Agree with you on Brown Trout. In Mi Browns have been directly linked to reducing populations of the native Brook trout and was a part of the extinction of the arctic Grayling in Mi. There have been several attempts to reintroduce arctic Grayling but studies are showing they need streams where brown trout aren’t.
Yea In Ny they stock browns in the major systems and they move up in the tribs to eat the brookies… I watched a 20 in brown chase around brookies in one of my favorite tribs over the summer! I wasn’t happy
@@brian1204 that’s why I said a part- but the multiple reintroduction efforts have been more on an issue with brown trout out competing the Grayling for food and territory according to their most recent introduction efforts according to Mi.govs website.
"they fight pretty good for a trout..." So much shade, I love it. After a few years away from fishing this past summer I took two trips to CO and NM and caught dozens of Rainbows, Browns and Cut Throats and that has reignited my interest in fishing. A few summers ago we targeted gar with the mentioned rope flies and Clousers with small sharp hooks and a 36" gar hooked and tail walking on the surface of the water is spectacular!
I think the overall appreciation for the natural eco system is the most refreshing part of the Chanel. Native species don't get enough love and this Chanel has helped me to value the entire spectrum of fishing opportunities available as a fly fisherman. Stay huge 😉👍🏻
Awesome rant! Another great "trash fish" in New England are chain pickerel. Yes, the have bones and are smaller than northern pike, but the hit flies with true bad intent and jump on the fly rod. They will even tow a small boat. Try it sonr time.
Glad to see you include the ladyfish. They’ve saved plenty of bad days, they jump like crazy, fight well on fly, and if you let them jump enough boatside, they’ll often release themselves
Ganoid scales are a type of fish scale that are characterized by their hard, bony structure and protective properties. These scales are found on a variety of fish species, including sturgeons, paddlefish, and gar, and have been used for a wide range of purposes throughout history. One of the most notable characteristics of ganoid scales is their hard, bony structure. These scales are made up of a layer of ganoin, which is a type of enamel-like substance that is extremely hard and durable. This makes ganoid scales highly resistant to damage and abrasion, making them well-suited for protection against predators and other environmental hazards. In addition to their protective properties, ganoid scales also have a number of other uses. Historically, ganoid scales have been used for a wide range of purposes, including as a source of food, as a material for tools and weapons, and as a decorative element in jewelry and other decorative items. Today, ganoid scales are still used for a variety of purposes, including as a source of fish meal and fish oil, as well as for use in the manufacture of cosmetics and other products. Despite their many uses, however, ganoid scales are not without their drawbacks. One of the main challenges associated with ganoid scales is that they can be difficult to process and prepare for use. This is due to their hard, bony structure, which can make them difficult to cut and shape. Additionally, ganoid scales can also be difficult to remove from the fish, which can make them less appealing to consumers. Despite these challenges, however, ganoid scales continue to be an important resource for a wide range of industries and applications. With their unique properties and wide range of uses, ganoid scales are sure to remain an important part of our world for many years to come. In conclusion, ganoid scales are unique type of fish scales that characterized by their hard and bony structure. These scales are found in a variety of fish species and have been used for a wide range of purposes throughout history, including as a source of food, as a material for tools and weapons, and as a decorative element in jewelry and other decorative items. However, ganoid scales can be difficult to process and prepare for use and removing them from the fish can be difficult. Despite these challenges, ganoid scales continue to be an important resource for a wide range of industries and applications.
I'm pretty open to trying new fish. Tried Gaftop one time because I heard it was ok. We fried it side by side with reds, trout, flounder, and sheepshead. The Gaftop surprisingly came out the best! They were too slimy to put in the boat, hung them over the side in the water, but when I went to filet them the slime went away quick. Easy filet good tasting fish. Give it a shot.
Great video. Totally agree regarding the browns. Lots of Brook trout streams in my area (nj) are becoming overrun with browns. Thankfully there are places with barriers like waterfalls which protect the brookies but it’s really sad to see in general.
There are a lot of streams and rivers here in Oregon where there is no size limit or retention limit on brown trout. Same is true about brook trout. Not only cutthroat, but also bull trout have a hard time competing with browns and brookies.
May be my favorite Huge video ever. I have this argument with people all the time here in the midwest. You can catch nearly anything with a fly rod and it's always, dare I say, HUGE!!!
Well said, Unfortunately, part of the problem with cutthroat management is that they require colder, cleaner water than browns and bows and in this day of warming temps and poor flow management the non natives are more hardy.
For some reason people just can't stand the idea of a "cool-ish" stream with no trout. There are native fish in that warmer water, but they're not trout. We don't need to add brown trout to every stream that is too warm to support cutthroat (out west) or brook trout (in the east).
Hey Ben (or anyone else)... any clue how bad runoff from treated lawns affects aquatic insects? Some of the local parks in my area have trout streams that run through them, and I've spotted pesticide application warning signs. I'd like to to work with TU to see if we can get DNR/parkmanagement to ban their use.
I was heavily involved in TU in WA and it was all about native fish. Then I moved to CO and this brown trout fandom gave me some serious whiplash. Thanks for calling it out! And let's go Cutties 😜
I'm gonna share the perspective of a Colorado guy on this issue. The general consensus with people that I know is not that brown trout are so great. We see it this way: draining a lake or devastating all the fish in a stream in order to get rid of non-native species is trading an ecological issue for an ecological disaster. It's not solving a problem, it's just an extension of the same sort of hubris that led people to introduce those non-native species in the first place. There is a reservoir near where I live, during the course of my life it has been totally drained on three separate occasions, everything in it was killed in doing so, all in an attempt to get rid of non-native species, fish species that found their way right back in. All of these problems were caused by someone who thought they knew better. They didn't.
@@advicepirate8673 hey for sure, my men. I agree. And when you're talking about tailwaters that are already altered ecosystems, fussing over the type of trout you've got in it is silly compared to caring for a healthy environment on the whole. Plus I like to catch brown trout as much as the next guy! I just don't think they deserve to be on a pedestal.
Most of my fishing trips are limited to a few hours on a local river running through town. Tons of white fish, peamouth and chisel mouths that I've learned to appreciate catching.
Northern Pikeminnow are an interesting one for sure. The elevated water table due to a number of dams on the Columbia river has created a ton of habitat for NPM that wasn't historically there. It's not trying to rid the watershed of them, more trying to manage the population for the reason you mentioned, salmon and steelhead.
There are river systems in the pnw where pikeminnow were inadvertently introduced. My home river doesn't have a bounty but, we are told to kill them off since they are invasive in that system.
