#fur-bearing trout

[siryl]

Some years ago a lady brought to the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh a trout covered with a fine coat of white fur. It was pleasingly mounted on a wooden shield and was labelled as follows:

FUR BEARING TROUT Very Rare Caught while trolling in Lake Superior off Gros Cap, Near Sault Ste. Marie, district of Algoma. It is believed that the great depth and the extreme penetrating coldness of the water in which these fish live has caused them to grow their dense coat of (usually) white fur. Mounted by ROSS C. JOBE, Taxidermist of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Visiting the museum to find out more about her unique fish, the lady was told that it was undoubtedly a trout (either brown or brook) and that its fine white coat was undoubtedly from a rabbit, whereupon she immediately presented the fish to the museum. She had bought this fake in good faith which indicates that the idea of a fur-bearing trout did not seem outlandish to her.

―Stanley Peter Dance, Animal Fakes & Frauds, 1976

[blokkheadart]

Today on Things Jay Forgot To Post, here’s some art I did a few months back. This is a character myself and Muffins (@chipsfish1) created together, in the universe of my OC project, Sage Café. Their name is Chips, they’re a Fur-bearing Trout. Hope you all like them as much as we do!

(Character is They/It/Any)

RBs appreciated :>

[shadyufo]

Only one Fur-Bearing Trout plaque painting left in my Etsy shop!

But don't worry—more are in the works, along with some other cryptid fish friends <3

[waterlootrout]

Ps1 snake holding a low poly fur-bearing trout, was meant to be my pfp for a few different accounts but worked out otherwise

[animatejournal]

Earthworm Jim | Director: Henry Gilroy Creator: Doug TenNapel | Studio: Universal USA, 1995

[cott-creature-art]

AF attack on @itsannaprobably >:3 this guy is so precious look at him and his luscious coat

[evolutionsvoid]

Found in alpine rivers and mountain lakes, the fur-bearing trout has been an important species for northern regions ever since they were first discovered. Natives of these areas valued this species for their warm fur and waterproof skin, which is the same reasons why settlers looked into these fish. With the fur trading business at an all time high, another plentiful source of fur was always welcome. However, this material was originally not as popular as one would imagine. There is some debate on why this came to be, but there are certainly some clear facts to point out. With the fur-bearing trout at a high population in these cold regions, there was plenty of fur to be harvested. The method of catching them was also said to be way easier then conventional trapping, as anyone with a rod and reel could take a crack at hooking one. With the ease of catch and high numbers, it didn't take long for trout fur to flood the market. Some argue that this lowered the prices and value of said fur, which then didn't make it as profitable as a business.

However, some claim it was more of a social thing that caused the fur to be treated as lesser. First of all, this fur was attached to a fish, an animal normally seen as slimy and bottom feeding, so it could be that customers were already turned off from there. Then there is the fact that native tribes of these regions regularly used this fur, and let us not forget the opinions settlers had of these natives. There are plenty of recorded "comments" about these people, and a lot of them were not kind. Pointing out that the "savages" of these lands were so "backwards" that they used "fish fur" was rather common, and many higher up folk would dare not associate with such a thing. Lastly, with the ease of catching, most folk could go to their local river or lake and hook one themselves, resulting in lesser buyers. In short time, the derogatory term of "fish fur" was slapped on this kind of material, as it was mostly seen being worn by natives and poorer folk. It is believed this imagery and these beliefs was why fur-bearing trout were not as popular as one would think. Time, however, would eventually correct this belief, or perhaps it was more the market that did the adjusting. As beaver, muskrat and other fur-bearing species started to take a heavy hit from the fur trade, trappers needed an alternative. While other pelts grew harder to obtain and more expensive, trout fur remained low in price and easy to obtain. Thus, it suddenly became a popular material, with folks touting its superior warmth and waterproof nature. Natives and other folk who were already using this fur just rolled their eyes at this new development, quite familiar with how these fads worked. Fur-bearing trout continued to be a frequently harvested material, all the way to the decline of the fur trade. Obviously their populations took a big hit, as pressure fell on them to make up for the lack of beaver and such. Thankfully, populations at higher elevations and hard to reach lakes had some protection, and thus remained strong. The fur-bearing trout survived this brutal market, but it certainly wasn't the end of the trout fur. The fur-bearing trout is still harvested today for its iconic pelt, though regulations have helped keep their populations healthy. Limits and seasons allow this species to still thrive, and it has become the official fish for a couple mountainous states. Locals of these regions still hook them for both food and fur, seeing it as a tradition. Restaurants do serve fillets of these trout, at the expense of hearing the tired joke of "waiter, there is a hair on my fish!" A popular tourist package is taking folk out to remote lakes so they can catch and skin their own trout, which will then be turned into gloves or slippers. Fur-bearing trout also still remains a popular material in the eye of the public, while other furs have been scrutinized or condemned. Fish do not garner the same sympathy from the public as a furry mink or cuddly chinchilla would, so many are fine to turn a blind eye to their harvest. It is why fish farms have begun to spring up in certain regions, to provide more of this species for harvest. Foolish entrepreneurs quickly learned the importance of keeping these fisheries in colder regions, as hot summers and warm water led to heat stroke and disease in their populations.

Even with their efforts, though, there are folk who would go on about the difference between farm raised trout fur and wild caught. For some, the experience of catching your own trout and turning it into garments with your own hands captures the feeling of ruggedness and old timey tradition. All the old anglers in town will tell you that catching and preparing your own fur-bearing trout is a rite of passage, that no one is truly a fisherman til they wear trout fur mitts of their own making. It is unsure of how much a tradition this really is, but the businesses selling this experience are sure to holler that sentiment from the rooftops.       -----------------------------------------------------

Just throwing in something simple and different. Here, enjoy a Fearsome Critter! It's found in cold places, it counts!

[unusedcactus]

Loving the fur-bearing trout lately

[tizooky]

A set of stamps based on various North American cryptids

[kaylees-art]

Some fake Littlest Pet Shops I designed based on mythical creatures :3

[lesbospirk]

T'Lyn <3

[blokkheadart]

Some Halloween-themed art requested by @chipsfish1 of our OC, Chips, as a vampire! Fairly simple, but I still like how it turned out!

(Character is They/It/Any)

↓ A few… spookier alts under the cut. [TW: Blood] ↓

BOO!

Happy Halloweeeeeeeen!

[shadyufo]

painting a few more fur-bearing trout plaques. they'll be in my etsy shop soon <3

[cryptid-quest]

HOAX of the Day: Fur Bearing Trout

Description: Ever since settlers came to the Great Lakes of North America, they have come back with stories of Fur-Bearing Trout... Or at least, a trout they glued fur to. Though the trouts are usually made as a joke, the inspiration for this bizarre hoax comes from a real disease suffered by fish called Saprolegnia.

[violetmagician]

Some more designs for possible cryptid matroyshka pins