Boy...I'd like to know where they have "factory raised and planted" trout of 3lbs. or more. Here in Ohio, the stockies are 10 to 14 inches long, similar to those tiny mountain stream trout everyone cherishes. If I had my druthers, I would love to just one time fish the Kenia river in Alaska for those giant trout...and by whatever method produced...that's my idea of superior!

Here in California they frequently stock 20# plus trout in "pay to fish" lakes in the Los Angeles area. I, however, would never frequent those lakes just for that reason. Go ahead, Google Irvine Lake and see the kind of trout these lakes get. It's insane. However, my PB wild rainbow trout caught on a fly rod was 22" and weighed about 5#. Caught it on a size 22 zebra midge on a 2.4# tippet. That was a great battle which took me down a beautiful Sierra river for quite some time. Of course, this was in an area that was located a mere 3/4 mile upriver from end of the road.

Im so glad this topic is still going. I love it. I really enjoy acquiring new knowledge when it comes to trout fishing! Thank you everybody!

Posted By Troutinator on 25 Dec 2011 11:35 PM


Here in California they frequently stock 20# plus trout in "pay to fish" lakes in the Los Angeles area.

Sounds very similar to "pay lakes" here in Ohio...but here it is catfish. They are very controversial, but very popular also.

Controversial? To me, it's more than that. There is actually a new state record for trout category that puts these stocked trout in a category all there own. It's ridiculous for those of us that search for trophy catches only to read that these lakes are having tons of double digit trout poured into them weekly. These same lakes also produce catfish over 40#. Again, big money is put into stocking these lakes and big money is also paid for you to fish these lakes. Not me, coach. That's the reason I prefer fly fishing rivers and creeks for trout. Here's me and my largest fly caught trout to date. I'm proud of this guy, and it was caught in a river about an hour from house, last February.

Yes...controversial...as in some guys like pay lakes and some guys don't. Although I don't frequent pay lakes, I have fished them, and they provide a place for the handicapped, elderly, and kids to get easy access to good fishing. I have never heard a disabled fisherman complain about a guy like you walking upstream to fish...but I often here able bodied anglers complain about the only option some of us have. Enjoy your methods, and let others enjoy theirs!
                                                                               
BTW...That is a nice fish!

Scott,
I see you still fly fish the kings. Nice looking trout. I have not been fly fishing all that much. Been drifting eggs and corkies and tossing hardware.

Jeremy, I hit the kings yesterday and managed a really nice 20" 'bow tossing a size 18 BWO, but wasn't able to get a good pic before releasing it. I'm taking Denise back there tomorrow as I can see lots of 20" plus rainbows rolling during the afternoon hatch.

Which section are you at again?

Well I'm a Fly Fisher!! Love it. We have some of the best water in the Mid-west Here in Wisconsin!! My largest Brookie here was 22" and a Brown that size isn't unusual!! and in the Fall we get Salmon and Huge Browns and Steelhead coming into the streams from the Great Lakes!!!!

Just took my wife and daughter fly fishing on a local river yesterday. It was my wife's day, that's for sure. We were only on the water for part of the afternoon, but look how well she did on these rainbows with size 22 dry flies I tied the night before. For those of you who don't know, a size 22 is less than 1/4" long. Is fly fishing more superior than bait or spinners. Probably not, but this catches like these, does it really matter? BTW, fly fishing is neither a snob sport or just a man's sport.

Nice catch! You're adding to my cabin fever...I might have to make a road trip. There's a creek not too far away that the state stocks with brown trout. I'm feelin' it!
                                           

As mo said those are some nice fish. I can't wait to get my boat back to hit the lakes, i should get it back next week and then i'm of like a heard of turtles to the lake......john