Fishbytes is a weekly outdoors report provided by redrockadventure.com. It is posted on our website and sent as an email newsletter (subscribe or unsubscribe). Please forward it to others you think may be interested. View archived past reports.

April 10, 2008

Fishing Overview
During the next few weeks, some of Utah's best fishing will be at Lake Powell for bass and striped bass, and on the Provo and Green rivers for trout.

Lesser-known waters are also heating up. There have been good reports about wiper fishing at Newcastle Reservoir, and tiger muskier action at Newton Reservoir. Otter Creek and Piute reservoirs continue to fish well.

Starvation Reservoir ice has pulled back. There is often good brown trout fishing in that reservoir as the ice comes off. Walleye may also bite, but that action is usually fairly slow until the water warms a bit.

With fishing improving all over, more fishing reports are becoming available. Here are some good ones:
- Big Fish Tackle Utah discussion board
- Waynes Words Lake Powel report
- KUTV Rod & Reel Report
- DWR weekly fishing report

At Lake Powell, stripers are now being caught consistently near the dam, and in the backs of canyons. That action will improve during the next couple weeks, as will smallmouth fishing. Here's a tidbit from the excellent report by Wayne Gustaveson: "Largemouth bass are still the most active species but water temperature is now in the range where smallmouth bass fishing will blossom. The key temperature is 57 early morning increasing to the mid 60’s in the afternoon. Spawning occurs when morning temperature is in the low 60’s. The lake is still a week away from rapid warming but the weather forecast for the weekend is for warm calm days. If that happens then bass spawning is right around the corner." Read his full report.

Green River action is good and getting better. Steve Schmidt reports: "Blue Wings Olives, which we've all been waiting for, are now more consistently hatching. You'll find them in isolated areas and in enough numbers so that the fish are looking for them. Midges are still the dominant hatch, but springs Mayflies are our late morning and afternoon on a regular basis, especially on the lower portions of A and the first few miles of section B. Those area below near Little Hole have been the best. By the end of the month they should be emerging in good numbers throughout the river corridor." Read his complete report.

Provo River is also fishing well. Steve reports: "Fishing has been a mix of nymph and dry flies. There is also a mix of Midges and Mayflies on the water at the same time. Although the Midges are beginning to taper off, you'll still find them in with the Blue Wing Olives. Be prepared for both." Read his Provo River report.

Deer Creek Reservoir ice should be completely gone this weekend or early next week.

DWR Hotspots Report
- Utah Lake for white bass
- Weber River for trout and whitefish
- Strawberry Reservoir for trout
- Yuba Reservoir for perch
- Otter Creek Reservoir for trout

Interesting Post By Anglers
- Lake Powell fishing heats up (also wipers in Newcastle Reservoir)
- East Canyon big rainbow in open water
- Pineview has open shoreline; success for tiger muskie and trout
- Willard Bay catfish start to bite
- Newton has open water and tiger muskie are biting

News Articles
DWR
- View strutting sage grouse on April 12
- Proposed fishing changes at Joe's Valley Reservoir
- Dead birds float ashore at Great Salt Lake
- Hey Teens! Win a Free Fishing Trip!
- More Big Game Hunting Permits
- DWR Proposes More Antlerless Hunting Permits

Salt Lake Tribune
- Utah activates wolf-management plan
- Wolf's death stirs fears for species' fate
- Legends of the falls: Utah's high water
- Outdoor notebook: Get down and dirty at 2008 Off-Road Expo
- New gadgets bring indoor comforts to outdoor stays
- Ski of the week: Classic Powder Mountain
- Several Ski resorts closing for the season
- Q&A with pro snowboarder Kurt Wastell
- The Outsider: Salmonfly relocation, star parties resume
- All over the state, educational outings abound
- Outdoor notebook: Get down and dirty at 2008 Off-Road Expo
- Where is it? - Hook shot
- Group pitches in for native cutthroat trout
- Recreation roundup
- Bird Sighting
- All over the state, educational outings abound
- Utah high court weighs river rights
- There's a new S. Utah land bill - but old woes linger

KUED
- Springtime On The Green River
- River Tactics For Fly Fishing
- The Youth Hunter Education Challenge
- Travel Guide: The San Rafael Swell

Deseret Morning News
- Fly-fishing — Don't wait: Now's ideal time in rivers, streams
- Success picks up at Powell
- Ray Grass: Sportsmen should have to pay for deer-vehicle collisions
- Old lures could be worth big money — or maybe they're just rich in memories
- A brief rundown on fishing conditions across the state
- Planes aid in success of reseeding program
- Hop on over to canyon to see mountain goats
- Outdoor notes
- Nine Mile Canyon group hosting spring cleanup
- Sulfur-dioxide levels force closure of Hawaii volcano park
- Vegas-based firm acquires Grand County mineral lease
- High sulfur dioxide levels force closure of national park
- More turbulence for airlines as their quality rankings drop
- Fleet Feet Sports in American Fork plans a 5K training program
- Springtime in Zion: Breathtaking scenery pulls visitors out of winter doldrums
- Eco-groups might prefer new Dixie bill

Daily Herald
- High court considers Utah public river rules

Regional
- Fishing hot spot: Roaring Fork River
- North Platte draws attention, crowds
- Fish kill possible on Fall Creek
- The Ghosts of Casa Grande
- A legendary firearms company goes back to its roots
- Wild Files: Fish & Game Prepare For Bear Activity
- Activists howling mad about wolf hunting possibility
- Wyoming's wolf policies prompt call for boycott
- In Northern Rockies, wolves raising howls
- One Montana wolf killed since delisting
- Wyoming to offer weekly wolf updates
- Wolf hunters urged to use restraint
- Northwest salmon deal includes just $540 million for new projects
- Idaho Announces Long-Term Agreement With Bonneville Power
- Cheney fly fishing with naked lady?
- Increasing The Number Of Mule Deer
- Mule Deer Population in the Clear: New Hunts
- Federal board rejects BLM energy leases in wildlife areas
- State seeks $11.5 million to battle zebra mussels
- Sportsmen voice concerns over climate change threatens hunting
- Wild horses to stay, for now, at Nev. wildlife refuge
- Laos dam could cause extinction of worlds largest catfish
- Wilderness advocates 'overplayed their hand'

 
What's New
Fishing trips have become popular for corporate off-site retreats, where executives can distress, focus and strategize, and where employees can be rewarded with adventure activities. Utah's Castle Valley Ranch is becoming renowned as an adventure retreat. It offers fly fishing, wingshooting and Western activities at a deluxe lodge in the middle of nowhere. Prominent businessman Glendon Johnson owns it and he makes sure everything is in place for corporate groups.

Swell Hike: Last weekend I hiked upper Devils Canyon and tried to climb the San Rafael Knob, but was turned back by ice and snow. I blogged about it here. See my Devils Canyon and Knob photos. I haven't had time to write up a full article, but I will someday.

Featured Video clip: Abajo Haven Guest Ranch. This Blanding ranch is surrounded by Anasazi ruins and rock art sites. Some are on private land not accessible except to ranch guests. It is a beautiful place.

Rocky Mountain Goat Viewing, April 12, Salt Lake City. This is a free DWR Watchable Wildlife field trip beginning at the Park and Ride lot at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

14th Annual Buckboard Wyoming Classic Fish Derby will be held June 7-8 at Buckboard Marina. Boundaries will be from the pipeline north. There will be a captains meeting June 6, 7 pm. For questions or correspondence mail to Buckboard Marina HCR 65 Box 100 Green River, Wyoming 82935 or call 307-875-6927.

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