[o mykiss]

Triploid/Rainbow Record/Net Pens

I forgot to mention for those that may be unaware, that the net pens on Rufus Woods are commercial operations. The fish are triploids and are sold to firms such as Safeway, etc., may be called "Rainbow", "Steelhead", etc. The large triploids that are being caught near the pens are usually the result of escapees or releases that hang around the pens and pig out on the feed that filters through the nets. Most that I have seen are short heavy fish that have a softball size ball of fat in the belly. Not a fish that should be recognized as a Rainbow state record in my opinion. At the very least it should be listed with an asterisk to differentiate between fish caught under normal conditions in their natural terrain.

Well, with all the nasty stuff Teck Cominco has dumped into the Columbia River up in Canada that has washed into Rufus Woods Lake, I don't think I'll be eating any farm-raised rainbows from there.

 

[BOBLAWLESS]

Hey Big K1--

The idea that triploids would stay out in the ocean and just eat was very appealing to commercial salmon trollers. The largest I ever caught while trolling was about 42-43 pounds (dressed out and sold at 39 pounds).

If the triploids were to stay at sea for six or seven years, it might be possible to have 100 lb. plus salmon available. At $3.50 per pound, the highest I was ever paid, I would have a $350 fish in the boat. Catch four or five like that and you are talking a very nice day.

Bob, the Frankly, I don't think I could pull a 100 pound king into the boat but I sure as hell would give it a try.

 

[Cactus]

Not to start up a discussion regarding the pros/cons of fish farming, but it seems that if the state would require only triploids for the fish farms, that the concerns about Atlantic salmon displacing native fish species if/when they escaped could be eliminated.