Chuck Ripper: Gila Trout

Artist: Chuck Ripper
1929 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1996
Image Size: 12.5 by 14.5 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17.75 inches
Medium: Gouache Watercolor on Masonite

The golden-yellow Gila Trout was once widespread throughout the Gila and San Francisco Rivers in New Mexico. Today, however, the trout is only found in a few creeks in the Gila National Forest. This fish developed in the high reaches of rivers and streams where water is clear and cool. Isolated from other trout species, the Gila Trout is a genetically distinct subspecies. Unfortunately, this fish was nearly destroyed by hatchery programs that breed and release non-native species into new areas. Rainbow trout are a popular hatchery and introductory fish because of its extremely hardy and adaptive nature. Although distinct subspecies of one another, the Gila Trout and the rainbow trout are similar enough to successfully mate. Following the introduction of the rainbow trout into the Gila Trout's waters, the two species hybridized and it became nearly impossible to distinguish between them. Fortunately, scientists recognized that the hybridized breeding was eliminating the Gila Trout. Efforts were taken to separate the fish and move the rainbow trout and the new hybridized species to other waters. Today, rivers and creeks where the Gila Trout thrive are protected from other fish and fishermen. Barricades placed in the rivers halt the natural upstream migration of rainbow trout and other fish from lower sections of the rivers.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 20¢ Gilatrout stamp issued October 2, 1996.

Artwork Copyright © 1996 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB15511

US$ Price: $2,000.00

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