Cutthroat Trout
Identification & Features
There are actually over 20 different subspecies of the Cutthroat Trout, but they all share one common characteristic, which is the bright red or orange streak under their lower jaw. Color range of the fish varies depending on location and time of year, but all Cutthroat Trout will have small to large dark spots that are predominately located near their tail and above their midline.
Habitat
Most Cutthroat Trout live in the Rocky Mountain region from Southern British Columbia to Northern New Mexico. These fish prefer clear, cold streams and lakes and are usually found at higher elevations. The Coastal Cutthroat will hatch in the freshwater streams of the Northwestern United States and British Columbia and will spend part of their lives in saltwater, returning to their home stream to spawn.
Spawning
Cutthroat Trout will spawn in the spring, a few weeks after the ice is gone and the water starts to warm. The female will create a small spawning bed or redd in the gravel and lay her eggs. They will hatch in about 6-7 weeks and within a week of hatching, the fry will leave the nest and be free swimming.
Food
Cutthroat feed mainly on aquatic insects that live in the streams. Coastal Cutthroat trout will feed on other smaller fish.
Size
An adult Cutthroat will average about 12″ to 15″ in length and weigh 1 to 1-1/2 pounds. Coastal Cutthroat, and those that live in larger lakes, may grow larger because of a more plentiful food supply.
Angling Tips
Because their main food source is aquatic insects, fly-fishing is one of the most productive angling methods for Cutthroat Trout. They will aggressively take a well presented nymph or a dry fly as long as they match the current size and type of insect they are feeding on.
Recommended Products
EAGLE CLAW CLASSIC:
Snelled Hooks: 073, 139, 673
Two-way® Spinner: 4284
Hook Styles: 024, 038,165, 181, 186, 189, 374
Rods: Featherlight, Powerlight, Trailmaster
Reels: Gunnison
LAZER SHARP:
Snelled Hooks: L139, L673FC
Hook Styles: L038, L181, L702, L934
EAGLE CLAW BAITS & SCENTS:
Dough Bait
Gravy – Trout
Trout Crawlers
LINE:
Eagle Claw Clear Blue
Eagle Claw Bioline
