Cutthroats Only

[Vanilla]

So Bessy got me thinking about my favorite trout, which is by far a cutthroat. Which cuttthroat, you may wonder? Well, that depends on the day. But I love cutthroats. Bessy posted this picture below in the other thread, but it’s a real beauty, so it needs to kick us off here as well.

Go ahead and post pics of some cutthroats you’ve caught! (We can start new threads for different fish.)

 

[Vanilla]

Since we were talking about 22”+ cutthroats at Strawberry, how about this one from the spring?

I can do the math for you if you need, bobcatbess! One funny thing about this measure net: at 20 inches on the net, a real measuring tape will measure it at 21 inches. It’s stretched out over the years! Go figure, a fisherman’s tape that cheats the fisherman! So this one makes that 22+ club we were talking about. Caught in early May of 2023.

 

[Vanilla]

Another fish from that same day that is over 20, but won’t break 22.

 

[yoteduster]

That's a heck of a cutthroat!!!

 

[Vanilla]

How about some more Strawberry cutts? Some maybe even from back in 2002? (Some black-out to protect the innocent…)

That is basically your cookie cutter cutthroat at the Berry these days. I’m not complaining. 17-19 inch trout are fun to catch. And I’ve been around long enough and to enough places to know how full of it many people are when they talk about catching 20” fish! I’ve got so many pics of fish at the Berry with the Mrs and the kids. These are just a sampling. It’s such an awesome fishery.

Stay tuned for more!

Let’s see what you guys got. Post some pics of some cutthroats!

 

[El_Matador]

My favorite is the Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat. This one is my personal best.

 

[Vanilla]

Oh baby! That thing is what dreams are made of!!!!

Snake River Fine Spotted cutties are hard to beat! There was a long time in my life that I would have considered them my favorite for sure.

Man, they are hard to beat!

 

[El_Matador]

Bonnie on ice. These might be my 2nd favorite cutt.

 

[Vanilla]

Girthy. And look at that tail!

 

[El_Matador]

The West Slope Cutthroat from Montana is a nice addition to one's portfolio.

 

[Vanilla]

Holy smokes that’s a thing of beauty. El Matador…your cutthroat prowess is impressive!


Anyone remember catching cutthroats in the Green below FG? It’s been a while for me. This is the last one for me out of that river. June 2003, on a cicada pattern if I remember correctly.

(Side note: that year’s cicada “hatch” was the best ever. It still lives on as a thing of legend!)

 

[elkassassin]

I've Caught Alot Of Cutthroats Below The Dam Of FG!

But They Were Smaller CUTTS!

Hey Niller?

You Ever Fished Off The Deck Of The Dam At FG?

 

[elkassassin]

Alot Of The PISSCUTTER CUTTS You Catch Out Of Strawberry Look Like This Fish You Posted Here!

BIG HEAD!

Long & Lean!

And In The SLOT!

Another fish from that same day that is over 20, but won’t break 22.

View attachment 132857

 

[elkassassin]

I Think Before The Bigger Fish Ever Start Showing Up In Good Numbers At Strawberry Again You're Gonna Have To Get Rid Of Some Rough Fish!

But Here's My Prediction:

People Will Start BAWLING & When Enough People Start BAWLING!

What Do You Think The Fix Will Be?

They'll Lower The Size On The SLOT!

There'll Be People Jumping Up & Down & You Fixed
ABSO-F'N-LUTELY Nothing!

But If It Puts More Fish In Nillers Float Tube & More Fish In BEAVIS'S Customers Creels That's All That Matters,Right?

WRONG!

 

[elkassassin]

Nice CUTTS EM!

Bonnie on ice. These might be my 2nd favorite cutt.

View attachment 132881

 

[Vanilla]

I Think Before The Bigger Fish Ever Start Showing Up In Good Numbers At Strawberry Again You're Gonna Have To Get Rid Of Some Rough Fish!

But Here's My Prediction:

People Will Start BAWLING & When Enough People Start BAWLING!

What Do You Think The Fix Will Be?

They'll Lower The Size On The SLOT!

