Sea-Run Cutthroat, or SRCs, are an incredible fish that we believe are all too often overlooked (not quite the same draw as steelhead). These hard-fighting, aggressive fish are known for their acrobatic leaps and their willingness to smash a well-presented fly. But to get the most out of your time on the water, you need to be armed with the right tools—starting with the best sea run cutthroat flies.
In this post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about flies for sea-run cutthroat trout, from essential patterns to tips on presentation and retrieval. This guide will help seasoned anglers or beginners increase your chances of hooking into these feisty fish.
What are Sea Run Cutthroat?
Before we get into some of our favorite flies for Sea Run Cutthroat, let’s briefly discuss why you should add these fish to your list of species to chase on a fly rod. As the name suggests, unlike their cousins found across most of the west, Sea Run cutthroat are anadromous, meaning they run to the ocean and then back into freshwater rivers and streams.
They are found in coastal areas all the way from Northern California up to Alaska. SRCs are a popular target for anglers in the Pacific Northwest, but even though they are abundant in southeast Alaska they don’t get the same attention.
We love fishing for Sea Run cutthroat for many reasons. They’re beautiful fish with a wide range of looks from extremely silver to dark and spotted with brilliant cuts. Anglers should prepare for some hard takes, Sea run cutthroat are aggressive feeders. After the take, they put up a great fight, often leaping far out of the water putting on quite a show.
Now that we’ve told you why we like them so much, let’s discuss the flies we use.
Key Fly Characteristics
To understand what flies to choose, it’s important to understand the feeding habits of these fish. Sea Run Cutthroat are aggressive and opportunistic predators and their diet consists of several different types of food.
While what they are keying on exactly may change slightly depending on the time of year, more often than not a smaller baitfish will trigger a response. In the spring this will mostly mean small salmon fry that are outmigrating towards the ocean, which can be very small.
These small baitfish are a year round food source, so it’s typically a good place to start. Once the salmon move into the rivers to begin spawn, they start to look for eggs floating down river. For them, this is an easier meal and one they will readily take.
When choosing flies, you want patterns that imitate these food sources. Look for flies with these characteristics:
- Movement: Sea-run cutthroat trout love flies that have lifelike movement in the water. Think materials like marabou, rabbit strips, and soft hackles that breathe with every strip of your line.
- Size: Sea-run cutthroat flies are generally small to medium-sized. Most patterns range from sizes 6 to 10, though smaller shrimp patterns may be tied on size 12 hooks.
- Flash: A little bit of flash can go a long way when fishing for sea-run cutthroat. Flies that incorporate flashabou or crystal flash mimic the shine of baitfish scales in the water, which can trigger aggressive strikes.
- Color: Popular colors for sea-run cutthroat flies include olive, white, chartreuse, and blue. Some anglers also swear by hot pink or orange, especially when fishing in low-light conditions or in murky water.
Essential Sea Run Cutthroat Flies
Now that we’ve discussed some of the basics, let’s look at some of the flies that are standard when fishing for sea run cutthroats.
- Clouser Minnow
This is a classic pattern for SRCs and if you don’t carry anything else, bring this. The clouser imitates a variety of baitfish, and will definitely do the trick on most days. A pattern with some flash is most effective.
How to Fish It: Use a strip-pause-strip retrieve, allowing the fly to dart through the water column like a fleeing baitfish. Vary your retrieve speed until you find what the fish are keyed in on that day.
Overall this is our favorite fly to fish for SRCs. It’s a topwater fly, which means that it won’t quite be as effective as a clouser, but it can lead to some exciting takes. We’ve watched sea run cutthroat jump completely out of the water to hit this fly, and that is always fun.
How to Fish It: Similar to the clouser, different retrieves work. You want to make sure the fly is pushing water, but after that just makes sure you are varying the presentation until the fish tell you what they like. Sometimes strip it fast, sometimes give one big strip and a long pause, and sometimes skate it across the surface.
- Egg Pattern/Bead
Classic Alaska. When the salmon are in and spawning, there really isn’t a more effective way to catch fish. Cutthroat, dollie’s, rainbows, and more will be waiting either in the redds or just behind to catch any free floating egg. Earlier in the season, before the spawning starts, make sure to stick with some of the other flies on the list.
How to Fish It: Dead drift an egg pattern or bead just behind a spawning salmon. You want a natural drift without a lot of drag…but that said, they will chase a bead. Focus on any deep pools or runs downstream from the spawning areas as well.
- Epoxy Shrimp
When sea-run cutthroat trout are feeding on shrimp, the Epoxy Shrimp is the go-to pattern. Its realistic shape and translucent body make it a deadly choice when the fish are keying in on crustaceans.
How to Fish It: Cast near structure or into the current, and let the fly drift naturally with occasional small strips to imitate a shrimp’s movements.
Tips for Fishing Sea Run Cutthroat Flies
Knowing the best sea run cutthroat flies is only half the battle—how you present those flies can make all the difference. Here are some tips to maximize your success:
Vary Your Retrieve
Sea-run cutthroat can be unpredictable, so it’s important to experiment with your retrieve. Sometimes they’ll hit a fly stripped fast and erratically, while other times a slow, steady retrieve works best. Start with a medium pace and adjust until you find what triggers a bite.
Match the Hatch
Like any trout, sea-run cutthroat can get selective about their food source. Pay attention to what baitfish or shrimp are present and try to match your fly accordingly. This is especially important if you notice fish feeding but not taking your fly.
Fish the Tides (If near saltwater)
Tides play a huge role in sea-run cutthroat fishing. The best time to fish is typically during a moving tide—either incoming or outgoing. Fish will move into estuaries and nearshore areas with the tide, following baitfish, so plan your fishing sessions around the tide charts for the best results.
Cover Water
Sea-run cutthroat trout are often on the move, so don’t stick to one spot for too long if you’re not seeing action. Move along the shoreline or change locations entirely if the fish aren’t biting. A portable approach will help you find active fish more quickly.
Conclusion
Targeting sea-run cutthroat trout is one of the most rewarding experiences a fly angler can have, and having the right flies in your box can make all the difference. From topwater poppers to subsurface streamers, the sea run cutthroat flies mentioned here will give you a solid foundation for success.
Remember, fishing for sea-run cutthroat is as much about exploration and adapting to conditions as it is about matching the right fly. Get out there, experiment with different patterns, and enjoy the thrill of chasing these amazing fish in the wild places!