This fish is just as special to me as a 20+ steelhead. I love these big ol cutties. This big hen was about 22 inches and very bright. beautiful fish.

Beautiful specimen, congrats

Nice fish and nice handling !! Love to see the water dripping off lets you know it was quick pic and release!!

solid! I have yet to break the 20" mark and photos like these make it even harder to decide between fall steelhead and src...

Great fish - a true 20 inch cutthroat is huge angling accomplishment.

At least here in my home waters (north Puget Sound rivers) it has been my experience/observation that a true 20 inch cutthroat occurs less frequently in the species' population than 40 inch wild steelhead or 30 inch bull trout.

In fact I think today I'll go looking for some cutthroat.

Tight lines
Curt

Very nice! Definitely not a daily occurrence...

Beautiful. Those are such great fish....

damn straight nice gotdamn fish!

Gorgeous chromed out hen !

Congrats on the fish & perfect handling too, bet she went back in strong.


c/22

Thanks Guys. The rubber net + barbless hooks is a great combo for handling these fish. half the time the hook just falls out in the net before I even touch the fish. She went back strong and I saw her again tonight along with another big fish. hopefully they keep the good genes going and avoid the poachers and indian nets.

Gotta love Sea-Run Cutthroats.

Seriously Dave, that is something really special.....I wish everyone knew just how rare a cutt that size is in the salt. Thanks for posting the shots.......great to know those rare beasts are still swimming around! Did you hit him on the surface?

Mingo- A big cutt like that is my favorite fish. They are truly something special. Due to circumstances around my area I fear i wont see them much longer.
As for my fly, In 07 a friend and i came up with the ultimate big cutthroat fly. It was a revelation. up to that point I had caught some nice fish, but never gotten the big ones consistantly. I now feel like i have the ammo to go after big cutts and get them. the clousers, poppers, spiders and all other flies I am sure have their days, but my fly puts em all to shame when it comes to targeting and catching big cutties. It isnt on the surface, and it isnt easy to fish, but it does get the job done.... and with the qater being so clear lately its been a visual take just about every time.
There was a big ol "Mingo O Face" when I saw this hen detach herself from the bottom and come n git it.