There'll Be People Jumping Up & Down & You Fixed
ABSO-F'N-LUTELY Nothing!

But If It Puts More Fish In Nillers Float Tube & More Fish In BEAVIS'S Customers Creels That's All That Matters,Right?

WRONG!

So…any other pictures of cutts?

 

[newguy]

Here is one that was just over 10 pounds,

Mark

 

[Vanilla]

How about a couple more 2002 cutts? (Or was this 2003???) This time from YNP. This river is so awesome! It’s always humbling to be bush whacking along a stream to jump over a downed tree and stumble upon a fully cleaned from the bone elk carcass that still has fresh blood. You remember where you fit in the food chain real quick.

This trip a grizz had killed an elk higher up in the meadow and was fighting a pack of wolves for it over several days. I absolutely love fishing in wild places.

You don’t catch huge ones here, but they sure are awesome!

 

[Dangbig]

When they going to stock them back in utah lake?

 

[Sparks Shooter]

Here's a Nevada Cutt.

 

[Sparks Shooter]

Here's a Utah beaver pond creek Cutt

 

[Sparks Shooter]

Utah small-water Cutt

 

[Anaconda]

I've caught a few Cutts over 22" from the Berry,

 

[Vanilla]

I've caught a few Cutts over 22" from the Berry,

I like that cutty in your profile pic. Let’s see some more!

 

[Vanilla]

Here's a Nevada Cutt.

Sparks…hold tight. I’ve got some from your neck of the woods!

 

[Vanilla]

I mentioned above that Snake River Fine Spotted cutts previously were always my favorite. Well, about 12-13 years ago I discovered lahontans. Now I waffle on which are my favorite. It probably depends on which I’m catching at the moment!

A sampling from Sparks Shooter’s neck of the woods.

More to come…

 

[El_Matador]

Lahontans are a secret. They grow huge, fight hard, and wreak havoc on chubs. Why they are not being tested out in Strawberry is a mystery to me.

 

[Betterluckythangood]

Utah small-water Cutt
View attachment 132938
View attachment 132939
View attachment 132940

I can really appreciate these pictures and angles.

You catch a good fish and it is hard as hell to get a good shot showing the relative size by yourself and still release it unharmed.

 

[Vanilla]

A handful more…

Lots more where these came from!

 

[elkassassin]

Hey Niller?

I Think I'll Start A Thread: MUGSHOTS!

Gonna Ask You Again Since You Ain't Paying Attention Again!

Have You Fished Off The Deck At The Bottom Of FG Dam?

 

[elkassassin]

One More Question Niller?

How Tall A Ladder Do You Pack?

 

[mtmuley]

A handful more…View attachment 132955

View attachment 132957

View attachment 132956

View attachment 132958

Lots more where these came from!

Gorgeous. I lived in Nevada near Pyramid for 11 years and never fished it. What an idiot I was. Thanks for sharing. mtmuley

 

[elkassassin]

Hey mt!

It's One Of Nillers Best UN-KEPT Secrets!

Gorgeous. I lived in Nevada near Pyramid for 11 years and never fished it. What an idiot I was. Thanks for sharing. mtmuley

 

[Vanilla]

There is nothing secret about Pyramid Lake. If you’ve been out there the last few years you would know what I’m talking about. It’s a special place though. No place like it anywhere else on the planet. And if I want a true trophy cutthroat, I am not going to the Berry to try for one! The Berry is great in its own way and for different reasons, however. I do love the Berry.

Bobcat, I have thrown dog/fish food off the platform at the dam. I wish they’d let me fish! I probably have to be Basin Royalty like you before they’d let me do that though.

As for how tall of ladder, when I started fishing there I would use a 3-step step ladder. Due to an incredibly generous friend, I’ve graduated to a ladder chair. Boy is it nice! My back hurts just thinking about those first several years out there standing on a ladder all day. The height is basically equivalent of a 3-step ladder again. Where my feet are in the pic below (which includes a cutthroat, so on topic GOAT!) would be on the 3rd step. Maybe not a perfect analogy, but you get the point.

