Citico Creek Fisherman (click to enlarge)
It is important to point out that a major component of the coldwater sportfishery that sportsmen enjoy today in the Southern Appalachians would not exist were it not for naturally reproducing rainbow trout and state and federal rainbow and brown trout stocking programs. There are many, many thousands of miles of cold and cool water streams, tailwaters, and reservoirs in the
Rainbow Trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss
Southern Appalachians that brook trout are not indigenous to and the water quality and habitat have not improved enough to support the species. Considering the difficulty in raising Southern Appalachian strain brook trout in hatcheries, their distribution outside their historical range has not occurred.
Brown Trout - Salmo trutta
The economical and recreational opportunities rainbow and brown trout provide to the Southern Appalachians is profound and contributes significantly to its residents enjoyment. Often times they can be valuable indicators of water quality and habitat conditions as well.
Next: Limited Recovery of Southern Appalachian Brook Trout and Present and Future Threats.
