In search of Bubba.. but found a surprise
 

My friend (njflyfisher) and I Fished the South branch raritan river today. We started out by hammering the rainbows in the morning. We got about a dozen each and towards the end of the day I was surprised at what I caught. It was my first tiger trout. I released him and about 20 minutes later I hooked another one. After inspecting the pictures from both of them it turned out that it was the same one. And that I caught him again. How rare are they in NJ?? and any ideas where he came from??.

Re: In search of Bubba.. but found a surprise
 

I believe these are reared at the Pequest as they are resistant to many diseases. Caught a few in a private lake in morris co. Very attractive fish and very aggressive. Congrats.

Re: In search of Bubba.. but found a surprise
 

I don't know about the pequest but I know the musky hatchery has em and stocks em. Shannon's fly shop privately stocked the sbr so one could assume it was part of that stocking... Or it's a wild fish...

Re: In search of Bubba.. but found a surprise
 

Most likely not from Shannon's socking because it was no where near where they stocked. So its either a wild fish or it was stocked by the state.

Re: In search of Bubba.. but found a surprise
 

Great looking fish !!!! And to think in 3 short months the State will be stocking 600,000 more trout into NJ waters ! :)

Re: In search of Bubba.. but found a surprise
 

Looks on the wild side to me.. the muskys got a bunch in one stretch that are 100% wild.. seen big tigers up to 6lbs that were club fish

Re: In search of Bubba.. but found a surprise
 

Nice catch and beautiful Tiger. That's a fun Trout to catch with tons of energy. Totally awesome dude!!!:D

Re: In search of Bubba.. but found a surprise
 

I've heard it's very possible in places where Browns and Brooks can spawn that they may cross breed which is how tiger trout are made, cross between a brook and a brown trout.