Rare native trout survives Poomacha blaze

The rarest native trout in San Diego County has survived one of the worst wildfires in state history.

Evidence of the fish's endurance came Friday, when Point Loma resident and amateur naturalist Allen Greenwood surveyed the fish's habitat: Pauma Creek, which is part of the Pauma Indian Reservation in the foothills of Palomar Mountain.

Greenwood caught and released a 4-inch long native rainbow trout in a pool of water just below Jumping Rock. The trout was fooled by a fake olive fly with a barbless hook that did not damage the fish's mouth.

Measurements of the creek's waters Friday morning found the PH level at 8.2 and the temperature at 59 degrees, both favorable for the rainbow trout.

"This at least establishes a baseline. dot We know now that some trout have survived," Greenwood said. "We should check again three months from now. As soon as the first rains come, the stream will be affected by ash and debris.

He reported his findings within minutes to federal officials assessing damage from the Poomacha fire, which started on the La Jolla Indian Reservation.

Greenwood said he will urge officials with the state Department of Fish and Game to catch some of the trout and keep them in an aquarium in case the creek becomes contaminated by fire debris.

-Terry Rodgers, staff writer