The Extraordinary Struggle for Rare Strains of the Earth’s Trout

The experience of Cutthroat trout in western North America has been an astonishing saga — the life and death struggle of myriad strains and locations of our rare western trout —with all the elements of the West as players in this drama for survival against extirpation; against the unkind forces of blistering summer desert heat, merciless years upon years of draught; and then unyielding snowfall and snowmelt — with scouring torrential flooding.

Not only has there been the more recent drama of concerned conservationists, as players who have located and protected and secured fledgling remnants of trout populations that were long thought to be extinct; but there’s also been the drama of rangelands and cattle, free-rangers and land barons, ranchers and farmers, herders and grazers: all fighting for their piece of the American dream — with the trout of the streams that they trod, little more than an afterthought.

Yet thanks to the resiliency of the species and the remote unsettled wilderness regions that still freely give their pristine environs and life-sustaining water to the trout — of a dozen known unique species and subspecies of cutthroat trout; ten are still with us as recognized surviving species of the present.  Only one is wholly accepted as having been reduced to a footnote in the history books, ⁽¹⁾  the Yellowfin cutthroat of Twin Lakes, CO.

Those well acquainted with the history of the Alvord cutthroat trout, are aware that a relict population of phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout (alvordensis) can be found in a small SE Oregon stream not far from the ancient Alvord’s traditional domain of the Alvord Basin in Oregon, and the northern Black Rock Desert region of Nevada — Virgin Creek.

And yet, the drama that has been—and still is—being played out here in the West is not so unique, that there are not equally remarkable dramas and stories from around the world…

To Those Who’ve Made what we Take for Granted – Into Reality

Often, at this time of year, nations, corporations, organizations and individuals take a look at the “year in review,” and evaluate the progress (or lack thereof) for their respective goals, objectives and purposes.

For the Alvord cutthroat trout, it honestly makes more sense to simply put things into perspective as to present reality regarding this remnant population of o. c. alvordensis: with relevant historical overviews of a few trout populations that essentially parallel the plight of the Alvords; the main difference being that the outcome for those subspecies of cutthroat has been positively determined—while the outcome for this relict population of phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout is yet to be determined.

A Few Exigent Questions — in Pursuit of Apt Answers

Over the five years since Dr. Behnke first noted the remnant of phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout in ***** Creek of the **** ******** National Wildlife Refuge, there have almost certainly been more questions asked—than there have been answers attained.

One individual — or even several individuals — cannot identify all the questions that arise where the remnant of phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout in ***** Creek are concerned…  Yet, as an exercise in the pursuit of meaningful understanding, it seems that there may be genuine value in summarizing a few of the questions that we’re aware of, and seeing which of these might avail meaningful and consequential answers.

Hopefully this brief list will characterize a few meaningful questions, and bring positive and essential considerations into focus that ultimately will be helpful concerning the prospect of the rescue | restoration of this imperiled remnant of phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout…

What is — the Cost — of our Technological Advancement?

We live in an amazing day and age.  Knowledge has increased exponentially in our lifetime.  What was considered impossible just a few years ago, is now not only possible—in some cases it is commonplace.  A whole generation has arrived that takes being able to text, or to talk, or to watch video, or to catch the news; anywhere and at anytime from their handheld device as normal—and they are disappointed, “something’s wrong,” if they can’t.

Some of us may remember when these ideas were just fancy imaginings of cartoon characters like Dick Tracy.  There was a time that life and society seemed to move at a more casual pace—a time when we had to write a letter to communicate with someone; a time when distance and geography really did affect our ability to know some things; and thus our expectations were tempered differently—and we seemed to have more of an awareness of the realities involved in life.

Will We Bequeath a Living Legacy — or Only a Memory?

Incredibly, four summers on ***** Creek have come and gone for us.  Some trout in the stream have become like “old friends,” having caught them multiple times over the years. A few photos on the site are of some of the same trout—from year to year.  We’ve watched them grow and blossom into mature Alvord phenotypes, which is truly a wonder to behold.

