Challenge!

For those who like a challenge, here are a few you can take on:

• • California Heritage Trout Challenge － catch six different trout native to California in their historic drainages. The species are the coastal, Lahontan, and Paiute cutthroat trout; the coastal, Eagle Lake, and Kern River rainbow trout, the McCloud, Goose Lake, and Warner Lakes redband trout; and the California and Little Kern golden trout. Catch all for a master certificate! CDFW has a nice guide.

  • Nevada Native Fish-Slam － catch all six salmonid species native to Nevada in Nevada. The species are the Lahontan, Bonneville, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, the inland redband trout, the bull trout, and the mountain whitefish.

  • Western Native Trout Challenge －multiple challenge from six species over four states to 18 species over 12 states!

A few other western states have their own challenges as well: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

How to identify native and wild trout? Checkout this streamside guide produced by FlyFishingtheSierra.com and WildTroutStreams.com.

What is the difference between a native trout and a wild trout? A wild trout is one which has spent its entire life in the fishery. A native trout is one in a water where they existed before human influences. For instance, Lahontan cutthroat trout caught in the Truckee River would be regarded as a native fish regardless if it was raised in a hatchery or was produced in the river. If produced in the river, it would be a wild and native trout. Brook trout are non-native to our waters but are generally wild (produced in the water they are caught in). Tiger trout caught in our area are neither wild nor native as they are hatchery produced.

We offer mentoring to club members who are taking on these challenges. To arrange for mentoring, contact us at mentoring@hsfc.us.