Sea run Cutthroat caught in the fall on Steelhead flies. This fish is alive and was released un-harmed.
Sea Run Cutthroat Trout
While Steelheading, now and then, a Trout comes to the fly. Some are routine, and some are not... About 15 years ago, I was just learning the ways of the Coastal waters and I was puzzled the first few times I caught a large bright trout, that looked like it was fresh from the sea, (a silvery color, all over, like a Steelhead right from the Salt.) See photo below. Then while visiting my local fly tying shop, a counterman mentioned Sea Run Cutthroats. He also called them "Harvest trout." It was then I understood what it was I had caught earlier.
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Sea run Cutthroat caught in the fall on Steelhead flies. This fish is alive and was released un-harmed. |
The same fellows behind the counter also mentioned Dolly Varden Trout (Char). Not long after, I caught what looked like a "Brooky" but different. It was my first Dolly. They are unusual, and I only catch one or two a season, and some years none. Only in recent years, have I been taking photos while on the water, so I have something to show.
I would never kill one of these! Finally we hear about them being endangered. There are fewer of these than, some of the other species that have made the endangered species list. Maybe it is only in my rivers they are rare... right.
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Dolly Varden Trout (Char) caught while Steelheading with a single egg fly. (Before October 31 by the way.) These fish were released unharmed |
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Another version of a Dolly. This one is about as big as I've caught. He/she was about 15 or 16 inches. Very beautiful fish with some subtle specking when fresh from the Salt. |
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I saw a few more "Dollies" this year... this is a nice one taken and released on a shirtsleeve day in February. The week before also produced a Dolly Varden Char. The year in general was poor for Steelhead, but apparently good for Dollies, because some years I don't catch any... much less two... in two weeks. |
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