Chasing the Trout Challenges
Everett Headley 05.09.23
Even though I live in the fly fishing capital of the continent (Montana), I still venture around the west looking for fresh areas and new species. My other obligations preclude me from becoming fully initiated in the “trout bum” life, but I make a good go at it for a couple of weeks during the summer. I never fish the same water twice (Yellowstone National Park being the exception) and there needs to be an added element of adventure. It isn’t that the fishing becomes boring, but that there is so much that compliments it. Zane Grey said if he fished only to catch fish, “my fishing trips would have ended long ago.”
Conservation in Action
Nearly every western state and a couple of trout-centric organizations have all developed fishing challenges to promote their fisheries and dangle the proverbial worm in front of anglers, enticing a visit. At their core is the desire to raise the profile of each species and their unique conservation concerns. Drought and warming temperatures continue to have significant impacts on these cold-water fish. Nevada’s “Native Fish-Slam ” explains that their program helps increase the appreciation for Nevada’s native fish and “helps support recovery, preservation, and management efforts.”
Know the Rules
Each challenge has a clear set of rules required and helpful guides to get you started. Fish have to be caught in recognized waters and released alive. Documenting a catch is usually done with a photo and registering prior to fishing means fish can’t be backdated. State (and federal) regulations supersede the challenges and can close down waters. There isn’t any competition against other anglers, only your completion of the quest. As with all things that matter most in life, the honor system is in effect to determine if a fish was legitimately caught.
Bring the Bling
Your own sense of accomplishment will be the driving force to accept and complete the challenge. Wyoming and Utah award an impressive coin once your application is certified. Utah will allow you to complete their Slam multiple times earning a coin for each one. Fly Fisher’s International will send you a patch and hat for completing the Cuttcatch Award. There are increasing levels of recognition for the Western Native Trout Initiative’s Challenge, each with their own prize package. The accompanying certificates are worthy of frame. Some feature the artwork of Joseph Tomelleri, perhaps the most famous trout and char artist.
Have rod, Will travel
Many of these challenges can be completed over a week of fishing. The logistics are fairly simple once you are in state: find, catch, travel, repeat. This makes truck camping the leading option. Landing multiple species from different waters requires mobility and likely a new camping spot each night. Since most of these haunts are far from anything resembling a town, make sure you have a full cooler with drinks and sandwiches and do not forget ice. Toss in a camp chair for the evening when you sit next to the creek and listen to its stories.
The gear required to actually fish might be the best part of these adventures. Since most of these fish rarely see an angler, they are eager to accommodate a photo. It seems that everything in fly fishing trends towards the larger varieties of themselves: bigger fish, bigger waters, and bigger rods. I have fished 12 weight rods for sharks on the salt flats all the way down to my 5 and half foot 2 weight and fun can be found in every range. Yet, there is something about the skinny water that presses my lightweight rod into my hand. My two-weight with a size 18 elk hair caddis helped me complete my first UT Cutthroat Slam with just a single fly.
Chase Ethically
Catch and release has been the mantra for generations, but more can be done to ensure the trout caught are well cared for. Wetting your hands before handling helps keep their protective slime intact and minimizes “dry time” for their gills. Quickly playing fish on barbless hooks minimizes the stress and allows for quicker recovery. It can be easy to overfish a hole with so many volunteering to bite and if you are targeting our more rare subspecies (Apache and Paiute trout), consider catching “one and done.” Summer temps can rise quickly, especially in the afternoon, and anglers need to be mindful of how this affects the fish, not just the fishing.
Enjoy the Adventure
For the most part, you will likely meet few other anglers in your quest. The nearly untouched streams you’ll encounter are a dry fly connoisseur’s dream. My last Utah Cutthroat Slam was completed with a single elk hair caddis for all four trout. Anglers who favor tenkara will likewise find enjoyment in the pursuit’s simplicity. Whatever your style, fishing this summer with one of these challenges in view will be days well spent.
