i've studied quite a lot since i took up this sport and there are many things i still need to learn But two questions have been in mind for a good while:
- how do i know if a fish is of the over wintered variety?
and
- how do i know which sex the fish is?

all very complex, well for me at least
grey

1 it will be leaner than usual and have mended fins.

2 you can't tell.especially if it's a triploid.

Jim

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Thnaks for the response Jim - as for the sex i seem to read so much that refers to one or the other that i thought there must be some definitive test! One thing i did read said that when breeding season is around male bows go very dark - thing is i've taken fish taht are darker on the top and have always assumed they'd been in the water for some time???
Grateful for all answers/suggestions/ideas
grey

Hi Grey,

if you're talking about brown trout it's true that in the breeding season females are lighter in colour than males, but that is due to the transfer of carotene pigments to the eggs. Also female fish have a more rounded head and males a more pointed (and of course the beak in wintertime). For the rest I agree with Jim: it's really difficult to determine sex any other time. Male are producing sperm all year round, so if you really want to know you could (carefully!) try if they will give some. But I wouldn't do that if it is not really necessary...

Johan

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Johan Janssens

A male rainbow in spawning condition is black and saggy and will squirt milt if you pick it up,a female will look reasonably normal.a bit bagged up and will squirt eggs on touch. you will seldom see these fish nowdays as most stock fish have been triploided.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Sorry Grey,
i missed a word, my mistake

Johan

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Johan Janssens

What sex are these fish Jim? Both the same, or both different - if so, which is which?

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Fly Clips & Stands

Why do u want to know what sex they r greyhoundgirl

And why would she not !, she's trying to learn more about the fish she is fishing for

The question was about Rainbow trout.

Jim

__________________
The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.