There is absolutely nothing like a sunrise at Pyramid lake though. Seriously, nothing beats it! The sunrise and golden first hour are always special, even if the fish aren’t biting.

 

[mtmuley]

There is nothing secret about Pyramid Lake. If you’ve been out there the last few years you would know what I’m talking about. It’s a special place though. No place like it anywhere else on the planet. And if I want a true trophy cutthroat, I am not going to the Berry to try for one! The Berry is great in its own way and for different reasons, however. I do love the Berry.

Bobcat, I have thrown dog/fish food off the platform at the dam. I wish they’d let me fish! I probably have to be Basin Royalty like you before they’d let me do that though.

As for how tall of ladder, when I started fishing there I would use a 3-step step ladder. Due to an incredibly generous friend, I’ve graduated to a ladder chair. Boy is it nice! My back hurts just thinking about those first several years out there standing on a ladder all day. The height is basically equivalent of a 3-step ladder again. Where my feet are in the pic below (which includes a cutthroat, so on topic GOAT!) would be on the 3rd step. Maybe not a perfect analogy, but you get the point.

View attachment 132982

There is absolutely nothing like a sunrise at Pyramid lake though. Seriously, nothing beats it! The sunrise and golden first hour are always special, even if the fish aren’t biting.

View attachment 132983

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View attachment 132985

I was in the area from 1988 to 1999. Bet a lot has changed. Unbelievable place. Nevada is a special state. mtmuley

 

[Mtngoat690]

Off topic but how do you post pictures? Is there instructions anywhere? Sorry I'm a bit technologically challenged on the interweb sites.

 

[elkassassin]

Well Niller!

You Know what I'm Saying About The Fish Off Of That Deck Then!

Them Fish Ain't PISSCUTTERS!

We Had A Friend That Use To Work Up There That Had Keys!

We Were Always Gonna Go Fish It With One HELL Of A Battle Plan!

Can You Imagine A Night Crawler Hitting The Water Niller?

JFP!

We Were Gonna Use Braided Steel Line & Way Heavy Leaders!

You Ain't Hoisting A Fish Up Outa There Without Some HEAVY DUTY Gear!

Then We Decided It Wouldn't Be Worth Our Friend Getting Fired Over The Deal!

So We PUSSED Out!

If You Other Guys Haven't Went Down Through The Damn At Flaming Gorge & Then Out On The Deck I Highly Recommend You Do It!

Them BIG SOB'S Will Come Up That Swift Jet Stream Like No Other!

Hey Niller?

Do They Make A Lure Called a Fish Pellet?

 

[elkassassin]

Hey goat!

After You Click On Reply!

Bottom Left Corner Click On ATTACH FILES!

Your Pictures Should Pop Up & You Should Be Able To Figure It Out From There!

Off topic but how do you post pictures? Is there instructions anywhere? Sorry I'm a bit technologically challenged on the interweb sites.

 

[elkassassin]

Hey Niller?

Would You Consider A Colorado Golden A Strain Of Cutthroat?

 

[Mtngoat690]

Hey goat!

After You Click On Reply!

Bottom Left Corner Click On ATTACH FILES!

Your Pictures Should Pop Up & You Should Be Able To Figure It Out From There!

Appreciate the info.

Thanks.

 

[Rie bread]

lahontans Are a great conservation success

 

[Vanilla]

I was in the area from 1988 to 1999. Bet a lot has changed. Unbelievable place. Nevada is a special state. mtmuley

You would NOT have had the success they are seeing today had you fished it at that time. Either in numbers or in size.

lahontans Are a great conservation success

This! And thanks to Utah for that as well! Today on Pyramid is truly “the good old days.” The story about how all this came together and the collaboration to create a truly unique, world class fishery is awesome.

 

[Rie bread]

You would NOT have had the success they are seeing today had you fished it at that time. Either in numbers or in size.



This! And thanks to Utah for that as well! Today on Pyramid is truly “the good old days.” The story about how all this came together and the collaboration to create a truly unique, world class fishery is awesome.

