Your Idea of the Prettiest Trout?

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08-07-2010, 02:42 AM
Lotech

Your Idea of the Prettiest Trout?

I know that Rainbows are awesome fish and beautiful to watch jump. They are great fish. I also know that the Brook Trout is the most colorful freshwater trout out there. Their colors change with the seasons and they are a prize to bring to the net. My favorite and in my opinion the most beautiful freshwater trout is the Native Westslope Cutthroat. No matter what the size of the prize, I always feel honored and privileged to bring one to hand. Like the saltwater Bone Fish, they seem to disappear into the color of water when you let them go. They always make me wonder where they came from when I tie into one. And make me wonder where they went when I turn them loose. I haven't caught a California Golden Trout yet and don't much expect to. So, the Westslope Cutty is my fav. How 'bout you. What's your favorite freshwater trout quarry?
08-07-2010, 02:51 AM
ScottP

Westslope cutt is a beautiful fish. First nice sized one I caught was on the Blackfeet Reservation (I know that's on the east slope of the Rockies but it was still a Westslope cutt - lol); looked completely different from all the ones I had taken on the Flathead drainages. Prettiest fish for me are the rainbows on the Madison; catch them in the evening and there is something about their colors, can't describe it. Never have seen a Golden trout in person so I'm sure they'll have their proponents, too.

Regards,
Scott
08-07-2010, 03:19 AM
Byron Zuehlsdorff

I don't believe I can choose one, any one I can bring to net or hand is the purtiest at that moment. And that goes for any species of fish.
08-07-2010, 03:40 AM
kbproctor

Gotta agree with Byron. The one in the net is the prettiest one.

If I am just looking at fish, a 15+" male brookie is it.
08-07-2010, 06:54 AM
luckie88

2 Attachment(s)

I like Browns, but Redband trout are really colorful.

Attachment 5512 Attachment 5513
08-07-2010, 10:22 AM
James Smith

A male bluegill in full breeding colors:)

Sorry I just had to throw that one in since the only trout I get to catch are some rainbows and the occasional brown.

Jim
08-07-2010, 11:32 AM
Uncle Jesse

Years ago in the Uintas in Utah, I caught a small but very colorful trout that I believe was a young golden, reds and golds like I have never seen in any other trout.
08-07-2010, 11:48 AM
salt_flytyer

Haveonly caught a few golden, but brook are my favorite. Actually chrome steelhead are my favorite but not look wise. Have you ever looked for golden in WA?
08-07-2010, 01:26 PM
Poke 'Em

Prettiest trout? Got to be brookies.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/...b3796354_b.jpg

That being said, a Yellowstone Cutthroat is still my favorite...
08-07-2010, 01:27 PM
Poke 'Em

Now if you didn't limit it to trout...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/...5e8b005d_b.jpg
08-07-2010, 01:49 PM
Lotech

Quote:

Originally Posted by salt_flytyer

Haveonly caught a few golden, but brook are my favorite. Actually chrome steelhead are my favorite but not look wise. Have you ever looked for golden in WA?

I'm not sure they even inhabit Washington. If they do, and they're close, I'll put them on my bucket list.
08-07-2010, 02:04 PM
Bluegill222

1 Attachment(s)

Beautiful longear, Poke'em! One of my favorites as well. My favorite fish is the one on the end of my line, and maybe it's my lack of taste, but I even find appeal in catfish and drum. Having said that, this little guy I got last June is one of the prettier fish I've caught this year:Attachment 5515
08-07-2010, 02:20 PM
michaelnel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poke 'Em

Prettiest trout? Got to be brookies.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/...b3796354_b.jpg

I think brookies in full spawning coloration like that one are the prettiest. I have never killed one and eaten it though. How did it taste?
08-07-2010, 02:27 PM
Byron Zuehlsdorff

They are GREAT, especially fresh out of the stream into the frypan, a little butter, maybe a litle breading, maybe not. Fry to a golden brown, nice and crispy, and enjoy!!
08-07-2010, 03:03 PM
NJTroutbum

Browns....I like the browns.

Attachment 5516
08-07-2010, 04:09 PM
Cold

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/v...0/IMGP1204.jpg

Picked up this one a few weeks ago in a stream you could jump across...gotta love wild brookies...
08-07-2010, 06:14 PM
luckie88

1 Attachment(s)

Brookies are great too.

Attachment 5517
08-07-2010, 09:18 PM
salt_flytyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotech

I'm not sure they even inhabit Washington. If they do, and they're close, I'll put them on my bucket list.

