This Tiny Creek was LOADED with Rare Trout! (Threatened Species Pt 2) || THE COLORADO SERIES

THE COLORADO SERIES Day 4 takes us to a high elevation lake in search of the threatened species known as the Greenback Cutthroat Trout. It is the State fish of Colorado.
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The Greenback Cutthroat was declared extinct in 1937 and later found in one small stream known as Bear Creek in Colorado. The species was put on life support as the Colorado Park and Wildlife attempted to bring the species back to life. After years of work from both the CWP and other volunteers (such as Trout Unlimited) the Greenback Cutthroat can now be caught in various locations across Colorado. We were able to find one of those locations thanks to my buddy Matt Sandor and had quite a bit of luck. The species is still listed as Threatened on the endangered species act and due to the delicate nature of these fish I have kept the location private. If you have any serious inquiries my DM's are open on the Instagram linked to the KZbin channel.
Please like, comment, and subscribe! Thanks for the support!

[@jamesschmitter2643]

Dudes, Rocky Mountains meadow stream.... What could be better?? Nothing! Beautiful guys, native cutthroats, the scenery, truly awesome! I've said it before, camo shirts and hats, it does help. I truly loved this one. Just awesome!!

[@hardmanfishing]

You’re right it can’t be better! Thanks for watching!

[@floydgilmour3994]

Brilliantly produced and edited video of some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen on a youtube fishing vid, not to mention the gorgeous cutthroats, was a privilege to watch Jon. Can't wait for next week 🐟⛰️

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you so much!! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Next week will be even better!

[@jseidell75]

I’ve been fishing wild fish in these situations my whole life. I find much more success by crawling up to holes like this. Hands down the most fun you can have with a fly rod. Love to see you guys really appreciating it.

[@hardmanfishing]

I nearly had too at some points. It was truly amazing to watch these fish feed and attempt to catch them. Thanks for watching man!

[@hardmanfishing]

@MysteriousOklahoma Small stream trout will always hold a special place in my heart!

[@michaelsmith7193]

The adventure continues! And this viewer is delighted. Gorgeous fish and scenery. I’m especially fond of those little mountain meadow streams!

[@hardmanfishing]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Those little meadow streams are so gorgeous

[@DownstreamDownrange]

That just looks ridiculously fun to fish a tiny creek with quality fish like that

[@hardmanfishing]

It was! Thanks for watching!

[@DownstreamDownrange]

new Leaf uhhhhh idk it’s really fun Hahahah. Have you ever tried it? It’s amazing

[@hardmanfishing]

@@DownstreamDownrange hahaha I guess new leaf has never fished a small creek.

[@jerryoconnor9133]

Can't believe streams like this even exist. I want to fish something like this next time I'm out in co.

[@fronylol]

The small streams hold the prettiest! Recently caught some brooks on a stream just as small. Typically the most memorable too!

[@hardmanfishing]

Yep the small stream fish seem to be prettier (at least in my opinion). Thanks for watching!

[@medtech1a]

Great video. Awesome looking trout. Wish I was there with you guys.

[@hardmanfishing]

What was such a beautiful day! Thanks for watching!

[@WildRapier]

Nice to see small ones growing up!

[@jeromedwojak918]

Great job fishing, and the scenery just absolutely fantastic and beautiful country! You three picked a good trip, paid off!

[@hardmanfishing]

100% agree! Thanks for watching!

[@FirstCastMedia]

[@hardmanfishing]

Yep I’ll go back and watch all of these videos back for years to come without a doubt! Thanks for watching

[@thetruth9775]

Love the catching of rare trout!! Very addicting to watch.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@CurtisOutdoors]

That’s are some nice trout! Keep up the good work!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@tightliningmd]

Gentlemen, another great vid. Love the lake stuff again. Very cool to see them cruising around in such shallow water just sipping. Gotta love it! Gorgeous fish from start to finish and a lot of stealth to make it happen. Tight lines guys!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks mike! Glad you liked it! Tight lines

[@cdp200442]

Awesome.. beautiful trout my favorite type of fishing

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@bionicsjw]

I was in Rocky Mountain National Park years ago when some members of the Colo. Fish and Wildlife division were checking stream health with a stunning devise. It would temporarily stun the fish with a shock and they would record the data and release the fish. I saw them catch and release several fish that day and they were either this species of an even more rare type of trout, the Palomino Trout.

[@bionicsjw]

It was in small streams like this video shows.

