Rogue River Coastal Cutthroat

[Langenbeck]

Catch them in the Fall when fishing for Fall Steelhead. Primarily taken on Size 6 drab flies. Here is another beautiful coastal cutthroat from last fall

[Troutsource]

I should know this, but in the absence of obvious coloration, how do you distinguish these from steelhead/rainbows?

[Langenbeck]

I should know this, but in the absence of obvious coloration, how do you distinguish these from steelhead/rainbows?

Steelhead have no spots below the lateral line. Not alway there is an orange mark on the lower jaw.

[Mr T]

great fish!

many years back, I was on the Trinity and caught 5-6 of these all about the same size swinging muddlers. Was really proud of my self and then when I got back to the truck, ranger Rick was there waiting for me. Closed to fishing, no signs visible but closed anyway. He chewed me out good, but I guess since I had not kept anything, he let me go. Scared the crap out of me.

[cutthroat22]

It is extremely unlikely you caught coastal cutthroat trout on the Trinity especially if you happened to be in a closed zone in the "fly water". They were far more likely to be rainbow/steelhead. Very few coastal cutthroat are documented above the confluence of the Trinity and Klamath Rivers at Weitchpec.

[Mr T]

It is extremely unlikely you caught coastal cutthroat trout on the Trinity especially if you happened to be in a closed zone in the "fly water". They were far more likely to be rainbow/steelhead. Very few coastal cutthroat are documented above the confluence of the Trinity and Klamath Rivers at Weitchpec.

You may be correct, all I know is the markings looked almost identical to this picture.

[Larry S]

Gordon,
Great to hear from you. You must be doing well.
California's Smith River used to have a decent cutthroat
run. A Park employee used to guide during the summer
for them.
Have always respected Gordon for his reports and willingness
to share ideas. Have met so many like him on this
Forum. One of the few benefits of social media.
Best to all,
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Langenbeck]

Larry,

Thanks for the kind words. Fall steelhead season off to a very slow start for me.

[Bob Smith]

Gordon,
Great to hear from you. You must be doing well.
California's Smith River used to have a decent cutthroat
run. A Park employee used to guide during the summer
for them.
Have always respected Gordon for his reports and willingness
to share ideas. Have met so many like him on this
Forum. One of the few benefits of social media.
Best to all,
Larry S
Sun Diego

The Smith and Klamath Rivers both still have very good populations of coastal cutthroat trout. There's been a lot of restoration work done in the lower tributaries of both systems for ESA listed coho that have benefited coastal cutts as well. I've targeted sea run cutts in both estuaries beginning July and August.