Snake River Fine Spotted Cutts

[cpierce]

They may all be Yellowstone Cutthroats and have the same DNA, but I can't get over how different the fine spotted look from the large spotted. Most of the fine spotted cutthroats that I have caught have been somewhere in the upper Snake River or one of its tributaries.

I was on a tributary of a tributary, and they were sure fun. Here are a few pictures from the day.

The majority of the fish were 8-10 inches.



The stream was a fairly small one, clear and full, but not runoff full. I suspect that on regular water years by Aug it is probably half this size. It was a good fun size for today.



And now some of the fish porn:

One of the large ones for the day! Another one that was about this size had me scrambling to find him as I didn't know he was along for the ride when I started to backcast, and he landed in the grass behind me.... Good thing he flopped around a bunch, or I never would have found him!!




















[signature]

[riverdog]

That stream looks real familiar. Did I point you it that direction last year? I always figured it had both Snake River fine spotted and Yellowstone cutts from the appearance of the fish.
[signature]

[cpierce]

Yes, you did point me in the right direction. I can't thank you enough for your wisdom and expertise has lead me to some great fishing adventures. I have had a blast exploring all of the different streams and fish species this year. I was actually going to PM you next. I thought maybe you were up there. There was one car from Utah and one from Wyoming. Add mine from Idaho in there to make it a multi-state attack on the cutts!

The fine spotted and the large spotted are both just Yellowstone Cutthroats, and I guess they have pretty much the same DNA. For species purposes they aren't separating them. They sure look different to me!!! Some I caught had spots so fine that they were mere pin points, another one almost looked like a large spotted. Interesting to me anyway.
[signature]

[riverdog]

I guess I did read that they aren't separating them any more but you usually don't see the 2 variety if spots in the same stream. I almost went up last weekend but went over to Nevada instead checking out some new streams.
[signature]

[cpierce]

Nevada too. You do get around! I'd get around more if the dang gas didn't cost so much!

I guess there are a large number of streams that have both, but it sure seems like either one or the other dominate the drainage.
[inline "YCT spot patterns.jpg"]
[signature]

[windriver]

I can't get enough looking at streams and stream fish. Thanks for the pics and report.

Next time I will take the time to post the pics inline. It sure makes a difference.

I catch most of my fine spotted cutts in the Teton and its tribs.

Windriver
[signature]

[kglissmeyer]

Hey, buddy, just thought I'd add a few more to the pot for everyone's viewing pleasure. I love these fish, especially the beautiful places where they're found.













Anyway, just a few more to reflect what beautiful fish these are.

Kelly.
[signature]

[cpierce]

Those are some beauties. Thanks for sharing. Are those from recent expeditions? They are amazingly beautiful cutts! I don't get over and fish for the fine spotted very often, but I am going to have to make it a priority. So many choices to make........

I hope your spring creek survived the huge flush of extra runoff we have had this spring. A lot of beaver ponds have been broken out and even some stream channels have changed this year, but overall I think it has been a very good spring for the fish. I am seeing lots of little one inchers so spawning was good. I have been also been pleasantly surprised by the good shape of the creeks and how fat and healthy the fish are this year.
[signature]

[kglissmeyer]

Those fish are from last year with a few from this year. The spring has survived well. The first go 'round of high water really flushed it out, then it settled down and fished exceptionally well, but they raised the water again and it was flushed again. Since they dropped the river levels we haven't been back up. I say "we", but I mean my son and his buddies since I'm still nursing recent ankle surgery.

Kelly.
[signature]