Many species of trout exist in the western mountains. Some are native but many more are planted, or nonnative. Nonnative trout are valued for their durability and size. In the 1970s it was common to stock entire rivers with non native cutthroat or rainbow trout for their fishing potential. Unfortunately, this led to a radical reduction in native trout numbers across the Western Hemisphere.

 

Currently, there are 21 native trout and char species addressed by the Western Native Trout Initiative:  Alaskan Kokanee, Alaskan Lake Trout, Alaskan Fluvial Rainbow Trout, Apache Trout, Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling, Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, California Golden Trout, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, Dolly Varden, Gila Trout, Greenback Cutthroat Trout, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Little Kern Golden Trout, Paiute Cutthroat Trout, Redband Trout, Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (Western 2019). Almost all are threatened or endangered. Fly fisherman are leading the charge to save many of these species which is conducive to the cultural expectation of sustainability and preservation of the wild.

 

Fly fisherman today target all species allowed by law. Most native species are catch and release only. Catch and release means that one catches the fish and then releases it unharmed into the water. Not to say that it doesn't cause any harm at all studies vary but fish mortality is between 10 and 30%. Flight fishermen attempt to reduce that mortality by using barbless hooks.

 

Here are some examples of native trout species that are endangered but present catch and release potential. Notice the color in size variety between species.