Greenback Cutthroat
The greenback cutthroat trout, or Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias, is the easternmost subspecies of cutthroat trout. The greenback cutthroat, once widespread in the Arkansas and South Platte River drainages of Eastern Colorado and Southeast Wyoming, today occupies less than 1% of its historical range. It is currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It was adopted as the state fish of Colorado on March 15, 1994. The reason for this decline is the timing of the spawn. They spawn in the late spring, about 2 months after the rainbow spawn. The rainbow trout parr (juveniles) annihilate the greenback cutthroat fry before they have a chance to grow. I fished every day all spring, summer, and fall, and caught exactly 2 greenback cutthroats. New genetic testing methods have also shown us what we once thought were isolated populations of the greenback were not genetically pure, or weren’t greenbacks at all. As it stands, there are only 2 pure, protected, and isolated populations of them, one in an alpine lake, and one upstream of the eagle falls. These populations only exist because of the absence of rainbows. I am afraid that in the near future the only place to see greenbacks will be in books and sculptures. It is up to all of us to be mindful of threatened species like these native trout, and always catch and release. You never know if that fish for dinner is the last breeding female of the population.
The greenback cutthroat trout, or Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias, is the easternmost subspecies of cutthroat trout. The greenback cutthroat, once widespread in the Arkansas and South Platte River drainages of Eastern Colorado and Southeast Wyoming, today occupies less than 1% of its historical range. It is currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It was adopted as the state fish of Colorado on March 15, 1994. The reason for this decline is the timing of the spawn. They spawn in the late spring, about 2 months after the rainbow spawn. The rainbow trout parr (juveniles) annihilate the greenback cutthroat fry before they have a chance to grow. I fished every day all spring, summer, and fall, and caught exactly 2 greenback cutthroats. New genetic testing methods have also shown us what we once thought were isolated populations of the greenback were not genetically pure, or weren’t greenbacks at all. As it stands, there are only 2 pure, protected, and isolated populations of them, one in an alpine lake, and one upstream of the eagle falls. These populations only exist because of the absence of rainbows. I am afraid that in the near future the only place to see greenbacks will be in books and sculptures. It is up to all of us to be mindful of threatened species like these native trout, and always catch and release. You never know if that fish for dinner is the last breeding female of the population.
The greenback cutthroat trout, or Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias, is the easternmost subspecies of cutthroat trout. The greenback cutthroat, once widespread in the Arkansas and South Platte River drainages of Eastern Colorado and Southeast Wyoming, today occupies less than 1% of its historical range. It is currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It was adopted as the state fish of Colorado on March 15, 1994. The reason for this decline is the timing of the spawn. They spawn in the late spring, about 2 months after the rainbow spawn. The rainbow trout parr (juveniles) annihilate the greenback cutthroat fry before they have a chance to grow. I fished every day all spring, summer, and fall, and caught exactly 2 greenback cutthroats. New genetic testing methods have also shown us what we once thought were isolated populations of the greenback were not genetically pure, or weren’t greenbacks at all. As it stands, there are only 2 pure, protected, and isolated populations of them, one in an alpine lake, and one upstream of the eagle falls. These populations only exist because of the absence of rainbows. I am afraid that in the near future the only place to see greenbacks will be in books and sculptures. It is up to all of us to be mindful of threatened species like these native trout, and always catch and release. You never know if that fish for dinner is the last breeding female of the population.
LEAD TIMES: All pieces are made to order, and lead times average about 3 weeks. If this is a gift or needed by a certain date, make sure to plan about a month ahead.
DISPLAY STAND: Each piece comes with a custom steel tabletop stand, specifically fit to your piece. Wall brackets are available as a replacement on request.