HRI Science Seminar Series - "Why Are Mountain Whitefish Ugly? Native Fish in Rocky Mountain Trout Waters"

Dr. Jen Brown
Haas Assistant Professor of History
Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

This presentation will use mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) to investigate cultural perceptions of “game” fish for Rocky Mountain sport fisheries and conservation. Dr. Brown will discuss the historical creation of the western trout aesthetic that has celebrated nonnative fish, to the detriment of mountain whitefish and other native species. In some western trout waters, mountain whitefish serve an important role as an indicator species. Mountain whitefish can also act as an indicator of the current difficulties in protecting native fish in western rivers that that have become the foundation for a lucrative sport fishing industry that relies on nonnative trout. Historical research from angling literature, scientific studies, government documents, and regional booster literature will shed light on contemporary problems surrounding mountain whitefish and native fish conservation in general.

Jen Corrinne Brown is an environmental historian who studies the history of conservation, animals, fisheries, and public policy. She is currently an Assistant Professor of History and the Paul R. and Mary Haas Endowed Professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her book Trout Culture: How Fly Fishing Forever Changed the Rocky Mountain West was published by the University of Washington Press in 2015 and combines her passions for fly fishing and studying history.