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah this was not in Rocky Mountain National Park but I believe it. The CPW does electro shocking all over the state to see what the populations of trout are like. It is pretty cool stuff

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

Great video ! Was this entire video filmed with GoPros ? If not what other kind of cameras are you using ?

[@hardmanfishing]

Nope, I also have a Panasonic lumix G9

[@FreQuese]

im really new to fishing and getting into it, but how come he "flings/slings" his line in at 2:17?

[@TheCanyonFlyShop]

Hey it’s Matt from the video, this is called the bow and arrow cast and we use it in lots of different ways and angles to make short accurate casts or when we need to get under structure or tight spots

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah @@TheCanyonFlyShop beat me to it but he is correct. It is a relatively easy cast to make (at least in my opinion) and cuts down on the chances of getting stuck in the trees around you.

[@mnd1955]

@@TheCanyonFlyShop Ever tried dapping? I was taught to an old Scots ghillie how to do that on waters with steep banks and lots of tree cover. Caught some of my best brownies using that trick. Another fun pastime is tickling trout but I have never once managed to catch one. Maybe before I drop of the twig, I'll manage it. Great video by the way. Some very healthy looking trout there. I assume you fish barbless? Do you tie your own flies?

[@TheCanyonFlyShop]

Mark I’ve actually caught a few native brookies in WV tickling, thought it would be a cool challenge and it was super fun. Saw bear gryls do it and it gave me the idea. Also definitely used that tree and willow cover out here tons for dapping for cutthroats, I’ve done it for browns and brookies and rainbows too but cutthroat are the easiest for that method

[@David-uj2ms]

Something to remember... 14 seconds out of water and you have done irreparable damage to a fish respiratory system. Nice fish! Nice video.

[@hardmanfishing]

14 seconds is a pretty long time so I believe it. Thanks for watching!

[@farioreo]

you dont need heavy pliers just some regular forceps,nice video

[@farioreo]

Or perhaps the term more commonly used and perhaps correct is hemostat instead of forceps.Love your videos.Regards

[@TheCanyonFlyShop]

This is Matt from the video, I literally have 10 pairs of hemostats but I’ve actually always preferred pliers for about a million reasons but to each their own

[@markmeyer6800]

Brook trout are a blast to catch. In some streams there are the occasional Greyling where I live which is extra special to see.

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah we have a ton of brook trout where I live as well. That is why I made the mistake of calling the cutthroat a brook trout! Too excited and so used to catching them. Thanks for watching!

[@guillermopetermann]

hey, great set of vids, it seems like youre having a great time camping too. I havent seen the footage on that Session camera on the landing net, do you like it at all ?

[@hardmanfishing]

The session camera wasn’t mine so I didn’t get the footage. We use it occasionally but I don’t have extra gopros for my personal net.

[@guillermopetermann]

@@hardmanfishing is the 5 ? they are nice, I got one for this season

[@illiadmcswain3956]

Y'all are skilled fly fishers...

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@treysportsman6464]

What brand of fly rod was you using

[@Michael65429]

If you look under the description you'll see that he's using a Risen.

[@treysportsman6464]

@@Michael65429 are those good rods. I've never tried one

[@hardmanfishing]

We use risen (at least in this video) and the specific rod was an ITB in a 3 wt

[@ironbrutesrage]

Colorado is amazing

[@hardmanfishing]

It definitely is!

[@CasualGirlAdventures]

Wow that is a beautiful trout rare for sure, I never seen like that, awesome job. beautiful place to go fishing, take care my friend

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video!

[@kevinbuda7087]

Huck finn goes fishing. Thanks for letting me tag along.

[@allanclark1465]

you all should come to nz to see some big trout those are babies

[@hardmanfishing]

It's on my bucket list man! But these fish are different than the big rainbows and browns in NZ. These are native trout to those streams and live their entire lives in a nearly impossible environment. Sometimes it isn't always about the size... But thanks for watching!

[@kennethgallegos4590]

Nice video dude, Pretty fish!!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you so much! Glad you liked the video

[@shawnwhalen8314]

Cool fish... looks great out there!

[@hardmanfishing]

It is! Thanks for watching

[@stevecheuv]

Where is your WV boy from?

[@hardmanfishing]

Matt is from North central WV, but all of us are from various parts of WV

[@stevecheuv]

I’m originally from Clarksburg. Probably near where he is from. Now In mountains of NC slaying the trout.

[@robertgibson7716]

love fishing for wild brown trout in Scotland in small burns as we call them in one day caught 56 and returned them all mate the hunt is the best part lol

[@hardmanfishing]

Couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching!

