The Yellowstone cutthroat trout is native to Idaho streams and lakes in the Southeastern part of Idaho, mostly east of Pocatello and Idaho Falls. Yellowstone cutthroat trout fisheries include the Falls River, Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, South Fork of the Snake River and its tributaries, the Teton River and tributaries, the upper sections of the Blackfoot River and tributaries, also the Portneuf River.

The Western Native Trout Challenge website has an interactive fishing map for Idaho showing color coded species locations along with water identification. When clicking on a location it also gives you a link to the Idaho Fish and Game fishing planner which in combination can provide key information for trip planning.

Yellowstone cutthroat trout are less likely to eat bait fish than other trout species, feeding more on insects and other invertebrates, which make them more likely to eat dry flies. While matching the hatch is always the best tactic, terrestrial patterns such as ants, grasshoppers and beetles work well in late summer thru the first frost. A tandem rig featuring a terrestrial or attractor pattern trailing an emerger can work well. If fish won’t come to the surface, try a double-nymph rig or a small Wooly Bugger or Zuddler streamer. [Orvis News]

Some summer club favorite flies include

• Cutthroat Candy
• Yellow Turks Tarantula
• Orange Stimulator
• Tan Foam Hopper

KEY IDENTIFIERS:

• Yellow or bronze back and sides
• Orange-red slash under throat
• Rose tints along side
• Larger round black spots concentrated near the tail, smaller spots towards head
• Orange-red tints on lower fins