09/08/2026
Every time you net a wild brown trout in American waters, you're holding nearly 140 years of river history.
Two distinct bloodlines crossed the Atlantic in the 1880s: Scotland’s open-water Loch Leven, and the deep-bodied Bavarian von Behr. Crossbred almost immediately upon arrival, they gave rise to what became known as the Rome/Cortland strain—leaving modern anglers with a living genetic mix with every catch.
Next time you pause on the bank, check the markings. Which traits dominate your home water?