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Colorado River Cutthroat Of The Boulder Mountain

 

The Colorado River cutthroat trout [Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus] once inhabited 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 range of this subspecies of cutthroat trout had once dwindled to just 4% of it's former range. Much has changed in that regard in recent years especially in Utah. Aggressive stocking of this native cutthroat trout has enabled anglers to fish for them all over the state. This cutthroat is still listed as sensitive, threatened, imperiled, rare and even endangered in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Another rare cutthroat subspecies, the Greenback cutthroat trout [Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias] occurs only on the upper Platte River Drainage in Colorado. The Greenback cutthroat is the state fish of Colorado. Another rare cutthroat subspecies, the Yellowfin cutthroat [Oncorhynchus clarkii macdonaldi] is now extinct. Much effort is being made in Utah and the other aforementioned states to restore and protect the Colorado River cutthroat as well as other subspecies of cutthroat trout such as the Lahontan cutthroat trout [Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi] and the Bonneville cutthroat trout [Oncorhynchus clarkii utah]. The Bonneville cutthroat trout is the state fish of Utah.

In Utah, the Colorado River cutthroat has been reintroduced to many areas throughout the southern and southeastern part of the state. When lakes and streams that have been selected to receive the Colorado River cutthroat, currently hold Rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss] or Yellowstone cutthroat trout [Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri], these resident rainbows and non-native cutthroat trout must be completely removed to avoid potential hybridization with the reintroduced native cutthroat trout.

It is a scientific fact that all of these sub-species of cutthroat trout and the rainbow trout are closely related and are known to hybridize, it is only sensible that the newly transplanted native cutthroats start with a clean slate. It is important to keep the Colorado River cutthroat pure and un-dilluted by contact with other similar species.

So particular areas of secluded streams, far from highways and back roads are most often 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] 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 dispute this. Anyone who has been fortunate or skilled enough to catch one either just before, during or soon after their spawning run will agree.

They are also reputed to have grown to considerable size in their natural habitat. However, where they have been reintroduced to the streams 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. Most of the streams where these native cutthroat trout have been reintroduced are quite small as well. 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. Colorado River Cutthroat grow at a much slower rate than some of the other species of trout stocked into the lakes of Boulder Mountain. It may take a couple of more years for these fish to reach their real potential. When they do fully mature they are built like footballs. They are very stocky and thick back to the tail as seen in the image below.

The life expectancy of the Colorado River cutthroat is not much different than that of the Yellowstone cutthroat, which is considered to be around 8-10 years. Yellowstone cutthroat trout [Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri] were stocked throughout Utah and especially on the Boulder Mountain for many decades. These Yellowstones were the cutthroats that were referred to as the "natives'" by local anglers.

As beloved as they once were, the Yellowstone cutthroat trout like the one in the image above were never the native cutthroat of this area, but were in fact native to the Yellowstone River Drainage of Montana, Idaho, parts of Wyoming and a small portion of extreme northwestern Utah. However, they were for many decades the standby stocker for all high mountain lakes and streams throughout the western states. Yellowstone cutthroats are known to rise to a dryfly like clockwork! They are hard fighters and when mature will carry considerable weight. Many Yellowstone cutthroat here on Boulder Mountain were fast growers and would regularly weigh in excess of 6-7 pounds by their sixth year in some of the nutrient-rich lakes and beaver ponds. Now the Yellowstone cutthroat has been gone from the Boulder Mountain for several years. The last of them have died out and have ben replaced by the reintroduction of two real native species of cutthroat, the Colorado River and Bonneville.

Colorado River cutthroat trout like most cutthroat are susceptible to the effects of whirling disease. The Colorado River cutthroat in the image above shows the extreme deformation that can result from having contracted whirling disease and  then surviving it. Extreme cartilage deformation of the head is uncommon, but not unheard of here on the Boulder Mountain. Typically  the effects of whirling disease are usually manifested in cartilage deformation near the tail section or the dorsal and pectoral fins.

The image above illustrates the effects of whirling disease on a Yellowstone cutthroat trout caught and released on the Boulder Mountain more than a decade ago.

The Bonneville cutthroat  [Oncorhynchus clarkii utah], pictured above has also been reintroduced to many of 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 also proven to be aggressive to the fly. Several of the Boulder Mountain lakes now have Bonneville cutthroat that are approaching 4 pounds in weight.

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 fly fishers.

The Colorado River cutthroat pictured above was caught and released by a fly fisher in a small 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 fish 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 little 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, once caught, 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 finally rises to your dryfly and slurps it into his mouth and is finally hooked, then you have a real trophy!

If you are planning a trip to Boulder Mountain to fly fish for Colorado River cutthroat, the last week of May through the third week of June is prime time for these fantastic trout.

During this time span, big cutthroat are very active and will rise to the dry fly or take nymphs along the shoreline at the high mountain lakes where they are found. Do not hesitate to call as June books up very quickly, followed by May.

May and June of 2011 proved to be very busy, and quite successful for anglers seeking the Colorado River cutthroat trout on the Boulder Mountain, with many trophy quality fish caught and released on each guided trip. Due to a full calendar, many anglers could not be accomodated for a guided trip in June last season. The 2012 season looks like it will be as busy! If you would like to book a guided trip to fly fish for beautiful wild Colorado River cutthroat trout on the Boulder Mountain this season, keep in mind that space is definitely limited and plan on booking early.

 

Contact Us soon to make your reservation for the 2012 season.

Call Steve Stoner at 1- 435-335-7306 Your call will always be returned 

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