Other Utah waters

[Jeremy Booth]

I've always been curious about flyfishing some of utah's stillwaters other than Strawberry, Mantua, or Jordanelle. Has anyone ever tried Flaming Gorge, Bear Lake, Pineview, Lake Powell, Willard Bay, etc. Thanks, Jeremy

[Ouzel]

Pineview: Spring - #8wt - large streamers - Shallow bays - Muskies. #2wt - small streamers & wet flies - Crappies.
Flaming Gorge: Spring & Fall - Antelope Flats area - #6wt - streamers - Smallmouth Bass. If not successful drop down for trout on the Green.
It is a good time to start doing your research now for spring.

[Light Cahill]

If you like Carp fishing, give the weedy back bays of Pineview a try. It's swarming with those ugly devils. Can't say I see anything wrong with trying to fly fish for Carp; I have tried it a time or two on the Weber in deeper slower channels without success so far. Those Uinta Lakes are tremendous fun, especially if you bring a small canoe, kayak or pontoon craft.

[FrozenFish]

If you want to catch lots of BIG carp, just head to Utah lake or Willard Bay in the Spring/summer, they are close to the shore in the shallows going around in big schools I have never really fly-fished for them but do plan on trying it in the spring, remember they are a VERY spooky fish! And if you think a carp fights hard try a flippin 5 lb WIPER!!!

[Wes Johnson]

One fishery that is totally overlooked by the flyangler - the WIPERS at Willard Bay. A friend of mine, Steve Tidwell, likes to fish for them in the fall (Sept-early November) when they push the shad into the shallows near the north marina.

A 5-10 wiper will take you to the backing in no time.

[wellsw]

Another overlooked stillwater fishery is Lost Creek Reservoir. It's not a very long drive from Salt Lake and it is turning into a good little spot to fish.

[Larry S.]

Matt Warner Res. and Calder Res. out by the Gorge are good as well as Stateline Res. on the North Slope. I have not fished them personally but know guys that do on a regular basis.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

Best fly fishing in the state.......Minnersville Res. Artificial flies and lures only, and only one fish that must be over 20" limit. Good fishing right now, and will be better this spring.

[Wes Johnson]

Well, I guess the cat is out of the bag.

Those of you who like to use kickboats or pontoon craft will be in for a delightful surprise if you go there next spring.

My biggest cutthroat was over 24" and I could not get my hands around its girth.

You need to get to the upper end of the reservoir and fish some of the coves and shallower areas.

Fortunately most of the bait fishermen stick to the dam and just around the boat ramp. There are some big fish in this water.

Just remember that Lost Creek Reservoir is a wakeless water, so you need to keep kicking down to a slow beat.

[FrozenFish]

I too was hopein Lost Creek would stay a secret..but o well, there wasn't 1 time I didn't catch fish when I went up there I uselly caught rainbows in the 10 to 14 inch range..but I did manage 1 14 inch brown over be the boat ramp..

[Jason]

I would have to concur with Heppy about Minersville Res, although it's not quite the 'best' fly fishing in the state, but for Southern Utah it's top notch for monster bows. I first learned lake fishing on Minersville while I was at school there 8 years ago. The biggest trout I've ever caught have come out of Minersville. The only bad thing about Minersville is that all the farmers drain the thing almost empty. IF you have the chance try it out. Kolob is another great fishery in the same area. Both reservoirs are managed as trophy fisheries.

[cardiac]

We fished Lost Creek quite a bit towards the last part of the summer. The water line seemed about 60' above up the sides of the reservoir. We caught a lot of fish in the 12" to 14" range also. Never did get into a cutt though.
I also think it seems to be a well kept secret, but the restrictions on the waters might have something to do with the reduced pressure and with keeping some anglers away (not that I mind that).
Wes, I heard they are planning on opening the reservoir year 'round in 2002. I do like the "No Camping Overnight", Gates closed at 10 P.M.- Entire waters- wakeless, and it being closed for the winter.
Maybe I'm being selfish, but I don't think it would hurt to restrict some of out stillwaters to have a closed season in the winter (no ice fishing). I just think with the restrictions on Lost Creek, it has the potential to become an excellent trophy fishery, if the DWR doesn't mess with it

[Strike]

What types of flies did you find to be the most successful up at Lost Creek? I fished the berry every 10 days in the spring and fall; could I use the same bugs and leaches that I use on the berry? What about line? I used a number 2 sinking line. I enjoy still water fishing quite a bit. The flies for the most part are easier for me to tie, and it is a good excuse for me to get out of the house seeing I am both exercising and fishing. (j/k!) I was going to try that lake but by the time I got bored with the berry, it was past Nov. 1. What area do you stay in? Is it small enough that you could kick your way around the entire lake? Thanks! We will have to go up sometime and knock them dead!

Icefree guides to all!

[Wes Johnson]

Big problem about opening Lost Creek year around. Who is going to patrol it to keep the keg party groups out. This was a major problem and the one of the main reasons it was closed during the dam repairs. Too many party's. I had a couple of kids ask for a ride out from the dam at 10:00 PM. Their truck was stuck in the lake bottom.

Bureau of Reclamation, DWR, and DPR have been trying to get funding to open it year around. There is not enough funding for the park rangers from East Canyon to manage it on a permanent basis. DWR and DPR have given Morgan County Sheriff nearly $30,000 a year to help patrol the area.

Deseret is concerned about the stocking of rainbows in Lost Creek. They are migrating upstream and mixing with the cutthroats in the upper reaches of the stream. The cutts are in the reservoir. They like to spend the winter there then migrate upstream to spawn.

When the reservoir was drained for the dam repairs, there were many cutts in the 20+ range that were swept down stream. These may return in the spring to spawn below the dam.

The biggest cutt I have caught and released on the stream was over 24" long, and I could not get my hands around its middle. They love the deeper waters.

I would use a crystal bugger, AP nymph, or any other Denny Rickards pattern. These have always worked good for me.