02-22-2013, 05:32 PM
RE"Also, a tiger trout won't get to 20 inches in just a couple of summers IF they have to compete with chubs. IF they do NOT have to compete with chubs, their initial growth will be much faster. Right now, WITH chubs, tiger trout growth isn't going to be as high UNTIL they convert to a diet that consists mostly of chubs. That won't happen until they can reach about 15-16 inches in length (and some fish NEVER will convert and will remain small)."
This fact is going to be the key factor in the sustainability of the current tiger fishery at Scofield. 2-3 years ago, one could catch a good number of 18-20 inch tigers. These fish have gone on to be the giants of the current day. However, the 8-12 inch tigers were skinny and sickly looking. If these replacement fish almost never "break through" to become piscivorous because there are too many chubs outcompeting them, then even the current good times with the big tigers will soon become a thing of the past. This is something to carefully watch if you go out and help with gillnetting.
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This fact is going to be the key factor in the sustainability of the current tiger fishery at Scofield. 2-3 years ago, one could catch a good number of 18-20 inch tigers. These fish have gone on to be the giants of the current day. However, the 8-12 inch tigers were skinny and sickly looking. If these replacement fish almost never "break through" to become piscivorous because there are too many chubs outcompeting them, then even the current good times with the big tigers will soon become a thing of the past. This is something to carefully watch if you go out and help with gillnetting.
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