No question in my mind that this was a golden. Look at the fins. Rainbows typically don’t have orange fins. Cutts do, but don’t have a white tip or stripe.
Golden all the way.
I didn’t get much of a belly shot, but it was also red.
As happy as I was to catch one, I was kind of hoping to see more parr marks and some more vivid coloration, but I can’t be bummed at all about this catch.
Definitely not a cutthroat though. Rainbows and cutts are pretty easy to tell apart at any age, I think.
Yeah they probably aren’t in spawning colors yet, maybe because it’s been such a wet year. Congrats on an amazing catch, they are truly the most beautiful trout. Had to hike 50 miles over mountains and through bolder fields to catch mine. Maybe I’ll give the ones in the Uintahs a try! It’s too bad that so many high mountain lakes have stunted brookies in them instead of big goldens and cutthroat trout. It probably would never happen but it’d be awesome if they poisoned the brook trout and then re-stocked it with goldens!
Pretty sure the reason we don’t stock goldens anymore is because California stopped selling the eggs of their state fish.
(Jealous of the world record in WY? Maybe?)
Maybe the Boy Scout Jamboree could be held there and every brookie caught could be eaten.
Maybe the Boy Scout Jamboree could be held there and every brookie caught could be eaten.
Nice idea, but not realistic. I have been out with the scouts many a time. If most scouts had to rely on catching fish for food, they would starve to death in just a few days. They would be better off eating the bait.
Hence the smiley.
Sorry, forgot to use the sarcasm font.[crazy]
Curious, where is the other golden trout lake in the Unitas? They had them in Atwood Allred Carrot a few years back, but i thought they poisened them out to put native Colorado Cutthroat? Just a guess. An attempt to keep the drainages that drain to the Green in native species, even though they probably were not in the lakes.
You said it. Atwood. Big hike, but I saw someone’s photo of a golden from there, last year. Probably still some in it, I would think.
Seriously, thanks for the great posts!
Congrats! That is amazing, beautiful pics.
Is that bull trout? If so, what state are you going after the bull trout? They’re next on my bucket list. I don’t think they’re that hard to get in many places so I’ve limited it to Bull trout in Nevada to make it a challenge.
Now this (awesome) post has been revisited - I realized I never answered this question.
yes Bull Trout - and where is Idaho - Alturas lake, and the areas around Stanley - near the Sawtooths.
This was the 2010 report. But if you check my 2011 report you’ll see where I reposted the Tanner7 shot - what a toad, easily 4-5 lbs.
I’ll be taking a run up there again in July - specifics TBD.
Anyway - while we’re revisiting old posts…
Gee Loah, you never named the lake or gave GPS coordinates. Are you trying to protect some limited population or something? You’re so selfish!
The uintas looks like an amazing place, full of wondrous things. I wish I could get out their to experience the true nature of it. This was a Great post, Im glade you got your golden! This is one of the very few post’s you will see, that actually come out successful with the attempt at golden trout. Amazing feeling to anglers, that are just reading it.
Gee Loah, you never named the lake or gave GPS coordinates. Are you trying to protect some limited population or something? You’re so selfish!
What a smug response!
I’ll just remind people that anyone can catch these amazing, “rare” fish. Just takes the time and effort to do it. These fish are not on private land, and it won’t take paying a guide to find one. Just some hard work, dedication, and time.
You might want to start by googling “Utah Golden Trout”. Spend some time researching this topic and in no time flat you’ll know the “destination” to catch these truly awesome fish.
If Loah can do it, **anyone **can. I for one am going to try and catch one this coming year when I get the chance. I think a lot of people would like to scratch this off their “list” and catch a golden. You’d be crazy to think most anglers wouldn’t jump at the chance to catch one.
Awesome post and pics what a beutiful area, you sure put in some work to catch fish. Makes me want to head back up to the uintas 
What a smug response!
i guess someone needs to invent the sarcasim font
you talk about doing research,im pretty sure the member you replied to has done more then his fair share of research on alpine lakes and certain targeted species
If Loah can do it, **anyone **can
huh? i am kind of at a loss on this one.
I for one am going to try and catch one this coming year when I get the chance. I think a lot of people would like to scratch this off their “list” and catch a golden.
good luck! i agree with you as well. at least here in UT you have a shot at one over 5 inches, unlike the few we caught in cali.
Atwood still has remants of Goldens, we caught two in a small tributary going into Atwood 2 years ago. I would say for every 30-40 brook you might catch a golden out of Echo and for every 70-80 brook you might catch golden out of Atwood.
Now that’s a beautiful golden! Atwood is serious work and I congratulate you!
Anyone who is willing to put in that kind of dedication to get into that basin is quite deserving of such a trophy.
I intend to do so in my days, if I can talk the boss into letting me. Mr. Day Trip, here.
(edit: Pardon me for posting on a topic that’s almost a year old.)