The other complication around carp is they’re bony. Their pin bone branch like tree limbs. As for the flavor, ikijime help with the flavor Edit: odd stance on carp at the end. Much of the hate is related to them being an invasive species.
Love the topic of this video man. In my area the non native trout get all of the money and enforcement from the DNR and our native river smallmouth, largemouth,suckers,gar,walleye etc are an after thought.
Biggest fresh water fish to this day that I've caught was a bowfin. It was about 11 pounds and I caught it on a white beetlespin lure on 8 pound line when I was a kid. Still remember my older brother being afraid to pick it up to put it back in the water lol
One of my favorite things about fly fishing for carp is places I go they're not often all that pressured compared to a trout stream. Sure you go to the South Platte in Denver and you'll run into other fishermen but there are a lot of other places that have great carp fishing if you're willing to explore a bit.
Carp aren't trash fish at all. And they are absolutely delicious. The guy is wrong about their taste. Caught from clean water they are unbeatable in taste and nutrition. They are a fatty, oily fish that are full of bones and require more prep and proper recipes. You don't need to "clean them out" or avoid the "mudvain" The countries best kept secret. I will say the bones are insane and they do not freeze well at all. You must eat them fresh. If You eat fish for the nutrition, carp are on the top of freshwater fish. The amount of fat on these fish is astounding and it melts in your mouth. Nearly as much omega 3 fatty acid as sockeye salmon.
Love this video. I love your comments on protecting the native fish! Also, I love Whitefish and Pike Minnows, I've caught both in the Boise River multiple times.
I went to high school near Boise around 1980. I remember one day on the S fork of the Boise when my dad used dry flies and caught 3 trout, while I used nymphs and caught 3 trout and 12 whitefish. Used to catch pikeminnow up to 28" in Lucky Peak reservoir in the heat of summer on Thomas Buoyant Spoons (or grasshoppers) with a stop and go retrieve in the small side channels. My favorite lake in Oregon now has pikeminnows that love gold spoons like metallic perch Thomas buoyant or Kastmasters, especially when water temp near 65 degrees.
I started tying trout flies in 1963, so my knowledge of 'trash fish' is extant at age 73. Carp sort of fall into a slot that classifies carp in different ways depending on your location on this planet. In Montana a carp doesn't count.
Suckers fight like crazy! I got one in a true native species lake that also had brookies, lakers, and whitefish. Hands down the sucker fought harder then all the 4lb brookies, and lake trout! Fallfish and chubs also saved me from a skunk numerous times when I first got into fly fishing. I wished they were trout, but wasn’t upset at all to catch any fish. Some of the fallfish that get into the upper teens can also put up a heck of a fight on a 5w.
Along with brown trout, i’d also like to add lake trout to the list of trash fish, since they are directly responsible for the extirpation of the Sunapee Golden Trout (arctic char subspecies) from New England
Totally agree. I caught a Redhorse once and that was a blast. Now I chase the trash fish like Quill Back, Buffalo, and love the spiny heads chubs. One thing though, the rope flies are really bad for the Gar and I have no issue catching them on hooks. I don't understand the whole rope fly thing, it's stupid. Great video, thanks!
tbh lady fish are fun to catch, any piers in texas that are off rocks i fish at with a small or medium size spoon and the lady fish are pretty big size, bigger than most rainbow trout i’ve seen
Hey Ben! Great video! Try this carp recipe. Take an oak limb and carp fillets. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Wrap the limb and fillets in banana leaves. Bake at 350° for an hour. Remove from oven. Throw away the banana leaves and carp fillets and eat the oak limb!
In Utah there are a lot of hybrid fish Tiger Trout, Tiger Muskie, Wiper. Hatchery fish but are big and a good time. There are no bad fish on a fly rod.
@@HugeFlyFisherman I really only pay attention to 4 of the 27 chapters in ny. Lol the ones that I fallow seem to put a priority on native and wild fish as long as the land is public access or open by land owners!
There are groups out there working to protect and restore native fish populations. Native Fish Coalition is one here on the East Coast. Started by Bob Mallard in Maine in 2017 and now has chapters in almost all of the East Coast states. We love our trash fish at NFC.
here in north Carolina we who eat suckers because the rib bones are like needles we clean suckers ,cut in sections and pressure cook meat and bones like canned mackerel. then make fish cakes. sometimes I pressure can fish. my personal recipe for sucker works with any fish. I use leftover taters or instant taters cooked,cooled, equal amount of taters and fish working it together where I holds together and form fish cake.spreads mixture out on counter.add on top green,yellow, red bell pepper cut fine. Cajun spices to taste one third can
Sight fishing carp is one of my absolute favorite ways to fish. I live in the great lakes and have plenty of options, but I'll take carp over trout or even bass on a lot of occasions because the challenge is real and that makes the reward that much sweeter. Plus they pull like a damn truck! And the flies they like is a nice change of pace from the usual stuff I tie for bass, trout and salmon, etc. I can almost pretend I'm a salt water angler. 😂 Stay huge!
@@nonewherelistens1906 Yeah, I've heard comparisons like that! Some people call them "golden bones" which might be a _bit_ silly, but I've never fished for bones, so can't really say. But I will say that I have caught a fair few of them with some slightly adapted bonefish patterns. It's unreal how crafty they are, they don't get nearly enough credit. No other fish here leaves me with such a level of confusion lol. They seem to be very intelligent at times.
European, yeah carp are a big thing here for sure. The majority of anglers are either targeting venues with lots of carp in or specifically target only carp, if you've fished in europe, youve probably caught a carp. I myself fish rivers where there isnt so much, but I've had many carp and they always give a great fight. Our equivilent over here though for "trash fish" is probably bream. They will bite horribly slowly, and just give up within the first three seconds of hooking one, even those above 5lb getting to 10lb just give up and float into the bank. If you have light tackle though even those are fun to fish for but if you catch one on heavier gear, its like pulling in twigs lol. I think its more down to having the correct tackle for what you may catch, a small 2lb fish feels amazing on light line and a light rod.
great description for the Pike up here in Wisconsin. However, I will say that I dont' mind catching Pike when I'm ice fishing. Decent eating too if you filet them right
Let’s not forget, common carp were brought to North America as a food fish, public opinion just changed on them and now luckily it’s going back the other way
Hey Ben I know you have a fisheries science background as well so I know you might be interested but even if someone didn’t go to school for it there’s a pretty neat book called artifishal: how the rainbow trout beguiled america. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s interested in native trout conservation
The title of the book you’re referring to is actually An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World. Artifishal is also great, but it’s a documentary produced by Patagonia on the harm done to native pacific salmon by hatchery raised fish.
