What kind of Fish has this Heron caught?

[RKB]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I'm pretty sure they are Sea Trout smolts on their seaward migration, hence the accumulation of Herons, typically easily shed scales as can be seen on the log and the size of the fish. Salmon smolts are generally between 120 - 150mm and Sea Trout larger and normally earlier to get away than Salmon smolts.

I don't know what flow levels were like on the day of observation, it can't be told from the images but the old saying, "The first flood in May, the smolts are away" comes to fore.

Smolts are two or three year old fish that have born in freshwater and being migratory, gather in large shoals in the rivers and gradually make their way downstream until a rise in water level assists their return to sea at this time of year for their first sea winter before returning to freshwater next year.

Sea Trout tend not to go far but stick around the coastline whilst Salmon migrate to distant waters - up to the northern reaches of the North Atlantic to plunder the krill and other tasty prey.

A good shout Kayleigh as Smelt are entering the rivers to spawn at the upper tidal limits.

Send me some cast scales (from the log), Dale, I'll confirm the species and age of the fish.

But what features in the second pic eliminate Rainbow Trout? It does look quite like a ready-wrapped Tesco variety!

[Dorts]

If you blow-up the pic of the 2nd fish, you can just make-out an adipose fin, so I'd go for Rainbow Trout.
Dorts.

[The Woodman]

Originally Posted by RKB

But what features in the second pic eliminate Rainbow Trout? It does look quite like a ready-wrapped Tesco variety!

Very similar in many respects to smolts but there are no spots on the caudal fin or below the lateral line. The distictive pink flash is also absent on the flank although a tinge can be seen, it's nothing like the RT flash.

The fins are greenish/clear not pink/orangey as in RT. I can't see the adipose fin which would give a good clue to Salmon or Sea Trout, nor can I see the length of the maxilla clearly.

There are many forms of RT bred for stocking and the table with colour varying from the silvery to the blue and orange (golden).

Note the scales on the log. Smolts shed their scales if you so much breathe on them, RT don't to this degree.

I'm catching some smolts next Monday with a bit of luck and hopefully take some images to explain.

All salmonids have adipose fins, they are not exclusive to RT. So do Grayling, Smelt - Osmerus eperlanus, Schelly and Vendace. Sand smelt - Atherina presbyter doesn't nor do the Shads.

[bigdave60dog]

The mouth size and eye position is wrong for trout in at least two pics. One has too strong lateral line for trout.
Maybe three species -Sea Trout?
Big tides just now so migratory species will mix with tidal, shore and estuarine species.
I was fishing on Loch Eil just close to the Achaphubuil Heronry last week. Heron were behaving as described. The fish were young Cod but Loch Eil is mostly salt water.
Dave

[darrenm]

it does look like a Sea Trout in the second picture

[FUDGEY]

I think its a Koi carp

[DALE MILES 01]

I have come to the conclusion that the Herons must be catcing a multitude of species, I think it's because of a recent very high tide a couple of days ago and the Heron are just above the Weir in Chester, the fish must have been pushed over the weir and when the river subsided and then a quite low river level, the fish are unable to get back towards the sea, I noted that many were jumping out of the water and also some very large salmon or sea trout were leaping about, quite a spectacle...

and what ever they were, they are now inside the Heron..I think I will pop down there again this evening...could spend hours watching them and take a few more snaps

[DALE MILES 01]

a bit gutted that the heron that were fighting was a bit far for my 200 mm lens so not as sharp as I would have liked...