Fly Rods
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.
Check PriceSpecies / Cutthroat Trout
Trout & Salmon
Cutthroat Trout Fishing
The native trout of the interior and coastal West, with Yellowstone, westslope, Lahontan, greenback, and coastal subspecies. Cutthroat rise readily to dry flies in summer.
Best Months: Jun to Sep
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Cutthroat Trout
Month
3 picks for October.
Parachute Adams #12-20
FlyDry Fly
Shop This FlyPat's Rubber Legs #4-10
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyWoolly Bugger #2-10
FlyStreamer
Shop This Fly
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Rod & Reel
Cutthroat Trout Setup
Cutthroat Trout
Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, floating line, 9 ft 4X leader. Big foam dries and hoppers in summer.
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb line.
The US
Where to Catch Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Arkansas
White River
Cold tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam holding trophy browns. Drift boats and jon boats both welcome.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · California
Mammoth Lakes Basin
Crowley Lake and the Convict area hold big browns and rainbows in the Eastern Sierra.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Lahontan Cutthroat
Rivers & Streams · California
Truckee River
Flows from Lake Tahoe through Reno. Wild trout in the upper canyon, hatchery rainbows below.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Lahontan Cutthroat
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Yampa River
Runs through Steamboat Springs, with Colorado River cutthroat in the upper reaches.
Colorado River Cutthroat · Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
South Fork of the Snake River
Tailwater flowing about 64 miles out of Palisades Dam on the Idaho-Wyoming border to its junction with the Henry Fork. Trout densities often run 4,000 to 6,000 per mile, and native Yellowstone and Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat remain a major part of the fishery.
Cutthroat Trout · Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Blackfoot River
The river of A River Runs Through It, with native westslope cutthroat.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Clark Fork River
A big western Montana river through Missoula with strong dry fly fishing.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Yellowstone River
Longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. Paradise Valley floats, big dries, and native cutthroat upstream.
Yellowstone Cutthroat · Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Nevada
Pyramid Lake
A desert lake on the Paiute reservation, home to giant Lahontan cutthroat trout. A tribal permit is required.
Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Oregon
McKenzie River
The home of the McKenzie drift boat, with redside rainbows and clear Cascade water.
Rainbow Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Utah
Green River
The Flaming Gorge tailwater, with clear water and thousands of trout per mile.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Utah
Strawberry Reservoir
Utah's most popular trout fishery, known for big Bear Lake cutthroat.
Cutthroat Trout · Rainbow Trout · Kokanee Salmon
Rivers & Streams · Washington
Yakima River
Washington's only Blue Ribbon trout river, with year-round fishing in the canyon.
Rainbow Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Wyoming
Snake River (Jackson Hole)
Fine-spotted Snake River cutthroat below the Tetons, best from midsummer on.
Cutthroat Trout
Recommended
Gear for Cutthroat Trout
Fly Rods
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.
Check PriceFly Reels
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.
Check PriceFly Lines
RIO Gold Fly Line
A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.
Check PriceFly Lines
Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line
A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet
Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Tapered Trout Leaders
Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.
Check PriceNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
Check PriceFlies
Trout Fly Assortment
A starter mix of proven dries and nymphs for Western and Eastern trout water.
Check Price