@@MNVelo good save thanks! Yeah I watched the documentary along the same time I read the book and their similarities got them confused in my head it’s been a few years. Thanks!
look for catching northern hog nose suckers during spawning season in the ozarks around lake taneycomo, tablerock and bull shoals, when they spaw in the spring you can snag them in the rivers and streams on a "bottlehook" limit is 20 per trip, and possession limit is 200. makes an amazing fish fry, descale and score.
That was a fun education with a powerful statement about native fish. Here in western MA we see carp in the clear, fast running water of the Housatonic all the time. Of course, they are in the slow muddy parts, too, but I can catch a carp, smallmouth, or trout without taking a step.
You are so correct about Brooke's. I live in the Pacific NorthWest. We have plenty of fish varieties here. When someone comes to visit and I mention Brooke's thier all about it.
My first big freshwater fish was a northern hog sucker in a North Carolina creek. My grandpa and I spotted it and watched it from the back porch, then decided to go after it with a Zebco setup and a piece of hot dog for bait. I was probably 9 years old, and it was epic. Pop stood on a high rock while I snuck in close. He directed my cast and the hook set. We landed that fish, got a picture, and let it go. Totally unorthodox stream fishing, but an experience I’ll never forget.
Carp are a grey area. They can lead to eutrophication which nutrient loads the body water they reside in. There are studies on this readily available online and is something covered in my fish ecology class.
Ben, I'm echoing here, but well said on the Brown Trout. I live in CT and have land in WY. In CT our native trout is the Brook Trout but all you here is Brown, Brown, Brown....watch for the Reds! Last May I fished the Firehole River in West Yellowstone. I killed it on soft hackle, but not one Yellowstone Cutthroat. That left an empty space on a awesome trip. Great video.
Mountain whitefish are one of the finest smoked fish. I grew up in CO and we used to fish the CO River by Glenwood Springs specifically for them. Back then there was no limit and we tried to take 100 or so for the smoker. They really are outstanding when smoked right. Not very goof any other way due to mushy meat and bones but smoked makes all the difference.
As an Australian, most of the fish you showed were new to me. We don't have a lot of fresh water, so not a lot of variety in fresh water fish, at least ones more than 3 inches long. Australians mostly share your thoughts on native fish deserving ultimate respect, but they also get excited about brown trout. Thanks for the awesome vid.
Probably my favorite video on RUclips you hit the nail on the head at the end I love sucker fishing in the summer when it crap weather for trout here. my friends laugh but most of the suckers I've caught that are 16 inches put up better fights than a 22 inch brown now hook into a greater redhorse on a six weight and tell me you don't like sucker fishing anymore lol and best part is most of these fish are in your local creeks and rivers closer to home than those overpopulated trout creeks.
The fish people look down on they call trash. The real trash is the thinking that thinks that way. To even be alive is a wonder. The vast variety of fish on this planet is mind boggling! Fish on with wonder and respect!
I actually caught a channel cat this past summer. Surprised the hell out of me. I was throwing a meat whistle for smallmouth. When it took the fly I knew I had a bigger fish. I thought I had a carp until I got it close enough to net. I’ve been fly fishing around forty years, and that was a first for me. I’m surprised that you put brown trout on the list. One of the places I fish in Michigan is the first place they were stocked. It’s just outside of Baldwin Michigan. There is a plaque where they were stocked on the Baldwin River. The Baldwin flows into the Pere Marquette river, a Lake Michigan tributary. That is a beautiful area that screams you should be fishing here.
Gaftop sail catfish are actually pretty good to eat, similar to channel or blue cats. Hard heads at a little softer meat and do require some dressing up for the dinner plate…and they are annoying to catch. But don’t write them off, they can all be reasonable table fare with the right Cajun seasoning mix!
Browns bring money, thats the only reason. As for Northern Pike, if you are after Muskie they can be a pain in the North. But, here in Michigan we have allot of water that doesnt have Muskie and we target the heck out of Pike on the fly. We have plenty of Muskie opportunities here in Michigan that is for certain, but our Pike water can be amazing! When Pike are the Apex Predator in a system, its very common to catch multiple 40"+ Pike a day and many Pike over 30"+ in a day. As we know with Muskie, if you can get into 1 50" +/- fish you've had a successful day. Allot of casting big streamers with heavy rods. Motrin becomes your friend LOL. Love catching them both for sure, just not Pike when your chasing Muskie LOL
My grandfather was an excellent (professional) cook. He used to cook carp that we caught out of the Colorado River. I didn't know how he did it but they tasted great.
I prefer the roundtail chub. it is native to our waters, as are trout, come to the fly and are good fighters. The correct way to cook a carp is to place the carp on a cedar shingle, place it on a bed of glowing coals until golden brown, then throw away the carp and eat the shingle.
Gafftop catfish are excellent for ceviche. It is a very firm clean white meat. Yes they suck to clean but it is worth it when you get one in the 3-5lb range.
Great Video. I love fishing for Carp and as you said they do not taste good but you need to catch them from the right lake or river because unfortunately he in the US they usually taste bad. It took me over a year to find a perfect spot to get a tasty Carp. I'm going there every time I want to eat one. You might wonna know the way that we clean it and cook it also. I bit you will love it.
Thank You: Some of our supposed trash fish can be delicious. Pike are essential in gefilte fish--early spring they are very tasty, but get musty in hot weather (around here in Massachusetts anyway). Cooking Carp in Asian food - they taste great. I knew a guy that made great fish cakes from chub. White fish are good Deli fare. Here in eastern Mass real native brookies and even yellow perch are getting more & more decimated from stocked Bass and poor water management.
My son and I fly fish the small creek behind our house and it's full of creek chubs, but he calls them creek trout. They are fun to catch on a small 3 weight.
Loved fly fishing timberline rocky mountain lakes in Colorado. Little 6 to 8 inch brookies gutted and cooked whole in butter while back packing occupy a very special place in my memories
We eat yellow and hog sucker here in Missouri if you score them to break up all the little bones they're very good eating I rank them somewhere between walleye and crappie taste wise. Pretty much every weekend 4 guys in one boat can gig enough to feed 15-20 people in a couple hours.
Hello Ben. I enjoy your videos and sense of humor. We have what are called squaw fish in the Sacramento area, which I understand are Northern Pike Minnows. Fun to catch, but I’d take a steelhead any day. Stay Huge!
