Cutthroat/Rainbow Cross.....

[cutbow_07]

I am curious to know if anyone else has caught a natural hybrid in their pursuit of trout.  Where I go fishing quite a bit I run into them quite often.  I don't have any pics but will work on getting some ASAP for people to view.  All the ones I have caught have the body colors of Deschmidt rainbows but the undeniable orange/red slashes under the jaw.  Any input is much appreciated.

[Van_Cleaver]

The first fish I caught in Yellowstone Park (and River) was a 19'' cutt/bow. Of course my wife was sight seeing with the camera. ###! It took a sz. 16 cdc caddis, and I'm not sure who was more surprised! Prettiest trout I ever caught, without a doubt. Dark crimson stripe, but the orange slashes were present, and I seem to recall less spots than a typical rainbow.

[cutbow_07]

Im glad im not the only here that's caught one.  The original species of rainbow introduced to the main lake were the Deschmidt strain and they generally have a bright silvery sheen to them.  I think that the interbreeding varies from region to region and so does their looks depending on the strain of rainbow they encounter.  I have caught some in mountain lakes that are like the one you descibed catching on a fly as well.

[Van_Cleaver]

I'm no biologist, but there are several strains of rainbows and cutts, so I imagine the genetic possibilities are vast. Haven't been out West in awhile and I miss the Cutthroats.

[cutbow_07]

Yeah the cutties are definitely fun on a fly rod or through the ice.....awesome fight and hit with a vengeance.  Hope ya get to come on out to the west sometime again.

[cutbow_07]

PB Saturday for a cutbow: 7lbs 25"     still open water though:(   be interesting to get one that big through the ice.

[Drifter_016]

I have caught a bunch in Northern Alberta but they were stockers not naturals.

[cutbow_07]

Yeah I will have to work on getting the photo from my friend to post it on the internet......after looking at it more thoroughly I believe it was just a straigh cutthroat instead of a cross.  The pics were with a cell phone cause I left the real camera in the truck (go figure  ).  Can't wait to try them through the ice.

[matt_aid]

caught in Alberta

got this from an Ontario based fishing forum.

[coboy]

The ones I have caught here in Colorado have a deeper red on the cheek and lateral line.Everyone I know here just call them cuttbows.My largest
was just over 7lbs. through the ice on 4lb.test a few years ,back and managed a 22" last season.I'm not sure if they can breed naturally or not. The big one I caught had eggs so I'm guessing they are fertile.