Difference

[bassjnkie]

I am not in any way a rainbow guy. Is there a way without cutting them open, to tell the difference from a river/lake bow VS. a farm bow.

 

Would love to hear some expert opinions.

 

I can't tell

 

Daniel

[solopaddler]

The pen reared escapees are usually blunter of nose, tails and snouts are quite often ragged and showing signs of wear, and they're generally thicker, heavier, and quite frankly fatter for their length than wild fish.

Also, they don't fight worth a damn. Generally you set the hook and reel 'em in, nothing at all like the acrobatics of a wild fish.

Another factor, the ones here in Ontario (Georgian Bay mostly) have been engineered to spawn in the fall.

If you catch a short, fat blunt nosed rainbow spitting loose eggs or milt in Oct or Nov you can be a guaranteed it's not a wild fish...

[MuddyWater]

farm fish just look ugly and ratty and are just lame lol.

[Rich]

I always notice the distinct colour difference..

[bassjnkie]

Thanks guys.