Chained or Redfin Pickerel. I personally like catching them, they are aggressive and good fighters for their size but most people I come across hate them.
Whities are tasty on the smoker, too! I had heard it, and finally kept one last year to confirm. Yup, worth eating for sure, much better than smoked trout IMO. Caught probably an 18-20" northern pikeminnow on my 3wt last summer too. It was awesome, I was pretty buzzed and the sun was setting and it jumped completely out of the water to eat a chubby before kicking my butt and running upstream. Maybe even the highlight fish for the whole trip!
I used to fish the Elk River outside Steamboat every winter to meat fish for whiteys. I’d catch twenty, nymphed up on hare’s ears, and smoke ‘em and freeze ‘em. Awesome food.
You missed one. I grew up in North East Ohio and always heard about how horrible Northern Drum in Lake Erie are. I later lived in South Carolina and people were nuts about catching spot tails & red fish. Highly sought after & both are kinds of Drum. They get big and they fight hard!
Some places that I fish have big fall fish - yea its not your target species but because they are thrown back they can get big (14 incher this past fall). Big bow in your rod at least...and like you said better than a skunk-a-roonie
In California browns are a beloved non native and naturalized part of the sierras and I've caught some really nice ones up in the canyons. Browns,rainbows and brookies are all destructive outside their native range but interestingly the native rainbows often co exist and even outnumber the browns which prey on juvenile rainbows. As for carp I don't go out fishing for them cause where I'm at I can't frequently find a reliable spot where they are shallow and feeding but when I do hook one accidentally it's an absolute blast they pull like a freight train
@TheDude Lebowski wild browns. Not native. There's a difference between a species that is native vs a species that has been successful at self reproduction. Brown trout are a european species that were introduced in the late 1800s and have successfully established their own populations
You and your audience seem to have missed the Great Lakes salmon imported from the west coast into Lake Ontario. They may not grow as large here but 40 pounds of angry Chinook is still a slugging match and capable of pulling around a 16 to 20 foot boat. Cohos (deliberately introduced) and pinks (fish farm escapees) also add to the enjoyment.
I agree with you on brown trout. I’m okay with them on tailgaters that displaced smallmouths and none of the trout are actually native to the river. I don’t understand what they were thinking when they stocked them in natural stream. I does not take a genius to understand the food chain can only support a certain munger of fish and the browns are replacing Rainbows, Cutthroats and brook trout.
Agree on native fish but your praise for the carp is misplaced and I disagree on them not muddying lakes or marshes. They feed on native aquatic plants, destroying the root systems and increasing turbidity. They also compete with native fish.
For your freshwater list, gar meat taste great. They're just a pain in the butt to clean. Buffalo also is not bad at all (completely different than carp). For the saltwater, the gaftop catfish also taste great, with clean white flesh.
Suckers are crazy fn,,,,,, and taste pretty decent too. here I live here inn Canada, We catch 20-30" redhorse sucker all the time, and often find ourselves the only anglers for miles (Km for us of course) as the stretch of river was ostly sucker and that turns off so many anglers.
As a devoted trash fisher man, I really enjoyed this video. Just one suggestion based on your eating experience with carp. Try smoking it! It’s truly delicious-sort of a combo of ham and smoked salmon. I suggest hot smoking, as it makes the bones soft and edible.
Some of the rivers here, it is either whitefish or browns…. So I’d rather hook into a brown any day that white fish… mostly due to the ease of getting your fly out.
Perfect example is the 97% decrease in native Arctic grayling and cutthroat in Montanas Missouri River do to stocking of nonnative trout. It’s gut wrenching to see such a drop in our native species and a lot of people continually support the invasive over the natives.
Like most Carp, Brown Trout have existed in most water sources long enough to not be considered invasive. Sure, there are pockets out there where they still cause destruction to the ecosystem, but the same can be said about a lot of native fish as well
Well said. I totally agree particularly the emphasis on native fish vs stocked fish. Watch someone release a stocked trout, the way it is handled and released as opposed the way the same fisherman deals with a chub of the same size, tossed away like a used condom. But as you have pointed out the chub has more legitimacy in that water than the stocked trout. Even calling them "Game fish" and 'trash" or "coarse fish" like they do in England is buying into the old style elitism which fly fishing has been accused of. Rightfully so BTW. I think
Agree with you on Brown Trout. In Mi Browns have been directly linked to reducing populations of the native Brook trout and was a part of the extinction of the arctic Grayling in Mi. There have been several attempts to reintroduce arctic Grayling but studies are showing they need streams where brown trout aren’t.
The biggest culprit with the disappearance of the MI grayling was the lumber industry.
Where I live Brook trout are damaging out ecosystems haha. Our native cutthroat are being pushed out by the brook trout.
Yea In Ny they stock browns in the major systems and they move up in the tribs to eat the brookies… I watched a 20 in brown chase around brookies in one of my favorite tribs over the summer! I wasn’t happy
@@brian1204 that’s why I said a part- but the multiple reintroduction efforts have been more on an issue with brown trout out competing the Grayling for food and territory according to their most recent introduction efforts according to Mi.govs website.
@vibratingstring amen! 9” fish sticks.
You missed a good one.. The Freshwater drum aka Gaspergoo.. super fun to say and catch .. and they get BIG!
"they fight pretty good for a trout..." So much shade, I love it. After a few years away from fishing this past summer I took two trips to CO and NM and caught dozens of Rainbows, Browns and Cut Throats and that has reignited my interest in fishing. A few summers ago we targeted gar with the mentioned rope flies and Clousers with small sharp hooks and a 36" gar hooked and tail walking on the surface of the water is spectacular!
Love the conservation ethic. Need more voices saying this stuff in the flyfishing world!
I think the overall appreciation for the natural eco system is the most refreshing part of the Chanel. Native species don't get enough love and this Chanel has helped me to value the entire spectrum of fishing opportunities available as a fly fisherman. Stay huge 😉👍🏻
Awesome rant! Another great "trash fish" in New England are chain pickerel. Yes, the have bones and are smaller than northern pike, but the hit flies with true bad intent and jump on the fly rod. They will even tow a small boat. Try it sonr time.
Pickerel are the worst!!!!
Glad to see you include the ladyfish. They’ve saved plenty of bad days, they jump like crazy, fight well on fly, and if you let them jump enough boatside, they’ll often release themselves
Ganoid scales are a type of fish scale that are characterized by their hard, bony structure and protective properties. These scales are found on a variety of fish species, including sturgeons, paddlefish, and gar, and have been used for a wide range of purposes throughout history.
