Utah Fishing Reports

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What's New

Mill Hollow is back. It's a popular small reservoir on the edge of the Uintas. It was closed for dam repairs but has been refilled and restocked. Fishing is reported to be good for planters. It is accessible via car and has a very nice campground.

Sportsman's Warehouse is set to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Utah-based retailer operates 26 stores, including several along the Wasatch Front. It has long been a popular place with local fishers and hunters.

Holiday Preview
Labor Day is coming fast. All popular lakes and reservoirs will be busy. Lake Powell will be great if you get there early and leave late. Just avoide the marinas on Sat and Mon. Flaming Gorge is also a good bet, and will have less congestion.

Me, I'll probably hike into the Uintas.

Rec Property

The real estate market is starting to turn around, as the US economy shows signs of new life. Prices and rates are still at rock bottom, but will undoubtedly rise and the economic recovery picks up steam. Buy now, if you can.

The property described below is a rare find; there may never again be a ranch for sale that includes so many acres, so close to Park City/Salt Lake City. It offers phenomenal hunting - last year a 200-inch mule deer was harvested on ranch property. The area is famous for trophy elk.

Sawmill Canyon Ranch
Sawmill Canyon Ranch is located approximately 50 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport. Also within short driving distance are several world-renowned ski resorts. These include Deer Valley, Park City, and The Canyons all located with 30 minutes of the property. To the north of the ranch Powder Mountain and Snow Basin are within one hour to an hour and thirty minutes. You are about 25 miles from the Western border of Wyoming.

The ranch consists of approximately 3800 acres. The terrain varies in elevation from the lower portion of the ranch at about 6000 ft. to the upper portions of the ranch reaching 8500ft. The property has two separate entrances, one on the West side, and the other on the South side. The West entrance is a private deeded Right-Of-Way that crosses thru approximately 18,000 acres of state owned winter range.

Price has been slashed to $5.5 million.

Offered by Steve Woolstenhulme, Daybreak Realty, 435.640.9254, www.mwrrp.com

Best Reservoirs

- High Uinta Lakes for trout
- Mantua for perch, bluegill, bass
- Willard Bay for catfish
- Strawberry Reservoir for trout
- Utah Lake for catfish, white bass
- Flaming Gorge for rainbows, kokanee, lake trout, smallmouth
- Red Fleet for trout, bluegill, bass
- Steinaker for trout, bluegill, bass
- Starvation for perch, walleye, bass
- Boulder Mountain for trout
- Fish Lake for trout
- Lower Bowns for trout
- Piute for trout and bass
- Sand Hollow for bass, bluegill
- Lake Powell for stripers, smallmouth, bluegill, catfish

Events

Archery and limited entry hunts begin Aug 15. These are for deer, elk and other big game.

Utah Wildlife Board Meeting Aug 19-20, Salt Lake City. Public attendance and participation is encouraged. This will include the Board Recognition Dinner.

Western Legends Roundup, August 26-29, Kanab. This is an annual celebration of the Old West. It offers a full range of activities and events, including appearances by actors who have appeared in Western movies and by top Western entertainers. It also offers a street fair with arts & crafts, food, other vendors, and music.

Starvation Walleye Classic walleye tournament, Sept 12-13, Starvation State Park. Entry fee per team: $250. Details.

See our events calendar

- Good Fishing, Dave Webb

The high country is the place to be, even on stormy August weekends. Fishing is good in the Uinta Mountains, along Skyline Drive and down into the Boulders. Plan to get wet. Explore the country. If one lake isn't producing, the next one down the trail probably will be.

Don't overlook the high country streams. Many Uinta Mountain streams receive light pressure and are teaming with small trout. If you are new to fly fishing, these streams can really boost your confidence. Patterns are not so important - these trout are hungry. A small Renegade pattern will take fish on both streams and lakes. Mosquitoes, ants, beetles also work well.

Fly fishing is great on our major streams as the storms rumble through. Caddis and PMD patterns are often productive on stormy afternoons. Yellow Sallies are also prevalent. Hoppers and other terrestrials often produce very good action. Smaller hopper patterns have been best.

Lake Powell fishing is excellent for many species. Wayne Gustaveson offers this summary: "Angling for other fish species remains good to excellent but it is overshadowed by the exciting surface action provided by surface striper fishing. This is the most exciting fishing found in fresh water. It must be experienced to be believed. I challenge you to try it and see if that bold statement is true."