While waiting for the compulsory potatoes to cook this evening, I was passing the time by thumbing through the pages of the Californian Departments of Fish and Game rules and regulations for freshwater sport fishing and I came across this exciting piece of literature in the back of the leaflet.



Up till now, I had been fully aware of the diversity of your trout species in Northern California thanks to Ralph Cutters and his excellent book on Sierra trout. However, it had never occurred to me that it could be turned into a sort of personal challenge and an excellent excuse to get into those more remote locations that some people might avoid. In Ireland, we only have Browns but the variation in their coloration would vary greatly depending on the habitat. It was a buzz to get a brown regardless of the size with distinct patterns or color from different river systems. The idea of fishing for completely different "species" / "sub species"  of trout in the one general location is something that I very much look forward to. As Cutter stated if might prove very difficult to tell some species location in the Kern system apart!

Have any of you guys manged to catch six or even better all eleven?

Do you think eight of the species might be a possibility in a year, given their geographic locations? I'm lucky enough that my wife is a forester so backpacking into these locations is not a problem neither is trying to persuade her to go into the great outdoors for a weekend.  

Regards,

Denis