Our total catch was 681 fish, including 443 rainbows, 236 browns and a couple whitefish. Our PIT tag recapture rate was around 19 percent, which is similar to what we normally see. The big fish of the night was a rainbow trout that stretched the measuring stick to nearly 22 inches, while the longest brown was just less than 19 inches.

Having the right tool for the job is important in any profession or trade. Chefs need sharp knives, house painters need high-volume sprayers and plumbers need adjustable wrenches. The same rule applies to fisheries biologists. We often use electrofishing to do our jobs, and it’s just what it sounds like: fishing with electricity.

There aren’t many more scenic places to fish than the Uinta Mountains — especially in the fall. Summer crowds have dwindled, the fish are biting and you see vibrant colors everywhere, whether you’re looking at leaves or trout!

Last spring, my mom called to suggest that I take my dad fishing for his birthday. I have seven siblings, but Mom asked me to arrange the trip, probably because I work with fish every day. Even though I’m a fisheries biologist, I’ll admit to…