Oncorhynchus mykiss - Rainbow Trout

As in many other countries, you will find this species, a Victorian import from North America, in put-and-take trout pools and lowland reservoirs throughout Wales.

Rainbow trout grow rapidly and are more tolerant of high water temperature than are our native brown trout. There are no rivers in Wales where the rainbow trout breeds successfully; however they are occasionally stocked into some stretches of South Wales rivers.

Caught by writer and broadcaster Martin James in early summer, this 6 lb hen rainbow trout is only lightly coloured. In autumn the male fish, in particular, have much bolder pink 'rainbow' stripes along the flanks.

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