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.
2 comments
Nice info Mike. I’m just below you in the U.S. (N. Idaho) and appreciate this kind of information. Makes my mouth water. Would you mind if I link your site to mine? You represent the kind of knowledge I like to see given.
A few of our more dedicated get up that way and The Bow is among our favorites. Perhaps we can fish together sometime.
Hey Dwayne, thank you for your nice comment. Whenever I think about fishing my mouth waters as well. I would love to have you link your website to my Blog, that’s what this is all about. If we can help out the new angler to the sport than we are doing something productive. I am going to develop a spot on my Blog dedicated to rules and regulations and fish etiquette so we can all learn a little something about rules. I would love to have you in my boat anytime Dwayne. I will show you what a 28 inch monster Brown feels like. My best Brown last year was 28 inches. That’s the definition of fun.