There was an interesting article in this months FF&FT or was it T&S? Can't remember.
The hypotheses was that only some salmon are genetically predisposed to occasional feeding in fresh water, these are the fish anglers catch and until relatively recently they were all killed.
Result - these fish don't breed, the taking trait is not passed on and there are fewer and fewer catchable salmon in our rivers.
Is this fact or fiction?
Sounds like Horlix to me, I have never killed a Salmon, but talking to someone who has a large fish smoker and has processed a lot of Salmon and Sea trout, he told me he often found food in the stomachs of Sea Trout, but never in a Salmon.
The article is in this month's FF&FT.
Some years ago I read a similar article arguing this was the reason there were (apparently) fewer free-rising trout taking dries.
The guy openly admits it's just a theory with no peer reviewed evidence.
Good one for some post grad. fisheries scientist doing a PhD?
There is completely undeniable logic to this theory. It explains why it is that big fat trout that are really hard to catch got that big by not eating. Also, average sized trout eat a lot but do not get big and are easily caught. These smaller ones get put back to then eat lots more, but still do not grow. :roll: :roll:
But the counter argument is no one is denying salmon eat, they all eat in the sea whereas trout can only eat in fresh water - unless of course they are sea trout. :lol:
Clearly, big fat uncatchable trout are sustained by magic water. Catchable smaller trout do not live in magic water.
Sorry but....
https://youtu.be/ASvYzbIysAY
Hoolet
Quote from: Hoolet on October 15, 2021, 07:18:07 PM
Sorry but....
I'm not so sure George. It was in FF&FT so it's hard to believe it could be wrong. :lol:
Compulsory C&R. Be a long study though! A lifetimes work.