Fish ID

[epops]

Is the bottom pic like this i caught on a fly while after some wily estuary think its a chubb

[Geoff F]

If your fish came from an estuary, Matt, I would think that a Smelt is the most likely. Possibly a small bass, but it looks a bit too long and thin. Did it have hard or soft scales and what sort of dorsal (top) fins?

[thebeard]

by the shape of the fish and its mouth structure, i'd agree that its a young chub Squalius cephalus, i think they do stretch into estuaries, especially on the bigger rivers.

[epops]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

If your fish came from an estuary, Matt, I would think that a Smelt is the most likely. Possibly a small bass, but it looks a bit too long and thin. Did it have hard or soft scales and what sort of dorsal (top) fins?

deffo was'nt a bass and i hav'nt seen any smelt in the river for years they've long gone along with the garfish we used to get

[Geoff F]

The only other idea which springs to mind is a young Shad; either Twaite or Alis. The Twaite breed in brackish estuaries while the Alis tend to go farther upstream. Their young head towards the coast during late autumn.

Many years ago there were substantial fisheries for them but they aren't common nowadays, although there is a regular run in a few estuaries/rivers.

The adults resemble herrings.

[DanTe]

I would say the talk of Bass and Smelt is a little wild.

The first picture is a tricky one but if I were to lay money on the identity I would say Immature Trout although the Shad idea is an outside bet.

Similar scenario for the second pic. Dace or small thin Lipped Mullet but I'd go dace.

It's very difficult to tell from photos as the water distorts features.

The picture of the fish held in the palm of a hand is most definitely a Chub.

[Charles Halliday]

If you go to homepage, you can download FishId onto your mobile phone. A more powerful version is available for iphone users on istore, but you need to search for it under 'coarse fish ID'