Master stream fishing in Utah with these tips and tricks

Photo: Tiger trout caught on the fly stream fishing in Southern Utah. Photo: Townlift // Will Scadden

Here's how to get the most out of your stream fishing experience

UTAH – Despite the numerous ponds, reservoirs, and lakes Utah has to offer, stream fishing can provide Utahns with an opportunity to escape into the mountains, beat the heat, and have access to excellent fisheries.

If you are planning to stream fish this Summer, Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources provided some helpful tips and tricks to help you net some fish.

Utah offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities, ranging from small streams to wide rivers. If you are hoping to mainly fish smaller streams, both the Uinta Mountains and Boulder Mountain areas provide anglers with high-quality fishing experiences.

Both mountain areas are rated as Blue Ribbon Fisheries.

Most of the waterways in those regions consist of smaller streams. Anglers who fish in such streams should anticipate navigating around abundant brush, making shorter fishing rods preferable for this style of fishing.

“Fishing in small streams can be difficult, but anglers can be rewarded with high catch rates of fish, although they are smaller fish in some areas, especially around the Uintas,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said.

Due to the cooler water temperatures in some streams at higher elevations, many of the streams in the Uintas and on Boulder Mountain have several different trout species, including Arctic grayling, cutthroat, brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout.

Stream fishing for trout is typically associated with fly fishing, as anglers have to cast into tighter areas and present the fly or lure in a natural looking manner.

“Many of these fish can be caught fly fishing, using a variety of flies,” Hedrick said.

“Using nymphs can be an effective option because fish spend roughly 90% of their time feeding below the surface, which is where nymphs dwell. Dry flies and terrestrials are a lot of fun to use while fishing as well, and are often easier to fish with because you can see the fish actually taking the fly on the surface. However, they can be a more challenging option.”

Another popular technique is to combine aspects of both dry flying and nymphing, a technique called a dropper. This includes using a dry fly on the surface as a strike indicator and also using a nymph under the surface.

Although fly fishing may be the popular technique when stream fishing, anglers who prefer spinning equipment can also have success.

“You can also cast flies using a spinning rod if you use a bobber. Simply attach the fly with a section of leader below the bobber, and use the bobber as a strike indicator. Stream fishing is fun because it provides a unique game of strategy,” Hedrick said.

“To be successful as a stream angler, you have to be intimately aware of the habitat, what fish are eating, and how fish are behaving. You also have to focus on how you present your flies to the fish so you make it as natural as possible. This makes stream fishing both an exciting mental and physical challenge.”

Anglers can find more information on the DWR website about the stream fishing opportunities that Utah has to offer. The Utah Cutthroat Slam website also provides additional information about stream fishing in the state.