Hi all

I fished the Clettwr today (Wye tributary) and at the time thought the river held some pretty unusual looking brown trout, but having read this thread
Salmon Parr or Baby Brownie? I reckon they may have been salmon parr.

Perhaps you could help me identify them?

Photo 1



Photo 2



Photo 3



Photo 4



Photo 5



Photos 1 and 2 are regular brown trout I reckon, there for comparison. Are the fish in photos 3, 4 and 5 salmon parr?

Many thanks

Lovely pictures and they illustrate the point so very well. 3 and 4 look like real little salmon cuties... I always think the maxilla is a fairly good indicator.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

I would say 3 4 5 are parr,can you see the markings, a bit like the perch markings and the tails look a lot more forked

First two are brownies, 3rd is a salmon parr, and the 4th is a brownie. I know the tail looks really forked but check that red adipose fin.
Pic 5 is a trout. Look at the red adipose fin again. Possibly a sea trout starting to smolt?

The deeply forked tails and the small number of big black spots on the gill covers scream Salmon parr. I've caught a few on my occasional outings on The Hodder. Fast little beggars aren't they? I always take extra care to get them off the hook and back where they came from as quickly as possible. They have a long journey ahead of them!

Here's a good resource for spotting the differences.

SharkeyP

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Often thinks not travel widens,
Stay at home the Trout obliges.

I'd agree with your identifications...

John

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And I'd agree too John, but only if you are agreeing with GFL that is...




Only photo 3 (above) is of a salmon parr - the rest are trout parr/brown trout.

Not entirely unexpected as the Clettwr tributary has had a lot of EU money spent on it to 'improve' the spawning. See report: European Fisheries Fund | Wye & Usk Foundation

Yes.....3,4 and 5 are very clearly salmon parr.GFL and SC on the other hand are clearly mistooken ......

Thanks very much for the replies. It appears there is consensus on the fish in photo 3 being a salmon parr, but for other two, I guess it just proves how difficult is is to tell the difference.

Not difficult TT....its glaringly obvious in this case....