R
Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA)
Guest
Most anglers will agree that rainbow trout are one of the hardest fighting fish to be found in freshwater. Over the years I have had some memorable scraps with them, especially those found in large reservoirs or in remote high altitude lakes (over 5000 feet)fed by feeder streams which in some cases the rainbows actually breed.
The best of the British rainbow trout fights have come from fish from Thrybergh reservoir between Doncaster and Rotherham, and Grafham Water. When Grafham opened in 1966, stories of the fighting power of the rainbows became legendary. 4 pound fish removing 100 yards of backing became common. And at the end of the blistering run the fish would often jump 10 feet into the air.
I have had thesame sort of scraps from high altitude farm dams of no more than 10 acres. I remember Jim Gibbinson catching a nice 3 pound rainbow from one such water. After landing it he exclaimed: "My, how these fish fight, I have never had a 3 pound fish pull like that - ever!"
But often, rainbows can be disappointing, especially some of the bigger ones. Some of the very large pellet fed rainbows fight no better than some bream in my opinion, althoughI think it depends onhow they have been reared.
Some fish in very cold water can also be a bit sluggish. But in my opinion, once the water temperature has passed through the 10 deg C level, and stays below 15 deg C, the trout will be at their fighting best. This of course coincides with food availability in the water as the insect life starts turning on at these temperatures.
But what do you think?
The best of the British rainbow trout fights have come from fish from Thrybergh reservoir between Doncaster and Rotherham, and Grafham Water. When Grafham opened in 1966, stories of the fighting power of the rainbows became legendary. 4 pound fish removing 100 yards of backing became common. And at the end of the blistering run the fish would often jump 10 feet into the air.
I have had thesame sort of scraps from high altitude farm dams of no more than 10 acres. I remember Jim Gibbinson catching a nice 3 pound rainbow from one such water. After landing it he exclaimed: "My, how these fish fight, I have never had a 3 pound fish pull like that - ever!"
But often, rainbows can be disappointing, especially some of the bigger ones. Some of the very large pellet fed rainbows fight no better than some bream in my opinion, althoughI think it depends onhow they have been reared.
Some fish in very cold water can also be a bit sluggish. But in my opinion, once the water temperature has passed through the 10 deg C level, and stays below 15 deg C, the trout will be at their fighting best. This of course coincides with food availability in the water as the insect life starts turning on at these temperatures.
But what do you think?