Yes the conservation and river improvement projects for the truckee river water shed are definitely and major win. I worked all up and down the water shed in my early 20’s. Miss that fishery but moved to a pretty good one too in Montana

 

[BuzzH]

Some from Wyoming.

 

[El_Matador]

There is nothing secret about Pyramid Lake.

I guess in my heart I still feel like it needs to be kept on the down low. Only a few years ago you could find places with very few anglers and catch a ton of fish. Now, thanks mostly to social media, it is a dang circus out there.

 

[elkassassin]

Niller?

 

[Vanilla]

Hey Niller?

Would You Consider A Colorado Golden A Strain Of Cutthroat?

Goldens are more closely related to rainbows. They are not cutties.

Hey Niller?

Do They Make A Lure Called a Fish Pellet?

Oh, you mean a Dog Food Fly? Why yes, yes they do!

 

[Vanilla]

View attachment 133006

Buzz, those are some great fish. Holy moly! I will say there is no prettier trout specimen on the planet than this fish you posted here. Seriously. That thing is perfect! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sparks Shooter]

Lahontans are a secret. They grow huge, fight hard, and wreak havoc on chubs. Why they are not being tested out in Strawberry is a mystery to me.

And, they still exist thanks to a small stream in Utah on Pilot Peak. In my opinion that makes them just as much of a Utah fish as the Bonneville Cutty. I bet the tribe would make Utah a heck of a deal on a truckload or two.-----SS

 

[Vanilla]

I guess in my heart I still feel like it needs to be kept on the down low. Only a few years ago you could find places with very few anglers and catch a ton of fish. Now, thanks mostly to social media, it is a dang circus out there.

I can appreciate the sentiment. However, there is no down low. It would be like saying we shouldn’t talk about fishing the Green or the Henry’s Fork. If you know, you know. If you don’t, you’re not going anyway. It is what it is.

But this is a cutthroat thread, so avoiding posting about the largest cutthroats on the planet simply wasn’t going to happen.

 

[BuzzH]

Couple more...

 

[elkassassin]

F'N Perch!

 

[Sparks Shooter]

Here's a Lahontan from over 2 miles above sea level. ----SS

 

[BuzzH]

F'N Perch!

Yeah, too bad the slimer messed up the picture of the perch.

 

[elkassassin]

Fat Little BASTARDS!

 

[elkassassin]

Hey Niller!

Post # 39?

 

[Vanilla]

Hey Niller!

Post # 39?

Hey Bessy, post #47.

 

[Vanilla]

Some more to get us through to the next round of folks that hopefully share some cutties!

 

[elkassassin]

Sorry!

I Missed it!

Hey Bessy, post #47.

 

[elkassassin]

So Niller?

What kind Of Regulations Are On The CUTTS In The Secret Spot?

 

[Sparks Shooter]

So Niller?

What kind Of Regulations Are On The CUTTS In The Secret Spot?

Pay the Tribe and go fishing. When it is slow, shoot off some fireworks or drop on by and say hi.------SS

 

[Vanilla]

So Niller?

What kind Of Regulations Are On The CUTTS In The Secret Spot?

Location blacked out, to protect the innocent!

 

[elkassassin]

Have you Ever Hooked Or Landed Any In The 40-80lb Range?

View attachment 133029

Location blacked out, to protect the innocent!

 

[elkassassin]

One Of Their Favorite CHUBS Just Got Munched!

 

[Bigwiffy]

One Of Their Favorite CHUBS Just Got Munched!

View attachment 133036

I'd rather eat that chub or the perch Buzz posted anyday over a stinkin trout.

 

[elkassassin]

Ya!

But You GULP THEM CHUBS & PERCH Like Sardines!

I'd rather eat that chub or the perch Buzz posted anyday over a stinkin trout.

 

[elkassassin]

So Niller?

I Take It You Roll Your Own?

Goldens are more closely related to rainbows. They are not cutties.



Oh, you mean a Dog Food Fly? Why yes, yes they do!

View attachment 133009

 

[elkassassin]

There's A Bunch Of TRASH Fish In Them Waters Now As Well!

Another Place That Was Way Better Back In The Day Niller!

