Rocky Mountain Trout (Salmo mykiss) by John L. Petrie, 1898

The Rocky Mountain Trout, Salmo mykiss (1898) by John L. Petrie is a luminous Victorian zoological illustration from William C. Harris’s ambitious folio The Fishes of North America. Created at the height of late-19th‑century natural history publishing, the plate blends field observation with the refined craft of chromolithography. Harris and Petrie studied live specimens in their native waters, allowing Petrie to capture the trout’s form, sheen, and freshly caught coloration with remarkable fidelity—an approach that aligned perfectly with the era’s drive toward accurate, systematic documentation of American wildlife.

Offered here as a high‑quality fine art print by The Unique Maps Co., this image is available on acid‑free archival paper with museum‑grade inks or on artist’s cotton canvas for a tactile, gallery‑ready finish. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space, with custom dimensions available on request. Add optional framing (walnut, black, or white) and a conservation-grade mat, or request a clean border proportioned for the frame you already own. Personalization options include a period‑style title slip or a dedication, so your print arrives ready to hang or gift.

John L. Petrie was a turn‑of‑the‑century American artist‑illustrator whose reputation rests on his meticulous, lifelike studies of fish. Working closely with editor and angler William C. Harris, Petrie specialized in translating on‑the‑water observations into richly layered chromolithographs, balancing scientific accuracy with painterly sensitivity to light and surface. His plates helped elevate ichthyological illustration in the United States, setting a standard for clarity and verisimilitude.

The subject here is the Rocky Mountain form of the rainbow trout—titled Salmo mykiss in the period but now widely classified as Oncorhynchus mykiss—an icon of North American cold‑water streams beloved by anglers and naturalists alike. Produced in 1898, the image reflects the late‑Victorian fascination with taxonomy, regional biodiversity, and the visual cataloging of the continent’s fauna. Seen through a scientific lens, the trout’s silhouette, fin structure, and spotting are rendered with diagnostic precision, while the presentation invites contemplation of the species’ habitat and the emerging conservation ethos of the time.

Color and design make this plate especially compelling on the wall. A tranquil palette of soft greens and browns evokes the fish’s clear‑running environment, while the body’s mottled spots and a whisper of yellow along the flank come alive against the subdued water. Subtle orange notes in the fins and belly provide a gentle counterpoint, and the layered chromolithographic inks create smooth tonal transitions that suggest the play of light across scales and rippled surface. The result is both a superb piece of scientific illustration and a serene, sophisticated artwork that pairs beautifully with natural woods, leather, and stone—ideal for studies, libraries, and mountain retreats.

This timeless print makes a thoughtful gift for anglers and fly‑fishers, natural history lovers, and anyone with a connection to the Rockies. Perfect for Christmas, Father’s Day, a housewarming at a lakeside cabin, or as a congratulatory present for a new biologist or conservationist, it’s a refined tribute to North American wildlife and the enduring beauty of the waters that sustain it.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 36x20in (90x50cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.