One of the most notable characteristics of ganoid scales is their hard, bony structure. These scales are made up of a layer of ganoin, which is a type of enamel-like substance that is extremely hard and durable. This makes ganoid scales highly resistant to damage and abrasion, making them well-suited for protection against predators and other environmental hazards.
In addition to their protective properties, ganoid scales also have a number of other uses. Historically, ganoid scales have been used for a wide range of purposes, including as a source of food, as a material for tools and weapons, and as a decorative element in jewelry and other decorative items. Today, ganoid scales are still used for a variety of purposes, including as a source of fish meal and fish oil, as well as for use in the manufacture of cosmetics and other products.
Despite their many uses, however, ganoid scales are not without their drawbacks. One of the main challenges associated with ganoid scales is that they can be difficult to process and prepare for use. This is due to their hard, bony structure, which can make them difficult to cut and shape. Additionally, ganoid scales can also be difficult to remove from the fish, which can make them less appealing to consumers.
Despite these challenges, however, ganoid scales continue to be an important resource for a wide range of industries and applications. With their unique properties and wide range of uses, ganoid scales are sure to remain an important part of our world for many years to come.
In conclusion, ganoid scales are unique type of fish scales that characterized by their hard and bony structure. These scales are found in a variety of fish species and have been used for a wide range of purposes throughout history, including as a source of food, as a material for tools and weapons, and as a decorative element in jewelry and other decorative items. However, ganoid scales can be difficult to process and prepare for use and removing them from the fish can be difficult. Despite these challenges, ganoid scales continue to be an important resource for a wide range of industries and applications.
6:01
I'm pretty open to trying new fish. Tried Gaftop one time because I heard it was ok. We fried it side by side with reds, trout, flounder, and sheepshead. The Gaftop surprisingly came out the best! They were too slimy to put in the boat, hung them over the side in the water, but when I went to filet them the slime went away quick. Easy filet good tasting fish. Give it a shot.
I like pike. They have a unique way of fighting. They can get really big up here in Canada. They are a little tricky to clean.
I love targeting native populations of water wolves in clear spring fed creeks here in the midwest. Gorgeous fish.
Great video. Totally agree regarding the browns. Lots of Brook trout streams in my area (nj) are becoming overrun with browns. Thankfully there are places with barriers like waterfalls which protect the brookies but it’s really sad to see in general.
Brown Trout eat brook trout when ever they see one.
There are a lot of streams and rivers here in Oregon where there is no size limit or retention limit on brown trout. Same is true about brook trout. Not only cutthroat, but also bull trout have a hard time competing with browns and brookies.
May be my favorite Huge video ever. I have this argument with people all the time here in the midwest. You can catch nearly anything with a fly rod and it's always, dare I say, HUGE!!!
Well said,
Unfortunately, part of the problem with cutthroat management is that they require colder, cleaner water than browns and bows and in this day of warming temps and poor flow management the non natives are more hardy.
For some reason people just can't stand the idea of a "cool-ish" stream with no trout. There are native fish in that warmer water, but they're not trout. We don't need to add brown trout to every stream that is too warm to support cutthroat (out west) or brook trout (in the east).
Hey Ben (or anyone else)... any clue how bad runoff from treated lawns affects aquatic insects? Some of the local parks in my area have trout streams that run through them, and I've spotted pesticide application warning signs. I'd like to to work with TU to see if we can get DNR/parkmanagement to ban their use.
I was heavily involved in TU in WA and it was all about native fish. Then I moved to CO and this brown trout fandom gave me some serious whiplash. Thanks for calling it out! And let's go Cutties 😜
I'm gonna share the perspective of a Colorado guy on this issue. The general consensus with people that I know is not that brown trout are so great. We see it this way: draining a lake or devastating all the fish in a stream in order to get rid of non-native species is trading an ecological issue for an ecological disaster. It's not solving a problem, it's just an extension of the same sort of hubris that led people to introduce those non-native species in the first place.
There is a reservoir near where I live, during the course of my life it has been totally drained on three separate occasions, everything in it was killed in doing so, all in an attempt to get rid of non-native species, fish species that found their way right back in. All of these problems were caused by someone who thought they knew better. They didn't.
@@advicepirate8673 hey for sure, my men. I agree. And when you're talking about tailwaters that are already altered ecosystems, fussing over the type of trout you've got in it is silly compared to caring for a healthy environment on the whole. Plus I like to catch brown trout as much as the next guy! I just don't think they deserve to be on a pedestal.
Most of my fishing trips are limited to a few hours on a local river running through town. Tons of white fish, peamouth and chisel mouths that I've learned to appreciate catching.
Well said on the brown trout part. I’ve always felt like this and I’m usually the minority of mindset when it comes to them which is crazyyyyy
Northern Pikeminnow are an interesting one for sure. The elevated water table due to a number of dams on the Columbia river has created a ton of habitat for NPM that wasn't historically there. It's not trying to rid the watershed of them, more trying to manage the population for the reason you mentioned, salmon and steelhead.
There are river systems in the pnw where pikeminnow were inadvertently introduced. My home river doesn't have a bounty but, we are told to kill them off since they are invasive in that system.
@@sheac5185 which river systems are those?
@@mjbaerwalde the Rogue in southern Oregon
@@sheac5185 Thanks, did not know that.
The other complication around carp is they’re bony. Their pin bone branch like tree limbs.
As for the flavor, ikijime help with the flavor
Edit: odd stance on carp at the end. Much of the hate is related to them being an invasive species.
Love the topic of this video man. In my area the non native trout get all of the money and enforcement from the DNR and our native river smallmouth, largemouth,suckers,gar,walleye etc are an after thought.
Great video Ben. I'm a fan of catching red horse suckers here in NC. We catch a lot of creek clubs too.
Biggest fresh water fish to this day that I've caught was a bowfin. It was about 11 pounds and I caught it on a white beetlespin lure on 8 pound line when I was a kid. Still remember my older brother being afraid to pick it up to put it back in the water lol
Finally! Someone says the quiet part out loud! Dang Browns…
One of my favorite things about fly fishing for carp is places I go they're not often all that pressured compared to a trout stream. Sure you go to the South Platte in Denver and you'll run into other fishermen but there are a lot of other places that have great carp fishing if you're willing to explore a bit.
