The Colorado River Cutthroat Trout [Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus] once occured in a large portion of the upper Colorado River Drainage. This area consisted of parts of Colorado, southern Wyoming, eastern Utah, parts of northern New Mexico and even northeastern Arizona. The current range of this sub-species of cutthroat trout has dwindled to just 4% of it's former range. This cutthroat is listed as sensitive, threatened, imperiled, rare and even endangered in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Another rare cutthroat sub-species, the Greenback Cutthroat Trout [Oncorhynchus clarki stomias] occurs only on the upper Platte River Drainage in Colorado. The Greenback cutthroat is the state fish of Colorado. The Yellowfin cutthroat are now extinct from Colorado. Much effort is being made in Utah and the other aforementioned states to preserve, protect and propogate the Colorado River cutthroat as well as other sub-species of cutthroat such as the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout [Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi] and the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout [Oncorhynchus clarki utah].
In Utah, the Colorado River Cutthroat has been reintroduced to many areas throughout the southern and southeasten part of the state. The ongoing efforts to reinstate this cutthroat to streams in southern Utah by UDWR has caused some controversy between anglers, water users and state wildlife biologists. Where other species of trout have been removed to facilitate the restocking of the Colorado River Cutthroat, anglers have complained bitterly. When streams that have been selected to receive the Colorado River Cutthroat hold Rainbow Trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss] or Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout [Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri], the resident rainbows and cutthroats must be completely removed to avoid hybridization with the reintroduced [Native] trout. Getting the word out to local anglers that this plan is in the best interest of sportfishing and the true "native" trout is time consuming and sometimes a difficult proposition.
Since it is a scientific fact that all of these sub-species of cutthroat and the rainbow are closely related and are known to hybridize, it is only sensible that the newly transplanted cutthroats start with a clean slate. It is important to keep the Colorado River Cutthroat pure and undilluted from contact with other similar species. So particular areas of secluded streams, far from highways and backroads are selected to receive these native trout. These streams, or sections of streams are selected based on certain criteria: Low gradient with fine gravel beds. Cold clear unpolluted waters with healthy riparian providing shade from overhanging branches etc.. Natural or man-made barriers [waterfalls] upstream and downstream from the project area are also crucial to prevent the migration and subsequent contamination by other trout.
The Colorado River Cutthroat is considered to be the most colorful sub-species of all cutthroat trout. Few anglers would argue this. Anyone who has been lucky or skilled enough to catch one either just before, during or after their spawning run will agree that they are definately colorful! They are also reputed to have grown to considerable size in their natural habitat. However, where they have been reintroduced in southern Utah, their has been some concern by local anglers as to the ultimate growth potential of these undeniably colorful and striking cutthroats.
Fish that have been stocked as fingerlings into secluded streams here have shown what some would consider rather poor growth rates after having been caught and released by anglers several years later. Those that were stocked into some of the fertile lakes and beaver ponds on Boulder Mountain on the other hand, have shown very good if not excellent growth potential.
The life expectancy of the Colorado River Cutthroat is not much different than that of the Yellowstone Cutthroat, which is considered to be around 5-7 years. Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout [Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri], pictured above were stocked throughout Utah and especially on the Boulder Mountain for many decades. These were the cutthroats that were referred to as the "natives' by local anglers. As beloved as they were, they were never the native cutthroat of the area, but were in fact native to the Yellowstone River Drainage of Montana. They were the standby stocker for all high mountain lakes and streams throughout the western states. Yellowstone cutthroats will rise to a dryfly like clockwork! They are hard fighters and when mature will carry considerable weight. Many fish here on Boulder Mountain would weigh in excess of 6-7 pounds by their fifth year in the nutrient rich lakes and beaver ponds.
The Bonneville cutthroat [Oncohychus clarki utah], pictured above is also being reintroduced to the lakes and streams of Boulder Mountain. This cutthroat is distinctly different than the Colorado River and Yellowstone cutthroats. They are growing fast and have proven to be aggressive to the fly.
The Colorado River Cutthroat pictured above was caught and released at a small lake on Boulder Mountain. This trout had been in the lake approximately four seasons at the time it was caught, including it's first after being stocked as a fingerling less than four inches in length. This trout shows excellent growth rate for that time span and would be considered "trophy quality" by most flyfishers.
The Colorado River Cutthroat pictured above was caught and released by a flyfisher in a stream not far from the lake that produced the bigger trout in the previous picture. Though nearly the same age, it shows little potential for reaching the size of those in the lakes. However, trophy, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. The events that lead to the catch and release of such a beautiful trout, however diminutive it is can certainly make up the difference. Having to creep along a grassy high mountain meadow stream on your hands and knees, false casting over the grass so as not to spook these wary trout and then trying in vain to make a delicate presentation only to be frustrated over and over by the wind, the grass or the bad cast can make these trout worthy of being called trophies. The satisfaction that one gets from finally making the delicate cast and presentation followed by the perfect drift is satisfying enough. But when this small but finicky trout rises to your dryfly and slurps it into his mouth and is finally hooked, then you are very elated!
If you are planning a trip to Boulder Mountain to flyfish for Colorado River Cutthroat, the last week of May through the second week of June is prime time for these fantastic trout.
During this time span, mature trout are very active and will rise to the dryfly or take nymphs along the shoreline at the high mountain lakes where they are found.
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