver Lake cross and is used alternately (two year alternation) with the pure Beity rainbow trout strain.

Since the establishment of cultured rainbow trout strains in Alberta, both Raven and Allison use a system of rotational three line crossing to maintain genetic integrity. Laboratory analysis has shown that this system has been successful in maintaining genetic diversity in rainbow trout stocks. So, that is the origin of the three strains of rainbow trout used in government fish culture operations. What are the origins of the strains of rainbows originally brought into Alberta? Well that is the subject of recollection, opinion, and incomplete records. With some degree of certainty, those strains originated with the Shasta, Arlee, Montana, and Donaldson varieties of rainbow trout in the northwest United States and Beaver Lake in British Columbia. One thing we CAN say for sure is that the rainbow trout is native to the Pacific Northwest, intermountain and east slope regions of North America and is now a popular hatchery and sport fish all over the world. Aren’t we lucky! I will gather information on the Brown Trout that occupy the Bow River system and post an article on the Brown Trout Information page of the Blog.

The rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss), aka redband trout, is a species of Pacific salmon(1989) native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. Fish which have gone to sea (including those returning for spawning) are known as Steelhead, or ocean trout (Australia). The species has been introduced for food or sport to at least 45 countries, and every continent except Antarctica. In some of these locations, such as Australia, they have had very serious negative impacts on upland native fish species.

The species was originally named byJohann Julius Walbaumin 1792. In 1855, W. P. Gibbons found a population and named it Salmo iridia, however this name became deprecated once it was determined that this was a population of the already named species. Rainbow trout are unusual in that although they can spend their entire life in fresh water, they are capable of migrating to sea water when conditions are right, though they must return to fresh water to breed.The freshwater form is called “rainbow trout” or “redband trout”, based on the broad red band along their sides. After going to sea, their color changes, including loss of the red band, and they are called “steelhead”. 

They occur in well oxygenated lakes and streams where the temperature doesn’t rise above 12°C in summer. Rainbows and steelhead have small black spots along their back, dorsal fin and caudal fin. Behind the dorsal fin, rainbows have an adipose finthat is commonly clipped from fish raised in a hatchery. Clipping the adipose fin helps distinguish hatchery fish from wild fish when they are taken by anglers. This allows enforcement of regulations to protect wild rainbows. Rainbows have a red or pink streak that runs from the gill cover to the caudal fin, inspiring their name. The color of a rainbow’s back varies from blue or green to a yellow-green or brown. Steelhead usually lack the pink stripe and have chrome-colored sides. Rainbows are distinguished from their cousins, the cutthroat trout(Oncorhynchus clarki) by their short maxilla, which reaches to, but not past the rear margin of the eye. Rainbow trout also lack hyoid teeth, a feature present in cutthroat trout.Rainbows range from 12 to 36 inches in length.

Steelheads grow longer, ranging from 50 to 100 cm (20 to 40 inches) in length. Steelhead range in weight from 2.5 kg to 10 kg. The world record rainbow was a 42 pound specimen caught near Bell Island, AK.Here in Calgary Alberta, there are no Steelhead present as we have no ocean. On the Bow River specifically, we support a large population of Rainbow Trout which can grow to lengths of over 30 inches long.

Rainbow Trout spawn here in the spring where they make their way down stream to the Highwood River in early March. Once the ice on the Highwood River has thawed, the Bow River Rainbow Troutmake their journey up to spawn in the Highwood River and it’s many tributaries. You can fish for the Rainbow Trout at the staging point where the mouth of the Highwood River meets the Bow River. If you are looking for great Rainbow Trout fishing than you need not look any further than the Bow River. If you would like a guided trip to fish for these “Bow River bullits” as they are called here, click the guided fishing trip page at the top of the Blog, or click here.