Well, how about this, fish can learn

I was involved in a study once where hatchery coho smolts fresh out of the saltwater acclimation pond were put in an aquarium with a lingcod, who promptly ate most of them. The one's he didn't eat were marked and put in with another lingcod along with a bunch of "rookies". The rookies got et at many times the rate of the survivors. But we also put fish in the aquarium on another side of a porous plastic barrier that got to watch the lingcod at work. When they were put in with him the ling had a devil of a time catching them - that's right, they learned from watching their buds get eaten. :p

So at least coho are smart enough to figure life and death out, which is what is important to them anyway. You are right, CF, it's doubtful if most humans can even figure out what's important, period.

Seems that we are confusing survivalability with being smart. Based on some of the previous discussion of all our fishes the lampreys would be the "smartest" - they have been around the longest.

If the intent is which would be the easiest to catch (limited to freshwater) then surely it would be steelhead. I have long maintained that they are the easiest to fool of all our freshwater fish. Believe they can be caught on a piece of banana. The rub of course there has to be fish in the river to be caught!

If we could ever find a river with steelehad densities (fish/mile) of even the average trout or salmon stream we would all be experts and double digit days common.

Tight lines
Smalma

CFM,

So what do you think?

Are "people that have degrees in biology" smarter than those that don't?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Mooch,

You asked me;

Are "people that have degrees in biology" smarter than those that don't? That's a great question! I think it would be safe to say; some are and some aren't!

As an example, I live on a private hillside; a lot of local people call it "school house hill" because it has 13 families living here; out of those 13 families, eight of them are school teachers. I have seen some of the things that a "few" of these teachers have done, and I would have to say that some of them are not as smart as those that are not teachers (this is not knocking all teachers, it's only one example). Some are pretty smart; but some are not to smart! ...but all are intelligent

I hate to sound like "you know who", but it depends on what you define the word "smart" as (or is that "is" as?)!

You noticed that I didn't ask you who the more "intelligence" of the two was; I asked which one was "smarter"!

Cowlitzfisherman

Hey Cowlitz,

One sure fact that can be derived from this thread is that TV producers and retired fishing guides make lousy comedians huh?

Here's a quick overview of Bulletin Board abbreviations that may prove helpful.

j/k = just kidding. The grinning graemlins were supposed to give it away.

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion. In a previous thread you stated that you didn't know what the hell IMHO meant. Now you do.

Since there appears to be a slight level of animosity between us, I'll refrain from any more attempts at good-natured humor at your expense.

If longevity is the test of intelligence or "smarts", then you'd better get used to being outwitted by viruses and bacteria. They've been around longest.....but somehow I get the feeling I could take either one in a game of Jeopardy.

I have no degree in biology.

...but you did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once though, right Dan?

You bet. You'd be surprised how much your intellect can be improved with a simple overnight stay.

Hey, no sweat, cowfish. It's difficult to carry on a conversation via a bulletin board.....you can't type your tone, so it's easy to misunderstand what someone is saying sometimes.

I'd like to hook up and fish with you sometime, though. You're an interesting kind of guy, I think you'd make good company for a day on the river.

Dan,

Thanks for understanding! It would be fun to fish with you, Lets try to set up a trip for this spring to talk about fishing and fish!

Cowlitzfisherman

Yea Dan and Cowlitzfisherman!! I'm glad to see some agreement as to what IS enjoyable.....FISHING!!

I am puzzled how what starts out as a fun question to me (entirely meaningless, but fun) can stir such .........."stuff".

WHO, really, gives a hoot which "fish" is smarter?.....I mean, REALLY? They are both a kick to catch, and THAT is what matters, does it not?

Best to All!

To Cowlitz: