Hartford House Rainbows

[Deric]

Hey Guys,

Went to a wedding in the midlands and packed my fly rod. After flogging the water for hours with almost every fly ever created and nothing to show for it, I was seriously starting to doubt that I'd ever catch a trout outside of a trout farm. Luckily I changed to a polar fibre minnow, cause i caught my 2 best trout ever!

 

[Deric]

This is the second one. Any ideas why he looks so scrappy?

 

[sebastiaan]

Real nice fish.

Did you catch both on the minnow?

 

[Deric]

Thanks! Yes, both on a grey/white polar fibre minnow. It was fished slow with intermediate line. Used my fly box as a measuring tool which makes the top fish over 51cm long. Needless to say, I was chuffed.

 

[RoryB]

Excellent catches Deric, what size hook was the minnow tied on?

 

[shagnrelease]

Hey there, nice fish! its a bit difficult to see tha actual markings, but I think it could be one of two things, either some scarring from some pre-spawn jousting, even though the still water fish dont actually produce they still go through the motions(but it looks a bit big for that) or some form of skin infection caused by the layer of slime being removed from the skin, either with transporting when being stocked or from a poor catch and release...my 2c worth but I suppose there are many factors in there little fishy world.... cheers

 

[Deric]

Thank you guys!
RoryB - It was a shop bought minnow, hook size No. 4.
Shagnrelease - Also thought it may be a bit big to be from spawning activity. Maybe a botched job by the resident fish eagles or otters? Thanks for the info.