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A genus of freshwater fish of the carp family. Fish are still poorly understood, and their systematic description is the subject of controversy among ecologists and ichthyologists. The genus includes only three species of fish, all of which live in the mountains and foothills of Central and Central Asia. The confusion is connected not only because of the morphological features, but also the ecological forms of this fish. On the territory of Russia, in the upper reaches of the Ob, the Osman Potanin lives, he is also the Altai Osman or mountain dace. At the moment, scientists believe that this fish has three ecological forms that differ in lifestyle and nutrition, and therefore in size. An unusual feature in determining the appearance of these fish lies in the fact that the location of both the semi-lower mouth and the semi-upper one is attributed to one fish. By nutrition, fish are divided into predatory, omnivorous – herbivorous and dwarf. Predatory reach a length of more than 1 m, with an average weight of 2-4 kg, specimens up to 10 kg are possible. In general, all Ottomans can be attributed to slow-growing fish. The emergence of various biological forms is associated with a lack of nutrition in the mountain rivers and lakes of Altai and Mongolia. Fish adapt to any kind of food: from plants and their seeds, invertebrates, to their own juveniles and dead fish.
Osman fishing methods
In some reservoirs of Altai and Tyva, fish was caught industrially. Most anglers catch predatory osman on spinning gear. In addition, osman can be caught on imitation invertebrates, as well as float and bottom gear on animal baits. In winter, the Osman is less active, but is successfully caught on jigs and vertical lure.
Ловля османа на spinning
Many experienced anglers claim that the Ottomans resist the tackle as stubbornly as the salmon. For spinning fishing, it is worth using rods that correspond to the experience of the fisherman and the fishing method. Fishing for predatory osman is, first of all, fishing on lakes, often with the use of boats. Before fishing, it is worth clarifying the conditions of fishing. The choice of rod, its length and test may depend on this. Long rods are more comfortable when playing big fish, but they can be uncomfortable when fishing from overgrown banks or from small inflatable boats. The spinning test depends on the choice of weight of spinners. The best solution would be to take spinners of different weights and sizes with you. Fishing conditions on a river or lake can vary greatly, including due to the weather in the mountains, so it is better to choose universal gear. The choice of an inertial reel must be associated with the need to have a large supply of fishing line. The cord or fishing line should not be too thin, the reason is not only the possibility of catching a large trophy, but also because fishing conditions may require forced fighting.
Catching osman on winter gear
Catching an osman with winter rods does not differ in great features. To do this, you can use ordinary nodding tackle with the use of mormyshki and additional hooks. To catch a large osman, various spinners are used, depending on the expected trophy, the sizes can vary from small “perch” to medium size. When fishing with natural baits, it is quite possible to use float winter equipment.
Catching osman on bottom rods
In summer, when fishing on osman lakes, you can fish with bottom and float rods for long-distance casting using animal baits or live bait. Osman can be caught on various gear, but, from the “donok”, you should give preference to the feeder. Very comfortable for most, even inexperienced anglers. They allow the fisherman to be quite mobile on the reservoir, and because of the possibility of point feeding, quickly “collect” fish in a given place. Feeder and picker, as separate types of equipment, currently differ only in the length of the rod. The basis is the presence of a bait container-sinker (feeder) and interchangeable tips on the rod. The tops change depending on the fishing conditions and the weight of the feeder used. Nozzles for fishing can be any, both vegetable and animal, including pastes. This method of fishing is available to everyone. Tackle is not demanding for additional accessories and specialized equipment. This allows you to fish in almost any water bodies. It is worth paying attention to the choice of feeders in shape and size, as well as bait mixtures. This is due to the conditions of the reservoir (river, lake, etc.) and the food preferences of local fish. For the Osman, it is worth considering the fact that he prefers baits of animal origin.
Baits
For catching osman on spinning gear, various rotating and oscillating baubles of medium and small size are used. In addition, medium-sized wobblers are used for uniform wiring and different depths. When fishing on donkeys and float tackle, they catch various worms, shellfish meat and fish. In winter, replanting of mormysh and other invertebrates is successfully used. Siberian fishermen, including Altai fishermen, often prefer winter spinners with a soldered hook, on which fish meat or the same mormysh is planted. Small forms of osman react to rigging with the use of “tricks” – various imitations of invertebrates.
Places of fishing and habitat
As already mentioned, on the territory of Russia, the osman can be caught on the territory of the republics of Altai and Tuva. The Altai Osman Potanin can be found with full confidence in the lakes and rivers of the upper reaches of the Ob: Argut, Bashkaus, Chuya, Chulyshman. In rivers, the fish avoids rapids, mainly lives in areas with a rocky bottom and an average flow rate. Keeps in the lower and middle layers of water. Does not form large clusters.
Spawning
Due to the fact that several ecological forms of the Altai osman Potanin are attributed to one fish, it is worth noting the large differences in the spawning of these fish. There is another interesting point that distinguishes it from other fish in the region. It is believed that fish caviar is poisonous. The predatory form of the osman spawns on a large pebbly bottom and at fairly large depths. The omnivorous form of osman moves to the coastline in the zone of coastal plants and algae. The substrate for spawning is sandy-pebble soil. For the dwarf form, the spawning zone is considered to be a narrow strip of the coastal edge at a depth of 5-7 cm. Osman becomes sexually mature, depending on the ecological form, at the age of 7-9 years. In all species, sticky caviar is attached to the bottom. Spawning is portioned and stretched, almost for several spring-summer months. The period of spawning activity in different forms does not coincide.
Food Safety Precautions
As is the case with some other Asian fish species (for example, marinka), not only caviar is poisonous in osman, but also internal organs. When cleaning fish, be sure to carefully clean the insides and remove the film from the peritoneum. Also, rinse with a strong salt solution. The entrails must be destroyed or buried so that they do not poison domestic or wild animals.