Cutthroat trout
Also called cutty, cutthroat
Cutthroat trout are native trout of the western U.S. and Canada, named for the orange to red “cut” mark under the jaw. Many populations are distinct subspecies tied to specific river basins.
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What Cutthroat trout means
The “cut” is the giveaway, a slash of color under the lower jaw that can be faint or bold depending on the fish. Cutthroat are closely related to rainbow trout and can overlap with them in the same drainage.
You’ll find cutthroat in a wide range of places, from small mountain creeks to big Western rivers and some lakes. In many waters they are the primary native trout, while in others they live alongside brown trout and other non-native trout.
Why it matters on the water
Knowing you are on cutthroat water changes how you look at a run.
It also changes the conversation around handling and where you fish. Many cutthroat populations are conservation priorities, and regulations can be more specific, including seasonal closures, single-hook rules, or restrictions around keeping fish. A quick check of local rules is part of planning a cutthroat trip.
Read next
- Dry flyA dry fly is a floating fly meant to be fished on the surface, where you can see it and the take.
- NymphA nymph is a subsurface fly meant to imitate an aquatic insect in its immature stage, or a small food item drifting in the current. Nymphs are fished with or without weight, an indicator, or tight-line methods.
- Rainbow troutA rainbow trout is a coldwater trout known for a pink-to-red stripe along its side and heavy spotting. It is one of the most common trout species anglers catch in rivers and lakes.
- StreamerA streamer is a fly meant to be moved to imitate a baitfish, leech, sculpin, or crayfish. It is often fished with strips, swings, or a steady retrieve, but it can also be dead-drifted.
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