Google is your friend! It will take a bit of googling/researching. Maybe just a quick call to WDFW. If Lost lake or sidely lake are near you I would start there.
08-07-2010, 10:58 PM
Lotech

Quote:

Originally Posted by salt_flytyer

Google is your friend! It will take a bit of googling/researching. Maybe just a quick call to WDFW. If Lost lake or sidely lake are near you I would start there.

I found one lake in Washington with Golden Trout, but it's a long back pack hike into it and my back and legs say no more of that. RATS!
08-08-2010, 07:50 PM
crazy fly

if ii had to choose it would be a brook trout, but brown trout do look cool
08-08-2010, 08:04 PM
Wes

steelhead.
08-08-2010, 08:07 PM
Lotech

Look HERE for a Golden Trout.
08-08-2010, 08:35 PM
Scruffy Fly

Greenbacks and brookies are two of the prettiest but ya gatto give the edge to a fish that comes back from extinction. The Greenback cutthroat trout:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...reenbackCC.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ackColor1x.jpg

Well, not exactly extinction. It was just thought to be extinct for twenty years.
08-08-2010, 10:59 PM
salt_flytyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotech

Look HERE for a Golden Trout.

Wierd!!! It says that they both like water WARMER than other trout and that they like high altitude lakes (in Ca this is 10,000 feet or higher). That likesomeone liking warm weather and moving to the north pole!!
08-08-2010, 11:30 PM
salt_flytyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotech

I found one lake in Washington with Golden Trout, but it's a long back pack hike into it and my back and legs say no more of that. RATS!

You aren't looking very hard then. Just in the couple of minutes on Google I found 2 lakes that were catagorized as a easy hike (30 minutes to a hour, one was also a very easily semi flat trail) Of course for some people even a 15 minute hike is out of th question. But it is not like you have to do a overnight pack. Where do you live?
08-08-2010, 11:59 PM
DUB

Hands down, Crimson sided Rainbows.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3...1090832a12.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3...3109122612.jpg
08-09-2010, 03:26 PM
clarkman23

right here...
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...earsunfish.jpg

wait a minute, how'd that get in there...

ok, Redbands are definitely the prettiest in my book...especially the Metolius fish...
here's a Deschutes fish:
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...ide5-18-10.jpg
08-09-2010, 03:26 PM
Thunderthumbs

For me it's a toss-up between the brookie and the brown. There are still quite a few species of trout that I haven't caught yet, so that may change, but for now, it's those two.

TT
08-09-2010, 03:40 PM
Ron Eagle Elk

For me and VEE, it's the Sea Run Cutthroat Trout in full spawning colors. I don't think a camera could do it justice.

REE
08-09-2010, 04:54 PM
Royal Wulff

Without a doubt, a male brookie in full spawning colors. If you want to go warmwater, I think it's the male pumpkinseed sunfish in full spawning colors, assuming it comes from a crystal clear lake. Sunfish have the tendency to get lighter and less colorful the cloudier the water. I think it was John Gierach that said "trout are a lot prettier than they have to be."

rw
08-09-2010, 05:32 PM
FishnDave

Since we are considering Brookies (a char) for most colorful trout, I guess Brook Trout would get my vote.
Arctic Char and Dolly Varden Char would be right there, vying for a 3-way tie.

Here's some Arctic Char pics for your consideration (these pics are NOT mine):
http://www.fishingfury.com/wp-conten.../male-char.jpg

http://www.fishasl.com/wordpress/wp-...h/P8170072.jpg

http://www.shootstraighttv.com/gal/125144042046273.jpg

And some Dolly Varden pics (also NOT mine):
http://www.fly-fishing-discounters.c...arden-half.jpg

http://www.tysalaska.com/members/Pic...yVarden-90.jpg

http://www.flyrodreel.com/files/imag...c=.preview.jpg
08-09-2010, 06:49 PM
kglissmeyer

Yellowstone cutthroats sure do look good, as do the browns in my favorite spring creek. But, I'm with those who think that the one in the net is the prettiest.

Yellowstone cutthroat:
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/IMGP0643.jpg

Spring Creek brown trout:
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...nhisdomain.jpg

In the net - Yellowstone cutthroat:
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/IMGP0592.jpg

Another Spring Creek beauty:
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...asties09-1.jpg

A Spring Creek Yellowstone cutt:
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...IMGP0474-1.jpg

And then there are a few standout bows:
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...ansBow09-3.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...verPics194.jpg

Someday I hope to catch a Golden Trout as well as a good Bull Trout, but until then I'll just have to settle for what's here in my backyard. :D

Kelly.
08-09-2010, 08:20 PM
Lotech

Quote:

Originally Posted by salt_flytyer

Where do you live?

I live in Liberty Lake. That's a little burg in Eastern Washington between Spokane and the Idaho border.

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