[@riverrightoutdoors]

Such a beautiful film and fish .....

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@aaronmiller6118]

there aren't places like that where I go fishing. there are some little streams but they aren't that flat and they are surrounded by trees so there isn't going to be any sight fishing. the nearest cutthroat trout are also thousands of miles away. but I go fishing when I can and I make do with what I have

[@hardmanfishing]

That is the same way with me! I traveled thousands of miles to catch one of these cutthroat trout. Just glad I got the opportunity. Thanks for watching!

[@aleta5873]

Some beautiful country there...those fish are smart.

[@hardmanfishing]

Without a doubt! Thanks for watching

[@mandovapehater6988]

Somewhat. You let that fly line lay on the water where I live and you're fish will be under a rock. Funny how they're different at least in the Southern Appalachian mtns. Good job tho.

[@rushjohnston5718]

Any trout fishing tips? Everytime I go I never catch anything!!

[@hardmanfishing]

I could go on for hours lol if you're new I would start out with a spinning rod and maybe a spinner or even night crawlers. Get an idea for how they feel and where they hold in the water. Then you can transition into fly fishing or other techniques. If you never have success its hard to keep fishing, so just try to catch them in the easiest possible way. Check your local stocking program and try to catch this fish first, they're (typically) easier to catch.

[@lukewilson3271]

those were some great looking fish.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@junqiyang4109]

there are many places in the national park that greenbacks can be caught, but most of them are hybrid with other cutthroat or rainbow

[@inkjob12]

With that very small stream....it would be a perfect stream for Tenkara fishing.

[@hardmanfishing]

You’re not wrong

[@rockymountaintrout2689]

I live in Colorado so I'm gonna have to hunt this place down!

[@hardmanfishing]

Haha good luck man!! It really shouldn't be too hard to find if you live in the area or do some research. Thanks for watching!

[@vickyplays2210]

Is this fish difficult to catch

[@hardmanfishing]

Not particularly, assuming you know where they are

[@ruslanabdillah2093]

Nice fish and nice view

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@TheClcchristiankc1]

Beautiful fish bro!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@edwarddeitch8886]

Where the hell do those fish live in the winter? That trickle must freeze solid. Great video.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! I assume they drop back off to the lake. But I could be wrong. Thanks for watching!

[@TheCanyonFlyShop]

Hey it’s Matt from the video, they definitely move into the lake. They are super smart, I just went there again a few days ago and the creek was basically barren above and below the lake because the water is so low. They know it’s time to move into the lake for the winter

[@shanesalmo1163]

Yeah, rusty ole pliers are the way to go for catch n lelease.

[@hardmanfishing]

HAHAHAHAHAHA Idk what video you're watching but it isn't this one

[@edwarddeitch8886]

You need a 15 or 20 ft lightweight bamboo and just dap fish. No reel. 3 to 5 ft mono line and nymphs.

[@caleb5392]

You videos make me jealous in northern Virginia I can’t even catch a trout

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoy the videos! I'm sorry you can't catch a trout though, it should get better for you here in the next month or so with the cooler weather and the stockings.

[@caleb5392]

@@hardmanfishing yeah definitely I’m going up to Shanandoah National park next weekend so I’m sure I’m going to catch some native Brookies

[@ashtonlisk5855]

@@caleb5392 Oh well place looks lame

[@philcollin5891]

Wow, I’m new to fishing, and I’ve been so ignorant I didn’t think you could catch fish like that in a Creek. 🤦‍♂️

[@hardmanfishing]

Fish are almost everywhere as long as the water is clean! Thanks for watching!

[@mynameisnotcory]

Tenkara mode activated

[@hardmanfishing]

That would've definitely worked for the small creek without a doubt

[@Michael65429]

You mean "Cane pole" don't you? Haha

[@leviarmstrong2274]

I went to a school in Marion County WV and that dude who caught the first one was my substitute teacher a couple times!! Hahah. Swear to god 🙌🏼

[@hardmanfishing]

Haha!! I believe it! He told me he was a sub teacher at one point. Small world!

[@TheCanyonFlyShop]

I remember you Levi! Glad you liked the video!

[@mikeb1841]

You try “shadow casting”? lol!!!

[@RashRaceway]

That's amazing.

[@hupasdasai176]

Those fish are too small for cooking or why released back into the water ?🤔

[@henryleslievermont6004]

Some day I will make the trek West :)

[@hardmanfishing]

It’s worth it!

[@cliffordfarley30]

Is it just me or is it nearly impossible to play videos over 480-720p

[@hardmanfishing]

If you’re watching on mobile it can be tough.

