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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Brown or bull trout? Who cares if the beer is cold

Bull trout, considered a threatened species throughout the Northwest, flourish in the clean, cold waters of Rapid River in the roadless area near Riggins, Idaho.
Bull trout, considered a threatened species throughout the Northwest, flourish in the clean, cold waters of Rapid River in the roadless area near Riggins, Idaho.

FLY FISHING -- A story in the Sunday S-R Travel Section might have caught your attention, with a headline that combined fly fishing with beer tasting.

But look closer in the print edition at the photo of the fish that's labeled a brown trout and you may conclude that it's a bull trout. If you do, I agree. Note the lack of black spots in the dorsal fin. 

Brown trout have black spots in the dorsal; bull trout do not.

The cream-colored leading edge of the pectoral fins also indicates a difference between bull trout and brown trout, too... but what other fish have those fin highlights?

Check out this poster from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for tips on distinguishing bull trout, brown trout, brook trout and lake trout.  

Good information to know, especially since bull trout (formerly called Dolly Varden) are a protected species in most waters.



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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