This is one of a dozen on so species on my Lifelist that has probably been caught by a total number of anglers in the single digits.

Species: Rosylip Sculpin (Ascelichthys rhodorus)
Location: Oregon Coast
Date: June 20, 2018

The nearshore saltwater species diversity in Oregon is pretty low. Excluding micros, there are only about 20 species you can catch from shore with any sort of realistic possibility.

This sounds high, but when compared to southern California, Florida, or even the similarly temperate Puget Sound, it’s minimal.

Sure, we have things like Pacific Sandfish and Salmon Sharks that are technically possible, but in the same way its technically possible for Shay Mitchell to finally notice me.

It ain’t gonna happen.

Though micros add some diversity, but it’s still not the most diverse place, with Black Rockfish accounting for nearly a third of all sport catch on the Oregon coast. No kidding.

So when I first discovered microfishing and then decided to try it in tidepools, it opened up a whole new world.

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I will note that I’ve never heard of another (sport) angler-caught Rosylip Sculpin. I’ve caught half a dozen now, and a contact who works exclusively with Pacific Northwest marine sculpin research asked me where I’d caught mine, so they could get some much-needed samples, and that makes me feel pretty special.

So you think you caught one? Use the identification tools below to make sure.

 

One unique characteristic is that apart from Cabezon, Rosylips are the only Oregon marine sculpin without scales. The skin is smooth and produces a proportionately insane amount of thick slime. Every Rosylip has this characteristic.
Additionally, Rosylips are the only sculpin — marine or freshwater — found in Oregon that have no pelvic fins. They still have one, long anal fin. Every Rosylip has this characteristic. 
Also, Rosylips tend to hide under stuff. I caught and released this one, but it was the only one I’ve caught that wasn’t hiding under a rock or piece of driftwood. Mainly, I theorize, because it was staging for the pre-spawn. It was incredibly chill and just sat there for a minute or so after release and allowed me to get some good pics. Not every Rosylip has this characteristic, but most do.
Lastly, they have hot salmon edging on the top of the dorsal fin, very visible from above on most species. Not every Rosylip has this characteristic, but most do.

***

Identification aside, I’m not here to brag (that much). I’m here to tell a story. I wrote this story already, so read about it here.

#SpeciesQuest // #CaughtOvgard

Read the next entry in #SpeciesQuest here: Species #128 — Fluffy Sculpin.

Luke Ovgard Light Rock Fishing, Micro Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, SpeciesQuest , , , ,

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Species #126 — Redside Shiner
Species #128 — Fluffy Sculpin