Marble or marbled trout (Salmo trutta marmoratus,
Cuvier 1817) is a special form of brown trout
that is estimated to be only native to rivers of
the Adriatic river system.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Marble trout from Soca river |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Although it can be found in
waters from Italy down to the end of Albania,
many Slovenians still cherish this beautiful
creature as THEIR trout! This is more than
unfair to our brown trout (Salmo trutta f. fario)
that is also native in majority of our rivers,
but the uniqueness and mystery that surrounds
this beautiful marbled “subspecies” is
constantly echoing in heads of our
ichtyologists and fly fishermen.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Marble trout from Soca river |
|
|
The most known rivers that inhabit this “kind”
of trout are Soca (pr. Sotcha, or in Italy
Isonzo!) and Idrijca (pr. Ydrytsa) with their
tributaries. Soca is the river after which
Slovenians named this trout ”SOSKA POSTRV”. In
direct translation it means “trout from river
Soca”. After successful breeding in the recent
past we can hope that this subspecies, form or
whatever taxonomic category will finally prevail
among disunioned scientists, will survive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Younger example from
Idrijca river caught on dry fly. Notice redish pattern. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marble trout Idrijca 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marble trout Idrijca 2005,
caught on streamer |
|
|
|
|
|
Personally I do not agree with few scientists in
the past that classified marble trout as a
“species” because it is a fact that it can be
crossed with brown trout and the descendants ARE
fertile! This is still is the rule #1of the
biology and at least for now I think we should
live it that way. So these two forms of trout
must be the same species if we follow the
biological definition of the “species”. No
matter if it is a form, subspecies or whatever,
I think we all agree that it should and must be
preserved. Let's rather say a word or two about
marble trout's unique appearance.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
The most recent genetic studies revealed that in
fact we could have several different types of
marble trout in Slovenia. The best part is that
all of them can grow to very decent size for
every flyfisherman! Because on a “right” day,
specimens around 35'' (90cm) can be seen in those
rivers. But like I said, they can be easily seen
- not caught! Carrying genetic heritage of (most
probably) the same ancestor as our brown trout,
it is one of the wariest fish among salmonids.
Although most of the fishermen still acknowledge
only one type of marble trout as “genuine one”
and that is now called “Zadlascica” type. |
|
|
|
|
It is named after Soca's famous tributary where
natural barriers seemed to keep our brown trout
(Salmo trutta f. fario) away, providing a
habitat for detached population. This type is
olive-brown or olive-green with that special
marbled pattern which sometimes goes way down to
the belly. The color of the belly is usually
yellowish-white or olive. Variability of
shadings is incredible! They can be so pale that
marbled pattern is hardly seen and on the other
hand very dark too. This type has no red spots
on the body! Some years ago all the fish with
marbled pattern with at least one red spot were
estimated to be “crossings with brown trout”.
Now they seem to be a type of marble trout as
well. “Real crossings” just add their share to
the confusion.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marble trout Reka 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
Usually the biggest specimens live in deeper
water or canyons, well hidden from the fishermen.
Especially in river Soca. They are territorial
and as they grow they start feeding on fish. As
every decent predator this fish has also very
sharp teeth. All that makes flyfishing for big
marbles very difficult considering use of
barbless hooks and flies that can reach them.
Getting deep enough in fast water is not very
easy as we all know and tackle must be strong
enough too. Unfortunately “catch &release” is
not a very common regulation in our country,
but as it looks it is slowly
becoming the policy of the future of the
slovenian flyfishing. Now
we are able to keep one marble per day with a
size limit over 40cm (somewhere 60cm depending
on what river we are fishing). So at least fish
under the size limit must be released.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Marble trout has recently become interesting
trademark of Slovenian flyfishing. Due to the
work of devoted domestic and some foreign
scientists from different parts of Europe,
especially from France, it seems it will remain
in our streams and keep bringing flyfishermen
from all over the world to our small and
beautiful country. |
|
|
|
|
|
Fish |
|
This page is
purely informative. New photos
if marbles cooperate! |
|
MORE PHOTOS |
