There is no denying it; our true locals are our Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroat Trout. These “Cuttys” have called the rivers, streamers, creeks and lakes of the greater Jackson Hole region home before Native Americans, Mountain Men and Frontier Settlers made their way to our valleys. In fact, the mountainous western United States has been the home of native cutthroat trout since before the dawn of the last ice age. Identified with their unusual pattern of hundreds of small peppered spots that cover most of its body and the undeniable red colored (Cutthroat) slash along their lower jawline, Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroat Trout are as unique and special as the Snake River and Grand Teton Mountain Range where they have resided for the past 15,000 years. They love dry flies and to call them our favorite fish would be an understatement.
WorldCast Anglers is a proud Grand Teton National Park float fishing outfitter and concessionaire. As many anglers know, Grand Teton National Park is a world-renowned fly-fishing destination composed of pristine waterways and incredible habitat for several species of fish. Most notably, our beloved Snake River Fine-Spotted cutthroat trout. The Wild and Scenic Snake River begins at its headwaters on the Two Ocean Plateau in Yellowstone National Park. The river flows south through Grand Teton National Park and enters Jackson Lake on the northern section of the park, finally exiting the park just west of the Jackson Hole airport. A plethora of mountain lakes and streams within the park serve as tributaries to the Snake, keeping a constant flow of cold, oxygen rich water readily available for fish. These lakes and streams are also the rearing grounds and nurseries for our native Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroat Trout. While Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroat Trout are doing better than other types of Rocky Mountain cutthroat trout, they have still been impacted by a variety of issues. Ranging from habitat loss due to agriculture, logging, and dams, to the introduction of non-native fish species (like rainbow, brook and brown trout). Simply put, our “Cuttys” need all the help they can get to continue to thrive in their native habitats and geographical areas.
In its inaugural year, the Cutthroat CO-OP is partnering with the Grand Teton National Park Foundation to support Cutthroat Trout research and conservation in Grand Teton National Park. The park’s only native trout—Snake River Fine-Spotted cutthroat trout—is subjected to many stressors, including culverts and other impediments to fish passage, competition with several nonnative species of trout, and warming stream temperatures. The Grand Teton National Park Foundation has been collecting data through the use of the video weir that has helped the park gain insight into the health of the native cutthroat fishery over time. The weir and underwater camera rig used to collect this data are funded by the Grand Teton National Park Foundation in their joint initiative with the park to restore and conserve native fish habitat. A portion of proceeds from all Cutthroat CO-OP merchandise sales will be donated to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation Native Fish Conservation program in an effort to help restore and conserve native fish habitat. Please help us in supporting our Cutthroat Trout today! Please visit the Grand Teton National Park Foundation Native Fish Conservation webpage if you would like to make a gift outside of the Cutthroat CO-OP program.
Grand Teton National Park Foundation partners with Grand Teton National Park to steward, protect, and enhance all that is special in the park. The Foundation initiates improvements, critical research, and outreach that enrich visitors’ experiences to help create a stable future for Grand Teton National Park.