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Where the river current is fast, wary cutthroats can be caught on a variety of artificial stonefly and caddis nymphs, fished slowly along the river bottom. In these faster waters, the presence of rainbow trout usually indicates areas preferred by cutthroats also. To catch larger fish, bait such as nightcrawlers and minnows (where legal) are effective. Interestingly, often a particular area or stream will produce fish with minnows as the sole bait, or another area with nightcrawlers alone.
Mature cutthroat are typically piscivorous, and biologists do not know why some fish show a marked fondness for nightcrawlers in some streams. In high, discoloured streams as in spring or after a heavy rainfall, try small silver spinners with bright bodies. Always fish the bait or lure slowly and along the bottom - cutthroats are habitual bottom-feeders.
In early spring, cast a small silver spoon into pockets of open water amidst floating ice. Again, let the lure sink to the bottom, then slowly retrieve it with an intermittent jerking motion, then let it sink. As the lure quivers to the bottom, anticipate a strike and set the hook at the first change in line pressure. Ensure that many spoon lures are on hand; this technique results in many hang-ups and lost lures.
In warmer waters, cutthroats swim to deeper areas off points and drop-offs. Deep troll 'cowbells' or 'Davis-rigs' - lures comprising a string of spinners and beads, attached by a leader to a spoon or bait. Rainbow trout baits such as worms, cheese, marshmallows, and minnows (where legal) are used by shore anglers in summer months.
In the cooler fall waters, cutthroats approach nearer the surface, but their natural wariness remains. Cutthroats spook easily, and spin-fishing with a small wet fly or midge and a spinning bubble work best. Tie a ten or twelve-foot leader below the spinning bubble. This rig is awkward to cast, but the long leader helps avoid alarming the fish into deeper water.
In an attempt to ensure a future cutthroat population, some fish and game departments have increased size limits and lowered daily bag limits. Anglers introduce non-native minnow species that feed on cutthroat eggs. Native cutthroat waters have been invaded by hardy brown trout that feed on young cutthroats. New dikes and dams block access to feeder streams and spawning grounds. Like the brook trout, the cutthroat population is being pushed into remote wilderness areas and isolated lakes and streams.
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