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 17, 2008

Fishing Overview
It's time to fish Lake Powell. Striper action is now excellent in the main channel near the dam, along sheer walls and in the backs of canyons. Largemouth bass are active and catchable as they nest in shallow areas, and smallmouth bass are coming on strong. The next few weeks will offer incredible fishing when the weather is warm and stable. Action will slow a bit when storms move through. For detailed information, read this excellent report by Wayne Gustaveson.

Wayne Gustaveson offers this interesting tidbit about fishing for spawning bass: "It is fun to sight fish for bedding bass. Watching a slow sinking senko or grub settle onto the nest creates an adrenalin rush as the nest monster rushes to the attack. Enjoy the spectacle but return fish caught on beds so they can protect the nest. If keeping a few bass for dinner - keep the fish that are lurking on the extremities beyond the nest. In the bass community, females are excess fish and should be the ones harvested. The males are vital to perpetuate the species."

Our major streams continue to fish well. The Green, Provo, Weber, Ogden and others offer good midge and blue wing olive dry fly action most days, and good nymph fishing at other times. Cloudy days are best. Dams protect sections of those streams from runoff - they usually offer decent fishing right through the spring. Other stream sections may be high and muddy now as runoff intensifies.

Jordanelle Reservoir has fishable open water in some spots, but there is still considerable ice on the main lake. It should open up during the next week. Rainbows and perch will bite well as the ice comes off. Bass will become active when the water warms a bit.

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
- Lake Powell for bass and striped bass

Interesting Post By Anglers
- Deer Creek is yielding a few walleye
- Flaming Gorge has open water, good fishing
- Starvation offers brown trout action
- Strawberry still has good ice fishing
- Yuba fishing has been slow
- Sand Hollow bass are biting
- Lake Powell action good trolling for stripers

News Articles
Daily Herald
- It's time to keep your 'eye' on the prize
- High court considers Utah public river rules

DWR
- New tool helps fight quagga mussels
- Did you draw a big game permit?

Salt Lake Tribune
- Celebrate Earth Day Saturday
- Some Yellowstone Park roads reopen
- The outsider: Yellowstone fly fishing; Bike Bonanza 2008
- Out Takes: Give Us Your Best Shot
- Earth Day at Ogden Nature Center
- Outdoor notebook: Soak up the sun, reach for the stars, plus much more
- Wharton: Public-lands bill may look better, but it's still a pig
- Hook shot
- Deer permits will be harder to come by in northern Utah
- Bird sighting
- Where is it?
- Author's movement gets state Rockin' to connect kids with nature
- Tight lines: Fun experience has me fit to be tied
- Salmon - a good excuse to eat more fat
- Ashley N.F. taking applications for cave tours
- Learn to kayak in whitewater
- Avalanche danger rising
- Trail to Timpanogos Cave is buried under snow
- Off endangered list, gray wolves now subject to Utah management plan
- Let wolves live: Wyoming 'plan' is just senseless killing

KUTV
- Travel Guide: Little Sahara
- Snowmobiling In The Spring
- Steelhead Fishing At The Clearwater River
- Dworshak Fish Hatchery

Deseret Morning News
- Number of permits raised for Utah's big-game hunts
- Bouldering helps sharpen skills
- Ray Grass: Utah gets its share of snow
- Ogden Climbfest 2008 schedule of events
- Outdoor notes
- Kane-roads battle back in court
- Students to compete in Moab Envirothon
- Governor examines proposal to drill for oil near 'Jetty'
- Ute Tribe backs wetland repair
- Sierra Club rates Utah lawmakers
- Apply now for tour of caves near Vernal
- If you find baby animal on its own, leave it alone
- Gray wolves face longer odds of getting established in Utah
- Warm temps raise avalanche dangers
- Utah sportsmen target mercury

Vernal Express
- Conservationists push for Nine Mile historic district

Regional
- Striped bass in spawning cycle
- Chinook salmon season opens April 26 on various rivers
- Fish and Game releases Chinook salmon forecast
- Most restrictive ocean-caught salmon season in history adopted
- Indicator nymphing in lakes
- 17-pound Mack released on east side of Lake Tahoe
- Outdoor groups "seek a balance"
- Can Wolf Hunting Help Conserve the Species?
- In the West, a Fierce Battle Over Wolves
- No Charges Filed in Wolf Killing Near Ashton
- Legislation introduced to reimburse for livestock killed by wolves
- Wild Files: Fish & Game Prepare For Bear Activity
- Cougar Shot in Chicago; Was 1000 Miles From Home?
- N. Idaho lynx habitat designation won't change management
- Moose & Unborn Calves Found Dead, Poaching Suspected
- Waterway makes endangered list: Gila River threatened
- Sen. Barrasso addresses outdoors issues at SF&W convention
- Our Special Earth Day Issue

 
What's New
Lake Powell SHAD Rally South, May 15-17. This is a gathering of Lake Powell fishing enthusiasts who get together to swap information, socialize, eat and fish.

Crossroads of the West Gun Show, April 19-20, South Towne Expo Center, 9575 S. State Street, Sandy.

Kokanee Salmon Fishing Seminar, April 24th, 6:30 pm at Sportsmans Warehouse in Riverdale.

Off-Road Expo, April 25-27, South Towne Expo Center in Sandy. This large consumer products show features the latest in 4X4s, ATVs, dirt bikes and other types of off-road equipment. Entertainment includes a team of motorcycle stunt riders inside a Motosphere steel globe.

Moab Photography Symposium, May 1-4, Moab. Annual 4-day gathering of photography enthusiasts to hear keynote and feature speakers, to share vision, to learn new skills and techniques, engage in educational workshops and lastly to engage in warm camaraderie all in the beauty of the Moab area. More info: Bruce Hucko 435-259-4176

Wasatch Fly Tying & Fly Fishing Expo, May 1-3, 2008, at the Gail Miller Conference Center in Sandy. Sponsored by the Stonefly Society, Cache Anglers, and Utah Trout Unlimited.

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.

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