The Rainbow Trout & Steelhead
The rainbow trout are a favorite wherever they are found and are able to adapt to the widest variety of water temperatrures and quality. As a result, rainbows have been successfully stocked in countless cold water fisheries around the world. Like other trout, the rainbow trout feeds on a wide variety of aquatic organisms, focusing on larger prey (small fish, crustaceans etc.) as they grow larger.
Rainbow Trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss
Native Fish:Eastern Pacific rivers, western rocky mountains
Spawns:spring
Special Traits:hard-fighting
aka:rainbow, bow Rainbow
Regional Variations:Steelhead
Steelhead (Pacific)~The name given to anadromous rainbow trout that are born in a freshwater stream, migrate to the sea and return TO the stream to spawn as a mature adult.
Steelhead are magnificent gamefish~prized for the hard fight and multiple jumps anglers are often rewarded with.
In 1989, steelhead, rainbows were moved from the genus “Salmo” (which included Atlantic salmon and brown trout) to the genus “Oncorhynchus.” (includes chum, sockeye, Chinook, pink and Coho salmons)
Scientists believe that steelhead/rainbows are genetically closer to salmon than trout.
Great Lakes Steelhead
These are Pacific/saltwater steelhead stocked in the Great Lakes for the purpose of sport fishing. Like their saltwater relatives, great lakes steelhead return to rivers and streams to spawn. Success in fly fishing for great lakes steelhead depends largely on an ability to determine when the fish will be there.
