Get your Cutt-Slam and become an X-Stream angler this hunting season
by Wyoming Game and Fish
August 7, 2013
The next few months will offer anglers some of the best opportunities of the year to participate in two popular fishing programs and be recognized for their accomplishment.
Both the Cutt-Slam and X-Stream Angler programs offer anglers unique opportunities to experience Wyoming’s scenery and fishing diversity. By participating in the programs, anglers will gain an appreciation for management efforts on behalf of cutthroat trout and to maintain stream flows in Wyoming waters.
"Many of the waters involved in the Cutt-Slam and X-Stream Angler programs are also near to some of our most popular hunting areas," said Tom Annear, water management supervisor for Game and Fish and X-Stream Angler program administrator. "It is possible that hunters could come back from the mountains this fall with their X-Stream Angler and Cutt-Slam qualifications as well as their elk."
Wyoming’s Cutt-Slam program is now in its 17th year and sometime this summer or fall, the Game and Fish will receive an application from the 1000th person to qualify for the Wyoming Cutt-Slam. World famous fly-fishing equipment manufacturer Orvis Co. has donated a complete fly rod, reel and line combo to the 1000th person who qualifies for the Cutt-Slam. In addition, Game and Fish will provide the recipient with a Cutt-Slam shirt and patch.
The Cutt-Slam recognizes anglers who catch 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. Anglers who catch Wyoming’s four subspecies of cutthroat receive a certificate listing the angler’s name, color artwork of each subspecies and the date and location of each catch.
One of the Cutt-Slam’s key components is that anglers must catch each of the fish in their native range in Wyoming. Over the years, several of the cutthroat subspecies have been stocked in waters outside of their native drainages. Cutthroat caught in these waters do not meet the Cutt-Slam’s native range requirement. (Find a map of the native ranges of the four subspecies at the Game and Fish website, wgfd.wyo.gov.)
Game and Fish started the X-Stream Angler program last year to raise awareness about the state’s efforts to protect flows on fisheries for the public. Thanks to the state’s instream flow law, created in 1986, Wyoming has pursued flow protections on more than 130 stream segments throughout the state.
"Securing needed flow on these streams under the state’s existing water law is one of the most cost-effective ways to maintain important habitat for native cutthroat trout and other fish, and to provide angling opportunities for future generations," said Annear.
To become an X-Stream Angler, simply fish three instream segments, submit a photo of yourself fishing the segment and send in an application. In addition to receiving a certificate from Game and Fish, anglers who fish three segments will receive a poplin baseball cap with the program logo. Anglers who fish seven of the stream segments will receive an upscale oil-cloth cap.
Learn more about the Cutt-Slam and X-Stream Angler programs at the Game and Fish website, including a list of instream segments, information about each stream how to get there, and the application forms.
Game and Fish Calendar
Aug. 15 – Archery season opens for pronghorn in most hunt areas
Sept. 1 – Season opens for mourning doves
Sept. 1 – Season opens for blue grouse, ruffed grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse
Sept. 1 – Season opens for cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare and red, gray and fox squirrels
Sept. 1 – Archery season opens for deer and elk in most hunt areas
Ask Game and Fish
Q. Is my Wyoming fishing license good in Yellowstone National Park and on the Wind River Indian Reservation?
A. No. Both Yellowstone and the Indian reservation have their own fishing permit that is required to fish waters within the park and reservation boundaries. However, if you wish to fish in Wyoming’s other national park, Grand Teton, a Wyoming fishing license is required.
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