The $1000 Trout!

[Editor]

Angler Russell Relyea won the random drawing conducted by Idaho Power Co. after he reported information on a tagged rainbow trout he caught at C.J. Strike Reservoir.

“I’ve never been the lucky winner in any other contests before,” said Relyea, who caught a 17-inch, jaw-tagged rainbow trout Nov. 3.

Relyea’s name was among 217 entered in Idaho Power’s twice-yearly drawing for anglers who report catching trout fitted with jaw tags.

“The information on the jaw tags is important in evaluating the success of our trout-stocking program,” said Idaho Power biologist Ben Reingold.

Each year, Idaho Power stocks reservoirs along the mid-Snake River with about 145,000 rainbow trout. A limited number are fitted with jaw tags.

The next $1,000 drawing is in September.

You can learn more about Idaho Power’s trout jaw-tagging program at www.idahopower.com/fish.