Utah Fishing Reports

What's New
Icebreaker Fly Fishing Trip
I tried fly fishing on the Lower-Lower Provo on Presidents Day. It was a fun trip, albeit somewhat comical. I had trouble getting into my waders - it seems I've put on some flab over the winter. When I opened my fly box I found that all my nymphs were missing. But we did catch fish. Read my blog about this trip.

Grand Gulch Hike
This spring-like weather has intensified my cabin fever. I've got to go south and get some red-rock therapy.

I'm considering backpacking into Grand Gulch. It's one of the best places on earth to view Anasazi ruins. We are still early in the season - there may be ice and snow in places, but I hope the main areas will be free of snow and accessible.

Permits are needed to hike and backpack in Grand Gulch, and in other canyons on Cedar Mesa. Beginning March 1, permits must be reserved in advance and they go fast. Before then the canyons are open to all comers. I wasn't able to reserve the dates I wanted and so I'm thinking I may backpack in on Feb 27, if I can find a couple crazy people to go with me.

Featured Recreational Property
Now's the time to buy. Prices and interest rates will never be lower.

A-frame cabin on 20 acres near Scofield Reservoir. Great family getaway in a prime recreational area. Just $265,000. Details.

Events
Utah RV Show, February 19-22, 2009, South Towne Expo Center. This is a one-stop marketplace for every kind of outdoor recreational vehicle. You'll see motor homes, tent trailers, custom vans, 5th wheels, campers, SUVs.

Snow Goose Festival, Feb 20-21, Delta. Observe huge flocks of migrating snow geese and other birds at Gunnison Bend Reservoir and Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area. Every February, thousands of beautiful lesser snow geese use the farm fields and bodies of water between the Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area and the Delta, Utah area as a resting point on their northern migration. There is no other site in Utah that offers the chance to see so many snow geese in one place. The sight and sound of thousands of snow geese in the air and upon the water in such a concentrated gathering, we believe is one of the most incredible wildlife experiences available. The festival includes a dinner, trap shoot, quilt show and other activities.

Lava Tubes Tour, February 21, Snow Canyon State Park (Ivins, Utah). Join park staff for a two-mile roundtrip hike and the chance to explore the unique formations of a lava tube! Saturday, February 21, 10- 11:30 a.m. To register for this activity, or to request more information, contact park staff by calling 435-628-2255.

Bass Fishing 101, Feb 28, Cabelas in Lehi, Utah. Cliff Gallagher will discuss Bass Fishing Tactics and species identification at the Aquarium. Hours: 7-8 pm. Free.

See our events calendar

- Good Fishing, Dave Webb

Weather will be beautiful this weekend and it looks like next week will also be nice. Get out and have fun.

Hiking conditions will be superb in the open desert country of southern Utah. At this time of year you can find great hikes in Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef and the lower trails in Zion.

Stream fishing success is improving and access is also improving at lower elevations. Midge patterns continue to work on the surface during the warmer parts of the day. Nymphs work along the bottom.

This warmer weather will create hazards on some ice fishing waters. Low-elevation waters will probably have unsafe ice for another week or so, and then will open up. Mid-elevation waters may have unsafe ice around edges. You may need to bridge across open water or thin ice to get to solid ice a few feet out.

Higher elevation waters will still have safe ice for some weeks. Fishing is spotty. The best action seems to be during early morning hours. Many waters have been fished hard; move away from easy access spots to areas that haven't had as much pressure.

Fish Lake and Strawberry are bright spots. You may need to move around and drill several holes to find active fish.

Fishermen are rallying to oppose HB187 - the bill that would restrict access to streambeds. Details. Also see this Deseret News article.