Trout ranch forced to pivot after being crippled during the pandemic

BUCKSNORT, Tenn. (WTVF) — A local trout ranch was crippled by the pandemic when the restaurant industry took a hit, so now they’re offering home delivery.

A spring at the Bucksnort Trout Ranch was once popular with moonshiners, and now it supplies fresh water to the farm according to owner Jim Anderson.

"It’s 56 degrees, which is really important for the consistency of the taste of the trout,” he said.

Anderson said as restaurants suffered during the pandemic, he lost 90% of his business, but it's slowly coming back.

"Restaurants we currently have on the menu would be Liberty Common, 5th and Taylor, Lou, and Sean Brock’s new place that just opened The Continental," Anderson said.

Their rainbow trout is a favorite among chefs and predators.

"We do have some eagles that hang around out here, steal fish once a while as well, some bald eagles, we let them have what they want," he said.

Since the restaurant industry is unable to fully support their business, they started delivering directly to consumers.

"Those fish that we’re gonna actually deliver tomorrow are still swimming in those raceways behind us," Anderson said. "We’ll actually clean the fish this afternoon, and pack them on ice, and they’ll be delivered directly to your door on that ice that’s made with our own spring water right here."

Anderson plans on passing the ranch down to his son, so he hopes it keeps moving down stream.

"We really appreciate the support of the local community, this trout farm has been here for over 50 years, and I’m currently entrusted with its care at this point, and we’d really like to make sure that it stays viable," Anderson said.

Trout delivery is every Friday, and delivery is free if more than $40 is purchased. If customers want contactless delivery, they can put a cooler on their doorstep for drop-off. They also allow customers to pick up fish on Saturday. More information here.

You can also purchase their trout from the Little Fish Company in Germantown, and at the Turnip Truck groceries stating next week.