Carp aren't trash fish at all. And they are absolutely delicious. The guy is wrong about their taste. Caught from clean water they are unbeatable in taste and nutrition. They are a fatty, oily fish that are full of bones and require more prep and proper recipes. You don't need to "clean them out" or avoid the "mudvain" The countries best kept secret. I will say the bones are insane and they do not freeze well at all. You must eat them fresh. If You eat fish for the nutrition, carp are on the top of freshwater fish. The amount of fat on these fish is astounding and it melts in your mouth. Nearly as much omega 3 fatty acid as sockeye salmon.
I've had it prepared numerous ways and it all sucked. Buffalo? YES please = Carp? Oh hell no!
I want to hear more conservation speeches from you Ben, always love them
Love this video. I love your comments on protecting the native fish! Also, I love Whitefish and Pike Minnows, I've caught both in the Boise River multiple times.
I went to high school near Boise around 1980. I remember one day on the S fork of the Boise when my dad used dry flies and caught 3 trout, while I used nymphs and caught 3 trout and 12 whitefish.
Used to catch pikeminnow up to 28" in Lucky Peak reservoir in the heat of summer on Thomas Buoyant Spoons (or grasshoppers) with a stop and go retrieve in the small side channels.
My favorite lake in Oregon now has pikeminnows that love gold spoons like metallic perch Thomas buoyant or Kastmasters, especially when water temp near 65 degrees.
Best video to date (imo) Thanks for highlighting the intrinsic value of native fishes
I started tying trout flies in 1963, so my knowledge of 'trash fish' is extant at age 73. Carp sort of fall into a slot that classifies carp in different ways depending on your location on this planet. In Montana a carp doesn't count.
Suckers fight like crazy! I got one in a true native species lake that also had brookies, lakers, and whitefish. Hands down the sucker fought harder then all the 4lb brookies, and lake trout!
Fallfish and chubs also saved me from a skunk numerous times when I first got into fly fishing. I wished they were trout, but wasn’t upset at all to catch any fish. Some of the fallfish that get into the upper teens can also put up a heck of a fight on a 5w.
Great video Ben!! More attention to protecting our native fishes are always needed!
Along with brown trout, i’d also like to add lake trout to the list of trash fish, since they are directly responsible for the extirpation of the Sunapee Golden Trout (arctic char subspecies) from New England
Totally agree. I caught a Redhorse once and that was a blast. Now I chase the trash fish like Quill Back, Buffalo, and love the spiny heads chubs. One thing though, the rope flies are really bad for the Gar and I have no issue catching them on hooks. I don't understand the whole rope fly thing, it's stupid. Great video, thanks!
I've been chasing quills for a long time!, a blast and super ticky to get an eat.
Nothing wrong with a rope fly if you spend the time getting the rope out, still not putting a hook in the fish.
tbh lady fish are fun to catch, any piers in texas that are off rocks i fish at with a small or medium size spoon and the lady fish are pretty big size, bigger than most rainbow trout i’ve seen
Great video Ben! Learned a lot. Btw, those saltwater catfish do make for good fish tacos. Plus, the keep the kids catching fish all day!
You nailed it at the end with the native to non native battle 👏
Hey Ben! Great video! Try this carp recipe. Take an oak limb and carp fillets. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Wrap the limb and fillets in banana leaves. Bake at 350° for an hour. Remove from oven. Throw away the banana leaves and carp fillets and eat the oak limb!
In Utah there are a lot of hybrid fish Tiger Trout, Tiger Muskie, Wiper. Hatchery fish but are big and a good time. There are no bad fish on a fly rod.
Your sounding more and more like a trout unlimited guy! I’m planning on volunteering for a dam removal project this summer myself!
I don’t know what chapter of TU you’re talking about, but the ones around here give zero shits about native fish. I am not a fan.
@@HugeFlyFisherman I really only pay attention to 4 of the 27 chapters in ny. Lol the ones that I fallow seem to put a priority on native and wild fish as long as the land is public access or open by land owners!
Also stingray, Ive heard they are not good eating...
There are groups out there working to protect and restore native fish populations. Native Fish Coalition is one here on the East Coast. Started by Bob Mallard in Maine in 2017 and now has chapters in almost all of the East Coast states. We love our trash fish at NFC.
Super interesting video…love it! Caught a dog fish once and it freaked me out. Had no idea what it was. Northern pike on top water flies is a blast!
Pickerel too. But they also have a habit of biting through the line.
here in north Carolina we who eat suckers because the rib bones are like needles we clean suckers ,cut in sections and pressure cook meat and bones like canned mackerel. then make fish cakes. sometimes I pressure can fish. my personal recipe for sucker works with any fish. I use leftover taters or instant taters cooked,cooled, equal amount of taters and fish working it together where I holds together and form fish cake.spreads mixture out on counter.add on top green,yellow, red bell pepper cut fine. Cajun spices to taste one third can
Sight fishing carp is one of my absolute favorite ways to fish. I live in the great lakes and have plenty of options, but I'll take carp over trout or even bass on a lot of occasions because the challenge is real and that makes the reward that much sweeter. Plus they pull like a damn truck!
And the flies they like is a nice change of pace from the usual stuff I tie for bass, trout and salmon, etc. I can almost pretend I'm a salt water angler. 😂
Stay huge!
Back at the local stream where I'm from in Pennsylvania we used to all them Perkiomen bonefish.
@@nonewherelistens1906 Yeah, I've heard comparisons like that! Some people call them "golden bones" which might be a _bit_ silly, but I've never fished for bones, so can't really say. But I will say that I have caught a fair few of them with some slightly adapted bonefish patterns.
It's unreal how crafty they are, they don't get nearly enough credit. No other fish here leaves me with such a level of confusion lol. They seem to be very intelligent at times.
@@clueless4085 I've fished for them as well. Yes, they are smart and can spook easily. I've had my best luck with a fly called the Green Weenie.
European, yeah carp are a big thing here for sure. The majority of anglers are either targeting venues with lots of carp in or specifically target only carp, if you've fished in europe, youve probably caught a carp. I myself fish rivers where there isnt so much, but I've had many carp and they always give a great fight. Our equivilent over here though for "trash fish" is probably bream. They will bite horribly slowly, and just give up within the first three seconds of hooking one, even those above 5lb getting to 10lb just give up and float into the bank. If you have light tackle though even those are fun to fish for but if you catch one on heavier gear, its like pulling in twigs lol. I think its more down to having the correct tackle for what you may catch, a small 2lb fish feels amazing on light line and a light rod.
great description for the Pike up here in Wisconsin. However, I will say that I dont' mind catching Pike when I'm ice fishing. Decent eating too if you filet them right
Let’s not forget, common carp were brought to North America as a food fish, public opinion just changed on them and now luckily it’s going back the other way
Hey Ben I know you have a fisheries science background as well so I know you might be interested but even if someone didn’t go to school for it there’s a pretty neat book called artifishal: how the rainbow trout beguiled america. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s interested in native trout conservation
The title of the book you’re referring to is actually An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World.
