SALIDA — A February visit from the Colorado Division of Wildlife hatchery truck launched a rainbow revival that promises to restore a long-anticipated balance on the Arkansas River.
These 75,000 trout, approximately 6 inches long, are mixes from the Hofer strain noted for its resistance to whirling disease.
“We wanted a size large enough to get past brown trout predation and we planted them early enough to become acclimated before runoff,” explained area biologist Greg Policky.
The ultimate goal is to create a rainbow presence that will produce naturally, increasing the rainbow presence substantially from the current 15 percent of the river’s overall population.
“I’m excited about it. We could have some good news for a change,” Policky said.
Charlie Meyers, The Denver Post