[@dannypeters8126]

Nice,but to small,my biggest rainbow trout was over 14lb,brown trout 21lb and a brook trout 8lb,thats pretty good considering i caught these in Australia,where these are bigger then what you usually catch here.

[@hardmanfishing]

Well to be fair the point of this particular video wasn't large fish. I have plenty of videos showcasing large fish. This was to catch a particular species of trout.

[@briangrignon8799]

You should get rid of them blue and red clothes if your fishing clear water

[@hardmanfishing]

It didn't effect us much.. the fish just didn't like our flies LOL Thanks for watching!

[@briangrignon8799]

Either way nice vids man. You guys inspired me with the gopros. We catch 20+ browns all summer, Hatch, streamers, nymphs and emergers. Definitely saving up for cameras. Thanks guys.

[@hardmanfishing]

@@briangrignon8799 Thanks for watching man! It means a lot. Glad you like the videos and sounds like you have some awesome fishing.

[@briangrignon8799]

Get yourselves some 8 weights and Make your way to Wisco for steelheads.

[@hardmanfishing]

@@briangrignon8799 I'd love to someday! Can't do it now because of my job

[@jonnytheal8693]

You probably shouldn't let the fish bounce off the rocks repeatedly if you are going to release the fish

[@hardmanfishing]

We fully understand that and I’m 100% sure Matt did not purposefully bounce the fish off the rocks when it popped off.

[@TheCanyonFlyShop]

Hey it’s Matt from the video, the last thing in the world I’d ever want to do is purposefully hurt these trout. Sorry if it was bad aesthetics as the trout bounced off the rocks between my angle and the log I was trying to put more pressure that I normally would and the fish went crazy and ran straight up at me into the rocks. Sorry if that made watching the video less enjoyable for you I can assure you that it rarely happens and if it does I always feel bad about it, I can speak for all of us in saying we care about the trout first and foremost more than anything else

[@HmongGuitarPlayer]

Damn that was great I jump up when hook him. Lol

[@stonefly69]

Two rules: keep the fish in the water and don't handle the fish. Use a device like the Ketchum Release. Cool vid.

[@alvarengaaustin]

Or wet your hands before picking them up (if you decide you take a picture).

[@nicksparkes1378]

what a crock of shit just wet your hand first and they will be fine with no ill affect.

[@nicksparkes1378]

those fish smashing against the rocks etc and your spouting keep them in the water 😂😂😂

[@horizanadventures]

I couldn't agree with you more. I see all these video's about all these so called sportsman. Banging there fish on the rocks, bank,leaving them out of the water for minutes and minutes at a time. Taking pictures, talking about how beautiful they look. If you are going to release it do it right or just kill the dam thing. Don't torture it for show.

[@stonefly69]

@@nicksparkes1378 Brilliant reply! Brilliant!

[@leonardwells9613]

Incredible location and fishing but one thing for such a rare fish you are handling the fish far too much and I fear a high mortality from the contact. A proper more gentle hook removal tool would be advised to reduce handling time and reduce injury to the fish. Good fishing and tight lines. 👍🎣👍

[@Michael65429]

Guys, I've really enjoyed your videos but I think you mishandled that first cuttie. In my opinion, the fish was out of the water too long just so you could get a shot. Considering they are an endangered species, you need to be extra cautious to insure their survival. Sometimes that means sacrificing the perfect shot for the safety of the fish. Personally, when I fish for native brookies I never take pictures just to insure limited time out of the water and minimize pressure on the fish! Sorry to be so hard on you but you gotta expect it. Because your channel is getting more popular, you have a responsibility to reflect good stewardship. Other than that, it's a great video! One final thought: ditch the needle nose pliers and get some long handled forceps! I've seen people do horrible things with pliers...

[@Airdaman1]

I have my fish out maybe 30 seconds at a time at most. I prep and make sure the barb is pinched down and my forceps are readily available. Nobody's perfect though.

[@davec4224]

I was think same thing

[@Michael65429]

@@Airdaman1 Yeah, I'm all about barbless too but sometimes the fish just inhales it and forceps are always better than pliers. If it was a bass I wouldn't have said anything...

[@Airdaman1]

@@Michael65429 I won't even fish without forceps. I carry 2 at all times.

