Rainbows ...

[Norrie]

Hiya, Had a bit of a chat about Rainbows in the pub tonight, and need (hopefully) something cleared up....right, rainbows, where do they actually originate from ??? I always thought they were brought over from N.America/Canada,to stock our lakes and lochs, but one of the guys ,said that they are only indigenous in Lake Tafo(sp) ??? in New Zealand or Australia....so, where did they originate from ????

Any Ideas, or info.....much appreciated,as there are a few chaps waiting on me buying them a drink or three....

[tack4]

from the sky after a rain shower

lots of pretty colours mate

[Adz]

Rainbows are indigenous to the North Americas.

 

The lake Taupo 'bows (and browns come to that) are all stockies or fish descended from stockies.

 

Cheers,

[Vagabond]

Adz:

Rainbows are indigenous to the North Americas.

...and not only that, but as N America is a big place, there are many natural strains, varieties, sub-species, etc in the different watersheds. Some are seagoing, others are not.

 

No surprise there - adaptation and diversity are what salmonids are all about.

 

Other places where rainbows (and browns) have been introduced include Tasmania and South Africa. Have caught browns and rainbows in both places.

 

[ 30. April 2005, 07:23 AM: Message edited by: Vagabond ]

[Norrie]

Hiya, Thanks chaps, for confirming my thoughts.

Believe it or not, Nick Fisher was on this morning,on an old Screaming Reels prog, fishing Lake Taupo, and mentioned the fish are stockies..... ,so I think its me thats getting the drinks bought for me today.

 

On onother discussion, we were talking about reports of Rainbows breeding in a few/couple of rivers on the west coast of Scotland,any idea what ones tho'...

Cheers

[Tog]

Don't know about Scotland but rainbows do breed in Hampshire streams (top of Test - Bourne) and therefore any good clean well oxygenated stream should provide what they need.

[peterthefisherman]

I once caught a very small rainbow on the Earn which I suspect may have been from breeding in the river. I have also heard of Rainbows returning from the sea in the Tay system 7-10 lb in weight and with sea lice on them.

Have not heard anything about the West coast but there have been many escapes in Loch Awe which may have resulted in a breeding of stock.

[Cranfield]

I have caught small rainbow in the Test and the Hampshire Avon at Christchurch.

Both fish were about 4 inches long and definitely rainbows.

[Adz]

Hmm... last I heard somewhere in Lancashire was the only population of spawning rainbows in the UK - could well have changed though. Will try to find out the exact spot.

 

Used to be some in the river Chess - but I gather they've all gone now.

 

Small rainbows elsewhere could easily be escapee's from trout farms. Salmon parr are very similar to young rainbows too.

 

Best pictures I can find are:

 

Rainbow Parr:

http://missouririvermitigation.usace.army....es/rbtparr4.jpg

 

Atlantic Salmon Parr:

http://www.pbmphoto.com/sal-90-44.gif

 

Cheers,

[MJB]

I'm pretty certain that the Derbyshire Derwent has the only breeding population of Rainbow Trout in the U.K.