If you are into cutthroat trout like I am, then you should consider getting a very special book. The book is CUTTHROAT, Native Trout of the West by Patrick Trotter.
This book is not a fly fishing book. It doesn't contain tackle, tactics or techniques for catching cutthroat trout. It doesn't even talk about fishing. But what it does talk about is everything else regarding the trout "discovered" by the Corp of Discovery August 19, 1805.
The book is a comprehensive study of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and their geographical groups, subspecies (let's hear it for Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri), range, habits, etc. This book is more like a doctoral dissertation than a book for casual reading. Still, I find this book extremely interesting and useful in my pursuit of this iconic western trout.
So, if you are into cutthroat trout hunting, like I am, considering getting this book. As we learn more about Oncorhynchus clarkii and share that knowledge with others, we can become a force for change in protecting William Clark's trout. For me, it is the most precious and special of all trout species.
This book is not a fly fishing book. It doesn't contain tackle, tactics or techniques for catching cutthroat trout. It doesn't even talk about fishing. But what it does talk about is everything else regarding the trout "discovered" by the Corp of Discovery August 19, 1805.
The book is a comprehensive study of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and their geographical groups, subspecies (let's hear it for Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri), range, habits, etc. This book is more like a doctoral dissertation than a book for casual reading. Still, I find this book extremely interesting and useful in my pursuit of this iconic western trout.
So, if you are into cutthroat trout hunting, like I am, considering getting this book. As we learn more about Oncorhynchus clarkii and share that knowledge with others, we can become a force for change in protecting William Clark's trout. For me, it is the most precious and special of all trout species.
I consider this book an invaluable source of information on the various sub-species of cutthroat trout. I purchased two copies at a local bookstore for the hugely discounted price of $15 each. I kept one copy but gave the other to a friend who invites me to fish for west slope cutthroat from his driftboat. Both books are bargains!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great blog.
Bill Love
Sandpoint, Idaho
Tom your native cutthroat is held in honor just like our brook trout.
ReplyDeleteI will check that book out.
I agree that Patrick Trotter's book is a classic and a must-have for anyone interested in native trout. Trotter was also one of the editors of Cutthroat Trout: Evolutionary Biology and Taxonomy (2018), a compilation of scientific papers produced as product of an American Fisheries Society workshop. The primary goal of the workshop was to synthesize recent research (especially genetics) on cutthroats in an attempt to sort out the relationships among the various types, and comes to some fascinating conclusions. It's pretty technical in parts, but definitely a page-turner for cutthroat enthusiasts.
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