[@hardmanfishing]

To be honest I wasn’t even there when it happened (I was about 50 yards up stream) but I trust my friends Dallas and Matt. I watched the video through unedited and watched the release and the fish looked super healthy. It may not have been ideal but fishing isn’t always ideal. I can either cut it all out and appear perfect or include the times when the fish is hooked deeply. It is what it is. Also as a side note although these fish are a threatened species it’s more so because they’re only really found in one drainage in the world and The fish themselves are actually fairly abundant in that drainage. In other words if you live there it’s not a big deal to catch one.

[@wadejameson6168]

When I was growing up in Western Montana, there were streams all over with Cutthroats and Brookies in them. I remember the older guys, when they’d catch a Bull trout, they’d kill it and leave it for the scavengers since they taste like mushy mud. Later, when I became an adult, the powers that be, declared Bull Trout protected. Those same streams are pretty much empty of Cutthroats now since the carnivorous Bulls took over and dominate.

[@KHÁØSGaMER1]

Its the natural area and streams of the bull trout ? The same problem here in colorado our native greenback cutthroat were almost wiped out because of the the introduction of rainbows n brown's

[@jonnytheal8693]

Sorry for coming down on you guys, as I get older I feel much more compassion for animals mabe because of the way animals have been treated, by myself as well. I release most fish I catch now, and I have never seen a trout like that so it makes me think they are rare.

[@abevavra6725]

They look tasty

[@hardmanfishing]

well.. its illegal to keep them I believe.. so I'd stick to eating other trout LOL

[@brodieriley8968]

That reel looks just like my wet fly reel

[@WillAnderson3rd]

Cutthroat are just rainbows 🌈 Catching Brook and Goldens in streams in California is much more impressive. You can get Brooks around 9,000 feet. Goldens you have to go above 10,000 feet

[@hardmanfishing]

Well I can catch brook trout in my home state so cutthroat has always been on my bucket list. Golden trout are also on the bucket list, I'll try to catch them on a future mission. Thanks for watching! (just as a random bit of information, our brookies sit at around 2 to 3,000 feet)

[@hardmanfishing]

@Ross Cox I just don't even correct people anymore lol I'd go crazy

[@hardmanfishing]

@Ross Cox yeah I run into that a lot. Doesn't matter what I catch someone has caught something better in one way or another. I'm pretty used to it at this point. But that sounds awesome!!! I'd love to make it to the north west one day, I've heard you guys have some awesome fishing out there.

[@hardmanfishing]

@Ross Cox No problem man! I love hearing stories from a different part of the country. It is funny how things happen in the east that is very similar. Tight lines and glad you enjoy the channel!

[@ashtonlisk5855]

I thought that was bear creek

[@hardmanfishing]

Nope!

[@tonymazelon3400]

Go Mountaineers

[@georgefloyd8122]

Who else saw the quality limit😳

[@blackout6967]

Not really rare fish but still cool

[@hardmanfishing]

Well they're technically rare because they're only in one or two drainages in the world. But if you're from the area you are correct they aren't all that rare. Anyway thanks for watching!

[@randomconsumer4494]

Look at that area... Tell me there is a prettier place on the earth and I will call you a liar..

[@hardmanfishing]

I 100% agree! It was unreal scenery

[@fabianvenegassalinas4490]

Puras cornetas

[@andreszapico2247]

Very slow release !!

[@magicone9327]

Camera ability to lock onto subject isn't working!

[@robertspies4695]

If they are an endangered species or sub-species why in the hell are you fishing for them? Fish for the ones that aren't endangered.

[@hardmanfishing]

They’re a threatened species because of their small range and negative environmental impacts made previously by people. If you live in these areas in CO they’re pretty common because of the hard work put in by fisherman and volunteers. They’re completely legal to fish for and fishing is even used as a way of conserving them because it adds value to the species. Also to be fair most cutthroat trout are threatened because of environmental reasons. The only fish I’d be able to fish for is non native species which shouldn’t even be there to begin with 😂

[@mandovapehater6988]

Why do you all work downstream? Everybody I know works their way up the stream. Why is this?

[@hardmanfishing]

We don't work downstream? We only did in this instance because we had already worked as far as we could upstream and then turned around

[@mandovapehater6988]

@@hardmanfishing gotcha. Good deal

[@mestevens5756]

Chromance lenses?

[@hardmanfishing]

Yessir

[@fabiangenerao7367]

Handle the rare trout in catch and release method properly. You BIG, BIG BUNCH OF CLOWNS ..... LEAVE THE TROUT IN THE NET IN THE WATER AND REMOVE THE HOOK ..... MINIMAL HANDLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@05c4r6]

1st comment

[@Michael65429]

Is that all you have to say? Don't disrespect people with your garbage...