As I Grew Up There Was One Thing That Was A GUARANTEE:

The Fish Got Smaller By The Year!

When I Was Young!

The CUTTS In Yellowstone Lake Were Perty AWESOME!

And Bigger In The Rivers As Well!

Then The PERFECT Excuse Showed Up As To Why The Fish Went Down Hill!

Somebody Illegally Planted MACKS In Lake Yellowstone Or So They Thought!

HINT:

The Fish Were Going Down Hill Before The Fire Happened!

Last Time I Looked Off The Bridge At Yellowstone Lake I Could See Quite A Few TRASH Fish!

How about a couple more 2002 cutts? (Or was this 2003???) This time from YNP. This river is so awesome! It’s always humbling to be bush whacking along a stream to jump over a downed tree and stumble upon a fully cleaned from the bone elk carcass that still has fresh blood. You remember where you fit in the food chain real quick.

This trip a grizz had killed an elk higher up in the meadow and was fighting a pack of wolves for it over several days. I absolutely love fishing in wild places.

You don’t catch huge ones here, but they sure are awesome!

View attachment 132913

View attachment 132914

 

[elkassassin]

Off Topic Just A Little!

Don't PIZZ Your Pants Niller!

Has Anybody Here Ever Fished JURASSIC Lake?

Wondering If They Allow Spinning Gear?

Or Fly Fishing Only?

 

[Horsecorn]

Ute tribe had the best cut throat fishing in the state At towave and weaver. we used to go down there and catch 4 to 6 pound cuts every time we went. They were Yellowstone cuts and the best eating fish.there is besides walley. for some ungodly reason they killed it and replanted it with colorado goldens in weaver, ruined it in my opinion. Put browns in towave, witch you can catch big ones but I’m like niller, nothing like a big cut.

 

[elkassassin]

Funny!

We Start Talking CUTTS & This Pops Up On KSL!

5 Utah fishing records that were set in 2023

Five anglers left 2023 with a tale that ended in Utah's century-old fishing record book

www.ksl.com

 

[elkassassin]

Who The Hell Put Grayling In Sand Lake?

Same JOKER That Planted GoldFish On SJ I'll Bet?

 

[elkassassin]

They Are Claiming The Grayling Only Weighed 2 OZ?

Can You Spear A Fish That Little?

TYPO Maybe?

 

[Horsecorn]

Who The Hell Put Grayling In Sand Lake?

Same JOKER That Planted GoldFish On SJ I'll Bet?

How the hell do you catch a 2 ounce grayling like the article says.

 

[Vanilla]

Has Anybody Here Ever Fished JURASSIC Lake?

It’s on the bucket list. I have some good friends that went down several years ago, but I couldn’t swing it. It’s an amazing fishery. One that needs me to visit!

Think a MM gofundme campaign would work?

 

[Betterluckythangood]

Goldens are more closely related to rainbows. They are not cutties.



Oh, you mean a Dog Food Fly? Why yes, yes they do!

View attachment 133009

Hey, have you ever dropped your fly box in the river and watched it disappear downstream?

My buddy picked up one in the Provo and another one in the Green absolutely loaded with interesting patterns. I am picturing the look on the poor bast*#d’s face that dropped them.

 

[Vanilla]

Hey, have you ever dropped your fly box in the river and watched it disappear downstream?

My buddy picked up one in the Provo and another one in the Green absolutely loaded with interesting patterns. I am picturing the look on the poor bast*#d’s face that dropped them.

Nope, thanks goodness. (Knock on wood)

If I ever do, I sure hope the guy/gal that picks it up fishes the heck out their prize!

 

[elkassassin]

Hey Niller?

You Roll Your Own?

 

[elkassassin]

And Niller?

Do You Know Rather They'll Let You Use Live Bait & Spinning Gear At JURASSIC?

 

[elkassassin]

Nice Sparks Shooter!

Here's a Nevada Cutt.
View attachment 132934

 

[elkassassin]

Well!

It Takes Little Work To Get Nillers Blood Pressure Up To Where I Had It Last Night!

He Can't Stand THE HOW IT USE TO BE STORIES!

