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Coastal Cutthroat Trout Cutthroat are found in four more-or-less distinct areas correlating to the four major cutthroat subspecies. They are: 1) The Coastal Cutthroat, found along the Pacific Coast to about 100 miles |
| inland from the Eel River drainage in California to Prince William Sound in Alaska. 2) The West Slope cutthroat, found in parts of Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. 3) The Lahontan Cutthroat found in central and north central Nevada. 4) The Yellowstone Cutthroat found in the interior |  |
| Rocky Mountains from
Montana to New Mexico. Although there are variations among the subspecies (and among races within the subspecies), cutthroats usually have greenish backs with yellow or silver sides showing many dark gray or black spots, and a slash of red on the lower jaw, which inspired it's name. Where cutthroats cross-breed with rainbows, the rainbow's markings dominate, making hybrids difficult to distinguish from pure rainbows. Cutthroats are generally considered the most easily duped trout, but at times they can be difficult to catch and generally provide enough of a challenge to offer good sport. Although the world-record cutthroat caught in 1925 weighed a whopping 41 pounds, that particular race of fish was determined extinct in 1945. Today, with variations among subspecies and habitat, the average stream cutthroat will be between 9 and 11 inches, and one over 16 is a beauty. In lakes and ponds they vary widely and can grow up to 6 pounds. The real charm, however, of catching a pure, native, cutthroat lies not in its size or in the difficulty of catching it, but in both its beauty and relative rarity. The Coastal Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) is native in Oregon in all watersheds west of the Cascade Mountains. Coastal Cutthroats like Rainbows generally become sea run where they have access to the Pacific Ocean. It is well known that introduced rainbow hatchery trout have interbred and destroyed many interior region Cutthroat populations. However, in most of our Oregon coastal and Willamette Valley streams, Rainbows (steelhead) and Coastal Cutthroat inhabit the same watersheds in apparent harmony. Some cross breading seems to occur, but pure strains of both species have been able to survive for many generations. Both species do inhabit the Sandy River basin near our store in both resident and sea run forms. At present Cutthroats seem to prefer the smaller headwater streams and the resident Rainbows like bigger water. Even though the two species may inhabit similar areas they do exhibit slightly different personalities. Rainbows are less wary about the approach of people but can be very selective feeders. Cutthroats are vary shy and are quick to run and hide if your approach is not stealthy, but they are opportunistic feeders. That has been their undoing. Unless they are scared they tend to grab any bait or fly that is put in front of them. You need a few select patterns when fishing resident Coastal |
| Cutthroat. A Royal Wulff, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Bees, and Ants for dry flies and gray Hackle Peacock, Hares Ear, Prince Nymph and Shone fly Nymph for wet flies. Lighter weight tackle such as a #1 to #3 rods balance well with the size of fish you will encounter here. |
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** The
Big Ross Canyon Fly Reels Are Here !!! |
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A real fishing nut spent every Saturday on the stream. He leaves very early one Saturday morning and the skies open up and the rain comes in torrents so he packs up...goes home and crawls back into bed...saying to his wife, "Darling the weather is terrible." She says, "yes and my stupid husband is out fishing." |
| Our new 3000 square foot store is coming along right on schedule. We are doing a massive remodel of the building which has incorporated the removal of interior partition walls, complete re-wiring and new modern lighting, new floor etc. We are especially grateful for the help we have received from our many friends. We should be moved in by March 1. You won't be able to miss our new sign. Come and see. |
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* Sandy River Fishery Information Bank |
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The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR
1(800) 266-3971
