With the winter winding down, my mind turns from skis to fly rods since I want to get the most from my early days of fly fishing this spring. I’ve learned that as the snow begins to melt in the Wasatch mountains, the rivers can begin to become high and discolored with the spring run-off. It’s important to find rivers below impoundment where the water flow is regulated for the best fly fishing in Park City in the spring.
Close to Park City
The closest good fishing is going to occur on the Weber River below the Rockport Reservoir and the Provo River below the Jordanelle Reservoir or the Deer Creek Reservoir. These waters are but a 30 minute drive away and offer excellent nymph and streamer fishing with an occasional blue wing olive hatch for dry fly fishing. I’ve tried to fish the Weber below Echo Reservoir as well at this time of year, but it always seems to run dirty downstream past Morgan, Utah.
Another option is East Canyon Creek below East Canyon Reservoir, but often the road below Jeremy Ranch downstream can be impassable. Access requires that you go all the way around on Highway 84 to Henefer and then west on Highway 65 to get below the reservoir. Once you arrive at the river you’ll also find limited access.
A Bit More Driving
Some other possibilities with a little more driving include Currant Creek below Currant Creek Reservoir, Strawberry River below Soldier Creek Reservoir or Strawberry River below Starvation Reservoir upstream from the town of Duchesne.
Then there is the Green River. You can choose to fish below Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah or below Fontenelle Reservoir in southwest Wyoming. Either location is going to be at least a three-hour drive to wet your line.
Perhaps the best idea is to come into Jans at and talk to our fishing experts. These seasoned anglers already know what is happening in these rivers and can give you clear instructions as to where the fishing is the best. It might also be the time to hire a guide from Jans to take you to these locations and give you first hand advice.
Jan Peterson