During the year, a significant milestone was reached when Cheyenne angler Matt Hoobler became the 500th person to submit a completed cutt-slam application. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department continues to get numerous inquiries from anglers planning their own Cutt-Slam expedition.

The Cutt-Slam was the brainchild of the late Pinedale area fisheries supervisor Ron Remmick who wanted to draw attention to the management efforts being done on behalf of the cutthroat. He looked at Wyoming's four cutthroat subspecies and the Cutt-Slam was born.

Since that time, cutthroat management efforts have continued with some of the most notable efforts being the reclamation of LaBarge Creek and waters in the Little Snake River drainage for Colorado River cutthroat.

Anglers who complete the Cutt-Slam are recognized for catching Wyoming's four subspecies of cutthroat in their native range in Wyoming. The four subspecies are the Yellowstone, Snake River, Bonneville and Colorado River cutthroat trout. Successful anglers receive a certificate listing the name of the angler, color artwork of the four subspecies and notation on the date and location of each catch. The Cutt-Slam program has been featured in fly fishing magazines and on several television programs.

Anglers completing the slam come from most states and several foreign countries. To qualify, an angler needs to provide a photograph of each fish and information on the date of catch and water where it was caught. There is no minimum size requirement. Releasing of fish is encouraged and may be required depending on the regulations for different waters.

Anglers interested in participating in the Cutt-Slam program can contact Game and Fish regional offices and Game and Fish headquarters in Cheyenne for information on drainages and different waters in the state where the various cutthroat subspecies are available. Cutt-Slam applications and listings of different cutthroat waters can also be found on the Game and Fish Web site.

News Source: Wyoming G&F - Mar. 17, 2009