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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — The first dusting of snow has arrived at Alta and on the peaks of Mt. Timpanogos. This usually signals the end of summer, and the end of fly fishing in the high country.
Here's a look at five places you should fish before the snow falls, roads close and the 2016 high-country fishing season ends.
Potter's Ponds - 8,963 feet
Potter's Ponds is one of the most popular family fisheries in Central Utah. Located just under 9,000 feet in elevation, the ponds are home to a stocked population (and some holdovers) of rainbow trout. The fishing is great for kids who want to use bait, but it's also a good place to introduce your younger children into fly fishing.
You can access Potter's Ponds either from Ephraim Canyon or Fairview Canyon, just off the Miller's Flat Road.
Governor Dern Lake — 9,760 feet
Located just 9 miles from the Grandview Trailhead up the Duchesne River Canyon near Hanna, this lake is a popular one for those looking to escape the crowds around Grandaddy Lake. Cutthroat and brook trout are the catch here, but the scenery is nearly unmatched and, at just under 10,000 feet, the mornings are crisp and invigorating.
Duck Fork Reservoir — 9,317 feet
This is one of the most scenic lakes on the list, and holds some of the biggest trout you'll find in the high country. Tiger and cutthroat trout are your quarry here, and a float tube is your best bet for effectively fishing this lake. Access is difficult if roads are muddy, but you can get to Duck Fork from either Ferron or Sterling.
Swift Creek — 8,123 feet
Where Yellowstone Creek and Swift Creek meet, Swift Creek takes off and heads northeast into some pretty wild High Uintas country. It doesn't have the biggest fish in the state, but Swift Creek offers the classic high-country river fly fishing experience you'll need to hold yourself over until high-country season begins in 2017.
Emerald Lakes — 9,937 feet
These lakes, located north of Fish Lake, are never a sure thing when it comes to fishing. In fact, I'm not even positive if there's currently fish in them. However, they've been stocked with grayling in the past and the hike to each lake is relatively easy. If you have patience and want an adventure, the Emerald Lakes offer the classic high-country cirque vista and the possibility of hooking into some really nice grayling.
Fly fishing the high country is an experience that we, as Utahns, are lucky to have. From the High Uintas to Boulder Mountain, the state is full of amazing places that are only accessible from around June to October each year. Taking the time to explore these special places — and find your own honey holes — will pay off in the end.
Where are your favorite high-country fly fishing spots? Let us know in the comments.
