I saw one of Bob's picture of a hatchery fish with a clipped ventral fin and it made me wonder. How does a missing or "stunted" ventral fin affect the fish as far as movements, balance, speed, etc? I always assumed that adipose fin may not be big enough to have a significant impact but not the ventral fins!? Any hydro-fish-dynamics-expert-dude around here? Thanks.

Wan't to hear a weird one? I caught a steelhead last week that had been recycled twice (had two hole punches in the gill plate). It also had its dorsal fin cut off? This was one ugly looking fish. Why would they cut the dorsal fin? It still managed to make it back upstream and still put on a respectable fight.

Bump.

I was told that fish have to work harder to stay balanced and they will not be running 100% and they will be at a slight? disadvantage compare to unclipped fish!? Any other input?