Trout ID - Worth a look

[Stew]

Got this from Westfly

Cutthroat/Steelhead smolt ID (http://homepage.mac.com/mmorejohn/TroutID/PhotoAlbum168.html)

This year I have ran into more large steelhead smolt than in past years. Some as big as 10" :bigshock:

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/Steelsmolt.jpg
Thank God we were able to convince the ODFW that a 8" minimum harvest season for cutts was a very bad idea :hoboy:
On the coastal streams I have never caught a resident rainbow trout. They are not planted in the rivers so those "trout" you are catching are more than likely steelhead smolt or salmon smolt.
Cutthroat have the orange slash so you know you have a cutt if it has that orange slash.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CuttID.jpg
I've harped on this before but will do it again! Please make your fly barbless :help:

[SilverFly]

Thanks for posting this over here. This probably goes without saying, but a steelhead smolt like that with perfect fins and those beautiful markings is a WILD steelhead smolt. Not that the hatchery smolts should be abused or anything, but please take extra care with these fish.

Great pics!

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[scoutfish]

Thanks Stew. Great pic's too..

[Steve L.]

Stew - Thanks for taking the time to get this info out on the board :applause:
Great pics btw, did you take them ?

[Stew]

No I borrowed them from a post on Westfly :applause: Glad you guys like them.
The big steelhead smolt that are in the coastal rivers right now are dead ringers for non-migratory rainbows with fading parr marks.
They actually fight pretty well

[nookslayer]

those pics are a real help for some of the less tenured fly fisherman. It does excite me though that you're seeing steelie smolts up 10in ! That's going to be a bruiser when he grows up!