Rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout ranging in size from 1 to 1½ inches in length were trucked from five ODFW hatcheries to heliports at Mt. Hood and as far south as the Oregon border so they could be airlifted to some of the state’s most spectacular fishing destinations.

“We’re creating a unique opportunity for people who want to hike in and do some fishing while they’re enjoying these lakes,” said Ted Wise, an ODFW fish biologist who led the weeklong project.

The trout are transported by helicopter in a custom made shuttle carrying 30 individual canisters that hold a couple gallons of water and up to 1,000 fingerlings apiece. The canisters can be opened individually by remote control while the chopper is hovering over a lake. Biologists like to use the smaller, juvenile fish because they can make the 100 ft. fall to the lake with less trauma than larger fish.

Data collected afterwards in ODFW sampling surveys have shown that once in their new environs the trout are able to establish themselves and grow to harvestable sizes, mostly in the 8- to 12-inch range, but as large as 15 inches.

“I’ve seen some beautiful trout come out of these lakes,” Wise said.