Seasons

October – This is monster fish time of year due to spawning Browns on the rivers and Brook Trout and Splake on the lakes!  Anglers should look out for spawning beds and take particular care of handling and releasing fish. Big brown trout will pair up early in the month, look for areas to work their redds and actively chase each other around.  Temperatures are very mild and nice this time of year, but winter storms can bring out the jackets and gloves.  Due to local hunting, area waters are more quiet and can provide solitude from the busier summer season.  Most Boulder Mountain Lakes close November 1st and will re-open in April.

November – Mild weather can be experienced this time of year, but can’t be counted on.  Limited dry-fly fishing is still available with mostly midge activity and streamers.  Some local streams experience their brown trout spawn and anglers should look closely to stay away from their redds (depressions in the gravel).  Good fishing with streamers and nymphs continues in November. Days are shorter and the trout will be most active from 11-4pm.

Recommended flies/hatches; BWO’s/Baetis (18-20), Mahogany Duns/Paraleptoplebia “paraleps” (14-18).  Streamers of almost any color and size, various bead-head or standard nymphs & dry fly patterns to match these hatches.

Fishing is limited, but our local spring creeks can produce giant browns and rainbows during these winter months. Mild winter temperatures can bring surprisingly good fly fishing. Hungry trout will take midges and big streamers on warmer days when afternoon temperatures reach the 40’s. March can bring 60′s with any weather pattern being a possibility.

March fishing is long-awaited from winters trout slumber.  Local spring creeks can produce giant browns and rainbows in early spring as this is their first opportunity since fall. Hungry trout will take midges and big streamers on warmer days when afternoon temperatures can reach the 60’s. Dry fly fishing is a bonus, but does occur at times during the afternoon.

April & May – Finally, some great fishing you can count on!  It’s predictable that southern Utah streams will start experiencing their first prolific hatches and sizeable bugs larger than midges.  And the trout become predictable too.  There is a frequent mid-day Baetis emergence and tailing fish throughout the region. Streamers are very productive and the more popular tactic to utilize if you’re on the water most of the day.

Recommended flies/hatches; BWO’s/Baetis (18-20), Mahogany Duns/Paraleptoplebia “paraleps” (14-18), Midges/Chironomidae (20-26).  Streamers of almost any color and size, various bead-head or standard nymphs & dry fly patterns to match these hatches.

June – We hope you’ve planned ahead and reserved plenty of time-off in your vacation schedule. Because this is the time of year when fly-fishing dreams are realized!  Plentiful hatches throughout the day, calm & warm days perfect for wet-wading and dry weather patterns. Stow the nymph and streamer boxes in your backpack in case, but most likely you’ll find feeders on the surface all-day-long! These conditions prevail throughout the entire southern Utah region. Don’t forget to pay attention to high elevation lakes as this is our favorite time of year for cruising cutthroat in the shallows.

Recommended flies/hatches; Salmonflies/Pteronarcys Californica (6-8), Yellow Sally Stoneflies/Isoperla (14-16), PMD’s/Ephemerella Infrequens and Inermis (14-18), Sulphur Duns/Ephemerella Invaria (14-16), Western Green Drake/Drunella Grandis (12), Flav/Drunella Flavilinea (14), Hydropsyche Caddis (14-20), Damselflies & Dragonflies, Terrestrials/Grasshoppers/Ants/Beetles.  Streamers of almost any color and size, various bead-head or standard nymphs & dry fly patterns to match these hatches.

July – Continued dry-fly fishing at its finest with smaller bugs being more prevalent except for large hoppers. As daytime temperatures rise, early and late in the day anglers will find more active fish. High elevation streams are incredible and lake fishing on the Boulders, Thousand Lakes Mountain, Fishlake Mountain, Monroe Mountain and the Markagunt Plateau experience endless aquatic insect activity. This is when we start pursuing big brook trout!

Recommended flies/hatches; Callibaetis (14-16), PMD’s/Ephemerella Inermis (16-18), Sulphur Duns/Ephemerella Invaria (14-16), Glossosoma Micro Caddis (18-22), Trico/Tricorythodes (20-26), Damselflies & Dragonflies, Terrestrials/Grasshoppers/Ants/Beetles.  Streamers of almost any color and size, various bead-head or standard nymphs & dry fly patterns to match these hatches.

August & September – Southern Utah streams and lakes will continue to fish very well.  Trout will become pickier due to being well fed for several months to this point.   Aquatic insects are most prolific during mid-summer and they are generally smaller.  Remember to bring smaller tippets and longer tapered leaders for the best success.  Browns and Rainbows will pod-up on the surface to take spinners in the early morning hours…so don’t sleep in.  Hopper fishing is superb! Daytime temperatures will typically reach the upper 80’s and sometimes the 90’s, but evenings will cool off nicely. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms from the monsoon! The higher elevation lakes this time of year can help you beat the afternoon heat.

Recommended flies & hatches; Callibaetis (14-16), PMD’s/Ephemerella Inermis (16-18), Sulphur Duns/Ephemerella Invaria (14-16), Glossosoma Micro Caddis (18-22), Trico/Tricorythodes (20-26), BWO’s/Baetis (18-22), Damselflies & Dragonflies, Terrestrials/Grasshoppers/Ants/Beetles. Streamers of almost any color and size, various bead-head or standard nymphs & dry fly patterns to match these hatches.