For anglers seeking a true Western classic, look no further than the Cutthroat trout. Named for the brilliant red or orange slashes beneath its jaw, this beautiful fish is a symbol of the wild, cold-water fisheries of North America. From the high-elevation alpine lakes of the Rocky Mountains to the lush coastal streams of the Pacific Northwest, catching a native cutthroat is a special experience.
This wily and aggressive fish will test the skills of any angler. This guide is your ultimate resource. We’ll explore the major cutthroat trout subspecies, break down the most effective tactics for both fly and conventional gear, and share tips that will help you find and catch this iconic trout.
Understanding the Cutthroat: A Diverse Family of Natives
The cutthroat trout is not a single fish, but a family of over 14 unique subspecies, each adapted to its specific environment. They are closely related to rainbow trout and steelhead. Here are some of the most prominent groups:
- Coastal Cutthroat Trout: This is the only major subspecies that can be anadromous, meaning they can live in both saltwater and freshwater. They are found in the coastal rivers and streams from Northern California up to Southeast Alaska.
- Westslope Cutthroat Trout: The native trout of the northern Rocky Mountains, found in rivers and streams in Idaho, Montana, and Washington.
- Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout: The iconic trout of Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding waters.
- Bonneville Cutthroat Trout: The native trout of the ancient Lake Bonneville basin in Utah.
- Colorado River Cutthroat Trout: Native to the tributaries of the Green and Colorado Rivers.
The Cutthroat Mentality: Aggressive and Opportunistic
One of the most appealing traits of the cutthroat is its willingness to eat. They are aggressive, opportunistic feeders.
- They Look Up: Cutthroats are famous for their love of dry flies. They are often less picky than rainbow trout and are more willing to rise to the surface for a meal.
- They Eat Big: While they feed heavily on insects, cutthroats are also aggressive predators. They will readily attack smaller baitfish, leeches, and even mice.
- Structure is Key: Like all trout, they are structure-oriented. They will hold in predictable places to rest and ambush prey: behind large boulders, in the seams of currents, along a deep cut bank, and in the churning water of riffles.
Fly Fishing for Cutthroat Trout: The Classic Approach
Fly
The Best Flies for Cutthroat
- Dry Flies (The Fun Part): Large, bushy, and highly visible dry flies are the go-to.
- Stimulators: This is the quintessential cutthroat dry fly. It can imitate a stonefly, a caddisfly, or a grasshopper.
- Royal Wulffs and Humpy’s: These classic attractor patterns are fantastic for drawing aggressive strikes.
- Nymphs (The Workhorse): Most of a trout’s feeding happens below the surface. A simple “dropper” rig with a nymph tied 18-24 inches below your dry fly is a deadly technique.
- Bead Head Prince Nymphs and Pheasant Tails: These are classic patterns that imitate a wide variety of aquatic insects.
- Streamers (For Big Fish): To target the biggest, most predatory cutthroats, you need to fish a streamer.
- Woolly Buggers: A black or olive Woolly Bugger is arguably the most effective fly pattern ever created.
- Sculpins: Patterns that imitate small sculpins and other baitfish are a great way to trigger a big, predatory strike.
Fly Fishing Techniques
- The Dead Drift: The primary technique is to cast your fly upstream and let it drift down naturally with the current, with no drag.
- The Streamer Swing: Cast your streamer across the current, let it sink, and then let the water “swing” the fly across the river. As the fly swings, strip the line in short, erratic bursts to imitate a fleeing baitfish. For getting your streamer down into deeper water, a sink-tip line is a huge advantage.
Targeting Coastal “Sea-Run” Cutthroat
Fishing for sea-run cutthroats in the tidewater sections of coastal rivers is a unique and exciting challenge.
- Timing the Tides: The best time to fish is often during the last few hours of the incoming high tide and the first few hours of the outgoing tide. This moving water brings in food and makes the fish more active.
- The Flies: In the estuary and bays, cutthroats feed on different prey. Your flies should imitate small baitfish, freshwater shrimp, and other saltwater critters.
- The Technique: A slow strip of a small baitfish pattern is the most effective technique in the stiller waters of the tidewater.
Lure Fishing for Cutthroat Trout
You don’t have to be a fly angler to have incredible success. A light spinning rod is a fantastic tool for catching cutthroats.
- In-Line Spinners: A small spinner with a flashing blade is a cutthroat magnet. Mepps, Panther Martin, and Blue Fox are all excellent choices.
- Spoons: A small, wobbling spoon, like a Little Cleo or a Kastmaster, is great for casting long distances and for
fishing in deeper water and lakes. - Jigs: A small marabou or soft plastic jig bounced along the bottom can be deadly, especially on a cold, cloudy day when the fish are less active.
The Best Time to Catch Cutthroat
While they can be caught year-round, the prime seasons are spring, summer, and fall. In the summer, as the water warms, the cutthroat will move into faster, more oxygenated water or into deeper water to find cooler temperatures.
A Note on Conservation
Many native populations of cutthroat trout are fragile. Always practice proper catch-and-release techniques: use barbless hooks, handle the fish with wet hands, and revive them properly before letting them go. Always check the local regulations for the specific river you are
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
Inland cutthroat trout diet includes insects and small fish, while the coastal variety eats shrimp, sandworms, squid, as well as small fish.
Cutthroat trout have a yellow, orange, or red streak in the skin fold on each side of the body and under the lower jaw. The color of the body ranges from cadmium blue and silvery to olive green and yellowish-green, depending on the species. They are also covered with spots.
Cutthroat trout live in a variety of coldwater habitats, such as mountain streams, small headwater tributaries, large lakes, bog ponds, and rivers. Trout prefer clear, fast-moving water and, similar to smallmouth bass, sandy or rocky-bottomed waterways.
Conclusion
Cutthroat trout
