Also known as
- Cutthroat US
- Cut US
- Native Trout US
- Sea-run Cutthroat US
- Harvest Trout US
Identification
Streamlined coldwater predator built for tight stream manoeuvring and aggressive ambushes. Sea-run and lake forms grow far larger than high-elevation stream residents. 14+ recognised subspecies vary widely in size and colouration.
- Namesake red-orange slash marks beneath the lower jaw — the field mark the species is named for
- Small irregular dark spots concentrated on the rear half of the body and fins
- Teeth on the base of the tongue — a key separator from rainbow trout
- Olive-green back fading to silver, golden, or copper flanks depending on subspecies and habitat
- Pronounced hooked lower jaw on spawning males
Where it holds
- Rivers
- Lakes
Behaviour
An opportunistic coldwater predator and the most willing of the trouts on the take — famously aggressive toward attractor patterns. Diet shifts by life form: stream residents key on drifting insects; lake fish cruise shorelines for baitfish and crayfish; sea-run forms feed on sand eels and juvenile herring in estuaries and surf. Peak activity 10-15°C (50-59°F); bite drops sharply over 18°C (64°F). Dawn and dusk dominate; sea-run fish push hardest on the incoming tide.
Diet: Aquatic Insects, Terrestrial Insects, Baitfish, Salmon Eggs, Crayfish
How it's caught
Fly Fishing
Dry Fly
Cast attractors and hatch-matchers upstream to risers and likely lies in pocket water, riffles, and tailouts. Cutthroat are famously forgiving of close imitations — a Royal Wulff or Stimulator drifted dead through a feeding lane is often enough. Hopper-dropper rigs in late summer are deadly. Wrist-snap hooksets only — these fish strike eagerly but hard sets pull from soft mouths.
Nymphing
Indicator or Euro-nymph weighted nymphs through riffle heads, deep runs, and pocket water. Cutthroat take nymphs hard through the day even without surface activity. Two-fly rigs (heavy attractor + small dropper) cover the column. Mend hard to keep flies bumping bottom.
Streamer
Strip sculpins, leeches, and kokanee-fry patterns along banks, drop-offs, and submerged structure for larger fish. Sea-run coastal cutthroat (SRC) on Puget Sound beaches respond aggressively to small chartreuse and pink baitfish flies. Sink-tip lines for lakes and deep pools; floating line with weighted streamer for stream work.
Saltwater Fly
Cast small chartreuse, pink, and olive baitfish patterns from beaches and estuary mouths to coastal sea-run fish. Strip-retrieve fast and erratic to imitate fleeing sand eels and herring fry. Incoming tide on tide-rip seams is the productive window. Iconic Pacific Northwest beach fishery.
Line Fishing
Spinning
Cast inline spinners (Panther Martin, Mepps, Rooster Tail size 0-3), small spoons (Kastmaster, Thomas Buoyant 1/8-1/4oz), and small soft plastics on ultralight line. Fast retrieves draw chasing strikes; slow steady swings produce in cold water. Cutthroat hammer hardware aggressively — the most willing trout for spin fishers.
Float Fishing
Slip-bobber a worm, salmon-egg cluster, or PowerBait through pools, lake drop-offs, and slow runs. Adjust depth to hold bait 15-30cm off bottom. Light split-shot sets natural drift speed. The simplest highly effective method for stocked and wild populations alike.
Ice Fishing
Jig small spoons and tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms or salmon eggs over lake drop-offs, weed edges, and structure. Cutthroat suspend more than they sit on bottom — work multiple depths until fish are located. Sonar transforms efficiency.
