Ask Dr. Trout

[Zach Matthews]

Hey guys –

We are starting a new column in American Angler that will, I think, prove very interesting to members of this board.

I need some seed questions.

[Matt Tucker]

‘Sup Doc Trout:

Is a feeding lane, the same as a meat market in terms of identifyng a hen trout on the prowl in the trout underground?

[mike j]

I have allways wondered about the scent question.

How sensitve is a trout to scent and vibration?

If I have sunscreen on my hand and tie on a new fly can the trout smell it?

[Ben Cochran]

Here are a few quick questions that I thought of Zack, hope it helps. I think this is a great idea for the magazine!

After fighting and landing a trout, how long does it take for the toxic quantity of lactic acid to subside back to safe levels? Also, how long should one spend in forcibly reviving a trout, before releasing it?

Can you briefly explain the characteristic abilities of the 4th cone, in the trout’s eye’s, and the relationship of  their  IR vision ~vs~ Ultra Violet Vision; as they age?

Is there a relationship between the telescoping cone and color frequency of this same cone, in the eye of the trout?

When is the best time to catch large trout and is it due to an acquired survival trait or an anatomical change in the older trout?

How do the trout stack up in a current pattern, larger older trout in front section of the faster currents or the younger juvenile trout up front?

Does color effect the feeding behavior of trout and if so, which comes first; color or shape?

If a fly pattern is tyed and color matched under ultra violet light, will it yield more strikes than a fly colored matched under natural light?

Is there a relationship between drastic and abrupt cold water spikes (such as in tailwater fisheries) and scaring of the otolith bone? If so, what other effects would this have on the trout’s metabolism?

On oligotrophic water systems, can human introduced elements be introduced in order to increase the insect populations for trout?

[Matt Tucker]

Doc Trout:

Sorry to keep delving in to your vast plethora of knowledge about your own kind; but I have always wondered about the times I have stopped off at a local gentleman’s club on my drive down to the White River in Arkansas as it relates to fishing.

[Matt Tucker]

Doc Trout:

When floating down my favorite river in the drift boat, I generally like a little music.  Am I annoying more than those people without my musical tastes or do you guys in the water underworld have a musical preference?

–Matt Tucker

[anonymous]

Dr Trout –

Are you affiliated with Oprah???

If so – please help

[Mark Schafer]

This might be the antithesis of Dr. trout but if you tune in long enough even Matt’s question seems

[Matt Tucker]

Esteemed Doctor Trout:

Long time reader, first time writer.

[John Bennett]

Doc Trout.
We keep hearing about any number of invasive species. One month it’s Didymo, the next it’s Carp and the impact they are (and could be) having on the Great Lakes and hence the wetlands that many tributaries spill into. If it’s not invasive species, it’s Urban Sprawl threatening cold water streams. As Anglers, we try to be atleast somewhat aware of all the threats facing cold water fisheries.
I’m curious to know from biologist point of view what currently may represent the greatest threat overall with regards to widespread or irrevocable damage. That is to say over the next 10 to 20 years what in your estimations concerns you the most with regars to the potential impact if unchecked.

Doc Trout
Im fairly new to fly and cold water fishing and I’m constantly confused by the classifications of various species. For example, why are Brook Trout (Char) referred to as Trout, Lakers Ive also heard as being referred to as both Lake Trout and Lake Char. When is a “Trout” like the Brown a Trout and when is a Char a “Char”.

Doc Trout
Depending on who you listen to, I’ve been told in no particular order that if I want to practise “safe” catch and release practise I should.
1)Never handle a fish or use a tailing glove
2)Never lift a fish by the tail (but why is ok to lift them by the lip as with a boca grip)
3)Never net a fish but if I must buy one with the proper material

While the debate about whether or not to use a net ( often allows one to end the fight quicker)

[Anonymous]

just my 2 cents worth…and as usual I would guess I am in the minority…

but my gut response is …”ehh”.

[Zach Matthews]

The “Dr.” is not a trout; he’s a fisheries biologist.

[Steve K.]

Not sure why Dr. Trout’s identity is being kept under wraps….but I’ll play along.

I’m pretty confident I know who you are speaking of. Congrats Doc on the new assignment!

This should be fun.

[Mike Anderson]

Is fishing to spawning Trout in a put and take fishery destructive to the fishery?  

[kevin powell]

Bug Spray – Can the trout smell it? I do not use the stuff but a guy I fish with uses it all the time. Every time we go fishing, we get skunked.

[les_kish]

To add to Mike’s question–Is it ethical to target or fish for wild spawning trout?

[Tim Angeli]

Do fish sleep?

[duncan elkins]

I’ve gutted good-sized stockers and found their bellies full of leaves and detritus.

[Mike Anderson]

Its much harder to photograph a Robin underwater.

[Zach Matthews]

Dudes,

No ethics questions – these are meant to be about the how and why of fish behavior.

[Author]

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