Cutthroat Trout

Also known as Cut Trout, Cuts, and Bow Cuts

Salmo Clarki

Timothy Kusherets

A cutthroat trout can get huge and is one of the most aggressive fish I’ve ever heard of, aside from largemouth bass. This voracious feeder is found all over North America in streams, lakes, and tributaries. Generally cutthroats have green and bronze backs with spots all over the body, including the underbelly. The bellies of these fish are white, though still covered in spots. The most significant mark on a cutthroat is some red marking underneath the jaw; hence the name “cut throat”.
This fish is a prolific spawner and will sometimes hybridize with rainbow trout, which have been dubbed the species “cutbow” trout. It is the ability of this fish to spawn with other species that has limited its introduction into other continents.
This hardy fish seems like it will bite into just about anything that can be drifted to it, which includes corkies, jigs, eggs, shrimp, worms, spinners, cheaters, and especially flies. They tend to hide in riffles, tail-outs, and slots close to banks and shores. This particular fish follows all the tenets an angler could hope for in the way of gear. The larger an offering is the larger a cutthroat tends to be. Don’t be surprised if you see a small one try to gorge on baits that are as big as it. This aggressive fish is worth its weight in gold when it comes to the fight. This fish will continue to fight long after it has been beached, strung up, or released. This fish will not quit when it’s time to try and throw the hook and is one of the most aerial fighting fish in the world.
Anglers who specialize in this fish frequent both fresh and saltwater environments since it too is anadromous like salmon, steelhead, and sea trout.