Trout Fishing on Kaua‘i: Past, Present and Future
rout fishing in the upland forests of Kaua‘i has been enjoyed by families across the islands for more than a century. The first rainbow trout were brought to Kaua‘i in 1920 at the request of Kapa‘a homesteader Elmer Cheatham, who suspected that the cool waters of Kōke‘e might be a suitable habitat for the prized sport fish. The U.S. Fish and Game Commission supported the efforts and assisted Elmer in raising the 50,000 eggs that were shipped from California. The introduction was a success, and the fingerlings were released into streams in the Pu‘u Ka Pele Forest Reserve. Trout fishing was an immediate hit with the public, and word quickly spread about the fantastic fishing opportunities in the misty forests of
