The Fly Fishing Forum - The Best Fly Fishing News and Information focused on North America: Habitat Protection Vital To Native Trout

Habitat Protection Vital To Native Trout
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Trout Unlimited on 24/10/2012 14:29:00
 
"After all the past stocking and all the manipulation to Colorado's trout
fisheries over the last century or so, it's remarkable that we still have truly
pure native trout to conserve," Nickum said. "That said, we have some real
challenges in front of us if we are to make sure greenback cutthroat trout—and
the chance to fish for them—are part of our long-term future."
According to a University of Colorado study released Monday, Bear Creek, located
southwest of Colorado Springs, is home to the only pure population of greenback
cutthroat trout remaining in Colorado. The greenback cutthroat trout is
Colorado's state fish.
Not coincidentally, Trout Unlimited is working with agency partners and
motorized and non-motorized bike users to better protect Bear Creek in the face
of growing problems with sedimentation. This on-the-ground, collaborative work
is now more important than ever—other populations of cutthroat trout
previously believed to be greenbacks in the Arkansas and South Platte drainages
of the state are now thought to be cutthroats from lineages that were
historically found on Colorado’s western slope.
TU is a committed financial sponsor of the study released today by Dr. Jessica
Metcalf and her co-authors. The study by Dr. Metcalf has helped unravel the
complex history of habitat loss and stocking that had masked the historical
distributions of Colorado's native cutthroat—since the 1880s, a veritable
smorgasbord of trout species have been stocked in Colorado's waters. Brown
trout, rainbow trout and brook trout—all non-native species—have been a part
of the Colorado angling menu for generations, but only cutthroat trout are
native to the state.
"Native trout are a priceless part of Colorado's natural heritage, offering
unique opportunities to fish for trout that have called the Rockies home for
thousands of years and are adapted to Colorado's environment," Nickum said. "TU
remains committed to the restoration of native trout throughout Colorado—and
around the country—wherever it's both possible and practical."