Artifishal is also great, but it’s a documentary produced by Patagonia on the harm done to native pacific salmon by hatchery raised fish.
@@MNVelo good save thanks! Yeah I watched the documentary along the same time I read the book and their similarities got them confused in my head it’s been a few years. Thanks!
look for catching northern hog nose suckers during spawning season in the ozarks around lake taneycomo, tablerock and bull shoals, when they spaw in the spring you can snag them in the rivers and streams on a "bottlehook" limit is 20 per trip, and possession limit is 200. makes an amazing fish fry, descale and score.
That was a fun education with a powerful statement about native fish. Here in western MA we see carp in the clear, fast running water of the Housatonic all the time. Of course, they are in the slow muddy parts, too, but I can catch a carp, smallmouth, or trout without taking a step.
The end of this was 100% so spot on!!!
You are so correct about Brooke's. I live in the Pacific NorthWest. We have plenty of fish varieties here. When someone comes to visit and I mention Brooke's thier all about it.
My first big freshwater fish was a northern hog sucker in a North Carolina creek. My grandpa and I spotted it and watched it from the back porch, then decided to go after it with a Zebco setup and a piece of hot dog for bait. I was probably 9 years old, and it was epic. Pop stood on a high rock while I snuck in close. He directed my cast and the hook set. We landed that fish, got a picture, and let it go. Totally unorthodox stream fishing, but an experience I’ll never forget.
Carp are a grey area. They can lead to eutrophication which nutrient loads the body water they reside in. There are studies on this readily available online and is something covered in my fish ecology class.
Ben, I'm echoing here, but well said on the Brown Trout. I live in CT and have land in WY. In CT our native trout is the Brook Trout but all you here is Brown, Brown, Brown....watch for the Reds! Last May I fished the Firehole River in West Yellowstone. I killed it on soft hackle, but not one Yellowstone Cutthroat. That left an empty space on a awesome trip. Great video.
Great points Ben. And yes let’s bring back native brook trout streams. As a PA angler I’d rather catch a bunch of small Brookies than trophy browns.
Mountain whitefish are one of the finest smoked fish. I grew up in CO and we used to fish the CO River by Glenwood Springs specifically for them. Back then there was no limit and we tried to take 100 or so for the smoker. They really are outstanding when smoked right. Not very goof any other way due to mushy meat and bones but smoked makes all the difference.
As an Australian, most of the fish you showed were new to me. We don't have a lot of fresh water, so not a lot of variety in fresh water fish, at least ones more than 3 inches long.
Australians mostly share your thoughts on native fish deserving ultimate respect, but they also get excited about brown trout.
Thanks for the awesome vid.
Fair enough but you guys do have at
least one monster... Murray cod!!!
Smoked Silver and Bighead carp are actually decent to eat. Only catch is it will either be a snag or a bow for the bighead as they are filter feeders.
Probably my favorite video on RUclips you hit the nail on the head at the end I love sucker fishing in the summer when it crap weather for trout here. my friends laugh but most of the suckers I've caught that are 16 inches put up better fights than a 22 inch brown now hook into a greater redhorse on a six weight and tell me you don't like sucker fishing anymore lol and best part is most of these fish are in your local creeks and rivers closer to home than those overpopulated trout creeks.
This is the first video I've seen of yours. Solid conservation and appreciation of native species here. Subbed!
The fish people look down on they call trash. The real trash is the thinking that thinks that way. To even be alive is a wonder. The vast variety of fish on this planet is mind boggling! Fish on with wonder and respect!
Well said and rings true.
@@jpecci1262 Thank you
I actually caught a channel cat this past summer. Surprised the hell out of me. I was throwing a meat whistle for smallmouth. When it took the fly I knew I had a bigger fish. I thought I had a carp until I got it close enough to net. I’ve been fly fishing around forty years, and that was a first for me.
I’m surprised that you put brown trout on the list. One of the places I fish in Michigan is the first place they were stocked. It’s just outside of Baldwin Michigan. There is a plaque where they were stocked on the Baldwin River. The Baldwin flows into the Pere Marquette river, a Lake Michigan tributary. That is a beautiful area that screams you should be fishing here.
Salt cats and lady fish are both delicious plus gaftops and lady fish fight great
Gaftop sail catfish are actually pretty good to eat, similar to channel or blue cats. Hard heads at a little softer meat and do require some dressing up for the dinner plate…and they are annoying to catch. But don’t write them off, they can all be reasonable table fare with the right Cajun seasoning mix!
Browns bring money, thats the only reason. As for Northern Pike, if you are after Muskie they can be a pain in the North. But, here in Michigan we have allot of water that doesnt have Muskie and we target the heck out of Pike on the fly. We have plenty of Muskie opportunities here in Michigan that is for certain, but our Pike water can be amazing! When Pike are the Apex Predator in a system, its very common to catch multiple 40"+ Pike a day and many Pike over 30"+ in a day. As we know with Muskie, if you can get into 1 50" +/- fish you've had a successful day. Allot of casting big streamers with heavy rods. Motrin becomes your friend LOL. Love catching them both for sure, just not Pike when your chasing Muskie LOL
My grandfather was an excellent (professional) cook. He used to cook carp that we caught out of the Colorado River. I didn't know how he did it but they tasted great.
"Look at those big beautiful carp lips!" Me: "...I should call her."
I prefer the roundtail chub. it is native to our waters, as are trout, come to the fly and are good fighters. The correct way to cook a carp is to place the carp on a cedar shingle, place it on a bed of glowing coals until golden brown, then throw away the carp and eat the shingle.
Gafftop catfish are excellent for ceviche. It is a very firm clean white meat. Yes they suck to clean but it is worth it when you get one in the 3-5lb range.
Great Video. I love fishing for Carp and as you said they do not taste good but you need to catch them from the right lake or river because unfortunately he in the US they usually taste bad. It took me over a year to find a perfect spot to get a tasty Carp. I'm going there every time I want to eat one. You might wonna know the way that we clean it and cook it also. I bit you will love it.
