13 Aug Advice from 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook cover stars Jordan and Wade Parker
By Darby Doyle – Utah DWR Communications Team Coordinator
When we were sifting through potential Utah Fishing Guidebook cover images for the 2026 edition, we kept returning to this one of Jordan Parker and his son Wade (then age 3). The joy on their faces epitomized our own excitement for fishing, no matter how large or small the fish at the end of the line may be. Even better? The image was one of Wade’s proof-of-completion photos submitted for the Utah Cutthroat Slam.
The DWR launched the Utah Cutthroat Slam in partnership with Utah Trout Unlimited in 2016. In the past decade, over 2,300 anglers have completed the slam, raising more than $130,000 for native trout conservation in Utah. Anglers can register for the slam online or at any retail license agent, and the participation fee is $20 for adults and $10 for youth under 18. To complete the slam, an angler must catch, photograph and release at least one of each of Utah’s four cutthroat trout subspecies — Bear River, Bonneville, Colorado River and Yellowstone cutthroat trout — in their native waters. Like Jordan, many anglers have completed the slam multiple times, earning a commemorative medallion with each successful finish.
Although the DWR hasn’t tracked the ages of Utah Cutthroat Slam finishers with enough detail to know who was the youngest participant ever to complete it, Wade was certainly one of them. At the age of 3, he became the 1,967th angler to have their proof-of-completion submission approved by slam officials in September of 2025.
Graciously, Jordan shared with us some advice on how to get kids hooked on fishing, and helpful tips for completing the slam at any age. Here are some highlights of our recent conversation.
DWR: Congratulations to you and Wade on that terrific cover photo for the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook! What was Wade’s reaction to seeing it?
Jordan Parker: Wade was so excited, he wanted to show all of our family. He even wanted to show his friends at daycare!
DWR: Tell us more about that cover fish!
JP: We used the map feature on the Utah Cutthroat Slam website to see where we could catch his Bonneville cutthroat trout, and the Uinta range has a lot of kid-friendly waters to choose from. We found some small pocket water along the Mirror Lake Highway, and Wade was able to get multiple fish on his fly rod with an ant.
DWR: Which cutthroat subspecies was the most elusive to catch?
JP: The Bear River cutthroat was a little challenging because of the overgrowth of trees. I had to teach Wade how to bow-and-arrow cast into the waters. We had to go up a second time to get his Bear because the fish were pressured from a holiday weekend; they wouldn’t cooperate for a less-than-stealthy 3-year-old!
DWR: What was Wade’s most memorable moment from completing the slam?
JP: One of Wade’s most memorable stories from the slam was a day we actually got skunked. We were in the High Uinta range and there was a black bear along the river that we were scouting.
DWR: Do you have any advice for getting young kids hooked on fishing?
JP: My best piece of advice is don’t get caught up on just catching fish! Quite often, we make it a treasure hunt for bugs, rocks and lures people lose. Catching fish is great, but it’s important to have fun even when you aren’t.
DWR: In Wade’s words, what is his favorite thing about fishing?
JP: He said tying flies! We have been tying them together and fishing them during the slam.
DWR: Any other tips to share for completing the slam with kiddos?
JP: The slam has a lot of accessible water for kids, but sometimes the fish don’t always want to cooperate. Making sure the kids have a well-rounded experience will help them want to stay out there longer. Make sure you come prepared for the elements, as the weather can change quickly.
To learn more about the Utah Cutthroat Slam, and sign up for you and your kids, visit the Main Page of our website or reach out via email or our social media pages if you have any questions.
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