 

[Dangbig]

There's A Bunch Of TRASH Fish In Them Waters Now As Well!

Another Place That Was Way Better Back In The Day Niller!

As I Grew Up There Was One Thing That Was A GUARANTEE:

The Fish Got Smaller By The Year!

When I Was Young!

The CUTTS In Yellowstone Lake Were Perty AWESOME!

And Bigger In The Rivers As Well!

Then The PERFECT Excuse Showed Up As To Why The Fish Went Down Hill!

Somebody Illegally Planted MACKS In Lake Yellowstone Or So They Thought!

HINT:

The Fish Were Going Down Hill Before The Fire Happened!

Last Time I Looked Off The Bridge At Yellowstone Lake I Could See Quite A Few TRASH Fish!

Fished the Yellowstone lake in the 80 s early 90s beautiful fish and we caught 100s in a few days

 

[elkassassin]

Yes!

Fished It Off & On From Mid 70's Thru Mid 90's!

I Was Up There about 7-8 Years Ago!

Stopped At The Bridge To See If The TRASH Fish Were Still There,YUP!

Glassed With My Binos In To The Shallows,Calm,Glassy,Sun Up Around Yellowstone Lake & I Could See Smaller Cutthroat!

I'm Guessin The MACKS Are Eating Well Along With Other Issues!

Fished the Yellowstone lake in the 80 s early 90s beautiful fish and we caught 100s in a few days

 

[JPickett]

Lahontans are a secret. They grow huge, fight hard, and wreak havoc on chubs. Why they are not being tested out in Strawberry is a mystery to me.

One of these days I’m going to go do the pyramid lake thing

 

[JPickett]

Or is it triangle lake? I get I mixed up

 

[elkassassin]

Pay Attention PICKETT!

It's The SECRET SPOT!

Or is it triangle lake? I get I mixed up

 

[Muley_73]

Few NV cuttys.

 

[Muley_73]

Few more NV cuts

 

[Muley_73]

Idaho Cuttys on the dry.

 

[Muley_73]

Few more ID cuts

 

[Muley_73]

Utah cuttys

 

[JPickett]

Pay Attention PICKETT!

It's The SECRET SPOT!

It’s not very well kept…

 

[Horsecorn]

You da man muley 73. You put old niller to shame. love them cuts!

 

[Muley_73]

You da man muley 73. You put old niller to shame. love them cuts!

The fam as a whole loves fly fishing as much or more than I love to hunt. They drag me around and occasionally I catch a fish or two myself.

I love Nilla mixing it up and showing what he loves to do!

 

[elkassassin]

Gotta Love Them Cherry Red CUTTS!

 

[Vanilla]

Muley_73, those CRCs are friggin beautiful. That is the subspecies of cutthroats that I have spent the least amount of time chasing here in the intermountain west, but I probably need to change that. They are so stinking pretty when they get colored up like that.

You’ve got some serious trophy CRCs there! Well done.

And your time at The Mid has certainly been well spent.

 

[Rie bread]

I’m apply down the Rockies not only with the hope of chasing mule deer but also to fish for cutthroats along the way. Colorado, greenback, bonneville and rio grand left to check off.

 

[Vanilla]

You da man muley 73. You put old niller to shame. love them cuts!

It’s not a competition here, HC! But you might like some of these.

That bottom fish is the biggest cutthroat I’ve ever seen caught. I didn’t catch it, but I netted it and took some pictures, so I can kind of claim it.

 

[Vanilla]

And Niller?

Do You Know Rather They'll Let You Use Live Bait & Spinning Gear At JURASSIC?

All I have ever seen from there is fly fishing. I’m guessing bait is definitely a no-go. Not sure on spinning gear. I believe it’s all catch and release.

And yes, I roll my own. Not exclusively, but I dabble at the vice.

 

[Horsecorn]

It’s not a competition here, HC! But you might like some of these.

View attachment 133163

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That bottom fish is the biggest cutthroat I’ve ever seen caught. I didn’t catch it, but I netted it and took some pictures, so I can kind of claim it.

Damn brother I eat my words. good lord!,