Thank You: Some of our supposed trash fish can be delicious. Pike are essential in gefilte fish--early spring they are very tasty, but get musty in hot weather (around here in Massachusetts anyway). Cooking Carp in Asian food - they taste great. I knew a guy that made great fish cakes from chub. White fish are good Deli fare. Here in eastern Mass real native brookies and even yellow perch are getting more & more decimated from stocked Bass and poor water management.
My son and I fly fish the small creek behind our house and it's full of creek chubs, but he calls them creek trout. They are fun to catch on a small 3 weight.
Grew up catching Hornyhead Chubs. Brought an exceptionally colored specimen home one day, my Dad said "THAT ain't no Damn Trout"!
Loved fly fishing timberline rocky mountain lakes in Colorado. Little 6 to 8 inch brookies gutted and cooked whole in butter while back packing occupy a very special place in my memories
We eat yellow and hog sucker here in Missouri if you score them to break up all the little bones they're very good eating I rank them somewhere between walleye and crappie taste wise. Pretty much every weekend 4 guys in one boat can gig enough to feed 15-20 people in a couple hours.
Northern Hognose regularly take a nymph on our local trout stream here in Ohio.
Love this guy. Even when he has a rant it doesn't seem like he's having a rant!
Hello Ben. I enjoy your videos and sense of humor. We have what are called squaw fish in the Sacramento area, which I understand are Northern Pike Minnows. Fun to catch, but I’d take a steelhead any day. Stay Huge!
Brined and smoked carp is pretty tasty. It's the same way kippers are made. Canned in jars, all the bones dissolve.
Chained or Redfin Pickerel. I personally like catching them, they are aggressive and good fighters for their size but most people I come across hate them.
I've eaten salty cats or "sail cats" and thought that after the hour it took to get the slime off of your hands and gear they fry up just fine.
Whities are tasty on the smoker, too! I had heard it, and finally kept one last year to confirm. Yup, worth eating for sure, much better than smoked trout IMO. Caught probably an 18-20" northern pikeminnow on my 3wt last summer too. It was awesome, I was pretty buzzed and the sun was setting and it jumped completely out of the water to eat a chubby before kicking my butt and running upstream. Maybe even the highlight fish for the whole trip!
Whities are fucking delicious!
I used to fish the Elk River outside Steamboat every winter to meat fish for whiteys. I’d catch twenty, nymphed up on hare’s ears, and smoke ‘em and freeze ‘em. Awesome food.
In the Midwest blackened whitefish go for about $25 a plate. I'll take every whitefish you catch.
More love for suckers! ❤
They pull like hell!
@@clueless4085 First one I ever hooked ripped drag down river like 20 yards and jumped all over the place, started targeting them after that! 😂
You missed one. I grew up in North East Ohio and always heard about how horrible Northern Drum in Lake Erie are. I later lived in South Carolina and people were nuts about catching spot tails & red fish. Highly sought after & both are kinds of Drum. They get big and they fight hard!
Some places that I fish have big fall fish - yea its not your target species but because they are thrown back they can get big (14 incher this past fall). Big bow in your rod at least...and like you said better than a skunk-a-roonie
In California browns are a beloved non native and naturalized part of the sierras and I've caught some really nice ones up in the canyons. Browns,rainbows and brookies are all destructive outside their native range but interestingly the native rainbows often co exist and even outnumber the browns which prey on juvenile rainbows. As for carp I don't go out fishing for them cause where I'm at I can't frequently find a reliable spot where they are shallow and feeding but when I do hook one accidentally it's an absolute blast they pull like a freight train
@TheDude Lebowski wild browns. Not native. There's a difference between a species that is native vs a species that has been successful at self reproduction. Brown trout are a european species that were introduced in the late 1800s and have successfully established their own populations
You and your audience seem to have missed the Great Lakes salmon imported from the west coast into Lake Ontario. They may not grow as large here but 40 pounds of angry Chinook is still a slugging match and capable of pulling around a 16 to 20 foot boat. Cohos (deliberately introduced) and pinks (fish farm escapees) also add to the enjoyment.
I agree with you on brown trout. I’m okay with them on tailgaters that displaced smallmouths and none of the trout are actually native to the river. I don’t understand what they were thinking when they stocked them in natural stream. I does not take a genius to understand the food chain can only support a certain munger of fish and the browns are replacing Rainbows, Cutthroats and brook trout.
Agree on native fish but your praise for the carp is misplaced and I disagree on them not muddying lakes or marshes. They feed on native aquatic plants, destroying the root systems and increasing turbidity. They also compete with native fish.
For your freshwater list, gar meat taste great. They're just a pain in the butt to clean. Buffalo also is not bad at all (completely different than carp). For the saltwater, the gaftop catfish also taste great, with clean white flesh.
I love sucker fishing the streams here in Michigan. We get the hogs and common.
Also smoked sucker is good.
Somewhat challenging also.
Your best video ever! Much respect to the native fish.
Just the mention of gar . They are excellent eating and big bones easy to clean and very abundant. Try it you’ll love it.
Suckers are crazy fn,,,,,, and taste pretty decent too. here I live here inn Canada, We catch 20-30" redhorse sucker all the time, and often find ourselves the only anglers for miles (Km for us of course) as the stretch of river was ostly sucker and that turns off so many anglers.
As a devoted trash fisher man, I really enjoyed this video. Just one suggestion based on your eating experience with carp. Try smoking it! It’s truly delicious-sort of a combo of ham and smoked salmon. I suggest hot smoking, as it makes the bones soft and edible.
Some of the rivers here, it is either whitefish or browns…. So I’d rather hook into a brown any day that white fish… mostly due to the ease of getting your fly out.
Okay what kind of fly lures should I try for carp? I have massive common Carp by me and I got fly rod for Christmas.
Perfect example is the 97% decrease in native Arctic grayling and cutthroat in Montanas Missouri River do to stocking of nonnative trout. It’s gut wrenching to see such a drop in our native species and a lot of people continually support the invasive over the natives.
Like most Carp, Brown Trout have existed in most water sources long enough to not be considered invasive. Sure, there are pockets out there where they still cause destruction to the ecosystem, but the same can be said about a lot of native fish as well
Well said. I totally agree particularly the emphasis on native fish vs stocked fish. Watch someone release a stocked trout, the way it is handled and released as opposed the way the same fisherman deals with a chub of the same size, tossed away like a used condom. But as you have pointed out the chub has more legitimacy in that water than the stocked trout.
Even calling them "Game fish" and 'trash" or "coarse fish" like they do in England is buying into the old style elitism which fly fishing has been accused of. Rightfully so BTW. I think