Inside the hatchery
Nestled within one of the stunning mountain ranges in Crowsnest Pass is the Allison Creek Brood Trout Hatchery, where a unique fish is crafted for anglers to enjoy. This fish, known as the tiger trout, boasts an orange hue and bold, tiger-like stripes that set it apart from other trout species.
Tiger trout are created at this hatchery by fertilizing eggs from brown trout with milt from brook trout. Thousands of these eggs are then distributed to fisheries across Alberta.
“They’re a very beautiful fish and sought after by anglers due to their aggressive behavior,” says Ryan Boechler, facilities supervisor at Allison Creek. “Recreational stocked fisheries enable people to harvest fish. It reduces pressure on natural lakes and helps spread out the angler load.”
As a new fisherman, I found it fascinating to learn about the intricate work inside hatcheries to provide fish for anglers, while protecting native species. In fact, tiger trout are sterile, which eliminates the risk of overpopulation. However, raising them is challenging, with only around 100,000 being successfully released into the wild annually.
“Tiger trout are known for experiencing high losses from hatch to fingerling,” Boechler explains. “We’re not sure why, but this has been observed at hatcheries across Canada and the United States.”
The journey
The trip to Allison Creek was breathtaking. It was one of the first times Keelan, (the other co-founder of stories by Tusk) and I filmed on location together. We set off in the late afternoon, embarking on a three-hour road trip through the Rockies as the sun dipped behind the mountains.
Trips like this are exciting, especially when we are getting ready for filming.
After spending the night in a nearby town, we were ready for the big day. A short drive down the highway and a snowy gravel road led us to the facility. It was one of the most beautiful spots for a hatchery I’ve ever seen. Surrounded by trees, snow, and mountains. Breathing in the fresh mountain air is certainly a great way to begin the day!
Ryan and his team welcomed us with a tour of the facility, where we saw the two species used to create tiger trout.
Watching the team in action was like witnessing a well-rehearsed performance. From collecting eggs and milt, to processing them efficiently, every step was designed to minimize stress on the fish while ensuring the highest chance of success.
My favorite part was seeing the large brood fish up close. As someone who has only caught small trout, encountering full-sized fish in person was really something special.
After a full day of filming, we returned home with a newfound appreciation for the effort behind creating these unique trout. However, my journey wasn’t over yet. Since Allison Creek is primarily a brood station that produces fish eggs, I wanted to see tiger trout in their next stage of life.
seeing the tigers
I visited the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery at Bow Habitat Station, where production supervisor Ryan Lyster showed me some of the younger ones. Though smaller than their brown and brook trout parents, their vibrant colors and striking patterns were already visible. There were so many of them swimming in a couple of the burrow ponds, patiently waiting for their release into the wild in the spring.
Lyster also shared his passion for angling and fish culture.
“I started fishing in northern Manitoba for walleye when I was two years old and I’ve been hooked ever since,” he said. “It’s such a rich experience, and a big part of it is being out in nature with friends and family. Raising fish ties right into that. It’s hard to put into words because it’s been part of me since I could walk.”
Hearing from experienced anglers like Boechler and Lyster has deepened my appreciation for this community. It’s an incredibly welcoming hobby, and I’m glad I took it up last year.
Now, with spring on the horizon, I’m looking forward to heading out to Alberta’s lakes, casting my line, and hoping to catch my first tiger trout!