We’ve also fished favorite haunts where we’ve found these mature trout in years gone by—and not been able to successfully find them again.  They don’t live forever and a generation for these trout is a relatively short period of time for us.

It can seem disheartening to contemplate what the future for the remnant of alvordensis in ***** Creek might be — but it shouldn’t have to be sad or difficult at all.  As with most endeavors in the human experience, willingness and real action determines the outcome.

of Origins and History: the Rarest of Possibilities

Some questions may persist as to just how alvordensis made it to ***** Creek; but there is historical reference of the translocation of Alvords from Trout Creek to the basin westward of their former home.  Yet an ichthyologist might honestly still have other questions to ask.

Alvord genetics are currently officially undocumented, and until a thorough analysis of the Hubbs and Miller samples at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology is undertaken it remains difficult (if not impossible) to make authoritative statements regarding the trout genetics in ***** Creek.

Still, genetic analysis may not be crucial for the identification of alvordensis in ***** Creek as the historical and phenotypical indicators are authoritative for those who have seen and studied them up-close.  Other ‘competing explanations’ seem to pale in comparison to what Dr. Behnke has already surmised and put forth regarding these phenotypical Alvord trout.

Yet this post touches upon what may be a different consideration where ***** Creek and its basin are concerned.  It briefly examines some of the thoughts that flowed through our minds a few years ago, when we first encountered the collection of trout in ***** Creek—  and when we first became aware of their very unusual and remarkable genetic diversity.

Haunting Living Realities from the Alvord Basin

Sometimes it seems very difficult—if not impossible—to find the perfect words to describe what one is thinking or feeling about a subject intensely near and dear to one’s heart.  Such may be the case after our most recent foray to ***** Creek; and especially regarding the sober impressions burned into our comprehension after just 12 or so hours on the stream…

It wasn’t the mosquitoes; though they were the worst that we’ve ever encountered on the creek; and they left a whining drone in our ears and the imprint of a swarm in our memory even long after the day was done and we were countless miles away.  …At least the no-see-ums were not nearly as bad as three years ago in July of ’08 when after just a few hours on the stream my eyes were black and blue as if I’d gotten the worst of it in a bar room brawl.

It wasn’t the high water; though the water was the highest we’ve seen in July—and clearly this has been an exceptionally wet year.  Though weeks late the gates were still not open to allow passage on many of the roads.  In May of ’08, the HQ recommended no passage at all to ***** Creek (though a few diehards did 4WD into the area).  Yet the gates were open in June—and the roads then didn’t show the serious scars that they revealed on this last trip.

But all of that is just academic.  In reality, it is time on the stream that is relevant; and it is the time on the stream that leaves the stark impressions that affect our passions.  This trip it was really due to circumstances that we earnestly worked a section of the system that in previous years we’d overlooked or skirted around.  What we encountered was an amazing surprise that should have heartened us; and yet, at best, finally left us feeling bittersweet.

What Really Matters

The survival of any species depends on its ability to reproduce, and upon the survival of its young.  There are many factors that can reduce a population to the point of extinction.

What are some of those factors and how might they apply to the remnant phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout?

Questions from the Pluvial Past

In Native Trout of North America, Robert Smith relates that the University of California, Davis “turned up strong evidence of Lahontan cutthroat ancestry and a unique allele found only in Alvord Trout.  There was also evidence of an ancient rainbow influence dating back thousands of years—strange echoes of the past indeed” (Trout of the Alvord Basin; pg. 48).

He then offered the thought that there may have been a headwater transfer of redbands from pluvial Lake Catlow as an explanation.

Where the Alvord cutthroat trout is concerned, relevant questions may arise from the pluvial past.  The prospect of a genetic legacy that originates from more than one source population may add complicating factors for the analysis of and understanding of this rare form of cutthroat trout.

Yet known geological history may help shed some light on the pluvial past of the Alvord Basin, and upon inter-basin connections that could account for unusual genetic findings; as well as show just how unique the Alvord cutthroat trout may be in the historical placement of trout in North America.