Desert Trout - Lahontan Cutthroat

[WVBrookie]

What would you do with a couple of days to kill in Las Vegas?

For me, I scoped out a population of Lahontan cutthroat on the west side of Mt. Charleston.

The Lahontan is my 8th cutthroat species and my 16th salmonid species added to my life list.

They were in some pretty rugged territory! After nearly ninety minutes of 5-10 mph roads....



Through the Nevada desert...





...and when the trail turned to stream, I decided to hike the remaining 1/2 mile to the trailhead and the Lahontans.










..and finally, this very dark specimen.



I only fished for a couple of hours, covered maybe a 1/4 mile and caught probably 30 fish - typical cutthroat fishing. Very pretty fish with unique markings.

Following the gut busting trip back out I went to Bishop, California and (this morning) hiked the Methuselah Trail in the bristlecone pine forest. I'll add a report on that when I upload my photos.

Chris

[David Knapp]

Very cool report and pictures! I hope to find some of those eventually...

[gmreeves]

Very cool trip. That would be about the only reason to go to Vegas for me. Pretty fish.

[MtnMike]

Thanks for that very cool report. I would love to go after some of those more isolated species. Maybe some day. Thanks for sharing!

Mike

[PeteCz]

You're way more than halfway there on the Cutts. Wikipedia lists 13 major subspecies (although it also claims that there are between 10 and 14...).

I'm 5 behind...I've only caught the three in Colorado (Greenback, Colorado and San Juan).

I need to figure out how to start chasing more of them...feisty, beautiful and not real bright...

[WVBrookie]

Originally Posted by PeteCz

You're way more than halfway there on the Cutts. Wikipedia lists 13 major subspecies (although it also claims that there are between 10 and 14...).

I'm 5 behind...I've only caught the three in Colorado (Greenback, Colorado and San Juan).

I need to figure out how to start chasing more of them...feisty, beautiful and not real bright...

I'm sure you meant Rio Grande.

Of the 13 sub-species, one is declared extinct and one other is considered extinct. One of my fellow "native" guys caught what is thought to be the extinct Alvord but has yet to be confirmed (by Behnke).

I plan to add the paiute and Humboldt later this summer.

If yo want to catch a few more, do the Wyoming Cuttslam. It's a great program and the certificate it top notch! They are all easy day trips from Yellowstone.

Chris

[GrouseMan77]

WVBrookie - Nice fish and pics. I am now somewhat interested in Vegas.

[doghaircaddis]

That's a beautiful place to go on a fly fishing adventure. Catching trout in the desert...very cool.

[ukfb1]

This thread has made my day. Heading out to Vegas in the middle of June, a favor to wife for my North Platte trip next year. Got a small rental reserved, can I get close to where I am supposed to be.

[bones]

Absolutely gorgeous fish. Gotta love agressive wild fish; glad they hit caddis and not dollar bills.


Have a Good 'Urn,
bones