Fly Fishing in the Uinta Mountains

The north and south slopes of the Uinta Mountains are home to many lakes and streams teeming with trout. Depending on annual snowfall, the high country can still be snow-covered, or even be impassable, early in the year. A good rule of thumb for post-runoff fly fishing is to head to the mountains around of the 4th of July. Many small streams and rivers will have no fishing restrictions until the 2nd weekend of July, but make sure you check the current regulations for the area you plan to fish.

Uinta Mountains, Utah

Some of the best fishing areas are easy to drive to while others may require a bit of hiking. The Uintas are an outstanding place to spend a couple of days camping and fishing. Some of the rivers you may want to explore include the Strawberry, Bear, Blacks Fork, Uinta, and Duchesne, and some of the best creeks for fishing are the Rock, Yellowstone, Currant, Smith and Morehouse, and Swift.

The best times to fish in the Uinta Mountains are post snow melt and runoff all the way through the first snows of winter. Fish in the high country seldom see flies if you are a few hundred yards from the roads so they are pretty gullible on most patterns. Elk hair caddis, stimulators, and Wulffs are some great dries to throw on the small streams. Hopper dropper combos on the lakes will produce fish as will most streamers. The lakes in the Uinta Mountains are almost too numerous to list, but stop into the Jans fly shop in Park City and our Experts will be happy to help you plan an excursion.

Best Time of Year to Fish

Post snow melt (usually not until 4th of July) through fall/early winter snow

River Hatches

Hatches in the mountains are similar to what you see on the upper Provo and Weber Rivers however, they are a little later due to the altitude. Small hoppers and ants are great terrestrials and are in the lakes and streams from mid-June throughout the rest of the summer. Mosquitos, midges, and damsels are common in the lakes while caddis, stone flies, and mayflies are in the moving water.

Best Flies to Use

Elk hair caddis, stimulators, and Wulffs on small streams; hopper dropper combos and streamers on lakes

Current Water Levels

Central Utah Water Conservancy District

U.S. Geological Survey