“If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” – Albert Einstein
Like most scientific endeavors, George Schisler’s landmark inquest falls under the broad parameter of the famous declaration that hangs above his desk.
But maybe not for long.
Splashing in the face of the dictum, the Colorado Division of Wildlife biologist actually knows precisely what he’s doing. Since we last peeked in on Schisler’s probe nine months ago, a new generation of rainbow trout has broken out of its shell, bringing Colorado’s grandest genetic experiment a step closer to reality.
Get ready for Super Trout, coming soon to a river near you.
As you may have heard, Schisler and the DOW are working double time to blend a rainbow strain that developed resistance to whirling disease during 125 years in a German hatchery with wild Colorado stock to produce a progeny that will prosper naturally in state streams.
The real news is how far the process has come, how close we may be to a return to those rollicking rainbow times of old.
A hybrid made up of three-fourths of the wild Colorado River strain has demonstrated profound resistance to the spore fatal to North American rainbow. All that remains is to determine whether offspring of this cross will hatch and survive in a natural river environment.
At this moment, this grand test is being acted out beneath the waters of four river reaches: lower Gunnison, Frying Pan, Rio Grande and South Fork of the South Platte. Like any good scientist, Schisler withholds final judgment until the facts are in. But it’s plain he’ll be surprised if things don’t work as planned.
“When we find the magic bullet, we’ll start expanding the range of study and begin replacing the lost populations of rainbows,” Schisler said.
All this is being orchestrated from an antique laboratory at a place that harkens to the very bedrock of Colorado fish culture.
Created in 1926 as part of what would become the Red Feather Lakes chain northwest of Fort Collins, Parvin Lake was intended specifically for trout propagation, the first DOW location where rainbow trout were grown to produce eggs. Now, with stream-bred rainbows all but depleted by WD, the place – and the trout – have been resurrected.
Mothballed for 25 years, a venerable building has been dusted off as rearing unit for various genetic combinations of rainbow trout. Schisler harbors up to 50 different mixes – families, if you will – in small tanks that resemble home aquariums. Larger 500-gallon tanks hold 2-year-old trout used for brood stock.
It is a dance performed forever in duplicate, this aquatic two-step toward the future of Colorado trout fishing.
“We have two of everything. Two water pumps, a backup generator,” Schisler explained. “If the water goes off, we’re done. We lose everything.”
In this fail-safe environment, a breakdown triggers an alarm sound, along with an automated telephone system that dials half a dozen numbers – a testament to just how vital this experiment has become.
The recognized potential of the German rainbow, from the Hofer hatchery in Bavaria, has come far since it was formally introduced by Munich-based scientist Mansour El-Matbouli at a 1992 Denver conference on whirling disease. Many attendees who spoke openly against the notion now have jumped on the boat. Wildlife agencies in California, Idaho and Utah all have lined up to receive Colorado’s magical eggs.
“Colorado has done a marvelous job in taking this forward,” said Dave Kumlien, executive director of the Whirling Disease Foundation in Bozeman, Mont.
How far it goes is a matter of considerable excitement.
Schisler points out that the Hofer trout in its most domesticated form, without the wild-strain blend, also has considerable value as a hatchery product that adds little or no WD spore load to the environment. Early tests indicate it may respond better to angling than DOW’s present catchable component. Then there’s the titillating prospect from a joint study at University of California-Davis and Utah State University to isolate the specific gene that causes the Hofer rainbow to resist WD. Should that succeed, it may be possible to inoculate all species of trout, including endangered cutthroat.
With apologies to Einstein, it seems as if these researchers indeed know what they’re doing after all.
Charlie Meyers can be reached at 303-954-1609 or cmeyers@denverpost.com.
