(Lander, Wyo.) – If adding one’s name to the small pool of anglers who have completed the storied Wyoming Cutt Slam isn’t enough, there are even more rewards to lure trout-seekers to embark on the challenge. The Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are excited to announce a medallion will now be provided to people who complete the Wyoming Cutt Slam. The medallion accompanies a colored certificate and decal.
The new medallions, produced and paid for by the Wyoming Council and state chapters of Trout Unlimited, feature the work of Wyoming artist Bruce Speidel. The image is a painting of a Yellowstone cutthroat Speidel created for the Wyoming Conservation Stamp Competition called “Yellowstone Originals” and is displayed on the front of the medallion. The medallion also recognizes former Game and Fish regional fisheries supervisor Ron Remmick as the “Father of the Slam”.
“Game and Fish is proud to partner with Wyoming Trout Unlimited to promote the Cutt Slam program. The Cutt Slam started here and is growing in popularity as a means of getting more people outside and celebrating all that is being done to conserve native trout in Wyoming,” said Alan Osterland, Game and Fish chief of fisheries. “We invite anglers to give this challenge a try.”
The Cutt Slam challenge involves reeling in and submitting photos of a Bonneville, Colorado River, Snake River and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The photos must be labeled with the date and location. Trout must be caught in their native ranges to be considered. To help, Game and Fish developed an interactive mapping tool to locate waters that meet these standards and give recommendations on where to fish. Upon completion, anglers download an online application from the Game and Fish Cutt-Slam webpage to submit with their photographs. Upon confirmation by Game and Fish that their slam info is correct, they will receive their awards.
As partners, Game and Fish and Wyoming Trout Unlimited hope more anglers will learn about native trout as they earn their Wyoming Cutt Slam.
“Our goal is to foster and promote native cutthroat trout species,” said Cole Sherard, chair of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited. “We hope individuals will recognize the value these native fish have in our incredible state and help to conserve them and their habitats.”
Locally, Yellowstone Cutthroat are found in the Popo Agie, East Fork of the Wind River, and the Upper Wind River. See a complete list and a map of where each species of cutthroat can be found in Wyoming here.