Cutthroat Trout


By Ken Fraser

For the trout fisherman who usually spends his time on the lakes in the spring and fall, we'd like to point out trout opportunities in the Valley.

This is now the time to take out the fly rod or small spinning outfit in search of cutthroat seeking small fry, sticklebacks and insects such as caddis, larva, larva and damsel larva.

The primary food for the cutty are fry. It makes sense to then concentrate your search in areas where fry are present. You will find fry in all waters that salmon have previously spawned in. The Fraser and Harrison rivers are going to be good this year because the pinks spawned in these systems.

When looking for cuttys watch for fry breaking the surface or for cuttys jumping. Cutthroat tend to show themselves; therefore, if you see them fish for them.

Good flies for our area are: Mickey Finns, Egg & Eye, Egg Sucking Leach and the Wooly Bugger.

Good baits are roe, single eggs, and worms.
Spinners and spoons in small sizes work well also.

Back to Flyfishing section.