Catch 4 native Utah cutthroat trout, earn medallion in new fishing slam

(Division of Wildlife Resources)


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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Nearly 20 years after the idea was first brought to light, Utah wildlife officials have partnered with Trout Unlimited to offer Utah anglers a unique opportunity to learn more about the state's native trout, and get rewarded while doing so.

The partnership between the Division of Wildlife Resources and Trout Unlimited is the first of its kind, according to DWR Northern Region Aquatics Manager Paul Thompson. A public agency and private conservation group have never come together to present such a unique program as the Utah Cutthroat Slam.

“It’s a great opportunity to educate the public about the value of native fish, and the unique characteristics of the varieties,” Brett Prettyman, Intermountain Communications Director for Trout Unlimited, said. “That’s one of the reasons TU is interested.”

What is the Cutthroat Slam?

The Utah Cutthroat Slam is a program designed to recognize anglers who catch all four cutthroat trout subspecies from the native drainages. As mentioned above, creating an official program to recognize anglers who complete the slam is a great way to educate the general population of Utah about the unique heritage of the Beehive State's native fish.

Native fish restoration is a huge part of the Western fly fishing world.

“The state of Utah is a hugely important partner in our work to recover native trout," Chris Wood, CEO of TU said in a DWR news release. "The Utah Cutthroat Slam will simultaneously allow us to raise important resources for this work while also providing a ton of fun for anglers. What's not to like?”

What are Utah's native cutthroat?

Utah is home to four distinct subspecies of cutthroat trout — the Bonneville, Bear River, Yellowstone and Colorado River.

There's just one catch — to qualify for the Slam, an angler must catch cutthroat in their native drainage. For example, a Bear Lake cutthroat from Strawberry Reservoir won't count towards the Bear Lake cutthroat goal in the Slam.

TU partnered with the DWR to offer anglers with an amazing resource on these native fish, in addition to the areas where they reside. That resource is found at the Utah Cutthroat Slam website.

How does the Cutthroat Slam work?

The first step is to sign up for the slam. You sign up by visiting the DWR website. There is a $20 charge to participate in the Cutthroat Slam; However, that money goes directly into a fund dedicated to conserving cutthroat trout in Utah.

“The money will go into a DWR account,” Thompson said. “That account cannot be touched by other sections with the DWR. That account is going to be specific for cutthroat trout projects.”

Prettyman also voiced TU’s support for the $20 application fee, saying that it will “provide investment for the future and educate people” on the importance of native trout in the West.

Once registered for the Slam, anglers need to take a picture of either themselves or the cutthroat they caught, noting the date and location. Once an angler has caught all four species, they upload the information to the DWR website.

What do participants receive?

Aside from traveling to beautiful areas of the state, anglers who complete the Slam will receive a certificate and medallion.

The Slam officially launched April 1, but there's no time limit on completing it, and anglers can complete it more than once. Once completed, anglers will also be recognized on the Utah Cutthroat Slam Facebook page and website.

Participation in the Utah Cutthroat Slam will benefit cutthroat trout across the state and provide anglers with bragging rights and a medallion, in addition to memories of chasing native trout that will never fade.

Do you plan on completing the Slam? Let us know in the comments.


![Spencer Durrant](http://img.ksl.com/slc/2583/258385/25838585\.jpg?filter=ksl/65x65)
About the Author: Spencer Durrant \---------------------------------

Spencer is a fly fishing writer based in Utah. A member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, he's a columnist for the Standard-Examiner, KSL.com, Fishwest, and Trout Life. Find him on Twitter at @Spencer_Durrant. or Instagram.

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